ʋօʟʊʍɛ 2, Part 7: Happy Years - Following the Southern Wind.
Author's Note - The distribution of words is equal in this chapter. Also, there are 2 mc's in this story. One foreign character doesn't overshadow the existent one. Might steal the limelight but that is it. Julian is an addition to the MC. Not a replacement.
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After Eris' 10th birthday she became more obedient. She also started listening attentively in classes, and the number of times I got hit lessened. I was released from the fear of domestic violence, and my heart was now more composed.
Because of that, I started my own studying. First of all, I started a rough investigation into the world's history from the history book I found in the library. According to the book, the world started 100,000 years ago and it's a really fantastical history. Based on the chronological table, it's something like this;
-- 100,000 years ago --
There were 7 worlds back then and were governed by each god. They are called "The Gods of Ancient Times." The gods are different from each world.
The human world, the Human-God.
The demon world, the Demon-God.
The dragon world, the Dragon-God.
The beast world, the Beast-God.
The sea world, the Sea-God.
The heaven world, the Heaven-God.
The void world, the Void-God.
At that time, there was something like a barrier that isolated the world, and there was no easy way to travel through and from. The citizens of one of the worlds didn't even knew the existence of other worlds. The only people who knew the existence of the other worlds were a portion of the Gods, and individuals that had very strong powers.
-- 20,000 to 10,000 years ago --
An evil Dragon-God was born in the dragon world. He possessed exceptional power and destroyed the barriers between the worlds. He commanded the <<5 Dragon Warriors>> to destroy the other worlds. The citizens of the worlds had their worlds destroyed and were continuously chased, until finally they escaped to the human world.
After that, because of these events the <<5 Dragon Warriors>> betrayed the Dragon-God, and the leader of the <<5 Dragon Warriors>>, the Dragon-Emperor, teamed up together with the 4 Dragon-Kings and battled with the exceptionally powerful Dragon-God. A death match of 5 versus one, and in the end it ended up as a tie. Because of the battle, the dragon world was destroyed. In the end there's only the human world left, which is this world.
-- 10,000 to 8,000 years ago --
This era was called the Age of Chaos. The ancestors of the human race here entered into a chaotic war between the other worlds' citizens. There's almost no data contributing to this era, but according to the scholars, after a very long time, each race was respectively segregated.
The beast races stayed in the forest, the sea race governed the oceans, and the heaven race controlled the high grounds. The dragon race was nearly destroyed, and they went into hiding. The void race can live anywhere, so they were everywhere. And then, only the human race and the demon races were fighting ceaselessly on the plains. At that time, the Central continent and the Demon continent were linked together and was called the "Grand continent."
-- 7,000 Years ago --
With the advancement of magic and martial skills, the population also increased. At this time, there was the human-demon war, and just like the meaning of the words, this was a huge head on collision between the human race and the demon races. That's something like the world war back then in my previous world. The war not only included the human race and demon races, but even other races were also involved in this long war.
-- 6,000 years ago --
The human-demon war had repeated a regular streak of fierce battles for 1,000 years, and the hero Alus and his 6 companions defeated the <<5 Great Demon-Kings>> and the <<Demon Worlds's Great Emperor Kishirika>>.
From the words alone the Great Emperor is probably a female. My mind suddenly developed an image of Eris laughing in high pitch, wearing a full set of SM clothing. Talking about the Hero Alus... Isn't it the Hero vs the Evil Dragon?
-- 5,500 years ago--
With the human race's naivety and ignorance, as well as believing themselves to be powerful after defeating the demon races, they frequently picked fights with the other races. There were civil wars happening too, and fights were commonplace. Also, the demon races were treated as slaves to be used. This nearly went on for 500 years.
-- 5,000 years ago --
The 2nd human-demon war exploded out, as if to avenge the 1000 years of hatred, the <<Demon World's Great Emperor Kishirika>> raised the banners again. Again, with Kirishika, is that a succession of a title name? But it seems that it's not that, the Demon World's Great Emperor is an immortal, even if she dies, 1,000 years later she can be revived.
Being called as the Great Emperor, that means she's much more powerful than the other emperors. The demon, beast and sea races formed an alliance to surround the human race, driving the human race to a corner.
-- 4,200 years ago --
The 2nd human-demon war ended, the human race that's fond of wars, finally overturned the situation after 800 years of bitter battles. It's thanks to the accomplishments of the golden knight Aldebaran.
