Walking down the streets of the Capital, I pondered whether I was making the right choice. I had checked back at the recruitment centre to see if my application through the use of money was successful. The job request was not even put up. Figures. It turns out that girl called Leone was a swindler. Well, it was already fishy when she offered to help me get a job.
I let out a long sign. I could work as a mercenary or adventurer, but looking at the state of things in the Capital, it may not work out. I had done some scouting in the Capital and found out that the Capital is worse than what I had initially thought. Corruption, bribery, extortion. These are only some of the things the Capital is famous for. It appears what the merchants that I had met on my way to the Capital was telling the truth. I was skeptical of their information given how they were still willing to do business in the Capital even though they had known that such acts were performed in the Capital. However, the Capital is the centre of trade throughout the Empire and and doing business in the Capital is much profitable than other places, merchants can only suffer in silence as their goods are being heavily underpriced. I did think of fighting against the evil in the Capital, but changed my idea when I realise the situation that I face. I am the only one alive that was sent from the village. It means that I am the only lifeline the village has left. I had to make money to help the village tide through another year. Doing anything risky would result in me being captured and the village would be doomed. It is best to stay clear of trouble.
I would have find some odd jobs for the time being, but it may not last long. I need a stable job that earns a decent amount if I were to ensure the village's survival.
Trapped in my thoughts, I walked towards the outskirts of the Capital. Even if I wasn't going to fight anyone, I still require training to ensure my skills in combat would not fade away due to inactivity. I can't let a single day go to waste.
...
I watched the Capital come to life on one of the rooftops of the buildings in the Capital. People were moving about, doing their everyday activities. To be honest, I couldn't care less. In such a cruel and unforgiving world, everyone would only tend to their own needs and would not care about the people in need of help. Refusing to offer help for the fear of their lives. Selfish. Then again, the environment of the Capital promotes such behaviour. The only one to blame is the one who sits on his throne in the shadows. He made it so that only the strong would survive in the Capital. The ones who can't make it or had no chance to make it would eventually be killed off.
Focusing on my target, I stared intently. A young boy walked down the streets, emotionless. I could tell that something was off about him. Ever since the death of his friends, I have never seen his genuine emotions. Maybe even before the death of his friends, when I met him on the rooftop. He seemed like as if he had something on his mind that constantly troubled him. He makes a great assassin, being able to cast away his emotions and listen to reason instead of his gut feeling. I wonder if he had something happen to him in the past that caused him to become the way he is today. He even rejected my offer to join and help us, though I didn't tell everyone the full truth of our group. No one should have rejected an offer like that after what had happened. Didn't his friends die? Shouldn't he be actively hoping to seek revenge? Don't they mean anything to him?
Something about Tatsumi scares me, and it isn't just how well he fights.
...
Finishing my usual training, I laid myself on the ground, and stared up at the sky.
I had always wondered how would life be like if I could spend everyday of my life just staring at the skies. Living a peaceful life where nothing would bother and trouble me.
Would I truly be happy everyday?
Would I be happy with this kind of life?
Even though this is mere delusions born from my desire, I knew that it is impossible. I would never be able to obtain such a lifestyle. Life would provide its fair share of troubles for everyone and no one can escape it. The only thing we can do is to face them and adapt.
For now, this dream of mine would serve as a goal that I would work towards to. It doesn't mean that daydreams are useless. Their value are defined by the person who created them.
Getting up from the spot I was lying in, I begin to walk to where my friends were buried. I had always wanted to know how life would be like after death. However, other than the assumptions that religion gave, there is no solid evidence how it would be like. However, I had hope that life after death was just like what religion claimed.
When all is done, I walked back to the Capital. Maybe I can accept requests that the people may have.
Walking into a pub, I sat down at a table and ordered breakfast. It came after a few minutes. While eating the food presented to me, I begin to focus on the chatters of the people around me. One of the conversations caught my attention.
"Did you hear? The supply of iron in the Capital has been cut. Apparently, there have been bandits who kept stealing them from merchants that always cross the mountains to come to the Capital. It was said some soldiers were dispatched to solve the problem last week, but they never returned."
"Bandits? How many times has it been already. Seriously I wonder how the Empire managed to survive for this long."
Finishing my meal, I left some coins at the table I sat before proceeding towards the door. Looks like a request came for him, even though I wasn't asked specifically for it. The conversation must be talking about the mountains towards the East of the Capital. Apparently, bandits run rampant around that area. Time for some investigation.
...
Killing the last bandit within the hideout, I proceeded to search through the area. It was a good hideout. There is only one way into the hideout and it provides good defense against invaders should there be any. The only flaw was how the people in the Hideout would be basically trapped if an army were to encircle the area. Going through each room, I ended up in their storeroom. Inside lies tons of gold, iron and other valuable material. Weapons can be found hanging on a rack. Taking a few good weapons and some gold, I decided to journey back home. I can't survive on doing good deeds and not accept any rewards. At least I can take some of the things they have as reward. A hammer caught my attention in the stack of items. The hammer has a pure black handle and the hammer head is made of grey steel. It looked like the hammer a blacksmith would use during the process. Some words were inscribed on the hammer face but due to the lighting, I am unable to make out what it says.
