Xarth stood in front of the large door, the entryway then slowly opened revealing a grand and spacious dining room.
The room looked extravagant with its white chandelier hanging in the ceiling, walls that are painted gray color with an accent of gold, large circular windows with the sunlight coming in brightening the room. A long rectangular table made out of the finest wood with a red cover making it feel majestic. The chair is also made out of the finest wood, Which is Grenadil painted in color gold to showcase class and nobility. There were also decorations candles a set of plates, a knife, and a fork on the long red table.
Xarth walked in and sat down at where the servant had pulled the chair. 'How many times do I have to say this!? This house is Huge!!'
Xarth gaze turned to the window specifically through the window, he could see people happily working on the street. The street was filled with Store stand with different colors and different items on their display.
As he silently watched the people through the window, a door opening can be heard. Leaving Xarth's gaze head towards the directions where he had pick up the sound.
A person with blonde hair blue eyes and broad shoulders walked into the room. The room's atmosphere suddenly changed as he had walked in and sat down on the corner chair of the dining table.
'Who's this? The Count?....No his too young looking, I guess that's the eldest son. In Xarth's memories his name was...'Harold' yeah Harold Barrows we don't particularly hate each other or like each other either or basically, I don't know how he feels toward Xarth. I don't remember seeing memories of him and Xarth together so I really don't know their relationship well let's just stay quiet.' Xarth didn't have a way of knowing how to act towards Harold, so he just made up his mind to keep quiet and observe.
He looked towards Harold who was looking through the window without even batting his eyes on Xarth, Xarth then moved his gaze upon the painting on the wall.
The door opened again and came in Count Richard Barrows and Countess Roselle Barrows. Count Richard has the same blonde hair as Harold but his eyes were color green like an emerald. While, Countess Roselle Had Bright gray hair and Blue eyes same as Harold, but unlike the two of them Xarth's eyes were more captivating with their different shades of blue.
The two walked in with their arm's intertwined with one another as they stroll their way at the very end of the dinning room and sat down, the Count then gestured the servant at the dining room stationed by the walls to bring in the lunch.
Four of the servant bowed and headed to the kitchen to get the food that will be served for the this afternoon's luncheon.
'Woah so that's Count Richard Barrows and his wife Countess Roselle Barrows I definitely see the resemblance to Harold but to Xarth not too much why is that? (Nevermind)...But I must say they are really good looking.' He thought that it was strange since Xarth parents were the Count and Countess but they doesn't seem to have some resemblance to him.
The door opened, 4 Servants came in pushing 4 carts. They started to approach every family members of the Count so they could put the dining cloth on their chest in case they spill their food on their clothes. After putting on the dining cloth they slowly started to lay down food.
It was a juicy Steak with red sauce accompanied with Mushroom soup, Garlic bread, and Fresh cooled lemonade.
'Wow, that's Noble's household food it looks like from one of those high-class restaurants. Just by looking at it makes my mouth water.' Xarth was quite happy with the food that afternoon, since he could only something like this once in a blue moon on his own world.
The Count then started to speak. "I'm happy, that we can have our lunch together today. Please start eating before the food cools down." the Count instructed as he smile brightly to those in front of him.
Xarth nodded his head at the Count's statement before cutting the juicy steak. He then took a piece of meat on his fork since he can't wait to taste this high-class of a food. He didn't notice it but all the people's attention inside the dining room were all at him with a clear worried expression their faces. Since Xarth is one of those people who cause tantrums while eating.
Xarth then slowly placed the meat on his mouth and started to chew on it. The servant let out a silent gulped seeing the Young master eating the steak, the Count then asked Xarth.
"Xarth, Is the food to your liking?" the Count asked in concern to whether it is up to his son's standard.
Xarth gulped the meat and slowly headed his gaze on the Count.
The Count then started to speak again."I know it's digsu-" He was cut off.
"It's delicious" Xarth replied with a warm smile on his face.
'This is so delicious!! Oh my God!! Do I get to eat food like this all the time?! If that's so then count me in!!" Xarth happily pondered this as his eyes were sparkling so brightly as he had taken a bite out that juicy steak.
