Unaccountable Role (Chap 7-9)

(Chapter 7 Let's go and travel to the Capital.)

The interior of the carriage was elegant the cushion was red while the exterior is black.

He sat at the left side of the carriage while Harold was on the right side the head Butler was also with them his name was Cairo a man in his mid-thirties,Xarth looked toward Harold and said.

"Please take care of me."

The head Butler Looked towards Xarth as he had said that.

"Yeah just behave and nothing will happen."

Xarth nodded his head and looked through the window of the carriage as they started to move he can see beautiful scenery in the distance.

A man on a horse moved beside the window of the carriage it was Ernoul.

"Hyung-nim I'm sorry I didn't go to your room I just thought that you were tired so I left you be."

"It's fine I'll explain it to you later for now let's safely travel to the capital maybe when we set up our camp I'll tell you."

"Yes, Hyung-nim!"

Ernoul moved back to where he was stationed.

Then someone spoke at that moment.

"Who was that?"

Xarth looked at where the voice came from it was his Elder Brother Harold.

"It was my knight."

"Knight?"

"Yes, Brother he saved my life so I thought he could be a good personal knight."

"Huh!?... Save your...life!?"

"Oh, right Brother you didn't know. It happened when I was out on the streets someone tried to rob me and he even has a knife thankfully Ernoul was there I could have died when he didn't step in."

'Well, to be honest, it's not even true and if I were alone I could easily beat the robber's ass.'

"Haaaa... Don't you have any guards with you?"

"Ha!? Guards? You know everyone Hates me do you think they'll guard me!?"

"....."

Harold just stared at him.

"What!?"

"Nothing....good thing your safe I'll thank him later."

He replied and slowly looked through the window.

'What's with him? Why is the talkative today? .'

'This brat going out without a guard how naive can you be.'

Xarth opened his Spatial bag and took out the book he had found at the Forest of Lila.

'Now then since it's a long journey why don't we kill some time and get info as well by reading this book. It's Killing two birds with one stone.'

Xarth slowly opened the book the first page has something written on it 

'The one who seeks power should go to The Twin hideout in the Eastern Continent find an artifact and placed it on the heart of Puca Kingdom.'

Xarth flipped the paper to move onto the next page but oddly enough it seems there was nothing written in it he analyzes the page thoroughly but nothing can be seen he flipped another page there was also nothing he continued on until he got to the end of the book there was still nothing but blank pages.

'What the hell!?.... Why is it all blank except the first page!?'

He flipped back to the first page and analyze the sentence.

'Eastern continent.....Puca kingdom? A new Kingdom. I've never read any Puca kingdom in vol. 1 to 3 damn it does this means this is supposed to happen past vol. 3 I don't have any more knowledge for future events. Guess that's the time to not bother with the storyline I'll just live my life as Xarth I mean it's pretty good I eat delicious food I'm rich and handsome what could I ask for!? Still... I'm hoping I could go back to my world as well the fact that I'm still inside the novel hasn't sunk in yet. I just can't believe it.'

"sigh*"

'Huh, why does he looked troubled?'

" Young master Xarth is there something wrong you looked troubled?"

"Ha?"

"Oh excuse me! I'm Cairo Young master Harold's Butler."

"Oh, I'm fine."

"Alright Young master Xarth."

Xarth tossed the book inside his Spatial bag he looked out through the window of the carriage they were moving constantly up ahead was a bumpy road. 

The carriage started to vibrate because of the small debris on the ground.

'Ha...This is uncomfortable when I first came in inside the carriage i thought that the cushion looked very comfortable but now.. It's definitely hard my butt is hurting through the constant shake. This is why I hate bumpy roads.'

"STOOOOOPPPPPPP!!!!!"

The carriage then suddenly stopped Xarth looked out the window and saw people in orange clothes they were armed with weapons.

'Seems like there are some company hmm..1 2 3 4...10 Who are they? Bandits?. This could be troublesome...'

"Coachman why suddenly stop?"

"Young master Harold it seems like there are bandits!'

"Bandits!?"

"Yes, they will likely Try to rob something."

'Stupid of course it's natural they'll rob us. Ha...Do I have to step in?...No it's too early at least I should trust the guards to do their jobs?'

"Young master Harold they seem to have someone as their hostage."

"Hostage what does he looked like?"

