I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 18 Zheng De Shouyi

They're dirty and dressed in rags. I'm not better off, but they could at least wash off every so often.

It took me a few seconds to figure out what's going on and I try getting out, but it's hard to move. I've been through so much h.e.l.l yesterday that I don't even care at the moment.

Steven: "What are you doing?"

Woman: "I heard guys like being awakened like this!"

Someone might walk in and take this the wrong way. I look to my side and Madelyn wasn't here. She's probably somewhere in the village, looking for another "quest" no doubt.

Steven: "Who are you girls?"

Dai-tai: "I'm Dai-tai, a Demon."

The woman sitting on me is Dai-tai. She has horns like a Demon, but they're small. Her skin is a very light purplish color, almost like an amethyst. Their skin tones really throw me off.

Niroja: "My name is Niroja, I'm a Goblin!"

I don't believe it, there are Goblins? I keep learning new things in this world!

To my right, Niroja. Her ears are droopy, with green skin like an emerald. Her hands are a bit clammy. She might be nervous that she's in here with a stranger. Then again, if that's the case, why is she holding my hand?

Young Mi: "Young Mi, it's nice to meet you. I'm what you call a Wight."

She's on my left, and is pale as a ghost and cold as ice!

Steven: "A Wight?"

She places my hand just above her chest.

Am I supposed to feel something? Like a heartbeat? I'm not sure if my hand's in the right place, I don't feel one.

Young Mi: "Wights are undead."

She can't be serious. Wights are undead?! How did that happen?

Steven: "That's… Odd. But it's nice to meet you all, I'm Steven."

Nikita: "Niroja! Where'd you go, I need your help real quick!"

Niroja leaves with Young Mi following right behind her. Dai-tai stays on top and starts to slowly grind me.

What the h.e.l.l?! I grab her and get her to stop.

Steven: "What are you doing?!"

Dai-tai: "Uhh, sorry about that. I get a little carried away at times. I'm a succubus, so it comes naturally for me."

She gets off me, allowing me to sit up. Succubus or not, that's pus.h.i.+ng it even for me. I barely got here and know them! I don't want to give them bad impressions of me or Madelyn.

Still, I let her sit in my lap. She can't be too dangerous when I can kick her off.

Dai-tai: "What do you want to do?"

Well, if I'm going to stay here, I should at least get to know the people. They've treated me good so far and I'm curious about how things are around here.

Steven: "What kind of Demons are there, Dai-tai?"

Dai-tai: "There are the Western Demons like Nikita and Zai. Then there's the Eastern Demons like me and some of my friends."

Steven: "What about the others? The Goblin and the Wight?"

Dai-tai: "You mean Niroja and Young Mi? The Goblins are native to the north and Wights are created."

Steven: "Created how?"

Dai-tai: "They're undead, how else are you going to bring someone back to life?"

Dark magic, it truly is dangerous.

I feel bad for Young Mi, to be brought back to life after death against her will. a.s.suming that's how it went.

I should find Madelyn, we need to figure out what we're going to do next to improve the village.

Steven: "Dai-tai, do you know where Madelyn went?"

Dai-tai: "Last I saw her, she was with some of the others. I can show you around the village first and take you to her."

I'm guided around like a tourist. For a village, it has almost everything they needed and is organized.

The east side, where we were at, has the armory, clinic, and a few small shops. They don't use money and rely mostly on trading. Since I got the medicine, there really isn't much to help with around here for now.

The south side of the village had several farms and is where most of their food is grown. They're big enough to feed everyone but they lose some of the crops to the wild animals. We should plan on building a fence to keep them out or something along the lines. Theirs look like it's seen better days.

The north side of the village is where everyone lives. They live in small huts and it's very open. It looks really well kept and clean. There's a small group picking up trash and sweeping the dirt road. There's some kind of organization here, so that's good.

The west and final side is where everything is kept. From the food and livestock to extra clothes and medicine. The animals have room to roam around freely. I could expand on this area somehow.

Madelyn was with Nikita and the others, inside an open hut planning on how we're going to improve the village. Zai notices me and greets me.

Zai: "Stevie!"

Steven: "Hey, Zai!"

Nikita: "Yes, good morning."

Madelyn: "I thought we could just level up the village by questing, but that might be harder than I thought."

Steven: "What?"

Is she serious?! These people think and have feelings just like us! She could at least acknowledge them as such!

Nikita: "In the meantime, we could plan a way to dethrone the Queen."

Madelyn: "I did the math on how long it should take for both maxing the village out and finis.h.i.+ng the main quest."

Dethroning the Queen is her main quest? It looks like I'm stuck here until it's finished. I should earn my keep while I'm here.

Steven: "How long will that take?"

Madelyn: "9 months tops."

Steven: "What about Kanna?"

I mumbled.

It upsets me that I'll be here for so long.

These are just estimates, it'll be shorter! It shouldn't take more than a month to help these people and dethrone the Queen!

Dai-tai: "What's wrong, Steven? You look down all of a sudden."

Steven: "I left home so suddenly that my friends probably thought I died. I wanted to go home and let them know I'm fine, but that won't be happening soon."

Nikita grabs my shoulder, comforting me.

Nikita: "It'll be alright brother, I know what it's like to miss home, but you'll see them again before you know it. Besides, how do you know if they think you're dead?"

