Survival

Not long after, they were on their way. Lawrence looked out of the carriage window and saw the mansion getting smaller as they exited Graceland Lane, navigating through the prominent New Exugia District.

Riding in a carriage is a vastly different experience from driving a car, although it’s much slower.

Lawrence thought the experience was riveting. He could stretch his legs without hitting anything as he rode through the streets, passing by everyone.

As they arrived at the main gate, Lawrence handed over the necessary documentation to the gate guards, who eventually let them through. The carriage passed by the long line of carriages and caravans waiting to enter. The thick, tall, and gray stone palace walls loomed over as they passed under.

Lawrence glanced to the right as they crossed the stone bridge, overlooking the deep moat surrounding the exterior.

It was only a fifteen-minute ride to the village from the capital, Lawrence noted, having periodically checked his watch ever so often.

When they arrived, he opened the door and stepped out, being greeted by the refreshing air that vastly differed from the manufactured odors of the capital. He could smell faint traces of smoke still, but the natural scents of nature washed over it.

James joined him as they looked at the barren landscape of charred building remains. “I can’t believe this is Leidhal now…” He commented, taking off his cap to pay his respects.

Lawrence could tell James was distressed, seeing the remnants of the carnage that had taken place.

“Come on.” The Blackwood son ushered James as they walked towards the house where Lawrence had transmigrated.

When I woke up here, I didn’t take much time to take in the surroundings, but the same as before, the haunting echoes of the lives that were lost occupied my thoughts, despite my never having seen anything outside of the house...

It was eerily quiet, as not even any birds were chirping. The only sounds came from the light gusts of wind and the rustling of leaves in the distance.

They passed by a mostly intact house. Most of the front was black and burned beyond recognition.

Out of curiosity, Lawrence stepped inside and briefly explored the interior. There was nothing notable left. Not even any family memorabilia or remains of decorations.

He left the house, his eyes catching the remnants of the blacksmith shop from before.

It’s truly saddening to see such a lively place in ruins. I hope Randal made it out…

Despite his best wishes, the likelihood of the blacksmith surviving was next to none. After all, Lawrence only technically survived because he transmigrated.

Leaving behind the reminiscing, he and James approached the charred wooden tomb of the Blackwoods, before Lawrence held out his hand in front of James.

They stopped in their tracks, making James confused as he looked up at his master.

Lawrence turned to see a group of five armed men come into view from behind the ruins of a building, nonchalantly conversing with one another before they noticed the pair as well.

“Bandits…” James whispered, hiding behind Lawrence, hoping it would provide some protection.

They must be looking for any valuables that didn’t get burned up to sell…Lawrence eyed several items bundled up in one bandit’s arms. They were all from Randal’s shop.

The sight made Lawrence visibly ill, despite the fact that there was no help for it. Watching the bandits walking together nonchalantly while stealing from the dead made something inside the noble burn up like a flare.

The lump in Lawrence’s waistband behind his back became more apparent as he considered drawing his weapon.

“Hey! Who are you?” One of the bandits asked in a commanding tone, snapping Lawrence out of his musings.

The bandit gradually moved closer, sword in hand, before stopping only a few meters away. He was the most confident of everyone. Lawrence assumed he was the leader by his tone.

The group followed behind their leader when a member pointed at Lawrence with shock. “It’s him! Lawrence Blackwood! He lives!”

A few of the bandits gasped in realization, annoying Lawrence a bit.

“Is that so?” The supposed leader chuckled, resting his sword on his shoulder before formulating a plan.

“Listen up, boys, we’re going to take the piggy bank and kill the other one!”

The group cheered as James tightly held onto the back of my shirt.

“Lawrence, we should run…”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think they’d let us even if we could outrun them.”

“So what do we do?”

Lawrence sighed, considering every possibility. He could run away, but he wasn’t confident that James could keep up with his scrawnier body.

And he didn’t have enough stamina to carry the boy while running away. The carriage was out of the question because the bandits would catch up before they could get away.

