Birds were singing, and the sound of the bustling city entered Moirai's room as she was getting ready to leave. The room felt simple, but the nostalgia and warmth of spring filled the space.
Terresa, already dressed and ready, walked toward Moirai's room next to hers. The creaking sound of wood as she stepped, accompanied by the crowd below, greeted Terresa on this warm morning.
Terresa raised her hand and knocked on the door in front of her. "Hey Moirai, are you ready yet? The sun is up, and people are already bustling outside. You'd better hurry, or you'll miss out on supplies at the market."
Not hearing a reply, Terresa slowly began to walk away. "I'll wait outside, okay."
Moirai still stood silently in front of his mirror. His silver hair shone like a blade, and his weary eyes held many buried memories. he stood up, opening the door to the world. The atmosphere was lively on the lower floor of the inn, filled with cheerful laughter and busy chatter, making Moirai appear a bit lonely. Step by step, he descended the stairs, the warmth of the bustling voices still echoing. They drank, ate, laughed freely—they seemed... happy.
Moirai opened the inn's door, the creak drowned by the laughter. She stepped outside. Terresa, with bags under her eyes, waited by the door.
"Is everything ready?" she asked.
"Yes..." Moirai replied with a slight smile.
"The market shouldn't be far from here. Let's go before the goods run out," Terresa said.
Terresa led the way, her small steps and big hat moving past various shops, from clothing stores to household supplies shops, even antique stores along the street.
"Hey, Rai... where are you headed next?" Terresa asked while glancing at a shop.
"Hmmm.... i don't know, I think I'll buy some tools at the blacksmiths. Mine are old and a bit worn out," Moirai replied, showing his armor.
While inspecting Moirai's armor, Terresa's gaze shifted to Moirai's worn-out clothes. "I think it's not just your armor that needs replacing. Tell me, Rai... how long has it been since you... changed your clothes?"
"I don't know... centuries, maybe?" Moirai quipped.
"Stop joking, your clothes... I don't think they're fit to wear anymore," Terresa said with a peculiar expression.
"But I've been cleaning them regularly, and they still look clean enough," Moirai defended herself while checking her clothes.
"And what did you clean them with? The only way to clean clothes is with water. You hear me? Water. Water isn't supposed to make clothes look like that. And your cloak too..."
"Your cloak makes you look like a bandit from some forsaken forest," Terresa teased.
Terresa sighed deeply. "All your equipment and belongings, I think they all need replacing... you've earned enough money, haven't you? Just go to the blacksmith's and the clothing store. I'll take care of the food supplies and other necessities, alright? You got that, Rai?" Terresa explained, standing in front of the blacksmith's shop.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it. I'll leave it to you, Terresa," Moirai conceded.
"And don't forget, change your clothes," Terresa reminded, walking away from the shop.
Moirai entered the old blacksmith's shop, a place steeped in history. The atmosphere inside felt so different from the outside, as if stepping into another world. The warmth and bustle of the outside replaced by quiet and stillness. From swords, spears, armor, to arrows of various sizes, all displayed prominently in the shop's showcases.
Footsteps echoed within, heavy steps reverberating through the room. "Ohho, a new customer,"
From within emerged a dwarf, holding a hammer, warmly greeting Moirai. "Hello, dear customer, welcome to my humble shop."
Berikut adalah terjemahan cerita tersebut ke dalam bahasa Inggris, dengan tetap mempertahankan alur cerita:
"Can you fix my armor? I also want to check the halberd I found," asked Moirai.
The dwarf grinned widely upon hearing that. "Of course, of course... as long as you pay, I'll gladly do it, hohoho," he said warmly.
The creaking sound of the door echoed from the entrance as a man with a cold face and armor walked in. "Hey, old man, I need you to do some maintenance on the weapon you gave me," the man said, then he caught eyes with Moirai, looking a bit surprised.
"You… Knightwalker?" said the man, narrowing his eyes.
The man Moirai encountered today was the same guard he met the night before—his cold expression, his harsh tone, all the same. "Ohohoho… do you two know each other? Fortune really does bring people together," said the dwarf with a beaming face.
The man looked at Moirai with a disinterested expression. "I guess we haven't properly introduced ourselves before. My name's Hudson, I'm the head guard in this town."
"My name is Moi—"
"Yeah, I know, no need to say your name," Hudson cut off Moirai. Hudson then handed a letter to the dwarf.
"I need you to do maintenance on some rifles, old man. Some of your equipment… isn't working properly. I think there are broken parts," said Hudson while pointing at a part of the letter.
The dwarf nodded, understanding what the letter entailed. "Hmm… rifles have great firing power, but I admit they are quite fragile," said the dwarf while stroking his beard. "Did something happen at the front line, Hudson?" he asked.
"No," Hudson said, shaking his head. "We recently did a patrol. Thanks to our friend here…" Hudson glanced at Moirai. "There wasn't a single incident at that time. We rarely use those rifles outside the gate, only for training."