Madelyn: "The sooner we get started, the sooner you could go home."

Nikita: "You should know your enemy, let's start with the Queen…"

We're going through the Royal Family, going through some background on them.

Lihua, the soon to be dethroned Queen. She has never shown age or emotion, she rules alongside the Demon King with an iron fist. Though, she's our only target and not the King for some reason. She's powerful and doesn't show weakness. We have to be crafty to get her.

Bao, the third eldest of the sisters. She has no heart and is cold to anyone she doesn't like. She never leaves the Palace and would be the hardest to get to, second to the Queen. She's very aggressive and we could exploit her short temper.

Biyu, second eldest sister. She's the more reasonable of the sisters. She spends most of her time reading in the palace and would occasionally wander the streets of s.h.i.+ De Emo. She picks her fights carefully, guaranteeing a win every time.

Huian, second youngest of the sisters. The silent one. She only speaks when making a statement or is called upon. She's considered the oddest of the sisters for her weird habits. We could use that somehow to get the best of her.

Lilith, the youngest sister. Nothing is known about her as she isn't considered apart of the Royal Family officially. She's the weakest of the sisters, but we're not allowed to touch her as the voice in the void said. With luck, we could get her on our side, but it's something I'm against.

Mei, the eldest sister. She takes care of her sisters as best she can. She would normally frequent the n.o.bles District in s.h.i.+ De Emo on her free time. She's very strong, as I learned that from experience. Her love for her family is something we could use against her.

Nikita: "That's about all we know, kiddo."

Madelyn: "We can't crawl in there and a.s.sa.s.sinate her?"

Nikita: "The palace is a fortress. You won't get near her."

Steven: "So we need a really good plan?"

Nikita: "One better than what the Elves had years ago."

Madelyn: "What happened years ago?"

Nikita: "The Demon War."

Steven: "It's pretty much a cold war now."

Madelyn: "A cold war? Let me think for a moment…"

While she's coming up with a plan, I talk to Nikita on how we're supposed to improve the village. I have my ideas but I want everyone else's too. I could put the best ones into action.

Steven: "Is the wildlife the only problem you have with farming?"

Nikita: "Occasionally, a few years ago, they ravaged a few of the farms."

Dai-tai: "It was insane, everything was gone!"

Nikita: "Yeah, we barely got through it by hunting."

If it's that much of an issue, I don't think a small fence would be any help.

Madelyn comes back, shouting. The little light bulb above her head turned on.

Madelyn: "I have an idea!"

Steven: "For the farm?"

Madelyn: "On dethroning the Queen!"

Nikita: "Let's hear it."

Madelyn: "A revolution!"

Steven: "I think we should focus on the village first."

She wants to start a revolution. How?

You need a lot of p.i.s.sed off people to start one and the Queen is unchallenged. These people are probably the only ones willing to rise against her.

Nikita: "It's not a bad idea, you just need a lot of people on our side."

Steven: "Where do we find them?"

Nikita: "We search for them. We're not the only people that hate the Queen after all."

Dai-tai: "There's a small town a day away from here."

Nikita: "Ah, Zheng De Shouyi. If they side with us, we could get better equipment for the blacksmith and clothier. I'm sure you and your friends are tired of wearing the same rags, Dai-tai."

Madelyn: "Steven, you can go, right?"

Steven: "What about you?"

Madelyn: "I have an idea for the farms. Could you do it?"

Steven: "Am I going alone? I don't know my way around."

Madelyn: "You can't make a party on your own?"

Dai-tai: "I'll go with him."

Nikita: "You're better off if you take another one so that there's 3 of you."

Dai-tai: "Niroja would love to come."

Nikita: "Yeah, but it's not a vacation. You're supposed to get the town on your side."

Dai-tai: "I know. I'm just saying she's a good pick."

Nikita starts dancing again.

Nikita: "It's finally coming together!"

Steven: "Nikita?"

Nikita: "We should get you a pack and some provisions!"

Dai-tai: "We need to get Niroja then. She should be at the daycare."

Nikita: "The packs will be ready by then!"

We move to the north side of the village. When they mentioned a daycare, I imagined more of a cramped hut. It was the complete opposite when we entered, there's so much s.p.a.ce!

Niroja was playing with some of the kids, not like a kid but more of how an adult would.

I mean, the kids were circled around her and she was showing them some of the toys. It warms my heart to see it, even if they're not Elves or Human.

Dai-tai: "Niroja! I think someone fell for you!"

Dai-tai looks at me playfully. I'm blaming her if she creates any misunderstandings.

Niroja: "Dai-tai? What are you talking about?"

She moves the kids aside and comes to us so we could speak without them overhearing us.

I don't think she'd be a good pick for the trip. If she works at a daycare, I don't want to take her away from them.

Dai-tai: "We're going to Zheng De Shouyi. Do you want to tag along?"

Niroja: "Zheng De Shouyi? What's all the way out there?"

Dai-tai: "We're trying to get them to align with us and probably get better equipment. Me and Steven are going but we need 1 more."

Niroja: "I'd love to go!"

Steven: "What about the daycare?"

Niroja: "They'll be fine; I'm just a volunteer."

Dai-tai: "Alright, let's go to Nikita, he should have our packs ready."

