In the quiet town of Heian-era Japan, where the sun cast long shadows on wooden structures adorned with vibrant cherry blossoms, a nameless knight of European origin, draped in intricate Chinese civil official robes, wandered through the narrow streets with a perplexed expression.
Before midday, the air was filled not only with the soft rustling of leaves but also with the bustling activity of townspeople engaged in the swift reconstruction of their homes. The knight, summoned from the future just days ago, surveyed the scene with wide eyes. A sack slung over his shoulder contained the disassembled parts of his ragged armor, and his armor softly clinked against the embroidered silk as he tried to make sense of this unfamiliar world.
The locals, dressed in meager clothing, moved gracefully through the streets, their attire a stark contrast to the traditional court attire worn by the folks in Yoshiwara Manor uphill. The poor living conditions in this town were evident as some peasants approached, asking the knight for money as he passed by the market. Luckily, the two bodyguards Lord Yoshiwara had commanded to aid him swiftly dealt with the unnecessary folks attempting to slow the nameless knight's progress, and they moved on.
Amidst the commotion, an indebted local offered his aid to the strange knight. He shared valuable information about a hamlet near the town to the south, where a master blacksmith was said to reside. With gratitude, the knight followed the local's guidance, weaving through the narrow streets and past the struggling townspeople.
The journey led him to the outskirts of the town, where the hamlet nestled among the serene landscape. The master blacksmith's dwelling stood proudly, surrounded by the simplicity of rural life. The hamlet, though poorly maintained, revealed its humble beauty. Only a handful of fishermen could be seen, hauling their catch onto the shore. The boats, rugged and unfamiliar to the knight's eyes, bobbed on the gentle waves.
The hamlet's dwellings were simple and weathered, constructed from wood and thatch, bearing the marks of time. Narrow paths wound through the hamlet, connecting the modest homes. Laundry lines crisscrossed overhead, adorned with clothes worn and patched, displaying the resilience of the people living here.
Eager to continue his quest, the knight ventured into the hamlet. The master blacksmith, renowned for his craftsmanship, proved elusive. The guards, Ryu and Jin, had a hard time searching until, at last, they found him working on a net while fully naked. The appearance of the master blacksmith reflected the wisdom of age, with weathered features and a gaze that bore the weight of countless experiences.
Surprised to see a tall and foreign person like the nameless knight in the hamlet, the master blacksmith listened as the guards nonchalantly introduced themselves, using their language to explain why the nameless knight had come. The blacksmith, skeptical and seemingly unimpressed, rejected their explanation.
After the guards were initially rejected, the knight understood their dejected faces and swiftly tried to save the conversation. Although he is the only person among the three that could speak archaic Japanese, the knight has a trick up his sleeve that would make the blacksmith reconsider his decision. The knight deftly tossed a helmet made of high-quality steel from the sack he is carrying towards the old man. Upon catching it, the blacksmith's eyes burned with surprise, and that surprise turned into passion and greed as he examined the exquisite craftsmanship.
With a smirk, the nameless knight knew that a skilled artisan of this era would be thrilled to work on an artwork that came from a different world, especially one from different era. The prospect of unveiling the secrets of advanced metallurgy and craftsmanship ignited a spark in the master blacksmith's eyes. The nameless knight had successfully piqued the blacksmith's interest, turning the tide of the conversation and opening the door to the collaboration that could reshape the destiny of both the knight and the hamlet.