Seaframe is a city located in the south of the Grandframe Kingdom, a small-sized kingdom with the ability to produce a lot of world-shaking figures from knights, wizards, adventurers, and many more.

Seaframe has an area of more or less similar size to Mountframe, with forests and grasslands growing freely around it. The difference between these two cities is that Seaframe is located right by the sea. in other words, Seaframe is the largest port city of the Grandframe Kingdom that also takes the role of Grandframe main port.

Another thing that distinguishes between Seaframe and Mountframe is the wall surrounding the city. Seaframe City's walls are made of a unique magical rock that can only be found in a few locations around the world. the rock is called Sea Stone, a rock mined from the bottom of the sea that has magic power with the water element infused in it. by using Sea Stone as the base material, the walls that protect Seaframe City can emit a magic aura with the water element and make all products from Seaframe City have traces of water magic energy in them.

*****

Ari had just arrived at Seaframe City by using the Intercity Teleportation path developed by the Wizard Headquarters. By paying a hefty price and spending almost half of his remaining money, Ari was able to reach Seaframe City pretty fast and safely.

The first thing Ari did after leaving the Wizard Headquarters was to find his way to the North Gate of Seaframe City. Ari did not think of renting a room at any inn in Seaframe City because he realized that the money he brought was barely enough to pay for unnecessary comforts such as an inn or similar kinds of services.

Klak! Klak! Klak! Klak!

Ari walked down the main street of Seaframe City while looking at the cityscape. Ari could see the dark blue city wall extending around the city, serving as a strong barrier between human civilization, the mysterious wilderness, and unknown hidden dangers.

Klak! Clack! Clack! Clack!

Ari enjoyed walking in the city of Seaframe a lot. apart from the humid and cool air, Ari also enjoyed the sound of his armor clashing with each other and producing a loud clack clack sound. it sounds like background music from a video game to his ears.

Ari's behavior certainly attracted a lot of attention, both from ordinary people and some adventurers who accidentally crossed paths with Ari. they saw Ari as if he was a strange clown and wanted to seek attention. meanwhile, Ari himself felt very happy with the noise produced by his armor. so happy Ari even hummed a little while he was walking.

hmmm~hmmm~hmm~hmmmmmmm~

After walking for some time while enjoying the sound of his noisy armor, Ari decided to visit one of the small peddlers by the roadside. The merchant was selling some kinds of vegetables that were quite familiar to Ari.

"Excuse me, sir, can you tell me where I need to go to get to the North Gate?"

"Uhhh... Ah! Greetings, sir knight! "

The merchant looked startled and immediately bowed in a hurry. There was a look of fear in his eyes as he knew Ari was approaching him and began to call for him.

"Umm... Thank you for the kind gesture.

Can you tell me which way to the North gate?"

"Ah yes sir! My apologies!

You can continue following this main road, then turn left after you reach the park with the large statue in the center.

I guarantee you will arrive at the North Gate. "

"Uuuh... Thank you?"

Ari could only thank him in confusion as the merchant told him the directions while kneeling down and almost bowing down to him. It seemed that the merchant was so afraid of the knight's presence that he was willing to do anything for the safety of his life. Including kneeling and worshipping an unfamiliar knight.

Ari left the merchant with an uneasy feeling. Ari began to look around and realized that the people around were looking at him the same way the merchant did, full of fear as if he would attack them at any moment for no reason.

'Are the knights in this town that evil?'

Ari felt a little sad seeing how the knight who had been his idol and pride for the past year had gotten such a bad look in Seaframe. But then Ari felt a click in his head and he smiled mischievously.

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'Man, being feared like this must be a trip for villains.'

Ari thought for a moment. From the perspective of a good knight, being feared like a deadly disease would make them feel guilty and want to prove themself as a better person compared to what the public thinks of them. But from an evil knight's point of view, being feared is an achievement. it was the first step in conquering their enemies before using it for their weaknesses.

'being an evil knight right now must feel like having the twin Woolcow's baby three times in a row!'

*****

Ari arrived at the North Gate a few hours later, rushing a bit as he felt quite eager to complete his task as soon as possible.

After a little talk with the gatekeeper who is just as scared as the merchant back in the city, which makes Ari feel a little more suspicious toward the Seafreme knights, Ari walks towards the forest on the north side of the town. The distance between Seaframe City and the forest was about half a day's walk and Ari tried to reduce that time by running towards the forest.

Prak! Prak! Prak! Prak!