Seems like everyone is gathered. We grab our packs and start going through the forest until we hit the main road.

I know we're going to a town and get them to align with us, but how are we supposed to do that? I'm not a diplomat and I doubt Dai-tai or Niroja are either.

For some reason, I can't help but see this as anything more than a camping trip. We're carrying packs, on a dirt road, and going to sleep in a tent.

The town's a day away, so we're all sleeping together. It'll be a tight fit but I'm sure we'll manage.

I'm thinking ahead of time.

Niroja: "How's your head?"

Steven: "It's doing good, I just hit it a little."

Niroja: "That's good… Where are you from, Steven?"

Steven: "Everhand."

Niroja: "Were you born there?"

Steven: "No, I wasn't."

Niroja: "Where were you born?"

Steven: "In a different world."

Dai-tai: "You're lying."

Niroja: "Serious, I want to know."

Seems extravagant, even for them. Demons were the reason I ended up here, so why all the doubt?

Oh well, it's better if they didn't know the full truth. They might think I'm crazy if I persist.

Steven: "Feles Isle."

Niroja: "You don't mind being around people that are different?"

I get it, she's talking about how I'm walking alongside a Demon and a Goblin like it's normal. Is that why she's so curious?

Steven: "I live with Nekomatas, of course I don't mind."

Dai-tai: "Nekomatas? That explains why you're comfortable around us."

Steven: "Well, either way, I need you guys more than anything. I can't go up against a Demon Queen on my own."

We kept walking the dirt road. Stopping periodically for a short rest. It wasn't until the night encroached that we decided to stop for the day.

With Dai-tai's help, we were able to set up the tent just a bit off the road, out of sight.

I'm actually relieved, my whole body is screaming in pain. I didn't carry much and my arms feel like they're going to fall off.

We lay down, all tired from the walk.

Dai-tai: "Do you feel that?"

Niroja: "The little needles in my legs?"

Dai-tai: "Do you, Steven?"

Steven: "They're more like—little bubbles popping."

We all laugh, enjoying casual talk before Dai-tai gets up to get a candle.

Dai-tai: "I don't want to waste the candle, do you have anything, Steven?"

Obviously, who knows when we could get more. We could get stuck out here for a while.

Steven: "Do you have a lantern?"

Dai-tai: "I do, but there's no wick."

Steven: "It'll do, can I see it?"

She hands me the lantern.

I've tried it once before, but I could cast candlelight and hold it in a base. I've tried it with a gla.s.s bottle as nothing other a party trick. The lantern seemed like a perfect fit for it. It fit snug inside and I handed it back to Dai-tai, who looked at in amazement.

Niroja: "That's amazing!"

Steven: "It's nothing, really."

Dai-tai: "Where'd you learn something like this?"

Steven: "The Mage's Academy in Everhand."

Dai-tai: "How long will it last?"

Steven: "I don't know for sure, I can't keep track of time very well. But I can sustain it for a while."

Dai-tai: "Will you teach us magic, Steven?"

Steven: "They never taught you magic at the village?"

Dai-tai: "You need to be really good with magic to teach someone. It's locked away by those that have money."

Niroja: "Teachers are expensive."

That's horrible. Everyone should have access to magic, not just the rich!

Steven: "When we get back to the village, I promise, I'll teach you both Earth magic."

It's the easiest of the elements to learn. I mastered it in a couple months, so it's not too hard to teach it to someone else. Though, there's really no use for it other than making fortifications or just terraforming on a small scale. It's illegal to use in Ostroven because it could ruin the local plants.

Niroja: "Thank you so much!"

Steven: "It's just Earth magic, it's nothing special really."

Dai-tai: "You deserve a reward!"

Steven: "I'm fine, I'd be happy just to teach you."

Niroja: "Do you really mean that?"

Steven: "Of course I do."

I excuse myself from the tent, seeing that they're so full of energy and it's cramped.

I'm stretching as I look down the main road, wondering why it's so empty. If the road is like this then it was pointless to set the tent up behind the trees.

Dai-tai: "Bah~!"

She sneaks up behind me, smacks my shoulders, and I jump from the fright. As she laughed, I grabbed her and end up play wrestling with her in the gra.s.s.

We both lay on the tall gra.s.s, looking into the sky, giggling. Moments like these are really nice.

Dai-tai: "Who's that girl Madelyn?"

Steven: "Someone I met before I almost died."

Dai-tai: "Isn't she a little crazy? She keeps talking about "quests."

Steven: "She may be off, but it did help with getting the medicine."

I come to her defense.

She is off for thinking like that, but it doesn't make her a dangerous person. She could've run off, away from the village, but didn't. Neither of us did.

I'm staying because it's my best chance to go home. In fact, If I had the chance, I would've left the village at first not caring about them at all.

I look to Dai-tai and see a little dirt on her cheek. This hygiene issue they have should be addressed. I get Niroja and put them together outside. They look at me curious about what I was trying to do but I kept silent.

Using a minor Water spell, Purified Springs, a spell that Cynthia taught me to use the water in the surrounding area and create pure water through the tips of your fingers. I reached out to Niroja first to clean her.

She flinches and moves away from the water a lot because it was cold. Obviously, she doesn't like cold water.

