CHAPTER III. Criminal

Chapter III : Criminal

We met the next day as he had arranged, and I inspected the rooms of which he had spoken at our meeting.

The room consisted of a couple of comfortable bedrooms and a single large airy sitting room, cheerfully furnished, and illuminated by two broad windows. So desirable in every way were the apartments, and so moderate did the terms seem when divided between us, that the bargain was concluded upon the spot, and we at once entered possession.

That very evening, I moved my things around from the hotel, and the following morning, Ashu followed me with several boxes and bags. For a day or two, we were busily employed ourselves in unpacking and laying out our property to the best of our advantage.

That done, we gradually began to settle down and accommodate ourselves to our new surroundings. Ashu certainly was not a difficult man to live with. With his amazing stories about his recent exploits and his vast collection of books, he was one entertaining man.

But, there was something mysterious about him. He is a hardworking man, spending his time reading maps and books that I'm not aware of, there are times he stares blankly at the ceilings. Sometimes he does not even return home and there are times he returned all bruised up.

I immediately treated him, whenever I found him, all bruised up. I asked what happened and tell him to head hospital, But, he refused to head to their, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to. As for me, I applied for the guild, and recently became a member, completed up to three jobs just in this weak, they were quite easy.

One of them was catching a local thief, the pay was good but I was finding little too boring for my taste. As a child, I always craved excitement, my mother told stories about, how the world was filled with an interesting and exciting place, a place full of adventure and treasure.

Because of that reason I joined the army as a military doctor but... Now that, I retired as a doctor, I again carved for that sense of excitement and danger, I don't want my life living, catching petty thieves.

So that's why I decided to ask Ashu; "Can I join you, pretty please!!"

"No!"

"Why!?"

"Because it'll dangerous."

"I'm not an idiot, I know It'll be dangerous, I was war veteran you know, I can be just fine."

"No." He flatly rejected it without even thinking for a second, but I too did not learn the word give up. And so, my quest to convince him, Began.

"For God's sake!! Fine, I'll allow it, but then don't blame me, for what happens with you, okay!?" after constant pestering and begging, he aggreged.

"Yes!"

"When do we leave?" I asked; "How about in three weeks? I need to prepare some things before that, in meantime why don't you train your body."

"Okay, thanks by the way."

"No-Need to thank me."

As the weeks went by, my interest in him and my curiosity as to his aims in life, gradually deepened and increased. His very person and appearance were such as to strike the attention of the most casual observer. He was over six feet in height and so excessively lean that he seemed considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination. But, it wasn't just his physical appearance that caught my attention.

It was the way he spoke of his dream to become the supreme king, with such conviction and passion. I couldn't help but wonder what his story was, what's drives him to become so obsessed with this goal.

One day, I finally mustered up the courage to ask him, "Ashu, if you don't me asking, is there a story or a reason behind your obsession with becoming the king? You seem more than obsessed, with it, why is that?"

He looked at me for a moment, and then let out a deep sigh. "No reason,"

"Do you not want to tell me?" I said.

"No-No, off course not, but its like I said, I don't have any particular reason."

"You don't need any reason to archive a dream, its good to have one but not necessary." He continued.

"But...from what I've heard, the Ark of the Covenant is said to be hidden away by the previous Silver King, Albert K. Wiseman, before his mysterious disappearance. Nobody knows where he is or where he's hidden the treasure, not a single person. Many powerful and dangerous individuals desire to obtain that treasure, for various reasons. Do you truly believe you can compete with them? These are some very influential and powerful people we're talking about, with vast resources and armies at their disposal."

"I understand that I may not be the strongest or wealthiest person at the moment, but I have my goal clearly in sight. I know exactly what I want to achieve. That's why I'm gathering a team of strong and brave individuals, people with great ambition and dreams to pursue. With their help, I'll enter the tower."

"Ha-ha, I love that fire in your eyes. You can count me in!" I said;

"I can't help but feel a sense of intrigue when I look at Ashu," I thought to myself. "He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. I don't know what the future holds for him, but I can't wait to see where his journey takes him."

The day for our exploration had finally arrived. Ashu and I spent the two days prior to the event preparing for our journey. Ashu tasked me with packing our essentials, such as protein bars, matchboxes, sleeping bags, knives, ropes, nails, hammer and four bottles of water. I also made sure to pack the most important item of all, toilet paper.

As I packed these items into our bags, Ashu was busy packing things I wasn't familiar with. Out of curiosity, I asked him what he was packing and he simply replied that they were weapons and a few chemicals.

Our bags were packed and we set off for the valley of Lutia.

"How are we going to get there?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I've got that covered, Leon will be going to help us." We met with Leon and Ashu asked if he could borrow a ride for a few days.

