Raymond set off early the next morning, the sun barely peeking over the horizon as he left Eldermoor behind. The villagers stood at the edge of the village, watching him go with a mixture of pride and apprehension. He had trained them well, but he knew that the world outside the village was fraught with dangers.
As he walked along the dirt path winding through the lush forest, he felt the weight of his heavy armor, a comforting presence that shielded him against the uncertainties ahead. With each step, he reflected on his journey so far—how he had gone from a hotel receptionist to a warrior training a village in self-defense. Yet the real test lay ahead, in the capital, where he would register as an adventurer and seek the truth behind his reincarnation.
The forest was serene, filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. But as he ventured deeper, the atmosphere changed. The trees grew denser, and shadows danced among the trunks. Raymond sensed the shift in the air—a warning that danger lurked nearby.
Suddenly, a loud crash broke the silence, followed by shouts. Raymond's instincts kicked in, and he rushed toward the source of the commotion, his heart racing. As he approached a clearing, he saw a merchant cart overturned, its goods scattered across the ground. A group of orcs, brutish and hulking, were ransacking the cart, their guttural laughter echoing in the air.
"Take what you can, then burn the rest!" one of the orcs bellowed, his voice thick and menacing.
Raymond's grip tightened on the handle of his mace. He couldn't just stand by and let this happen. The merchant, a stout man with a beard, was desperately trying to gather his wares, his eyes wide with fear as he faced the hulking brutes.
"Hey! You there!" Raymond shouted, stepping into the clearing with confidence, his heavy armor glinting in the dappled sunlight. The orcs turned, their amusement fading as they spotted the armored figure.
"Look at this one, boys," one of the orcs sneered, pointing a crooked finger at Raymond. "A shiny tin can thinks he can challenge us!"
"Do you want to end up like your precious cart?" Raymond replied, his voice steady and unwavering. "Leave the merchant and walk away, or you'll regret it."
The orcs exchanged glances, laughter bubbling up from their throats. "What are you going to do? Swing that stick of yours?" another mocked, brandishing a rusty sword.
With a deep breath, Raymond activated his unique skill, feeling the familiar surge of power as he prepared for the confrontation. "I suggest you reconsider," he said, advancing forward, his armored figure radiating confidence.
The orcs charged, their crude weapons raised, and Raymond stood his ground, his shield raised high. The first orc swung down, aiming for Raymond's head, but he deflected the blow with his shield, the impact reverberating through his armor.
"Pathetic," he muttered, countering with a swift jab of his mace. The heavy weapon connected with the orc's midsection, sending the brute crashing to the ground, gasping for air.
The remaining orcs hesitated, their bravado faltering. "Get him!" one shouted, though there was a hint of fear in his voice.
Raymond moved with calculated precision, bracing himself as the next orc charged. He absorbed the impact, feeling the blow hit his shield as he countered with a heavy swing of his mace, knocking the second orc off his feet.
The remaining orcs, now visibly shaken, began to back away. "This isn't worth it!" one of them yelled, turning to flee.
"Run while you can!" Raymond called after them, the remaining orcs scrambling into the trees, their laughter replaced by fear.
With the threat dissipated, Raymond turned to the merchant, who was still catching his breath. "Are you alright?" Raymond asked, his voice conveying his concern.
"Y-Yes, I think so," the merchant stammered, his eyes wide with gratitude. "I thought I was done for! Thank you, brave knight. You saved my life."
"Just doing what I can," Raymond replied, lowering his mace. "But you should be more careful traveling these roads. Orcs are becoming bolder. Where are you headed?"
"I'm on my way to the capital to sell my wares," the merchant said, gesturing to the scattered goods. "I thought I could take a shortcut through the forest. Clearly, that was a mistake."
Raymond helped the merchant gather his things, his hands moving swiftly as he set the cart back on its wheels. "Let me assist you. It's safer to travel together, especially after what just happened."
The merchant nodded gratefully. "Thank you! My name is Garret, by the way. I sell potions and herbs. You're quite skilled with that weapon. Have you fought orcs before?"
"I have experience," Raymond replied, a hint of arrogance creeping into his tone. "But I'm not the only one. If the villagers I trained are ever faced with a threat, they'll know how to defend themselves. They've come a long way."
Garret smiled, impressed. "You trained a whole village? That's incredible! You must be quite the warrior."
"I'm just getting started," Raymond said, confidence radiating from him. "There's much more to achieve. I'm heading to the capital to register as an adventurer. There are bigger challenges waiting for me there."
Garret's eyes widened. "Adventurer? You must be confident, thinking you can take on anything in the capital. It's a dangerous place, full of seasoned fighters and cunning foes."
Raymond smirked, confidence radiating from him. "Dangerous? Please. I've faced far worse than a few miscreants in the capital. They won't even be able to scratch me. I'll be the strongest adventurer they've ever seen."
"Is that so?" Garret replied, chuckling nervously. "You certainly have the spirit for it. Just remember, overconfidence can lead to mistakes."
"I'm aware of that," Raymond said dismissively, waving a hand. "But let's be honest; I'm not worried. I'll carve my name into the annals of adventurers. Mark my words."
As they walked, Raymond and Garret continued to talk, sharing stories of their respective journeys. Garret spoke of the bustling streets of the capital, the merchants who sold exotic goods, and the adventurers who sought glory and fortune. Raymond listened, his excitement growing.
Eventually, they reached a crossroads, and Garret turned to Raymond. "It's safer to stick to the main road from here on out. The capital isn't far now. I can't thank you enough for your help. Please, let me buy you a meal when we arrive. You deserve it after saving my life."
Raymond hesitated, glancing at Garret. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't. I need to keep my helmet on at all times. It's… for my own reasons." He shifted slightly, adjusting the weight of his mace as he prepared to continue.
"Ah, I understand," Garret said, nodding knowingly. "It's a shame, though. I would have loved to share a meal with the brave knight who saved my life."
"Another time, perhaps," Raymond replied, eager to change the subject. "Let's just get to the capital. I have much to prepare for."
As they resumed their journey, Raymond felt a sense of camaraderie with Garret, a reminder that he was not alone in this world. He was making allies, and each encounter brought him closer to his goals. The capital awaited, full of opportunities, and he was ready to embrace whatever came next.
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To be continue.....