Chapter 96 - Breather
Joan immediately opened his eyes and the sun was starting to rise. With few squints of his eyes, he saw a worn-out village full of dead bodies. Goblins and dead guards littered the ground. Some villagers were helping to collect goblin's bodies to burn and dead guards to make their families mourn at them.
They arrived at the village without problems. But the environment's mood was very brooding as mothers and children were still crying until that moment. Making Joan inwardly sigh and so he breathes out air lousily. Putting his hands on his waist.
Isaias then prayed with his hands joined together. Uttering prayers for the dead bodies' souls to went to the afterlife safely. It was what he can only do for them. Joan duplicate then asked to rest for a while inside him. Joan also felt that he was tired enough for that battle..
"Ah, Joan. I will have to rest for now. Just call me again if problems arise." Joan duplicate said to him while scratching his head.
"Ah okay, rest for a while." He said then extinguished him. He disappeared as lights then went inside Joan. Immediately, Joan felt that he became stronger. It felt that his stats greatly increased. To what extent, he doesn't know. But he knew his strength, dexterity, vitality, and, the focus came to rise right after Joan duplicate entered his body. His face expressed someone who heard some good news.
"So he can also absorb essences but he can't become strong with it. Only by entering my body and being summoned back will he become stronger. But collecting essences? He can also do that?" Joan exclaimed. He did not know it beforehand as he was a new one to this world. To the one who made such Law or System, he was deeply happy about it. He can only thank him deep inside.
He felt that he was so hungry and his stomach made a sound. Joan stared at Isaias with a bitter look. Isaias can only laugh at him.
"Hahaha! We need to eat three times a day, we are human after all!" He said to him.
It was then, they ate in the tavern which was cleaned like it didn't experience war after all. They entered and ordered a whole grilled chicken. Making Joan almost shout after seeing it served to their tables. They were eating without minding anyone and was that hungry to ignore anyone.
It also seemed that no one recognised their heroic deeds. No one saw Joan transformed into Werewolf nor recognised him in that form. Nor his shadow clones were recognised as him. His battle with his Holy Knight job class against the Hobgoblin. Also, his defence on the backdoor of the village with his minions nor the attack on the enemy camp on the front. All were not recorded in history.
But only Isaias knew of some of it. Especially his valiant deeds of trying to stop the resurrection of the Demon Lord of Corruption. Even though it was a failure, he still tried. Not asking Isaias anything at the moment as he was very hungry. With all those battles, his energy was exhausted to the lowest. Also, it was a great thing to eat enough and regain energy. Without energy, his stats would be affected. It was like a negative status per se.
And so they ate to the brim, ordering also some juice drinks to the counter and drank hastily. They paid in the counter then went to their carriage.
Priscilla was waiting for them and Joan caressed her hair. She neighed and then gasped air. Signifying that she was invigorated by his presence. He came back after all after a night. He fed her with carrots and made her drank water. Also, the chickens were happy to see him again or so he thought. Maybe they were just excited to eat as they were hungry. Immediately, Joan fed them.
Preparing to leave, Isaias then pats Isaias on his shoulders. Making him jolt in the process.
"Isaias, I am sleepy, I need to sleep so maybe you can drive. I am counting on you." He said then thumbs up at him.
Isaias can only sigh. They were in a hurry and so he needs them to go there immediately. But still, he was as tired as Joan. Or maybe Joan was more tired after it all. He just needs to rest afterwards, after all this ends.
And so he agreed, he replied with a thumbs up too and Joan slept immediately on the back. Thinking that he needs it the most for now. He immediately sat at the driver's seat and whipped Priscilla. Not too hard this time but only enough for her to start walking.
They started travelling towards the capital that was few days long of travel. They were in a hurry but they need also pit-stops for Priscilla to rest and them too. They took turns on the way and made bonfires beside the roads. Eating the remaining dried hares they preserved beforehand and continued forth towards the capital.
It was then Joan was sleeping and he was woken up by Isaias. He squinted his eyes and then went outside. Lifting the curtains, he saw Isaias on the seat and also the gates of the capital. Walls stretched forth towards the side of the gates and as wide as eyes can see.
"Joan! We are at the gates of the capital! I will handle the inspection and we will be on our way. Well, a Prophet has benefits per se." He explained.
It was then Joan saw the great walls. It became taller and taller with them being nearer and nearer from it. They saw that the guards were busy with the inspections. Metallic gates were on their sides with metal screws embedded in them. The road was on bricks to Joan's surprise and so he was amazed. It was the first time that he saw the capital. Not that he was ignorant of it but it was his first time after making it to this world. It was also the first of the past Joan. He didn't make it to the capital until his death.
"Wow, the capital! This is my first time seeing it!" Joan exclaimed.
"Hahaha! See! It was majestic right!" Isaias said to him.
It was soon their turn to be inspected but after the guard saw Isaias, he then blurted out.
"Prophet Isaias! I didn't know you at first glance! Please enter immediately," He said to him.
Joan was impressed by their standing in the capital. Even guards were very accommodating to them. Isaias then winked at him.
"See? Told you about our benefits, so are you interested now in becoming one?" Isaias said to him.
"No thank you," Joan immediately replied.
"Hahaha!" Isaias laughed loud.