I Hate Systems

The Spydragon landed upon a protrusion on the city wall, gazing at the backs of Regriel and General Artica, watching them walk forth.

Compass Carburettor made a mental count of their speed, calculating the time it would take them to cross the stretch of a kilometre and head into the forest beyond. He then mentally kept a tally of the time while the Spydragon awaited in place, remaining as obscure as possible.

After giving another 10 seconds of clearance time for any errors, the Spydragon began to fly once the estimated time for Regriel to cross the kilometre stretch spanned. It made a beeline, remaining close to the ground so that it could assume its serpentine form the moment it encountered anything dangerous and hide behind any object or even dig into the dirt to hide within.

Thankfully, nothing eventful happened as the Spydragon soon reached the thicket of trees, assuming its serpentine form as it began to slither over the tree roots, soon watching Regriel and General Artica come into view.

They seemed to be conversing, discussing about the matter at hand. But suddenly, Regriel took in a deep breath, gazing at the lush green surroundings as he looked at General Artica, "Say, isn't this a wonderful location?"

General Artica frowned, looking around as she noticed the place filled with vitality, looking forth to see the place further be covered by snow. She soon noted that the cause had been the rocks strewn at the place.

They seemed to be capable of absorbing heat at a greater rate and hence caused the snow in the place to melt faster, creating such a lush green atmosphere. Moreover, the humidity, the greenery, and the faint water flowing over the rocks created a picturesque scene in the otherwise white jungle.

"This is a wonderful loca…" General Artica just began to speak in appreciation when a pair of hands landed on her chest, causing her to flinch in shock as she looked behind in surprise, "What are you doing?"

"I just can't control myself when I see you," Regriel whispered with a face flushed red as he kneaded her hills, "Let's do it here, just once."

"We already did it more than five times in the morning," General Artica groaned, "We'll waste a lot of time if we stop to do it now."

"It's fine, we can run after this." Regriel said, joining with her as he experienced the euphoria once again, shouting in his mind, 'General Artica is the best!'

Compass Carburettor facepalmed, watching the scene that was worse than beasts mating. He sighed, gazing at the faint snow that was falling upon him, beginning to cover his body, sighing, "When she is cured, PTSD would be the least of worries."

"Maybe it might be better to never free her from Regriel's control. At least that way, she wouldn't have to face her choices and live a life plagued by her actions conducted when she was under his control." Compass Carburettor sighed, "This is troubling. Hopefully, the Queen has prepared something to ease General Artica's mind once she is freed."

Compass Carburettor then watched the duo of Regriel and General Artica continue to march forward, soon breaking into a sprint to save some time. Now that they were approaching his location, Compass Carburettor focused, calming his beating heart as he began to moan in pain, "Aioooo! This world is…hic…cruel…!"

He flailed his arms, throwing around balls of snow that he had scooped around. Immediately, he began to cry, watching General Artica come into view, beginning to roll around on the path, "Waaah! You imperialistic jerks! How could you do this to me?"

Regriel and General Artica abruptly stopped, watching the beggar wail around before them. They made eye contact with each other, intending to ignore the beggar and swerve around him when the beggar's wails increased in pitch.

"I was…hic…a renowned soldier once…hic…but that blaster General…he…betrayed, causing everyone under him to be thrown aside like rotten fish…ahhhhh!" Even though everything the beggar said only seemed to be like the rambling of a senile fool, General Artica felt conflicted all of a sudden, slowly approaching him as she looked at him, asking, "What happened?"

But, it seemed like the beggar hadn't heard her, continuing to scream in his drunken stupor. But, upon hearing his words, even though she wished to leave the place, her body paused automatically, her attention trained to what he wished to say next.

Suddenly, as if the beggar had noticed the people next to him, he latched onto General Artica's legs, "Lady, I was a man of honour, a soldier who had been glad to lay down his life for the Empire. B-But, but…"

He then let go of his hold, crying as he began to search for his liquor bottle, slamming the ground in anger upon noticing that its contents had all spilt out. He then looked at General Artica, "Give me liquor!"

Just as he tried to get up, the beggar collapsed, unable to walk as his legs seemed to have been severely wounded. He crawled on the ground, pointing towards a particular direction, "Please…my liquor…I saved a couple of bottles there."

Upon seeing some conflict in General Artica, and noticing her intention to at least help the beggar a bit, Regriel patted her shoulder, "Relax, just stay here. I'll be back in a jiffy. It's pretty near from here."

"But, it's dangerous…" General Artica expressed her worry when Regriel placed a finger on her lips, motioning for her to remain silent.

Flashing a smile, he spoke, "Nothing will happen to me. You've seen how strong I've become, right? Even if something happens, I'll be able to protect myself long until you rush to my rescue."

Saying his piece, Regriel began to run through the path. Just as General Artica was about to follow him instinctually, the beggar latched onto her feet, causing her to pause. In the time she hesitated, Regriel was out of her sight.

Sighing, she looked at the beggar, "Alright, alright, I'll bring your liquor. Now, stay put."

The beggar immediately placed his index finger above his lips like a kid, acting obedient as he sat in place, innocently trailing his gaze over General Artica as she walked in the pointed direction and noticed a stash of bottles buried under a tree.