A/N Hey everyone!! sorry for the long wait. I was trying to figure out where to take this next and also been loaded by work. I finally got a day off so could write this chapter. Hopefully I'm giong to be able to write a couple more chapters by next friday, when the training iand 12 hour night shift are finally done woo hoo! After that I'll be going to the regular update speed. Please endure patiently and hope you all enjoy the chapter!
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“Jian ah, you ready?”
“*yawns* Eung, papa!”
Right now Hyun Jin, Ji Hyun, Dal Rin, and Jian who was cutely yawning were in front of the entrance to Moon City. We had spent the last two weeks here training in preparation for the future demon invasion. Hyun Jin had been training Ji Hyun on the Secret Moonlight Sword Arts Form while she taught him how to use magic. Hyun Jin was a fast learner. He has already become proficient with all the elements and now could do simple things spell. He, not surprisingly, excelled in holy magic and could create holy barriers and even heal the party. I, on the other hand, had been teaching Dal Rin. As she was already skilled with the sword, she learned quickly and was now able to use all 4 basic forms of the Moonlight Sword Arts. One day the King had come down and saw me training Dal Rin. Being impressed with Moonlight Sword Arts, he asked me if I could teach his royal guard but immediately flinched and ran away when I glared at him. During the time we trained, Jian was watched over by her two pe… I mean guardians Pegasus and Fenrir. She had a lot of fun flying on Pegasus and riding Fenrir around. I decided that it was finally time to leave yesterday as I was satisfied with everyone’s progress.
When the King and Queen had heard we were leaving, they tried to convince Dal Rin to stay but she told them that she was now part of group and had to go with us. Truthfully I was nervous that she might decide to stay but thankfully she decided to continue with us. Seeing her determination and knowing her personality, the King and Queen sighed and gave up.
After checking to make sure we had packed everything, we put our packs on with Jian going to her favorite spot, my shoulders and headed off.
“So guys, where should we go?”
“…Oppa!!! You said you would decide by this morning our next destination!”
“Ji Hyun ah…. Have you ever seen Lee Hyun plan for something?”
“…no… but still….”
“Ji Hyun shi, it’s fine~~ don’t worry. Why don’t we head north to the Dwarves?”
“That sounds like a plan to me!! To the Dwarves!!”
“Yay~ Dwarves~~ Papa! What are dwarves?”
“Eh, Jian you never heard of Dwarves? Well…dwarves are…. Small”
“….Lee Hyun, is that really all you’re going to explain? Haa….well listen up Jian ah~ This unni will tell you about the dwarves~ Dwarves are small folks~ but don’t think they’re funny because of that because they are still really big~~ but sideways~~ and have really long beards~”
“….Hyun Jin oppa…don’t you think the way both of them described the dwarves was weird?”
“…Leave them be…”
During our trek up north, we had a very relaxed environment around us. Truthfully, it was very hard to have it any other way as Jian’s eyes became wide and sparkly as we traveled through the different regions.
“Waaah~~ Papa that lake is swo big!!”
“Papa! Look! There are bwirdies!!”
“Papa! What is that?~”
I couldn’t really say anything as the scenery was indeed very beautiful. It was a very peaceful going through plains and forests on sunny days with the blue sky covering everything in the world. We usually called it a day for traveling a couple hours before sunset every day as Jian was still very young and couldn’t handle too long of a trek. Dal Rin and Ji Hyun were in charge of setting up our camp and get the fire starting while Hyun Jin and I went hunting for our dinner and tomorrow breakfast.
Usually by the time the moon came up we would eat and play together with Jian. Jian seemed to glue a smile to her face the whole time as she was seeing a lot of new things and playing with the four of us. We usually went to bed when Jian became drowsy and started to yawn which was when Dal Rin would place her in between her and Ji Hyun to sleep. Seeing such a scene was very heartwarming as Jian would sleep with a carefree face without any worries in the world while surrounded by those two. We traveled this way for about two weeks.
Right now we were at a four way intersection. Hyun Jin was currently looking at a map trying to figure otu which way we should head. Looking up, he tells us our choices.
“Alright, we can head keep going forward and head straight to the northern border or go east for 10 km and head to Stormfall. If we keep going forward we can reach the border by tomorrow afternoon. So what do you guys think?”
“I say we stop by Stormfall. We need to resupply”
“Oppa.... you just want to sleep on a bed don’t you?”
“....”
“Haa.... even though it pains me to say this, but I agree with Lee Hyun. We should probably resupply just in case we run into something unexpected...”
“Omo, Hyun Jin is agreeing with Lee Hyun. Jian ah~ what do you want to do?”
“Eh? Um... Jian fwollow papa!”
“Haha looks like it’s settled. Lets head to Stormfall then”
Saying that, Hyun Jin takes the lead and we head to Stormfall. About a km away after going past a hill, we see Stormfall. A castle came into view. The castles had large walls protecting them from invaders with towers in each corner. The only entrance was the one in the south so we headed that way. As we got closer, you could remains of past battles on the walls as dents from what appeared to be heavy objects were all around it, showing the scars from previous invasions. Once we neared the entrance, a guard on top of the walls yelled out to us.
“Travelers, what business do you have here at Stormfall?”
“Sir, we are here travelers that are heading north. We have come here to resupply and find a place for rest”
“It’s pretty rare to see visitors up here. You may pass but remember! Don’t think of doing any funny stuff as we will kick you immediately if you do!”
“Understood, thank you sir.”
“Open the gates!”
