Chapter 2
Rolf sat quietly on the back of the horse as the soldier rode towards the mighty wall. Looking up, Rolf was able to get a better look at his impromptu rescuer. His uniform was slightly torn with some dried up red liquid. One that Rolf instantly knew what it was and somehow, he doubted it came from a sheep or cow. The man had a tired look on his face, yet he was also clearly determined. He had short black hair and brown eyes, which were both caked in a thin layer of dust, something Rolf was quick to recognize as from a long while spent working.
"Well, to answer your question, since you seem to be suffering some memory loss, we're heading right back to the town of Trost. You should be safe in there. This whole plan was a total bust..." He said,t hat last word a murmur.
"Trost? Rolf does not recognize the name of such a land as that. Even then, Rolf is merely the Son of a Shepherd. Um...if Rolf may also ask...what were those giant naked purveyor's of the flesh?" Rolf asked the man.
Looking down as if Rolf had angry, wax covered lobsters crawling all over him, the soldier shook his head. "Man, you must've hit your head hard if you don't recognize a Titan. Which reminds me...what are you doing out here?" he questioned. "And how did you get on that Titan? Its head was still off, and there was no one nearby that could've done it by the time it regenerated at least partly."
"Rolf does not understand what doo dads you try to tell Rolf about regenerwhatsits. Rolf indeed beheaded it like preparation for nightly supper. This "Titan" was no tough namsy pansy that could match even a Sea Cucumber, so Rolf tossed it like Mama's dishwater." Rolf swallowed hard as he thought back to it...and what had almost happened. "Of course...Rolf was not aware that he was...awake..."
The soldier...tried his hardest to put together what exactly Rolf had even said, but he thought he got the gist of it. "It may be because I have no idea what you're saying, and if you could talk normally that'd be fantastic, but did you say you...tossed it? And beheaded it? You're what, twelve?" The soldier asked in disbelief.
"Did Rolf's words stutter? Rolf did as you said. Why would you question that?" Rolf asked, now himself a bit more confused then he already is.
"...Boy if it weren't for the fact I saw you get flung at least ten meters into a tree and only come out with some scrapes and bruises I wouldn't believe a word you said, and I find it hard to. This will certainly turn some heads." He said, as they returned to the gate of Trost.
The soldier, who would tell Rolf his name was Ben Fischer, returned to the waiting Rolf. They'd gotten into the city relatively easily thanks to Ben's status as a soldier. The soldier had left Rolf as he went to the managers of the refugees from beyond the wall about anyone in Rolf's family.
"I'm sorry Rolf, but we don't have anyone named "Yonnick" in our records. Are...you sure that's your name?" Ben had an idea that it was and what that meant for the poor boy.
"Must Rolf always repeat himself? Yes, that is the name Ralf's Papa was given by his Nano, and him by my Great Nano, and who gave it to Rolf." Rolf stated. He was not sure how he could've possibly been misunderstood.
"Well...I'm sure that they're out there looking for you somewhere." Ben said unable to bring himself to state what felt like the more likely answer for a lone boy found in Titan territory. Reaching up to scratch his head, he shook his head. "I think I might be able to set you up at one of the farm fields, at least for now. It'd be better than forcing you to beg on the streets, and you sure sound like you at least know what you're doing there..at least I think. I've never run into someone who can speak the same language as me and make me think it's foreign." He tossed something up in his hand.
"Still...for the time being, I was able to nab you this. Food's a bit tight, so I'd suggest making it last." He said, tossing Rolf a piece of bread. Rolf grabbed it and looked at the offering.
"Rolf certainly appreciates your piece of wimpy bread, but Rolf would request something hardier. Sea Cucumber, wiener, sausage, beets, cured, smoked, baked, and other assortments of mammalflesh." Rolf stated, putting his bread down in his lap.
"...I think you're asking for meat, I think, but if that's the case...hah. Yeah, I'll just spend my entire month's wages on a slice of ham for you." He said, before shaking his head. "Like I said, there's a major food shortage, and meat is hit the hardest. You'll be lucky if you come across a scrap of it."
