kuro and Diane returned from the forest with their luggage on the cart , a large amount of gathered woods and ontop of them dead goblins and dire wolves he killed in the forest.
it became a routine for both of them to leave early and go into the forest for kuro's training.
and anytime he came across harmful monsters in the forest he defeated them and took some corpse's back with him.
a curious Diane had once asked what he was using the corpse for.
kuro had being using the monster corpses to make a monster scare crow and placing it at all entrances monsters would likely pass to enter the village.
he once watched in an animal documentary about chimpanzee's and how they defend their territory. when an enemy invades the chimpanzee would, abuduct the enemies children and eat them, then they take the skull of the corpse and Mount's it at the entrance of their territory as a sign of warning to all trespassers, 'you cross this area, YOU DIE'
those savage little things.
kuro was imitating them ,by
Mounting corpse at the entrances
some of the villagers even began to wonder what kind of man kuro was before coming here
but anyways since he's killing the monsters for them no one bothered complaining, infact some of the male villagers joined in helping him in his endeavor
on the seventh day
same as usual Diane and kuro left on their little trip to the forest .
while in the forest kuro did different types of training practice. like creating an 'air bomb' underwater in the shortest amount of time , perfecting a new form of wind slash using a sword a a soldier from the village lent him, he had being practising for some day's the 'SCYTHE WIND'.
and the most important that he wanted to master was 'Stealth' a skill he recently thought of during the time the attention he was getting from the villagers was high.
the idea behind the skill 'stealth' he was trying to master was to restrict the flow or stop the air from carrying information out of him. Information such as his voice, scent and even the sound that occurs when he comes in contact with other object.
'if I want to achieve this I need to sink my consciousness deeper into the air"
kuro stood still and meditated while standing in front of a spring in the forest
Diane went into the forest to pick up some herbs.
it finally hit the time for kuro and Diane to head home, so they left the forest
scene closed
'there isn't any clock in this world but my internal clock says the time will be around 11, and the time we left the village should be around six'
kuro thought about this while pulling the cart
"is something wrong?" Diane ask kuro who had a troubled look on his face
kuro sighs
"i still haven't achieved the desired result for my training"
"you mean that new thing you were doing..? , I still don't understand what that is"
"hmm.." kuro tilts his head left and right
"its something am working on to draw less attention to myself..."
"hoooi"! a village guard calls out
kuro attention got shifted upwards as he see a young village guard calling out to them
kuro and Diane continued their Steady pace till they eventually came in contact with the guard who was patrolling the area
" thank you for your hard work always Gerald"
"oh it's the least I can do"the guard replys with a smile.
'the village where am staying is surrounded by forest at all corner, and they have no fence , well they never thought they needed it since before monsters do not enter human territory , and even if they did, it was usually low level monsters that they could handle like goblins but then ,that established sense got broken down when hobgoblin started joining in with the other lesser goblins and started attacking, defeating hobgoblins was already difficult and now a Minotaur stepped in whose combat ability is higher than three hobgoblin combine.
so in other to prepare for monsters attack village guards are deployed to scout every edge and corners of the village, any gauard who see sign of the monsters coming at their designated post quickly sends a signal to the the soldiers sent from the capital who are station in the middle of the village for support'.
kuro and Diane enters the village
they were greeted by people left and right by people of the village,
the attention kuro received the first time was high but it seems the villagers are starting to calm down
kuro and Diane got to their home and saw a carriage drawn by horse packed outside .
the driver was still at the driver sit who looked like a middle age man, and a guard probably still in his tweenties was standing outside the building door.
'this person seems to be a guard that means.. '
the driver spots them and lowers his head in a dignified manner.
the guard too did the same too, to diane
kuro went ahead to parked the cart at a corner while Diane proceeded to the entrance door. Diane already knew someone important was inside, usually the orphanage kids were always rowdy but now they seem calmer
Diane finally opens the door, and and her thoughts of an important person waiting was confirmed. the sight of the VIP sitting backwards to her , a table belonging to the orphanage in her front as well as a maid standing next to her.
the VIP wearing a decent enough dress not too flashy got,up from her chair then turns around to face Diane, she had a blonde hair and smooth skin that serves as prove that she was a nobles daughter.
Diane finally seeing who the VIP was quickly went down on one kneel with her head bow, the person before her was the daughter of the vassal lord governing over these lands.
