Chapter 5 (1/2)
05.[WILLIAN]
“That guy´s height is not good. That one is too bulky. This one is a bit too old…”
Al was resting by the side of one of the main roads connecting the various countries. This road was somewhat far from the capital. Here was where many other roads converged, connecting all those roads to the capital. Somewhat near the place, Al was observing the people pa.s.sing by, being there in the pretense of taking a rest.
He had already bought new clothes from a peddler during his way. The peddler made an ugly face when he saw Al, but even money stinking like s.h.i.+t was money. It wasn´t like it was impossible for it to be used. The peddler still made a sour face though.
“There really isn´t anyone with the traits I need. I can´t be impatient with this, but if their appearances continue to be unmatching, I might need to change my plans a bit.”
Losing a bit of his confidence, Al´s expression became clouded.
“Yeah. I guess there is no other way… Hm?”
A certain person entered in Al´s sight.
“Stature, body shape, age; all the requirements fit perfectly. The rest is up to his nationality, I guess. Right now, I already forgot how many people had it been, but well, let´s check it out.”
Standing up, he started to walk behind the person he spotted.
“Yah, nice to meet you. Could I borrow your fire?”
Having suddenly been talked to, the young man looked at the person who called for him with surprised eyes. He probably understood that those words were being directed to him, but it seems he didn´t catch what that person was talking about.
“….? Ah… I, still, word, difficult.”
“Uhm… Where are you from?”
In response to that, saying as few words as possible, the person slowly spoke.
“…Rus.h.i.+tania.”
The young man guessed he was being asked about where he came from. Hence, the young man answered that. However, the young man didn´t think that the person would know about the name of his country. The traveller who asked him the question would definitely become confused. When the young man was about to sigh…
“”It seems you´ve been traveling for a long time. Welcome to Arcadia.””
“!?”
Suddenly being talked to in his mother language, the young man became the one surprised instead.
“I´ve also been doing some traveling myself, so I am more or less familiar with other languages. Ah, what I asked before was whether I could borrow your fire.”
“H-here it is.”
The young man was surprised. Rus.h.i.+tania was a place located between many other countries. Moreover, it was a small country that couldn´t be compared to one of the seven kingdoms, Arcadia. It was already surprising just by having someone that knows of its existence, but to have someone from outside speaking its language was outside of any expectations.
“Ah, it is very incredible for someone of about the same age as me to be traveling around for so long.”
“No, I´m not that much great. Besides, I think you are much more incredible for being that much proficient in another language at my age.”
“I think Rus.h.i.+tania is much more famous than you give credit. Their wooden handicrafts are very famous among the n.o.bles here, and Rus.h.i.+tania is also many levels ahead in medicine when compared to other countries. It is an amazing country that is incredible at the field of forging, making swords that can´t be compared with the ones of other countries.”
The young man was little by little becoming more open about the traveller, who was now smiling.
“Yes, now that I think of it, I didn´t introduce myself, right? My name is Norman. And yours?”
“Willian. Nice to meet you, Norman-san.”
The young man called Willian now completely dropped his guard The man called Norman was someone that possessed a strange charm. The fact they were around the same age played a big role too. In either case, Willian already started to think that Norman and himself were a nice match.
“Why is Norman-san traveling?”
“Right. I wanted to see the vast world, so I went on a journey. However, it isn´t easy. Because I had it difficult for getting money to eat, I´ve been doing a bit of a “treasure hunting” sort of stuff, ahaha.”
“Treasure hunting!? That´s awesome! Could you let me hear some of your stories!?”
With how Willian was biting the bait, Norman gave a smile. Seeming like Willian became a bit embarra.s.sed about what he was asking, his face became a bit blushed.
“I don´t mind. …Right. There was one time I was at one of the seven kingdoms…”
The two talked with each other through the whole night. Becoming good friends, after a few days pa.s.sed, they already decided they would be travelling together to the capital.
A carriage pa.s.sed by the side. Suddenly, Willian glanced at Norman´s head.
“By the way, Norman. Why do you use a bandana?”
Both of them had already dropped any honorifics and already deepened their friends.h.i.+p by calling each other by their names.
“There are many people with white hair. It makes me lose my appeal.”(TL note: 白髪が多いんですよ. It is definitely written that there are many people with white hair. I guess the logic is that it is so common it becomes boring to have it. Even so, I have a bit of the feeling it is the other way around and that the author put many instead of few…. Maybe not? .-.)
“Having white hair at young age… In my country, it is said that having white hair at young age is a sign of healthiness. It is also said that people with red hair like me is a sign of luck.”
“Hou, this is the first time I´ve heard of that. I wonder if I should take off my bandana the day I am travelling to Rus.h.i.+tania.”
“When the time comes, I will show you the place around myself.”
“I will be in your care when I do so.”
At that time, Willian was certain. He was certain that he was going to be able to get to the capital of Arcadia safe and sound. The reason for that was because he was able to make such a good friend.
“I wonder if we can already be considered friends.”
“To me, you already became my friend long ago.”
Willian showed a broad smile with those words.
The night was still cold at this season. The two were close to the fire, pulling through the coldness.
“I have a fiancee. I wanted to become a man worthy of her, so I came all my way here. I will definitely rise in the world, and then, I will triumphantly return to my home. This is my dream.”
Willian started to talk. He was sitting at the other side of the bonfire.
“She said she would only marry with a strong man. That´s why I decided to come here. But even so, that girl… Right when I was about to depart, she started crying. She was telling me not to go and so on. Isn´t this kind of selfish? But I am happy that I am loved. Now, all I need to do is raise military achievements!”
“Willian, is your family wealthy?
Willian started to ponder for a bit.
“Hm, well, I guess it is more to the rich side, but it is nothing compared to the people from the seven kingdoms; the place I live is only a boring place filled with forests and mountains.”
“I see. I want to go have a look there one day.”
“You should come! I will always give you a warm welcome!”
Their conversation started to become lively. Soon, they would arrive at the royal capital. But even so, Willian wasn´t anxious about that. This kind of feeling had vanished a long time ago. Everything was thanks to his friend, Norman.
Those days they had been travelling together were soon going to be over. They were going to arrive at the capital tomorrow at the afternoon.
At that night, Willian was feeling a bit lonely.
“Would it be fine if I went there just for a moment?”
“Where are you going to?”
Norman suddenly stood up.
“Well, it´s that “treasure hunter” thing. Apparently, there is a bandit treasure buried under a certain tree at that forest. The bandits had already been executed in another country, and it is said that only their treasure remains.”
Willian´s eyes started to sparkle. It could be said that he was overflowing with interest.
“Do you want to come with me?”