ROTLE- Chapter 166- A Patient World

Author's Note: My deepest apologies for the disappearance. Coupled with work stress, I fell sick. I'm getting better now and have returned to writing. I truly appreciate your patience. There would be no this without you all.

Without further ado, here is chapter 166: A Patient World.

Luscious green and mud brown. It was all Rometo could see no matter in what direction he turned his head. There were trees with trunks as wide as houses. Their barks a glossy mud brown. Everything that grew on the barks of the trees took up the same color and design. Mud brown.

But the leaves that spawned from the branches? The most beautiful shades of leaf green he had ever seen. And he had lived on the other side of Nastild once before. He walked with a heavy heart, but it was nothing new. His heart was always heavy. When he’d joined the Order, he had been nothing but an angry boy lashing out at everyone and seeking revenge.

He’d gotten into more than enough fights as a new recruit and had his ass handed to him more than enough times. Eventually, the Order had taught him control. They had not quelled his anger taught him to vanquish it. They had not avenged his fallen family for him. What they had taught him was control over self. He was still always angry. His heart was still always heavy. But all signs of it showed only in his face.

Rometo gathered his anger every single day, studied it, expounded upon it. Then he wove it around itself, weaving it until it was taut as a rope, then wove it again. He would use it one day, consequences be damned.

Until then, he had a bunch of Order agents to command. One stood right next to him.

“Nothing so far, sir,” the lady said.

Rometo spared her a simple glance. “Do we still have more ground to cover?”

She nodded.

She was a lithe thing, no more than five feet and four inches. She had auburn hair and eyes that were black but turned the color of the sun just before she used her manifesting skill. He could admit that when her eyes changed colors were the only times he actually found her pretty.

Currently, she and eight other members of the Order were under his command. They were in a forest with no name, dropped off by a wyvern of the Order. In usual fashion, the master of the Order had said go there without explanation, and now they were here.

Nothing more than a scouting party, he thought to himself, not that it bothered him.

With a sigh, he gestured. “Forward, then,” he said to her. “We need to find what we are here for.”

The lady turned to go and stopped in her steps. Like the others, she wore simple clothes. Anyone who saw them would mistake them for simple explorers seeking out the mysteries of the world or out on some simple adventure.

“I’m listening,” he said, knowing that she had a question. He had questions too.

“If I may,” she said. “I have a question.”

“And I doubt I have the answer.” He placed his hand on a tree and pushed. “But you may ask.

He would’ve liked to say that he kept his frown out of his face when the tree did not budge but he had once been told that he was always frowning.

Sturdy, he noted, unsurprised.

Normal trees would’ve fallen from the amount of pressure he’d exerted in that push.

“What exactly are we looking for, sir?” the lady asked.

Much like her, Rometo had no idea. He answered, nonetheless.

“I have been told,” he dusted his hands on his robe, “that I will know it when we find it.”

With that, he turned away and walked deeper into the forest. He strolled, leaving the others behind as they searched for whatever it was that they were supposed to find. He was already informed before hand that his job here was not to do the scouting but to confirm the findings.

Thinking about the instructions almost made him break a smile.

He looked behind him as he strolled, into the distance where his heightened perception could still hear his subordinates working. I was them once.

Long ago, he had also performed scouting tasks, done menial labor for the Order. They had felt like harsh times then, looking back on them now, they felt like good times. Some of the men and women he had done those tasks with in the past were dead now, but not all of them.

He had considered some of them to be friends. He’d even almost fallen in love once. It had almost quelled his anger and rage. But alas, he was too full of hate for love to coexist with it. Ultimately, they had broken up. She would not be loved by someone with so much hate.

His rage had only deepened when she’d moved on with her life six months later. Still, he’d taken the rage and woven it upon itself, turned it into fuel for when he would need to burn it. Two years after, and happy in her relationship, she’d been sent on a mission that she did not come back from.

Rometo’s anger only grew. He only wove it more around itself.