The sound of Ari's armor clashing against each other sounded constant and loud as Ari ran at a moderate speed toward the forest. Ari who ran in full armor and made noise became the center of attention of the people who were queuing to enter the city.

Ari managed to cover the distance in just six hours, a feat that should have taken half a day. However, this achievement came at the cost of his body drenched in sweat and completely depleted stamina.

"Hah! Hah! I can't believe it... Hah! Hah! It's going this far... Hah! Hah!"

Ari, who was still panting, could only let himself rest and took a water bottle made of bamboo from inside his ring. Ari drank half of the contents of the water bottle before suddenly realizing that he hadn't checked the amount of supplies he was carrying.

"Oh my! How could I forget to check the amount of supplies and just leave!"

Ari quickly took out the leather bag containing the supplies from inside his ring and began counting the contents. Inside the leather bag were one dozen bamboo water bottles, three large bags of dried meat, biscuits and pickles, and a few changes of clothes.

Inside the leather bag were also two pairs of whetstones and a set of tools such as a hammer, small shovel, blanket, sleeping bag, and others.

"At least this is enough for a few days. "

Unfortunately, Ari did not find a map inside the leather bag, which meant he should have bought one in Seaframe town before leaving for the forest.

"Without a map and stranded alone in an unfamiliar place, plus it's already quite far from the city. You idiot Ari!"

Ari could only scold and promise himself not to repeat the stupidity. Just because he was now wearing armor like a knight, Ari became very careless and forgot the basics of survival.

*****

Ari rested for four hours and took the time to have a quick lunch, munching on a few pieces of dried meat and biscuits that miraculously felt fulfilling.

After finishing resting and eating, Ari took out his weapons which were a large sword and shield after storing his supplies.

"Now it's time to hunt the beast! Orthos, I've come to finish you off!"

With renewed vigor, Ari walked into the forest accompanied by his stomping steps and clashing armor noisily under the glowing red sunset sun.

Prak! Thub! Prak! Thub! Prak! Thub!

Ari walked in the forest for two hours until the sky darkened and the forest turned pitch black. When there was still a little light in the sky, Ari took out the leather bag from inside his ring and tried to find something that could be used as a source of light.

Unfortunately for Ari, there was nothing that he could use as a source of light which means after the sky became dark Ari could only sit regretfully under a tree with a large trunk.

"I wish I was more prepared... Huftt~"

Ari decided to rest under the large tree. Ari kept all the armor and shields in his ring and only left his sword still sheathed beside him as a form of self-protection.

Ari then grabbed a sleeping bag, a blanket, and a few pieces of meat, biscuits, and pickles. The combination of the three foods made the meal taste more enjoyable, compared to eating just one or two types of food.

After finishing his meal, Ari wrapped his body in the sleeping bag with a blanket and closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the master of dreams who brings peace.

*****

Soutlake City, after all the cadets had left for their respective assignments.

Flowy was seen appearing in her hometown after using the Intercity Teleportation path. Flowy hurriedly walked towards her house which was in the noble district, separated from the houses of ordinary citizens by a thick high wall.

Immediately after entering his courtyard, Flowy shouted for a servant.

"Hanggy! Come quickly!"

"Miss Flowy, welcome back to the Riverstone family residence. Is there anything that-"

"Shut up Hanggy! Quickly summon five knights who are off duty. "

"I will do so immediately, Miss Flowy. "

Hanggy the servant of the Riverstone family immediately resigned politely before disappearing quickly around the corner. Approximately five minutes later, Hanggy returned with five knights from the Riverstone family who were wearing standard armor.

"I'm ordering the five of you to head towards Seaframe!

Look for a man named Ari, who wears the same Mountframe Knight Academy's armor just like me.

If you manage to find him, immediately kill him by any means!

If you fail to find him within a week, you can forget your assignment and return to Soutlake. "

"Have you understood? "

"Understood ma'am!"

"Leave immediately, now!"

Flowy saw the five knights working for her family immediately run out of her family home area before disappearing after they entered a corner.

Confident that her plan would work this time, Flowy casually walked out of her home area.

"Miss Flowy! Wait a moment! Don't you want to come in-"

"I'm busy Hanggy! Go away and pretend I never came home!"

Flowy then ran away from her house and rushed back to the Intercity Teleportation line, paying a small amount of money compared to what she had in her pocket to go to her assignment location.

"Now I can finish my task in peace. Hmm hmm~

My destination... Mmm... Ah! Westedge!"