As I strolled along the winding trail, sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of wildflowers. It was a stark contrast to the atmosphere that had enveloped me just hours ago.
Birds chirped melodiously overhead, their songs harmonizing with the gentle rustling of leaves. Occasionally, I caught glimpses of small wild animals scurrying about, seemingly undisturbed by my presence.
It took me the better part of a day to find my way through the dense, ominous forest that encircled Dahlia’s estate. This particular forest, as Dahlia had enlightened me, was known as Darkshire, a name that struck fear into the hearts of even the most daring adventurers.
Apparently, Darkshire was notorious for its large population of mana beasts. Though the presence of these creatures posed a threat, it also provided Dahlia with the ideal justification for constructing her home exactly as she had envisioned it. Nestled within the depths of the forest, her residence stood in isolation, secure and hidden from the prying eyes of curious wanderers.
Noticing a small clearing coming up ahead, I looked down at the map and saw that I was getting close to the edge of the forest.
The night before, Dahlia and I had carefully planned out a route that would lead me safely through the forest. Thanks to her, what could have been a treacherous and perilous journey, filled with the looming threat of dangerous beasts, turned out to be nothing more than a morning stroll through the woods.
As I emerged from the woods, I stood at the forest’s edge, gazing out onto a vast expanse of rolling hills and open fields.
“I did it!” I cried out, raising my arms in the air.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I looked around to see if anyone or anything had heard me, but just as I initially suspected, I was alone. The nearest person was probably miles away at the very least.
“Now, where am I going next?” I asked myself, pulling out the map and following the route Dahlia had plotted for me with my finger.
“Ravenwood,” I said as my finger stopped on a small town west of where I was. If my estimations were correct, I was only a couple of hours away.
Not wanting to waste a single moment, I set out on my journey west, my destination set on the village of Ravenwood. Even though I knew that I could reach the village in a mere hour or less by utilizing my mana, I decided against it. I didn't want to deplete my mana reserves in case I encountered any unforeseen trouble. The last thing I wanted was to find myself in a perilous situation without mana.
As the day unfolded, I trekked through the picturesque landscape, witnessing nature’s beauty at every turn. I passed by a vast herd of buffaloes, their powerful presence commanding respect. The sight of the herd grazing in harmony with the land reminded me of a painting I'd seen in the palace.
Continuing on my route, I encountered a variety of farms that dotted the countryside. Cornfields stretched as far as the eye could see, their golden stalks swaying in the gentle breeze. Apple orchards offered a colorful display of ripe fruit, tempting me with their sweet fragrance. And nestled amongst the rolling hills, I stumbled upon a berry farm, its bountiful harvest offering a delightful burst of flavors.
Throughout the day, I paused only for brief snack breaks, savoring the nourishment that Orsik had packed for me. On one occasion, I sought the guidance of a shepherd named Ramos, whom I encountered along my way. As we conversed, I couldn’t help but notice the distinctive goat horns protruding from Ramos’ head, a unique and fascinating feature that added to the intrigue of this world.
The trip progressed smoothly, with each step bringing me closer to my destination. I traversed numerous undulating hills, passing through expansive pastures that seemed to stretch endlessly. The quiet beauty of the countryside enveloped me, filling my senses with tranquility.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue upon the horizon, my eyes caught sight of a small village perched atop a hill. Consulting my map, a smile graced my lips as I realized I had arrived at Ravenwood.
“I made it!”
As I entered the village of Ravenwood, the air seemed to carry a sense of enchantment. The streets were lined with small little cottages, their roofs adorned with intricately carved wooden shingles. Vibrant flowers bloomed on nearly every windowsill, adding bursts of color to the placid atmosphere.
It didn’t take long for me to notice that the villagers were also beastfolk. Some had feline ears, others had tails, and there were those with avian wings gracefully folded against their backs. The village was brimming with life.