Steven: "How often do you bathe?"

Niroja: "What? Every day, why do you ask?"

Steven: "You're dirty."

Niroja: "I'm sorry, we've been really busy the past week!"

Steven: "That's not the right way to think! A woman should always be at her best."

I'm just quoting Yuuna at this point. Her and Kanna really care about their appearance in front of others. It might be because they're n.o.bles and they have to keep up a good appearance, but it's what I learned from them.

Steven: "You attract what you are, not what you want. If you want great, then be great."

I finish cleaning her and move to Dai-tai, who doesn't move away, finding it relaxing. She lays on me and I'm able to clean her more efficiently because of it.

Niroja: "If it makes you less annoying, I'll keep myself clean."

Dai-tai: "Ahaha~ This really is relaxing, Niroja."

Niroja: "Why are you telling me? You know I hate cold water."

Now cleaned of most of the dirt on their face, we decided it was enough and go back in the tent. My sleeping bag is laid out and I'm on top of it, resting.

Dai-tai: "Oh yeah, your reward!"

Steven: "My reward for what?"

Niroja: "You were going to teach us magic, weren't you?"

Steven: "Oh, I already said it was fine."

Dai-tai's a succubus, so I already don't like what she might be thinking. Not that I mind or anything, as long as it's consensual, but we should at least get to know each other better.

Then again, Niroja seems to know about it, so it might not be what I think it is. It could be something simple, like a gift.

Steven: "Well, maybe when we go home you could reward me."

The lantern flickers, dimming until it's no more. We slip into our bags and try to sleep. Our bodies are tired but not our minds.

Dai-tai: "Hey guys."

Niroja: "What?"

Dai-tai: "Can we do something like this more often? Just the 3 of us—we could bring Young Mi too and make it 4—this is pretty fun."

Niroja: "Does Young Mi even like camping?"

Dai-tai: "I'm sure she does."

Niroja: "Well, I'm having fun, as long as Steven doesn't try cleaning me again. Yeah, I'd love to do this again."

Dai-tai: "What about you, Steven?"

Steven: "Of course we can. I bet Young Mi would have a lot of fun too."

To go camping with them again, and with Young Mi too. It sure does sound like a lot of fun but I don't see any free time available in the near future.

One by one, we all slowly fell asleep.

…

(In the early morning)

Dai-tai: "Steven, wake up!"

I sit up with a cramp in my legs, I must've slept awkwardly and my leg is numb. My knee especially hurts.

Niroja: "Uu, are you alright, Steven?"

Steven: "Yes."

I leave the tent to stretch as much as I could. I stomp the gra.s.s, in a vain attempt to get my leg to wake up, but nearly collapsed onto the ground from the sharp feeling of needles.

It's the early morning, the sun is barely coming out.

n.o.body's on the main road, we could pack up and leave right now. Probably reach the town before lunch.

Niroja stumbles out of the tent.

Niroja: "Are you really alright?"

Steven: "I just slept awkwardly, Niroja. I'll be fine."

We eat breakfast, bread and water, before packing everything up and getting back to the main road. Hopefully, the rest of the trip will continue to go smoothly as it has.

We pa.s.sed by the usual pilgrim. I've been here for 2 days yet I've only seen a single Elf and it was the slave from the palace. There's Demons, Goblins, Wights and probably some others that I don't know of yet.

Yet, I've only seen Elves and the small amount of Nekomatas in Ostroven. Surely they can't be that h.o.m.ogeneous. Unless it's just Everhand that's like that, I've never been outside the city until now.

Steven: "Hey, Dai-tai, are there Elves here?"

Dai-tai: "Elves? What are you talking about?"

Steven: "I've haven't seen an Elf since I was at the palace."

Dai-tai: "Well, yeah, obviously there are. They're just a minority here."

Niroja: "They look different from you actually."

She walks behind me and starts playing with my ears. Gently twisting and bending them out of curiosity. I'm starting to wonder if Goblins are naturally clammy. Her hands feel slimy!

Niroja: "Your ears are so round and short."

Steven: "You've never seen ears like that?"

Niroja: "You and Madelyn are the first."

Dai-tai: "They're really adorable, Steven."

I pull away and swat Niroja's hands. She didn't have to say that! I'm even blus.h.i.+ng because of her.

By the time it was afternoon, we barely arrived at the town. Zheng De Shouyi, it really is a nice town. There's a beautiful river flowing on the side of the town. Where the people were grabbing buckets of water and hauling them back.

This entire town has a "Chinese" feel to it. The whole atmosphere of the place is relaxing.

Dai-tai: "This place was built by the Eastern Demons almost 50 years ago. It's a really nice town to come trade."

Niroja: "I haven't been here in a while and nothing has changed!"

Steven: "Where do we start?"

Dai-tai: "We find the lord first."

Steven: "Lord?"

Dai-tai: "The head of the town."

Niroja: "He could be anywhere."

We tried the river first, seeing that it's the closest even though he wouldn't likely be there. Though, we did stumble on a scene.

A tree was submerged in the lake and a kid was desperately grabbing hold of it; fighting against the current.

Frantic Commoner: "I'll get help!"

Kid: "Ah! I'm slipping!"

Niroja: "We have to help him!"

Dai-tai: "Wait, what can we do? We can't help him."

