2 CHAPTER 2: THE COUNTRY OF KINGS

It was a vast country, a vast expanse of land surrounded it and an old castle was right in the middle of the country. This place is crowded with various outsiders, almost never deserted.

Over the vast expanse of green fields, a horse galloped side by side with the big clouds above. Riding him was a young man wearing light blue clothes with a sword on his right side. This black hair excitedly steered his horse towards the country with the great castle.

I saw a big gate. It was his country's entrance. I pointed my horse towards him.

It took almost a month for me to get here. Very far away place. But it is very easy to get through, the road to this country seems to be deliberately made easy so that foreign tourists can easily enter and exit.

I got off the horse and went over to the gatekeeper there. This gate is very crowded, rarely seen horsemen. Only by walking from the other side of the village, we can arrive. We are like being pampered, even though we haven't really entered it yet

After arriving near the gate, I joined the back row. Waiting for my turn for newcomer inspection. After a long line, it was finally my turn to meet the gatekeeper.

"What is the name of this master horseman?"

"Raniko"

He asked the question in a gentle tone, then handed me an ID. My name is written there.

"Please come in sir"

There were no troublesome barriers to entry, they just asked for names and gave these IDs. It's a country that pampers tourists. Aren't they afraid of the threat of rioters or something?

I went through the gate and looked around. My attention was drawn to the magnificent and beautiful fountain right in front of me.

The big old castle is more interesting. I want to see it

My eyes went to the huge castle right in the middle. This is a country with one of the largest populations. All who have economic goals or just having fun will definitely go to this place. Rarely is anyone rejected?

I walked while looking around this crowded country. It's almost hard to enjoy the beauty of walking in this country, those people block my view.

They live with a population like this without complaining of claustrophobia. I can only stare at those who are doing transactions everywhere.

Outside is a very beautiful, wide expanse of grass. But inside it was very crowded, full of people busy too and fro.

I saw a busker at the end of the road. He earned a lot of money. Not the voice or the instruments. More precisely focus on giving praise to listeners and passersby. Once the poet praised. Two to three gold pieces were thrown at him.

I decided to go back. I took a deep breath. This place is not as cool as the green expanse beyond the country walls. Smells vary. It's impossible not to have someone who doesn't smell this strong alcohol smell.

This atmosphere is very uncomfortable. I continued walking to find lodging. Along the road, people were busy giving compliments to pedestrians.

I'm still confused, is this a tradition or their work. They started looking at me, I tried to dodge. I think this compliment is too much.

"Welcome old and young handsome"

I pretended I didn't hear it. I quickened my footsteps.

"Hurry up, they walk so slow"

From the side, a muscular man bumped into me. I fell down. Quickly the women who were guarding the shop approached me.

"Are you all right sir?"

"Are you hurt sir?"

The man left immediately. Before he left I looked into his eyes, his eyes did not show seriousness. I think he just accidentally bumped into me after all this happened because I quickened my pace and didn't see him.

"Sorry sir, there are a lot of drunk men here"

I looked into his eyes, he showed concern. What a strange feeling. I took a deep breath.

"Huff"

This is very inconvenient. The man looked completely undrinkable, plus these women gave him a lot of compliments and attention. I think I should immediately get an inn to rest.

"Hello sir"

"Can I help you?"

I got back on my feet. I didn't realize there were so many people approaching me.

Sir are you okay? Is there anything we need to help with?

I just got hit, I didn't even notice. How are they more aware of it than I am? I watched their eyes.

Yes, only one person seemed to have seen the incident. The others just went along.

They kept asking what I needed. I sighed.

"Lodging"

After getting an answer. I immediately went to follow the directions given.

The wind was blowing hard. Leaves began to fly down the road. It's cold. I don't wear thick clothes. I'm not used to it, my hometown isn't this cold, but in summer, it's really very hot, so we rarely wear thick clothes.

I went through a narrow path. The cold air is more pronounced here. My eyes fell on the inn on the corner. In front of the building is written "inn". I approached him. The road is getting narrower, there are not many people here.

Is this really an inn?

A fragrant aroma wafted. The right time to eat something, I walked slowly down the street while enjoying the smell of bread

I wonder, who made it?

It seems from the direction of the inn.

"Alright, finally arrived"

I entered the inn. This inn is not big, only up to level four. I approached the guard there.

"Welcome to our inn"

"May I ask, is there a place for riding animals here?"

The guard nodded and smiled. I thought I would be rejected.

The cost of one night is 20 pieces of gold coins sir

Seriously, 20 gold coins is the same as more than three days' worth of food supplies, but I have to stay here until the weather improves. I also have to start filling out this set of blank papers.

