Chapter 62: Hamel (I)

Bit of a smaller chapter. But the Hamel sequence and Giliath vs Cassius will be the two main sequences of this Volume. (:

It is a new week. Giliath demands your power stones!

*

Hamel.

A word that would either strike fear and hopelessness in the future to those who knew, or ignorance to those who didn't. Much needed to say, it was one of the more impactful words to all of Zemurians, near and far.

But if we are talking about now...

It would be seen as the polar opposite.

Hamel was just a little village. It wasn't even big enough to be called a town, let alone a city by today's standards. Even the number of houses could be counted with two sets of hands. It's residents didn't even number a hundred.

A simple, backwater village in the southernmost region of Erebonia, south of the Sutherland region. It was hidden deep within the misty mountains. It only had one windy path which separated it from the closest sign of modernity, Parm Village, and Titus Gate which lead to its neighboring country, Liberl.

One way in, one way out.

Such a simplistic village that wasn't even worth considering to many, but to some, its location was a prime target...

It was still well into April of year S1192 of the Septian Calendar. While the top brass of Erebonia was currently reacting to the horror that took place not too long ago at a certain villa on the outskirts of Trista, much less could be said happening way down south. It was so peaceful that even monsters would rarely pop out of their nests.

Besides the rare orbal car passing along the main road to eventually pass through Titus Gate or vice versa, not many humans could be seen traversing the southern mountains.

That is, except one man who was well underway the windy road that lead to Hamel.

This man had neatly combed back hair that was held by held quite nicely. His hair was dark blue and had red eyes. He was wearing a green earthly overcoat with a little pair of spectacles over his eyes. It was still chilly in the mountains so he was wearing a mantle of matching color over it, as well as some dark blue trousers.

If anything, this man seemed to be more of a scholar, if anything else. Especially with a little travel notebook and a pen currently in one of his hands.

He appeared to be traveling by himself in this part of the woods, as one would say. However, he wasn't actually alone. Another person who seemed to be nothing more than a lookout could be seen guiding this man further along the sole mountain path.

"We seem to be making good pace. Perhaps we will make it before sun down after all. I didn't think there'd be a village situated this far south."

"Haha, you got that right. Bein' an escort is quite rare 'round these parts of the woods. You ain't the first one though. Every so often we'd get a soldier to come check up on us. Makin' sure we doin' good.", The guide said. He had a bit of an accent, but it didn't bother the scholar who was following him. In fact it even made him smile.

"We dun get yer type out here too often. In fact yer the first scholar to even come take an interest in such a shabby village since I took up the guardin' duty. Not that I'm callin' it bad though. People 'round here will treat ya kindly.", the guide

"Haha, I'm a rather odd person myself. I like to travel a lot as I continue my studies. I used to be a Professor at one of the famed churches in Arteria.", The scholar said, thanking the guide.

"That so? I'm not sure what ya can get out of this place, but yer free to stay as ya please.", The guide responded.

"Thank you. I'll try not to cause any trouble during my stay.", The scholar replied with another smile.

"Haha. Hope ya find somethin' interestin' then. The name's, Jonathan, by the way. Got me three kids meself. I'm sure my wife would welcome ya at the very least. Do be on the lookout for a couple troublemakers though.", The guide said, introducing himself to the scholar.

"Note taken. I seem to have forgotten my manners since you've graced me with your name. It's a pleasure to meet you Jonathan. You can call me Professor Alba.", Professor Alba said introducing himself.

"Professor Alba, eh? Nice to meet'cha. We'll only take another hour or two at most. In fact, why don't ya stay at our place durin' yer stay? We got plenty of room to spare. But if not ya can always use one of the church's rooms.", Jonathan suggested.

"I would hate to intrude on your home. But this is a bit surprising. There's a Church all the way out here?", Professor Alba asked with interest.

"Sure there is. It helps us gather the kids around for sunday teachin'. We would get a nun to come help every so often.", Jonathan explained a bit.

"That so? Then I don't mind staying there, since it'll be for a couple days at most. I might intrude on you for meals though. I hate to be ashamed of myself, but I can hardly lift a finger against monsters.", Professor Alba replied, being a bit embarrassed.

"Haha! Ya can leave that to us. Yer more than welcome. Say, yer a Professor, right? As a service fee, why dont'cha teach the kids somethin'? That'll cover yer meal costs durin' yer stay at Hamel.", Jonathan suggested.

Professor Alba pushed his small eyeglasses upward a bit before nodding in acknowledgement.

"That's a splendid idea. Perhaps it was Aidios's will for me to come give a lecture here.", Professor Alba responded happily.

"Then it's settled. And would ya look at that? We've just arrived at our plateau. Welcome to Hamel, Professor Alba.", Jonathan said, before realizing time had passed right under their noses while continuing to chat while being escorted.

Sure enough, Professor Alba arrived at what appeared to be a simple wooden gate with two small towers that only reached so high up. Beyond that were houses made out of stone and wood, as if it lacked technology. And yet on the inside, orbal devices could be seen plenty, which livened things up. To sum it up, he saw it as peaceful.

Simple, and peaceful.

Even kids ran around happily, playing tag or playing hide and seek, while girls played around with stuffed animals.

Professor Alba pushed his glasses upward a bit again.

"So this place is to be your spearhead, huh, Sir Arundel?", Professor Alba said, silently uttering to himself as his eyes stayed glued on the misspelled sign that read, "Harmel".

*

All I can say is rip Jon. A side oc you will be in our memory.