Destiny or fate? (3)

Lune plains, north.

The broad area and flat land of Lune plains is a convergence of the roads between two regions. Amid the grasses, stands one lone route that leads to a different region. Walking on the road could make one realise the vast world and how tiny one can be.

The day was overcast and breezy. Acre casually strolled and Levinte followed him behind. If Levinte could see Acre's face at the moment, he could tell that he was someone who had been here before.

Acre was astonished by its tremendous transformation. Looking into the distance, the fantastic landscape of a few trees, some distant hills and clouds came into his peripheral vision. He could only smile and gaze.

Meanwhile, a frown remained on Levinte's face along the way. Although the boy was determined to follow the man, he could not let his guard down no matter what. Besides, he was still following a stranger. Who could entirely trust a man who claims to know the veracity of the past?

Nevertheless, Levinte thought, 'It's now or never. This man is a rare gem. My curiosity can't take it. I need to know everything!'

Levinte: "Mister, how did that Yano Rui guy scheme the raid?"

Acre: "Remember the twin? He tricked one of them to bring Ewis Mado to the Qiang Empire and plotted the event perfectly to be synchronized."

Another major mystery surrounding the twin was that they could not authenticate their gender. Many sources expounded that they are like two peas in a pod, having the same shoulder-length hairstyle. Nevertheless, the documents offered a thesis that they were identical twin boys.

People had a hard time differentiating them. In addition, the twin was on separate sides, but they had the advantage to switch positions without getting caught. In the end, the other joined his brother and defeated Lord Zuopi.

Levinte glanced at Acre strangely, not expecting him to give such a direct answer. His confident tone made it hard to believe that he was spouting utter nonsense.

This guy is weird. However, as promised, he would have to prove that his words are true.

After trekking for a while, Levinte's legs began to hurt. Luckily the sun was not out to scorch the hell out of them, or else the boy would be in a much worse state. Levinte's breaths were heavy and loud and his face dripping with sweat.

Colorful dots began to cover his vision and he immediately sat on the ground and groaned, glaring up.

Acre was still looking fine!

Levinte: "Wait... Stop... I can't... Anymore... Chill..."

At the front, Acre quickly turned around and saw the boy dying on the ground. He was lost in thoughts and did not manage to notice the decreasing energy of the young one.

Acre: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? We could've stopped by an inn just now. Nevermind, we can go back. We haven't gone too far."

He removed the rectangular object behind him and crouched down in front of Levinte, telling him to get on his back. Without hesitation, the boy did so and put all his weight into him. He was too tired to think of anything else but to sleep. Then, Acre grabbed the rectangular object and carried it under his arm.

Watching the young one being too comfortable on his back, Acre sighed and tried his best to steady his pace to make sure it did not bother the boy. They were not in a hurry and the sky grew darker.

Lune Inn.

It was near dusk when they reached Lune Inn, a landmark of Lune Plains. Most of the customers that stop here are pedestrians. They will know the lengthy highway and make a plan to stay for the night to reach the other destination.

"Oh my, would you like me to get you a room for the young boy?" The owner of the inn approached Acre at the entrance. He seemed to be genuinely concerned about the boy's well-being. He noticed the big bag on Levinte's back and provided a big help by taking it off. Despite the great weight, the owner still managed to carry it elegantly. His assistant quickly offered Acre to help him carry his rectangular object.

Acre nodded and smiled, "Yes please, thank you. I'll take two rooms."

The owner respectfully pointed the way and asked Acre to follow. Suddenly, Acre raised a question. "Do you perhaps know Bou Shaw?"

When the owner heard that, he halted and looked at Acre from the corner of his eye. He remained silent before turning his head to meet eyes with Acre and smiled.

"Yes, he's my great-great-grandfather."

"Oh." As if Acre never expected the answer, he clenched his jaw and kept his small smile.

The owner's eyes were wide when it stared at Acre, as if in disbelief that someone knew about his forefather that lived hundreds of years ago.

