Chp-23 Adventuring!

This week! On TTIRATO, our Isekaied-from-Japan-Group is Approached by two adventurers who claims to be from a far away land. They now join hands to complete the quest given by the King along with a large group of Adventurers.

Continue:-

Narration(3rdpov):

After the two parties introduced themselves, Armin asks a question.

" I had a question, if you don't mind. Are you Otherworlders?"

"Otherworlders?", Riku was a little confused with the new term.

" People who got summoned from another world are referred to here as otherworlders.", understanding that not many know of this term Armin explained.

Hearing the explanation, the group visibly tensed up. During the first year of them getting Summoned in this world, the only thing they experienced was fear and suffering. So hearing that someone was inquiring something which they were, made them feel cautious.

The thought of , what if we Agreed to his question and he starts thinking bad of us?went through their minds. They had heard some larger kingdoms holding rituals to summon people like them, only to be enslaved and used.

Even though they suffered at the hands of Leon, they were infact a little grateful that he let them go and even giving them a chance to live long. This thoughts of fear, anxiety and a hint of wariness was easily seen through by the two individuals.

"Ah, I am sorry to ask this if it's inappropriate. But you see i happened to be friends with a guy who was an Otherworlder

Whose name sounded like yours. So, I couldn't help but ask.", Seeing the group hesitate about how to answer his question, Armin further explained to calm them down and to reassure that he meant no harm.

'A friend?...then, There should be no need to worry right?', thought Riku.

Hearing that Armin had a friend somewhat relieved them, since if they had a friend like us then surely they won't be hostile to us right? So Riku finally answered.

"Um..yes, we are otherworlders. We come from a country called Japan."

"Japan, huh?"

"Hey, Armin-san, we gave you so much info, what about you guys? Where do you do guys come From?", Tsuzu attempted to know more about Armin, but was left dissatisfied with his response.

" Hahaha, Tsuzu -san, we really come from a Far away place. Maybe I will tell you after we finish this quest."

" Hey! No fair!!"

"Hahaha"

At the antics between Tsuzu and Armin, her friends could not help but laugh. But seeing Armin's companion not even moving an inch of her face quickly made the mood awkward.

" Ah, don't mind her. She is just quite shy. You'll get used to it.", Seeing them, Armin said.

'She doesn't look shy though!?'

It was true. The look Ari had was equivalent to saying -- I am annoyed by your mere presence, go and dig yourself a hole and suffocate in it.

As time went by and the sun rise high above the sky, the doors to the Guild Opened letting out the Guildmaster Robin and His Secretary Ria.

" I hope you all have prepared for the journey. We will use the carriages provided by the Kingdom. Before we venture out I have a few things to say. First off, you guys should know your own strengths, so don't run off fighting things way over your capabilities.

Next is that I don't wanna see anyone playing dirty, if I see any of you doing just that, you best believe you will be waking up in the Infirmary with your Hands and Legs at your lap, If you survive to have any that is."

Hearing the casual threat, everyone started to sweat drop a bit. Thinking that this GuildMaster of theirs seems a bit too Harsh today doesn't he?

"Alright then, let's go! ", Happy with his speech Robin exclaimed.

" Yes!"

Just like that, everyone boarded a carriage each. Some going together and some groups preferring to stay isolated. The Japan group and Mysterious Group decided to go together seeing that the carriage was large enough to fit all of them.

During the journey, they started to open the conversation with some light talks. One of them being.

" So, Armin San. Do you guys have a name?", Asked Riku since they haven't yet known who Armin was.

" Pardon?"

"A group name..", said Misu.

"Ah!....Golden Tear.", After seemingly thinking of something Armin Muttered.

"Golden Tear huh?"-Riku sounded the name.

" So cool, unlike ours *sigh*.", Sighed Haku.

"What about you guys?", Armin Questioned back.

"It's....Kibou", after hesitating, Riku answered a little embarassed.

" Kibou?"

