Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 57: Contrast

“Were we wrong?” Melton asked Fedrich as they secretly watched Fedrey’s people, who were chatting on the other table, that they had followed to find Gie’s hometown to also investigate Gie’s background aside from Leui.

Since Gie and Leui are friends and, as they heard from Gie before, that he and Leui knew each other when they were younger, Leui must also be living in the same town as Gie, right? So, they will be hitting two birds with one stone if they go to Gie’s hometown.

But, what they didn’t expect is that they would end up with nothing, as there was no one living in the place where Gie had lived before. Did Gie lie to them? But, the place has visible traces that it was once inhabited. But, there was no one who is living here now. Why? Did something happen for them to leave the place? Or… they were all killed?

They suddenly felt a bone-chilling feeling when they thought of the latter possibility. If they were all killed, then who did it? And why? Or, what killed them? Why did the kingdom not know about their annihilation? But, if it is the former possibility, for them to leave the place… was it voluntary, or they were forced? What could make them leave this place, though?

“Leui is really clean (innocent), as well as Gie?” Melton asked Fedrich in a low voice.

Fedrich didn’t answer and just remained silent as he pondered. Since he met Leui, he didn’t see him do anything suspicious, contrary to Fedrey. Fedrich understands Fedrey. It actually isn’t Leui’s actions that he is suspicious about, but Leui’s intention behind his actions. But, Fedrich disagrees with this thinking of Fedrey as he has interacted with Leui before. He can tell that the guy’s intention is pure… or that he has really no intention whatsoever in his action.

He just helps if he can. If not, then he would find a corner and laze around. He helped Dan’s family out of kindness. He helped rescue the people from the Dream Weaver out of his sense of responsibility. There is nothing beyond that. But, Fedrich also trusts Fedrey, especially with what Fedrey said.

“’uneasy’.” Fedrich muttered.

Fedrey felt uneasy towards Leui. Although Fedrich doesn’t feel uneasy towards Leui, but, there is something that makes Fedrich’s instinct go in alarm.

“Huh?” Melton muttered, confused with what his captain spoke. ‘uneasy’? He thought. Then, he suddenly remembered that this is what Fedrey answered to Fedrich after Fedrich asked him why he suspects Leui. But, why is his captain mentioning this now?

Finally, Fedrich spoke. “Leui and Gie are innocent.” He said.

Melton looked at him.

“But, there is something strange about them.” Fedrich said.

“What is it?” Melton asked.

Fedrich raised his head and looked at his vice-captain. “That is the problem.” He spoke. “I can’t point out what it is.” He told him.

Melton’s eyes widened in shock. “What…” he muttered as he sharply inhaled. “This…” he said.

Fedrich wryly smiled. “Fedrey has a low EQ. He said he is uneasy, but he doesn’t know what he is uneasy about towards Leui.” He said. “I realized that this uneasiness of Fedrey is because he can’t figure out the strangeness in Leui, as well as Gie.” He explained.

Melton’s mouth was agape. “So, captain, you…” he said.

Fedrich chuckled. “Leui and Gie are really innocent. They hold no ill intention, and even helps people, that is why Fedrey didn’t make any move against them.” He said. “But, their actions are contrasting their strangeness. This is why Fedrey can’t let go of his suspicion of them.” He explained.

“So, that’s it!” Melton hit the table and sighed. Then, he suddenly recalled something. “You are right, captain.” He spoke. “There really is something different with Leui and Gie.” He said.

“Oh? What is your opinion?” Fedrich asked.

Melton pondered. “Leui’s strangeness…” he muttered. “Leui has an air of mysteriousness around him.” he spoke. “As for Gie… doctor Gie has no air of mysteriousness, but what is strange about him….” He suddenly frowned. “He has no sense of belongingness.” He said as his eyes widened when he realized it.

Fedrich grinned. “You are really worthy of being my vice-captain.” He said.

Melton suddenly blushed. “Thank you, captain!” he said.

