Chương 74: Chapter 62. Journey's Beginning

When Sarah and Anna woke up, they both slowly exited the room in order to get back before anyone would notice they were gone. I'm not sure why Sarah even bothered. I doubt her Maids wouldn't notice her being away by now. Maybe Anna could get away with it, since the rooms for the Servants are like 1LDK's in my world. Regardless, they left. I was able to take a cat nap before Anna returned to wake me. I noticed she was dressed in thin clothes that were easy to move in.

A simple green shirt and a darker green skirt with simple brown boots that looked easy to walk or run in. They fit her like a glove considering her dark-green long hair and eyes. I was fed a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon. And then Anna gave me a simple shirt and pants to wear and some black boots to go with them. Everything was comfortable to wear. I thanked Anna for finding these clothes that fit so well. Once I was done in the room, Anna guided me to the Throne Room, where everyone was gathered.

Sarah waved to me, so Anna and I went over to her." Good morning, John!" Seems she's going to pretend she didn't see me just an hour ago. Sarah was dressed in a thin blue blouse and a pair of thin purple pants with a pair of black boots. Seems her Maids wanted to accent her purple eyes and long white hair." Good morning, Sarah. How was your sleep last night?"" It was warm and felt very satisfying." She stared at me with a smile full of fulfilment. Anna was smiling bashfully.

Seems one is a lot more embarrassed than the other." I also thought last night was warm!" Sharon joined in the conversation. She was energetic and dressed in plain grey clothes. Because they were so plain, it accentuated her pretty face by quite a bit and made her black hair and light-blue eyes pop more than usual." I woke up earlier than usual and was sweating as well. I had a morning bath before breakfast." Asha walked up after hearing Sharon's energetic statement.

She was dressed in a thin white dress that again, seemed easy to move in, her long strawberry blonde hair looked dry as if she hadn't even taken a bath this morning, her yellow eyes looked wide awake, unlike my own. It seems that the Maids all decided on what was best to travel in for the foreseeable future. This journey to the Northern Border may be an easier ride than expected. Granted they had 3 months to prepare for it as well." Yes, it was quite uncomfortable last night."

Before long, Cynthia was there as well. She was dressed in a white shirt and short black pants. The clothes made her dark-grey hair match well with the shirt and it made her pink eyes pop due to the white and black not opposing them. We all chatted about the warm night and how the morning was quite hot as well. Anna was able to calm down during the chit chat. In time, Warrick, Aqua and Tommy walked into the Throne Room and stood before us. Warrick and Aqua were dressed like the rest of us.

Warrick had a deep-red shirt and a pair of black pants complimenting his red eyes and long white hair. Aqua had a blue blouse and a long blue skirt complimenting her long deep, dark-blue hair and deeply blue eyes. Tommy was dressed in more fancy clothes, befitting his role as the new head honcho. His light-blue eyes and ash colored hair was neither too eye catching nor too forgettable. Seems he's prepared to do some paperwork after we leave, I felt a bit sorry for Tommy, but he seemed to be ready for everything.

Warrick began to speak first." Good morning, everyone! I understand it's quite warm today! It shouldn't be too bad however, as the weather reports indicate that it will be cooling down as soon as tomorrow." Everyone was relived at the weather report. Aqua took over." Moving forward! We will be moving through the City in pairs of 2 on horseback. Seeing as how John does not know how to ride a horse yet. We will be having him ride one slowly at the front of the line.

Seeing as how Cynthia is the most experienced at horse riding, she will teach him the basics. After that, the pairings will be simply whoever it ends up being. You can decide amongst yourselves I suppose." Everyone agreed to Aqua's instructions and we began to leave to the Gates of the Palace. After expressing my thanks to Tommy, I began to leave the Throne Room. While leaving, Sarah and Anna began chatting with Asha and Sharon." You look a little alone right now, John." Cynthia appeared beside me.

I was shocked by her just appearing next to me. I thought she was ahead of the girls talking with them. I guess not... After a few seconds I was able to get my thoughts together and start to answer her." Every conversation partner was ahead of me, Cynthia. I thought you were too. How did you get behind me?"" We all have our secrets, John. Just kidding! I spoke a bit to Tommy after everyone left. You didn't notice me waiting to speak to Tommy though. Then you left and I just caught up to everyone."" I see.