"He has jet-black black hair which is pretty rare. "

'Huh!?...Black hair? Let's check it out.'

Xarth opened the carriage door all the soldier's eyes headed to the door opening they could see Xarth casually getting off.

'Xarth I told you to behave yourself! You just can't listen.'

"Xarth doesn't get outlet them handle it they are soldiers from our household they'll take care of it."

"There's just something I want to find out."

'Ahhh!! I'll punch you."

Harold also got off the carriage and walked next to Xarth.

'Huh!? Harold?'

"What do you mean 'Huh!?' I could see it on your face. who do think they'll let their brother go out there alone."

"You should go inside you can't fight."

"What...I can't fight? Hahahahhaha!!"

'Is he crazy?'

"Hey I'm next in line for the succession of the Count title we are a Martial household do you really think I didn't do any training speak for yourself your no better than me."

'Ah!? Right, I forgot I'll let him handle it but first let's see this supposed hostage.'

Xarth walked to the front of the carriage he could see the group of bandits in orange clothing with their axes and swords glaring at him.

He looked at the bandits one by one he could see someone holding a rope and a man sitting on the cold ground he has jet black hair and black eyes he looked a little beat up with his clothes stained with the cold ground's dirt.

Xarth's eyes widen he also started to open and close his mouth.

*WHOOSH.....

A small breeze passed through him he bit his lip and clench his hands before looking away from the bandits.

"You gotta be kidding me!!"

'WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING OVER THERE ZERO!!???'

(Chapter 8 Meeting the Main Character of the novel)

'...Hmm is it really him though? '

"Hey you the hostage what's your name?" 

The Black-haired man's eyes twitch before speaking he took a deep breath.

"Zero"

Those one words were like lightning strikes to Xarth he was silent he never ever had thought that this could happen he was really I mean really really confuse and dumbfounded at the scene his witnessing right now.

'Am I seeing right or even hearing right?

He's really Zero Hahahahahaha! Damn that shortened my life span hahaha his the fricking Main character and just like that he got hostage by some bandits hahaha I can't stop myself from laughing Ha.....Ha...Tch there goes my lifeline.'

Cough Cough

Xarth looked beside him it was his Elder Brother Harold.

Xarth came back to his senses and looked forward to the bandits wearing orange clothes someone spoke at that moment.

"Hey! Now now we didn't give you permission to question our hostage."

A girl with long and beautiful Green hair that resembles the green Field they were seeing throughout the way to the Capital she wore really revealing clothes in the color orange and she also had a dagger on both sides of her waist.

'Who's this? Never heard or read of her?'

"Who are you?" Harold asked.

"Oh! Excuse my rudeness I'm Camila Leader of Orange Cross, I asked that you hand over your stuff or you'll die."

"Ha! How impudent you think you can kill me!?"

"Of course I wouldn't be saying that if I really can't."

While the two were arguing Xarth looked straight at Zero.

He examined him he saw that there was no sword on his waist but then again he got captured so it's likely they took the sword away from him but it was not the case at all Zero casually stood up from the ground And kicked the man holding the rope the man went off flying to the field Zero easily got rid of the ropes restraining him.

*SWOOSH 

He rushed towards the other bandits, He looked as he had teleported over by how fast his movements were.

'Ho!? I really thought that he got captured but I guess not. As expected of the Mc displaying his superior strength here.'

Zero took the sword from one of the bandits he kicked off again he swang his sword at the group of bandits that were running away.

*BBOOOOOOOMM...

A fiery red aura shot out of the sword and headed towards the bandits wiping them out with one swing.

The sword he had used slowly turned to dust like it was never there.

Xarth now understood what had happened.

'So you telling me his aura was so strong that the sword he used from the beginning turned into dust and I intentionally stole his supposed sword that won't be turning to dust from one swing.'

'Are you saying this is my mistake!? Huh! Why though. I just got his sword ahead of time I'll return it to him anyway.'

Zero rushed towards Xarth his eyes were locked on Xarth his gaze was really intimidating but Xarth didn't even move his eyes he looked straight at it without even flinching.

Someone came running in and position himself at the front of Xarth. It was Ernoul holding a low priced sword. 

Ernoul was also looking directly at him as he was slightly shaking..

'This man...His Aura just now. I can't be mistaken him a Swordmaster and a really young and strong one at that. I've never heard of a Young Swordsmaster here in the Southern continent.'

