After walking for a few more hours, I can feel it. I have arrived. With the sound of carriages moving past me, and the noise that people make guides my way. It's not like I needed any guidance at all. I have lived without my eyesight for a long time and I have developed an ability. An ability that gives me a complete imagery of everything that's around me through the tiniest of sound.
If I think about it, I would say this is better than seeing the world through my eyes. The only problem is that it also makes my ears overly sensitive.
"Halt," The man guarding the gates said. "What business do you have in this city? Where did you come from?" He added.
I just stood there without uttering a word. I have lived for a long time without talking to another person and having to answer him is somewhat a new feeling to me.
So to answer his questions, I grabbed the one thing that gives me the motivation to even reach this city and showed it to him properly.
I suddenly found myself in a strange situation. Everyone was silent, not a single noise can be heard and so that also means I can't imagine the world around me. I stamped my foot once and what I saw in my mind surprised me: they have their jaws dropped for some reason.
"What is the matter with them?" I asked myself.
There was no way I could ask them this question. I don't want to put myself in a rather difficult situation since I will end up talking to him, after all. So, I hid it away immediately. The fact that this thing made the people around me react like that only means that this is somewhat valuable in some sense.
And just then, the noises returned as if someone started time once again.
"Where did you get that?" The guard asked.
I kept my silence and my calm. There is no need for me to answer his question. After all, it's not like I stole this or anything. This was given to me by a certain person in the past. Given the circumstances we were facing in the past, I cannot just reveal it openly to them.
In my silence, I sensed people starting to surround me slowly. I was hoping that this would be over once I showed them 'that' but I was not expecting this at all. Now, it is not a situation where I can maintain my silence anymore.
"I am a guest. I came here for an important reason that I cannot disclose to any of you, " I told them.
The people starting to close in on me suddenly stopped the moment I uttered those words. Was it because of what I said? I have no way of telling if that's the case but it's a good thing they stopped what they were planning. If they continue, I cannot guarantee they keep their lives.
"Are you aware how valuable 'that' thing is? Are you sure you're a guest of House Valter? There is a possibility of-'' said the guard.
"'This' being stolen, right? There is no need for your worry. Once they see this, will they not be the judge for that?" I retorted.
I pointed out that fact and it seemed like the guard understood what I meant. His subtle yet submissive gestures only proves that he knows what I just said was right. The people around me started acting the same way as well. And with that, I was given the right to enter.
"Uhm- this may be a little inappropriate after what you said earlier, but I will have one of my men accompany you," he suggested.
The guard was rather courteous this time. I don't know if it's because of what I said or the fact that I held such a valuable object from an important person. All that matters is that I don't have to ask for directions, which is a good thing for me.
We passed by so many buildings that are completely different from what I remember in the past. Were the people able to build such sturdy buildings now? I was curious for a moment but just then something caught my eye or should I say my attention.
I can feel it, the presence of people like me and they are in this place. I turned my head towards their direction and almost instantly felt their piercing gaze as if they were trying to riddle me with holes.
Why are they openly advertising it? Are they not afraid of being killed by the very people surrounding them? Or the people were speaking the truth and there is indeed a change.
All of these questions would be answered once I arrive at my destination. For now, I will have to be cautious. After all, no matter how much change happens, a human's heart is subject to change easily.
We have arrived at my destination. But it came to me as a surprise, I thought showing "that" would immediately determine my presence of some importance. Never did I expect that they would be reacting in the same way as the guards did earlier.
They immediately bombard me with questions I do not hold the answer to.
"We cannot just allow some random stranger to get inside. I'm afraid I have to verify this first before you enter. May I trouble you to wait here first for the confirmation?"
I suspect he is the head of the guards because of the way he talked. The others were not as polite as him, making a clear difference in their positions.
"Please do what you must." I replied.
Though I am not able to see his face properly, I can make out how different he is compared to the other guards.
"There is no way, right?"
"Yes. I believe I do as well. How can - I can't even call him a peasant at this point."
While waiting for the confirmation, I sense even more presence coming towards me. Though the head of the guards was quite polite towards me, there is a possibility that it was all an act.
