Cowardice and Courage
Early the next morning, Hubo and Tom gathered everything they could carry.
Tom buried any old equipment he couldn't use, hoping to retrieve it later, but also considering that he might not need any of it.
According to Hubo, there were many metals, and possibly alloys (a term unknown to Hubo), that were much stronger than Tom's original armor and weapons.
Once more, Hubo carried his large medical pack on his back.
Having spent much time with Hubo, Tom knew that what Hubo carried was more like a mobile lab than just a bunch of ingredients.
After a lengthy discussion the previous night, they devised a partial path they would need to take.
Thanks to Tom's time spent in the forest, he had already explored most of the distance to their target.
Tom had chosen a campsite from which they would embark on their exploration to find a new path leading to the thieves' destination.
They set out on their journey and, after a day of travel, arrived at the chosen campsite.
Tom spent the next few days locating a path to the thieves' base.
Using his camouflage, he snuck close to the base during the night and learned that their employer, a noble of some sort, was expected to arrive the next day.
After slipping away from the thieves' base, Tom returned to the campsite, where he found Hubo processing various herbs, flowers, and plants.
Tom informed Hubo of all that he had discovered.
"I don't understand why those thieves are still there," Tom exclaimed, looking to Hubo for an explanation.
Hubo, however, said nothing, continuing his work. Tom grew frustrated and questioned Hubo directly, seeking answers to his puzzling behavior.
"They're waiting for someone, but you said that finding the Seven Suns Meteor Flower was a chance event.
Why would they wait for someone unless they arranged all of this previously?" Tom inquired, waiting for Hubo's response.
Realizing that Tom wouldn't let go of the matter until he understood the situation, Hubo finally replied, "I lied."
Tom looked stunned, eagerly awaiting Hubo's further explanation.
"We were hired by an old friend of mine, Lord Fenton, to obtain the rare herb.
I agreed as we have had a close relationship for years.
I've long considered his children like my grandchildren. He said that one of his beloved children needed the flower due to a fatal illness they contracted," Hubo explained.
Without thinking, I didn't even bother checking the child's condition… what an idiot. I set off with some of my friend's trusted men.
As we continued on our trip, I secretly listened in on their conversations and eventually came to learn the truth.
My friend fell under the sway of the Boyars, a group of nobles who serve the Boglin Mist.
They aim to overthrow stable kingdoms rich in resources, converting the nobles and merchants into their lackeys and installing tyrants to rule the land," Hubo disclosed.
"That's terrible! What do these nobles and merchants get for betraying their kingdom?" Tom asked, expressing concern.
"Money, power, autonomy—the usual things.
A portion of their new wealth is a tax paid to the Boglin Mist.
Half the army is sent to join the growing Boglin Mist forces.
I'm not a political person and never wanted to get mixed up with them, but as you can see, my desires don't matter.
My so-called friend, Lord Fenton, betrayed me and sent these nefarious characters.
In exchange for the Seven Suns Meteor Flower and my head, the Boglin Mist promised to enthrone him as the King over the Upton Empire.
When we found the flower, I managed to obtain it while those villains fought the monster protecting it.
None of them was a match for me so I let down my guard.
Raivon snuck up on me and tried to stab me in the back. He barely missed my heart, and I started running immediately.
When he attacked, I dropped the flower in surprise.
Not long after, I ran into you, and you know what happened after that," Hubo recounted.
Quietly reviewing the information he received, Tom realized the whole situation was beyond him.
He was a simple 16-year-old teenager who struggled to survive in this mad and wild world.
In the past, his abilities had made him the envy of others, and even though he had never sought to be a hero, he had accomplished some good.
Nonetheless, confronting someone like Fenton was not in his interest.
"Do you think I'm a coward for not wanting to get involved?" Tom asked Hubo sheepishly.
"Indeed, you are a bit of a coward, but it's easier to have peace when everyone is a little more cowardly," Hubo smiled good-naturedly at Tom.
Tom sighed, realizing that there wasn't much he could do.
To get stronger and heal his body, he needed that flower.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked, resigning himself to his fate.
Hubo stretched his limbs and flexed his muscles, "Nothing, you got me here. I owe each of those thieves a little something. I'll be back soon," Hubo said, jumping away from Tom with such speed that Tom had never seen before, even in his old world, where living Titans existed.
Tom broke down the camp and followed Hubo, determined not to take direct action in this conflict but unwilling to let the old man fight alone, either.
When Tom arrived, he saw that Hubo had swiftly defeated the thieves. It was shocking, how strong was this old man? Tom wondered.
One of the thieves, Raivon, the person who had stabbed Hubo, was left conscious, now cowering in fear.
"Hubo, please, don't kill me!" Raivon pleaded for his life.
Without saying a word, Hubo knocked Raivon out and gathered all of the valuables belonging to the thieves.
He stripped them of their armor, ran their horses off, and recovered the Seven Suns Meteor Flower.
Gathering the last of their food, Hubo prepared to leave.
As Hubo was about to depart, Lord Fenton arrived. The two confronted each other, and the reluctance in Lord Fenton's eyes was clear to Hubo.
Hubo was angry with his former friend, but Lord Fenton explained that he was helpless and had to betray Hubo to save his wife and children.
Hubo looked surprised at first, "That's the stick, but the carrot was that they would make you Upton's Emperor.
I can't believe you betrayed me so thoroughly and didn't even try to warm me.
You acted so well, shedding tears for your child! There's nothing I can do to help you. I need the flower," Hubo informed him.
"I shed those tears for you, I didn't even want the throne!
Hubo, please, pity my family. If not for me, then for my children who you have watched grow up!"
Lord Fenton realized that he wasn't a match for Hubo and could only play his favorite card, relying on Hubo's love for his children.
"Don't pretend anymore. I know what you are now!
However, I'll still do what I can to save your children, but I need this flower.
After this, I'm severing my relationship with you… and your children. I refuse to allow you to continue using me," Hubo declared firmly.
"They'll kill my family if I don't return with this flower and your head immediately!" Lord Fenton shouted, desperate to save his family.
"Ha! Do you think I'm going to let you take my head?
Your family is probably already dead.
If they aren't dead now, once you return with your mission complete, they will tie up the loose ends," Hubo sighed."There's still a chance.
They wouldn't offer to make me king if they wanted to finish me off," Fenton argued tearfully.
"If they were serious about making you the king, why would they force you into a corner?
With the Boglin Mist, there isn't a chance, you know that! They mean to end you and wipe out your family," Hubo asserted.
Lord Fenton looked as if he was going half-mad, fearing for his family.
"We'll try to save them, don't return immediately," Tom's voice came from the shadows, startling Lord Fenton.
Hubo looked into the shadows, his gaze intense and focused.
"We have to leave now. I won't be able to treat you with the flower until after we save Lord Fenton's family," Hubo said, making his intentions clear.
"If we're not strong enough, then we'll have to be smart enough," Tom replied confidently, and Hubo smiled at the youth's words.
Turning his head toward Lord Fenton, Hubo spoke with a sense of purpose, "Tell us everything."