The Path of Madness
Chapter 3: A New Beginning
Elric lay on Aldric's bed with his eyes closed. While thinking of meeting with her brother, she felt an unexplainable foreign feeling upon meeting him. He tried to sleep, but his mind could not calm down. He thought about how his life would be tomorrow, how he should pretend to be Aldric, how to hide his secrets, whether he should investigate Aldric's death or not.
At first he thought about how he should learn about this world. But he found that he had remembered almost all of Aldric's memories, but the memories of death, ritual, religion, the Breton Gang, the Madam Mayor, Bishop Theodore and anything related to the occult seemed to be lost. It could perhaps be explained that only the ritual, the Breton Gang, the Madam Mayor, Bishop Theodore and those associated with his death were lost. But the occult, according to his memory, Aldric is someone who likes occult knowledge, but all knowledge related to the occult seems to be lost roughly erased. This made him very uncomfortable, as his arrival in this world was due to the occult.
He also discovers an important memory of Aldric's memories of this world. According to Aldric's memory the world is divided into 3 large continents with the northern, central and southern continents. With the Northern Region occupied: Drakonia Empire and Various other small countries. Central Region: Lumina Republic and Ronian Monarch Republic. Southern region occupied: Emberfell Empire and Eldrion Federation. And there are even as many religions in this world as there are in the north: The Church of Life and Sound. In the center is the Church of Knowledge and History, In the south is the Church of Death and Chaos. The church in this world is deeply rooted in various elements. Good on society, knowledge, social, security, politics, even defense. If a person experiences a strange event or encounters a strange event, they will prefer to go report to the church first rather than the police or the authorities. This is based on supernatural phenomena that exist in this world that are openly known by the community. And the church is widely known to be very closely related to that. Perhaps that is why the church strongly supports the widespread dissemination of knowledge.
He also learned that White's family was devout. They worship the god of knowledge. In this world the church is also very closely related to occultism and even anomalies in addition to supernatural phenomena. Anomalies are often associated with events or phenomena that do not conform to prevailing patterns or expectations in a scientific, statistical or research context. Here, the church also joins in resolving and understanding anomalies with scientists, researchers and experts. It sounds very strange, because supernatural and anomalous are not the same context. Perhaps that is one reason the church strongly supports the widespread dissemination of knowledge. This distinguishes the victorian era in his former world which was very lacking in the scope of education.
Unlike the world of Elric this world there is the existence of monsters. In this world monsters tend to live in the deep sea or ancient forests that are rarely stepped on by humans. They began to disappear from time to time. Although the numbers were decreasing, there were still many people who could see them. If one were not afraid of death, they would only need to go to the outer and inner waters, unexplored or go to the unreached island then they would find monsters. And can also go to ancient forests that are difficult to reach.
Aldric currently lives in a town on a small island part of the Ronian Monarchic Republic. It was the outermost part of the territory of the Ronian Monarch Republic before the boundless sea in the west. This city is called Elrya.
The sea region in this world tends to be dangerous due to the presence of monsters but the sea region near Elrya has a very wide safe zone, not inhabited by monsters other than ordinary fish. This makes the economy here quite advanced, even though it is a small city.
Elric got up from his bed and walked to his wardrobe. He opened the closet and looked through the clothes belonging to Aldric who was there. The clothes look simple and mundane, in keeping with Aldric's low-profile and frugal lifestyle. Long pants or toad pants, linen or cotton shirt, vest, bowler hat hat hat or cap hat. Aldric also has some formal suits and suits left by his father. Like Victorian clothing in general.
The atmosphere in this world is the same as the victorian era in his world, people generally tend to pay more attention to dressing in a respectable way, especially in social and formal contexts. This is a period where social norms place great emphasis on appearance and ethics in dressing, especially among the upper and even lower middle classes. Clothing became very important as a symbol of social status, and there was great pressure to appear polite and appropriate in every occasion. This includes more polite everyday clothes for going to church, work, or participating in social events. People often wear formal or at least neater clothes for certain occasions. In Aldric's memory he would wear a formal suit while going to church every week with his family.
Elric wears a linen shirt and black pants. Elric also wears a black scarf that he ties around his neck to cover up a faint trace of rope.
Elric wore those clothes carefully and meticulously. He then walked towards the mirror on the wall of his room. He looked at the new reflection of himself in the mirror with a curious and amazed look.
In front of him, he saw a handsome young man with short black hair, black eyes, a sharp nose, thin lips, and a pointy chin. He had a fresh face in contrast to his blank stare and pale face last night. The young man had a fairly tall body.
The young man was himself, but not himself.
"Ok, now I'm Aldric." While looking in the mirror.