The guards are just watching in the distance! They should be helping him!.

Female Commoner: "No!"

The kid slips, being dragged away by the furious current. Everyone is looking in terror, unable to do anything.

That kid doesn't deserve this!

Without thinking, I start sprinting alongside the river. Dai-tai tries to stop me but I'm too fast. Keeping pace with the current and not seeing any other choice, I dive into the water.

We're both being dragged away, avoiding from violently cras.h.i.+ng into the rocks. I catch up to the kid and he desperately clings to me. His fingers burrowing deep into my skin.

I ignore the pain as one of the onlookers catches up to us on a horse, a la.s.so by his hip. Whirling it around several times in an attempt to catch us, but always falls short of reach.

I reach out and with all his might, he furiously throws it, catching my arm. He slows the horse, keeping us from going any further down the river. I'm dragged underwater by the angry waves as I'm being reeled in like a fish.

Barely breathing, I end up on sh.o.r.e with the kid, as he's sobbing heavily out of fear. I'm on my knees, coughing out the water in my lungs.

Horseman: "You're either brave or really stupid."

I must be really stupid, I almost drowned.

Dai-tai, Niroja, and some of the commoners come running. The mother of the kid frantically runs to him and quickly starts embracing him before trying to dry him off.

Dai-tai: "Steven, are you alright?!"

Niroja: "You had us worried when you jumped in, what is wrong with you?!"

Steven: "I guess stupidity is one thing I'm good at."

The horseman starts laughing.

Horseman: "As stupid as it may seem, I don't think I could've la.s.soed the child without you. He's a lot smaller!"

Steven: "Where'd you learn to do that, anyway?"

Horseman: "An Elf taught me, said it was the best way for catching animals."

Dai-tai: "Well, can we get back to looking for the lord?"

Niroja: "Do you know where he is?"

Horseman: "Well, yeah, you're talking to him."

This man has to be joking around, he looks like one of the commoners!

Jiang: "The name's Jiang. I'm the lord here."

Dai-tai: "I'm Dai-tai, Niroja is my goblin friend and the Elf is Steven. Is there anywhere we can speak in private?"

Jiang: "Yeah, let's get your stupid Elven friend dried off as well."

We're lead to a decently sized estate near the river. It's where Jiang lived and ran most of the town. He must've also valued privacy because there were very few guards here. I'd expect there to be more for someone that's in charge of the town.

Jiang: "Are you apart of a n.o.ble house?"

Steven: "How did you know?"

Jiang: "Your clothes gave you away, what is your full name?"

Steven: "Steven Omeo."

Jiang: "House Omeo?"

That has a nice ring to it. House Omeo.

No.

I still want to be a servant Kanna, not have my own n.o.ble house. I may not carry the name, but Kanna and Yuuna said I'm a Hisakawa, no matter what anyone else said and I would always be welcome at their home.

Our home.

n.o.body should know that. I'll keep playing along, as a cover.

Steven: "Was. It's now defunct."

Jiang: "And now you're a runaway because your family was pressuring you to take over, and arranging your marriage with another n.o.ble family with someone you don't know or like. I see n.o.bility has their own problems. Even if it seems superficial."

Steven: "Dude."

Jiang: "I apologize, let's get you some dry clothes, shall we?"

Why did it sound so familiar?

I'm given clothes, as a gift, for saving the kid from earlier. They're not fancy or stylish, like what I was wearing, but I'll fit in with the rest of the town and the girls.

Niroja: "Steven actually likes like he's apart of the village!"

Dai-tai: "Yeah, I didn't know you were a n.o.ble too."

Steven: "Sorry, I didn't mean to hide it."

Jiang brings us to a meeting room. Now that it's back to business. I have to convince this man to have his town support us against the Queen.

How do I do that?

Jiang: "So, did you have business with my town?"

Steven: "What are your thoughts on the Queen?"

Jiang: "Queen Lihua? She's an excellent leader."

Steven: "Who's in charge of the guard?"

No, this isn't how to start it off. If I make it out to be, I could make it as easy as selling Yuuna's potions at the high price without any price drops.

I look to Dai-tai and she's giving me a thumbs up. Obviously trying to say "you got this." It's good to know that I have someone supporting me.

Steven: "Allow me to rephrase, who's in charge of the guard?"

Jiang: "You could say I am, but they're sent by the Queen. So she has control of them in the end."

I guess it's time to put everything Yuuna taught me to work.

Niroja pulls on me, whispering in my ear.

Niroja: "Taxes are really high, try to use that to pull him in."

I'm selling him security for the future, no more useless guards and high taxes. Transparency is key here, laying out all the issues on the table and figure out all our options from them.

Steven: "Surely the guards sent by the Queen are unreliable. They chose to stand around instead of helping the kid."

Jiang: "Yeah, that's true. But they keep the town from going into chaos."

Steven: "And the high taxes justify it?"

Dai-tai: "Let's not forget how they're exonerated for crimes so easily. How many times have they stolen the foods from your farms and you were useless to do anything when families starved?"

She stated with anger.

Has she experienced it before?

Now that I have his attention. I should pull him in and be careful not to oversell any promises. I have to keep my cool the whole time and not say anything crazy.

Jiang: "What do you want from me? I can't do anything about them."