This fellow was a serious cheating bastard, he vanquished an army of 10000 by himself, defeated all the important people and fought the Great emperor on a 1 on 1 duel. He released a special move at the end, separating the Grand continent by piercing a great hole, and created the surrounding Ringus sea.
Based on one theory, he's called the Human-God. The Aldebaran that I know is able to kill anyone if he uses his ultimate skill, but this world's Golden knight is ridiculous. Even though there's a lot of suspicious details, but at the end of the war's conclusion, the continent was split into 2 and it's the truth there's a new ocean formed in the middle.
In any case, it's lucky that the continent split into 2, and the long-awaited peace had finally arrived.
-- 4,200 to 1,000 years ago --
The era went over quickly. The world was at peace, but the demon races were driven out of the central continent. The human race used cunning methods and sealed the demon races on the Demon continent.
The soils at the central continent are very fertile and extremely suitable to stay there. But the Demon continent was a place that easily gathered mana and was infertile. The human race slowly forced all the lowly demon races to the Demon continent, as if twisting the ropes slowly to tighten the noose on the neck, sealing the Demon continent away.
They developed a silent agreement with the other races, to avoid another human-demon war. The Demon races might have tried some resistance, and used foreign ties to pressure their opponent, but no war broke out. It's uncertain when it happened, but it became truth that the Demon races were unable to go out from the Demon continent.
Due to the harsh surroundings and the competition over finite resources, the demon races easily fell into a state of civil war. The demon races adapted to the environment, but the population had decreased by a lot.
-- 1,000 years ago --
The Demon-God Laplace, in this long History, there are quite a few Demon-Kings and Demon-Emperors, but the only Demon-God that's known is Laplace.
Laplace immediately brought the demon races together and subjugated the Demon continent. The records of this war still exist, and it's handed down from the military history. Even now, Laplace is the idol within the Demon continent. Laplace created a united demon kingdom and proceeded to nurture the demon races with a tough hand.
-- 500 years ago --
Laplace suddenly started a military campaign. The beast race and sea race took a long time to persuade, and Laplace begun to attack the central continent. The human race was in for a bitter fight that cannot be compared to anything in that came before. First Laplace's army invaded from the south, and the Human race's forces gathered there.
Red dragons were placed at the central continent, and the mountains could no longer be passed through. With the Northern area being attacked as well, the human forces were split up, and the southern area fell all at once. The situation soon turned into a flanked attack, proceeding from 2 directions attacking west area.
-- 400 years ago --
The cornered human race finally brought out their trump card.
The 7 heroes persuaded the sea race, released the ocean's blockade and allowed the access to Milis continent. The reasons that the Milis continent isn't being attacked are many, there's a holy Milis barrier and robust holy knight army, and there are poor conditions to allow the army on land, etc. Also, the reason why they are trapped was due to the Grand Forest on the northern side. The demon and beast races had formed an alliance and did not allow the Milis kingdom to easily move.
Thus the 7 heroes persuaded the beast races, but even if you say "persuade", it's the 7 people who kidnapped the various tribe's children as hostages and threatened them. After much editing, this was actually written as receiving the children's help.
Are you trying to deceive me?
On the day of the final battle, the final kingdom left behind in the human race was the Milis Kingdom, who rallied the entire army to resist. After a short time, the 7 heroes led the holy knights and the beast races and assaulted the Laplace army.
After the fierce battle, 4 of the 7 heroes died, but the entire main Laplace army was completely routed, and successfully sealed the Demon-God Laplace.
The only 3 survivors are, Dragon-God Urupein, Kaalman, the Armored Dragon King Perugius.
They are called the <<The three heroes who vanquished the Demon-God>>.
... You didn't vanquish right?
Laplace was defeated, but the human race was also exhausted, and it was impossible to continue fighting. Therefore, a treaty was signed with the moderate's Demon-king. They would remove the blockade from the Demon continent, and the demon races can travel freely to other continents.
Also, the discrimination towards the demon races were all banned. In other words back in my world, it's the Universal declaration for human rights.
-- The current era --
The discrimination towards the demon races' society is still as deep as before, but overall, it can be said as peaceful. Based on this I finally made things clear.
1) The reason why 7 is a lucky number.
This is due to History. 7 Worlds, 7 heroes. Lucky number is 7, unlucky number is 6. The <<5 Dragon Warriors>> and the <<5 Demon-Kings>> plus the boss is 6.
2) The long eared race (elves), charcoal race (dwarves), the small human race (halflings) and many races are associated with the demon races, and there's even a theory about the Age of Chaos creating a new race.
