Lopez

"How about becoming a knight?"

The guard words keep ringing on Bill minds.

-30 minutes earlier-

Seeing Bill silence, the guard thought Bill was being cautious once again. "Uh...It was my personal opinion. I can see that although your body was covered with a bruise, your body looked quite trained."

Bill raised his eyebrows hearing that and doubtfully looked at the guy before him. Trained? His skinny body? Is he joking?

"Haha, don't look at me like that. I was also once the same as you or even in bad shape. And look how am I right now. It doesn't matter whether you are fat nor skinny, the knight training will made your body shaped well once you participate in it."

Bill didn't know what to say, so he only nodded at the man words without ensuring whether he will join the knight or not.

The guard didn't mind it since the kid only behaves warily. "Anyway, where are you going to stay tonight?"

Now the man said it, Bill began to ponder.

'Where am I going to stay tonight? I'm so poor that I can't afford to stay at the inn.' Seeing Bill immersed in his thought. The guard seems nostalgic for a moment.

He was once like a Bill. Determined to change his fate, the vigorous young man runs away from its village to search for opportunities. He travelled without any fear and fate brought him into a city.

He thought the people there would warmly greet him like in his village, but the reality proves the opposite. People were busy with their matter that they didn't least to care if there's a starving person in front of them. Even the spot he found to sleep, was snatched away by a hooligan. The passion man finally faced up with reality. The ignited flames inside his heart slowly dimmed.

The guard shook his thought off from his head, then bitterly smiled. He didn't want a boy before him to suffer the same fate as him.

"Why don't I recommend you to a place where you can get a free stay for a night?"

Bill was dragged from his thought. His face immediately brightened up after his mind registered the guard words.

"Really?" Bill said excitedly then lowered his head in embarrassment. He should not trust a stranger easily. What would he do if the guard was actually a human trafficker in the disguise of the low-class guard?

The guard knows what inside of Bill mind because he was once acted like Bill. Being in a strange city will cause you to become suspicious about everyone purpose. Adding to the fact that Bill was once a slave, he must be already put a high wall on his world. He wouldn't trust a stranger easily.

So, the guard speaks with a gentle tone. "I know what you are thinking. I'll just say the address to you. If you don't want to stay there, it's fine."

Though Bill quite suspicious about the guard intention, Bill didn't forget to thank him because the guard already helps him many times today. "Thank you, mister. But can I ask a question?"

The guard nodded.

"Why are you so kind to me?" Bill curiously asked.

The guard stunned for a moment hearing the unexpected question. He smiled "Its because I see my past on you. I wish you can be the real stars that will outshine others. Unlike me which already became a dimmed star."

Bill didn't quite understand what the guard means. But since the guard already speaks such a long word, he nodded nonetheless.

"Cough...My apologies. I haven't properly introduced myself to you. My name is John. Just say to the innkeeper later that you have been sent by John the guard. She will immediately know the rest." Bill thanked John. Both of them then chatted briefly.

From the conversation, Bill becomes to know that the city Bill currently stayed named Lopez. The City of Lopez was famous for the massive amount of produced diamond since there is a giant mine near the city.

John also explained things about the Cathedral. Apparently, once a week the Cathedral held a charity event where all poor person could eat freely. Bill was surprised because of his impression about the religion in this world already bad because of particular Pastor.

John didn't forget to give Bill money. At first, Bill refused the money. But after continuous persuade from John, Bill eventually accepted it gladly. His stomach already grumbled since morning though.

-Present-

His mouth is already drooling so much seeing many food stalls. John gives him 50 copper coins which can be considered much for only buying food. A soup and bread only cost each three copper coins and one copper coin. Because Bill was in a hungry state, he didn't hesitate and immediately bit the bread.

"Ummm." Bill unconsciously moaned. Although the bread was quite hard to chew and tasteless, Bill hungry stomach ignored all of it. Bill even moaned in satisfaction. Bill didn't forget to dip the bread into the soup to make the bread softer and tasty.

Finished with his bread, Bill turned into the soup and gulped it all immediately. He then wiped his mouth with his backhand.

"Hah...Finally full." He patted his stomach. Then after waiting for his food digested adequately for 30 minutes, Bill stood up and didn't forget to thank the seller.