Steven: "A revolution, Jiang. The Royal Family only understands violence."

Jiang: "How do you know that?"

Steven: "Because I've experienced it first hand."

He scratches his head, troubled by us. He probably wants to kick us out, but with Dai-tai intervening as she did, it probably gave him something to think about.

Jiang: "This certainly gave me something to think about."

He sighs.

Jiang: "But don't think you've won. I should turn you in for treason."

Niroja: "You won't. You care too much about your people to give up an opportunity for a better future."

Jiang: "Out; I need to think."

We excuse ourselves and regroup outside the estate. Mixed feelings of anxiety and triumph linger around us.

Dai-tai: "Now that he has doubts about the Queen, we exploit it."

Steven: "What? I thought we were going to reason with him, not take advantage."

Niroja: "Can we talk about this over food? I'm really hungry!"

Steven: "More bread again?"

Dai-tai: "Yeah, I've been eating nothing but bread for the past week! I want meat!"

Niroja: "But we can't afford meat. We don't have money."

Dai-tai: "We don't need money. See, Niroja? The way you think is why your chest isn't as large as mine."

She says sarcastically, making Niroja turn beet red.

Niroja: "The way I think has nothing to do with my chest!"

She retorts loudly.

Someone might overhear us!

Steven: "Ah, let's calm down. There has to be a job board, right? We can go to a restaurant with the earnings."

Dai-tai: "There's an inn I knew of that had one."

Niroja: "We can try there."

Dai-tai takes the lead, taking us to an inn near the entrance we came from.

An inn for the workers, it seems.

Female Innkeeper: "Welcome! If you're here for lunch, please take a seat."

She says gleefully.

Steven: "I'm here for the job board."

Female Innkeeper: "It's over there."

She points to a wall covered in papers. Closer inspection reveals it was full of bounties, jobs, and notices.

Madelyn would have a field day if she saw this.

The innkeeper gives us a brief description of the job board. How it's used by most of the town to make quick money. Though, it's not the most reliable source of income because the number of jobs fluctuates rapidly.

Niroja: "What about this, Steven?"

She pulls a request for gathering alchemy ingredients.

This is perfect!

I know most ingredients in alchemy because of Yuuna. The girls could also help with this if they know what plants to pick.

5 Yingbi for each foxglove, wintergreen, and feverfew plant. That's a pretty high number for a plant.

Steven: "What's Yingbi?"

Dai-tai: "Yingbi? That's the currency we use."

Steven: "Well, how much is bread?"

Dai-tai: "Ehh, around 20 Yingbi if I remember. We don't buy bread in the village; we make our own bread."

Then 20 Yingbi should equal 3 Ostroven Coin. Working with that and rounding it, a normal meal should cost around 85 Yingbi. If Dai-tai wants meat, it'll go up to maybe 125 Yingbi.

The lodging as well, a normal room in Everhand costs 30 Coin for 3 people each night. It might be lower here, but it should cost 625 if my math is correct.

Niroja: "Steven?"

Steven: "Excuse me, Innkeeper. If I wanted a meal for 3 people and a place to stay for the night, I'd need around 750 Yingbi, correct?"

Dai-tai: "With meat!"

Innkeeper: "A lot lower, it's actually 320 for everything, sir."

Steven: "Then how long would it take to get that much with this job alone?"

Innkeeper: "If you take the job, then it should be 6 hours. Shorter if you work fast."

I don't want to walk anymore!

Almost every job requires travel and the ones that don't pay very low. By the way it looks, we're going to be in the tent again.

My legs have been through enough!

As I was about to give up, I noticed a bounty poster with a very high price.

"10,000 Yingbi for the capture of Ma Ju, an Eastern Demon wanted for murder," The poster states.

With that much money, we could be set for a whole month!

It's dangerous, to say the least. No doubt he would fight his way out, given the chance. It's more walking but the price pays off well.

Innkeeper: "Are you interested in the bounty?"

Steven: "Do I have to find him or do I have a search area?"

Bounty Hunter: "He's a slippery b.a.s.t.a.r.d. His camp is a mile down but no one has caught him yet. That poster's been there for half a year."

A rugged Demon came from behind. He looks like he's been living off the land for years. The Innkeeper recognized him as a veteran bounty hunter.

I think I'm getting the idea here. He'll offer to help for a price.

Bounty Hunter: "I could help you catch him. That is, if you think you could handle it."

Steven: "What's the catch?"

Bounty Hunter: "Half the bounty."

5,000 Yingbi. It's enough to stay a couple of weeks at a minimum. It's more time than we planned to be here.

Steven: "Alright, you have a deal."

Zhenya: "Gao Zhenya, or just call me Zhenya, it's nice to meet a fellow bounty hunter."

Steven: "Steven Omeo, I hope we'll get along."

Niroja: "You're not actually bounty hunting, are you, Steven?"

She asks, concerned for my safety.

Steven: "It's fine Niroja, I've fought worse and lived."

Zhenya: "Wild animals aren't much compared to bounties, Steven."

Steven: "Try the Royal Family."

Zhenya pauses for a moment.

Zhenya: "That's something. I can't say I believe you, but I'll give you a chance. I'll be outside when you're ready. You should, err, talk to your girl. She looks worried."