It's okay, I'll take the time to work temporarily. If buskers can get two to three gold pieces in an instant, surely getting 20 gold coins will not be difficult in this country.

The guard escorted me to my room. After that, he left

"Tired"

I took a change of clothes and immediately took a shower. It tastes very fresh. After that I returned to the room. I immediately lay down on the mattress.

The aroma of the fragrant bread reappeared. It looks like it's from downstairs. I was curious, I approached him with the intention of buying one.

I went down the stairs. The smell of bread is getting stronger. This is the best smell of bread ever in my opinion. I will buy One

"Hello sir, are you interested in this freshly prepared bread"?

"Only 1 gold coin for one slice of bread"

Expensive too, I had expected. But I only have 151 gold coins left. For lodging costs 60 pieces for three days.

"No, I'm not interested"

"Well, if you change your mind, these buns will always be here"

Don't buy bread. I'd better pick up a book and just start writing it. I returned to my room and took the blank book I brought from home.

This book is quite light. I think it will be quick to solve it. All right, time to write. I wrote my journey before coming to this country.

After that what else should I write? I didn't think it turned out to be very little if it was written. I'm confused, what is this country only? Alright, I'll write all about this trip.

"Good, everything is written"

I intend to sleep. The blue sky from the window looks very beautiful, it seems he welcomes me to come out and enjoy the beautiful weather today.

"Wait, I'd better take this book with me, if there's something interesting I can write straight away, fine, great idea"

I went down the stairs with a book. When I got to the bottom floor, the shopkeeper looked surprised by the book I brought.

"Excuse me, sir, what did you do with the book?"

His expression was strange, his tone was nervous and worried. What's wrong with a book? I looked into his eyes and asked him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"According to the rules here we are all not allowed to hold books"

Is it because books are so expensive? Ah no, in my house there are so many piles of books. So where did this rule come from? I don't know.

"Are these the lodging rules?"

"No sir, this is the regulation of our new prime minister, Sefyan Collus. He immediately enacted it after he became prime minister two years ago. Before that, we were in a major economic crisis, there was a lot of chaos when the prime minister Sefyan was appointed and implemented some new policies, our country can quickly get out of the crisis and reverse the situation, we become a prosperous country.

I'm still confused, how about a country with a developed economy but without books or science? What is the prime minister really thinking?

"Okay, I'll keep it and I'll hide it"

"Thank you, sir"

There should be no books, I used to really like them, but after reading some of the books my mother left with me, I don't think books are that bad. Books teach us many things, even though we only read them, not really directly.

I lay on the bed. Staring at the ceiling out the window. It's still late afternoon, usually, I still practice sword until the evening. But now I have a new activity. How about going out for a walk, this time without a book.

I walked out of the inn. While walking, I remembered about the big old castle that is in this country, it seems that it is not far from here.

I exited the inn, walked for a while in the direction of the initial fountain I encountered. This place is still busy, but not as busy as this afternoon. So quieter.

I looked around, my eyes fell on the big old castle. I looked at it, the castle looks old, the walls are cracked, and still looks like an old-style building. Maybe deliberately made a country icon.

When I was focused on staring at the castle. My shirt was pulled by a boy. He looked at me.

"Can I help you?"

"My older sister"

I mean? No, it looks like he was left behind by his brother. I better make sure

Please take me to my sister

Where is your sister now?

The boy shook his head. I asked the boy a few things. He explained that if he and his sister lived alone in the opposite village, their parents left them two years ago. Yutari's older sister has to work to earn money. He got a job in this country, after he got a job, his brother rarely came home. I haven't even been home lately, it's been almost a month.

Why did he have the heart to leave his sister for such a long time? If he was willing to work for their survival, surely he would find time to meet. After all, what kind of work did he take so he rarely came home?

I do not know. But you once said that you work in a big castle in this country.

I thought the castle was just a display, I seem to have been wrong. This kid has walked quite a distance from his village, plus being able to enter here, did he just sneak in, it seems like that. Then I must take her to meet her sister.

The wind was blowing hard. The clouds began to gather. The sky rumbled. The sun's rays began to be blocked by clouds, the sky became dark.

The weather changes so fast

"Okay brother will help you find your brother, tomorrow we will look for him, today we just rest in the inn brother's room"

"Okay, thanks bro"

The two of us walked towards the inn. Can I trust this kid? I started to question myself. Ah never mind, just stay one night and find her sister, that's all, it's easy.

"Until"

I was about to climb the stairs to my room on the fourth floor. The guard approached the boy. I turned back to him.

