Keagan would be lying if he didn't find the whole scene, the way the hall echoed with the rage like that of a firecracker exploding over his words, funny.
He fought back a smirk. Nostalgia washed over him as he remembered how he used to get a rise out of nobles back in his homeland. But then he mentally scolded himself.
He wasn't there to fight, but his words got the better of him. Perhaps sneaking around the castle for his weapon was the better option. However, that presented its own problem. In these lands, any sensible person would suspect him of stealing it back, especially since he fully intended to use it once recovered.
His thoughts were interrupted as the fierce elder man with a scar lunged at him, dagger aimed for his throat. Lady Sienna was about to shout to stop him when she saw the foreigner casually grab the blunt side of the dagger. With a twist, he broke it in two and pointed the half with the tip at the general's throat. The sudden action and outcome silenced the hall.
Keagan could see up close how the generals face turned shock before anger filled it again..
"You...?!"
"What? Shock that I defended myself?" Keagan said in his own language.
"Ha!" A chorus of grunts sounded. Spears formed to trap his neck, but before they could, with a wave of his hand, he slapped them away. Pity his other hand was hard to move.
Things were about to escalate further when Lady Sienna grabbed her friend's arm, preventing him from lashing out. Before things got worse than they already were, she intervened.
"Yuri, stop your men at once!"
Lord Yuri's face was contorted in anger. His general had just retreated to his side after the guards tried to trap the barbarian.
"You think you can come here and wantonly demand something from us?!" The general shouted, his voice laced with fury.
Lady Sienna's face darkened further at this. She tightened her grip on her friend's arm, her gaze fixed on him, hoping he could control his anger for just a moment.
Furious light glinted in Lord Yuri's eyes, but seeing his friend's pleading look, he managed to rein it in for a moment.
"You can't defend this barbarian after what he accused us of," he said, his voice tight with anger.
"My father instructed me to find out about the foreigner from beyond the violent sea," she said in a quieter voice.
"Then inform Lord Rain that the barbarian has offended House June and will face the consequences."
"He..." Sienna said with a pause, then continued, her tone hardening. "My father vehemently insisted on investigating the foreigner, but not harm him."
Lord Yuri paused, analyzing the look on his friend's face.
House Rain and House June were neighboring territories, equal in strength. He knew Lord Rain to be a man of conviction and a direct person.
So why was Lord Rain so determined to investigate the barbarian, and why forbid any harm to come to him?
Many possibilities swirled through his mind, but only one stuck: someone higher-ranking had tasked him with this. The only thing connecting the barbarian to higher-level lords was his items that he took and delivered to his uncle, the Lord June, in Castle Reede.
'Has something happened at Castle Reede?' he wondered.
Though not a direct order, Lord Rain's words held significant weight and doubting Lady Sienna's word never crossed Lord Yuri's mind.
"Stop." His words halted any action that was about to unfold. Lord Yuri's face remained grim.
"My lord, you cannot simply allow this barbarian to leave after his words! It's an insult to House June!"
He glared at the general, silencing him with his gaze. However, the general's words held truth. Lord Rain's orders aside, he couldn't let such an insult slide. Otherwise, everyone in the southwest region would perceive House June as easily insulted by a mere foreigner.
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Always striving to be quick-witted, two ideas sprang to mind. One involved ensuring the barbarian's harm in a situation that couldn't be help, technically shielding him from Lord Rain's orders. The other put the barbarian's life at risk, but wouldn't directly implicate him. However, things could still go south, and the blame would ultimately fall on him.
His pause hung heavy in the air, silencing the entire hall.
Sienna, too, waited tensely, amusement has long been gone on her face.
"Bring me a map."
A moment of confusion flickered across the faces of the people before one of them hurried towards a door.
"What are you doing?" The hushed hall remained silent except for a single voice. Lord Yuri turned towards his friend.
"I respect Lord Rain's wishes, but House June requires compensation for the insult."
Soon, a map was brought in along with a makeshift table. He signaled for the barbarian to come closer. The castle guards nudged the foreigner forward. Seeing the man up close, his imposing height and calm demeanor, Lord Yuri felt a flicker of intimidation, especially considering the little show that had just transpired.
He held his gaze steady, containing the anger simmering within him.
"I should have your head for your words" he said with a low snarl. "Back in your land, you might hold some position, but here, you have no power."