" It means hope in our language. I named it, we wanted to give ourselves a name with which our desires resonate with it.", Said Riku.

" Our Wish is to go back to our old world and return to our old lives, meet our family again so I suggested the name Kibou. But, at that time no one opposed it. Why now huh!? Haku!?" Said Riku with a slight reddening cheeks which quickly turned to anger gazing at Haku as he asked him why had he not opposed the name at that time.

"Alright alright, sorry. We were just too lazy to give another suggestion. Now we have come to regret it.", Raising his hands in mock surrender, Haku lazily answered.

"Haha A dream of going back to the world where you came from. It is truly something admirable. But I must warn you, it will be difficult. *Quietly whispers*infact it's impossible."

"Haha, I guess so.", Tittered Riku, who didn't hear the last part of Armin's sentence.

" Um, Armin-san, why are you wearing a helmet?", Hoping to divert the embarassing situation, Haku asked.

"This?, it's a promise of sorts. To the Otherworlder friend I mentioned. You see, I promised him that I will wear this helmet and never take it off for 10 years. A sort of bet you could say."

"Phfft! It's so silly!", suppressing her laughs, Tsuzu expressed.

" Tsuzu-san!!", Chided Misu.

"But Misu-san it seems comical no? By the way Armin-san, what is his name? Your Otherworlder Friend that is?", Asked Haku

"....Suzuki Satorou was his name."

Riku asked, "was?"

"He's....not in this world.", Armin's voice lowered as he answered. Making the group think that he was saddened by remembering some past memories.

"Ah..."

The cheery atmosphere suddenly seem to lose its appeal to the ones present inside the carriage. Everyone entered a solemn silence, as if to pray for the Departed 'Suzuki Satorou'.

----

Soon, the sun began to set and our heroe's party had started to set camps in a layout, with the top ranked Adventurers making a circle outside the layout with weaker adventurers staying inside.

The Guild Master's tent too was inside the circle, but close enough to the outer ones so that he can assist them in any attacks that might occur.

Which was nonexistent till now. The road till there was relatively well made enough for a smooth journey.

And since the capital was close, there was no signs of bandits or monsters. Though in the next days journey, they might appear soon.

-----

Our group rested in one of the outer tents.

The Kibo group were inside their tents discussing something.

"After what Armin-san said, we didn't properly apologized for our rude behaviour. It will be bad if they were to be angry at us you know?", As a true and polite Japanese person, Misu voiced her thoughts.

"You're right Misu-san, it was inappropriate of me to ask him of such things. But how would I have know his friend was dead?", defended Haku.

Tsuzu teased, "Oh shut up Haku, you're quite impulsive on such things always speaking more than you should."

"Hah!? Like you should be scolding me. You yourself constantly goes around introducing yourself to strangers. You Dumbo.", Angered by Tsuzu's remark Haku jabed at her.

"What did you say you jack-ass!?", soon, a verbal fight began between them.

*siiighhh*, seeing the two fighting like childrens, Both Misu and Riku gave a long sigh.

"Guys, i think we're forgetting why we are here and what we were discussing about?", Riku said, hoping to end their fight.

" Beats me, tell This Slitface First.", Although they stopped, Tsuzu didn't refrained from insulting Haku.

"Hey!! My eyes are naturally like that. It was worse being born with asian eyes but how'd I have known my eyes are this narrow."

"Hehehe, your eyes look like someone drew just two lines and called the day.", Seeing Haku become agitated, Tsuzu decided to add some more oil in the fire.

" Tsuzu-san,please don't tease Haku-san.", Misu ordered in a motherly tone.

" If it's you then I'll stop. ", Crossing her arms, Tsuzu replied.

"Me too then.", Rolling his eyes, Haku too conceded.

" *sigh* you guys. Ok then let's go talk with Armin San and Ari san.", Sighed Riku, Finally relieved that the bickering has stopped.

----

When Riku and his friends went outside their tents, they could see Armin and Ari sitting on a large log beside a campfire on which some meat was being roasted.

