It's been two days since I abruptly parted with old tom. I'm now on my way down south. I haven't found anything to tell me where I am or where I'm heading to. I found a few wagons on the way but with no money no one would let me hitch a ride. I encountered some bandits and monsters on the way but I escaped most of them. Of course when I couldn't escape I fought, as a result my remaining weapons are now broken. I have nothing in my [Butler Storage] now. I need to find a village soon or I would die heading to nowhere.

I'm bound to arrive somewhere someday since I'm sticking near the roads, I'm somewhere I can see the road while still being hidden to be precise. I wonder how long I need to travel, I wonder how long will I last. Ah, no good I'm losing my consciousness again, well it doesn't seem too bad I might end up in a village like last time.

About 15 hours since I passed out. I'm still in the same spot in a fairly hidden spot between rocks. Expecting to be picked up when I'm out of sight is foolish. Nothing attacked me while I was out so I can at least take that as some good news. I need to continue traveling.

Three days have passed, I barely scrape by eating fruits and nuts I found. I remember in one of the princess's lesson that your body unconsciously use mana to heal and sustain your body. That is why healers have a stronger and more robust health. Even if that's the case there is a limit to things, the help that mana brings is minuscule compared to eating actual food. Especially for me since my class is physical focused, I don't have that much mana.

Finally, I see a town. After a few hours of travel I finally found one. I need food, give me food. It's a town there has to be a way to get food.

"Halt, Entry to the town cost 5 copper coins per person."

Entry fee? Since when did they enforce things like these. Since the kingdom started flourishing the previous heroes stopped people from collecting entry fees to encourage people to travel between towns. That way the flow of goods and people would circulate well in the kingdom. Also with how abundant the food is the tax paid monthly cover all expenses a town needs. Ah, this town must be part of an anti-royal nobles territory.

"Can't you let a poor old man pass?"
"No, Everyone has to pay. If you can't then turn back, the town of Earl Gin have no need for penniless bums."
"I have an old sword and axe could they perhaps be traded for my entry fee."
"Like we need such scrap metal, Hurry and go away!"

Do I have to travel in the middle of nowhere again? If all anti-royal faction has entry fees I won't be able to escape to their territories and use them as a shield against the pursuit of the head maid.

I need to move on, from what I can see most of the wagons that are exiting this village is heading east. I need to follow them, surely one of them will help me. I don't care if I have to walk all the way somewhere just give me some food.

"Food,.... please give me some food...."

Ah, They won't even look at me. I'm losing my strength. I don't have any money, my weapons can barely be called weapons too. Not good, looks like this will be my end. My consciousness is fading, my ears are ringing, and my will to live is leaving me.

"Here have some bread."
"Ah, thank you."

I can't see in front of me but I can feel something soft hitting me. I can smell the fragrance of bread. I can taste the sweetness of the bread. Ah,, how delicious. No spice can ever defeat starvation and death. Everything looks gorgeous and amazing now that I have hope for life.

"I don't know who you are but th-"
"No, no, We already know each other already. Don't mention it."
"Huh?"

I know them, I can't see them clearly but their face does look familiar. Mayb-"gah"

...
My head head hurts, I was knocked out huh. I wonder what they want me for, I'm still hungry. I wished they could at least given me more food before knocking me out.

"Looks like you woke up. Here this is your food. Rest up, we need you healthy. I'm your guard in this dungeon call me guard, nice to meet you. Well then, you aren't the only one that needs to be fed so I will see you again tomorrow. Rest well."

FOOD!! I'm hungry, I need FOOD. GET INSIDE MY STOMACH!!

Ah, I feel alive again. I never knew a basket full of bread would be this delicious. They sure are cheap though, giving only bread to feed a prisoner.

He talks fast and he leaves right away. I'm underground and behind bars. I started as a prisoner that had a wooden cabin house now I'm a true prisoner behind bars, underground, with only a small hole the size of a fist to let the light in. Since the ventilation shaft is more of a glorified canal pipe, the air is really stale. Does that mean I can't see the sun if someone or something blocks my little air hole? They want me to eat and rest up be healthy but the condition of the environment they put me in is really bad. 

I doubt they need me for my service. A one armed 40+ year old man couldn't possibly be of service for physical work. They want information from me huh. Did one of the anti-royals find me? So the food is part of their bribe. They kept me in the dungeon to show their might and loosen up any thought of resistance I have. Carrot and stick huh. I don't have a way to escape, my weapons were traded for a cup of water. I have no choice in this matter now.

I should plan for things that might occur during the 'negotiation'. If I blurt out everything then they won't need me anymore but if I hold out information they would go straight to torture. I have to prove that I can give them more benefits alive.

For now, I need to list all of the benefits that I could give. Among the information that I have are the interior of the hero castle, the number of guards and servants inside the castle, the schedule of said guards and servants, the princess's schedule, the princess's habits, how to use basic element magic, and how to farm. No good, my knowledge all lean towards the royal castle, Once the royal family is replaced that knowledge is going to be useless. Since the farms in the royal castle grow fast and doesn't need much learning to do then my farming knowledge would also be useless.

I don't have any benefit that can save my life. Once they get what they need then I would just be a loose end to them. What to do? I'll sleep I guess. Whatever happens, happens. Nothing I can do about anything now.

70th_Food_Envoy

I'm still slowing down releases due to irl problems. I would probably pick up the pace starting next month, not as fast as I started out but at the very least 3/week is my aim.