At that, Rolf's eyes widened and he felt his heart begin to race. "...S-Surely you jest, yes? Rolf cannot abide on bread alone, Rolf requires the succulent flesh of the mammal to survive!" Rolf said, to which Ben shook his head.
"You're a shepherd right? The loss of these lands must've hit you hard then, but we've all got sacrifices to make." He said, looking back at Rolf.
To say those first few weeks were harsh was a severe understatement. While Rolf had been a farmer and knew how to live off the land, he still grew up in a comparatively cushy lifestyle. Guaranteed three meals a day, all of which had copious amounts of meat and seafood now reduced to the same amount of backbreaking work he was used to with maybe a loaf of bread a day. By the third day, he could hardly hold up his hoe and trowel, much to the irritation of his supervisors. Ben had to intervene, even slipping Rolf a small slice of meat to get him to listen.
For Rolf is not some weak in the spirit Jimmy-boy who buckles under a challenge! Rolf sees that somehow Mama and Papa are no longer around to provide nourishment to feed into his belly. Rolf may miss his delectable meats and bounty of the sea, but Rolf is not one to let something as mere as hunger stop him from doing his work!
Rolf would continue to work on the farm, Rolf's upbringing and knowledge from his Shepherd Papa giving him an up on the soft handed buffoons who almost missed how to plant the mighty fruit of the earth with the pale wheat of bread. Rolf would find himself having to show these whimsical Marry Andrews how to properly be one with the Earth and the bounty she provided. It was little, but each bit Rolf could produce brought stinging joy to the Son of a Shepherd.
Rolf continued to see armed-to-the-teeth Ben on multiple occasions, especially later on as the sun raised and fell on Rolf's fields. Rolf would have to listen as Ben began suggesting Rolf be wasting his time digging in the dirt. The mockery! Rolf is proud of his work! Rolf is the Son of a Shepherd, and his role if not in the flocks was in the production of these bite size meals for the people to consume. Besides, Rolf is not meant to be a warrior, Rolf's place is here. Still...Rolf couldn't help but be reminded of Mama and Papa on nights that Rolf retired from the field. Sleep would sometimes elude Rolf as Rolf would miss the sweet bedtime soothing of Nana's deep snoring and Papa's nighttime humming. Rolf...misses his family dearly. Nevertheless, Rolf knows he's doing them proud, working hard in the fields as his Papa would have him.
Still, Rolf knows that much like these strange happenings of the body and mind that moved Rolf to this strange land, Rolf cannot always predict where Rolf is going.
Rolf was carrying a sack of the potatoes that he had harvested from his field to the market in Trost where he was tasked with bringing them. As Rolf approached the market, he couldn't help but look up at the massive wall that towered over everything. Even after several months of working hard in the fields, these massive walls still amazed him every time he saw them.
"Rolf still trembles at the sight of such craftsmanship. Ah, what a strong guardian the people have indeed." Rolf contemplated...until he felt himself bump into someone. Rolf almost had his bag slip, and the person he ran into grumbled.
"Hey, why don't you watch where you're going?!" Looking up, Rolf could see there were too men standing there, glaring back at Rolf. Worst of all, they wore the uniform of the military. And on their backs was the shield and crossed swords behind a green horse, and they held those strange guns Rolf saw on occasion. The Military Police.
Ben had warned Rolf about causing these people trouble, especially in these outer towns where they often "felt they didn't belong". "R-Rolf does apologize. He is merely the Son of a Shepherd, and did not see where he was going."
"Ugh, you know how much of this kinda crap we have to deal with?" He said, turning on Rolf. "We should be in the interior, not here on the borders with you people, this isn't what I signed up for. Although..." He smirked and looked at the bag. "I could cut you a deal. We'll forget about this in exchange for...half of your bag?"