With a sigh, he turned his attention to what had brought him this far out, what he had sensed. Normally, this would have been a teaching moment. But right now, there were more important things than teaching the graduates of the Order.

Before him stood a herd of drakes, mockeries of what a dragon was supposed to be. Wingless but not so weak that anyone could simply mock them and escape with their lives. He had interrupted their meal and they did not look happy about it.

“Alright then,” he said simply to all twelve beasts. “Let’s have it.”

As if spurred by his words, they charged as one.

Rometo activated his skill.

[You have used Class skill Patient World]

He felt his mana flow as he imprinted his skill on the world. Everything slowed as the drakes’ charge slowed but did not come to a halt.

Powerful, he noted as he was still forced to step to the side to avoid a slashing claw. Opponents below level fifty would have slowed from a run to a stroll. These drakes had slowed from a run to a jog.

Still, they were slow, time not moving at its correct pace around him.

As he moved through the attacks of the creatures, preparing to begin his slaughter, he wondered once more, as everyone does.

From whence do the names of skills come?

It was what remained on his mind as he killed drakes in a world that waited, a world that took its time…

… A patient world.

…

The giants were an interesting race in the history of Nastild. The one important thing that stood out about them apart from their size was how identical they were to humans in every other feature. They were nothing but overgrown humans at a glance.

On more than one occasion the thinkers in Nastild’s history had theorized that they had been the race to birth humans. And by thinkers of Nastild, Aiden meant the more magical side of Nastild. The origin of humans remained a mystery to all of Nastild—at least the origin of humans on Nastild.

Some said that a human was basically the result of a deformed giant at some point in the beginning—a giant who had ended up not being a giant. Birthed small, they had remained small. The Order claimed these thoughts were nothing but speculation.

“If anyone tells you that they know where humans originated from,” the master of the Order liked to say, “then they are greater beings than the greater gods.”

On Nastild, being a greater being than the greater gods was akin to being a greater being than the Christian God to Christians. It was simply impossible.

So Aiden held onto his reins, eyes firmly fixed on Alobam who it seemed Elami didn’t know was truly called Nalbath of the North.

Alobam offered him a wide smile. “What would you like to buy, leader of the group?”

“Ooh,” Ted cooed with interest, “someone has just been named leader of the group.”

“What do you sell?” Aiden asked, ignoring his brother. He had a thousand things running through his mind. What Alobam sold was not one of them.

According to what the archives of the Order said about the myth of the merchant of Nosrath, he sold everything. He also had everything.

Alobam’s smile widened, showing a full set of pearly white teeth. “What can you afford?”

There was a challenge in his words, something in his tone that seemed to dare Aiden. Alobam was one of the mysteries of Nastild, and not just one side of the world, both sides. To be challenged by him was an honor but also a threat.

What can I afford?

Elami’s jepat, already close to Aiden’s, inched a little closer.

“Alobam is known to possess all things,” he said in a quiet voice, as if whispering would keep the words from the giant’s ears. “He asks the questions often. The only thing he does not have is what you cannot afford.”

Ted inched his jepat closer to the giant. The giant did not even bat an eye in his direction. If he existed, the giant did not seem to care.

“Do you have a cat that sews a machine with a sewing machine?” he asked the giant.

Alobam’s gaze finally turned to him. It was a slight and simple movement of the eye, as if looking at something of no import.

He leaned forward, still smiling, and looked at Ted. His brows furrowed. His smile did not leave his lips even though it left his face for a moment.

“Why not a horse that drinks a monster?” he asked. “Why not a horse that drinks a monster in a can?”

Ted froze. His jepat staggering back on his panicked command. The giant’s smile widened as Ted looked back at Aiden. They shared a look.

Now Aiden was worried. There were no records of Alobam being able to read minds. Did the giant simply know where they were from? It seemed relatively impossible. Even the master of the Order, wielder of all knowledge, had said nothing to imply that he knew of Earth in Aiden’s past life.

Alobam ignored Ted once more and looked at Aiden. “Would you need more time to think about what you want and can afford?” he asked.