At the guards command, the gates slowly opened and we passed through. In the inside of the castle, numerous buildings were placed in a square shape. There were two roads, one from north to south, and another that went from east to west. The buildings were made out of wood. They were from one story up to three. The designs reminded me of the buildings that I saw in the rural parts of the Netherlands, buildings that had a feeling from the medieval period. As we were walking through the road, stalls were beginning to open for business the day. The owners looked at us with stern faces at first since we were s trangers but their face loosened into smiles as they saw the cute Jian on my shoulders.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
As we neared the center, we saw a three story building with a sign in front that depicted a bar standing on it’s hind legs while drinking a beer. Underneath the picture were the words, The Drinking Bear. Hm... I wonder how long it took to think up that name? While thinking that, we open the doors and walk in.
What greeted us past the door was a smiling old man. He seemed to be in his late 50s as his hair had started to gray. Smiling at us, he asks us if we’re here for a room.
“Dear ladies and gentlemen, are you here for a room?”
“Yes sir, we would like to get two rooms please”
“Will you like to get eat dinner here? Also we have baths if you would like to use them”
“Yes, we would like to use both of those”
“That will be 30 coppers, sir”
Thinking that it wasnt too bad of a deal, I pull out the coins and hand it over. Receiving the coins, the gentlement smiles at us.
“Thank you for your business sir. Dinner will be served at 7 and the baths will be opened from 8-10. Your rooms will be at the end of the second floor. I hope you enjoy your stay here”
Bowing to us, we head up the stairs to our rooms. Dal Rin and Ji Hyun goes to their room to drop off their things while Hyun Jin and I do the same. After settling down, both of the girls come to our room and we decide what we should do next.
“Alright then guys, Let’s head out and resupply”
While I said that, I feel a sudden thug on my shirt. Looking down, Jian is rubbing her eyes.
“Papa~ Jian is twired... “
“Ah you are? Hm ok then Jian go to sleep on the bed”
“Wokay~~”
While saying that, Jian heads over to my bed and lays down. Tucking her in, she quickly falls asleep.
“Hm....since Jian is sleeping we need to have someone here watching over here”
“I’ll stay here”
“You sure Dal Rin”
“Yeah~ I’m tired anyways”
“Alright, we’ll be back around noon then. Let’s go eat together”
“Sounds good~”
Saying that, Hyun Jin, Ji Hyun, and I head out of the room and go to the stalls. The road this time was starting to get crowded as people were coming to do trades. It took us a while to find the stall that had what we needed and to navigate through everyone. After about two hours, we had finally bought all that we needed.
“Hm... oppa it’s still pretty early. What do you think about going to buy some clothes?”
“That’s not a bad idea.. I need to get some new clothes. My stuff are getting raggedly...”
“Oppa~ youre going to buy me clothes right? *glares*”
...Scary!!! that glaze is too scary for a girl! Who are you and what have you done to my cute sister!! While thinking that, I nod my head at which Ji Hyun smiles. After that, the three of us head to a tailor shop. After searching for about ten minutes we finally see a store that were advertising clothes outside and head in. Even though the shop was small, there were many varities of clothes. The shops was basically divided into two where men and women clothes were seperated. On both sides, there were numerous of different types of clothes to choose from. When we walked in, the owner stood up and greeted us.
“Welcome, customer. How may I help you?”
“We’re just here to look at some clothes”
“Understood, if you have any questions, feel free to come to me”
After saying that we begin looking for clothes. I find some loose and comfortable looking shirt and trousers that will do nicely. While waiting for the other two, I suddenly think of Jian and Dal Rin at the inn and decide to buy them some clothes.
For Dal Rin, I found a sleevless green dress. It had a simple design that had small designs of flowers on the bottom. The dress had a feeling of a nice breezy spring day to it. Thinking it would suit her well I decide to get it for Dal Rin. Next for Jian I found a cute white dress that had frills around the edges of the skirt and around the end of the sleeves. It was a very cute dress that matched Jian’s pureness perfectly. Inwardly smiling at my decision, I go up to the store owner and pay for the clothes. Afterwards I help Ji Hyun buy a dress. She kept on showing me different types of dress but in the end decided on a silver dress. The dress had full length sleeves and a small opening on the back. The skirt reached down to a little above Ji Hyun’s knees. It was very pretty and still seemed easy to move in, making it perfect.
Once I paid for her dress and Hyun Jin chose his clothes, we were about to head out when suddenly the store’s door was slammed open. The person who ran in was a old man who’s hair was graying. It was the inn owner from earlier. Curious as to why he was here, I ask.
“Hey sir, what are you doing here? It seemed like your in rush as you ran in here while slamming the door open..”
Taking a few seconds to regain his breath, he looks at me with panicked eyes and blurts out really quickly.
“Si...Sir!! I finally found you been looking for you everywhere!! Sir just about thirty minutes ago a group of men ran into the inn and stormed up to the second floor. While they were up there, I heard sounds of a struggle and the group started to rush down the steps. On the shoulder of one of the men was the lady you were with and another was carrying the little girl. I ran around to look for you so I could tell you!!”
The bags in my hand drop to the ground. Huh? What? Jian and Dal Rin were taken away by a group of men?!?! Ji Hyun covers her mouth with her hands in horror while Hyun Jin has a hard expression on his face....... Someone took Dal Rin and Jian?!?!?! I quickly push the inn owner away and rush out the door, followed shortly by Hyun Jin and Ji Hyun...
Who would dare to take away Dal Rin and my daughter!! You better run as fast as you can!! Because I will follow you. Soon I will find you and you will wish you would die after what I do to you!!