Chapter 05 Village

 Raiden checked his head for wounds after he finished eating, and he felt a part that was a bit sore on the back… he wondered if one of the guards hit him there. Either way, he explained the situation and the location of the swollen part to Iri.

The specific area of the head that is damaged in cases of amnesia can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, the most commonly associated region with memory impairment is the medial temporal lobe, including structures such as the hippocampus and surrounding areas.

In cases of traumatic brain injury, which can lead to post-traumatic amnesia, the damage can occur in different parts of the brain depending on the location and severity of the injury. The frontal, temporal, and hippocampus lobes are particularly vulnerable to injury in such cases, and damage to these areas can result in memory deficits.

 Raiden wanted to sigh… why did he know that kind of thing, but his memories were sealed? It was just too weird… that kind of knowledge was too advanced, after all. He assumed that people would forget about that kind of thing as well… maybe it was an after-effect of the fact that he wasn't in his real body.

"Aside from the amnesia, you look fine… so maybe we don't have to worry about that wound, and your memories should return soon," Iri said while studying Raiden. "Still, you should let our doctor check your wound, just in case."

 It was as if Raiden would let people check his head when magic was a thing in that world. His plan was just to tag along for a while, learn as much as possible, and then follow his own path. While he was in the body of a ten-year-old boy, he was at least eight years older mentally, and with his system, he was able to overcome most obstacles. He just needed to get money.

"For someone without memories, you sure are cautious and doubtful of others… we won't mind if you just tag along to get some free meal, but the world isn't a good place for those who live alone right now," I said.

"Well said; it seems that you are getting more responsible now that you are growing up, Iri," Harth said. "Anyway, you don't have to stay with us for long, kid. We are only bringing you all to the safety, and then you will receive the chance to follow your own paths by making your own choices."

"His name is Raiden," Iri said.

"That is a weird name… are you from a faraway country?" Harth asked while making the same expression that Iri had shown before. "Once we reach our village, you will be given time to recover your heart. If you want to stay with us, you can be adopted by the families there. Half of us are direct descendants of runaway slaves, after all. If you dislike that idea, we have some allies around, and we can lead you to them; they will give you a job and teach you how to master a craft. It is all up to you."

 Raiden just focused on his soup since all that was too good to be true, even if their story was sound. Truth be told, they didn't have to fool or feed the kids if they wanted slaves for themselves.

 Regardless, after everyone filled their bellies, they began to prepare to move. The kids had the chance to rest for a while, but then Harth decided that they needed a bath, and since that would take some of their time as well, it was better to leave a bit earlier.

 While they were moving, the soldiers protected the sides, the front, and the back of the group while the kids stayed in the middle. Raiden could count thirty kids that looked better now, but they were still pretty silent. They became beings that couldn't do anything aside from following orders.

 After walking for a couple of hours, the group reached a river with shallow water where the kids had the chance to clean themselves. Raiden was surprised to see how much dirt he had to wash away from his body. While he was a grown man mentally, he felt a bit bothered by getting baked in front of the others. The group that rescued them was guarding the area, after all. Since they didn't have other clothes, they had to wash and wear their rags even while they were wet.

"The trip home will only last three days, so don't worry too much about it; soon, you all will get some real clothes," Harth declared.

 Once he cleaned himself, Raiden finally had a chance to see his appearance… short black hair and green eyes. Green eyes were relatively common, but no one was around with black hair… not even among Harth's group.

 In any case, Raiden also confirmed that he was at max ten years old. He was a bit taller than the other kids, but his youthful appearance made it clear that he was at that age. Raiden also felt a bit bothered by the fact that he didn't have hair down there as well… It was a bit weird to think about that, but he finally had the leisure to think of something aside from just escaping.

 In the end, the next three days of travel had been quite uneventful… the guys from Harth's group landed the kids their blankets and tents to sleep when night came; they also had three meals a day and the chance to eat some fruits in the afternoon at the same time… Raiden would dare say that he was becoming quite spoiled.

 At the same time, I told him and some other kids that were coughing to drink tea that would clean their throats and lungs from all the dust that they breathed in. On the next day, they were a lot better already.

"I guess they really are good guys…" Raiden thought. "No, something is off… They are trying to fool us with food, and then they will force us to work eight hours a day in exchange for food and shelter… what a devilish plan."

 One can't eat without working, or maybe one doesn't deserve to eat without sweating a little. Regardless, putting Raiden's crazy suspicion aside, it was clear that those guys weren't enemies. He couldn't explain why, but he had a gut feeling… just like he had a gut feeling about the guards, and he didn't feel even slightly as if he killed two of them.

 While Raiden was thinking about that, he suddenly noticed something ahead. At the entrance of the village lies a great gate, a monumental structure that guards the village and signifies its presence.

The great gate of the village is an immense structure made of sturdy wood and stone. It is embellished with intricate carvings and symbols, displaying the village's cultural heritage. The gate consists of two massive doors that open and close to control access to the village. It stands as a symbol of protection and unity.

Beyond the gate, the village was a bustling and lively community. It was characterized by a fusion of medieval and modern structures. The village was situated amidst dense forests, with houses and buildings nestled among the trees. The streets are lined with shops, markets, and various establishments that cater to the needs of its inhabitants.

There are parks, gardens, and open spaces where villagers can relax and enjoy nature. The village also hosts festivals and events showcasing its rich cultural traditions.

"Welcome to our village, kiddos," Harth said. "It is a pretty nice and cozy place."

 Raiden was surprised to see that the village was more like a town. Perhaps it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a city. It was a lot more advanced than Raiden had imagined… while he couldn't see things like electricity wires and whatnot, they certainly didn't live in houses made of clay like he had imagined. The gate was open, so it seemed that the place was open for visitors despite the fact that they did something that they didn't want to reveal to the whole world. A group of twenty light-armored spearmen nodded and then greeted Harth.

 While the roads weren't paved, they were even enough and free of deformations to make sure that people and animals would walk without the risk of being injured. In some parts of the place, Raiden found some poles that resembled energy poles, but they had some candles inside them, big ones that would be lit at night to illuminate the area.

 A lot of people were coming and going on the streets, a lot of kids as well. Raiden was certain that, at the very least, fifty thousand people were housed there. Everyone greeted Harth and his group since it looked like they were famous.

"What do you think? It is a pretty nice place, don't you think?" Iri asked. "Although you look a bit too surprised… were you expecting something shabby? We are one of the oldest villages in the world, you know."