CHAPTER 44: STAY ... HERE

Jack asked for the book, he needed to see more clearly what was inside. Gideon had no problem and handed it to him.

The man and Sora immediately began talking, discussing something about the materials for each component.

Gideon and the others stayed quiet, watching them talk made him feel calm. He was certain Jack could make bullets just like the ones shown in the blueprint.

"Can you use a ruler?" Gideon asked.

"Sora can do it, my eyes are blurry."

"Alright."

"What do you think?" Gideon asked.

Jack turned, exchanging a look with Sora for a moment to respond to Gideon’s question. After feeling sure, both of them looked forward and focused their attention on Gideon.

Seeing what Gideon’s team had designed made Jack and Sora feel optimistic. They were confident they could make the bullets as Gideon wanted.

"Between the casing and the projectile, which one needs strong iron?" Jack asked.

"The projectile. That’s the main essence of a bullet. Use iron that’s easy to shape for the casing," Gideon answered.

Their discussion was cut short when a tavern worker came with drinks for Gideon and the others. Gideon smiled, took his drink, and set it on the table. Lena and the others did the same.

"I’ll continue."

"What you need to pay attention to is the gunpowder and the primer. A bullet doesn’t use a fuse," Gideon explained.

"Yes. I see there’s no fuse here," Jack added.

"The primer is round, it moves when pressed, and that pressure ignites the gunpowder inside the bullet."

"Do you understand what I’m saying?" Gideon asked.

Sora nodded. He had never heard of a primer like that before, but maybe his father’s experience had taught him something about it.

Gideon was pleased to hear that. He lifted his drink and took a slow sip, it felt cool and good in his mouth and throat.

Done with the bullet talk, Gideon invited them to move on to other things, maybe about the village and so on.

Their conversation became light and easy, while Lyra and Luke chose to chat elsewhere, Gideon and Lena stayed at Jack’s table.

"I’ve never heard of technology like that before," Jack said.

"That’s because my world is different from this one. It makes sense that you’ve never known about it," Gideon replied.

He finished his drink until nothing was left. The drink was really good, but Gideon did not want to get carried away. It would be bad if he got drunk in this situation, even though they were only relaxing.

Lena turned to look at Gideon’s face, red and flushed from the alcohol. She also chose to stop drinking before it was too late. Jack and Sora noticed Gideon couldn’t handle his alcohol.

"Looks like he’s not used to alcohol, huh?" Jack asked.

"That’s strange, he’s usually strong."

"Hey, Gideon."

Half-conscious, Gideon responded with a cough and a slow nod. He turned and saw Lena beside him, focused on his face. Gideon’s lips curved up when their eyes met.

"You really are beautiful, Lena," Gideon said.

"He’s drunk."

"I have to take him home," Lena said.

"What about the book?" Jack asked.

"Rip out the blueprint pages and give me the book," Lena replied.

Sora tore out the bullet blueprint for them, while the rest of the book was returned to Lena. She stored it away while trying to guide Gideon. But she had another problem.

"Hey, blondie. What happened to Gideon?" Luke slurred, being carried by Lyra.

Lena turned and was shocked, surprised that the men were easier to knock out than the women, even though she knew Gideon and Luke were usually heavy drinkers.

Seeing the two drunk men made Sora laugh. Jack stood, walked over to Luke and Gideon, and offered to take both of them back to the inn.

"Wait, are you sure?" Lena asked.

"My father always used to do this back in the city. You don’t need to worry."

Lena agreed with what Sora said. They left the village tavern to return to the inn. Along the way, Gideon just slept with his head hanging low, unlike Luke who rambled nonsense about regretting smoking in front of Lyra.

Lyra heard Luke’s ramblings, her hands clenched and her sharp eyes staring straight ahead, wanting to punch his face.

Lena noticed Lyra’s behavior and only sighed softly at the sight of both Lyra and Luke. She just hoped Lyra wouldn’t kill Luke.

When they arrived in Gideon’s room, Jack dropped both Gideon and Luke on the bed. Lena thanked Jack, he smiled and said it was no trouble.

There was nothing else for him to do, so Jack left the inn. Lyra climbed onto the bed with her hand open.

SLAP!

Lena squinted her eyes at Lyra and Luke’s quarrel. There was nothing she could do to stop Lyra. Her attention was focused on Gideon.

She brought Gideon into her room, making Lyra pause from slapping Luke and turn to her.

"Where are you taking him?" Lyra asked.

"My room. I’m worried his PTSD will relapse."

"Alright."

Lena carried Gideon to her room. When she opened the door, she laid him down on the bed and removed his shoes and his SIG M17.

There was no sign that Gideon would wake up from his drunken sleep. Lena sighed. She planned to sleep in Lyra’s room tonight.

After tucking Gideon under the blanket so he wouldn’t get cold, his hand reflexively reached out and grabbed Lena’s wrist. Lena was shocked, her eyes widened at Gideon’s subconscious reaction.

"What are you..."

"Stay... here."

Lena heard it, even though his voice was faint. She stood still at Gideon’s request, even if it was from his unconscious mind.

But the subconscious doesn’t lie. He might have said that because he was afraid of being alone.

Hearing those words made Lena unable to bring herself to leave him alone. Even if she had to sleep on the sofa, it was much better because at least she could be in the same room with Gideon.

She locked the door and closed the curtains. Lena lit the oil lamp, making the room feel cozy for resting.

Once everything was ready, Lena turned to Gideon and reached out her hand. She gently stroked Gideon’s hair, helping him sleep peacefully.

"Good night, Gideon."