Approaching a carpenter shop that was about to close, I noticed an old man with the unmistakable traits of a turtle. His wrinkled, weathered skin mirrored the texture of a tortoise’s skin, and a sturdy shell peeked out from beneath his worn clothing. Intrigued, I decided to strike up a conversation.
“Excuse me,” I began, offering a friendly smile. “Do you mind telling me the name of this village?”
“Yes, I do mind.”
“Oh...”
“I’m just busting your balls, lad,” the old man chuckled. “The name of this town is Ravenwood.”
“I see... And the realm we’re in is called Everlorn?”
The old man snorted, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “My, my, have you been living under a rock?”
“Well, kind of,” I admitted, shaking my head with a hint of embarrassment. “I suppose I'm a bit lost...”
The old man smiled. “Don’t fret, lad, I can tell you’re not from around these parts... To answer your question, yes, this is Everlorn.”
Seeing that the old man seemed nice, I decided to ask one last question. “Is there an inn in this village? I'm looking for a place to rest for the night.”
The old man nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Aye, lad, just half a block away. Allow me to walk you over.”
Relieved by his offer, I expressed my gratitude. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your kindness.”
“Call me Alfred,” the old man said as he finished locking up his shop.
“Nice to meet you, Alfred, my name is Vick,” I said, choosing a fake name to hide my identity. If word got out that the son of one of the most feared and hated beings in the universe was passing through a small village, things could get complicated.
As we strolled together, Alfred struck up a conversation, curious to know where I came from. When I told him I came from Gilderock, he nodded acting surprised, even though I’d seen him looking at my crest earlier. It seemed Orsik’s disguise had worked.
“I have to admit, it’s nice to see a new face around these parts,” Alfred said as we walked past a rowdy pub. “Encounters with dwarves are a rarity around here.”
“Not a lot of dwarves in Everlorn?” I asked.
“There are quite a bit of dwarves, however, must don’t stray too far from the major cities.”
“What about elves?”
Alfred stopped walking for a second, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That’s a good question. I’d say it’s more common to see elves than dwarves, especially in the Eastern continents.”
“Really?” I exclaimed, feeling genuinely surprised. “What about humans?”
“Oh, my,” Alfred sighed, a shadow creeping across his face. “There aren’t a lot of humans traveling out of Earth these days.”
“How come?” I asked, trying my best to hide the surge of emotions rising in my chest.
“I don’t know if this is true, but I heard the new government has instilled laws prohibiting travel between realms. If my memory serves, only humans traveling on diplomatic missions are permitted to leave Earth.”
I clenched my fists behind my back, taking deep breaths to calm the anger that was burning up my insides. It was the first time in this life, that I caught a whiff of what was happening back home.
For years, I'd wondered in the back of my mind what had happened following my death. Based on what I’d just heard, things seemed to be bad. Really bad. The only consolation I had was the bitter reality that the people I cared about were already dead.
“Judging by your silence, I take it you have human friends?” Alfred asked, his voice snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I don't know.”
Alfred patted me on the shoulders, his lips curling into a sad smile. “It truly is a shame what happened over there. Nobody ever thought the demons would actually invade the human world... Even after sixteen years, it still feels like yesterday that the universe fell into a state of shock when the demon king announced he was invading Earth.”
“Has it been sixteen years?”
“Yes, it has,” Alfred replied. “Time flies doesn’t it?”
I nodded but remained quiet as I ran a quick calculation in my mind. If the invasion happened sixteen years ago, it meant that from the time of my death, until my reincarnation, a span of about ten years had passed. This realization brought up a whole new realm of questions. Unfortunately, they’d have to wait for another time.
As we turned the corner, Alfred came to a halt, gesturing toward a three-story building with the words “Jonah’s Inn” etched onto a wooden sign hanging above the entrance. The soft glow of warm light spilled from the windows, inviting respite within its walls.
“Here we are, lad,” the old man said, a small smile playing on his lips. “I wish you the best of luck on your travels.”
“Thank you for everything, Alfred. If we meet again, remind me to buy you a drink.”
