Chapter CCCXXXIII: He Was Once a General, You Know ~Multehx

Hut two three four!

Hut two three four!

Kenzo declared loudly as he strolled through the forest, axe slung over his shoulder. He was quite cheery to be doing something actually military once again. Perhaps a bit too happy to be fully alert. Only as he turned around to coach Keshi on the proper vigor needed for manly patrols, he noticed the young man was no longer following him.

He stopped, putting his arms on his hips, snorting. "Well, THAT wasn't very polite!" he stated in quite an irritated manner.

Turning around, he continued on, deep in thought and not really paying attention to the path. Well, hmm...where could the kids have gone? Or was it kid? Maybe it's too damp out here...though I'm not sure that would cause me to hallucinate, it could you know. It could happen. ....Hmm, so, I'm heading onwards, alone, looking for the town-yeah, the kids probably found the town! I probably took them in eyesight of it and they went to it out of reflexive happiness! Of COURSE! I mean, I am a master of direction, kids can learn so much from me!

Hmm, I wonder when Ratch got in our group. Oh, wait, he told me. Slipped in he said, and people just accepted it oddly. Guess I did too...no, wait, I didn't, because I asked him when we were alone. Ok, then it all makes sense. Say, it's getting warmer here...guess springtime is finally catching up with this dreary place. That's nice...I like the birds, you know. Cheerful little things. I liked those little red birds I raised back there on Caelum before the mage found me.

Heh, the mage. Juroken Falore. One of the greatest to be wizards of the old days. Back when the Mechna Lord was about. Then Mechna Knights like me came about. But he always said there was something unusual with me...I guess it's because none of the others ever took an interest in paper mâchéing, or anything like that. I say, life's an experience, know it all before something unfortunate happens!

You know, thinking of such, I do hope I have a soul. I mean, I know I'm just metal and intense magik concentration melded together. I hope one grew in, as I wouldn't want things to be just blackness when I do stop existing. That would be the ultimate downer.

He continued pondering to himself intently. Too intently to notice that the path abruptly ended and the spring began. He was jolted to reality as he put one boot down, felt no ground under it, and fell with a tremendous SPLASH into the hot spring.

Quickly, he surfaced, as it was only about up to his waist. He shook the water from his armor, akin to how a dog would, and shook dry his axe. "Stupid hot spring.." he muttered.

Though about then, he felt eyes upon him. Turning slowly, he came to see a rather multi-colored being sitting in the water on the opposite side. I exaggerate not when I say his blink was quite audible then.