"my lady it is an honour to have you in our home"
fanatia bends down a little to meet with Diane greeting posture
she then pats her on both shoulders
"its been a long time diane am glad to see you in good health"
diane then looks up to fanatia with a smile
"yes thank you"
the lord of the land had paid a visit to the orphanage a few times, and during those times he always brought along his daughter who was much younger then. fanatia and diane met during those occasions and became friends.
fanatia was later sent to an academy in the capital, Diane wasn't able to see her friend for almost five year's
both of them took a seat right next to each other. they exchange pleasantries and caught up on old times
"by the way I heard what happened to your grandmother am deeply sorry for loss"
fanatia held Diane's hands tightly
"if there's anything you need that is within my family's power just tell , and I grant it"
Diane with a solemn smile
"thank you fana"
"so is there anything more important you want to talk about"
fanatia face arched up a bit awarkwardly
well it was only natural after all there was another motive behind this meeting, she didn't just come here only to meet with a childhood friend
"well you see...'
kreek...
the door suddenly opens and fanatia's objective had entered which was kuro
Diane saw the light in fanatia's eye's and could already figure kuro was the reason she came
fanatia gets up and greets kuro first
" good day to you mr kuro my name is 'brantaq fanatia' daughter of the vassal lord of this land"
'vassal lord'
'the king of the Burgundian empire put lords to be in charge of several territory to manage them in his stead ,but since some of the territories are large the lords cant oversee them all so the lords themselves employs vassal lords and put them in charge of each land and have them report to him. Also the vassal lords collect taxes from the people leaving on the land, and gives it to to the lords, and the lords pays the taxes they gather from all lands to the king, 'I guess it's kind of similar to the governing system in my own world, the president will be the king, the governor the lords, and the Mayor who will be the vassal lords'.
"um sir is something wrong". fanatia ask?
" it's nothing I was just thinking " kuro responds
unlike Diane dignified greeting, kuro's was rather blunt
" um hello, nice to meet you"
,Diane sigh's while covering her face with her hand
the guard who came with fanatia was watching through the opened front door and got a bit annoyed at kuro's unsightly manner
"you! what kind of attitude are you putting on before the mistress! she is the daughter of the vassal lord of this lands daughter you know,"
"..." , kuro's eye brows frowned
"mr Harold there is no need for that after all am the one who came here unannounced" fanatia tries to stop the guard's protest
"no mistress , this is unacceptable, not only did you greet him first but you even went as far as introducing yourself, its is expected that he show's the proper respect to you."
he then turns his attention towards kuro
"you are suppose to bow or kneel before the mistress"
"what!" who the fuck is she , 'god'!" kuro unknowingly spoke out loud
"ha" kuro realised he might have went too far with his words but he just couldn't suppress his yakuza tongue
'I should apologize... '
"you bastard..!
kuro looks to the side of his back and saw a angry guard taking heavy steps towards him
" am going to put you in your place"
fanatia tried to stop him but he had already gotten closer to kuro
he grabs kuro shoulder from behind pulls him to face his sight then proceeded to punch his face,
but just when his fist was about to make contact with kuro's face
boom..!
a burst of wind suddenly came out from kuro and knocked the guard backwards exiting him through the orphanage door by a few step, the guard manages to land on his feet outside the door before finally developing a weak kneel and falling on his kneels.
some villagers who were passing by saw the guard outside on his kneels and wondered
"hey see that guy what's up with him why is he kneeling in front of the orphanage"
"-who knows " the other guy gestured with both hands.
harlord regained his wit and looks at kuro who was still inside, with an enraged look and tone he shouted
"you bastard!"
at that moment he reached for his sword by his sword by his waist and wanted to unsheathe it
"that's enough! fanatia orders him
" but"
"are you trying to disobey an order from me your mistress"
the bodyguard finally let's go of his waist sword and calms down a little, he then trys to get up from his kneeling position but was stopped by his mistress.
"remain in that position until am done"
the guard puts his face down and replys
"yes mistress"
fanatia began apologizing to kuro and diane on behalf of Harold insubordination
"its OK think nothing of it, part it was also kuro's fault has well"
Diane grabs kuro's head and forces it low
"come on apologize too"
kuro too apologized as well
this worlds greeting system was a bit too complex him.
a series of apology followed front and back,
fanatia then discussed the reason why she's here
"mr kuro "
kuro's attention got drawn to fanatia
"my father wanted to come himself but he had other things to do so he sent me instead to thank the man who stopped the Minotaur rampage on his land."
kuro then replys
" I did what I had to do,I too was saved by Diane and her grandmother while was in the forest, and was even offered a place to stay here at the orphanage,... kicking a Minotaur ass is the least I can do to protect were am staying..".
a thin smile formed on fanatia lips
" am pleased to here that"
she then alternate are gaze towards Diane who was sitting at the other side of the table next to her, she gestured to her maid with her hands, and the maid handed her a basket of gift, fanatia then hands it over to Diane
"this are for the kids ,"
Diane collects it
"thank you"
"father also sent some stuff as well can I have my driver bring it in"
"OK"
fanatia tells her driver to bring in the goods , kuro also then offered to help in the carrying the provision the vassal lord sent.
after an hour of chat and talks it was finally time for fanatia to leave
she gets up and pays her respect one more time,
as she was about leaving
" sorry to ask this mister kuro but, it's been on my mind, earlier when my guard was rude to you you used the word 'FUCK' when you were addressing me..."
