Novels2Search

Chapter 8

While Henry and Marie enjoyed their dinner I pondered my next course of action. I knew my time in this village was limited. Though with my new mask most of the villagers don't stare daggers at me while walking down the road but I felt I couldn't much longer on this small family.

I wasn't exactly an expensive house guest considering I didn't need to eat or drink but it didn't seem right to continue taking advantage of their kindness. Plus, if my plan was to "living out my power fantasy" it may prove difficult to do that here.

"Excuse me, you said your brother was training in the Erd Capital?"

Considering I had a knack for Martial Arts it seemed like a smart move to hone my skills and what better place to start the very capital of this kingdom. Hell, while I never met the brother I at least know people who know him so it may make things easier on my end.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I'm thinking of making my way to Erd to join the Dojo your brother attends."

"Oh..." Marie looked down at her food with a sullen face. "You don't plan on staying too long huh?"

"Not too much longer. I'd rather not impose on you two any longer."

"Oh you're fine really." Henry interjected with a laugh as he adjusted his glasses. "But I can certainly understand your feelings. Of course I wonder how you plan on getting there?"

Ah, that's right. A part of my brain thought I could just walk there but I had no idea just how far away Erd was. I could only assume it was a great distance based on Henry's question.

"I guess I hadn't thought that far..."

"I thought as much, well while I do have a carriage in the back I unfortunately do not have a horse to spare and it's doubtful the other villagers will be willing to provide theirs to you. However, there should be a caravan transporting goods to the Capital from the Farmlands to the east. They pass through this forest at least once a month. The next time they come through should be roughly three weeks from now."

"I can just hitch a ride with them?"

"There's a possibility they'll deny you even if you pay but it may prove more effective to offer your services as a bodyguard. The villagers may be suspicious of you but there's no one here who will deny your strength."

While the caravan seemed like a 50/50 shot it was still worth trying considering I really had no other options.

"Of course, getting a ride is the easy part. Getting into the Capital proper may prove to be difficult."

"Why's that?"

"Well, you think they just let anyone into the Capital? At every main gate there are guards posted to inspect everything and everyone that enters and leaves Erd. At least, that's what my son told me in one of the letters he wrote."

I guess I should've realized none of this would be very easy. But wouldn't my mask help me get through the gate? I asked but Henry simply shook his head at my question.

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"The mask doesn't make you invisible. Like I said, it only makes you less noticeable to people not paying attention so you can walk down the street without most people batting an eye, but guards will be actively looking at everyone who enters. You won't go unnoticed."

So even with the mask I'll still be inspected and it's doubtful that the guards won't want a peek at my face. Seriously, why couldn't I have been reincarnated into a world that was more tolerant to the undead?! Or, maybe just not be an undead at all...

"Don't look so glum! My son also told me that due to the war the kingdom is fighting in not only the north, but also in the east and south that more reliable guards are hard to comeby and most can be bribed quite easily."

And with that everything was starting to come together. In three weeks I'd hopefully convince the caravan to let me hitch a ride in exchange I'd act as their body guard. Once reaching Erd I'd hopefully enter through a gate with corrupt guards. Well, everything about this plan had holes in it but it seemed to be my only current option.

Over the next few weeks to help with bribing the guards I did several chores around the Hart household so I could get some gold. Afterall, I didn't have a penny to my name which would make the said bribing quite difficult.

While I worked Marie would read her books while occasionally engaging in dialogue with me. Though she always wore a smile I could always sense a gloominess surrounding her. I couldn't help but think we truly had become friends within these past few weeks and the fact that I would be leaving soon must've been on her mind as much as it was on mine.

Before I knew it the caravan Henry spoke of was passing through the town and I quickly tried to stop it and offer my services. At first the three businessmen who were riding seemed reluctant to even hear me out, at least until I was able to chop a tree down with one hand. They said they were impressed with my strength but said their only payment to me would be in the form of taking me to Erd which I expected.

After the deal was made I asked them to wait a moment to head back to say my goodbyes.

"There's still so much I have yet to learn about you so it's quite sad to see you go."

Henry offered a handshake with a smile while Marie stood off to the side with a contemplative look on her face. It was as if at that moment she was deciding on something. The kind of decision that would possibly change her life forever. I knew what was on her mind and I hoped she was going to make the right choice.

"I-I'm going too!"

Bingo.

Her father didn't blink or show a look of shock, she only smiled as he hugged his daughter tight. A few tears dribbled down Marie's face as she embraced her father. She pulled away while wiping away the small droplets.

"I want to see the world. I feel like I can really do that with you. If you don't mind, I want to accompany you!"

Truth be told, I'd be agonizing over three weeks hoping she'd ask to come with. I was a bit nervous to go out on my adventure alone. If I had someone I knew by my side then I feel I could truly have fun.

"There's just one thing I need to do..."

After packing up her things and saying our final goodbyes we headed to the place I expected. The graves of those adventurers.

There was a cold silence in the air as she stood before them as Marie mustered up the courage to speak. She knelt down while placing a flower on each grave. Only the sound of the breeze could be heard before a quivering voice spoke.

"Daniel Foreman. Alex Runner. Ashley Brewston. Jacob Lands. I've been so afraid to speak your names these past weeks. I... I felt as if I didn't deserve it. How could someone as worthless as me survive while you all... If those rocks hadn't fallen separating us would things have changed? Would you have survived? Would I had died with you? These questions are the only ones I can ask myself. I can't even sleep some nights... The guilt that haunts my dreams won't let me. I can't help but feel like... maybe I shouldn't have survived. Despite how you treated me you were humans with dreams of being adventurers and seeing the world. So, it may seem wrong and selfish but... I want to carry that dream with me. In your places, I will see all there is to see. I'll write it all down. I'll... I'll even gone beyond the borders of the kingdom, you'll see!"

As if answering her passionate call the wind picked up in intensity. She turned away from the graves with a smile and we soon left this village behind