Perhaps there's something related to the void race which appeared the earliest, and some races that are unrestricted by age.
The Demon World's Great Emperor Kishirika is like this, and there are many undying devil kings.
Maintaining an undying body status, perhaps it's a magic in this area.
Now on to the next topic.
Because of the time spent on learning history, I know more or less the languages in this world. The common languages in this world are:
- The Central continent, the human language
- The Milis continent, the Beast-God language
- The Heaven continent, the Heaven-God language.
- The Begaritto continent, the Fighting-God language.
- The Demon continent, the Demon-God language.
- The entire sea, the Sea-God language
In any case the various continents use names that are related to their gods. But only the human race isn't the Human-God language.
Be wary of divine punishment.
The human language in the central continent can be split into 3 types, there are some differences in the various human languages. But the only differences are something like American English and British English.
I'm using the western area's human language in the central continent, and the western area's language is also used in the northern side. But it's best not to use that elsewhere.
Even Julian told me about this in the little time he was here. He said that he was attacked multiple times due to his accent. Well, it might be due the fact that he dresses and looks like a prince of some country but it's true that the accent can be a nuisance.
It's common knowledge that the western area has rich people, so bad people will be attracted to them. The Milis continent is split into Northern region and the southern region, the northern region uses the Beast-God language, and the southern region uses the human language.
There are sea people residing in the ocean, although I don't know where I heard of the term sea people, I've never seen their city.
Well, the main problem is that I can learn other languages easily but since there aren't any official books on Demon-God tongue, it will be a problem. However, Julian gave me a book before he departed. He said that he too has been learning languages and that Roxy has helped him in Demon-God language. The book she gave him was filled about information about it.
Wait....
I just realised.
Doesn't that mean he met her?
What the actual fuc---
Well, never mind. I should focus on my studies for now.
Not like Julian is interested in her.
|JULIAN GREYRAT|
"Brother, brother. Please don't goooooo.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Noooooo. I won't let goooooo!!!"
Ear-splitting shrieks almost exploded my ear drums as my two little sisters, Aisha and Norn, hugged me from each side, clinging to my arms like little koalas, refusing to let go.
Yes, the person standing in the middle of Greyrat manor's bucolic greensward while being physically assaulted in every way is me.
How did I even end up in this situation, you might ask?
I don't have much idea myself.
To be brutally honest, the situation would've been the same regardless of my decision. If I stayed inside the house, my sanity would've been targeted in every way possible. My little sisters are now 3-year-old while I am 9-year-old. Although, I'd turn 10 in a few months, that is beyond the point.
After they turned 3, Lilia started to teach Aisha some things. After some intervention, she completely stopped instilling the "become your brother's maid" idea altogether. I knew she would still try since she felt indebted to us but that was just wrong. After all, I could relate to it, somehow. Forcing your ideals on your child for your personal gains or repaying favours was the worst course of action a parent could take.
Lilia stopped making Aisha wear maid's clothes as well after I brought a few pairs for her. That said, while I appreciate the love my little sisters shower over me and am thankful that their violence has ceased a little, it's still to the point where I feel that if I leave home, I'd still be able to retain some of sense of self.
Ever since they started walking, they have been sleeping in the room that was once Rudy's and mine. While the fact that they listen to me is good and do as I say, it's still overwhelming sometimes.
"I will be back soon." I replied, trying to get them off me.
"Liar."
"...."
Norn cried out while Aisha just silently kept clinging on to my arm.
Pulling both of the little leeches away from me, I settled them on the ground. Placing a hand on each of their heads, I gently pushed it down. 2 pairs of green eyes looked up as their heads were pressed gently downwards. They had tears forming in the corner of their eyes.
"I will be back." I spoke gently, but my tone was firm. They looked at me for a while, letting go of the frenzied tantrum that they were throwing and settled down for once in a long time. Seeing as they had calmed down, I released my hold and gently patted their head.
"When!?" Norn asked, her cheeks puffy and red as she balled her hands into fists.
"As soon as I am done." I replied. It seemed like she wanted to do something violent again, but she didn't. Although, for the get go, Aisha was the smarter and more talented one among the duo, but Norn seemed to show some maturity as well. In simple words, Aisha was a natural talent while Norn was a natural hard worker.
Both were pretty respectable.
Looking over to Aisha, she seemed to have calmed down quicker than her. Pulling both in a gentle hug one last time, I stood up. My gaze swept across the lawn, and onto Lilia who was standing with a warm smile on her face. Her hands were tucked in front of her as she approached us.