Aiden hesitated, forcing himself to relax his grip on his jepat’s reins. “What is your currency of choice?” he asked. “I have gold and silver, copper but not tin. The world uses a carded system, a method of magical transfer. I have physical if it is your wish.”

He spoke his words with all the confidence he could muster and all the clarity of a seasoned actor if the actor had spent their lives on the stages of a theater not in front of the lenses of cameras.

Alobam’s smile did not waver, it did not shake. “How poetic your use of words. Tell me, Walker, is it intentional or is it how you speak?”

Walker, Aiden thought, latching on to the word. Was the giant referring to his class skill [Fate Walker]? It was a skill he had gained from a title he had achieved without even doing anything. It came from the title [Unfettered], which he had gotten by avoiding the eyes of someone who he didn’t know trying to look into his fate.

Was he the one who tried to look?

But what were the chances that the merchant of Nosrath could see into the fate of people? Such a skill was very rare. Then again, very little was known of the man.

Alobam took a step closer. For a man so large, his steps were silent. Ted’s jepat moved immediately, taking up position between Aiden and the giant.

Once again, he garnered Alobam’s attention of disinterest.

Just then, Feira moved her jepat next to Aiden’s. She and Elami were the only ones who did not look ready to die on a battle field in this moment.

“We saw a few people on our way here,” she said very carefully. “Did they not see him?”

Elami chuckled. “The powers of Alobam are a mystery even to mystery,” he said, doing nothing to lower his voice. “You could forget you ever saw him if he wished it.”

Aiden’s gaze moved over to Elami ever so slowly. For the first time he looked at the [Healer] without Valdan in mind. Watching the man now reminded him of his first fight against Jang Su, the sparring session they’d had when the envoys of Nel Quan had come visiting Nastild.

He’d said things that would’ve called him to question, giving out information that he was not supposed to have. Why? Because he had been so excited about having to face someone who had grown to be a legend in his past life that he had ended up showing off against his better judgement.

Elami had that look on his face. That excitement. What were the chances that he actually didn’t care and not that he had forgotten. What were the chances that Elami did not know that a [Healer], no matter how curious and well studied, was not supposed to know so much about the merchant of Nosrath.

“Careful,” Alobam said, addressing Ted once more. “That you were once royalty does not mean that you are still royalty, child.”

He said the words with an unmoving smile.

They made Feira’s expression change. She shot an accusatory gaze at Aiden. “You were disowned?”

Aiden sighed, understanding where her misunderstanding was coming from. He, however, was more interested in a different thing. Alobam didn’t just know about earth, he knew about timelines.

He wasn’t very sure of when he did it, but Aiden inched his jepat closer to the giant, stared into his eyes as he walked. They were slowly cascading colors, changing with every unknowing moment. Red, blue, green, amber, black. If he was asked to point out each time it changed from one to the other, he would not be able to. He just knew that they were blue at one point and they realized that they were green.

“Will you sell me what I cannot afford?” he asked the giant, pulling his attention away from Ted.

Ted looked at him. There was worry in his eyes. Aiden calmed it with a shake of his head. When he got to the giant, he pulled the jepat to a stop, staring at Alobam. Alobam’s head was around twice the size of his own.

“Can I take,” he repeated, “what I cannot afford?”

“Would you wish to steal from me?” Alobam asked, curious.

Aiden shook his head. “No, I wish to know if you will give freely.”

“Nothing given is ever free. You should know that, Walker.”

There was a shuffle behind them. Aiden looked back and saw a slight frown on Elami’s face. Elami was not hesitant to ask.

“Why do you call him Walker?” he asked, directing his question at Alobam.

Alobam’s eyes did not leave Aiden’s when he answered. “I do not have that in stock. I truly apologize for that.”

Ted gave Aiden an inquiring look.

Elami was frowning.

“Why can I not afford it?” he asked, seemingly annoyed by the discovery. “Knowledge of that level should not require a high bargaining price.”

“I do not have that in stock,” Alobam repeated, still keeping his eyes on Aiden. “I truly apologize for that.”

