8 Strange City

Honestly, I'm still amazed that there could really be a world apart from the world we were born in. Look at that sky. It's even different, it's almost cloudless. Is it like this throughout the year?

"What are you thinking about, Dai-kun?"

Yuko, seeing me staring at the sky, asked. She also looked up and stared where my eyes were staring. Well, there's nothing wrong with it, this is a different world so that's par for the course.

We were travelling for 8 hours already and we took turns sleeping. Right now, it was Reinys and Noelle's turn to sleep. Yuko opted to always have three awake at all times.

We travelled from Earth at night so Yuko and I were the first to sleep. Caila opted not to sleep, she's the one controlling the carriage plus her endurance, as a knight, is stronger than everyone maybe except Yuko.

"Somehow, the idea of another world is still a bit unbelievable. It's only a few hours ago when I was first exposed to this secret."

Right. Just earlier, I was depressed thinking about how I will live alone in the dorm.

"I also went through the same phase. Being revealed to be a Hero, I was scared."

Her voice carried a hint of melancholy. How old was she back then? Only 13 years old and she was sent to an unfamiliar world like this, alone. Compared to me, she had it rough, not only her, all 30 of them.

"I'll do my best to support you, and the others too. Preventing that thing your father saw. By the way, did they know about it?"

"Thank you. Having you here with me is already a great enough support, for me. No. They don't know about their possible doom and you should not tell them"

I knew it. If he told them that, they're still kids, they won't risk their life to die alone in another world.

"We're about to enter the Bluridge Territory."

Caila mentioned. We could see a definite difference to the land we were just travelling to. The land here was developed for farming. Though right now, the territory seems desolate because of the ongoing invasion. This territory is just next to the Western Border, the residents were either conscripted or sent back further inland.

"We have to stop and prepare. The soldiers following us were all exhausted."

Yuko said while looking out to the soldiers in other carriages. They have lower endurance than the Hero's party so the journey took a toll on them, add to that, they were exhausted from the battle.

"I see a village in that direction, we can rest there and maybe set up camp for possible ambush."

Reinys, who had just woken up, pointed at a place where houses can be seen.

"No. That was an abandoned village, it could be dangerous for us to stay there."

I rejected Reinys' suggestion. It might just be me running my mouth off but my mind couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities that could happen in that village.

"What do you know? You're just a support."

"No. I trust Dai-kun's judgement. The enemy might be laying an ambush there. Let's rest on an open field."

Yuko affirmed my words. Maybe she's also done some thinking or she just trusts me this much.

"Princess, he's right. We Knights were taught about that. It's too risky."

Calia added which made Reinys sit back, dejected.

"Whatever. Do what you want."

I guess I shouldn't always oppose this Princess but well, her suggestions were like she hadn't done some thinking or it's just her inexperience.

Setting up camp on an open field, the soldiers were overjoyed and felt relieved that they could finally take a rest.

Meanwhile, Yuko gathered us to a meeting, we already entered a possible enemy territory but we're still not clear whether the Noble House really betrayed the Kingdom or they were compelled to do it. There were a lot of variables unknown to us, so heading straight to it is just plain stupid.

I refrained from talking and just listened to them discuss things. Well, surprisingly I could point out some of their errors in their thoughts due to my high clarity, but if I point them out, I will possibly not only get the Princess' irritation but also Calia. They're veterans while I'm a complete newbie. I should act as support, I only gave my input when Yuko turned to me to ask.

Though while in the middle of it, an envoy came bearing the insignia of House Westcolt.

Wary and cautious, Yuko tried to pry out information from the said envoy.

It was revealed that the Lord of the House Westcolt went missing and now the House was currently controlled by the Lady of the House since the next in line has still not come of age.

It really sounded like a medieval era. Just the difference was this world had World Energy while Earth didn't have anything.

The Lady of House Westcolt invited the Hero and her party to their manor.

Something was definitely off. The Lord went missing then the Lady took control. Plus most villages were abandoned and don't forget the enemy who ambushed us.

Could it be? There's that huge possibility.

"Yuko, be wary of that House. I'll mix in with the soldiers and investigate while you meet that Lady."

I told her when the envoy left. I asked the soldiers to lend me the same armor they're wearing, at least they have spare. So on the following journey, I mixed in the carriage of the soldiers instead of the Hero's party. It was recognized that her party only consisted of four girls. My existence as her support was only known in that Hall. Well, if someone thought of me as important, they would probably send out news. But I'm just a newbie on my school uniform tagging along behind Yuko.

Even in a separate carriage, I'm always ready to jump out for Yuko. I don't really care about anyone, Yuko will always be my priority.

An hour later, our carriages arrived at a walled city. It's smaller than that city from before.

I observed the people around. Most of them look exhausted and don't have a hint of liveliness that a city protected by walls should have.

There were signs of battle outside so maybe they just couldn't rest because of another possible attack.

But yeah. I shouldn't think narrowly. What's the use of my clarity then?

When our carriages were about to enter the manor, only the carriage carrying Yuko and her party were allowed to enter.

That looks suspicious but yeah, Yuko told me that even if they trapped them there, she have a method where they can get out unscathed

The soldiers disembarked from the carriages and I followed them.

We were told to go to an inn where we can rest.

I acted like one of them while I kept watching the people of this city. Most of them have those exhausted faces even those guards in front of the manor.

When we entered the inn, there were few guests that clearly were not from here. Adventurers or maybe Mercenaries? Unlike the people, they looked fine. Some of them are even talking on their table. I listened to it as we passed by.

"Don't you think this city is too quiet?"

"True. We just arrived this morning and there's no other Mercenary staying here."

"Maybe they left after the previous attack."

"Those Dark soldiers are marching again, they want to get inside the Central Area. Maybe they got scared because of that."

Similar exchanges were happening on the other tables.

At least they can notice that detail.

It gave me more supplementary information.

To prove my growing theory, I need to observe again during the night.

After a meal and a bath, we all retired to our rooms. I talked to the soldiers about me leaving at night to scout. They gave some things to carry just in case. And they said they'll keep their guard up.

The night in this city is too desolate. Apart from the patrolling guards, no one walks outside.

I'm not nimble or anything but my Adaptability even worked at night. It let me blend better at the darkness. But all it gave was some simple cloaking of my presence, if a light was directed to me, I'll be in full view.

Making sure not to make any noise, I jumped from one wall to another. Looking inside the residents' houses.

I may look like a peeping tom, but something is nagging me since we entered earlier.

And it looks like I was right. After five houses that I looked into, no one was inside.

I continued on to look more on the other side of the city and the result was the same.

Where could they have gone? The patrolling guards were doing their jobs but none of them noticed the disappearance of the residents.

I stopped and thought for a bit.

If they don't disappear and they went out by themselves, where would people go?

Right. There's one place where they can gather.

The City Square!