“The only thing we can do is fight.” He replied with conviction, making up his mind. Quickly removing his jacket, he pulled out the kukri from its sheath hidden behind his back.

“W-wha, you have a weapon? Also, I don’t know how to fight Master Lawrence!” James started rambling, terrified beyond anything else now.

“Then it’s my job to see that we live through this.”

Lawrence tried not to show it, but his hands were shaking, and sweat was forming on his forehead. Adrenaline was coursing through his veins, getting him pumped up.

“That’s a pretty piece. Looks expensive, too. I think I’ll take it.” The bandit leader said, getting ready for the fight along with the rest of his colleagues.

Kill or be killed…only the strongest survive. That is the way of natural selection.

Lawrence tightened his grip on his blade, steadying his hands so he could focus on his moves, rather than his nerves.

I’m sure he has a more significant physical advantage, but if I’m smart, I should be able to win. Here’s hoping that six years of self-taught martial arts don’t fail me now.

“You ready to lose, kid?” The leader gave one last smug grin at his cash prize.

“Bring it.”

----

Eva roamed the halls until she was away from the palace’s library. She peered around the corner to see two guards watching on either side of the doors.

“Dang it…”

Hastily creating a plan, she approached the guards as they barred the library entrance.

“I'm sorry, Princess Eva. Lord Pericles has instructed us to keep everyone out of the library.”

To her dismay, the left one blocked the brass door knobs with his lance, his hulking armor looming over her.

“Lord Pericles does not dictate to anyone in this palace, advisor to my father or not.” She spoke in an annoyed tone, folding her arms.

“Even so, he’s currently in there and has asked us to stop people from bothering him.” The other guard replied, his face covered by his steel helmet.

“How long has he been in there?”

“About a day.”

That’s around the time he took the grimoire. Eva furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what the Lord was doing with the family’s heirloom.

“That’s fine then.” She said, walking away, suspecting the Lord of the State was up to no good.

What is Lord Pericles doing with Silvain’s grimoire? He’s a powerful mage already. She was deep in thought when she crashed into a large metallic object before her.

“Ow…” She rubbed her forehead as the slight pain subsided.

Upon inspection, she noticed a tall man with dark purple eyes like hers, brown hair, and a braided ponytail looking at her with great interest.

“Big brother!” She said excitedly, hugging her older sibling, Leonard, tightly, although his bulky armor made it a difficult task.

His gray steel knight’s armor donned a blue and gold cape with the insignia of Exalta, a golden blade with wings. At his side was a long-sheathed sword in the same colors.

“How are you doing, sister?” He asked in a confident but gentle tone, resting his hand on his sword handle.

“I’m doing alright, I suppose.” She fidgeted with her fingers briefly before noticing something was amiss. “Where’s the Storm Lance?”

The Paladin raised his eyebrows in surprise that she noticed such a minor detail. “Ah, it’s currently being repaired since I chipped it on my last expedition.”

“And how was Central Riran?” She asked, recalling where the Ministry of Defense had sent her brother.

“Better than Wyria. Had to quell another state-wide riot.” He sighed, shaking his head exhaustedly.

“I don’t understand why so many are rioting now.” She scrunched her face slightly, trying to fathom the reason.

He folded his arms, and his metal gauntlets clinked. “People are scared. Many countries in the West, such as the Tricrown region, are constantly building up their forces and engaging in conflict. Another war could be on the horizon when the last one was only a decade ago.”

Eva feared having to experience another war. She began shivering slightly as if the air had suddenly become cold. She stopped when her brother set a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“If something happens, I will be here to protect you and our entire family, " he said with a gentle smile. “Also, I heard your fiancé is alive and well.”

“Ahaha…yeah, but he doesn’t remember me. He’s suffering from amnesia.” She replied, feeling a sharp pain in her heart as she said that.

“Hopefully, he’ll come around soon. I doubt he’ll forget you.”

She tried not to think about it, but she would have to see him in class the next day, which made her nervous.

Her brother noticed her anxiety, roughing up her hair playfully to lighten the mood.