Xarth pushed Ernoul to the side and started to speak.

"So what business do you have here Swordmaster?"

Zero stayed silent he continued on watching the Nobleman's face he was stoic so he could not figure out what the man in front of him is thinking.

At that moment.

*GROWWLL...

"...."

"...."

"Are you by any chance hungry?"

Zero just nodded his head.

'What the!? Then what was that staring all about!? Anyway, I should be careful around him he's not innocent as he looks.'

"Then would like to have lunch with us?"

"Yes, I appreciate it."

Xarth turned his back to Zero he walked towards his brother who was standing over at the distance still arguing with the Leader of Orange Cross.

"Brother."

"Oh what happened? I heard a loud boom?" 

"See for yourself."

"Hey don't ignore me Nobleman's."

Harold and Camila stopped arguing as they saw members of the Orange Cross lying on the ground with injuries all over their bodies.

Camila clench her hands and grits her teeth.

'I knew from the beginning that there was something off about that hostage to think that he was a Swordmaster. How could I not realize he voluntarily got captured by us and also stayed quiet he could have wipe out us from the very beginning so why!?'

"I knew there was something off about you! You voluntarily got captured by us you could've destroyed us easily. So why didn't you attacked us!?"

Zero started to scratch his head.

"Well, I thought that if got captured by bandits maybe they'll feed me."

'What!? That was his reason Oh My God hahaha!! You gotta be kidding me author why didn't you tell me that the mc is Stupid.'

"W-What!?"

"As I've said I was hungry so I tagged along with you. And I know I could've destroyed you from the very beginning, I was just taking advantage of you."

"This brat!"

Camila took out her daggers from her waist and kicked off rushing towards Zero but Harold swiftly blocked the attack.

"That won't do. I suggest you get out of here."

"Tch wait for me Nobleman's I'll get back at you and you also Zen...Zeo...Whatever your name is?"

"It's Zero."

"Hahahahaha!!! I'll come back to all of you. You better wait hahaha!!!."

She laughed crazily as she was running away in the opposite direction.

Harold turned his attention at Zero.

"So you're a Swordmaster and a young one at that. I've never heard of you before what's your name?"

"it's Zero."

"Okay, so you will come to have lunch with us?"

"Yes, I would really appreciate it."

"Okay, then you'll ride with us."

'Huh!? Why!? You idiot don't let him ride with us. I know I was the one who suggested he'd eat with us but!?.'

"Ah Brot-" 

"Thank you."

'Tch he got ahead of me.'

"Then let us go. Guards tie up all the bandits we'll take them at the nearby territory if I'm not mistaken it's the Duke's Lancaster territory."

In the Duke, Lancaster's household is it said that Duke Jidek Lancaster was a war maniac he likes to fight. through winning wars he had gained the achievement of becoming a Duke's household a lot of noble houses likes to get on the good side of the Lancaster family because they have great authority on the Kingdom there was also rumor that the Duke's household has a Royal bloodline as they just assumed it was a rumor but actually it was not the case because in the near coming future one of the sons of the Duke Jidek will be the crown prince. 

'But that's at the last part of volume 3 of the novel which is about one year from now.'

The three men walked inside the carriage and sat down at their respective seats but...Xarth and Zero were sitting close to each other.

Xarth feigns ignorance and was just staring off the distance.

While on the other hand Zero was silently looking out the window as well.

'it's so suffocating here.'

(Chapter 9 Elementals!? Me a Contactor?)

They had stopped at the side of the road near a small forest and prepared all the necessary things and Ingredients for lunch all the guards positioned themselves to guard any incoming attacks.

Xarth walked out of the carriage and goes to the forest he sat down on a log underneath a large tree to shield him from the sun. He momentarily closed his eyes.

'Hmmm...This is an unexpected development, I didn't plan that we will meet this soon.I don't even have bought any magic scrolls with me...Well, it already happened so what can I do about it?

Now that's that. I think my brother's planning on inviting him with us cause we'll be going at the same place and he'll be relieved that we have a Swordmaster with us so we can avoid situations like that.....Huuuu!! Damn This is a headache I'll ride with him for 2 days, I don't really hate Zero but getting involved with him will just give me a Game over.'

Xarth could hear leaves rustling he looked up at the tree and saw a pure white light orb floating in the air through the leaves of the tree.