"Safe travels, Master Julian." She spoke formally, despite me telling her not to.
At least I know where Aisha took her stubbornness from.
Well, to be fair, both Zenith and Lilia are stubborn. It's not like I can blame only one of them.
"Hm. Thanks." I hummed in reply, "where are mother and father?" I asked.
"Uh, well, they--"
"Oh darling~" I heard a groan.
Well, that explains it.........
"Never mind that. I will take my leave now." I spoke as she scratched her neck awkwardly.
"The horse is ready. Here is your backpack." Lilia spoke and put the bag in front of me. It was the same bag that I had used in my adventuring days. Not like those days had ended, I was just exhausting the spare money and enjoying my life before I actually try to make something of it.
There were a few things I wanted to do and experiment on. Like the "Divine Strike" magic or "Summoning" magic. But all of that can come after I turn 10. Age 5, 10 and 15 were really important. And since I have already decided to have a normal life in this world, I plan on spending the tenth birthday here.
I hope.... since the Milbotts region is quite a distance away from here.
Snapping out my reverie about the intricacies of other types of magic, I bent over and looked inside the backpack. There were a lot of utilities packed in, ranging from camping utilities to other accessories. She had also packed around 3 boxes full of food.
"Uh, there are inns on the way to Milbotts." I spoke as I looked up.
"Master Julian is a growing. You need sufficient food to sustain your healthy growth." She spoke. There was a slight stammer in her voice. Well, it was true that i was growing at a pace faster than I had in my previous world. The growth rate is almost twice compared to before.
However, most of it is attributed towards genetics. Paul was a relatively tall person. If I had to make a modest guess, he was around 183 cm. That is just above 6 feet tall. Zenith, for a woman, was pretty tall as well, around 173 cm that is 5'7''. Overall, I had good genetics. That was all. Nothing really special about it.
Although, Rudeus seemed to have the short end of the straw. Comparatively, despite having relatively tall parents, he seemed to be lacking behind. Well, not that height matters much anyways.
Back to the topic, why did Lilia stammer when she said I was "growing"?
I think I know the reason.
And I also think it's best to not think about it. Some things, embarrassingly enough, ought to stay hidden.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't need all this. I will take the box of food though." I spoke and took out the unnecessary stuff, leaving only food inside. It was better for me to not take luggage with me since extra weight naturally slows you down.
"As you wish." Lilia spoke and gathered the remaining stuff.
"Well, I will take my leave now." I spoke and waved my hand. Lilia gently tilted her head and waved her hand once. Aisha and Norn kept waving both their hands from afar, muttering an incoherent string of words that I couldn't make sense of.
After a while of watching them, Lilia took them inside and I left the place as well.
"Hm?" Looking ahead, I saw Kalajav, my horse. Well, our family horse but he has been travelling with for the past few years. Hence, somewhere along the way, I started calling it my horse. I am keeping it anyways.
Slowly walking towards it, I extended my hand. As soon as it watched me, it got on previous two and lifted its front two legs, neighing happily. It placed its snout between my extended hands as I snuggled with its snout.
It was really soft.
"Wait!" A shrill voice spoke from behind me, prompting me to stop snuggling with the horse. I looked over shoulder, very well knowing who it was and what she wanted. "Take me with you!" She spoke between ragged breaths. Her green hair was disheveled as she bent and rested her hands on her knees.
"No. Go back." I refused outright. There were a few reasons to not take her with me. While she was highly talented, and I could make use of her healing capabilities, she still had no real-life experience. In a situation where monsters are showing unusual behaviour, taking someone entirely new wasn't exactly a good choice.
"Eh, huh? Why? Why not?"
"You don't have any experience."
"How am I supposed to gain experience if you won't take me with you, huh?"
"Making you gain experience is not my duty. Nor am I obligated to."
"B-but....." Sylph whimpered, her shoulders shaking, ".......I want to get stronger."
I sighed. An action I've been induldging in for quite some time now.
Why did I sigh?
Good question.
I am not in a mood to argue.
"Fine, but I won't be saving you. If you die, you die."
"At least give me a chan--, wait what!?"
"Are you deaf?"
"N-No, I mean....." she fumbled, "I didn't knew you'll agree so easily."
"You were going to follow me anyways. Weren't you?"
Her eyes widened, "How do you know?"
