Not Even A Greeting?

After much deliberation, Adam came to an easy solution.

("Let's just put them in a giant box.") [Adam]

Using his ability, he compressed the earth surrounding the supplies and encased it.

"Have you thought about how to move it?" [Krino]

("I'll fly it.") [Adam]

Encompassing the earthen box with delicately controlled air, Adam managed to lift it.

"Your control over your ability has grown." [Astos]

"Words of praise? That's rare. I thought you'd compare it to when Adam lifted an entire desert." [Krino]

"You spout nonsense. Lifting the desert was simply raw compression power. It can't be compared to compressing something enough to lift it without damaging it." [Astos]

"...You're oddly nice today." [Krino]

"I am simply stating the facts. I swore to assist Adam to the best of my abilities. Words of affirmation are among them." [Astos]

Adam felt a bit touched hearing that.

("Time to get moving.") [Adam]

He sat atop the earthen box and used his ability to fly. There were a few times where he thought the encasement was beginning to fall off from the wind pressure, but it wasn't something that a resupply of dirt didn't fix.

"So, have you thought about your excuse?" [Krino]

("Excuse?") [Adam]

"To Felix. You know, for leaving without any support." [Krino]

("Ah…") [Adam]

Adam had completely forgotten.

("It'll pass.") [Adam]

"...I see that you're just going to let him lecture you while you daydream?" [Krino]

("Perchance.") [Adam]

After six and a half hours of flight, Adam managed to make it back to the fort. He landed at the front gate, surprising the guards.

"S-Sir Adam! You've returned!" [Guardsman]

"Call some people to bring these in, I've gotta talk to Fable." [Adam]

"Yes sir!" [Guardsman]

Before leaving to find Felix, Adam pulverized the dirt box around the crates.

("That'll make it easier for them.") [Adam]

Upon entering the fort, Felix was seen to be outside his office and speaking to Pilton and Erise.

"Fable!" [Adam]

"...Astos? You're back already? How?" [Felix]

"I flew." [Adam]

"With the prisoners?! What about your men?!" [Felix]

Adam was surprised by the question.

("Does he not know about the fact I left without support?") [Adam]

Adam contemplated whether or not to lie or come clean.

("...Would it be heroic to lie? Guess not.") [Adam]

"I went by myself. I took no men with me." [Adam]

"What?!" [Felix]

He opened his mouth to begin lecturing, but could not find the correct words after taking into account Adam had already returned unharmed. Felix quickly collected himself before speaking.

"So? The supplies?" [Felix]

"Outside. I've ordered some men to bring it in." [Adam]

"Good work. I'm glad that the trade went smoothly. You're dismissed." [Felix]

Just as Adam was about to leave, Pilton grabbed his shoulder.

"Wait, you're a part of this conversation too." [Pilton]

"Huh?" [Adam]

"Pilton, we've already gone over this." [Felix]

Pilton shook his head.

"This isn't right, Sir Fable." [Pilton]

"I also agree. This is a matter of ethics." [Erise]

"What's going on?" [Adam]

"None of your business, you can leave now." [Felix]

Pilton grabbed Adam's other shoulder, forcing them to face each other.

"Pardon my rudeness, Sir Astos. However, I need to inform you-" [Pilton]

"Pilton!" [Felix]

Ignoring Felix, Pilton continued.

"Your hometown is in danger!" [Pilton]

"...What?" [Adam]

Adam glanced at Felix who was pinching between his eyes.

("Does he mean… Earth?") [Adam]

"Metus! Your village is under threat by the Temple! They plan to attack it in retaliation to taking this fort!" [Pilton]

Adam was confused.

"...Pilton, Erise. Allow me to have a word with Astos." [Felix]

Satisfied with himself, Pilton released Adam.

"Understood." [Pilton] [Erise]

The two distanced themselves, walking until they were out of earshot.

"Before you say anything, I just want to say Metus is meaningless to us." [Felix]

"Meaningless? Isn't Metus the village we first came across? The one that gave us a map?" [Adam]

"It's also a village that we have almost no relation to. All we have is their name to use in your title as hero. Nothing else." [Felix]

"Didn't Pilton say that they're in danger?" [Adam]

"Which doesn't concern us. It's not like it's your real hometown." [Felix]

"Pilton said it was in retaliation to what we did. Chasing off that Supreme Hero and taking this fort as ours." [Adam]

Felix crossed his arms.

"You can't be thinking of saving them." [Felix]

Adam looked at Felix with determination in his eyes.

"I am." [Adam]

"Why?" [Felix]

"I was the one that chose to use their name in my title. I will take responsibility." [Adam]

"And what about us? The fort? Our men? Tiffany? Me? You're just going to drag us in?" [Felix]

Adam shook his head.

"Just me." [Adam]

Adam's response wasn't enough to convince Felix.

"Are you stupid?!" [Felix]

Felix burst out in anger.

"This is the Temple we're talking about! Since you haven't done your research, let me inform you that they're a known superpower around this world! What are you, by yourself, going to do?! You will die!" [Felix]

"You don't know that." [Adam]

"Okay?! So what if I don't know?! There's still a chance of you not even returning! The risk isn't worth it!" [Felix]

"A hero doesn't measure risk by worth." [Adam]

That one line pushed Felix over the edge.

"Hero this, hero that! Do you really believe you've become a hero?! You're not! It's just a dream! You're not a hero, and playing make believe with the people in this world won't make you one!" [Felix]

Adam was taken aback at Felix's outburst. So much so that Felix immediately regretted his words upon seeing Adam's expression.

"..." [Adam]

Without saying a word, Adam used his ability to blast himself into the sky.

"Astos! Don't be stupid!" [Felix]

His words fell on deaf ears as Adam departed with the loud boom of his unorthodox flying method.

"...So, you're not going to listen to him?" [Krino]

("You already know my decision.") [Adam]

"Saving Metus it is then." [Krino]