The Journey of Suzuki Kyōi: The Land of Poverty
As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, the sky above the imperial capital filled with shades of orange and red, almost as if painted by the invisible hands of sunset.
Suzuki Kyōi, wrapped in his cloak, made his way toward the most remote areas of the city, where the streets gave way to desolation and misery.
This forgotten part of the Empire was known as "Hinshō no Chi," the Land of Poverty.
A name whispered with disdain in noble courts, a place where few of the great would willingly set foot.
Though it was part of the capital, Hinshō no Chi was a world unto itself, far removed from the opulence and luxuries of the imperial court.
The streets were dirty and poorly maintained, the walls of the houses cracked and faded, with barred or broken windows.
There were puddles of stagnant water lining the alleys, and a pungent smell of smoke and soot permeated the air.
Here, life seemed to stand still, as if every day was a battle for survival and every smile a rarity.
Kyōi walked through the alleys with a steady but alert stride.
It was not a place free of danger.
It was well known that criminal gangs and unowned mercenaries lurked in these streets, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.
But it was precisely in a place like this that Kyōi believed he could find what he needed: hopeless warriors, forgotten by fate and ready to do anything for a chance at redemption.
The Darkness of the Land of Poverty
The flickering lights of some hanging lanterns dimly illuminated the weary faces of the people living in Hinshō no Chi.
Men and women with skin marked by time and toil, with empty gazes that told stories of struggle and pain.
Among them were those who had abandoned their ambition or had been broken by the cruelty of the world.
The hoarse laughter coming from the shabbiest taverns mingled with the furtive whispers of mercenaries and bandits.
The danger was palpable at every corner, but Kyōi had not come here to find comfort.
He had come to seek those who, like him, had known defeat but still burned with determination.
The Taverns of Hinshō no Chi
Kyōi approached a tavern that dominated one of the main streets of the Land of Poverty: "The Broken Blade."
The Broken Blade
The tavern "The Broken Blade" was a low and dilapidated building, with walls of wood darkened by time and neglect.
Its sign, a broken sword painted on a faded piece of wood, hung precariously above the entrance, swaying to the rhythm of the wind.
The creaky door opened to a wide but dark room, illuminated only by a few dim lanterns that cast flickering shadows on the walls and the faces of the patrons.
The interior was thick with the pungent odor of stale beer and tobacco smoke.
Ragged tables were scattered haphazardly, some occupied by rough-looking men and women dressed in tattered clothes, armed with worn swords or hidden blades.
The air was dense with tension, low murmurs and hoarse laughter reverberating among the beams of the ceiling.
Behind the bar, a burly innkeeper with a scarred face served drinks with a slow and distracted hand while keeping a watchful eye on every movement within the tavern.
No one trusted anyone, and every exchanged glance seemed to hide a potential conflict.
Kyōi crossed the room silently, drawing the suspicious glances of the patrons but provoking no reaction.
He knew that in this place he would find individuals willing to do anything—disillusioned warriors ready to follow a man who could offer them a new hope or a last battle for glory.
It was a meeting place for mercenaries and fallen warriors, where violent contracts, temporary alliances, and ancient rivalries were discussed.
Voices echoed within the dark and dirty wooden building, while the smoke from pipes filled the air.
Inside, Kyōi found a variety of individuals: some were challenging each other in brutal training duels, others drank alone, and others whispered among themselves, exchanging plans for raids or shady dealings.
Kyōi knew that somewhere in that crowd was someone willing to follow him, not for money, but for redemption.
He approached the bar, attracting a few curious glances, but for now, no one dared to question him.
"I must observe," he thought to himself as he settled into a corner of the tavern.
"From here, I can find someone who has lost everything, someone with the courage to take risks."
His journey in the Land of Poverty had just begun, but he already felt that this was the right place to start rebuilding his path.
The Journey of Suzuki Kyōi: Seeking Allies at the Broken Blade
Sitting in the dark corner of the tavern, Suzuki Kyōi carefully observed the patrons of the Broken Blade.
The tension was palpable; every movement seemed like a dance restrained between violence and resignation.
For Kyōi, however, those men and women represented a possibility: warriors tempered by defeat but still filled with strength, anger, and a desire for redemption.
As he sipped the bitter drink served by the innkeeper, his eyes slid from one table to another.
He saw a solitary man, his face covered by a leather mask, with a prominent scar on his neck.
Probably a mercenary.
On the other side, two women whispered to each other, wearing worn but still functional armor.
They appeared to be skilled fighters.
Every face told a story of loss and betrayal.
Observing and Planning
Kyōi knew that approaching directly would be a mistake.
He was no longer the Third Prince of the Empire, and anyone who recognized him as such might consider him an easy target.
He needed to blend into the shadows, study calmly, and find the right opportunity.
The discussions inside the tavern were intense.
He heard talk of raids into borderlands, old rivalries between mercenary bands, and even ancient debts of honor seeking revenge.
It was clear that everyone had their own reason for being in the Land of Poverty, and many of those reasons were accompanied by blood and dishonor.
One of the men, sitting alone near the fireplace, caught Kyōi's attention.
He had the look of a veteran, a scruffy beard, but eyes still shining with the light of someone who had seen too much.
His tattered clothing betrayed a glorious past, and a faded tattoo on his left hand indicated belonging to an ancient warrior clan long extinct.
A Cautious Approach
Kyōi slowly stood up, keeping his gaze low as he approached the man.
The warrior didn't lift his gaze until Kyōi stopped right in front of him.
"You look like someone who has lost much," Kyōi said in a measured tone, with no trace of provocation.
The man looked at him for a long moment, as if assessing who was before him.
Then he grunted, taking a sip from his wooden cup.
"Who hasn't lost much here?" the man replied bitterly.
"If you've come to talk business, sit down. If not, go back from where you came."
Kyōi was not discouraged.
He calmly took a seat across from him.
"I'm looking for people with courage and determination. I don't want mercenaries. I seek someone who knows what it means to fall and wants to rise again."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Many talk of honor and redemption, but few truly seek it."
"I'm not just talking about words," Kyōi replied, slightly inclining his head.
"I'm talking about a cause that can change the fate of anyone who joins me."
The Potential of an Alliance
The warrior stared at him for a long time, then spoke slowly.
"Who are you to talk about changing destinies?"
Kyōi knew he could not reveal everything, not yet. But he had to earn the man's trust.
"I am someone who has lost much, like you. And I want to build something that no one can tear down."
The man smiled bitterly.
"Heavy words. But in this place, words like yours risk attracting too many enemies. If you really want to succeed, you'll have to prove it through actions."
Kyōi nodded.
"I will need warriors. Not hired hands, but people who will fight for a cause. Do you know where I can find them?"
The veteran remained silent for a moment, then pointed to a corner of the tavern, where a group of armed men were animatedly discussing.
"They are looking for a leader. If you can earn their respect, you will have a team willing to follow you to hell."
Kyōi stood up, ready to face his first challenge in the Land of Poverty.
His path to redemption had just begun, and the first step was to win the loyalty of those whom the world had forgotten.