The fact that they did not even bother concealing their presence means they have been anticipating something like this. Well, it can't be helped. I may not be able to see myself, I know I may look horrible, maybe terrible in their eyes.
Still, I was hoping that things have changed. Indeed, I was hopeful. But there are times that you have to accept reality. And reality is far different and cruel than what you expected.
"I knew that something was off and it turns out that our deduction was correct all along, that means you've lied to us."
That voice, I remember that voice. It is the polite guard from earlier.
"Guess, I was naive." I said to myself.
Finally admitting that it was pointless coming all the way here.
I heard them unsheathing their weapons. Swords? Well, that's the most basic weapon that anyone can learn easily. I can tell, because I have started with the sword myself and the sword is the best weapon for a newbie. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised if they stuck to it.
Before doing anything, I turned to the ones walking towards me.
"Is this your answer? Will you see through it till the end?" I asked.
"Anyone who lies must be punished no matter who they are." He told me.
Although he worded it like that, I know he is just trying to make himself look good. A person like him, like them, has to be eliminated.
I held my weapon tightly. It's been a while since I've used my weapon. After wandering for a while, I only used crappy weapons I've taken from my attackers. Yes. A good weapon really feels different.
"What do you think you are doing with that club covered in dirty cloth? Bash us to death?"
They let out a laughter that would most entirely be heard throughout the neighborhood. They made fun of me, huh? Because my weapon is covered in cloth? That's just stupid.
"I do hope you don't regret this." I warned them.
Just as I said that, I felt their footsteps rushing towards me. The noises they make, their equipment, allows me to pinpoint exactly where they are, even the outline of how they look.
Even with my impaired vision, the images being poured into my brain, forcing me to imagine how they look is still a mystery for me.
I took a step back, evading a rather simple and easy to predict attack. I felt a wave of wind brush my face. I was successful. But still, anyone would be able to evade that kind of shabby attack which got me thinking; 'Are they really guards with adequate training?'
That attack alone gave me the impression of a complete novice. No. It's not even at that level, it's even lower than that. A person who has not held a sword before? That might be the perfect impression about that attack.
Considering that a total novice came to attack me first, were they expecting that I would be easily taken down? Well, it's not my problem.
All that happened in my head in an instant. I can't imagine the look on their faces and considering the moment of silence as I evaded that attack. They are most likely surprised beyond belief.
"How in the world did a blind man dodge that?!"
And there it is, their reaction.
Rather than standing looking at me in a daze, they immediately decided to attack in numbers. Is it because of humiliation? A matter of pride?
In the eyes of bystanders, it is already a shame to attack a blind person. Ganging up is making their image even worse as it already has. Do they not understand their position? They are willing to tarnish their reputation, their dignity, just to deal with me?
Not that it bothers me, it is their own business, after all. After only dodging their attacks while gauging out their abilities. A particular guard swings his sword in a rather strange way. Something like that is only done by a small number of people.
There is no need to ponder over their abilities. They may be guards who wield weapons, yet they merely have the abilities to have the right to hold a weapon.
And to prove that, I deliberately caught one of the guard's swords and yanked it away from him, which I easily achieved.
"EEKK!" He let out a rather embarrassing gasp.
I can't see the look on his eyes, but I am convinced after hearing him, he is startled.
"....."
After doing that, none of them ran towards me. Not a single one took a step forward. A wise move, otherwise I have to strike them down. There is no merit in taking down incompetent opponents using a good weapon, after all.
"How inadequate. Are you not embarrassed? With only this level of skill, you wield weapons?" I said, taking advantage of their state.
I turned to the one guard standing before me. "Your weapon is your partner, your life. Considering you let go of your weapon so easily, can I take it that you are ready to let go of your life?"
There was no answer, only silence. This is not worth my time. If they are already terrified of just this, I might as well leave this place, this city, or whatever this place is.
"I knew it…..I am just not fit to return to human society..."
While I'm telling this to myself, and making my way back without anyone telling me. I felt a rather familiar presence that immediately tickled my nose. I turned back.
"....JAKOB!"
Someone yelled. I could tell that whoever they are, they are screaming on top of their lungs.
This rather familiar scent brought me back to the past, I recognize who it belongs to.
"So he really is here…. My senior." I told myself.