At the southern end of the Great Forest was a town named Scarlet. It sat exactly opposite of the capital city through the forest.

The forest, being a source for many local businesses, attracted adventurers, alchemists, smiths, farmers, and even merchants. Most people passed through the place giving it a reputation amongst the others.

“And we are the adventurers from this place. Do you recognize it, Ian?”

I shook my head at Rimi’s words. The two of them had kindly helped me out of the forest and to the nearest town without any trouble. It was nice to be around kind people after a long time, but I wasn’t going to be foolish enough to start trusting anyone at any moment.

If the people of the Empire who know of me got wind of my existence again, then it would become a problem.

The easiest way to check it was to figure out the common knowledge that the people of the towns had about the heroes and the conditions behind them.

Did everyone know that I was someone who was to be killed? Ordered by the gods, no less? I thought of bringing it up to Rimi and Evans but refrained from doing so. On the off chance that they didn’t know about heroes at all if the powers that be were keeping it secret, then revealing anything was only going to screw me over.

“Rimi, you still have the moon mugwort right? We failed a quest because of you last time.” Evans said as we followed Rimi’s lead into the city.

The guards of the town were a slight distance away from the dirt road we were on; behind them, a long wall served as the barricades of the town.

“I have them—Oh! Right, Ian, do you remember anything about what food you like?”

“I eat everything…?”

Rimi was an extrovert at the top of the scale. If there was ever a competition for extroverts, in just this last hour or so of walking with her, I was sure that she would win.

After all, she told me that both she and Evans were from an orphanage in a nearby town, that she adores cats and is currently an E-Ranked adventurer registered with the Scarlet Branch of the Liones Guild, while I hadn’t told her my last name.

What the hell even was the Liones Guild? I had no idea.

Evan looked at me and showed me a soft smile. This person, on the other hand, was an easy-going man. It was quite easy to approach him and talk with him, almost homely. If I had to put it on a scale, he was probably right at the center.

Originally, I remember being fairly friendly too, but when your only conversation partner for months on end is a psychotic skeleton and your own torn limbs, one quickly becomes a reserved person.

We passed through the gates and into the city. A gasp of admiration left me. Everything around me was different from what I had imagined.

Stone-paved roads covered the streets. All around them were houses made of finely placed bricks.

Image [https://i.imgur.com/OpOmpAB.png]

“Look, right there is a cafe. Have you been?” Said Rimi, pointing at a building with stained glass as its entrance.

It looked just like a modern Starducks but with more medievalism in its vibe. Awnings extended through the eaves of the building and people in tunics and trousers sat together enjoying their afternoon breaks.

“I don’t…” I muttered, amazed by the sight.

“What about there? Blacksmiths?”

“Wow…”

Everything around me felt novel. I must have looked like a stray wounded cat in an unfamiliar house to Evans since he didn’t stop staring at me. I was genuinely amazed by the sights all around.

When we had seen the Crimson King’s palace and the training ground, a sense of awe had surely crept in. But the difference between seeing a medieval palace and a city was the difference between night and day.

It truly made me realize that no matter what, this was a completely different world from my own.

“Don’t worry. You will get used to things soon enough,” said Rimi. “Ah, I’ll go and finish the quest. Why don’t you take him to Shawn’s?”

Evans nodded at Rimi’s words. “Good idea. We’ll save you a seat.”

With those words, Rimi waved and took off in another direction while Evans took the lead.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You seem surprised,” he said as he guided me through the streets of the city.

“It all looks amazing.“

“I was a little doubtful, Ian, but seeing you this amazed makes me think you really have lost your memories.”

I chuckled and scratched the back of my head. I, of course, did not expect them to believe me right away, but there was nothing I could do except make an excuse.

“Thank you for helping, Evans. I don’t think I could do the same in your position.”

Evans looked back and smiled brightly.

We reached the restaurant—Shawn’s Skewers it was called—after walking for a bit. Evans led me inside the tavern.

Sunlight peeked in from the many windows in the restaurant while a small but rowdy crowd downed their drinks and skewers heartily.

We passed by the seats full of people straight to the back of the room. Evans waved his hand at the counter of the restaurant, and a tall man waved back while wiping down wooden mugs.

With great familiarity, Evans plopped down on the corner seats that had cushions and tapped next to him.

I sat on the side, leaving a spot for Rimi. There were some plates and a pitcher full of water on the table. Evans casually poured some out in two glasses and pushed one to me.

“Haah… nothing like the smell of meat after a long day. Shawn will get us the good ones, so relax.”

I nodded at his words. The smell was not familiar, but I could tell.

It was cooked.

My mouth was filled with saliva from the scent alone.