The Servant in the room were shocked while the others jaws were dropping at the sight that they had just witnessed.
"Is it really delicious, not disgusting?" the Count asked once more.
Xarth just focused his gaze upon the plate of meat in front of him. "Yes, Father it's delicious" He replied while stuffing his mouth with meat.
The Count's eyes glowed bright at that moment when he was looking at Xarth. It was also accompanied by a gentle expression on his handsome face. "Is that so then eat some more!" The Count advises while still having a bright smile on his face, he was very happy with the view that he was witnessing now.
Xarth just nodded and continued eating.
On the other hand, the most shocked of them all was Harold. The spoon that Harold was holding fell to the ground. 'What the!? That Brat just said 'it's delicious' and smiled morever he didn't even complain at all. Does he have a fever!?' Harold thought this to himself as he can't believe that Xarth is acting like that.
The people around the room started to relax knowing that there won't be any flying plates coming towards them.
After lunch, Xarth was the first one to leave the room, he lowered his head to his family before speaking up. "Thank you for the meal I'll leave first."
Count Richard glances at Xarth. "Ahh alright, have a good rest." He replied as he focus his gaze upon his son that is about go out of the dinning room.
Xarth bowed once again and walked out of the entryway and quickly headed back to his room. Since he was still not comfortable with people.
The Count's eye's gaze towards his wife and his eldest son and asked. "Did you all hear and saw that?"
The two of them nodded their heads. "Father, Does he have a fever?" Harold asked as he really confuse to why is Xarth behaving like that.
Count Richard looked at his oldest son and respond. "No, I don't think so he was calm and well behaved today....'' he added.
The Countess then chimed in too."I don't know what had happened, but that was quite nice." she commented, because they never seen Xarth act this way before.
Harold and the Count nodded their heads in agreement as they happily laugh with each other talking about the reaction of the servants they witness present in that room.
Xarth not knowing what was happening as he had left earlier sat down on the couch and started to read the book once more.
It was already 2 in the afternoon and he already finished reading the book much faster than he had anticipated. He had nothing to do now, he then thought that he should explore the street.
Xarth stood up and headed his gaze upon the door where a golden rope can be seen beside it. He walked towards it and pull it down the suddenly a bell could be heard.
*Cling.
A servant then came quickly knocking on his Young master's the door, Xarth opened the door he could see a man with brown hair and black suit in front of him smiling so happily. It was Bern.
Xarth leaned against the wall. "Hey, could you prepare me a robe and some money as well?" he commanded as he crosses his legs while still leaning against the elegant wall.
"Yes, Young master...Um I know it's prohibited to ask but why does the Young master need a robe for?" Bern asked since it was strange for the Young master to ask those items.
Xarth then replied. "I'm thinking about exploring the streets."
Bern eyes brighten up. "Oh is that so Young master won't you need some guard to keep you safe?" Bern asked, he was concern for his Young master well-being outside the Manor's perimeter.
"No need" Xarth replied as casually as he could.
'I really don't need guards it will attract attention and just because Xarth looks like a fragile doll, to be honest, I saw memories of Xarth that he had been practicing the sword in secret. So I'm pretty confident that I'm able to you use his skill I mean I am inside his body .' Truthfully Lee Son was pretty surprised to know that Xarth was secretly practicing the sword contrary to his outer appearance.
Bern let out a sigh before puffing his chest. "Okay Young master, I'll come back with everything, Please wait." he commented before running out of Xarth's bedroom.
After a little while Xarth received the robe and the money pouch he instructed to Bern to get. He quickly wore on the robe and went out through the back gate of the Manor.
"Bern tell Father that I'm going out to explore the streets." He added.
"Yes, Young master I'll rely your message." Bern waved at his master that left to explore the streets.
Xarth waved back. "I'll come back later I'm off." he added before running away.
Xarth wasn't really going out to explore the streets, He was going to find the BlueBird Merchant Guild for information to back his theory whether he was really inside of a novel.
