Chapter 1

For an island isolated and surrounded by ocean, the Far East was understandably "exotic" for those that came from the outside. That was especially true in the capital of it. Sekigahara, the City of Mist, receiving the name for the especially strong fog that would appear in the middle of the continent during Fall season. Though even as big the Eastern city was, even with how "clean" the place looked all things considered, with the wooden buildings with design uncommon outside of the Far East, it was still a place wrought with issues. Disease. Conflict. It didn't even have a proper leader. To call it a place of oddly organized anarchy was closer to truth than lie. Still, it was nevertheless the place that could be considered the "safest" of the entire island.

As long one would avoid the clearly insidious areas, like back alleys or the Red Light District, conflict and issues were rare. Through that, one could actually appreciate the different culture as an outsider. While famine was commonplace, it was not as pronounced in Sekigahara. Perhaps thanks to those who were Blessed protecting the trade routes or because of the more fertile ground that was around the city. Through that, touring the city was rather enjoyable. Food one would not usually get to taste in Orario, niche attractions like actors on the streets or vendors selling little trinkets.

Unfortunately, it was hard to appreciate when one was busy running away with an expression of utter panic, panting like a dehydrated dog. The young man, dressed in a brown shirt and black pants, foreign to the Far East, ran frantically through the crowds, apologizing as he pushed and wheezed his way through. It felt like an eternity the albino was running, escaping the danger he perceived. But knowing himself, it was most likely just a few minutes at most and he just imagined the large stretch of time. Still, exhaustion was exhaustion and not soon after, he leaned against a wall in an alley, sweating bullets as he supported himself on his knees. His head was dizzy, his legs woozy, but he took deep breaths, trying to calm down as he leaned against the wall.

His only warning was a click of a tongue. It was just a sound, but he felt a shiver down his spine, the animosity clear and directed at him. The next moment, the young man could barely fall forward, avoiding the punch that actually cracked the wooden wall. Rolling on the ground, the albino, despite his exhausted state, raised his fists with a gulp, staring at his attackers.

Three, surrounding him from the left, right and the front, sneering down at him.

"Fuckin' hell! For a kid ya size, ya can run!" The group sneered and laughed in an unpleasant way. Cracking their knuckles and neck, they slowly approached the boy, the gaps between the thugs becoming smaller and smaller.

"But no Falna means this was bound to happen. Nothing personal, ki-"

One of them closed his eyes, shaking his head in amusement. The one to the right.

"Never miss an opportunity. There are many paths, you just have to see them."

The young man didn't miss his chance. His foot shot forward. The amusement gave place to immense, horror filled agony. He dropped down, holding his crotch. The other two shouted and gaped in shock, but the young man didn't pay them any attention, instead taking a deep breath before jumping over the collapsed thug. His vision became blurry from the exertion, but he still found enough power to spin on his feet when he landed, clench his fist and throw a haymaker. The man closest to him could only widen his eyes in surprise before the fist hit. But the albino could only wince. He expected to hit a cheek. Instead, it felt like he was hitting hardened leather. The thug even seemed more annoyed than hurt, even as he winced from the blow.

Before the young lad could pull his fist back, it was grabbed, squeezed rather painfully. Then he felt his feet leave the ground. Just as he was pulled up, he was brutally put down, a fist smashing his very own face. Pain flared up, tears welled up and blood spilled from his nose as he hit the ground. Crying out, he immediately raised his arms in a guard, making sure his back was up against the alley wall. He needed it, for the three grown men immediately began to assault him at once.

It felt like his bones could crack any moment now. As he grit his teeth in frustration, fear and anger filling his heart at the situation, at his own weakness, he tried to divert the attacks ever so slightly, to limited effect. It was the only logical conclusion however. The Blessed, the Grown, would easily beat up a child that had no affection of the gods himself. And even if he was an adult himself, usually people without a Falna were doomed against someone with one. Especially three. Especially with one of them drawing a short sword, a type of katana whose name escaped him. He began to shiver, trying to push against the wall in the faint hope that it would give away.

"Pulling a blade on a child? How uncouth."

Usually, that was. At the calm, composed voice, the trio of thugs turned to him, annoyed at the interruption. The next moment, the blade was brutally knocked out of their hands before a sharp noise cut through the wind. The albino covered his mouth in horror, at the sight of three cut throats that appeared almost instantaneous in his eyes. He crawled away, hyperventilating, as the man with the purple pony tail gave the now bloodied blade a few practice swings, absolutely calm in contrast to the young man's condition.

"Hn. Rather short. Oh well." With that said, he took the sheathe without any remorse and put it around his hip, dangling next to his rather plain, brown kimono. His relaxed demeanor actually calmed the young boy down, who managed to push himself to his feet. Noticing him at last, the man smiled, patting on his shoulder with a small smile.

"I leave you out of my sight for just a moment and you get mugged." He sighed dramatically, yet he nodded in approval. "I was right. You are bound to live an excited life, young master."