Well, now that you're here. I'd like to thank you for teaching me in advance. I hope I can learn fast to lessen the burden."" Maybe we can take it slow for the lessons?"" What was that?"" Oh, nothing." Cynthia muttered something under her breathe... I couldn't quite catch it. It must have been embarrassing I guess? Seeing as how Cynthia began to blush. I decided to just let her calm down, I continued to follow everyone in front of me in the meantime. Before long, we entered the Courtyard leading to the Gates.

We were given horses quite quickly, the horses looked very similar to horses from my world, the only difference is the colors, the horses seemed to come in 3 varieties. Green, blue and black. Cynthia's and my horse were both blue. Warrick and Aqua were in a carriage though. I turned to Cynthia and Asked why that was as she instructed me on how to ride the horse, who's saddle I just was able to sit on." Oh well, it'll be pretty easy to tell if they were to show their faces, but since they won't.

I guess I can explain it. Simply put, Mom and Dad have dedicated Fan Clubs. So, whenever they enter the public eye, people tend to get rowdy. For Sarah and I, since we are Our Parent's Children, we are seen more as " people who are meant to be protected" by most of the people who would usually be the rowdier of the bunch. Most of the Fan Clubs are made up of the Commoners. My Parents have gone to great lengths to better their lives since taking the Throne after all.

Things like better housing, education and job opportunities tend to have that effect I'm told." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere." This Country has some strange going ons in it. With arbitrary rules no less."" Our People can be strange, but it comes from love of my Parents who have worked themselves to the bone in protecting and bettering the Country. That's what makes betrayal such a heavy crime in our Country now.

Time will only tell what will happen when we find who poisoned Sarah. Or even the ones who kidnapped her."" I'll be right there, sword in hand when we do." Cynthia and I kept riding the horses with grins on our faces. Before long, we reached Blackstone's Town Square. The crowd gathered around the carriage because of the mark on it that identified it as a carriage of the Royal Family. They were a bit rowdy, but it was a lot of shouts of praise and wanting Warrick and Aqua to show their faces."

I thought you said they weren't going to get rowdy?"" The last time they walked the streets, my Mother had to use non-lethal Attack Magic to quiet the masses. If I recall the situation correctly... A woman was able to hold my Father's hand by grabbing it as he walked past her. It took a fortnight for my Mother to calm her anger. Compared to that, this is much better!"" Aqua is very "possessive", isn't she?" slide... Cynthia nodded to my question. Then I started to fall to my right from the horse's gait.

"!" Pull! Tap! Straighten! Before I was even able to react myself, I was pulled back into position by Cynthia. She grabbed me with a bit too much force as I began to fall to my left. We ended up shoulder to shoulder. I was able to readjust my posture and sit correctly. Cynthia was being quiet, seems we got too close for her liking... I waited for her to calm down again. I thought it would take a few minutes. Instead, she spoke after a few seconds."

If I was surrounded by the mob, or if I was kidnapped like Sarah, Would you save me, John?" She spoke so quietly that it was hard to make it out." Yeah, I would. In a heartbeat. I mean you will be my Sister-In-Law after all! Also, I think of you as a Friend and Comrade at this point, Cynthia..." Cynthia was staring at me while blushing heavily." You heard me?" She was surprised that I heard her this time." Yeah, I did, I've noticed your voice lowers at times randomly.

So, when talking to you, I try to concentrate on my hearing so I can still hear you when you randomly get quiet."" You don't really have to be so considerate to me, you know?"" I disagree. I think in a conversation its only right to pay attention to your conversation partner." Cynthia quieted up again. I wondered how she looked, but I decided to focus on my horse for now. I focused on the horse until we made it past the Northern Gates of Blackstone City.

From here, it was all brand new sites for me, seeing as how, for our dates, we entered from the Southern Gates and exited from them. The Gates were closed on the giant black walls at first. It felt somewhat strange seeing it from this side of them. We continued our march North after traveling through the Gates as the sun was high above our heads. Hot! The day was hot, like a day in July back in my world. There were frequent stops so the horses wouldn't become overheated due to the weather.