"hah" .. a wry look etched on kuro's face
"can I ask what it means?"
'shit I can't believe she actually remembered , how the hell am I supposed to explaine the word 'FUCk' to a medieval person'
kuro plundered for a while before finally giving his reply
"it's an exclamation used to express annoyance, contempt,or impatience"
'that should be simple enough, though there's more to it'
"oh I see" fanatia had an enlightened look on her face
"the land you came from , they must have used that word alot,"
"yeah I guess"
"time for me to start heading back,... ho and mr kuro the vassal lord would be very happy if you would come visit him sometime"
"yeah OK I'll think about it"
fanatia steps out of the orphanage building, she frees Harold who was still on his kneels outside
Harold quickly get up and opens the carriage door for his mistress
she, and Harold closed the door and got in front with the driver and they began driving off , kuro and diane waved them goodbye
orphanage kids who had been quite until now began coming out one by one after another,
one of the youngest children, a girl latched on to Diane
"big sis Diane who was that person"
Diane caresses the child's hair
"just a friend of mine"
"was that big sister fanatia", mika a older kid , fifteen years old with a red hair and different colour on both eye, green colour on the right blue on the left , with a kind face , and a solemn voice came walking out as well
" oh mika you still remember her"
"yeah"
"you should have said hello... after all she dotted on you a lot back then"
"yea..that might have caused another trouble"
despite his distinct features mika was still popular among the villagers, he was considered the most handsome , and to fanatia back then he was the cutest little brother she never had , and she dotted on him a lot.
"also I had to keep the other children's at bay so that they won't interrupt your discussion "
"I see " Diane looks back and See's the children rushing out in excitement
"how about Luna and misa" Diane ask mika
"-misa said she was going to help the old lady milk her cow , and Luna is in her room ,not sure what she's doing"
"OK"
Diane alternate's her gaze towards kuro who was being pulled around by the children who wanted to play with him
'look's like the children have warmed up to him' she thought
" ..., kuro "
"yeah what is it, " kuro turns too look at her
"keok" he became a bit inconvenient by her serious look and her sudden aura of intimidation
"am going to have you enlighten me too on some of your homeland words, starting with the full explanation on the word 'FUCk' ".
" uh, but I already explained it,..."
' jeez why is everyone so hang up on the word fuck' , he thought
"yes, you did give us the gist , Diane took some steps to reach kuro up close
" but I want the raw facts"
"gulp, kuro swallowed his dryed up saliva
'raw facts does this girl even know what she's saying' a wry smile popped up on his face
" well see explaining it all is kinda complicated..."
"oh, you don't have to worry, just explain it to the best of your knowledge.As your guardian i need to know everything about you .ho and and you probably know this but its no use lying cause I'll be bringing mika along"
Mika's double coloured eyes aren't just for show, they have the ability to discern the truth
'it'll be more awarkward if mika were there'
"you don't have to use mika for that, I'll tell you everything"
kuro had a firm resolve on his face
'if she wants raw I'll give her raw'
scene close
fanatia's carriage on the road to her fathers mansion. the mansion is located uphill from the village
in the carriage fanatia calls out to Harold
"yes my lady"
"don't ever get in a fight with mr kuro again"
harold had a stiffened look on his face
fanatia continued her talk
"there are times when a subordinate thinks he's dignifying his master with his action's, but such action might end up getting both him and master killed". I'll be blunt with you, you can't win against him, if he was an unforgiving type you would be dead"
thin shiver suddenly ran up harold spine which caused him to flash back at the quarrel he picked up with kuro
while he was trying was trying to punch him, kuro didn't even lift up a finger, and he alone was blown away by the wind that naturally came out of kuro's body, almost like a defence mechanism.
not only was kuro a elemental user but he seems to be a veteran at using it to, and he harold was just a bodyguard who barely even knows how to use martial art. if kuro had been the the unforgiving type like his master had said...
"am sorry my Lady" he apologized to his mistress
"I won't let such blunder happen again"
"well as long as you understand then there is no problem"
fanatia closes her eyes and thought
'I wonder how Diane found someone like that in the forest'
she opens her eyes slowly and her eyes reflected like a crystal.
end