The old road that led to Dangun was a long way forward, branching westward from Hanus Sols Castle. However, the area itself was said to be one of the most dangerous parts of Harpinbale, despite its beautiful, serene landscape.
In that part of the region, which was almost entirely comprised of forests, groves, and grasslands, many beasts and wild animals, sometimes including Mystic Beasts, were allowed to roam freely amongst the grasses and tree roots.
Yet, this also made the area privy to the intrusion of hunters, which, in turn, also allowed the subtle invasion of bandits. And so, despite the open opposition from Dangun locals, even some Bandit Kings soon established their hideouts in the area.
"Hm…"
"The map-seller on Steward's Street told us that here to Dangun is roughly a few hours' walk. We'll probably make it by the time the sun rises again." Michael said as he walked, carrying with him a large adventurer's sack, more a huge bag, full of items.
Felix and Scott also carried the same kind of bag, weighing heavily on their shoulders.
"There's a lot of wildlife to be seen around here," Scott noted, grunting with every step, "I guess I truly have no idea how big the world is."
"Hah, in that case, you haven't seen anything yet!" Felix replied, "Hanus Sols is already massive enough, as one of the main cities in Harpinbale, but the New Capital is beyond even that, it's even called the City of Glory for a reason!"
"Huh…" Scott murmured, gazing at the long dirt path ahead.
It seemed almost endless, and the only other thing the three of them could see were fields of grass as the dark skies loomed closer and closer. But, unlike what he expected, there were other people, most likely adventurers or wannabes, still lurking in the grassland fields as if they were looking for secret treasure troves hidden around.
"…I think I've finally realised something," Scott spoke suddenly, "…About my perspective on the world."
"Really?"
"What do you mean?"
Scott shrugged. "I realise… I kinda don't know anything about the world. I'm sure I was deeply infatuated with all this peace and beauty before, and I know this purely because of this bittersweet, warm feeling in my heart, but now…"
"…It… almost feels like I'm a stranger to this. All of this. Someone who isn't meant to be here… somehow. And I mean it in the sense that… it feels like this body isn't something I'm supposed to have. And, as a consequence, my memories have been stripped from me."
Felix rubbed his chin.
"Huh… is this your actual feelings you're expressing, or is that just your thoughts talking?"
"I dunno. Maybe both?"
Michael patted Scott's shoulder and said:
"Don't worry buddy. I'll surely be there to help you find your memories. And, I'm sure Felix will too. We'll be with you for most of your journey, I'm sure of that."
"Yep! You're the most fascinating guy I've met so far! And, don't underestimate my skills just because I'm a petty thief! I can help you too!"
"…Thanks," Scott answered back to the two of them, "Thanks a lot, you guys."
Fortunately, thanks to his chance encounter with Michael, he had learnt quite a bit about the world since he first suddenly woke up in Wolves Valley, but from the conversation they just had, he knew there was far more to learn.
He wanted to embrace the world that was all around him, and that would only start with enough knowledge to act naturally.
"Hm… What's the current year right now?"
Felix merely shrugged, while Michael replied:
"…I think the year should be 1631 EC. But… why would you want to know the year, out of all things?"
Scott scratched his head, knowing that it was the only question that came to his mind. "I just thought I should know…"
He then realised that, perhaps, gaining information gradually from his surroundings would bring him more value, rather than just asking random, stupid questions out of the blue.
"Hm… when do you guys reckon we should take a rest, though?"
"Right… it's getting dark too. Maybe we should relax for a bit…." Felix's sentence was cut off as he tripped and fell, the large sack on his back trapping and pinning him down.
"Aaaaah!" He yelled, "Help! I can't breathe!"
"…You can't get back up, you mean?"
"No, I'm too exhausted!"
Michael scratched his brow in annoyance and helped Felix back up with Scott.
"Fine. Let's take a small break," Michael replied, placing his bag down, "It's already getting dark anyway, and we're still inside the "safety bubble" of the Hanus Sols Castle, so if this goes wrong, we can head back if needed."
Felix grinned. "Alright! We'll be fully rested and all ready to head to the New Capital tomorrow!"
He shook Michael and Scott's hands in celebration, for the sake of all of their weary legs, and after setting their bags down, the trio got down on the task of preparing their camp for the night, which didn't go as badly as one could've imagined.
A few minutes later, the trio had even succeeded in lighting a small campfire near the dirt road on their third try. And then, since they packed in their bags some verdant tarps that could be used to make tents, they were able to create a safe environment to sleep in.
But, of course, they had to sleep on make-shift grassy beds, as they had little else they could spare to make somewhat proper ones.
Yet, by the end of it, they were all in their respective tents, gently falling asleep to the ambient sounds of the whistling wind and the chirpings of birds and insects.
***
The wind howled at this time of night. The clock struck at 3, and suddenly, things began to become unusual. The only noise that could be heard as the three of them slept was foreign footsteps approaching them, or more so, their campfire, which they didn't bother to extinguish.
"Ah… ugh.…" Scott groaned as he awoke, "It feels like I've barely even had a minute of sleep… what's going on?"
He looked outside his tent for a small while, and as his eyes adjusted, he noticed something strange. Very strange, at that.
A person held their hands by the camp's fire, and, oddly enough, the flame reacted, turning a strange shade of purple.
"What the…"
Scott noticed this and decided to go confront whoever this was.
"Who are you?"
The stranger didn't reply, and so he asked again.
"Hey! Who are you?"
The mysterious person stopped their strange actions and looked back. In front of the flame, Scott could only make out the visage of someone different to the three of them.
Someone smaller, seemingly weaker-looking, with dark, longish hair and worn rags covering their body. They also wore damaged, large metal shackles on their hands and feet, and yet…
"Are you… okay?"
The mysterious person looked directly at him, with solemnity in their crimson-coloured eyes.
"Get away from here," They replied, "Unless you want to suffer terribly."
"Suffer…? What do you mean?" Scott asked. No answer was said back.
He sighed and tried to approach the strange, vulnerable person, to perhaps shake them awake from whatever trance they were in, however, out of nowhere, a strange, vicious bird the size of a human landed in between the two of them.
"Woah!"
This creature seemed to be a Maneater Crow from its black feathers and beady eyes. It was a unique variant of a usually much smaller animal.
"I told you, get away from here."
"No. Not until I know what you're doing."
The mysterious person breathed gently and turned around completely, and she revealed herself to be a young, petite woman who seemed to be his age, with porcelain skin and scarlet pupils that held a light similar to the moon's.
"All annoyances always come from those who are most intrusive," She uttered, "You want to know what I'm doing? Then, I suppose I should tell you my title."
Just then, another Maneater Crow swooped down and landed by their side, caw-cawing.
"I am the Maiden of the Twinbirds, an omen of death from the wintry domain of the Formless God of Fear, Mara. I am from beyond the border, and I have come to seek a new Destiny through an Ominous Flamespirit*."
"So, do not interfere with what I am doing, unless you want to die."