ryo exhaled slowly. He raised his left hand to his neck, pressing on it for just a second as if releasing tension caught there, then tilted his head slightly and looked at shimoro with a deliberate side-smile.
"So, you want to know how I met you…"
He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with clear provocation.
"You are like an infant who asks too many questions."
shimoro froze. The rice was still in his mouth.
"Hmmph—!"
He nearly choked as he swallowed violently, then shouted with anger and agitation, his face turning red:
"I will kill you after I heal!"
ryo laughed—a genuine laugh this time. He adjusted his sitting position, leaning his back against the wall, and his voice came out confident and steady.
"I like your new confidence."
Then he looked at him directly and spoke with seriousness.
"So… I will tell you what happened."
—
Weeks ago…
ryo was moving fast, surging through rugged paths heading North-Northwest, having just emerged from the Arabisel forest. A large bag thudded against his back with every step, and a rusted iron sword swung at his waist. His breathing was heavy and irregular.
"That monster…"
The word escaped his mouth as he panted, without finishing the sentence.
He did not stop.
He moved as if something was behind him. Not a sound, nor a shadow—just a sensation. An invisible pressure on his back. Even when the terrain began to change and the whiteness appeared beneath his feet, he did not slow down.
Snow.
ryo entered the snowy region, and as soon as he crossed its boundary, a thick white vapor escaped his mouth. ryo wrapped his brown coat—the one with the cord on the shoulders to secure the sleeves and the shiny piece slightly on the right side—and whispered to himself with faint irony:
"This place is cold…"
Then he immediately added:
"Of course, you idiot, it's full of snow."
He continued walking. Minutes passed. The silence here was different; it was thick, swallowing sound. Even his footsteps seemed to be buried instantly.
He reached a large rock in the middle of the white plain. He sat on it heavily, dropping his bag beside him. He closed his eyes for seconds, his breathing slowly regulating itself.
When he regained his pace, he drew his sword from the scabbard and placed it over his knee.
He looked at it.
The iron was corroded, fine cracks stretching along the blade; its luster was dead.
"The sword's condition is miserable…"
He ran his finger along the edge of the blade cautiously.
"One fight… and it will shatter without a doubt."
He raised his head. Looked around. No one.
He gave a slight smile, clear cunning within it, and whispered:
"If I face an opponent who looks strong…"
He imagined the scene in his mind.
"I will release the wind randomly. I'll make them believe I have greater power."
He laughed quietly.
"Humans are truly fools… so easy to deceive."
He opened the bag. He pulled out a small pouch filled with dark grains. He tossed some into his mouth and chewed.
Suddenly, his face contorted.
"Ack.. it tastes terrible…"
Then he swallowed it completely.
"But it satisfies the hunger."
ryo stood up after a few minutes of rest and returned the sword to its scabbard, carried the bag on his back, and headed again toward the North-Northwest.
Dawn began to loom on the horizon when he reached an area of scattered trees amidst the snow. The sloping mountains became closer... much closer.
Then…
He felt something.
It wasn't a sound. It wasn't a movement.
Just intuition.
He stopped immediately.
Without hesitation, he hid the bag between nearby rocks and a tree trunk half-buried in snow, then slipped behind another tree, his body merging with the shadow.
Seconds passed.
Then they appeared: knights in dark, grim black armor, polished swords, their steps disciplined. One of them, appearing to be the leader, stepped into the center of the trees.
"Section B will remain here."
His voice was sharp and commanding.
"To prevent any approach for outside help."
He turned to the other half and drew his sword, pointing the blade toward the mountains.
"Section A… you will follow me to carry out the mission."
One of the knights, apparently leading Section B, bowed slightly.
"Go."
He said it steadily.
"We will stick to the plan."
The leader moved with Section A toward the sloping mountains where Tatsuma Village is located.
ryo watched in silence. He did not move. He did not breathe deeply. He waited.
Eventually, the majority removed their helmets to breathe... but a sudden voice came from one of them.
"Sir Knight."
A sudden voice.
"I found a bag here."
It was one of the Section B knights, standing in front of the very tree ryo was hiding behind.
Heads turned toward him. The temporary leader of Section B took a step forward.
"It looks like something lost…"
He paused.
"Or perhaps a trap. Take it to the squad leader."
The knight lifted the bag and began putting on his helmet.
"Underst—"
He didn't finish.
The sound never came out.
His head fell onto the snow.
Blood surged, a violent red, cutting through the whiteness like spilled ink. The bag slipped from his hand and fell beside him.
A young man stood behind him.
A brown coat with a piece shining slightly on the right side... beneath it, black clothes and long coat sleeves secured by cords for ease of movement.
Black hair tied back.
Grey eyes without a trace of confusion.
ryo.
His sword was in his hand, in the exact position where the knight's head had been a moment ago.
And the blade…
Was broken.
The iron fragments fell slowly onto the snow, their sound faint, but their impact heavier than any scream.
To be continued