Calm Before the Storm

Opening the door, Eiji was greeted by Siesta, who wore a worried expression.

"Eiji, you're finally back. Are you hurt? Something is happening, I heard a loud rumble and the ground shook. It's dangerous outside, stay here, don't wander around anymore."

Looking up and down, finding Eiji unscathed, Siesta sighed in relief, patting her ample chest.

"...?"

They had known each other for less than three days, yet Eiji was astonished that the other party was so concerned about his safety.

"There might be a patrol team checking every room, you have to hide under the bed if they come."

"Listen to me, Siesta, there's something I need to tell you." Eiji interrupted her.

"What is it? You look very serious?"

Although Eiji was always expressionless, Siesta could only guess.

"The commotion outside was caused by me. To avoid involving you, I have to leave immediately. Thank you for all your care during this time. Maybe it's not much, but consider this my compensation for you."

Taking out a bag of money, Eiji offered it to her, but Siesta didn't accept it and pushed it back.

"No need to pay me, I sincerely want to help you. Please take it back. Eiji needs it more than I do."

"Don't refuse, Siesta. Someone as strong as me doesn't have trouble making money. Even if you don't need it, think of your family, they surely need the money."

The life of commoners in the feudal era was far worse than that of the poor in the 21st century. Eiji, raised in one of the three noble sorcerer families, didn't understand the suffering of the poor, but he knew their lives weren't easy.

"This... Alright, I'll accept it then."

Thinking of her family's condition, Siesta could no longer refuse and accepted the money.

"Goodbye, Siesta."

Taking the sword from the table, Eiji bid farewell. After parting, they might never meet again.

Suddenly, Siesta hugged him tightly.

"No matter what others say about you, I know Eiji is not the bad person the rumors depict. Even though I've known you for a short time, you are a good person. Take care, don't get severely injured like before."

"Yeah, I'll be careful."

Returning her hug, Eiji's gaze softened without him realizing it.

They hugged for quite a while, the noise of the patrolling officers running outside making them stop.

"Stay healthy, Siesta."

"Fufu... I should be the one saying that, Eiji. Don't get caught, or I won't forgive you."

"No one can catch me in this world."

Leaving a confident remark, Eiji looked at Siesta one last time before opening the door and leaving after closing it.

"..."

Moments later, Siesta opened the door, but the man's figure was no longer in sight.

"I pray for your safety, Eiji." She murmured softly.

❀❀❀

Three days later.

In a cave deep in the forest, Eiji was hiding here.

The Tristain Kingdom began their search operation after he caused chaos at the Tristain Magic Academy.

There was no choice; Louise and Kirche recognized Eiji's identity as the criminal who had committed a massacre against knights a year ago. Both were nobles, of course, they wouldn't hide this important information from the royal palace.

Especially Louise, who had a good relationship with the current queen since childhood.

As a result, the royal palace deployed a large number of troops to capture Eiji. Since no one knew his real name, including Louise who was the Mage that summoned him as a Familiar, they used the nickname 'Chaosbringer' for him.

Eiji found this out when he was gathering food supplies in town. After all, he couldn't cook, so he could only buy easy-to-prepare food like dried meat and fruits.

The guards at the gate were no issue for him. He just needed to leap over the city wall and enter safely.

"My Cursed Energy is still empty, is this normal after Cursed Energy is drained from the body? My Cursed Energy capacity is much larger than other Jujutsu Sorcerers, though not as much as Satoru Nii-san and Yuta. Maybe it will take a few weeks to fully recover?" Eiji speculated based only on assumptions.

"No phones, no internet, no decent entertainment. Staying in this world short-term is fine, but I'm used to the comforts of modern civilization; living in the medieval world long-term is very frustrating."

There were many inconveniences and difficulties in adapting. For instance, there were no private toilets; civilians would gather in a public toilet without partitions and defecate together while chatting.

Of course, Eiji preferred to do it in the bushes.

"Let's go to town and buy supplies."

Thinking of the remaining supplies, Eiji hurried to the town. Besides buying food, he wanted to hang out to pass the time.

After walking for two hours, he could see the city walls.

There was a long line of people wanting to enter the capital. The guards were stricter than usual due to the search for the fugitive.

"..."

Realizing he was the one the royal palace was looking for, Eiji pulled his hood to cover his white hair completely. He took another direction, looking for a quiet place, and leapt over the city wall without anyone noticing.

After walking for a few minutes, he joined the crowd of pedestrians on the main street.

As usual, the voices of merchants promoting their wares to attract buyers could be heard.

While Eiji was browsing the goods at a stall, he accidentally overheard a conversation between two people discussing recent sensational news.

Normally, he wasn't interested in eavesdropping, but this news made him stop and listen.

"How pitiful, such a young girl executed for planning to kill a noble."

"Do you believe that? The girl was just a maid at the Tristain Magic Academy; how could she possibly have the capability to do such a thing? She's just a scapegoat because Count Mott's family failed to find the real culprit!"

"Eh, seriously?!

"Shhhttt... Don't speak too loudly, be careful someone hears. You don't want to become the nobles' scapegoat to vent their anger, do you?"

"It's a shame the girl died because of a vicious lie."

A bad feeling arose in his heart, Eiji approached the two people.

"What's the name of the maid you're talking about?"

"Who are you? Why do you care?"

One of the men frowned, displeased at being interrupted.

"Her name."

Not wanting to waste time, Eiji tossed a gold coin to the man.

The man's eyes lit up and he quickly pocketed the money, fearing the other party might regret it.

"Etooo... What was her name? Hmmm... Ah, I remember, her name was Siesta!"

"I see... Thank you."

Hearing that name, Eiji turned and left.

"Weird guy."

"Who cares? The important thing is he gave money just for answering a question."

"Hey, bro, treat me to a drink, don't have fun alone."

"Alright, I'll pay."

The two men didn't realize a bloody storm would soon hit the Tristain Kingdom because of the man they thought was foolish.

No, no one knew the calm before the approaching storm.