KENSHI
The sun just set when the two, Shino and Kana, finally finished setting up the tent. The fire that I built was dancing gracefully as well, illuminating the clearing that we picked to spend the night. The crackles and the snaps of the burning firewood made the place a little less quiet, removing the eerie silence that once reigned in the place.
"Do you need help, Mister Kenshi?" Kana asked.
"It's fine. I got this," I replied as I skillfully removed the innards of the fish that we caught earlier from a nearby river. "But we do need some sticks to hold them. Can you find some?" Kana nodded and left to do my favor.
"Making a fish skewer, are we?" Shino asked.
"It's the fastest and easiest thing to cook," I responded. "I'm pretty sure you two are hungry since we didn't have our lunch earlier."
"Yeah, you're right. Just looking at the fish makes me want to eat it raw," Shino joked.
Kana arrived with the sticks clasped in her hands, and I could say that she really took her time getting them because of how clean and neat they were. She and Shino helped me skewer the fish after I seasoned them with some spices before we placed and pierced them close to the scorching fire. We all sat around it waiting for the food to cook.
Tonight marked our third night of our travel, and fortunately enough, we didn't have any difficulties that we encountered yet. One could say it was too good to be true because everyone knew, even merchants, that nobody in this world was actually safe. As long as evil remnants remained and the Dark Order existed, no one was ever safe.
But it seemed like luck was on our side.
"I've been meaning to ask this to both of you, but what kind of city is Aste City?" Kana suddenly inquired, catching me and Shino's attention.
It was Shino who answered first. "I've never been to Aste City, but I've heard that it was the happiest place in the world. Not sure why, but hearing how other people described the place makes me want to go to witness it myself. I bet it's everyone's dream to go to Aste City. How about you, Kenshi? Do you know anything about that place? You're from a noble family, after all."
"I've only been there once. I was just a kid at that time, but mature enough to say that what you just said is true. All sorts of entertainment are present in that place. Arts, music, theater, games, you name it. Nobles from all around the world would never waste a chance to be there. Not just nobles, but even homeless people as well. Everyone is welcome there."
"I think it's the nicest place in the world."
"Yes, not until you discover that place's darkest side," I mumbled, and both of their expression shifted from excitement to a worried one. "Despite being hailed as the happiest place in the world, it is the place where slavery is also a part of the entertainment. But of course, they don't do it in plain sight and in broad daylight. Just like in our kingdom, they have their own black market."
I noticed Kana's expression worsen as if she remembered something bad. If I was not mistaken, it was the time when she got kidnapped and almost sold to slavemasters. This was my sign to stop saying anything about the topic.
But Kana seemed to want to continue, "Does that mean that those children who got kidnapped before me are in Aste City as slaves?"
"Most likely," I answered.
"Did everyone know about this?" Shino asked.
"Probably," I briefly replied. "But by the looks of it, I think no one dared to change the system. Perhaps, they are scared to destroy the reputation the city has been holding for centuries."
"Do you think the parents of the kidnapped children had thought of looking for their child in Aste City?"
"I think they had," Shino responded. "But did not actually do it because of what the slavemaster would do to them once they asked to have their child back. After all, slavemasters spent some doquis to have the child as a slave, so it's natural for them to be possessive about it."
I agreed with Shino. Once a child was sold to a slavemaster, they became the slavemaster's property. And just like any owner out there, they would do everything just to protect such property, especially if it costs them doquis.
"I think the food is ready," I announced, breaking the heavy atmosphere that enveloped us earlier after discussing our destination.
I knew it was not a good idea to talk about such a topic, knowing Kana's history, but I thought it was better as well for them to know the truth about that city, because it would be more shocking and heartbreaking for them if they were to witness it themselves. At least now, they already had an idea about that place.
Each of us grabbed a fish skewer and started munching on it. With our hunger, the food tasted like it was the most delicious food in the entire world. No one dared to talk because everyone was too focused on their food.
"If you want more, you can have the last one," I offered.
"No, I'm fine, but now that you mentioned it, why is there an extra?" Shino's brows furrowed.
"Just in case someone needs a second," I said, but the truth was, I unconsciously prepared one for Daku, thinking that he was with us right now. I just noticed recently that I was starting to consider him whenever I make a decision, as if he were now a part of my life.
I brushed it off my head before the two noticed me and went back to eating. But all of us stopped and looked at the same exact location where we heard a sudden rustle of a nearby bush. The noise persisted, and all of us were on high alert, ready to take on whatever was making the noise.
Shino's staff was in position and ready to cast magic when triggered, while my hand was already gripping the hilt of my sword. Even Kana held onto her bow and arrow tightly. Nobody removed their eyes from the source of the sound, scared that if they took their eyes off even for a second, something would attack us.
Then, we heard something that all of us did not expect. A sound that a normal bush would never make.
"Please, don't attack me! I'm just a kid, and I didn't mean to scare you!" the voice pleaded.
A boy? Or something else that was mimicking a child's voice? There were accounts of some bandits who used to mimic a distressed voice to lure victims into their trap. If not bandits, wandering spirits, or worse, corrupted beings. Too bad for them, it wouldn't work on us.
The three of us shared a look of both confusion and suspicion, but this expression instantly changed into a face of bravery and courage—a look implying our readiness for the impending combat. But of course, charging aimlessly would be a bad move. Instead, a warning call was made, or should I say, a negotiation.
"Show yourself slowly and no sudden movements," I demanded.
"O—Okay!" the voice replied.
The rustle continued, and every second that passed by intensified our alertness. Finally, a foot came into view, and he revealed his entire body. Even in this lighting, I could still clearly see how tattered and soiled his clothes were. His hair was in a mess, and parts of his exposed body were filthy and covered in dirt. At first glance, one would think he was a homeless boy.
"Good evening, sir. My name is Tanshiro," he introduced, followed by a grumble of his stomach. He bashfully clasped his shirt where his stomach was and continued speaking, "Can I please have some food to eat, sir? I'm hungry."