The World Turns On Its Own  

Karl left the mansion to visit the city. The butler who was in-charge of the affairs of the mansion insisted that Karl take the motorcycle. Karl didn’t have any reason to reject it, so he took the motorcycle and rode it to the city.

To get to the city Karl took the route that the stagecoach followed. Although after a while he turned to another road where there was a view of the sea. Karl thought that the feeling of the wind against his skin truly was comfortable. It only resolved him into wanting to have a motorcycle of his own.

After some time he saw the coastal inlet. There was a small dock that was providing the city with a steady stream of commerce. Entering the city one would notice how most of the buildings had the edges of their building facing the sea. Causing gusts of wind bouncing off the adobe walls of the city. When Karl entered the city he had to ask around the pedestrians on the side where he might be able to purchase ink ribbon and paper. There was a stationary store in the marketplace. It was near a newspaper stand as well.

The two-story store had a smell of paper and ink. There were about two shelves. But Karl was quite surprised that they also sold colorful comics. Karl purchased the ink ribbon and paper that Ms. Alicia wanted. She could have the mansion’s servants buy it for her. Karl however insisted on allowing him so he would have a chance to visit the city.

Karl made his purchase. He got out of the stationary store. It was then that he caught sight of a newspaper. It was barely a kron so Karl purchased the newspaper. He sat on the bench located on the front of the stationary store.

“Recent changes in the agreement between the nation,” the paper reads. “Reparations are undergoing. Nations discuss the restoration effort of cities, towns, and villages.”

It was the same drivel. Although there was one thing that made him raise an eyebrow. Other than that there were talks about restoration and the undergoing efforts of the allied nations to restore the world back. The ongoing efforts were slowing to a crawl. It was not surprising since with the war over. The allied nations who spent a considerable amount of wealth in the production of weapons have nowhere to use it other than stockpiles. The process was also being slowed down. Pension, subsidiaries, and the promises of the governments are going to be delayed. Not to mention that there was going to be a war trial for the enemy commanders and soldiers.

Truthfully it was nothing more than a show of fairness. But the truth is that there was no way that these people weren’t judged beforehand. They’ll make a show of it and the people will cheer once they are hanged or electrocuted.

I would have been part of such a farce if the allied nations lost, Karl thought. I guess this is going to be quite troublesome. I wonder if there will be trouble because of this? Will their fellow soldiers, survivors try to rescue them? Or will the Empire try to save theirs? No, even if they want to, they do not have the right. Not with how they lost.

Karl flipped the page. Eastern ambassadors are proposing aid in the restoration of the cities damaged. I heard that there were conflicts in the middle continent and the easternside, but it seems like they finish their own war much earlier than we have.

Karl placed the paper in his satchel and looked at the street. His elbow leaned on his knees. His eyes trained on the people here. The people of Sapirtsa were wearing thin clothing and the women had much fondness for laces compared to bigger cities. The men were the same. They seemed to be fond of bowler hats and sleek jackets worn over their shirts. Then again, who was he to judge when he was wearing the same clothing as well?

“I wonder if I should buy a hat as well?”

Karl familiarized himself with the marketplace while riding. He found the stalls filled with produce and items. He noticed that there were a lot of factory pressed chocolate bars on the stall. Other than that he found himself enjoying the food on the street-stalls. Compared to the factory pressed ones. He found the newly cooked food to be a far better delicacy than the ones made in factories. After eating his fill he left the marketplace and went to the promenade where as expected. There were a lot of people watching the seas. He did hear that there was going to be a population boom in the next few years with how the war went.

I guess that this is the right of people to do what they want after such a war, Karl checked on the motorcycle before leaving. He took the usual path out of the city and then followed the same route until he spotted the mansion once more.

Parking the motorcycle inside the mansion’s garage. Karl brought the ink and paper back to Ms. Alicia who just ran out of her paper and ink ribbon. She was in the private library of the Sir. The library itself was filled with shelves. The collection itself could cost a fortune. And from the looks of it. Ms. Alicia would be bringing some of the study’s collection with her.

On the table there were more pages than the last time.

“Looks like Sir Delaware is increasing the amount of pages.”

“Yes, but he dictates it on his bed now,” Alicia replaced the ink ribbon of her typewriter. “Ms. Annie is trying to keep him on the bed.”

“Annie… is that the maid? She looked familiar.”

“That’s because she is. She’s Annie Delaware. Only heir of the Delaware family. The iron woman.”

“Why is she wearing a maid outfit?”

“Would you be able to recognize the iron lady wearing nothing other than her formal suit?”