Aldric smiled faintly as he looked at the reflection of himself in the mirror. He likes his new look. Unlike his old body which was filled with scars and roughness. Even though his body was now becoming weak, at least he had good looks.
Aldric turned from his mirror and would walk towards the door of his room and out of the house. But before he exited the room he heard a knock at the door, accompanied by the voice of a mature woman.
"Aldric wake up, it's morning" That's his aunt's voice.
He could only go silent, unable to move. She panicked after her aunt called her.
"Aldric are you okay." His aunt's voice in a worried tone.
"It's okay aunty, give me a few moments to prepare." With a hurried panic
"Well, I'll be in the kitchen." Answer her aunt calmly.
There were footsteps starting to move away from her room. After a few minutes. He opened the door slowly. He walked towards the exit of the house with light steps. She hopes to leave without being caught by her aunt or her brother.
He did not want to raise any suspicion or concern with his different behavior. But he felt that meeting them was not a good idea. He has no experience with family at all. Although Aldric's memory can help him. It still makes him uncomfortable.
However, before he could open the door, he heard a voice from behind him.
“Aldric White where are you going!" The voice said firmly.
Elric looked back quickly. She saw her aunt standing at the end of the corridor an angry expression on her face.
Aldric's aunt is Sarah White, a 38-year-old woman who works as a teacher at this small-town school. Her aunt is the younger sister of Aldric and Alice's mother, who died in an accident on the northern continent while running a business. Her aunt was the one who had been nurturing Aldric and Alice since they were children, lovingly as if they were her children. He sacrificed his easy time for them.
His aunt was a very strict and disciplined person, but also gentle and loving. Maybe that's why he became a teacher.
Aldric felt awkward when he saw his angry aunt. He knew that meeting with his family was inevitable. He also knew perhaps the reason why his aunt was angry with him. Since the death of Aldric and Alice's parents when his aunt took care of them. They use the dining table as a form of closeness in the family.
Elric sighed and walked back towards his aunt with a nervous face. He knew that he could not escape his aunt's anger. He knew that he had to face the consequences of his actions.
“Sorry, aunt I just want to go to the pub as soon as.” Aldric apologized in a soft voice.
"Is there a problem in the pub." Her aunt asked in a soft voice.
"No, I just want to go early". Aldric answered stiffly.
"Aldric you should know what you're doing and today I want to chat with you for a while." His aunt said firmly.
"All right." Aldric knew in had no other options at this time.
His aunt ordered Aldric to go to the dining room first. There, Aldric saw his brother sitting at a table with a plate filled with simple food. Like bread, potato cream soup, and roasted sausage in front of him. He looked at her with a comforted expression.
Aldric's older sister is Alice White, a 24-year-old woman who works as a waitress at a cake restaurant in the city center. His elder brother was a person of vast knowledge and talent, but was also humble and polite. Her brother is a person who has a mature and sharp nature. Maybe because when their parents died he felt he had to carry the burden of family property, before finally his aunt came to take care of them.
Alice smiled as she saw Aldric walk into the dining room with a embarrassed face. Alice got along with her little sister. Perhaps he was the one who knew the nature of Aldric the most. If he behaved so differently maybe the first one to suspect him must be him. That's what made him so nervous last night.
“Good morning, Aldric.” Alice greeted with a stern voice in contrast to her expression.
“Good morning, Alice.” Aldric greeted back with an awkward voice accompanied by surprise.
Aldric felt strange as his brother greeted him like that. She felt that something was wrong with the way her brother spoke. She started to get a little nervous, did her brother realize something.
"Is there anything," Aldric tried asking in agitation.
"No, I just still think you're hiding a big problem." While looking at it carefully.
"Not at all, I swear to you." Aldric answered quickly. She knew that her brother was discussing the incident last night.
"Is it a job issue." He asked in a soft voice.
He felt he had to answer that question. By looking at his face. He would probably question her until she answered.
"It's a matter of work, it's just a trivial thing". Aldric answered in shame.
Aldric sat down next to his brother carefully. Her aunt put a plate containing the same food as her brother in front of her. Her aunt then sat across from them after picking up a teapot.
“Now, eat, Aldric.” Her aunt ruled with a firm voice.
“Ya, aunty.” Aldric replied in a obedient voice.
They eat in silence. With the sound of a rhythmic dinnerware.
Aldric began to tear the bread into pieces. He dipped the piece of bread into the still hot potato cream soup. He bit the piece of bread gently and felt the savory taste of his mouth. He swallowed the piece of bread easily and felt a warmth in his stomach. He tried to eat the sausage along with the soup and bread. This was probably one of the most delicious foods he had tasted.