As they Approached the campfire, Armin and Ari noticed their presence and turned towards them.

"Um..Hey Armin San. We came here to apologise for what happened earlier.", A little hesitant about how Armin was feeling about them, Riku bravely stepped forward.

" yeah, it was unprofessional for me to ask so much about others whom we just met. I am truly sorry about that. Please forgive me!", Haku also expressed his apology and bowed deeply.

As Haku came forward and bowed, his friends Also joined him and bowed as if to ask forgiveness for their dear friend.

Looking down on the ground they waited with closed eyes for a response, but none came. After a few moments they opened their eyes in confusion but still bowing 90 degrees.

"Phffft! Hahahaha!", An amused laughter was heard.

" Eh?", Looking up, Riku saw the owner of the laughter to be Armin.

"Um Armin San?", Misu asked unsure of what Armin was thinking.

"Haha sorry sorry. It's just too funny. I had thought you guys were sad to hear that the Otherworlder who you guys seemed to want to meet was dead. And that's why you guys didn't talk to us. But it seems you guys thought the same too.", after finishing his amused laughs, Armin clarified.

Finding the situation amusing, Tsuzu said, "Huh? It does seem funny right? We were unnecessarily anxious about something nonexistent?"

Armin agreed , "It would seem so."

" Still, I would like to apologise on my friends behalf.", Riku Persisted.

" It's fine. I appreciate your thoughts though. You are really good people. Always looking out for other's feelings.", Armin said, Deeply impressed by the group's gesture.

"Thankyou.",Riku Expressed.

"But I must warn you, not all who you meet will be kind and respectful to you like us. Some might even deceive you."

Hearing Armin's warning which they saw as a kind gesture, Riku and his friends showed a solemn face.

"We are aware.", Answered Riku as their leader.

"That's good then. Oh! The meat is almost ready. How about we eat?", Reassured, Armin asked.

"Meats! Foods!? I am always ready!", Exclaimed Tsuzu as she walked towards the Boiling pot of Meat soup.

" Is it usual that she gets excited over such things?", Whispered Armin to Riku.

"*sigh* you'll get used to it.", Sighed Riku in Exasperation.

" Haha, she seems lively. Don't you think so Ari?", Chuckling, Armin directed a question towards Ari, his companion.

"Yes Lo- A-Armin-San.", with a slight hesitation in her voice as if he didn't want to use the term, 'Armin-san', Ari replied.

For all this journey, Riku and his friends had not even heard Ari's breath. So hearing her soft and melodious voice gave them some relief that Ari can still speak and has not gone Mute....yet?

As the Group once again joined together and chatted over food. The Moon rising High above them slowly descended.

The darkness going away to make way for the red-ish glow of the morning sun. The sun peaking through the horizon and the slow and gradually diminishing darkness in the other side created a mesmerizing and beautiful scenery.

Our group standing over a small hill, was appreciating this view which even in our World was hard to see.

Standing beside Armin, Riku Started a conversation.

" No Matter how many times I see this, it's always beautiful and I can't help but appreciate this world."

" Indeed...I heard from my friend that in your old world such scenes was not normally seen?", Armin asked.

"You could say that. Our world was filled with Tall buildings that you won't be able to see the sky properly without the boring buildings going in your way.", with a look of nostalgia in his eyes, Haku sighed.

"True. I have watched scenes like this on YouTube but in your normal life, you won't stumble across such a beautiful view.", still looking out at the horizon, Tsuzu concurred with Haku.

"....what is this YouTube You speak of?", after a pause, Armin asked a question.

" A place of sorts where many people come together and show everyone their works, their achievements and other entertainment purposes.", Explained Riku in the simplest form he could.

" I see ....."

Looking over the distance for a while longer, Armin decided to return to the tent and prepared to set out.

The other Adventurers had already started to do that after admiring the view even they appreciated.

With Armin going, Ari too naturally followed him. The Kibou group too descended the hills.

