February 17th, 1000
The next day, the sun hung high I the azure sky, casting its golden glow over the vibrant market of Areslas. Daichi, having just left the Estas Estate to procure some supplies, found himself caught in a moment of realization. He had never learned Koto Dimonk’s name. An oversight that suddenly weighed heavy on him as he remembered their chance encounter while fetching groceries the previous day.
Determined to rectify this lapse, Daichi navigated the bustling market with a heightened sense of purpose. The lively atmosphere seemed to blur around him as he scanned the faces in search of the white-haired swordsman. The thought of not knowing the name of the person who had assisted him nagged at Daichi, fueling his quest through the vibrant marketplace.
In his urgency, Daichi inadvertently collided with a tall imposing figure. The man recoiled, steadying himself and casting a disdainful gaze upon Daichi. It was none other than Commander Harisan Lise, one of the highest-ranking figures within the Empire of Rotnar. His featured exuded cruelty, and his cold, calculating eyes bore into Daichi with an unsettling intensity.
“I heard that you have been hanging out with a certain criminal by the name of Koto Dimonk,” Lise sneered, his voice cutting through the lively backdrop of the market. Daichi, confused and unable to recognize the name, shook his head in denial. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”
Lise’s expression darkened, and with a flick of his wrist, he signaled his men to surround Daichi. Fear and confusion gripped Daichi as he found himself at the mercy of the ruthless commander. Before he could comprehend the situation, Lise ordered his mento capture Daichi.
Panic set in, and Daichi, fueled by adrenaline, sprang to his feet, weaving through the market in an attempt to escape the clutches of the commander’s guards. The crowded streets became a maze of chaos, each tun a desperate bid for freedom.
Suddenly, a strong hand clamped over Daichi’s mouth, pulling him forcefully into a nearby alleyway. Daichi’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the figure> It was Koto Dimonk, the enigmatic swordsman. His eyes were intense, yet there was an urgency to his actions.
The hand over Daichi’s mouth muffled any attempt at speech as Koto gestured for silence, his sharp gaze scanning the alley’s entrance. Daichi’s heart pounded in his chest as the distant sounds of Lise’s men echoed through the market as they drew closer.
After the guards passed, Koto released Daichi, their eyes locking in a charged moment. Anger and confusion etched across Daichi’s face as he finally pieced together the puzzle. “You’re Koto Dimonk, aren’t you?” he exclaimed, a mix of frustration and realization in his voice.
Koto nodded in acknowledgement, his expression unreadable. The revelation hung in the air, creating a tension between them. Daichi, torn between gratitude for Koto’s timely intervention and frustration at the secrets that surrounded him, found his voice. “Why did you help me?” Daichi demanded, his eyes searching Koto’s for answers.
Koto, a man of few words, simply inclined his head. It was a gesture that held a promise of explanations to come, a tacit acknowledgement of their shared history and the mysteries that bound them together.
Koto’s gaze held a mix of regret and determination as he began to speak, his voice low and measured. “I’m a bounty hunter,” he confessed. “I was tracking a criminal, and our paths happened to cross. My job is to bring in those with bounties on their heads.”
Daichi’s eyes widened at the revelation. The weight of Koto’s secret settled over them like a heavy cloak. The bounty hunter, only twenty years old, carried an air of mystery that seemed to permeate every facet of his existence.
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Feeling a sense of unease, Daichi decided it was time to return home. “I appreciate your help, Koto. But I should go back to the Estas Estate.” Koto’s eyes narrowed in concern. “I’m sorry, Daichi, but you can’t go home. Lise is likely to have guards patrolling the Estas Estate by now. It’s too risky.”
Confusion etched across Daichi’s face. “Then where should we go?” Koto hesitated for a moment before answering, “We need to leave the city, at least for a while. The easiest way is by boat.” A frown creased Daichi’s forehead. “Leave the city? But where will we go?”
Koto, with a calmness that betrayed years of experience, suggested, “We can find a boat at the harbor. I don’t own one, but we can always borrow one.” Daichi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Borrow? You mean steal?” Koto nodded, his expression unchanged. “In our situation, it’s the best option. Once we are on the water, we can figure out our next move.”
Daichi hesitated, torn between the life he knew, and the uncertain path laid out before him. The idea of leaving everything behind, of becoming a fugitive, weighed heavily on his shoulders. Yet, a newfound trust in Koto simmered beneath the surface, urging him to take a leap into the unknown. “Fine, it seems like I don’t have any other option,” Daichi finally agreed.
The moon now hung high in the night sky, veiled by whisps of clouds that seemed to dance above the city of Areslas. Daichi and Koto, shadows against the dimly lit harbor, moved stealthily between docked ships and crates stacked high with goods. The scent of salt lingered in the air, and the distant cries of seagulls added an eerie symphony to the clandestine operation.
As they approached the harbor’s edge, the pair spotted their target. A small frigate, its wooden hull creaking softly against the gently waves. Moonlight shimmered on the water, casting a path of silver leading to the vessel that would become their escape.
Koto, a seasoned hand at such endeavors, motioned for Daichi to stay low as they neared the frigate. They moved with practiced precision, avoiding the occasional patrolling harbor guards, The bounty hunter’s eyes never wavered, vigilant for any sign of trouble.
Reaching the frigate, Koto gestured for Daichi to stay quiet as he assessed the situation. A lone sailor dozed near the ship’s edge, a lantern swaying precariously behind him. Seizing the opportunity, Koto silently climbed aboard, his movements as graceful as a shadow.
With a subtle wave, Koto signaled Daichi to follow suit. Daichi, though unaccustomed to such covert activities, managed to climb aboard without raising an alarm. The frigate gently rocked in response to their weight, but the snoozing sailor remained oblivious to the intruders.
Once both were on deck, Koto motioned for Daichi to keep a lookout while he silently approached the sleeping sailor. The bounty hunter moved like a whisper, a fleeting breeze that left no trace of his presence. Daichi, standing guard near the ship’s edge, watched nervously as Koto deftly disarmed the lantern, plunging the area into deeper darkness.
The small frigate, now shrouded in obscurity, became the backdrop for their daring escape. Koto swiftly moved to the ship’s helm, where he assessed the rigging and unfurled the sails with a practiced hand. Daichi, still grappling with the surreal turn of events, stared wide-eyed as the sails caught the night breeze, filling with air.
The harbor, a maze of looming masts and quiet vessels, held its breath as the stolen frigate began to drift away from the docks. The creaking of the ship, the gentle lapping of the waves against its hull, and the distant sounds of the city blended into a symphony of escape.
As they sailed out of the harbor, Daichi could see the silhouette of Areslas against the moonlit horizon. The city, with its storied past and he Estas Estate nestled within, gradually faded from view. A mix of emotions churned within Daichi. The uncertainty of the future, weight of leaving everything behind, and a growing trust in the enigmatic figure steering their course.
Koto, now guiding the frigate with an ease that suggested a deep familiarity with the sea, cast a sideways glance at Daichi. His white hair caught the moonlight, and his silver eyes held a glint of determination. “This won’t be easy, Daichi,” he murmured, his voice carried away by the seas breeze. “But we’ll find our way.”
As the stolen frigate sailed into the open waters, leaving the city and its secrets behind, Daichi couldn’t help but feel a mix of trepidations and anticipation. The night sky stretched above them, a canvas of stars that seemed to beckon towards an uncertain destiny.