“No. I don’t think so. Was I rude to her? I don’t think I have been rude.”

Karl thought hard. After all it was hard not to notice one of the most vocal secretaries in the allied nations. The senator who is responsible for some of the rights that have uplifted common people and the rights of every man or woman in the allied nations to be judged for their merits.

“That iron lady… working as a maid. I didn’t know that I’d heard something like this.”

“I didn’t know either until yesterday.”

“For real?”

“Indeed.”

Karl looked at her.

“You know, Alicia. I thought you were cold.”

She stopped inspecting her typewriter, “I get that lot. You may have noticed that I’m not exactly someone who does well in making expressions.”

“I didn’t really think so. But talking to you has changed that. Ah, then again, are you not a person of the aristocracy?”

“I am part of the Gardenia Family. At least I should have control of my expressions.”

“The composed noble, eh.”

“Indeed,” she found herself smiling at those words. Karl had heard of this saying back when he was taken by his foster father during his check-ups. Most of the noble-blooded were rather stiff looking and cold. Of course, there are exceptions, but older families tend to keep the facade for the sake of their pride.

“Still, a noble, working for a postal company.”

“Truthfully, I’m only noble in-name only. My family’s prestige has lately been down the gutters. I mean it’s one of the reasons that I am working as a copyist now, Karl.”

“Did you have brothers?”

“I have. Two of them. They fought for the war.”

“I see. Pardon me.”

“No, my brothers were the pillars of my family. After they died, there was simply no reason for me to continue living in our estate. It’s currently closed.”

“You must owe Viole a lot.”

“Viole is a close friend of my brothers. They were part of the same batch. I think Mr. Viole should stop being worried about me so much. Sometimes he drags other people to my affairs. Such a worrywart.”

They must have been part of the flying squad that fought in the first four years, Karl thought. “Well, thanks to that, I gained employment. I think it wouldn't be too bad to work for the company. So I hope you don’t dwell much on it.”

“Yeah, Mr. Viole’s business is expanding well.”

“I think I got a good deal.”

Karl leaned on the table while watching Ms. Alicia. The days that have passed has been quiet and Karl knew by now that the threat that made him join Ms. Alicia was nothing more than a worry. The people in the mansion were relaxed and instead of the fear that they might suffer in the crossfire. They were more worried about their ill master.

“The threats were nothing more than a lie, right?”

“It is. I think so as well. Besides, why would they waste resources on a dying man?”

From the start it was because of the propositions that Mr. Delaware made that he was targeted. Even if they hate him for what he said and what he was about to release. It would be degrading for anyone to kick a man nearing death. If they are shameless then they might do it. No one would take a risk when they can simply just wait for him to die.

“You think he is sincere? About doing this ode?”

“I think he is. There are some parts of his writing that he seems to be pouring his soul into. Sir Delaware thinks twice before moving on to the next sentence. He also is particular about his wording. Truthfully, I think he is thinking of himself as the soldier in this play.”

“Ah so it’s that kind of story?”

She nodded slowly, “Yeah. A soldier returning home to his lover after such a great war. It is quite a normal tale and isn’t really a particularly exciting one. But the intent of the writing hasn’t exactly been modified into that of a modern one.”

Most of the stories that have been told are of classic knights. This time he was planning to release a rather modernized version of such a story.

“You think it will do well? You are the one putting the words into paper after all.”

“It’s fine. It’s well-suited to be made into play. It’s not my kind of story, but it will do well for the play. Also, I think that they are planning to make it into a full feature film.”

“Ah, but isn’t it quite long?”

“There is new to everything, Karl. Besides, I heard from the President that they have been wanting to make a feature film with sounds now.”

“Oh, I did hear from a friend that they are doing that now. Are they planning to mix film and sound?”

“They are. Sir would tell me sometimes that they are recording the sound of a bullet and the sounds of footsteps to make it much more interesting. They’ve already contacted a studio in Stuhach and Tiefenbrin about it. The Crowned Republic is quite interested in Sir Delaware’s work after all. Actually, it seems like Sir Delaware wants me to handle the script if there are some clarification that they wanted. He really is trusting me for someone who is just typing his words.”

“Do you plan to accept it?”

“I don’t know,” she hovered her fingers on the typewriter’s keys. “It is a big responsibility.”

It was indeed. Karl didn’t say much regarding this. After all, he wasn’t the one writing the tale for someone. It would be up to Ms. Alicia whether she should accept the responsibility of being consulted as the co-writer of the story or not. Karl let her work and returned to his own studies. He still had a lot to study.