Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 373: The Plains

Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 373: The Plains

The way down was not easier than the way up. Because flying was unusable in this strange broken land, their feet were unsteady with the slant, loose gravel, and gravity under their soles. Since there was nothing dangerous on this mountain, Oscar and Avril rode Erden down the mountain slope.

'Demon, what do you think about Avril?' Oscar asked inwardly and focused on Avril in front of him. She was swaying from her sides and humming in delight from his earlier declaration of the mountain possessing an interesting secret. Demon's actions yesterday went out of line, but Oscar also noted some oddness about Avril since then.

'An idiot.' Demon spat without hesitation.

'Harsh as ever. You made a severe mistake yesterday. If anyone's an idiot, it's you.' Oscar scoffed.

'You're the one who acts like an excited child, craving attention. So desperate for someone else you never considered the threat she might pose to you. Taking her medicine without knowing what it is and exposing your back to her without concern. You are also an idiot.' Demon retorted. His cold voice echoed in Oscar's mind, emotionless and strained.

'Must be tough, being so unable to see through people that you can only grasp their nature after threatening them. Others might act well and hide their true intentions, but she feels different. So what kind of fool is she to you?' Oscar said.

'A straightforward fool with no deep thoughts. The idiot does as she thinks and says what she sees without shame or realization of what she's doing. The only thing she hides is her past. But her reaction to me and her scarred face should spell it out for you.' Demon answered.

'I find that quite refreshing. I don't mind Avril hiding her past. That is her private matter. If her words and actions right now are what she truly thinks, then she's alright.' Oscar rubbed his head and yawned. Remembering how Avril said Demon was nice, Oscar smiled and felt Demon was lost for the first time since his conception.

'She's a fool who can't tell a lie or hide her thoughts. Next time, you may not be so lucky. Need I remind you not to be so trusting of others.' Demon lectured.

'Sorry to interrupt your little talk. Isn't this the area you spotted, Oscar?' Erden forced his words into their mental council.

"We're here," Oscar hadn't focused on his surroundings during his conversation with Demon. Plots of gravel and rocks surrounded them; nothing was out of place or unique from the rest of the mountain. However, Oscar knew there was treasure here, picking up a handful of stones.

"What is here?" Avril leaped off Erden, lost her balance momentarily, and managed to hold her footing. She approached Oscar's side, looking at the stones in his hand. Her eyebrow raised, confused at what she was looking at.

"Can't figure it out?" Oscar held a rock and held it closer to her. "Look at the faint yellowish lines and spots on this rock. As a fabricator and under a certain unreasonable head's training, I have a keen eye for these."

"You're a fabricator?" Avril asked.

"I am. And I can tell you these rocks contain a faint amount of metal, an ore of the lowest quality. Its presence in these mountains means there must be a source that may have a better yield. The rocks here are only the outermost ones." Oscar tossed the rocks aside and swept his feet around, slowly digging in until he hit the bare ground.

"So we dig!" Avril shouted in understanding. She created large wooden hands and began digging into the mountain, grabbing a handful of dirt and gravel and throwing it away.

"Yessir!" Avril laughed.

.......

The plains were uneventful except for the savage battle between packs of Exalt Beasts. Oscar and Avril explored the remainder of the large realm, which only amounted to fifteen miles in each way. The mountains, on average, were around ten miles high. Each mountain contained several deposits of ores from grade one to grade three.

Oscar used his other space pockets to store them, having a large supply of ores. In the end, there was no other way but to live here for the time being and prepare for his advancement to Middle Knight Exalt.

The days went by slowly. Oscar planted some plants and vegetables in a small garden to harvest later. Avril especially loved vegetable dishes such as stews and roasts, eating them happily while avoiding the meat. Oscar spent his days training in Ein while eating the few cores he hunted from other Lower Knight Exalts, and he spent his nights teaching Avril how to read and write.

After several months, she finally learned everything and started to read to Oscar to check up on her ability. Her anima also responded well as she continued to read the singular words in its sections. Oscar was glad to see her gaining strength because they needed everything to push through to the next parts of the strange land.

.......

"So, the Great Pirate Roberts retired and decided he had enough of exploring the seas. Now he has a new adventure to see the lands. The End." Avril closed her book and yawned while stretching. She rested her head back, feeling Erden's soft white fur. "How was my reading? She feels nervous asking, hoping for the right words. "

"For the hundredth time now, you're reading perfectly fine. It's been a year since you started learning. Even a slow learner wouldn't take that long." Oscar was also resting on Erden from the other side, meditating in training. He sighed in helplessness. Avril wanted him to listen to her read daily, and he couldn't say no.

"Could you read the next story?" Avril passed the book over Erden's back.

"You already read it multiple times. Why do you need me to read it?" Oscar complained but reached out to take the book and opened it to the next story.

"I like hearing others tell stories. You read them so well too. Reminds me of someone else." Avril chuckled. "That's a secret. She doesn't want to tell."

"Feh. Whatever." Oscar didn't reject her. After a year of living in this place together, he had gotten used to her antics and picked up on several clues. Her self-narration was a form of coping to a level he had never seen. By narrating her thoughts and what was happening around her, she made light of the situation, which helped calm her nerves.

It was also a connection to a person in her past who must have told her many oral stories, which she retold to Oscar with great clarity and memory. Oscar knew he was only taking up someone else's role, but he also enjoyed having someone to read to. Gol-4 and Erden were blockheads and not as receptive as Avril.

After finishing the next story, Oscar closed the book and got up. Avril whistled as she brushed Erden's fur with a makeshift comb made from a rock. Leaving them be, Oscar focused on his core and noted the waves of Ein it emanated, begging for him to act.

The Middle Knight Exalt realm was calling to him.N/nêw n0vel chap/ers are published o/n n0v/e/(lb)i(n.)co/m