Chapter 245: Dinner Invitation

Outside the training grounds, Moon found an empty bench on the walkway and sat down, "Ugh!" groaning like an old man.

Next to him sat Joshua. "I still can’t believe it’s really you," Joshua said with his amiable smile.

It had been a few weeks since they had seen each other. Moon still had the photos Ed had taken that day in his bag, which was resting on the ground right next to where he was seated.

That day, Moon had met Kylo on the beach and played together with him for a long time, eaten and fallen asleep while Joshua and Ed chatted together.

Moon nodded. "I didn’t know you worked for the army either; what a small world," Moon said with a heavy face. "How’s Kylo doing?"

Joshua nodded curtly. "Good, he’s home with his mother."

"You’re living here?" Moon asked, surprised. The way Joshua said ’with his mother’ sounded like he was just nearby.

It turned out his assumption was right. Joshua nodded. "Yeah, we’re natives of Deshter."

Remembering the map, it was a huge distance to the beach where they first met. "You travelled all the way there for the beach?" Moon exclaimed.

Watching his face, Joshua chuckled. "Yeah, I had a decent vacation, and we stopped a few times along the way."

Moon nodded. "Makes sense."

A little further away, Basil ran at them, holding two cups of coffee in his hands. "Boss." He handed Moon his cup before turning to Joshua.

"Here you go, uncle," he said casually before running off somewhere again.

"What’s with that girl from before?" Joshua asked with a chuckle. "Why wouldn’t you let her join?"

Moon pursed his lips. "That brat has been hot on my tail for a while now; it’s driving me insane."

"That’s a good thing she’s dedicated to learning." Joshua dropped a diplomatic answer.

Moon scratched his cheek.

"She’s never learned fighting to begin with," Moon grumbled. "Teaching her fighting is just a one-sided beating," he added.

After a beat, he added, "I’m not sure, but a few women are rather capable, and that, I guess, is fine, but she shouldn’t force it and not at this time..."

Moon turned his gaze to Joshua. "What’s the point of learning now?"

"Would she hold a weapon properly?"

"Would she cut down an enemy?"

Moon took a sip of his coffee before exhaling. "It’s too late now to learn; maybe in the future if there’s a chance."

Moon didn’t want to teach her for many reasons; some of them were just nonsense he was saying right now, thanks to the stress he was under.

Though he wasn’t wrong. These weren’t his true reasons.

On the first floor, there weren’t any women on the battlefield, and after ascending, the women who fought were already strong.

He wasn’t sure about the presence of noncombatant individuals in this place, and he wasn’t going to give a weapon to someone and drive him to death.

Moon’s thoughts were growing complicated about this situation, and Lexie also made it hard on him by refusing to ask anyone to teach her but him.

Joshua took a sip of the coffee. "How’s your father doing?" He decided to drop the topic for now. Being a father himself, he could understand the rapid confusion a boy Moon’s age could go through.

Taken off guard, Moon’s mind raced; his eyes squinted as the cup came closer to his mouth. He took a sip and nodded.

"He’s good."

Moon figured that Joshua might have thought Ed was his father, and he didn’t bother correcting him. Ed was the coolest adult Moon knew and dearest to him as well.

Ed was the one Moon probably hated the most after his first few crazy impulses, but they grew closer as time passed.

Maybe they were never as different from one another as Moon had anticipated at first.

"This castle is rather lively for a wartime front," Moon couldn’t help saying. He had noticed it but had no way of understanding the people here.

Joshua was born and lived here.

"When the Empire started the war arrangements, the people here were the first to learn of it. They lived hard times for a while, but then again... would they stop living for a war that might or might not happen?" Joshua said slowly.

"The people here don’t have any other place to call home, so if it’s ending, let it end; if not, they would keep on living their normal lives." Joshua smiled. "It’s as simple as that."

Moon didn’t smile back; his face was heavy. He took a sip of his coffee.

Home...

Normal lives...

It was ironic; someone who never had any of that was standing at the crown of these people.

People accept things more easily than they think. The people of Strand accepted that there was a war taking place; instead of fleeing, they just enjoyed their lives.

Yet, amidst all these thoughts, Moon had one he shouldn’t have.

He was thinking of excluding Joshua from the war, just for the sake of that single day and the friend he had made by chance on the beach.

As the one in charge of the entire operation, Moon knew he shouldn’t have such a thought, and he shouldn’t allow his emotions to interfere with the battlefield.

Moon looked at the sky that had lost all of its light, replaced by darkness in an instant.

"At first, I felt like you’re a frail kid that needs to be protected like Kylo and all other kids around your age."

"But, watching you fight General Gustav, I also realized that you’re far stronger than it seems."

"I’m actually glad it happened to be you to take charge of this... trial," Joshua said, patting Moon’s shoulder.

"I also know you’re busy these days, but would it be fine to come for dinner with us tonight?"

Moon stayed still, not uttering a word for a few seconds.

It was like Joshua was purposely making it harder on him, and he wasn’t sure what he should do.

Giving him extra training at this time, while only a few days separated everyone from the first battle, was nonsensical.

Training could improve those who were strong, but it couldn’t change someone’s fate over a few days.

Moon exhaled. "Maybe next time; we still have more meetings and reports to go through," he said, declining Joshua’s offer.

"Just tell Kylo I said hi for now; I’ll meet him soon," he added.

It was time for each of them to be on his way.

Joshua bid his goodbye before leaving Moon on the bench alone with his thoughts.

Hooooo~

Blowing out a breath, Moon stood. He should have started a meeting with Gustav and Talia, and he was late thanks to his conversation with Joshua.

Standing with another groan, Moon headed to the meeting.

Once he was inside, "Sir Moon," Gustav greeted him with a look of gratitude on his face.

"Thank you for the flawless display. I could only understand your purpose too late," he said apologetically.

The results of the entire drill today were thanks to Moon taking control of the spar flow. Gustav was actually trying to challenge him at first and only realized what Moon was doing when the soldiers started cheering.

"It’s fine as long as it works," Moon said dismissively as he took his seat.

"Right, Moon." Talia spoke. "Who was the person you had coffee with?"