"What is it?"

"What do you want sister to do here?"

He is my friend, I will invite him to stay in my room until tomorrow.

Sorry, you can't sir, the one-room you ordered is only for one person.

But my room is still enough for one more person

Sorry, sir, if you want to add one more person, you have to pay the fee.

There was no other choice, nor could I leave him alone, plus it was getting dark.

"Then, just cut off the day of my stay"

"Alright, master stay for two days, including today"

Then tomorrow I will write immediately, after that the next day I will leave this country. I sighed slowly, no problem, this will be easy.

You can sleep here, tomorrow brother will help find your brother

Thank you very much, sister

A very beautiful blue sky, birds with melodious voices, greeted me this morning.

What? This kid is still asleep, I'm used to getting up early for sword practice at his age. It must be because of the long journey that he didn't sleep. OK, I'll wait a little longer.

The smell of fragrant bread wafted again. Likewise, remember the price is very expensive. It's okay, I'll make my own bread.

I took the empty bread I bought on the way here, I bought a lot. It was cheap, so I bought it.

Then I'll make one for me and one for the child. I spread peanut butter, adding a sprinkle of chocolate balls. It must be really delicious. At first, I prepared this to eat on the trip, but because the price of food here is quite expensive, so this is a substitute.

"Brother let's go"

Ah he, finally woke up too

Come here, brother, make sandwiches for you after we eat we will go find your brother

Alright bro, thank you

I smiled hearing that. I have no siblings because I am an only child. I thought having a younger sibling would be troublesome, but I seem to have changed my mind. But still it was too late.

After we finished breakfast. We immediately left the inn and started looking for Yutari

Crowded noises began to be heard as we exited the inn. The two of us focused on heading towards the castle. Like yesterday, they are competing to offer their products and services to us. I'm just tired of being offered all the time, what about them?

"Until"

Not according to my expectations, it turns out that this castle is actually bigger. I became curious about what was inside the castle. We both entered it. I saw the inside, it was much different from the outside. Inside looked nicer, the beautiful ceiling decorated with lights.

The base is ceramic not stone or anything like that. The castle also has Hallways, we walked through them and found several rooms and gathering places.

"Uncle Yutari"

We walked along the alleys, here sepia pa is out huh people?

From the right, we saw a man. He approached us. Look at us from bottom to top.

"What are you doing here?"

"We're looking for sis Yutari"

The man immediately told us to leave. You guys go home, there's no Yutari's name here. After all, while the prime minister is on his way here, you can be punished. You must have infiltrated before the guard.

"Wow, looks like we have a new guest"

A man with a bloated stomach in somewhat strange clothes was behind me. Who's he? Is it possible...

"Come here, I'll take you two to a nice place"

"Sorry sir, we were just looking for someone named Yutari, we went inside because we thought there were a lot of people inside.

"Okay I'll help, come with me"

"But the prime minister..."

We followed the man. It turned out to be the prime minister. What is she doing here?

All right, sit here. This time is a celebration of achieving the target of newcomers in our country. We officials celebrate in this castle. Sit back and enjoy, you are our guests.

We sat there. The program started immediately, they read about the country's achievements. Is it okay if we outsiders hear about it? What to tell the outside if this country has just gained new achievements?

"The best part is about to begin"

Dancer group. They dance the typical dance of this country, the clothes they wear are very beautiful. They dance very well, compact and not stiff.

"There she is"

The boy pointed at one of the dancers. What does he mean, maybe it's his sister. The boy watched the dancers seriously.

When they finished their dance, the boy left us, he just said he wanted to pee. I thought he would meet her.

"It's okay, just let it go"

"Certain"

I can only wait here. After he met his brother, surely the problem would be solved.

The dancers are great

Certain

They are willing to leave their village and become part of this country. Learned our dance in this castle, and put on a very beautiful show.

How long can they master this beautiful dance, Mr. Prime Minister?

Not long, just less than a month. It's because they regularly dance here, they also live here.

Well, this is clear, one of the dancers must be Yutari, surely by now the two of them have met. Then my job is done.

We watched the last show, I didn't think they had other dance performances too. After finishing, the officials immediately left the castle. I also want to leave the castle.

I walked out of the castle. I remember that boy, has he managed to find his brother huh, should I go back and check it myself?

"What can we do about it"

I returned to the castle. Which way should I go? It's okay, it won't be difficult

"Of course, the security of the country is guaranteed, there is no such thing as a crime anymore"

"That's what I expected, carry on like that"

I heard two men talking, one was the voice of the prime minister.