"So, you guys are going to the Valley of Lutia. How about you guys take my car, currently I don't have any carriage available?"

"No sweat, that'll do just fine."

With that, Leon went to bring his car while we waited outside the guild. A few minutes of waiting paid off and Leon brought his car. He asked us which one of us knew how to drive. Ashu took the keys and sat in the driver's seat.

"Guys, before you go, I have some news for you. I heard that the King-slayer, Cale Valtia Stark, has been caught by the third regiment and is being held in Val Shiri prison in the base town," Leon said with a serious tone. "Because of this, the route to the valley is completely secured and unauthorized access is impossible. I suggest you take another route."

"King-slayer? Who is that and what did he do?" asked Ashu.

" You've never heard of the infamous Cale Valtia Stark? What about you, Ray, don't tell me, you too don't know, about him?" Leon exclaimed in surprise. In response to that, I nodded.

"For god's sake, why don't you guys try to read the newspaper for once?"

"Are you going to tell us about him or not?"

"He's the one who single-handedly murdered the King of the Elesia Empire, who allied himself with World nobles. He was once a member of the renowned Valtia family, known for being the strongest family of assassins. They guard the world nobles from the shadows."

"But why is he called the King-slayer?" Ashu interjected.

"Because he not only killed the King, but also the entire royal family and anyone who was in the palace at the time. It was a brutal and senseless massacre, and he disappeared afterwards. But recently he got caught by the third regiment," Leon explained.

Wow, I had no idea. He sounds like a monster," I said, shocked.

"He is a monster, a demon disguised as a human. He's also been rumored to have supernatural abilities, which made him a formidable opponent. That's why the government issued a high-security warning and secured the route to the valley from any unauthorized access," Leon added with a serious tone.

"…"

"Now that you know about this, do what I suggested. Take another route for the valley, okay?"

"…"

"Ashu! What happened? You look dazed."

"N-Nothing… Well, that certainly complicates things," Ashu said, rubbing his chin in thought. "Let's go, thanks Leon for the warning and don't worry about us."

"Alright, well I wish you both the best of luck on your journey. Remember, if you need anything, just come back here and I'll be happy to help," Leon said as we said our farewells and set off on our journey.

"I don't know why, but Ashu seems preoccupied with something. He's been quiet and distant ever since we set out on this journey. I've tried asking him what's on his mind, but he just tells me he's thinking about the route," I thought to myself as I held the map and guided Ashu along the way.

But then, out of nowhere, Ashu suddenly veered off the path we were supposed to take.

"Hey! Where are we going? Leon warned us not to take this route!" I exclaimed.

"Don't worry, I'm just curious to see that King-slayer fella."

" I can't shake the feeling that I need to see him," Ashu said, his voice firm and resolute.

"I don't know but my gut is telling me to see that guy, don't worry we are strong."

"Hmm... Why the sudden curiosity?" I asked, still confused.

"I don't know. My gut is telling me to see this guy. Don't worry, we're strong. We can handle whatever comes our way," Ashu said, his confidence unwavering.

"…"

And just like that, we arrived near the base town. As Leon had warned us, the security was tight around the base town.

"Ray, I'm thinking of asking him to join our group, if he's a good guy," Ashu said, his mind made up

"Are you out of your mind!! Haven't you heard that the guy is a monster, he killed everybody in the Elsia empire, I get that he's strong but why associate ourselves with the bad guy?"

"We can't be sure about that just yet, hadn't you heard, all these might be just rumours..."

"Ray, I decided to ask him to join me in my journey to achieve my dream, that is if is a good guy, don't worry I know what I am doing," Ashu said, with seriousness and determination in his eyes.

"You're just being reckless now... he's been caught because he's a bad guy! And let's just say that he is a good guy and he agrees to join you then what? Are you going free that guy, you know what that means right?

We'll be defying the government and authorities which in turn will put us on the wanted list!!"

"That's why I told you, it'll be dangerous."

"But you never told, you'll be freeing a vicious criminal."

"Why make the enemies out the government!?"

"I don't care. I can drop you off, if you want."

"…" I was silent, I don't know what to do. On one hand, I want my boring life to be exciting and filled with adventure. On another, I don't want to make enemies out of the government. A difficult choice to make.

I've decided; "Fine, I'll join you."

"…!! Thank you, you won't regret it, but… are you sure, our journey will be going to be dangerous from now on?"

"It's not like I have any family to take care of, so don't worry."

"…" with that, I forward my right hand for a handshake, and he accepted his gesture, with a smile.

This is where my whole life changed forever, don't know for better or worse, but I can't wait to see the future.

"What now? How are going to meet our potential comrade?" I asked.

"I have a plan!" Ashu said that with a huge grin plastered on his face…

Just by looking at him, shivers ran down my spine…

To be continued….