~ As his gaze falls upon the unknown ~

They sky was clear, the day had turned to evening and the birds were chirping. The long gravelly path ahead was scattered with small boulders, so the stretch wasn't straight at all, more like a meandering curl, weaving a mysterious and intriguing concept.

I winced, pulling out a small pebble from the bottom of my feet, no wonder the previous Raven had hard heels, so much walking and that too barefoot would really reshape anyone's physic.

"It's for the first time I am hearing birds around here, do they generally not talk this much?" I asked, suppressing a yelp when I stepped on another pebble.

Xi Ken, who had been busy traversing the path ahead, stopped to face somewhere far, as if watching something at a distance.

"Do you see something?" I was unable to really hold back my curiosity, so no wonder he got annoyed at times. Like if you had someone following you around like a lost puppy, asking 12 questions every minute, you would also loose the patience to answer them back every time.

That was what we had going on since we left the town, Xi Ken wasn't a very talkative person and I was too much of a blabber mouth, curious about every little thing.

Back home, I hadn't been like this, but here I would be almost unrecognizable.

"Xi Zuen?"

He finally looked back at me, or... faced me, because that blindfold came in the way so how could I tell if he was looking or not, or was just facing the source of sound, "Birds are ominous," he said, "they shouldn't be chirping at such an hour."

I tensed, "You mean to say, in this world, the birds don't chirp?"

He confirmed my doubt with a nod, "They don't, only when they cry do they chirp."

"What about animals then, do they also not howl or prowl or whatever it is that they do?"

"It depends on what kind of animal you are suggesting, because here the animals are all forms of evil, dark souls, corrupted beyond measure. Some do make contracts with them, but mostly, the common public stays away."

My mouth fell open, "Then how do you find meat?"

"Trees."

No, it cannot be. What world had trees growing animal meat...

Xi Ken sighed, "I do not think it is so surprising. Since if you can get pulses from the greens, then getting meat food from the greens is also the same."

"W-What kind of trees you are talking about?"

"Those which digest evil forces, miasma to be exact. But meat is costly," he felt the direction of the breeze as he continued speaking, "I wouldn't be surprised if people don't really prefer meat here."

I froze, recalling that whatever dishes I ate, none of them seemed to have meat or fish in them, they were all rather exotic veggies and fruits. No wonder the breakfast had been fruit salad, fruit curds, fruit breads and so one. I wasn't a big eater even back at home, since all I had done was lie around and sleep. So my taste buds didn't matter to me. Still...

"I... never paid attention to it, my worries really kept me busy."

Xi Ken smiled, a soft tilt of his head directing towards somewhere east. "The eastern town of Xiatchen is our next stop. They even are famous for their high class meat dishes, I would take you there for a taste."

"N-No need," I furiously declines, "I am sure it would be too expensive."

Xi Ken looked like he would pout, but obviously that was my own head canon. So I deliberately laughed as if he had ran a joke, "I believe I am now too afraid to eat that evil meat. Who knows what kind of stuff would be in it."

In actuality, I did not want him to invest so much money on me, I wasn't a tourist and he wasn't some gold mine. What I hated the most was being indebted to people, and even if receiving such pleasures was addictive in nature, I wasn't a fool, I still had trust issues.

Xi Ken did not seem satisfied by my answer, "Don't be so harsh with your judgment prior to tasting the meat, I apologize if I inadvertently repulsed your cravings."

"Not cravings, not at all," I shook my head, "I was just curious."

"Then do not say I didn't ask you."

~~

The town we reached was covered with a dense forest and two huge rivers running parallel to it. For entering the town, one had to cross a bridge which went over two moats, and edged a walled border.

"So this is a fortified town," I exclaimed, running my eyes over the huge erected grey stones, all sitting parallel to each other, making it difficult for the enemy to climb over, since there was no crevice for a footing.

"Xiatchen is a very old heritage, so the structuring is as well," Xi Ken explained for my benefit, continuing to move ahead to cross the narrow wooden bridge.

"Are there any other crossings? Because what would happen if this bridge breaks..." I felt the sturdy wood work beneath my feet, as the bare foot walked upon the boards, yet the narrow wooden bridge did not seem very trustworthy if something or someone damaged it by mistake or for their own purpose. Everyone in town would get stuck inside if only one gateway was built.

"Worry not, they have three more gateways, this is the least used one."

I nodded, I see.

When we reached the main gate, we were met with two guards, wearing armored shields and helmets. Their uniform like those of the medieval era, the tone set to brown and red.

"Halt!" they barked together when I stepped a little too close to the giant metal gates, which were studded with real spikes. I could even trace out the dry blood on them.

Didn't they wash the gate in their free time? Or was it very recent.

I shivered.

"What work do you have and until when do you need to stay. State your reasoning and show identity."

I pursed my lips at them, they really gave off arrogant vibes, although less annoying than those two seniors I had left behind.

"I am Xi Ken, and this young man is Raven," Xi Ken introduced, "I urge you to let us pass, I am a member of this town's council."

When they heard the intoduction, the guards immediately parted to let us in, a humble bow following their movements. "Welcome back Ink Master!"

"Are you two the new recruits?" Xi Ken asked them, tilting his head in a thoughtful manner.

The two guards nodded, stiff as a stock.

"Then I am not pleased, you two did not even check for my identity before giving way, have you not considered that I might be your enemy disguised or posing as your Ink Master?"

The guards when they heard him they both turned pale. Instantly bowing up and down to apologize for their mistake. "We have done the worst, we need to be punished, please forgive us, Ink Master, we will..." they were confused on what to do.

Xi Ken frowned, his visage becoming stern, "You both should check on people, just verbal acceptance cannot be tolreated next time. If someone does not have an identity mark, give them a temperary one."

"Understood!"

Man, Xi Ken really enjoyed frightening people, I felt bad for them, "We can go then?" asking impatiently I tried distracting him, already wanting to see the town. And also, I wanted to discuss more about Xi Ken's identity, it really seemed like he was some great ruling prince.

But he was in a mood to harass people it seems, so he did not bother with replying to me, instead went on lecturing the guards about the discipline and rules of Xiatchen.

After a minute of getting fed up, I snapped, "Xi Zuen~" I whined like a spoiled brat, the tone used to annoy the listener, "can't we go inside now??"

Xi Ken paused, as I noticed he had a habit of doing when he heard me calling him Xi Zuen. I smirked in my mind, finding the highlight of the situation and considering to use it whenever he wouldn't listen.

"I apologize for investing so much time here," even if he was apologizing, it just seemed like he was addressing formality to appease me, "come," he waved for me, and I followed.