He then pointed to a specific location on the map.
"This," he said, and continued, "is a bandit's camp." His voice hardened at the word, 'Bandit'
He continued not caring if he wasn't completely understood. "You are due for compensation for your words, get rid of the camp and then we'll talk again."
Seeing the man's confusion, irritation flared in him. "Steward," he barked, "make sure he understands what I said."
With that, he turned on his heel, unwilling to stay longer for fear of losing his temper. Lady Sienna stood beside him, her face etched with a grim expression. His general, no doubt itching to speak further, remained silent as Lord Yuri strode towards the door. When he was about to exit the hall, he heard faintly..
"My weapons..."
Lord Yuri scoff at this, without completely turning around, He said to the barbarian.
"Deal with the camp and we'll talk!"
----------------------------------------
"Well, that could have gone better..." Keagan mumbled to himself, as he was escorted by a group of glaring guards out of the castle.
He awarded himself low marks for his terrible handling of the situation. However, he give himself some reprieve in the fact that the language barrier had significantly contributed to how the situation turned out. Briefly, a berating voice from his past echoed in his mind, a stark reminder of old times. A small smile played on his lips.
"Just like the old times..." he murmured, a hint of longing creeping into his voice. He wondered briefly about his old friends, then shook his head, dispelling the thought.
He moved forward. He had promised himself to only look back in specific situations. He would continue on his path, the path life had carved for him....until he found his answers.
He walked on, no particular destination in mind at the moment lost in thought.
He wondered what Lady Sienna had said to soothe the young lord. He'd heard the entirety of what she said, of course, but it was too quick and the words were pronounced in a way he wasn't taught so he struggled to fully understand. Something about Lord Rain taking notice of him. However, he lacked the information to grasp the full reason why.
A figure caught his eye. "Russ!" he called out. Russ, leaning against the wall of an alley, straightened up and jogged towards him.
"Eh... Your weapons?" He asked seeing as Keagan didn't new things on him.
"Chore first..." Keagan replied with a shrug. 'Just like the games in my previous life..' He thought. As for the gems and gold that was previously on his pouch, it was clear it was also taken but they weren't that important compared to his weapons so he just set them aside.
"Chore first..." Russ mumbled with a slight frown. His face seemed to suggest he had more questions, but he held them back.
Keagan rolled his eyes at this. "Come on," he said, heading south of the town. Once they reached the outskirts, he searched for a stick and used it to draw a map on the ground. After finishing, he pointed to the castle illustration and spoke.
"Castle June."
Russ nodded in thought, wondering where was this all going.
Then Keagan moved the stick further south, "Here... 'Bandits?" His said, tone questioning.
Russ nodded, muttering something in his own language and gesturing as well. Though Keegan only understood some of the words, he grasped the gist. "So it's true, then? They've been terrorizing nearby villages and travelers?" He said in his own language not particularly waiting for an answer.
"Numbers?"
Russ thought for a moment then put up his hands. After a moment, Keagan nodded.
"More than 2 dozen, less than 3" It was what Russ gestured but he was not completely sure either.
After pondering for a minute, Keagan threw the stick.
There was no point hesitating, and he was a man of action.
"Stay here..." He said to Russ before turning around.
Russ fluttered, and caught up to him.."You fight bandits? Dangerous... Even an awakened... no weapons..." He said, gesturing wildly to make Keegan understand.
"It's okay... No weapons. It's alright..." Keegan muttered. Not like he had any coin to buy one anyway. Fists and whatever he could snatch from the bandits would have to do.
Seeing Keegan's resolute expression, Russ felt helpless. He hesitated for a moment, but then a determined look crossed his face. He jogged to catch up to him and Keegan turned to him with a curious expression.
"I come with you"
Keegan was about to refuse him, but seeing Russ's determined look gave him pause. In this strange land, he was alone. Yet, he knew that achieving his goal would require cooperation.
Since this young man is eager to help him, he figured it was best to start building that now.
"Alright, you keep distance," Keegan said, gesturing towards Russ's bow.
Russ nodded, a grim set to his jaw as he braced himself for the fight. Keegan almost chuckled at the boy's eagerness. It made him wonder if he'd been that determined the first time he'd faced battle.
And so, a foreigner and a village boy ventured into the forest.