'What's that?'

The orb slowly started to descent and flew closer to Xarth.

Xarth stood up and walked backward he was still looking at the white floating orb with caution and curiosity.

He stepped back one step and the white orb flew closer again this process repeated then someone started talking.

'Xarth that's an Elemental.'

It was the Drunken Blade

"Huh!? An Elemental?"

'Yes, to be exact that's a Light Elemental.'

"Why is it here?"

'Hmm...I think he wants to form a contract with you.'

"Contract?"

'Tch!! You're really clueless. I guess I have no choice to explain this long-ass shit. '

'What a vicious Blade his really good at swearing. Well, I don't know about Elementals cause there was no information regarding it when I read the 3 volume of the novel.'

'I'll Explain it we have 7 types of Elementals Fire Elementals, Water Elementals, Earth Elementals, Wind Elementals, Wood Elementals, Light Elementals, and Thunder Elementals.

The most common Elementals that can be seen throughout the whole continent are Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Wind While Light and Thunder are hard to come by as they only appear when they've chosen someone as their Contractor. But not all people could see Elementals but if they can see it they'll likely create a contract between the first Elemental they encounter. So about the Light and Thunder Elementals they are quite special they only make a contract with someone with high mana or strong physically because a Contactor with low mana will not be able to hold the power surging into them. Creating a contract between Elementals could put in advantage since you could use their powers but they don't always follow your orders they judge your usage of their powers if it's for the great of good. But some Elementals can get corrupted by their Contractor corrupting an Elemental is Against the Law of Nature...There!!'

"How are Contracts are formed?'

'Fine!! The Elementals will give something to the Contractor and the Contractor must always have it with him at all times if this rule is broken so as well the Contract. And it uses the will of the contractor to use its powers. But what a shitty way of forming a contract the one who created it must be Dumb as a Rock.'

'LOL!!! Author What the hell!? What kind of dumb things were you thinking when you thought of this!? If the Contractor misplaced it. Then there will be no more contract.'

"I Agree,I guess...So that light Elemental wants to form a Contract with me?"

'Yeah definitely.'

Xarth walked over the floating white orb it then started to speak.

'You! I want you as a Contractor!'

"Hmm...Why me though I'm average physically and I don't have high mana!?"

'No!No!No! You have high mana you could not deceive me!!'

"I have high mana?"

"Yes!Yes! So Contract??"

'I have high mana? In Xarth's memories, I didn't see him use any magic before, or is it simply that he's not aware of it in the first place? I need all the advantage that came across me, I don't even know what will happen after 3rd Volume I need some strong people with me...This is a good deal I won't be losing anything anyway if I make a contract with this Light Elemental...Okay, I've decided to let's do it.'

"Okay let's form a contract."

'YAY!! A Contractor!! A Strong One!!'

"Okay, so what do we do?"

'As I've said before the Elemental will give you something and you must keep it with you at all times or else the contract will break and you'll Die.'

"Eh!?" 

The Light Elemental attached a white bracelet upon Xarth's slender wrist...The bracelet slowly started to glow gold light it surrounded Xarth's body and soon disappeared.

Xarth took the Sword out of his Spatial bag...And held it close to his face.

"You!!!! What did you say!?"

Xarth's face started to turn red he was infuriated because The Drunken Blade left the most important detail about forming a contract. 

'Oh, I forgot Tehee.'

'T-This Damn Sword!!'

Xarth threw the sword into the air as he was angry at it. 

The sword flew at a very high speed in the direction where they've set up their lunch.

'Lunch!!!'

'Shit I've lost my composure. I hope no one got hurt. I don't know when I started thinking like this but I guess it has something to do with Zero the realization of being inside a novel is hard to understand or even to comprehend. It's scary knowing that I'm not the owner of this body and how I need to act and live as them I'm a fake...I wasn't even supposed to be here....but now.....'

Xarth hurriedly ran towards where they set up lunch with an anxious look on his face.

'Now I'm anxious it's because of Zero he came and that made me feel that this is really the world I live in now.....Earlier I didn't care about people dying but now that I could really interact with them their expression and their tones when they speak...It just felt too real...the emotions they felt when someone discovered their secret or even when someone gave them a second chance, the personality they show when serving me with a smile on their faces and how they lived their lives with full experience and memories from every passing day. I'm really am living in this reality..'