I peeked from afar, they were chatting, it wouldn't be good if I went to ask about the kid at this time.

After they finished, they disbanded. I approached the prime minister. He stopped

"Sorry sir prime minister, did you see the little boy who was with me, he hasn't come back yet"

"I don't see it, let me take you around the castle"

"Thank you, Prime Minister."

If not, where is he now, I'd better ask where the dancers are staying.

"Does the prime minister know where the early dancers are staying? I think the boy thought that one of the dancers was his missing brother."

"The missing sister? I thought you were the brother, then this way"

He took me to the inn for the dancers. It was possible that he was going with Yutari.

"This is it, this is each dancer's room"

I knocked on one of the bedroom doors. He opens the door

"Can I help you"?

"Is your name Yutari, or know him?"

He shook his head. Means the child saw it wrong. Then what should I do?

"What about the boy, did you see it?"

"Not"

The two of us continued looking for him in this huge castle. If he already knew it wasn't his brother why didn't he come back?

Even though you are not his brother, but you want to help him.

I can't leave him alone, I want to help him find his brother, he said his brother is here

"It reminds me, my only son named Koure was killed by a gang of criminals"

"How can it be in such a peaceful place?"

Two years ago, the country experienced a long economic crisis. Some of the evil acts arose as a result of poverty, the population began to be unfriendly, the country became chaotic. As a result, my son became a victim of murder. He accidentally walked with his friends, the group of criminals was seen robbing the biggest bank in the country. Those who witnessed it were immediately killed.

After that, I was determined to become prime minister and make this country a safe rich country with friendly people.

We walked down the hall. At the T-junction, we saw a man who was previously chatting with the prime minister

"After that, immediately return him to the other village, I don't want him to mess around here"

Prime Minister Sefyan approached the man. I follow him too

"Who was returned? Who do you mean?"

"There is a boy in this castle, he got lost so we want to return him to his village sir"

"Where is the child now?"

"In this room sir"

He opened the door and saw that the boy had been in the room all along.

"Alright, give this kid back"

'Yes sir prime minister'

"Wait, where is my sister, Yutari sister!"

But when I asked the name, no one knew him. Maybe he really wasn't here.

"Hey, maybe you're seeing the wrong thing, there's no such thing as Yutari here. Let's go back"

He is still stubborn, how is this. I better take him away from here.

"I can't see it wrong, it must be true"

This is hard too

"Please take this child, the castle will close soon, you can look for the person you are looking for elsewhere"

"No, I can't see it wrong"

I took him out of the castle. He still looks gloomy, how to cheer him up...

"Brother believe in me right?"

"Certain"

Don't worry, if we can't find it. That means he will find us.

Does that mean that Yutari will find us? Then I'll be held up here.

The sky has begun to show that it is now evening, the population density is starting to decrease. So quieter. But my stay only until today, tomorrow I have to go to the next place.

How about this kid?

In that big old castle, the prime minister and secretary were still there.

"The boy is looking for Yutari, he is one of the dancers in this castle. We gave him a new name Furu"

"Then what about his sister? You said they all have no siblings"

"But we don't have enough dancers sir, so we have to take him, I told him that his sister lives safe and secure in his village, he is also a poor man, an orphan, so this job is suitable for him"

"How can you do that, now take me to his place"

Prime minister Sefyan visited Yutari's room, they met. After Yutari got an explanation from him, he immediately followed his sister.

"Lemons"

A beautiful girl with blonde hair tied up approached the two of us.

Why did he scream lemon?

"Uncle Yutari"

"..."

They both met, I witnessed their happy meeting. I walked away leaving them both. Finally finished, I can return to the inn.

"Wait, you over there"

"Me?"

"What's your name?"

"Raniko"

I remember I do not know the name of the child.

"What's your sister's name, I haven't had time to ask her yet"

"My name is Ekano, Ekano Ushuki"

They both came to me. Say thank you, tell them their next plan. I walked calmly towards the inn.

The afternoon breeze that felt soothing, led me back to the inn.

"Until"

The two of them had already met, the prime minister had agreed to Yutari living with Ekano. Ekano also gets a new family from Yutari's friends.

I had to leave this country too.

"Okay"

I went down the stairs, bought the bread I hadn't had time to buy, got on the horse, and headed to the next place.

It wasn't because he was too poor that he ended up killing your son. But because the killers are uneducated and not strong enough in the law, they can do it without fear of being punished or violating human values. You deliberately did not give the exact rules regarding this, because here the visitors are only the same people, as well as those who have wealth.

"Next destination, Ganbon village"