Chapter 3: Encounter

It has been a single day that Kaze has spent in this world. And there's a lot he needs to learn before he can progress. He needs to obtain a type of map or any navigation gear, a better set of protection rather than his clothes, find out whatever his weapon does and why, and lastly, find a way out of this world. For the time being, he's made up an excuse for a story to explain why he looks so bizarre. It has worked so far, but he needs to learn about this world to not be found suspicious of anything.

He has learned a few things from the people he's conversed with, though. First, he was currently in the Maveicalian empire, in the village of Eqoura. Kaze has also heard that the empire is massive, spanning an entire continent, possibly. The place that he claims that he comes from, 'Opami', is the Grand Duchy of Opami, a neighbor of the empire. So far, the world is based on feudalism. And he's seen as a wealthy traveler by those in the inn he has spoken with.

Currently, his objective is to reach the empire's capital, Tanal. It was said around the inn that making it there would land Kaze a bunch of opportunities of fame and fortune. But Kaze isn't interested in these chances and was looking for more of a stable source of income. If it involves violence, so be it as long as he isn't doing something cruel to innocence, or outright banditry.

Now, he checks out of the inn and pays a sum of 80 gold pieces. The rate of staying a night in this particular inn was reasonably low, or maybe it was just because of Kaze having so much money compared to the regular person. And as he was about to head out with all of his belongings, a traveler there was generous enough to give Kaze a map of the entire Maveicalian empire to help on his journey.

The Maveicalian Empire, its capital being Tanal, shares a border with their former subjects, the Grand Duchy beside, and the Kingdom above. Even sharing a border with the quickly modernizing Commonwealth to their right, and an ailing Empire to their top right. The terrain in the Empire is usually sunny and dry, with a rainy season in the middle of the year. With light to heavy snow at the end of the year, the last three months of the year being the most intense.

It was true. The empire was massive and had control over a vast area. And luckily, he did not have to travel too distant for him to reach the capital. It was directly west from Eqoura and had a convenient dirt road paved on the way there. Though, Kaze got a warning from the other travelers that the route directly is filled with outlaws and bandits waiting to ambush those foolish enough to travel in the open.

Kaze, unfortunately, did not heed to these warnings and set out to the capital immediately. Spear and belongings in both hands, he bids farewell to his acquaintances and sets off, following the same dirt road that led him to Eqoura in the first place. He doubted the whole thing and was confident that the route to the capital of a vast empire has some road security - He was gravely mistaken.

Kaze was now walking along the dirt path, the road now taking him to a densely wooded area. More and more trees started to appear on both sides of the way. And at some point, he felt like he was traversing through the woods. The area just smelled like an unfortunate event waiting to happen. No wonder the adventurers kept warning him. It was an obvious death trap.

But there was no turning back now. Kaze has spent 10 minutes on this route, and it would just make things worse if he decided to head back the way he came. Clutching onto his stuff, and holding onto his spear tight, he started to jog at a moderate pace to heighten his chances of getting out of there alive.

If Kaze continued at this pace, he would reach his destination in about 20 to 30 minutes. It does not matter how long it will take, just as long as he can reach the other side in one piece, it'll be worth it.

But then, the worst was only going to begin for Kaze. A sudden rustle and shuffling within the foliage around him brought him to an abrupt halt. He was scared, oh so afraid. He was telling his legs to keep moving, but they were not responding. His instincts were telling him to run, but he remained there, completely still.

And then, 4 figures in total suddenly emerged from the trees and quickly surrounded the traveler. They were all dressed in a somewhat sophisticated manner, but their clothing was padded a bit with protection.

"Now look what we have here, fellas. A real rich kid." One of the bandits that Kaze was facing suddenly spoke up.

That bandit, in particular, looked like he was the leader out of all of them. He wielded a falchion, compared to the other 3 who were equipped with wooden clubs and buckler shields.

"Just hand us over the money, kid. And we promise we won't lay a finger on 'ya." Another scruffy voice came from behind Kaze, which he turned around to listen to.

"I-I'm going to have to refuse that. You do not threaten me!" Kaze stammered a bit but was able to deliver his answer pretty clearly to the small group of ruffians.

"Then you choose to die!"

And at the moment he says, that the leader of the bandit band suddenly charges at Kaze, his blade raised high, presumably going to end Kaze's life with one strike.

Kaze had about a few seconds to react to this, and the thing he chose to do was thrust his spear that he was holding with his right hand towards the bandit leader's chest.

It fails, though, the bandit leader was anticipating this move and caught the spear by the upper handle and yanks it out of Kaze's hand. But his previous attack was stopped altogether as a result.

In a fit of panic, Kaze turns around and shoves the other two bandits out of the way and created some distance between him and the group ahead of him. He has a route of escape, the thick woods on both sides, and the road that leads back to safety. Both options don't sound great, seeing that the group of bandits will probably pursue him then end his life.

So now, he may as well stand his ground and has the right to say that he died fighting.

"Quite courageous, aren't you? Well, I won't kill you with this precious weapon. I'll just make you see it as I chop your head clean off!"

The bandit leader charges again, holding the spear in a stationary position in one hand, and his falchion ready to strike once again as well.

It was hopeless now. Kaze had nowhere to run, and the other bandits were backing up their leader. The spear he received from the darkness was there as well. He thought that it would do something spectacular by now, that it had an ability of sorts. Kaze reaches out with his right hand-

Just like a magnet attracting a metal, the spear flies out of the bandit leader's other hand and firmly places itself back on Kaze's. Both he and the bandit leader were astonished by this, but Kaze took that opportunity to thrust the spear into the ruffian's abdomen, impaling him.

The other 3 bandits were now panicking, slowly backing away from Kaze, who was now going to pursue them.

But before he could even think about charging at them, the abrupt shriek of pain fills the air as one of the outlaws was impaled from behind with a longsword. And before the other 2 could adequately react, they were struck down as well.

The figure that now looked down on the men that they have killed is what looks like a knight. They were wearing full plate armor, with golden and red features. The figure then looked at Kaze through their helmet.

"You. Who exactly are you?"