"The bag you prepared and tried to hide behind the wall there isn't exactly....."discreet", if you would." I pointed at the big, black bag behind the wall. She looked back at it and let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of her ear.
"U-um, thank you very much. I will not be a burden on you."
Staying quiet for a while and keeping my gaze on her, I turned around. "I hope you don't."
Deciding not to waste any more time, I jumped and sat over Kalajav, ready to ride it. I extended my hand to Sylph. For a brief moment she thought we were going to travel on separate horses. However, that simply wasn't possible. I didn't have another horse. Sylph's parents couldn't afford one. And while I could afford it with the money I had, I wasn't going to waste it on her.
So, after much trial and error, she finally let go of her bag and sat behind me. After that, we started out journey.
I still have mixed feelings about her coming along. But having an asset like her die due to her following me on foot was even worse.
After whole 2 years.
I was finally going on an adventure again, albeit not alone.
I wonder if I can still kill the monsters like I used to.
(***)
The Greyrat family has 4 extensions. The names of these 4 extensions are based on the name Greek Wind Gods from my old world.
The first one is the Wind of North, Boreas. Boreas Greyrats.
They are the regional lords of the Fittoa Region. It is generally known as the "Land of Perfume". Its capital is the "Citadel of Roa". Exactly the place where Rudeus is teaching the daughter of Philip Boreas Greyrat, Eris.
Our village also falls inside the Fittoa region.
The second one is the Wind of West, Zephyr. Zephirus Greyrats.
Regional Lords of the "Donati Region". Famous for sugar and knitting wool. The export of arms for the northern adventurers and mercenaries is carried out here as well.
The third one is the Wind of East, Eurus. Eurus Greyrats.
Regional Lords of "Wishiru Region". Although there is no special mention of its local specialty, the circulation of money or goods is prosperous because it is a doorway for the merchants that come from the south.
The fourth and final one is the Wind of South, Notos. Notos Greyrats.
Technically, my family. But since was kicked out or rather disowned, I have nothing to do with it now. Regional Lords of the Milbots region. It is famous as the land of alcohol and has a gigantic brewing site. Although beer is a regular commodity in the Asura Kingdom, most of the wine consumed in celebrations are produced in Milbots.
And now, starting in the rural areas and then increasing onwards, monsters with unusual behaviour have been infesting and attacking this place. Well, not just this place. Even back home, in Buena Village, the monsters' ferocity and amount has increased.
I have a bad feeling about this.
"Um, Julian?" Sylph spoke from behind me, pulling my cloak.
"Hm?"
"I do not mind but why are you going when it is your father's favour?"
Well, it's not like I can tell her how irresponsible Paul is. "Do you know my father's profession?"
She hummed, as if thinking over it. "He is the knight stationed in charge of safety of Buena Village."
"Right. Monsters with mutations are appearing everywhere. Even in Buena Village. I think that is self-explanatory." I explained and she merely hummed in affirmation. After that, she immediately got quiet. It seemed like there was something she wanted to say but couldn't quite say it. From the way she clutched at the back of my robe to the way how she scratched at the skin of her fingertip showed how anxious she was.
It was natural. She didn't have mental maturity of a grown up like me. If I had to combine my past and current age, it would equal to 25 years. Although, unlike the fantasy stories that Ike used to read, it doesn't really work that way. Knowledge and experience aside, the mind works in tandem with the physical body.
This was part of the reason why I used to feel extremely tired in the first year I was born here. The memories seemed to be forcefully pushed inside this immature brain. Of course, much of the drowsiness was contributed to the fact that I could perceive mana on a more basic level due to my unique eyes.
"Are you scared?" I asked, looking at her from the corner of my eyes as I looked over my shoulder.
"I am n---" she paused and bit her lip, "...I am. But I don't want to be scared anymore."
Hm. She is growing. Being weak or feeling scared wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Defying your weaknesses and seeking solace in self-made fantasies about being strong, brave and valiant was.
Satisfied with her response, I nodded my head. This will do. "Good."
However, there is something that is certainly bothering me. The thought grew more and more morbid as I looked down at the crumpled piece of letter. It had a red seal over it.
My offer still stands. For an indefinite period of time. However, I'd prefer if you don't leave this maiden's heart fluttering for too long. Ahh, also, you look really good in the robe I gave you. Well then, I will end this letter here then. Hoping to meet you again someday. Although, that fateful day might be much sooner than we think of. Who knows, right?
The end of the letter irked me a bit.
'Sooner than we think of.'
She is definitely up to something.