Evans swirled the glass full of water and looked at me. “So, are you sure you aren’t a nobleman?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t think so. All I know about nobility is that this country is ruled by the Crimson King.”

“Right,” nodded Evans. He leaned closer as if he had something important to talk about.

I had expected the conversation, but not without Rimi. Listening to them all this time, I was clear about two things.

Evans and Rimi were not experienced adventurers. They were extremely fresh, if anything.

And both of them were looking for another party member to handle missions.

“If you are a nobleman, someone would definitely come to find you. Even if you aren’t, your family and friends might look for you… but what if they never show—” Evans pursed his lips and swallowed his words. I didn't push him to speak. “What if they take time? Till then, you would have to make a living. A roof on your head and food on your plate.”

I nodded at his words.

With great timing, Mr. Shawn from the counter came up and dropped three plates full of skewers on our table.

Evans nodded at him, then gestured at me to go ahead.

My eyes were fixed on the food.

I slowly lifted the skewer in my hand, trembling. It had an aroma, an actual aroma.

I couldn’t believe it.

Slowly, very slowly, almost as if handling delicate jewelry, I brought the skewer to my lips and took a small bite.

“MMMM!”

A loud groan left me. All the patrons in the restaurant turned to our table, but I couldn’t care less.

“T-this this actual meat… it’s not raw or uncooked!”

“What…?”

“And it has taste other than flesh. My god. He used spices. He used actual spices and cooked this on a flame.”

Snot and tears streamed out at once. I quickly bit through the meat on the skewer and grabbed the glass of water.

I downed it at once, and my eyes widened again.

“T-this is drinkable water! It’s clean! Evans, do you see this?!”

“C-calm down, you’re being a little rude.”

I picked up another skewer and wiped my eyes.

“I am so glad to be alive… Mmf… so glad…”

“I-Ian?”

“Is your friend ok?”

“Woah, what had that kid been eating?”

Even Shawn and the other patrons started to get worried about me.

As I slowly downed another bite, the realization of my actions hit me. Mr. Shawn had come up next to me and was gazing at me expectantly.

“Is it good?” he asked.

“Y-yes sir.”

“Hm.”

That was awkward. As Shawn left, Evans turned to me once again.

“So, I was thinking,” said he. “If you need a job anyway, why not join us as adventurers? Rimi and I are just starting out too, and we won’t be doing anything too risky.”

I considered his words. To be honest, I had been quite split on the decision from the beginning. I could act like the stories and choose to be an adventurer, but there was doubt in my mind about it. After facing the Lich. I was scared of getting into big problems.

There was something else that scared me more, though.

It was not being able to handle big problems. I could probably choose not to adventure and end up working in a small place like Shawn’s here. It would be a good thing for my sanity and for my pockets as well. It was nothing compared to the modern amenities that I was missing, but it was better than being stuck inside a prison cell.

The problem was, how long would I be able to sit through it? What guarantee did I have that people around me won’t suddenly turn against me? Not because they were evil, but because their gods and their kings would ask them to.

Everyone was powerless against the Septet and the Imperial Army, or even the entire alliance that stood against the demons.

Heck, for all I knew, those demons might take over the world and even they would be after my life.

If I adventure, I have the chance to run away and protect myself. Even if I couldn’t become strong like the rest without any growth skills, I would at least not be helpless when I have to run away.

“Think about it,” Evans said. “No pressure. It would be a great idea though.”

At the same time, the door swung open and Rimi streamed into the restaurant with a bright smile. She hopped over to our table, her hair bopping up and down with her moves.

“Yahoo! We got extra money for solving things quickly!”

Evans and I did not say anything to her. Evans was still waiting for my answer, and cutting it off felt rude to me.

In the end, I sighed and pointed at my head. The make-shift bandaging Evans had administered was working well enough with this injury.

Just this injury.

“I would like to. It’s also a good chance to repay your kindness, and there is no one else I know in the world, so it’s an even better deal for me,” I said. “That’s why I don’t want to take you up on it. I don’t know how to fight, that was the first time I had killed a goblin. Even worse, I am much weaker than both of you.”

What if I ended up making mistakes and brought danger to them?

“I can’t put both of you at risk like this.”

Rimi suddenly smiled, as if she had figured the entire conversation from my words.

“Is that it? Then we have no problems, right Evans?”

Evans nodded too.

“That’s right. I can teach you how to fight. You are not very out of shape either. This will be easier than you think.”

“W-wait really?” I asked. “You will?”

“Yup,” Evans said. “Don’t worry. I have learned from a good master, so I’ll give you the safest and most efficient training.”

“Alright! It’s decided!” Yelled Rimi. “Shawn Shawn, get us more skewers we are celebrating a new party member!”