"What? No, Rolf must deliver these fruits of the Earth to market. Rolf has been tasked with this, and will not fail. Rolf again apologizes, but Rolf must be on his way." Rolf tried to step around him, but the other man stood in front of him. "Hello? Rolf must be going this way."
"What kinda speak is that, are you stupid? We're in the Military Police, you should give those to us now." He said, reaching for the bag, which Rolf swing away.
"Why must Rolf repeat himself to everyone! No potatoes for you, potatoes for market!" Rolf said, clearly getting a bit agitated.
"You stupid little kid, you're really going to cause some trouble for yourself this way?!" The soldier grabbed Rolf's collar. And then he found himself grabbed by the boy, and swung up and over Rolf's back onto his own.
"Rolf said no. Potatoes are for market. Rolf will continue on."
"Ugh, what the..hey, you come back here!" The soldier got up and ran at Rolf, grabbing his shoulder to force him around. Only to get a fist to the face that sent him flying back a bit.
"Rolf has had enough of your tomfoolery, Rolf will not be late." As he turned back around, the other soldier growled and stood in front of him. He swung his own fist at Rolf, as hard as he could, to Rolf's face.
"Take that you little-" His eyes widened when he looked at how Rolf just took the punch and then smirked back up.
"Oh, is that all? Rolf thought you were some big shot strong manly man." Rolf said, before grabbing the soldier's shirt and pants with both of his arms, dropping the sack of potatoes. With a heave, he tossed the soldier back behind him and at a cart, smashing into it. "Rolf apologizes vendor!" Rolf waved at the stunned man, now with an unconscious Military Police man in his cart that had been tossed by a boy.
As Rolf grabbed his bag and decided to continue forward, the first Military Policeman couldn't believe what he saw or felt. Grimacing, he stood up and held out his musket. He held the barrel in his hand and charged after Rolf with it like a club. "You little freak, you think you can just do that to us?!" He said, swinging it at Rolf.
"Hello?" Rolf said turning around before getting smacked hard by the butt of the musket, sending him sprawling on the ground.
"Heh, how do you like that, punk?!" The soldier stated before Rolf slowly stood up, wiping his face. The soldier widened his eyes, as Rolf glared.
"Must Rolf beat some sense into that overgrown noodle you call a head?!" Rolf said, stepping to the confused soldier, before tearing the musket out of his hand and swinging it up, knocking the soldier into the air and back on the ground. After a moment, he just groaned and lay down, passing out. A small crowd had gathered, stunned at seeing two elite soldiers getting taken down by this child.
"Crawl back to your home, you dishonorable shams!" Rolf said, tossing the musket on the ground, before continuing on. As Rolf made his way, still a bit miffed by the altercation, he felt someone tap his shoulder. "Ugh, must Rolf continue with the thrashing?!" Turning around, Rolf saw that it was another soldier, only this time a familiar face.
"Ah, always serious in the face Ben! Rolf is always happy to see you here." Rolf said, smiling. "Rolf is sorry, but Rolf cannot stand by and chit-chat, Rolf is needed in the market, and Rolf is late as is."
"Rolf I...look, it kind of has to do with that. Look Rolf, I just watched that and...did you seriously just take out two Military Elites on your own?" He asked, shocked.
Rolf nodded. "Do your eyes fool your brain? Rolf showed those two scoundrels the thrashing that comes when one will not leave Rolf be. And they were merely sissy girly girls for Rolf's own muscles. Rolf is somewhat disappointed."
"Uh...well, you see...I don't think you realize just what you did. I mean, other than it not really being possible, you just assaulted to members of the Royal elite. You are in a lot of trouble."
"Trouble? Why would Rolf be in trouble? Those crows tried to pilfer Rolf's belongings entrusted by the farm hands in Rolf, merely for bumping into them. Surely they reaped what was planted by Rolf's own hands, yes?"
"Look...you don't get how things work around here. It doesn't matter what happened. Sure they might not say a word out of embarrassment, but if they do at all, you will be arrested. And no one will really care or be able to help you."