--------

The Whole group, ready and prepared for another journey started to depart the place. Like this they were to spend 4 more days until they reached the Wild Forest.

The group could have reached the forest in about 3 total day if they rushed, but since they were taking this slow and the roads were very rough and bumpy, the journey was consequently slow.

But this didn't hinder our group who along the journey, got to know more of each other.

Becoming more of a One group rather than two different ones.

During the 3rd day of the journey and one day away from reaching the Forest. During the time of noon, Armin sensed a disturbance a little farther ahead.

He discreetly looked around to see that none had noticed anything. Deciding to look into it himself, he told Ari to stay with Kibou-group and seperated from the group saying he had to talk to the Guildmaster about something.

The Guildmaster's carriage was the one leading the Carriages. Since he was the one leading the group, so he was normally in the front of the long line of carriages. Whereas our heroes were positioned at the back.

But the distance did nothing to slow down Armin as he soon reached the carriage and entered. The inhabitants of this carriage was taken aback that someone had abruptly entered the carriage which was moving.

But soon, the Guildmaster Robin who the individual was looking for, addressed him.

" Lor-! er....Sir Armin, why are you here? You were supposed to be at the back of the line right?", Just before Robin could say something like 'Lord-....', he instantly held his tongue and continued.

"Indeed GuildMaster, but I sensed some Disturbance further ahead."

"Disturbance? I sensed none but as a fellow A-Ranked i believe it will be best to check it out. Ron?", Heeding Armin's words seriously, Robin called out.

"Boss?", a voice was heard from one of the corners in the carriage.

" Please go ahead and confirm if Sir Armin's warning is true.", turning to the person who responded, a figure who was a definition of a stealth ninja, Robin asked.

"Yes boss.", Ron acknowledged Robin's task and Disappeared.

Ron was a B+ ranked Adventurer who specialised in tracking, stealth and speed.

He was the best choice to confirm if what Armin had said was true or not.

After a few minutes of waiting, Ron returned and his face showed a hint of seriousness.

" Black Bandits..."

His two words were enough to make the carriage's atmosphere solemn. In this kingdom, there was an Infamous group who raided and pillaged villages, merchant groups and even Nobilites if they were unlucky enough.

This group was called the Black Bandits. This group consisted of several former B ranked and 3 A ranked adventurers and many criminals convicted of murders, r*pe and many atrocities. Their crimes were too many to count.

The kingdom dispatched Knights to subdue and capture them many times but they will always somehow find out about it and eventually flee. Once safe they start their criminal activities somewhere else all over again.

This group was called the Black Bandits. Whose leader was a former A+ ranked adventurer, who specialises in tanking attacks and also dealing massive damage to opponents with his broad swords.

Although the Adventurers group had more A-Ranked adventurers and Many more B and C ranked ones, it was hard to believe there won't be any casualties. And such a thing was not something which Robin would want with what quest they had taken.

To clear the Wild Forest filled with dangerous monsters, even the lowest of Adventurers were an asset and to lose them here would be disadvantagous.

" I am sorry to interrupt this silence but can GuildMaster Robin tell me who these Black Bandits are?", Said Armin in a half-hearted way.

" Certainly, we might need your strength afterall. So knowing about the opponents is a must. This Black Bandit group is a criminal group consisting of...."

And so Robin started to narrate whatever reports were stored of this Black Bandits, which surprised Ria. Ria had never seen this grumpy, irritable, perverted Guildmaster speak so long to a complete stranger.

Now that she is being more observant, She has never seen this guy in the Capital.

Is he a new here? But to talk to Sir Robin Like this...

'Just, Who are you?', She could not help but wonder who is this individual to whom Sir Robin is so respectful?.....

★★★★★★★★★★

And that's all for this chapter.

Also, if you noticed it well, then you might find that I might have "borrowed" the scene from Team Darkness and Momon and applied it here.

I apologise if it was unoriginal, but truly I couldn't think of any other things. Maybe my mind was just filled with Overlord that I just subconsciously added it in.