Fedrich nodded as he drank. “You are right.” He said. “Leui felt mysterious, while the doctor isn’t. The doctor has no sense of belongingness, but Leui… he has.” He spoke.

“… huh?” Melton muttered when he suddenly felt something strange in his captain’s words. “… captain.” He called when he finally realized it.

“Hmm?” Fedrich answered and smiled. His eyes are twinkling.

Melton saw his captain’s smile and he figured out that his captain really knows it now. “There’s a contrast between the two of them.” He spoke. “But… they still can be friends. And that contrast… it doesn’t show when they were together.” He explained.

“Yes.” Fedrich nodded. “This is the strangeness of them two, and between them two.” He said. “Leui is mysterious but Gie is transparent. Gie has no sense of belongingness, yet Leui has. Even when Leui lost his memories, but he can still make friends, even with the other races.” He looked at Melton who was attentively listening to him. “Although Gie helps many people, but he hasn’t anyone that close to him, right? It was only when Leui appeared. And, it was only Leui that he allowed to get close to him. This confirms that they are really friends. Gie didn’t lie to Leui.” He sipped his drink. “But, the sharp contrast between the two…” he muttered.

“This is really baffling.” Melton spoke. “I believe that both of them are smart people. They should have noticed their contrasting personalities. Yet, they can remain friends.” He said.

Fedrich smiled, admiring the friendship between Leui and Gie.

“Grandma, hello. May I ask some questions?” someone spoke.

Fedrich and Melton turned and saw that Fedrey’s people had made a move. They looked at each other and lowered their heads to hide their faces while they secretly listened.

“Hello… what may it be?” the old woman asked as she turned.

One of Fedrey’s people sat across the old woman for her to not crane her neck. “Grandma. May I ask if something happened to the village behind the mountain?” he asked.

“Ah… that village…” the old woman muttered, feeling wistful.

“Grandma, for you to look sad like that…” the knights looked at each other. “Did something happen to that village?” they asked.

Fedrich and Melton waited, perking their ears up to not miss a single detail.

“Yes.” The old woman nodded. “It is such an unfortunate event…” she sighed.

“What happened to the village, grandma?” they asked.

“Yes.” The old woman nodded. “It was constantly attacked by the beasts. The people there are reclusive, which made them attacked by the beasts.” She explained. “Until one day, they couldn't take it anymore and left, scattering in all directions. Some died, while some lived.” She sighed in lament.

The knights silently looked at each other. Their gazes are talking.

“But who would want to relive their pain? It’s better to forget and start a new life.” The old woman continued.

They looked at her. “Grandma, could it be that you are…?” they asked in shock.

“Yes. I am one of those fortunate people who survived.” She smiled. “I can still remember that my fiancé and I are about to get married, but the beasts attacked. He… saved me and died.” She bitterly smiled.

“Grandma…”

She took a deep breath. “I left and changed my name. In the end, I still can’t forget and so I returned.” She said and looked at the mountain with her eyes filled with longing.

The knights looked at each other, feeling helpless. They don’t know what to say. They can only silently comfort her before they leave.

Meanwhile, Fedrich and Melton are silent. “So, the reason why doctor Gie has no sense of belonging is…” Melton spoke in a low voice. “No wonder he left and went to the Capital which is far from here.” He said.

“He has lost his home.” Fedrich said. “He felt that he didn't belong anywhere.” He sighed.

“So, Leui…” Melton muttered. “He was better off than doctor Gie. He lost his memories… it was better for him to not recall those painful memories.” He said. “They must be still so young at that time…” he sighed.

“Not good!” They heard someone shout outside. His voice is filled with alarm. “The beasts from the mountain are going here! They must be leaving the mountain since there were no humans left there for them to eat!” he said.

“Evacuate the people! Faster!” someone yelled.

Fedrich and Melton looked at each other and immediately turned to the people. “Everyone! Run! The beasts are descending the mountain and are coming here!” they said.

“Melton!” Fedrich called after they warned the people. “Lead the people to a safer place! I’ll stay here and hold the beasts off together with Fedrey’s people!” he told him.