Rikuro's POV:
I look into the eyes of the man in front of me. The lanterns on the stone cold wall were flickering.
The atmosphere was thick, it was hard to breathe, and I contemplated if I should use 『Matter Destruction』on him.
Sweating nervously I look at the old man picking up the quill and writing on the paper.
[I am this village's chief, you?]
My mind began to enter overdrive, choosing if I should lie or tell the truth.
'I need to lie, no one will believe me if I said that I was teleported here.. name.. I need a name. Most people here probably have European names, but could I just say my name.. I don't think I could lie that long..'
My mind was overflowing with thoughts, in the real world, I was looking at him, and he was waiting for an answer.
'No, false name.. from my name.. Riko, Kira, Kuro, Ruro.. I don't know.. I haven't even done the backstory yet.. man I don't know!! Ok.. im Riku and I was lost in the forest.. yeah.. that's probably good.. if they hold me.. I could kill them..'
I breathe out, I then strengthen my resolve and said the word.
"I am Riku.. I was traveling when I got lost in the forest.."
The man picked up the quill again, his face is hard to read, I don't know if he believes me or not..
[You say you got lost in the Eirnid Forest, but why did you travel through it, with your 'unique' equipment.]
I'm screwed.
I should just tell the truth.. I'm not even that good at lying to begin with.
"Is this place secure.. with no way of information getting out."
The old man nodded
I sighed, I was defeated already when I decided to lie.
"I'm.. from a different place, it's called Japan. The items that you saw were from my home, I was suddenly in.. that Eirnid Forest as you call it."
The man showed no sign of shock unlike the swordsman behind me.
He wrote again on the paper.
[You're not a summon then, you're a rare occasion of a 'Traveller'. I can help you.]
'Summon? So at least some kind of magic exists, that's a tick of my Isekai list. I guess this is the other world.'
'He's lying, he won't help, he'll use me.. this other world already knows about otherworlders such as me..'
"What is it?"
He wrote on the paper again.
[Work under us for five years, and I will help you with your background and tell you about the common sense in this world.]
"Do I have a choice?"
The old man wrote again
[If you want to live freely without the royal's control]
'I guess that is a good reason, and I need information anyways'
"I accept, tell me everything I need to know."
The chief wrote one last time.
[My name is Allester, nice to have you.]
He put his hand into the position of a handshake and I shook his hands.
Riku: "I'll be in your care."
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A/N: Short chapter, but it's because I just had my birthday, so for a few days, the words in the novel might not reach a thousand words.