In his world as a mercenary, most of the food he ate was just Instant food, Canned food, Dried food, or bland local food.
Aldric felt full and satisfied. She knew that this simple but tasty meal was the result of her aunt's hard work getting up early to cook it.
Aldric glanced at his older brother who was also enjoying his meal. Her brother looked calm and graceful while eating. He turned around and looked at Aldric.
Aldric tried to avoid eye contact with his brother as much as possible as last night. He tries to focus on the tea he drinks as much as possible.
After they finished eating, her aunt got up from her chair and brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen. His sister also got up from her chair and took a rag to clean the table. Aldirc also got up from his chair and planned to go to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
However, before she could make a move, she heard her aunt's voice from the kitchen.
“Aldric, wait a minute.” The voice said softly.
Aldric stopped in place and turned his head towards the kitchen in confusion. She saw her aunt coming out of the kitchen with a serious face. His aunt approached Aldric at a slow pace.
“There's something I want to talk to you about, Aldric.” Her aunt said in a soft voice.
“What's up, aunty?” Aldric asked in a nervous voice.
His aunt sighed and looked at Aldric in silence.
“I'm sorry, you're an adult I should know that.” Her aunt apologized in a soft voice. “I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier.”
Aldric was shocked to hear his aunt's apology. He didn't expect that at all. He doesn't know how to respond to that.
“It's okay, aunty.” Aldric replied in a stiff voice.
His aunt shook her head and clasped Aldric's hand tightly.
“No, it's not good, Aldric.” Her aunt denied in a firm voice. “I shouldn't yell at you like that. I'm just a little surprised you want to leave without saying anything.”
His aunt lowered her head and said.
"Maybe I made a mistake with you, after what happened a few days ago". Her aunt said in a confused voice.
“I'm sorry, Aldric.” Her aunt repeated in a faintly sad voice. “I know you want to move to another place and live a new life, but we can't Aldric.”
"What?" Aldric said in confusion.
"Even if me and your brother don't mind moving in. Our savings may not be enough to meet the cost of living more than a few months after selling our home. And I never let you move on your own!" Said his aunt in a weak voice accompanied by a firm voice in the last sentence.
Before Aldric answered his aunt continued. "The cost of living in a very large city is not cheap Aldric. And if we move then finding a job there is very difficult. According to newspapers in big cities like the capital Rovale, there is an increase in unemployment as technology starts to kill the workforce. And the cost of the house is just as high even though we are not a problem to rent. But it has more to appreciate..."
"Steel...Wait, wait aunty!" Aldric felt that his aunt's words would not stop in a short time.
She felt helpless, she really did not know what her aunt was saying. Aldric tried asking to find out.
"Is that what I want, aunt?" Ask Aldric in a confused tone.
“Do you try to forget it.” Answered his aunt with an angry expression. "You asked us to move out of this island, a few weeks ago.
Aldric now realized something. Why did her brother ask her about the matter, why did her aunt want to talk to him. Maybe Aldric tried to get his family to leave this place. So maybe the secret that made the previous Aldric died from the beginning is really related to this island. He felt a little scared and agitated. He might have to decide whether or not to investigate Aldric White's death. He tried to make excuses on his aunt first.
“Aunt to be honest I got a little problem from a co-worker.” Elric said in a sincere voice, full of lies . “But I've finished it, rest assured.”
Elric smiled and reassured his aunt.
Her aunt saw her in silence. That made Elric nervous.
“Alright Aldric, if that's what you say.” His aunt said in a low voice.
His aunt looked at Elric with eyes full of worry and helplessness. Aldric felt awkward with that look. However it gave him a foreign feeling that he had never felt.
“Alright aunt, I need to go to work.” Aldric said while trying to smile.
Her aunt just nodded.
Aldric went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He did not plan to take a shower, as it was time before he left for work.
At this time people who work in factories and other places prefer to come early to work because of time constraints and for dock workers maybe if they are late they will not get a job. And even though he doesn't work at the docks, he works at the pub to serve breakfast. Most of their customers in the morning are dock workers and factories.
He prefers to conserve clean water as is the nature of Aldric White actually. After all, frugality is not a bad trait. In this world even though he was on an island, the need for clean water was still met for a simple family like them. He once read in the newspaper that in the central continent of the capital city of the Ronian Monarch Republic, Rovale. There for families with an annual salary of about 12,000 REPLs per year, like their families.
Aldric opened the bathroom door and walked towards the exit. She did not forget to greet her aunt and brother before leaving. He grabbed the doorknob and slightly pushed it.
Putting his foot forward, he saw a sight that would not be forgotten.
The beginning of when he walked in a new world.