The Innkeeper and Zhenya step away, giving us room to talk in private.

My girl? There's no way he's talking about Niroja.

Dai-tai: "If you're confident, you should go for it."

Niroja: "What if you get hurt?"

Steven: "It won't come to that. I promised to teach you 2 magic, remember?"

Dai-tai: "I'll take your bag and be by the river with Niroja. We'll wait for your return."

I leave my bag and head outside. Zhenya was already waiting outside, leading a couple of horses. Really beautiful and strong grey horses. Their tails were tied in a braid, and manes cleanly plaided.

Zhenya: "You like 'em? They're my old warhorses."

Steven: "Warhorses?"

Zhenya: "Yeah, I had a chariot back in the military. I was taking them for a walk before I came here."

Steven: "They're really something else."

Zhenya: "You don't have a sword? How are you going to defend yourself if the bounty fights back?"

Steven: "I'm a mage."

Zhenya: "No kidding, what element?"

Steven: "Fire and Wind."

Zhenya: "Then mount up. The bounty should be south of the river."

Hopping onto the horse, I'm intimidated by him. His cold stare trying to figure out if I'm a friend or foe. Unfazed by the stranger that just mounted him and is petting him.

Zhenya: "Do you know how to ride a horse?"

Steven: "This would be my first time."

Zhenya: "Then start a four-beat gait, keep your heels down and squeeze gently."

The horse starts moving forward, I try and keep myself relaxed, absorbing the horse's motion.

Zhenya: "Good, keep it up until we're outside of town."

This is amazing!

The horse keeps the steady pace, swinging his head at the walk. My hands moving gently back and forth with the movement.

Zhenya: "Now try a trot by squeezing again."

He speeds up considerably. My hips, knees, and ankles become supple and springy. Again absorbing the movement through the seat. Awkwardly bouncing against the horse.

Zhenya: "Post, rise up with one beat of the trot, and sit down with the next."

My body becomes more natural, rising up and down with the horse. It was difficult at first, but I manage to figure it out after some time.

Zhenya: "I think you're the first person I've taught so fast. You're a natural at this."

Steven: "I'm just doing what you told me."

Zhenya: "And you've done it amazingly well. Let's keep this up until we're at our bounty's camp."

We arrive at the camp before I knew it. Dismounting the horses and going through thick shrubs.

Coming across a small campfire and tent set up in a narrow opening. I inspect the campfire and singe my fingers with a kettle. Our bounty has to be nearby.

Ma Ju: "Hm, a kid and an adult. I wager he's your protege, bounty hunter?"

His voice echoes through the trees. The leaves rustling in every direction. We turn instantly, trying to catch a glimpse of him.

Zhenya: "Ma Ju, you're well known for being slippery. I see it wasn't just rumored."

He draws his sword, prepared for a fight.

Ma Ju: "Don't worry, bounty hunter. This shouldn't be long."

He falls from the trees, landing on his feet as if he were a cat. Dusting himself, fixing his hat before drawing a nasty looking sword. It's covered in rust and has cracked, jagged edges. The sword alone is one huge hazard.

Ma Ju: "Contrary to belief, I am merciful. You have one chance, bounty hunter."

Zhenya: "At least tell me this; do you know magic?"

Ma Ju: "My speed is magical on its own. I don't need some elemental a.s.sistance! What am I, some weak wannabe battlemage?!"

Zhenya: "That's a no, then. Let this be an interesting battle."

Ma Ju: "Indeed it will be, bounty hunter."

Zhenya: "Back away and look for an opening."

He whispers to me.

I do as instructed. They stare at each other intensely. Understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses just by the way they're standing.

Zhenya makes the first move. The dirt picking up under him.

His speed matches Ma Ju, taking him by surprise. A swing that clashes and sticks to the jagged edges of the rusted sword. Breaking loose with a twist.

The rusted sword thrusts forward, it's momentum being broken by a quick slash at it, moving it to the side. Recovering with a spin, followed by a downwards slash. Forcing Zhenya to roll out of the way, creating distance from each other

Ma Ju: "You're too old and slow, bounty hunter. Your protege seems like more fun."

He's fast, but I only need half a minute. Using Holy Warrior, I'll be able to disarm him. Following with Wind Torrent to throw him against a tree, hopefully knocking him out.

Here goes nothing.

Steven: "Holy Warrior."

A light forms in hand, slowly making its way up my arm before failing and dissipating.

I failed?!

Steven: "Holy Warrior!"

I focused more on my power.

Another light forms, crawling up to my elbow before it fails again.

Ma Ju: "You're too slow."

He whispers behind me.

How did he get behind me so fast?!

A chill goes down my spine, believing that no magic could save me. Yet, out of desperation, I still shout.

Steven: "Slashed Winds!"

I miss and cut a tree in half, causing it to fall on Ma Ju as he was unaware.

How did Holy Warrior fail?! I used it on Mei before!

My Magic Power was cut, I could sense it. Kanna's Magic Power isn't flowing through me. This can't be happening!

Zhenya: "Steven! Haha! You had me fooled for a second there. I didn't think you would trick him. Keep an eye on him, I'll get the rope and carry him on the horse."

My knees tremble, I could only think of Kanna. How could her Magic Power not flow through me?