"Then what happened?" asked the dwarf with a puzzled look. Hudson sighed. "That's why I'm here, old man, to find the issue. Lord Hoffen wants all the guards to have proper equipment. But as you know… this happened."
"Some of the rifles malfunctioned and exploded."
The dwarf nodded. "Those things should be fine. The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. If they are rarely used, there shouldn't be a problem. But this… hmmm, you'd better bring those items here quickly. I'll find out what the issue is."
"I see. Then I'll send some of my subordinates to bring the pile of weapons. Well then…" said Hudson while rummaging through his pocket.
"No, no, no, this is a matter of my pride, my friend. I can't take that," said the dwarf, shaking his head.
Hudson was surprised by the dwarf's words, freezing for a moment while thinking about what he meant. "What are you talking about, old man?" Hudson said, confused.
The dwarf paused, keeping a smile despite his confused expression. "Eh… that wasn't money?" the dwarf asked, still puzzled.
Hudson let out a long sigh. His face looked exhausted with all the nonsense. "Who said anything about giving you money? Have you forgotten the agreement we made? About whatever it's called, but basically, you gave us the rifles in exchange for protection," Hudson explained.
The dwarf's face lit up. "Ahh… that agreement… I almost forgot, hohoho," he said, laughing in a way that seemed forced. "Alright then, just bring those rifles here, I'll figure out what happened."
"That's exactly what I was planning to do… Here… this is the list of rifles that will be brought," said Hudson while handing him a piece of paper from his pocket. "Do your job well, old man, we're in the same boat. Have a great day…" Hudson patted the dwarf's shoulder before turning to leave the shop.
"Oh... and you, Knightwalker... have a great day...," Hudson said as he patted Moirai's shoulder. The sound of footsteps gradually faded, followed by the creaking of the door echoing through the room. Hudson left them alone.
"Hmmm, that was a bit unexpected... ah... forgive me, customer... what was your request again?"
"I want to repair my armor, and I also want to check the halberd I found."
"Ahh, yes, I forgot about that. You can place your equipment here," the dwarf said, patting his worktable.
"You don't have to pay me, for today at least. You can pay tomorrow when everything is ready," the dwarf explained while reading the letter Hudson had given him.
Moirai began to remove his cloak and armor, placing each piece carefully on the table. As he undressed, his body wrapped in bandages was revealed, showing scars, burns, and worn-out dressings clearly visible.
"You are a unique customer..." the dwarf commented with a sympathetic tone.
"Yeah... that's the past... you don't need to worry about it..."
The dwarf gave a thin smile, "Heh... but without the past, there wouldn't be a future, right?"
"You're right..."
"Without the past, there would be no future..." Moirai repeated.
After placing his armor, Moirai carefully laid down the halberd, gleaming, shining, and appearing almost sacred. The dwarf looked amazed at the sight of such an exquisite weapon.
"Oh my... that's a masterpiece... where did you have this made? No, where did you find it? This magnificent thing... it should be in a museum!" exclaimed the dwarf with enthusiasm.
Moirai remained silent, watching the dwarf's excitement. The dwarf's eyes sparkled, but Moirai's... they seemed empty. "Hey... can you inspect this halberd...?" Moirai asked.
"Of course, customer... this thing... no, this treasure, I will guarantee with my life and honor as a blacksmith," the dwarf said proudly.
"Alright then... hmm... can I buy a cloak too...?" Moirai asked while looking around.
"I also need some good equipment."
The dwarf stroked his beard, "Equipment, huh... you can buy what's available here... the quality isn't top-notch but decent for standard use. These items are made in bulk, not crafted with specific attention, but still usable."
"That's enough, thank you. I'll choose carefully," Moirai said with a faint smile.
"Oh, and also, customer... you can pay for all your items tomorrow. Consider it my honor to handle... I mean, to have the chance to touch this halberd... it's a great achievement in my life," the dwarf said, eyes gleaming.
"Oh, thank you... that's really helpful..." Moirai replied softly. He moved around the shop, taking in the metallic scent and gunpowder filling every corner. Various types of equipment were displayed throughout the room, each layer of dust suggesting they hadn't been touched in a long time.
The shop seemed to rarely have visitors, Moirai thought. After browsing, Moirai finally decided to take a cloak, a sword, a dagger, and standard armor.
"Can I take all of this?" Moirai asked, showing the items.
The dwarf, who was still admiring Moirai's halberd, glanced over with a face full of joy, "Oh, of course, customer, anything for you, hohoho," the dwarf smiled.
"If you need anything, just come to the shop; I'll be more than happy to assist..." the dwarf continued.
"Thank you for your kindness... may I ask? Where can I get some clothes in this city... any place at all?"
