Chapter 12 — To Cardinal, Part 2

 

Father had said we’d leave the forest soon, but to me it felt like forever. Maybe for him and the others, “a little while” really was short.

Still, there was so much to discover in the forest that I never grew bored.

“Toushan-sama, what’s that?”

“Hm? That? Liam, fetch it.”

“Yes, yes.”

Liam picked the fruit I had spotted and handed it to me.

“Thank you! Toushan-sama, can we eat this? Is it tasty?”

It was pale green, like an apple before it ripens. Maybe not edible yet? Or maybe it wasn’t food at all. I remembered seeing on TV how people used plants and fruit to make paper.

Father explained, “Yuuki, this isn’t for eating. It’s for drinking.”

Drinking?! I stared at the fruit, puzzled.

“Here, let me show you.”

He took the fruit, drew his knife, and cut off the top. Inside was hollow, filled with liquid. He handed it back to me.

“Try it. It’s good.”

I sipped carefully—

“!!!”

It was soda! Sweet, fizzy soda! My favorite! I froze in delight. Father laughed.

“Surprised? Sweet and bubbly, isn’t it?”

“Yes!”

The fruit was called Sorda, common in forests. Travelers drank it when they forgot their water stones. It even eased fatigue. How amazing.

The horse carried us onward. I was so busy enjoying the soda that I didn’t notice the trees thinning until Father pointed it out. Soon, there were fewer and fewer trees. Then, at last—

We emerged from the forest.

It was my first time seeing the world outside. A long road stretched endlessly, flanked by wide grasslands. My old world had been cluttered with buildings, but here there was only the road and the open land. I liked it better—it was beautiful.

“Good. We’re out. Now it’s just this road to the town.”

As we traveled, I saw many people—more than I’d ever seen here. Merchants carrying loads, travelers with swords, even people riding strange wagons or beasts like Mashiro. Everyone was heading toward the town.

“So many people! Amazing!”

“This road connects major towns. That’s why it’s crowded. Village roads are quieter.”

I kept asking questions until Father sighed. “Yuuki, calm down a bit. Oliver, let’s rest.”

The vice-captain chuckled. “Alright, a short break.”

Since there were so many people, we didn’t cook lunch—it would be inconvenient. Instead, the vice-captain gave me a snack, with Sorda to drink.

After resting, we set off again. I felt so safe with Father that I dozed off.

“…Yuuki, wake up. The town walls are in sight.”

I rubbed my eyes. Ahead, towering walls loomed, visible even from far away. As we drew closer, they grew immense.

“So big!”

“Yes. The walls protect the town.”

Inside, the city was hidden. But the walls promised safety.

“Toushan-sama, why is everyone lined up?”

Father explained: knights guarded the gates, checking people and their belongings. Anyone carrying dangerous things was denied entry, to keep townsfolk safe. That was why the line was so long.

“Let’s line up! I want to go in quickly!”

The vice-captain shook his head. “No need. As knights, we use a special entrance. See over there? That’s where we’ll enter.”

Special? Because Father was captain?

“Special! Amazing! Let’s go!”

“Not yet. We’re waiting for someone. Once they arrive, we’ll enter together.”

I fidgeted. The town was right there, but we couldn’t go in yet. My excitement bubbled over.

“Hopefully they arrive soon. If we delay more, people will start asking questions.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll make it.”

“Yes. He’s more capable than the captain.”

“…I am still the captain, you know.”

I bounced impatiently. Who were we waiting for? I wanted to see the town already!