“You got yourself a deal!” Alfred chuckled.
With a nod, Alfred bid me farewell, disappearing around the corner.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door, eager to discover the world that awaited me within the embrace of the inn.
As I entered the inn, a feeling of comfort immediately settled on me. The interior had a simple yet charming rustic appeal, with sturdy wooden beams stretching across the ceiling. Soft, melodic tunes played in the background, creating a calm backdrop for weary travelers like myself.
The focal point of the inn was a crackling fireplace that emitted a cozy warmth, casting flickering shadows around the lobby. The room was thoughtfully furnished with plush armchairs and small tables. The walls, adorned with a tapestry of weathered paintings, seemed to narrate the history of the town.
Approaching the front desk, I found myself face to face with a young man whose features reflected those of a monkey. His playful eyes sparkled with curiosity as he greeted me with a friendly smile.
“Welcome to Jonah’s Inn,” he said, his voice cheerful and upbeat. “How can I assist you tonight?”
I returned his smile, feeling instantly at ease. “I’m looking for a single room, just for the night.”
The monkey man reached for a small folder, his nimble fingers flipping through the pages.
After a moment, he nodded and looked up at me. “Lucky for you, we still have one single room available. It comes with a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, fresh linen, towels, and all the essentials you’ll need for a peaceful night’s rest.”
The description of the room sounded ideal. “That sounds perfect. I’ll take it.”
The receptionist’s eyes gleamed mischievously as he leaned closer. “Ah, but I mustn’t forget to mention our optional breakfast service. For a small additional fee, you can wake up to a delicious spread of morning delights.”
Considering the offer, I weighed the value of a hearty breakfast before deciding. “Yes, that sounds wonderful. I’ll take the breakfast service as well.”
With a nod of approval, the receptionist excused himself to retrieve the room key, leaving me momentarily alone in the cozy lobby.
Glancing around, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of modern technology. Similar to Azurax, I noticed that Ravenwood seemed to embrace a more traditional way of life, lacking the modern technological conveniences I was starting to grow unaccustomed to. I found solace in the simplicity and familiarity of the setting, appreciating the timeless charm it offered.
Just as I was lost in my contemplation, the receptionist returned with a key in hand, ready to accompany me to my room. I accepted the key with gratitude and followed him.
As we walked, the receptionist informed me of the inn’s amenities and pointed out various areas of interest, providing a brief tour of the establishment.
Though smaller in scale compared to what I was used to, Jonah’s Inn exuded an undeniable charm.
As we turned a corner, the receptionist gestured toward a wooden door marked with the number of my room. “Here you are, sir. Room 8, just as promised. I hope you find it comfortable.”
After bidding the receptionist goodnight, I turned the key in the doorknob and stepped into the comfort of my room. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the cozy space, casting a warm feel that instantly put me at ease.
Setting my bag down, I caught a whiff of my scent and realized the day’s journey had taken its toll. With haste, I made my way to the bathroom, craving the rejuvenation that a warm bath would bring.
The bath washed away my weariness, leaving me refreshed and revitalized. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I noticed the changes that time had wrought. My dark hair had grown longer, falling in unruly waves, and my skin was tanned. It was obvious I'd spent a great deal of time under the sun in the last year.
Before retiring to bed, I quickly tended to my laundry, washing away the traces of travel from my clothes and leaving them to dry overnight. Tomorrow, I’d have to wake up extra early to reach my next destination before nightfall.
“The city of Elysium,” I whispered to myself as I looked down at the spot on the map where I’d be traveling. I had it circled in red.
Though I knew little of the city, Dahlia’s words echoed in my mind, speaking of its grandeur and importance. It was in Elysium that I would need to register as an adventurer, seeking the necessary permission to venture into the dungeon.
As exhaustion seeped into my bones, I gratefully surrendered to the allure of the inviting bed. The day's weariness took hold, and within moments, sleep enveloped me, wrapping me in its comforting embrace.