Xarth started to run out the mansion's gate and headed out to the streets. The streets were full of colorful store stands with different items on their display. Music that please the ear as you leisurely walk down the Streets of 'Eben'. The town name of the Barrows Territory where the Count's Crest was fluttering through the lamppost on the side of the streets.
People's gaze were at Xarth because he was wearing a black robe, which was getting the attention of the town's people. Xarth asked some people on the streets for directions since he had no idea where his currently is.
"Sir, where could I find the BlueBird Merchant Guild?" He asked one of the middle-aged man standing by the side of the streets.
The stranger met eyes with Xarth. "Oh, the BlueBird Merchant Guild it's on the second streets you're currently on 4th Street just walk down that alleyway and you'll see a sign for 2nd Street." The middle-aged man descriptively pointed out.
"Oh, thank you so much." Xarth then bowed before lifting his head back up a hand was waiting for something.
"Nothings for free kid." The middle-aged man replied.
'Even the people here are the same as those on earth. How much should I give him? I'll just give him 1 silver.' Xarth believed this since it was typical human nature.
Xarth reaches out for his money pouch there were Copper, Silver, and Gold countless of coins inside his pouch. Xarth pulled out 1 silver coin and handed it down at the hand of the middle-aged man's hands.
The middle-aged man flinches at the money that the robed individual gave. Xarth didn't saw this as he already had walked down the alleyway where the man pointed for directions.
'Was that robed individual that rich that he just handed me with 1 silver coin?' The middle-aged man wondered as he just got compensated with a great sum.
The currency was like this for 1 Gold coin is equivalent to 10 Silver coin while, 1 Silver coin is equivalent to 20 Copper coin. 3 Copper was enough for a 1-night stay at an average inn, for 1 Copper coin you can have a full meal and the average sword cost 15 Copper coin which means the 1 silver coin that Xarth gave was really too much for just asking directions.
Xarth wandered down the alleyway and saw a young man who seems to be in his 16s wearing shabby clothes clearly telling that he was a beggar, he was sitting down in the cold ground with his head down on the side of the streets. His body was very skinny and dirty with the dirt he had got from sitting and sleeping on the ground. He felt bad about this and went on to the nearby bakery to buy some bread and some water for the young man.
Xarth walked toward the young man and offered him food and water. The young man slowly raises his head, to the young man's surprise he could see a robe hooded person, looking straight at him. This just made the young man more warry of the man in front of him.
Xarth looked at the young man's eyes, it was shaking ever so slightly. He knew why the young man was like that he was ready to do anything to protect himself from the strange robe hooded person.
He took off his hood and looked down at the young man, the young man saw the robe hooded person's beautiful platinum hair and his deep blue eyes looking at him from above. It was captivating as it's shine under the shade of the building.
Xarth then started to speak. "Hey, young man here's some bread and some water you need to eat to be strong to live in this world." he added.
The young man just looked onto Xarth's face, not on the bread and water he was offering, as he was confuse to why the man in front of him was talking with a beggar like him. Xarth squats down and pulled the young man's hand and gently placed the bread and the pouch of water onto his hands.
Xarth looked straight at the young man after giving the bread and water. "Young man, what's your name?" he asked.
"..."
He didn't reply, Xarth knew it the young man was uncomfortable with his presence. Xarth quickly put on a gentle smile on his face.
"Don't worry, I just want to talk to you." Xarth announced to assure the young man.
Finally his eyes didn't shake as much as before and spoke up "I...I'm Ernoul sir." replied the young man.
'Ernoul?...!!HUH!? Wait!? Sir Ernoul? As the Ernoul or the youngest Vice-Captain knight of the Messiah Kingdom. What the hell is he doing here?' Xarth was lost for words he was not expecting this to happen.
Sir Ernoul the Youngest Vice-Captain knight of the Messiah Kingdom at the age of 19 He was already a Highest Grade swordsman one-level underneath a Swordmaster. Zero is at the Swordsmaster level and he looks like 17 yrs old...Well not really considering his age when he was on Earth.
Sir Ernoul was introduced at the ending of the 2nd volume of the novel and his origin was never even mentioned in the 3rd volume. He was just recommended by someone and rose up to his position as the Vice-Captain Knight.
