***
A few days later.
Robert Howard took me to a town, a small town with a life of peaceful citizens. The daily life of its citizens is filled with work in the fields and raising livestock. As far as the eye can see, I feel safe here, with no blue cursor users other than myself and Robert.
Robert stopped his feet while standing in front of the blacksmith. The man ordered me to come in and pick up the weapon I wanted. I picked a spear, and Robert didn't react at all.
"You didn't forbid me?" I asked, confused.
"For what? Your class is a paladin, and you choose a spear as your main weapon. You won't get stronger if you choose a sword for your weapon," answered Robert.
I smiled; at least he wasn't so worried about me. Even though it's different from my Allegiance, this spear is enough to train and protect myself, considering there's a fourth skill I haven't had time to try.
Robert seemed to have taken out some silver coins, around 4-5 silver coins to buy this spear. It was heard that the man wanted another armor for him to buy. The man pointed to some objects that had the same color, dark gray.
"You chose too. I'll be in trouble if you get stabbed too much," Robert said. I nodded.
I chose some light armor that I could use and a long black hooded robe. Not to forget, the man also advised me to buy chain armor that could protect my body from being stabbed by sharp objects.
My appearance completely resembled that of a spear knight, with my armor and weapons. Likewise with Robert, he looked like a senior knight who couldn't afford to buy good armor with his money.
"Are you from Stockhelm?" asked the shop owner. Robert seemed to shake his head.
"Then where do you come from?"
"Earthreach." Robert put his sword on the iron hook at the waist. One by one the armor he ordered began to be attached to his body. I noticed the shop owner's face looked surprised. I'm sure it was because of the town's name.
"It's in the south. I didn't expect the southerners to walk far enough from their homes," replied the shop owner. It seemed the man's words offended Robert; the armored man stopped his activities for a while.
"You mind?" asked Robert.
"I-I'll take more armor," said the shopkeeper man. He looked frightened with a pale face as he walked into another room.
"Earthreach?" I asked, wanting to know what kind of town Robert was talking about.
Robert resumed his activities until the last armor was adequately attached to the upper shoulder of his right arm. After that, he didn't respond to me; even when I said the city's name, he didn't look away.
Robert asked me to get back on the road. I nod without arguing, but I still want to know what Earthreach city is like.
"What is Earthreach really like?" I asked.
"A place you shouldn't be going," Robert replied.
"Is there a reason why I shouldn't go to it?" I asked, confused.
The man suddenly stopped walking; I did the same thing as him. When I watched, Robert started to turn his head, looking at me with an expression like he was serious.
"Northern people like you can't stand the warm air in the south, as well as the people there," explained Robert, indirectly saying that the air temperature in the south is much warmer than in the north.
But from the explanation that came out of Robert's mouth, I didn't understand the people there. Do they hate people from the north? Do they have a negative stigma about people from the north?
"Then what do you mean by the people over there? Did they do bad to the people of the north?" I asked. Robert was silent as he resumed his journey.
He no longer answered all the questions I asked, whether about the southerners or the conflict between the two. Robert's steps stopped again on a horse farm. It looked so healthy and strong.
"What do you need?" a thin man in plain clothes asked.
"I want to buy two of your horses, give them the best," answered Robert.
The man who owned the farm nodded his head while clearing his throat. Then, he turned and started walking inside, bringing his two best horses to show Robert and me.
"I can't ride horses," I explained, telling Robert.
"You will. I'll teach you." Robert replied.
Again, he got me a horse. I'm confused at this point, whether happy or sad. Happy that I don't have to walk anymore and sad that I continue to be indebted to him.
Robert took out five gold coins and gave them to the breeder. The man also looked like he was asking for something and the ranch owner nodded in understanding. Of course, maybe it's just me who doesn't understand what they mean.
Not long after, the man arrived with the equipment I had never seen before. Robert seemed to be starting to help attach the tools to the horse's back, then I understood what it really was.
Maybe some kind of seat for me to sit on the horse so I don't fall over, and the ropes they attach are used to direct where my horse should go. I immediately understood the function of the tool after seeing what it was like.
About ten minutes passed, and the two horses were finished with tools to help ride. I flinched to see Robert shrewdly get on the horse like riding a motorbike.
"Get on with your feet on the stilts, your hands holding onto the horse's saddle," said Robert. The ranch owner helped me by pushing my body until I was fully seated on the horse's back.
Robert was seen nodding his head. He immediately said goodbye to the ranch owner and started walking away from me. I was confused about how to get my horse to walk, but luckily there was a ranch owner who was happy to help me.
In the end, I can ride a horse only on certain roads, I mean straight and level roads.
I started to gallop my horse towards Robert, asking where exactly we were going. The man finally spoke and told me all the answers to my questions.
"Northrest," Robert answered without hesitation.
"Where is Northrest?" I asked, confused.
"About two days on horseback and four days on foot," replied Robert.
I nodded with occasional glances at the townspeople who kept their eyes on Robert and me. But, honestly, Robert and I were the only ones riding horses in the city that afternoon. So it was natural for them to look at us with a look I didn't understand.
"Why are we going to Northrest? Do you have any acquaintances over there?" I asked.
"There's no safe place for you in Camelot other than Northrest," Robert replied, making me anxious.
"Safe you mean there's no Alliance there?" I asked. Robert stopped his steps again. Somehow, he likes to do that.
"Allies are scattered all over the place. They could just take off their uniforms and blend in like normal Adamas. There will always be an Alliance until the end of this world," said Robert.
I fell silent. His words and his tone sounded earnest. If Northrest is the safest place, I should at least stay there and strengthen my abilities.
"Northrest leader's name is Arya Richardson. She was the wife of a slain Paladin. I'm sure she'll protect you just as much as her husband protected her."