On one of them, Sarah walked up to my side and began to speak. It seems her horse was resting under a tree." Hey, Sarah. What brings you here?"" Oh, you know, just wondering what my Fiancé said to my Sister to cause her to be so flustered." I felt a cold chill on my neck. I seemed to have done something wrong. And Cynthia seemed to have complained. I explained quickly so to not end up chained. Which was still a very minor... But potent concern in my mind."

She asked if I would save her if she were kidnapped or surrounded. I said "yes"! Then she asked why I heard her question when she was so quiet! I answered because I noticed she would randomly become quieter, so I focus on my hearing when I speak to her! I then explained my philosophy on listening to a conversation partner!"" And that's everything you said?"" Yes, Ma'am!" Sarah stared at me before speaking again." Who do you Love the most in your heart, John?" I was caught unawares by this question.

Regardless, I could tell she wouldn't let me go if I didn't answer." My Lovely Fiancé Sarah Dreadnaught." Her face went from an inquisitive glare to a gleeful smile that showed she feels she won something." As long as we both understand that, we will be fine, John. I hope you have an enjoyable ride for the rest of the day." Defeated... I just thanked her and she proceeded to walk away with a joyful bounce in her step. Afterwards, we continued on our journey and Cynthia was able to converse with me again.

After a few more hours of traveling and resting, we made it to a new town. Cynthia called it "Bloodslide". I couldn't help but ask why it was named that." Well... Around 4000 years ago, a Demon who was extremely talented at torture, brought a massive amount of Humans to this land and using his tools he began to..."" Okay, I'm good. I get the picture." Cynthia gave me a side eye and followed up on her story." Demons are pretty straightforward, John.

If a town is named something related to some kind of viscera, best to assume a Demon did something involving another species suffering. On the flip side, places called "Blackstone", or "Rose Swamps" are also easier to see why they're named that after you see them."" Fair point, Cynthia." We entered Bloodslide and found our way to the house of the Lord of the Town... Turns out it was a mansion. Apparently, we will be staying here for the night. Or more correctly "they" would.

As I pulled into the stables the Lord of the Town came to greet us. He was a skinny man with the head of some type of lizard that resembled a chameleon from my old world. His name was Quint. He was all too happy to be accommodating to Warrick and Aqua. Then he came to me." A Human!?"" Yes, I am a Human." The Lord looked at me like I was eating a puppy." I won't have someone like you sleeping in my home! It's an offense to My Ancestors! How dare you even tr-" Pressure!

Before he could finish his sentence, everyone's killing intent started to leak out and the Lord went silent. It seemed he couldn't breathe. I let him suffer under the pressure for a bit, until I decided to ask them to lay off of him. Once he could breathe again, I spoke to calm down both sides before a fight broke out." Your roof your rules. Do you mind if I sleep in the stable by any chance?"" He looked behind me, I'm sure he saw what looked like ravenous wolves waiting to pounce on him.

He started to stutter as he began to speak." Yes! You can use the stable!" After that, the Lord left to attend to matters relating to logistics, I guess?" John, you didn't have to do that. We could have stayed at the Inn in town instead." Warrick spoke to me, no doubt feeling guilty." You've already caused a commotion Betrothing Sarah and I together. Add onto that, Humans are hated around here. I had hoped that the Nobles wouldn't be so held up with these old views. What can you do though?

I'll just sleep in the carriage tonight. It's not that big of a deal, Warrick. I think it would be a bad call to have the King and Queen force a Noble to house someone they didn't want to. The night is cool, I'll survive it." I was able to calm Warrick and Aqua. The girls were different, however. Sarah and Anna were not calmed down in the least, Cynthia was staring daggers at the mansion. Sharon was staring sadly at me.

Asha kept a composed face, but her mana was raging around her, but she seemed to not take it any farther. We all went to our facilities for the night. After washing up, I laid on the seat of the carriage. At this point, I noticed I wasn't able to get too comfortable with the space provided. Even less so when 2 familiar people joined me in the carriage, I spent the first part of the night soothing and calming them down. They refused to sleep in the Lord's mansion, so they spent the night with me again.

I wonder if this will become a pattern? Either way, they both looked happy to be with me. I saw no real reason to refuse them. Like that, we all drifted off to sleep pretty peacefully. The fact I cast Barrier on the outside of the carriage to protect us just in case, is a secret I kept to myself that night.