Kazuma stayed at the town for a few days, waiting for the time when he could leave for that escort request.

He had already accepted the job, but the client had requested a few days before their departure. He was fine with this since he had earned enough money to stay at the inn and eat proper meals. During his time, he went to the clothing store where he had a new cloak made for him. He also bought camping supplies, knowing once he finishes the job and departs on his own, he'll need them.

He also completed some other requests while he was there. Best to earn some money while he was somewhere that didn't know who he was properly before he gets to another city.

There were two important items he also bought during his time in the village. He bought a map and compass. With the map, he knew where he was currently and which city he was headed to.

He was currently in the village of Lux he was to escort his client to the Capital, which is close to a nearby border. In between Belzerg and the next kingdom lies what is known as the "no man's land". Neither Belzerg nor the other kingdom takes ownership of the land, due to the high quantity of bandits who've resisted either kingdom's authority.

That was his best bet. It would be risky, but now that he's geared up he should be able to manage.

When the time came to leave, he was surprised to see that Ralph and John came by to see him off.

"What are you guys doing here?" Kazuma asked the two.

"Well of course, we're here to see ya off! We may not have been together long, but we did share quite a bit on the ride for the boars!" Ralph said.

"Exactly, you're a friend now." John said, raising a fist for Kazuma to bump, which he did return.

"You guys..." Kazuma said with a smile.

"Take care."

"Maybe one day things will be better for you."

"Maybe... But thanks, maybe one day I'll come back." Kazuma said.

"You better!" Ralph said.

With their final goodbyes, Kazma left the two and went to his client.


It wasn't long till he was on the road.

The person he was escorting was named William. The job was pretty simple. William had a carriage, but the road he intended to take to the Capital was riddle with monsters and potential bandits. As a result, he needed someone to be his bodyguard.

When on the road, they would mainly stop if there were monsters on the road. When there wasn't monsters Kazuma just sat in the back of the carriage reading a book he bought back in the village.

The book was about a boy who lived in a world that was plagued with monsters. He was training to become one of the many people who were to defend the people from these creatures. Unfortunately, a secret was revealed and he was betrayed by his friends. However, one by one, he and his former friends made peace, and he was able to be with them again, and he even managed to find love.

'I wonder if I could ever do something like that... could I forgive them? Could we be a party again?' Kazuma thought to himself.

He couldn't think much on it anyways because of William shouting out for him.

"There are monsters ahead!" He said. stopping the carriage.

With a sigh, Kazuma tucked that thought away. He got out of the carriage and saw a group of goblins a little further down the road. Drawing his blade, he charged at the goblins.


They traveled a good amount before the sun started setting. They stopped on the side of the road and setup camp. Of course when two people are alone together, a conversation will come up eventually.

"Hey, I got a question for ya." William said.

"What is it?" Kazuma asked.

"What business you got from the capital? The job is a one way trip after all."

Kazuma looked up at the starry sky, thinking about what to say.

"I... I'm running."

"From what?" William inquired.

"From everything, I guess... "

Kazuma told William his story, leaving out the details about being a wanted man. How he grew from nothing, with an idiot for a teammate, living in a stable, to 3 idiots for teammates and living in a mansion. How they took down the Destroyer, and how when things got a bit tough afterwards, they threw him under the bus.

"Damn kid, sounds like ya got the short end of the stick."

Kazuma didn't reply, just continuing to stare into the sky.

"So, are ya heading to the capital, or do ya plan on going even further?" William asked.

"I plan on leaving the kingdom, head out to the neighboring one past the "no man's land" as it's called."

William stared at him with shock. "Ya really intend to go way out there? Either ya got a pair or yer a fool for going in that direction."

"Maybe I am a fool, but it's the best I can do."

"Well, let me give you a piece of advice."

Kazuma looked away from the sky and looked towards William while leaning towards him.

"There's a bandit group that's mighty legendary in that area. They're one of the main reasons why neither kingdom can claim the land as their own. They're known as the "Blood Eyed Bandits". You'll know when you're near their territory if you spot their markings around, drawn in blood." William took a stick and drew in the dirt an eye with some kind of scar like line that reached from above to below the eye.

"Do your best to avoid them, they don't take kindly to outsiders." He warned.

"Gotcha, I'll keep that in mind."

The two spent a bit more time talking before William went to sleep. Kazuma was left alone by the campfire. The book he was reading previously in the cart now sat on his lap. He thought back to the question he had before. Could him and the girls be a party again?

Kazuma looked at the book before he looked into the fire.

'Maybe... but I doubt it. There's no way they would ever be able to find me in the next kingdom...' He thought before he closed his eyes, falling asleep.