“What was that farmer guy talking about, there’s no danger here,” Claude reckons

Following the long path of fields out like the old man showed,

We finally came to west gates of the Tonbo district, a guard is there dressed similarly to the golem we fought earlier…

He simply nods allowing us to pass, much to all of our surprise, which Claude then comments about it not being dangerous….

……..

Patter-patter-patter.

“Interesting place,” Karina comments

Walking through the town, it’s almost absolutely quiet,

But not in an eerie sort of way,

A serene peaceful one,

So much so, that a large water fountain, a long way ahead, can be heard from where we are

The water droplets patter away calmly….

(I thought Soterra was a city that oozed of culture)…

The houses and commercial buildings are built traditionally in wood, they have quaint sliding doors and little charms outside them, we can even hear some chattering and laughter through their thin walls as we pass by

………...

Raimon’s Ramen

I read from a sign we pass on a small shop, a few men are sat on benches outside it,

They wear similar garbs,

(What were those outfits called again?)

…….

They all wear similar kimonos; wooden footwear and their heads are shaven in the quirky ‘chonmage’ hairstyle….

The conversation fizzles out as our group comes walking by, three men eye us curiously

“Oi,” One nods to us,

Apollo nods back respectfully,

“Nice sword you have there,

Haven’t seen one like it before,” another man compliments visually inspecting the massive blade,

“Thanks, I er got from a friend,” he replies awkwardly,

“What’s wrong with you?” Lyra steps forward boisterously

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

(As usual)

“You can obviously tell were not from this city,

So why aren’t you alarmed or put off by it?”

“Haha, your boldness will take you far,” the owner, I presume, laughs over the counter,

“You see there is only one way to enter Bakufu, the fact that you all are here and not dead right now, proves your strength, which is what we value here above all,”

“Yes,” another man agrees,

“Any visitors we see here is no doubt strong by our standards, or they would not be here,”

“Plus, you carry with you a requiem sword,” the assumed owner points

“Huh?

You know what this is?” Apollo asks surprised,

“Like my friend over there said,

You have a nice sword,

I am mister Raimon by the way, and the ramen is free if you’d like?”

“Is it?” Apollo’s eyes gleam turning to us pleadingly,

“Then we will have some,” Karina replies much to Apollo’s joy…….

…………

Slewp, Slewp, Chap!

Apollo slurps his noodles eagerly, lips smacking together loudly as the food enters his mouth, causing the liquids to fly about—

Splap!

The drops ‘wetten’ my cheek,

-_-

(Can he have a little more decorum when eating?

I hate making mess.)….

The food is delicious though, I don’t blame him,

Dipping my chopsticks into my meat-less bowl, I take out piece of mushroom preparing to eat it, however as it nears my face, I accidentally twist my fingers awkwardly it almost falls out, but I hurriedly clasp it tightly making some juices to fly off it…

Now landing firmly on Lyra’s cheek,

“Gosh, Kage, can you eat with some manners!?

I know you like the food, but you don’t have to show us by the way you’re eating,”

“I n—" I begin to pretest but stop myself,

(Maybe that was deserved)

…..

“So, tell me, what brings your group here?” Mister Raimon asks, looking over the counter,

“Are you here to test your strength by fighting the best, or is it to challenge for a requiem, maybe the Silver mountains you are going to?”

“……” No one answers, not about to talk our business with a stranger,

…….

“We can’t say exactly why,” Amelia speaks up noticing the man’s unhappy expression,

“But if it’s possible I’d like to know if there is a leader of sort here, we can have a word with?”

“Ehh?

The chief?

If you don’t have something of the utmost importance to tell her, no one is permitted near the chief unless you are able to fight through and kill all of her guards and generals”

“We’ll take our chances” Karina smiles insincerely

“I want to get stronger here anyways,” Claude says earnestly,

“Chhh!” A man who had been listening to us scoffs,

“Listen boy, just because you were strong enough to make it in here does not mean you have what it takes to survive our training,”

“Says who?” Claude replies indignantly

“The high rates of dissertation here,

The high suicide rate as well,

Some don’t last a full six hours,

My advice, enjoy the food and the whatever else you can, that is all.” the man drawls

“I don’t care,

I have to get stronger no matter what,

I need to,” Claude’s eyes burn with the fires of determination,

(Or maybe it’s revenge)

“To-ho-ho!

Maybe you can make it after all boy,”

…

“Pardon me mister Raimon,” Apollo looks at the store owner,

“Could please tell us where the nearest inn is, so we can rest up,”

“Inn?

There isn’t any,

We don’t allow travelers into our homes at night,”

“What? That’s a joke, right?”

“No, I just said we don’t offer ‘indoor hospitality’ to travelers,”

“Bu—why?

Where will we sleep?”

“In the streets of course,”

“Now I know you’re joking,”

……

The store owner, Raimon’s facial expression remains frank

“No, I am not fibbing you,

Tonight, or any other night you choose to stay here,

You will not be allowed to sleep anywhere that is not the streets,”