Arc 1: Kumoshima 3
1314 Words
Kumoshima Part 3: Silver Rain City
The bustling city of Silver Rain was indeed a sight to behold. Food stalls, textiles, paper, accessories, hair ornaments, perfume, even paintings were sold here.
Most people in the town are beaming, some few kids crying. The contrast of a few silks to cotton-woven and low-quality kimonos passed by on the same road was like an abstract painting that gave a different kind of beauty. Silver Rain was open to everyone in society. The former good lord of this city implemented a strict non-discrimination law thirty years ago. The current lord maintaining this law must be one of the reasons why this city was full of vigor.
If this was another time, Nephrite would have looked around out of curiosity fueled by the world's original story. However, the original story was also the reason why he had to ignore the wonderful city.
He rushed to the North-East of Silver Rain City with one of the guards.
Nephrite's companions told him that they were heading to Silver Rain City to deliver the fruits and vegetables they had brought.
While on the way, he excused himself and pretended to nap as he checked the panel of the vessel's data and this world's story again.
There was no division of the population into classes in this world. And though the difference in social status was still a gap, it didn't hinder people from co-existing with each other. One can still rise from a merchant into the military ranks, obtain rights to be a landlord or even a Governor with their own effort. Even a military man can retire and live as a merchant without stigma. One example was Keisuke's father, Keichi. Keichi was a military official. He then decided to retire and help his wife, Rina, in maintaining the Akaha clan's trade business after marriage.
However, even if his status was technically downgraded, the amount of respect he received from people was still similar to when he was an official. He could even consider himself a lord, owning huge farmland. Despite that, he was an honest man who didn't care about politics anymore. He was able to live in harmony without overshadowing his brother-in-law.
Everything was going well, at least, in this region.
Though the architecture and tradition of this country, named Kumoshima, was quite similar to his original world's Japan, the structure of the country was far from that. As one big island, its resemblance was akin to Australia, only the other half was owned by its neighboring country, The Kingdom of Lang.
The country's mountainous terrain was tough for most people. Since civilization still wasn't advanced nor developed, people solved food problems by waging war on other regions. Territory like Rose Valley, rich in both fertile land and abundant fresh water, was like a treasure being eyed by almost everyone.
It was without saying that the planned small bandit attacks were actually a prelude to something bigger in the future.
He found the Inn where Saikyu Keichi was staying. His hands felt cold because of the original vessel's residual feelings.
In the vessel's lifetime, Keisuke wasn't able to know when nor how his father died. All he knew was that if he weren't held back by Yattsu's attack, he probably would have known his father's whereabouts.
He signaled Kurokami, one of the three guards earlier, giving him consecutive hand gestures.
The three guards have a deep bond with Keisuke. Two of them vowed loyalty while Shier owed a favor. Thinking how he avoided talking to them earlier, Nephrite hope no one noticed the OOC*
*OOC - out of character
Acknowledging his silent order, Kuro nodded and jumped to the roof, hiding from the rays of the setting sun.
Nephrite rushed towards the side street to the back alley. Most establishments have back entrance for workers and other transactions such as delivery. He was afraid the culprit would escape on this side.
He needed to be careful. He had no clue who the enemy was. Even if he would base on the enemies by the end of the vessel's life, the list was too wide to know who originally plotted their demise.
The first floor of the Inn was a tea house. The chatter and laughter of the patrons inside can be heard in the surrounding streets.
Just then, a loud shattering noise tore through the lively atmosphere of the north end of the city as the darkness enveloped the surroundings after sunset.
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During most times, being mounted on Tochi, Kazuyuki's beloved horse brings inexplicable calmness and joy in him. The freedom he feels as if he was one with the wind has always been one of his treasured moments in life.
However, even if they were almost flying at such speed, it couldn't calm his heart right now.
He had only spent two hours in Rose Valley when a messenger owl, owned by his friend Katsuhiro, delivered a message. His friend informed him that Lady Aijin had left the capital a few days ago.
It was the only information in the letter but it caused his worry to reach its peak.
His uncle, the current city lord, always hoped the young lady would be married to his cousin. His uncle was hell-bent on trying to make Aijin his daughter-in-law, always bugging Physician Takamine for his daughter's hand in marriage to his son.
If not for Lady Aijin's pursuit of medical knowledge, would they not respect her decline?
To leave at the time of her arrival, he was worried she might experience unpleasant things.
Though Aijin was strong-headed and his cousin could not do anything against her will, Kazuyuki still couldn't calm his heart.
Kazuyuki passed the road to the forest, a shortcut back to Silver Rain City. This was also where he saw the merchant group earlier.
The proverb 'good deeds bring the greatest joy' was probably true. If he hadn't stopped earlier to aid them, he wouldn't have learned the answers he needed for his mission and probably, would need to investigate in a further location.
He felt an unexplainable itching in his chest as he remembered a certain person from the group. He did not know why the person seemed familiar, but he could not think of any instances where they had ever met.
It was quite a while before he realized he had actually calmed down a bit and Tochi was already galloping at the fastest speed it could muster. Kazuyuki can't help but hope he reaches the city before nightfall.
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Nephrite slammed the half-closed sliding door wide open. The servant, who was still shocked to her core, was still sitting by the door, broken pieces of porcelain scattered near her on the floor. Behind Nephrite were the shopkeeper and some servants, who also rushed because of the commotion. However, almost everyone wanted to run downstairs the moment an iron-like scent enveloped them.
Four people, three men, and one woman were bathed in blood. Unsure if someone had survived, they quickly checked them one by one.
Nephrite was checking a woman with a faint pulse when he noticed the man at the other end of the room slightly moved.
He ordered the shopkeeper to take care of her and move towards the man. He noticed that he was wearing the shop's uniform. Nephrite didn't let his guard down, instead, he threw a questioning look at the shopkeeper.
Before the shopkeeper answered, he heard a knock on the window. Kuro entered, "Young Master, Master Keichi isn't here. The blood is still fresh. If we leave now, we might catch them. Chunan had already borrowed horses from the City Lord's stable."
Hearing this, the man, who was struggling to move just now, suddenly gained some new strength.
"Young Master, are you looking for Master Saikyu? Please save Lady Takamine! She and Master Saikyu were abducted! Please!"
- Writer