Ma Ju: "That's a face of shock if I ever saw one."

I remain silent on the way to town. At the entrance, Jiang was chatting up Niroja, with Dai-tai not too far by the river. They noticed us and come to greet us.

Niroja: "Steven, you're back. How did it go?"

Jiang: "Steven?"

Steven: "Is there a Magi in town?"

Jiang: "The best one in town is usually drinking at the inn, where you got your bounty poster."

I leave the bounty with Zhenya, dismounting the horse and head straight to the inn. Praying for a miracle that Kanna's Magic Power is still flowing in me and I'm overreacting.

I barge in, immediately searching for the Magus.

Steven: "Is there a Magus in here?!"

Magus: "Over here. You don't need to shout. I'm not wasted yet."

A Demon in robes points himself to be the Magus. He's sitting in a corner with a drink in hand. I sit at his table, staring intensely at him, making him uncomfortable.

Magus: "Uhh, did I do something, kid?"

Dai-tai and Niroja come in. Standing next to me, worried, not saying a word.

Steven: "How much do you know about magic?"

Magus: "Everything really. I can't teach you magic if that's what you're after."

Steven: "I need you to do something. Can you help me?"

Magus: "Sure, why not. All I do is help anyway."

Steven: "Check my Magic Power."

Magus: "Fine. Let me see your hand."

I give him my hand, he does the same motions as Hansuke did back in Toku Village. Pulling on my fingers with the force of a train. Doing the same with my other hand before looking at me.

Magus: "Are you contracted by chance? There's a literal void in your Magic Power."

Steven: "I am. What does it mean?"

Magus: "It means I need a heavy drink."

Steven: "Tell me!"

Magus: "Where's your master?"

Steven: "In Ostroven."

Magus: "The other side of the world? Well, there are 3 reasons I can think of."

Steven: "And they are?'

Magus: "You've been recently released from your contract, which is the more probable. You're too far from your master to make a connection, or, your master is dead."

My heart stops. Was Wilburt telling the truth? Did Mei really kill everyone at the Academy?

Then why did the void say they were fine and searching for me?

Magus: "Uhh, if you don't mind me asking. How much did you care for your master?"

Steven: "Deeply."

Magus: "Well, f.u.c.k. Alright, if she's all the way in Ostroven, it's a good bet you're too far from her to make that connection."

I sit at a different table with the girls. They haven't said a word since they walked and it's making me curious about what they're thinking about.

Jiang and Zhenya enter and sit with us after Dai-tai waves at them.

Zhenya: "You know, you could've explained yourself before walking off."

Jiang: "If Zhenya wasn't an honest man, he would've kept the entire bounty, Steven."

Steven: "I'm sorry, I needed to figure something out."

Zhenya: "Well, either way, we should celebrate your first bounty with a drink."

Is Zhenya being considerate by changing the topic?

He gives me half of the bounty, as we agreed upon, 5,000 Yingbi.

Steven: "I should pay for our rooms first."

Niroja: "Are we all sleeping in different rooms?"

Dai-tai: "I don't mind if we're all in the same room."

It would be cheaper; we did sleep in a tent together, so it wouldn't be a problem. In fact, there'd be more s.p.a.ce in the rooms.

I head to innkeeper with the girls and rent a room. She leads us to the back, showing us a room with 2 beds we'd be staying in for the next week.

Dai-tai falls flat on the bed, stretching across the entirety of the bed. I sit on the other bed with Niroja, finally able to relax.

Dai-tai: "Ahh~ this is comfortable!"

Niroja: "What were you talking about with the Magus?"

Just when I thought they'd forgotten about it.

Dai-tai: "Yeah, what was it about? I didn't know you had a master."

Steven: "My master is a beautiful Nekomata."

Dai-tai: "How beautiful?"

Steven: "She's a G.o.ddess!"

Niroja: "How did you meet her?"

Steven: "She saved my life."

Dai-tai: "Sounds like a real hero."

Niroja: "And you let her become your master because of it?"

Steven: "Well, yeah. I already lost my friends and family when I met her, so I was kind of desperate."

I'm not sure if it's because I'm looking back now, but I might've given up if I haven't met Kanna that day. It happened half a year ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Dai-tai: "What's your family like?"

Steven: "I was an only child."

Niroja: "You didn't have siblings? That must've been boring."

Steven: "It definitely would've been a lot more fun if I had sisters like you 2."

Dai-tai: "Let's get drunk, then maybe we'll believe you."

Niroja: "Wait, I can't drink as much as you can, Dai-tai."

Dai-tai: "Oh, that's right. You're a lightweight. It's actually cute."

Laughing, we head back to the front where Jiang and Zhenya already got started on drinking at the bar before us. Dai-tai then challenges them to a drinking contest because of it.

I preferred drinking in peace, so Niroja and I sat at the end of the bar, sharing a bottle of vodka. It tasted more like a mixed drink, rich, full-bodied and complex, yet smooth and mellow with a distinct character of grain, followed by a hint of dried fruit.

It wasn't what I'd usually drink with Yuuna. Still, it was pretty good and Niroja seemed to like it as she was drinking as if it were water. For a lightweight, she's doing pretty well, for now. I hope she won't regret it later on.

I start losing myself after a while, another blur before the bottle became empty.