After tucking the hammer away, I journeyed back to the Capital.
By the time I arrived back at the Capital, it was already evening. Walking along the busy road, I bumped into a burly man that was almost twice my size. He had a scar that went down one of his eye and had a few followers with him by his side.
The burly man was clearly not happy that he had his time interrupted by a scrawny kid. His followers were clearly not pleased.
"Who do you think you are to get in the way of The Captain Ogre." One of the follower yelled, pushing me back.
"The same could be said to you folks."
"Pull him into the alleyway and teach him a lesson." the man who was referred to as Ogre said.
His four followers pulled me into a nearby alleyway.
"What's this, four people trying to beat up one kid? You guys clearly are not skilled if you need this many people to handle one kid." I taunted, hoping to agitate them. An agitated person is incapable of making sound decisions when the situation calls for it.
"Big talk for a small kid." One of them raised his fist and sent it flying towards me.
Time seemed to slow down for me as the fist slowly inched its way towards my face, giving me ample time to dodge. Tilting my head to the side, the man ended up punching the wall.
The man, who wasn't expecting me to be able dodge his punch, tried to punch me again, only to produce the same result. I was already bored, and proceeded to punch the man in the stomach, specifically the solar plexus, causing him to gasp for air. His face twisted in pain as he clutched bent over to clutch his stomach.
The others came towards me with their fists raised, trying to use numbers to their advantage. It was futile as I merely evaded all of their attacks. Growing restless, the remaining three draw their weapons. They hacked and slashed, but I merely moved away from their swing. I unsheathed my blade and parried a slash that came towards my stomach. The man was pushed backed, revealing an opening. Another slash came towards me, which I evaded. Once I found myself in a favourable position, I slashed at his wrist, causing him to drop his weapon. Another slash came, this time from above. I ran forwards and stabbed my blade through the person's chest. The downward slash lost its power half-way and the sword fell to the ground. Not taking an chances, I removed the blade from his chest, letting him bleed to death. One down.
"Don't move. I have a gun." One of them shouted. I would have stopped, if his face wasn't displaying fear. I ran in a zig-zag towards him and plunged my sword into his heart. I pushed him away, removing the sword that was lodged in his body. Two down. The two left wasn't in good shape. One can't hold a blade while the other was still trying to breathe.
I swiftly killed the two and left the alleyway. I have to kill Captain Ogre. I would become the prime suspect if he hears that two of his subordinates turned up dead. I have to eliminate him should I want to retain the life that I have.
Heading back to where I had encountered him, I waited on the rooftops. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, he finally appeared. I leapt down into alleyway and began shadowing Ogre. Ogre would eventually pick up the fact that he was followed. Ogre went from one street to another before turning into an alleyway. I continued to shadow him. Ogre suddenly stopped.
"I know you are there. You have been following me for quite a while now."
Knowing that the game is up, I reached into my pouch and pulled out a throwing knife. I threw it towards him, aiming at his head. He pulled out his sword and used it to block the knife.
"As expected of the captain of the Imperial Police."
I have heard his name before. Captain Ogre of the Imperial Police. Rumors on the streets says that he has been receiving bribes and framing others for crimes they did not commit. It's a mystery why he has not been removed from position. Although with the Capital being corrupt, it isn't really much of a mystery.
"Such an attack would never be able to finish me off."
I pulled my blade out of its sheathe and ran towards him. I ran past him, staying clear of his blade. I did manage to cut him in his side, but it wasn't deep. Ogre wielded a broadsword. Judging from his build, he seemed like the type of person which favored strength in a combat. If I could move fast enough, I would be able to end the fight quickly without being hit by his blade.
Taking a deep breath, I charged again.
Faster.
I put more strength into each step, pushing myself forwards. I dashed towards him, hoping to land a hit on his head. What I didn't expect was for him to swing his blade. I tried to parry his swing, but lack the strength to do so. I was knocked back and the blade I was carrying was no longer in my hands. He ran towards me, blade above his head, hoping to land a downward strike on me.
Damn it. Looks like I am still inexperienced in combat. Looks like my life ends here. Sayo, Ieyasu. I will be joining you soon.
I readied himself for the slash from Ogre's blade, which never came. I fell to the ground and opened my eyes. Ogre still had his blade above him. However, Ogre was unable to slash downwards, or rather, something is prevented him from doing so. I could see him struggling. Looking more closely, could see strings wrapped around and pierced through each of his limb. Strings are also wrapped around his blade, preventing him from bringing it down.
I am confused. Someone has rescued me from certain death. But who.
"It looks like you still need more experience. You could have died, if I did not save you."
Looking towards the source of the voice, my eyes opened in shock.
Wearing a black long sleeved coat with purple on the edges, was Hikari.