"I told you to stop calling me that, Kojiro! It's Bell!" His annoyance vanished quickly, trying to ignore what he saw in the corner of his eyes. He shuddered, clenching his eyes shut. "But... thank you. I... I might have... "

"It's alright. They didn't seem to have hurt you too much. And pain means you are still alive." Kojiro put a hand on his chin, humming thoughtfully. "I just wonder why you ran away in the first place instead of just using your knife."

"I panicked! And…"

The knife felt heavy around his hip. It was a cheap thing, something they could barely afford if they wanted ship entrance as well to reach the Far East. Yet it might've made a difference against the three thugs. To actually win. But the thought of doing what Kojiro did... If the latter noticed his anguish, he didn't address it. Instead, he put his hand on Bell's shoulder, gently pushing him out of the back alley.

"Either way... what did you do to anger them so much?" The man raised an eyebrow. "Did you woo their women?"

"N-no! I don't know why they were mad!" The boy felt the blood rush through his face, the imagery too embarrassing to imagine, even if it was funny in a sense. To quickly stop any weird thoughts coming out of Kojiro's mind, he pulled something out of his pockets. "I just picked this letter up and wanted to give it back to them!"

It was less a letter and more a very small scroll. Paper as it was usually used in places like Orario were less of a sight in the Far East. Kojiro took it from his hand, staring at the unfamiliar seal with some interest, turning the scroll a few times thoughtfully.

"And I assume they were not as thankful as you expected?" At the glare he received, Kojiro chuckled, raising his hands in defense. Flipping the letter in his hand, he extended it back to Bell as they sat down on a bench. However, there was a gleam in his eyes. "Well, since you went through all that trouble, care to open it?"

Bell's eyes widened. Immediately, he looked around, becoming a bit paranoid. Then leaning towards Kojiro, he held up his hand next to his mouth, as if trying to hide his words.

"Are-are you sure?" He asked nervously, glancing at the rather tantalizing looking piece of paper. It almost seemed to shine now, after Kojiro brought up the idea. "This doesn't seem... "

"Are you not curious yourself?" Kojiro tilted his head before cracking a small smirk. "And from what meager experience I have, if such individuals didn't want you to have something, then it's good that you have it."

Bell bit his lip. It was sound logic. If bad people, and those thugs were clearly bad if they were willing to kill someone just for having the letter in the first place... Not that he thought they deserved death. Still, the thought that something bad might be happening and he could prevent it… It wasn't like he could just give the letter back, with what Kojiro had done. In the end, curiosity and worry about some evil plot like in the books won out. With a sigh, he took the scroll from Kojiro's hands.

"Alright, fine."

The seal was quickly broken and the scroll unfolded. The two of them stared at the contents. Though Bell assumed that Kojiro might even actually read it... for it was in strange letters Bell didn't understand. It was in the Far Eastern language. He felt his face flush red. With all that excitement, he didn't even get to read it himself. Then again, if this was supposed to be a secret worth killing for, it made sense to not write it in Koine. Koine was spoken enough in the Far East, mostly because it survived on merchants coming in from the outside, so for the sake of proper communication, most people understood the "Common Tongue". Still, whatever contents were inside, it was intriguing enough for Kojiro. He let out an impressed noise, rubbing his chin in anticipation.

"Well then. It appears that we have been dragged into an adventure after all." He smiled at Bell. "Just as you wanted."

"I didn't exactly want this!" Bell shouted, crossing his arms immediately into an X. "And we aren't! I don't even know what it says!"

"Was it not you that wanted to reach this place, to earn experience before 'going on an adventurer to pick up girls in the dungeon'?"

"Please stop teasing me... " He lowered his head as Kojiro laughed lightly. So yes, he wanted to do what his grandfather said was the greatest thing in life. To keep up his memory by following a simple dream of happiness. He knew it was a naive dream. But in a way, it was the reason why he was here now, wanting to do exactly that. Though he expected that experience to come in the form of some sparring with friendly local warriors, maybe some wild life, not some weird conspiracy that was apparently unfolding in this letter!

"Apologies, but to be fair, you make it quite easy." Kojiro's expression turned serious as he raised his finger. "Still, avoiding danger means avoiding growth too. I propose you see this as exercise, young master."

"..." Bell bit his lip silently. Mulling it over. With a sigh, he surrendered, deciding to trust in the words of who he considered a teacher. Pointing at the letter, the young man frowned. "First let me know what it says."

And Kojiro did. Bell could do nothing but laugh awkwardly at the information. That... was heavier than he expected. The thought of such a plan succeeding didn't sit well with him. Still, he wasn't sure what they could do, beyond giving this letter, as a form of warning, to those that were targeted.

The only question remained how they could reach and enter what was apparently a Noble House. Without invitation and nothing to their name but the meager fonds they could gather. Bell shuddered. It might just be his paranoia, but he had the feeling that this was not going to be a simple letter delivery.