He was a prodigy in the arts of swordsmanship and it was said that he was very aggressive when it comes to fighting but timid most of the times, you could say he has spilt personalities but never mind that he's a really good looking dude as well he has Red hair and Reddish-brown eyes.
'But what the heck? why is he here? Hmm..now that I think about it I need strong people with me to avoid situations like the upcoming incident. Should I take him in but if I do the plot will change well in any aspect he is just a minor character. So it shouldn't change the plot if I took him with me..Right?' Xarth thought this since Ernoul wasn't that relevant to the main plot of the novel.
"Ernoul would you like to work?" Xarth asked with his gentle smile still on his face.
Ernoul's eyes started to shake as he was confused about what the man in front of him was saying.
Xarth let out a sigh. "I'll ask you again would you like a second chance at life?" he asked once more.
Ernoul eyes stopped shaking and were focused on the unwavering blue eyes In front of him. he then started to mumble. "D-Do I really deserve a second chance?"
"Of course, no one said that people can't have a second chance," Xarth replied in a confident tone.
Ernoul's eyes started to sparkle as he had just earned his second chance at living a decent life. Though he was still skeptical with the man in front. But he just ignored it since he wouldn't lose a thing if he were to accompany this person. But, It was surely naive of him...
Ernoul then started to speak..."I-I want to be a Knight!"
"I'm sure you'll be an excellent knight." Xarth quickly replied.
'Of course, I know. I'm a reader.' Yup of course he knew, he was a reader what could you expect.
"Then I will serve you, Sir," Ernoul replied with enthusiasm.
'Really!? This easy? He sure is naive.' Xarth pondered this as he watches Ernoul's expression.
Xarth just smiled once more. "Oh, Then I'll look forward to it. For now you'll need to learn the sword before you can serve me. I'll wait for you." He added.
"Yes Sir...Sir." Ernoul stuttered before asking "what is your name?"
"I'm Xarth" he casually replied.
"I'll be loyal to you Young master Xarth." Ernoul added more.
Xarth furrowed his brows. "No need for Young Master. Just call me Hyung-nim." he suggested as he never really had an experience him being called like that.
(Hyung-nim is used as a term for calling one's 'mob boss,' 'crime boss,' or 'Don'. It is a masculine word, meant to be spoken from one male to an older male, as it also commonly means older brother)
"Yes, Hyung-nim!" Ernoul cheerfully replied.
Xarth reaches his hand out for Ernoul to grab. Ernoul gently grab a hold onto Xarth's pale hands and lifted himself up with the help of the man in front of him.
Xarth then scanned Ernoul's appearance. "First, we will need to do something with your clothes. Let's buy some."
Ernoul timidly nodded his head as he was not expecting this kind of treatment.
Xarth and Ernoul strolled down the alleyway into one of the clothes stores and bought some casual clothes for Ernoul to wear. Soon, after their clothes shopping, they went to a blacksmith and bought 3 wooden sword for Ernoul's training which only cost 10 copper.
Xarth also secretly bought a sword specifically for Ernoul's build which was worth 1000 gold coins made with the highest grade materials. Which he had reserved at the blacksmith until Ernoul is capable of wielding it.
Soon after buying clothes and other daily necessities , the two went to the BlueBird Merchant Guild. Where Xarth was supposed to gather information in.
A blue flag was fluttering from the winds. A white bird was imprinted on the blue flag where it was holding onto a letter by its beak. It was the BlueBird Merchant Guild's crest.
From the outside the Merchant building looks lavish. It has been built with brown stones and has white brick decorations. Large, triangular windows add to the overall style of the building was added to the house in a fairly symmetrical pattern.
The building is shaped like a circle. The Blue Merchant Guild building is partially surrounded by glass overhanging panels on two sides.
There were currently 3 floors on the building, the roof is low, triangular, but one side is longer than the other and is covered with brown roof tiles.
Several large windows let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof.
'Just like as I imagined. It's the same structure as one of those merchant building, I've played on my PC.
(Decree_Woods)