Elami’s frown deepened. He looked at Aiden but said nothing.

Feira raised her hand. “What do you sell?” she asked, even though Alobam was not looking at her and was yet to pay her any attention.

“I sell whatever it is that you can afford,” he answered, then he turned his smile on her. it was kind and friendly, like a large man you were scared of but who smiled like a baby.

However, with the smile so prolonged and existing no matter the conversation, it was slowly beginning to feel very eerie.

Feira inched her jepat closer. In the blink of an eye, Zen was next to her on his jepat, taking hold of her reins.

“You are not Aiden,” he said sharply, voice low. “Do not be stupid.”

Alobam smiled. “I will not harm the child.”

Zen did not look ready to believe his words.

Whatever Feira’s opinion on it was, she did not move closer, she did not try. Still, she spoke from where she was.

“What can I afford?” she asked.

Alobam shrugged massive shoulders. “More things than you can count if you could count everyday every day.”

Feira’s lips quivered slightly. It was not to withhold tears. It was not to conceal fear. It was anticipation. Aiden knew that look. She had a question. It did not take a rocket scientist to know what Alobam was selling. He was selling everything. If it existed, he had it up for sale. The only limit was if you could afford it.

Can he sell Nastild? Aiden thought.

Can he sell us a way back to Earth?

The next words out of Feira’s lips stunned Zen and everyone around. “When is the day I will die?”

Elami executed the most exasperated face palm. It was so loud that even Alobam looked at him. It was a brief glance before the giant returned his attention to Aiden while addressing Feira.

“The price for the product is the understanding of the product,” he answered. “Do you wish to make this purchase?”

“Say no,” Elami said immediately. “Everybody wants to know the day that they will die, but that specific question does not have a direct answer. Why? Because it is within your control. If you choose to kill yourself, then you will die on the day that you kill yourself. The day of your death is not ordained.”

Alobam’s smile turned into something very wide and menacing now. It was almost insulting as he turned it on Elami.

“Would you like to know the day of your death?” he asked. “The price will not be your understanding of my words. I will make sure you understand them perfectly, glamourous one.”

Elami stiffened at being called glamourous.

“What will be the price?” Elami asked, as if taking up a challenge.

Alobam did not miss a beat. “That you die on that day.”

“Then I’ll pass.” Elami shrugged. “The end is best left a mystery.”

Alobam’s smile eased back into the friendly smile he had been giving. “Then do not question the validity and authenticity of my product again, lest you wish today to be the day you die. Now, for the child, would you like to make the purchase?”

Feira shook her head very quickly. “No. I want to know the man I will love. What is the price for that?”

Zen’s jaw dropped. “Really? You get an all knowing giant and that’s what you want to know?”

Feira shrugged, noncommittal. “Love is a powerful and beautiful thing.”

“The price of that is the secrecy of the knowledge, kept only to yourself,” Alobam answered.

Feira shrugged. “I can do that.”

“I know.” Alobam looked at her. “Will you like to make this purchase?”

“I would.”

“That’s good.”

“Well, what’s the…” Feira’s voice trailed off in sudden realization.

Just like that, Aiden knew. To him, it was a fact, even without proof. The purchase had been made.

Zen sighed. “That was a waste.”

“I am not a genie,” Alobam said suddenly. “I am not some limited wish granter.” He looked at Ted. “I am not Iblis. Your only limit in what you can purchase are what you can afford and how long I will be around.”

“And how long will you be around?” Fjord asked.

Alobam turned apologetic. “I’m really sorry, sir, but I do not have that in stock right now.” Once more, he focused on Aiden.

“Who is Iblis?” Feira asked Zen.

Zen responded with a shrug. “No idea.”

Aiden kept eye contact with Alobam as one thought came to mind.

He knows everything… He knows too much.

“Your purchase, Walker,” Alobam said. “What would you like to buy?”

There was only one thing he wanted to buy.

“How,” he said, choosing his words wisely, “do I get me and my brother home?”