"...Surely you jest, yes?" Rolf said, slowly but still not fully grasping the reality of the situation.
"I wish I was that youthfully optimistic again. But no, that''s not what I'm doing. Look Rolf, I know you've said several times that you prefer being a farmer over a soldier. But other than you just proving that it's a waste of talent just now, I don't think you have a choice anymore! If you join, your talents will shine and make you untouchable but if you don't...you'll end up in a cell."
Rolf looked up at Ben, seeing the grim truth in his face. Rolf shook a bit, realizing now how much trouble he was in.
"B-But...Rolf is not a warrior. Rolf is merely the Son of a Shepherd! That's a higher cast than Rolf." Rolf said, somewhat desperately.
"You kidding? With your strength and ability to take a punch...I'm sure you could easily get into the Military Police. You'd never need to be put at risk. And, you'd have access to a lot more luxuries...including meat." Ben said. He knew he was essentially trying to trick a boy in trying to join the military. Before it was because he couldn't imagine that Rolf would choose a poorer life on the farms than as a soldier, but now? He was trying to help the poor boy.
Why are you so desperate to help him, anyways? He's a boy, yes, but you helped him enough getting him in the city and working on the farms. Looking down at the young adolescent, he sighed softly and thought more on it. Because, he's a lost boy with so much potential. I don't know for sure why, if it's his strength, his toughness, or just this fire I see in him but I know he's going to change things.
Rolf looked up. "...Fine. You have convinced Rolf to join. Rolf supposes if he will not be able to contribute on the farms anymore, Rolf may be able to help elsewhere."
The blazing sun beat down on the large group of recruits in the newly formed 104th Training Corp. Rolf had spent a lot of time in the Urban Rangers, having been the leader of the troop of daring task dooers, and was often looked up on in the International Urban Ranger Brotherhood. So when Rolf was given a uniform and was taught the standard salute he was to hold, Rolf found it incredibly easy. Standing in the fifth row, Rolf watched as he saw the drill sergeant walking down the row, yelling at some of the cadets. Rolf found it quite invigorating, once again being part of an organized group with a clear hierarchy of those above yelling at the mediocrity of he subordinates.
Ah, Rolf is reminded of his days yelling at Johnny the Wood Boy and sissy Jimmy.
As each row he passed turned about, the Sergeant eventually came over to him. "You, blue haired and stupid, what's your name?!"
Rolf was of course quick to respond. "Rolf is Rolf Yonick, loud in the vocal cord drill sergeant, sir!" Rolf said. The sergeant blinked a couple times, before shouting down at Rolf.
"Are you trying to make fun of me, or are you really that stupid?! Talk to me like a normal human being!"
"Rolf is speaking as the Son of a Shepherd always has, sir!" Rolf returned, not breaking the stare. However, he could feel the sweat begin to crawl down his neck as he felt the intense glare.
"Ah is that right, you little dirt napper?! You finally decided that plowing in the fields isn't enough for you?! Why are you here?!"
"Rolf is here to pay tribute to Rolf's Great Nano, and maybe make legends like him! Rolf wishes for the protection of Rolf's farm." Ben had suggested that Rolf not say the true reason, so instead to think of something more personal, some reason he'd consider joining if he didn't have to.
Still, upon saying it...Rolf felt that maybe he wouldn't be as regretful after all.
"Oh, something to prove in your past huh? Well isn't that just great, I'm sure you'll get to meet them soon with that attitude, Row Five about face!" He said, walking forward. Rolf did as he was ordered, sighing in relief when the sergeant walked on.
Rolf seems to have once again found himself in the way of a completely different destiny than expected.
AN: Boy...I cannot tell you all just how surprised I am to the reaction I received from Chapter 1. I am so glad that everyone's enjoying this so far. It surprised me so much I just couldn't stop myself from writing Chapter 2 immediately. Don't get used to this update speed by the way.
Still, thank you for reading and I hope I continue to entertain you all with this story of Rolf in a world of Titans and Soldiers.