"Clothing store?... hmm... you can stop by the shop across the street," the dwarf said, pointing out the direction. "It's not a fancy shop, but it's quite popular among mercenaries," explained the dwarf, stroking his beard
"Ah, I see..." Moirai paused for a moment, lost in thought.
"That's enough... thank you... umm..." Moirai tried to express his gratitude, but suddenly the atmosphere felt awkward.
"HAHAHA... My name's Darius, customer... Darius Danes, the one and only best blacksmith in town...," said Darius, laughing heartily.
"Thank you, Mr. Darius... my name is Moirai... a Knightwalker...," Moirai responded gently and warmly.
Darius beamed at hearing this, "HAHAHA, Knightwalker? A knight who roams the continent? It is an honor to meet a Knightwalker in this town," Darius said with his warm smile.
Moirai smiled and moved his feet, "It's an honor to meet the best blacksmith in town," he said as he walked out of the shop.
The creak of the door echoed, followed by the bustling noise of the crowd that filled Moirai's ears. From inside the shop, Darius waved his hand before retreating into his private room. The sound of the bustling city filled the air, with the warm sunlight enveloping every corner. Shops appeared busy and crowded, carts moving back and forth across the area. It seems this place is getting busier, he thought.
With his weary eyes, Moirai scanned his surroundings, looking for the clothing shop Darius mentioned. He sheathed his sword and began to walk down the street, glancing left and right until he finally found a clothing shop that seemed quiet, unlike the other busy shops bustling with people.
"Oh, welcome, customer," someone greeted him as Moirai entered the quiet shop.
An employee in neat attire stood before Moirai. "How can I help you on this fine day, sir?" he asked cheerfully.
"You... do you sell ready-to-wear clothes here?" Moirai asked while looking around.
"Ready-to-wear clothes?... I believe we still have some stock available... feel free to browse," the shopkeeper said kindly.
Various piles of clothes were stacked on old shelves, and the scent of old garments filled the room. The creaking of the floor echoed with each step, and the old shopkeeper watched Moirai with his business smile.
"Does this shop rarely get visitors?" Moirai asked, trying to divert the shopkeeper's attention.
"Visitors? I guess it's been quite rare for customers to come here... most of our customers were mercenaries from out of town... but now... things have changed," the shopkeeper explained, his smile still on his face despite the situation.
"That's unfortunate... you mentioned most of your customers are from out of town, right? You must be well-known beyond this region, am I correct?" Moirai said while examining the clothes in front of him.
"You're right... this shop is known to many..." the shopkeeper said with a faint smile.
"I think I'll take this outfit... how many of these do you have...?" Moirai asked, holding a set of gray clothes.
"Hmmm..." The shopkeeper examined the clothes. "I believe we still have a few sets of the same in the warehouse. Would you like to buy them, sir?"
Moirai paused for a moment. "Yes... I think I'll buy them. Just give me two sets...," he said, handing the clothes to the shopkeeper.
"In that case... may I have your address, sir... this is for the delivery, of course," the shopkeeper said.
"Delivery?" Moirai wore a confused expression. He paused for a moment, "Can't I just take them home directly...?"
"Sorry, customer, but those are our store's policies...," the shopkeeper replied.
The shopkeeper's smile seemed suspicious, but Moirai, who was in a hurry, could only sigh and comply with the policy. "Alright then, could you deliver the clothes to the Erloy Inn...? I might not be there for a while, so you won't see me around," he said.
"Of course, sir, it's our duty... I will entrust your clothes to the innkeeper there. May I have your name...?"
"My name is Moirai..."
"Moirai?... The Knightwalker? I didn't expect to meet you here... hmmm, everything has been checked, the total is 20 silver coins, sir..." said the shopkeeper.
Moirai took something from his pouch and handed a gold coin to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper carefully examined the gold, checking if it was real or counterfeit, occasionally biting it to confirm its authenticity.
"This gold is genuine... quite soft, I suppose... so, the change is 80 silver, right?" the shopkeeper said as he retrieved a small box from the counter. "Here... 80 silver coins. Don't worry, it's real... I don't want to end up in jail, you know, kekeke... It was a pleasure doing business with you," the shopkeeper said as he handed over the silver coins.
"Alright then... I will leave now... May fate bless you," Moirai said as he departed, leaving the shopkeeper amidst the pile of old clothes. "May fate bless you..." the shopkeeper whispered as he returned the gold coin to the box.
Moirai made his way to the exit, the door's movement accompanied by the jingle of a bell. People lined up with cheers, the vibrations felt strongly as Moirai stepped out, the old clothing smell fading, replaced by the combined scents of sweat and metal. Moirai's gaze was drawn to a group of soldiers marching in a parade, banners waving, synchronized lines, and soldiers marching with stern expressions.
The townsfolk cheered to welcome them. The cries of joy echoed through the city. "Oh my goddess... bestow your blessings upon them, for the fate promised," he said softly.
"Death after death, just for the end of life."