Acre: "I heard a lot about him... my family knew your grandfather"

The owner: "...My grandfather?"

Acre: "My father's been here a long time ago."

Hearing that, the corners of the owner's lip turned up a bit. "I see. It's an honour to meet you."

Acre reciprocated the warm gesture and began to walk as a reminder to the owner that they still have not reached the rooms yet. Exhaling a breath, Acre said to himself, 'So this guy's a successor to the old Bou!'

Not long after, the owner opened a door and assisted Acre to put down Levinte on the bed. The room was quite spacious and pristine. What greatly confused Acre was the thing hung up on the wall. The owner pressed the switch and the white machine above started to function.

Brow knitted and lips pressed together, Acre appeared genuinely amazed. When the owner turned around and saw Acre's appearance, he could not help but feel worried, like something in the room made the guest uncomfortable. He followed his gaze and ended up looking at the air conditioner.

As he surveyed it, he analysed the settings and placement, even using his perfect eye vision to spot any dust on it. However, he did not see any errors and felt even more anxious, perhaps he was the one missing something?

Shortly, he looked at Acre and asked, "Is something bothering you sir? If so please do tell me, I will try my best to resolve your worries."

Acre hummed, eyes still not peeled off from the wall. "It's nothing, you can go now. Thank you."

It did not ease the owner the slightest. One must be able to accept constructive criticism to improve and reduce the probability of errors. That was exactly what he had prepared and trained himself for, to understand and learn his mistakes even for the slightest one. Yet the thing he could not handle the most was people not telling him the truth and talking behind his back.

The owner was not letting this go. "Are you really sure sir? I will do anything in my power to offer you the best service."

Sensing the situation, Acre helplessly said, "Well... Can you tell me what that thing is?"

The question surprised the owner so much that he lost control of his expression for a moment. Eyes widened and jaw dropped, he stared at Acre with overwhelming concern.

Embarrassed, Acre smiled sheepishly and looked down. The owner snapped out of it and shook his head, regaining his posture and quickly apologised for his rude manner. "That's an air conditioner."

Acre: "I see! Sorry, I'm not very familiar with it."

The owner: "Don't be sir! I was the one who made things awkward. Well then, I will take my leave."

When he was about to walk away, Acre stopped him. "Wait! I need your help."

The owner turned around, "What is it?"

Acre: "Can you help me turn that thing on in my room?"

He could see the slight brow raise of the owner's face. "No problem sir, anything else?"

In a thinking posture, Acre's eyes wandered around and exited the room. Next, he sauntered into his room. He felt like standing in the selfsame spot they were back in the former room as it looked nothing different. A door in the corner caught his attention.

Entering the bathroom, the bright lighting and luxurious features made his eyes bigger. Something captured his interest as he walked closer to it, slowly extending his hand to touch the polished surface of it.

Acre: "...What a big tub!"

The owner wordlessly stood beside, his hands together behind his back and maintained his polite smile. Acre, on the other hand, as if everything was foreign to him, investigated every part of the bathroom, sometimes sending the owner an inquiring glance. Naturally, he would get answers and extra explanations. Watching Acre surprised and fascinated, the owner felt somewhat good like he was giving someone such useful information.

Subsequently, Acre made an entreaty to be taught how to use all of the things he asked for. At first, the odd request made the owner pause but of course, he gladly conducted the teaching session that took a while to finish.

Acre: "Now that's a lot to take in! Thanks by the way. I took your time."

The owner: "No problem sir. If you're still confused, you should ask the young gentleman for help. If he doesn't know as well, then feel free to call me anytime."

After the owner left, the first thing Acre did was lay in bed, tucked warmly under the covers as he relished the feeling. Earlier, when he took care of the boy, he was so amazed by the soft feeling of the mattress when it was pressed down. Later, he was even stunned by the fluffiness of the blanket he touched.

Clasping the comfortable material, he beamed with pleasure, thinking, 'This is heaven!'

In the cold room and the fabrics pampering Acre to keep him snug, he was fleetingly transferred to dreamland.