Viscount of Korland

After walking for forty-five minutes, Ark arrives at the gate entrance of the Korland viscounty. At the top of the gate, a large white gemstone can be seen embedded in the wall. This is a symbol of this territory as one of the gemstone producers in the kingdom.

Some knights stationed on top of the wall walk can be seen in full armour. On the other hand, some unorganized crowd can be seen gathered in front of the gate. These people have probably been here since yesterday, just after they finished their work. But some, like Ark, have just arrived today.

“Let us talk to the viscount!” Someone shouts.

“Tell us what happened to our children!” And another follows.

“Please, just take me instead!” While others cry.

Their voices are weak. They are tired and hungry, Ark feels he is luckier than some of these Ruheists despite being punched flying in the gut.

Most of the people who have just arrived began asking questions. Trying to find out if anyone has heard any news of the children. Not all Ruheists here come from the same place as Ark, there are about six Ruheist camps in this viscounty.

But one group looks different than the other. From afar, Ark cannot see anything different from them, but on a closer glance, they have something above their heads. A pair of furry ears. Each of them also has a tail, making them look like a mix of tiger and human.

“They are the people of the Gallos continent. I remember venturing there as a merchant in my past life. Hahaha, such good memories.” Someone seems to notice Ark's long glance at them.

A man with simple old attire, brown-amber hair color,  and visible imprints on his collarbone up to the neck stands beside Ark. 

“Eh? Thank you. So they are also like us, Ruheist?” Ark is just trying to confirm his thoughts, realizing he was rude to not ask the man his name first.

“Yes, that is correct. And there are a lot of tribes and small kingdoms of different types of Gallos people there,” the man answers. “By the way, I’m Dan. And you are?” 

“Nice to meet you, Dan. I’m Ark.” Ark turns toward him and bows slightly as he introduces himself.

Dan looks like he didn’t expect Ark to do that and gives a curious expression,  so Ark quickly stands straight again.

"You are quite young, Ark. Are you Ruheist born in this world maybe? Hmm, let's see, maybe one of the early kids?" Dan asks casually.

"Perhaps you are right," Ark gives a bitter smile. "My father and mother left me by myself, so I can't tell you much." Ark doesn't like to tell a blatant lie, so he gives Dan curated words instead.

"That's... unfortunate. I will be honest with you, Ark. I am proud you are here today, standing in resistance to your own faith." Dan says with determination, like he is preaching.

Ark feels grateful for his words of encouragement. But, naturally, he feels weird about the way Dan said it. 

"Thank you, Dan. I appreciate it. So, there is someone you know taken by the knights too?" Ark asks, not letting the conversation dried by him, but immediately regrets it.

I am so stupid! Why do I ask such a dumb question? Isn't that why everyone gathered here? 

But, to Ark's surprise, Dan answers, "No. No one I know was taken. Instead, it's everyone I know." Dan seems to be gazing into the distance. Then he continues, "For us Ruheist, it is for the best we stay together in this foreign world. To survive. That is one way to show our gratitude to the one almighty Gaia that brought us this opportunity." Once again, to Ark, he sounds like he's preaching, or maybe he is now.

Ark keeps hearing the name Gaia— even Sylph said the name. All he knows is that Gaia is one of the many gods from Ruheist's original world. But it seems this one is respected by a lot of Ruheist.

Ark doesn't want to be rude to Dan, or Gaia for that matter, can only answer with: "My praise to the Almighty." This one he learned from the four years he has been with Ruheist.

“I can’t help but be happy knowing a lot of people are here. I mean the sight of other Ruheist brave enough to come, to stand together despite our differences, gives my heart some kind of ease. Don’t you agree?” Dan asks, changing the topic.

Ark has never thought about that. But he can understand where Dan comes from, so he says, “Yes, I guess it’s true.”

The knights on top of the wall start moving.

“They will announce something soon. Don’t believe anything they say.” Dan looks at Ark with a serious expression. “Tonight, let's meet again at the third camp on the east of the city. I have a plan to save the children. That’s why you are here, no?”

Ark is surprised by Dan’s invitation, but he seems to really be determined. Ark asks him, “Can I really help?”

“The more people join, the better. You can bring others if you want.” Dan states.

“I will think about it. Thank you for inviting me.”

Dan gives a bitter smile. “I believe you have it in you. Show more confidence.”

Dan walks away from Ark, but before he blends in with the crowds, he turns back at Ark and says, “Also, you wearing a scarf to hide the imprint shows a little disrespect toward your origins, don't you agree?” And then he continues to walk into the crowds.

It is normal to see some Ruheists use scarves too, so Ark doesn't really feel weird about it until he asked that. Although Ark's reason might be slightly different from most who do.

The Ruheists gather closer and tighter near the gate, and in the process create a loud enough murmur. In hope they can hear what is about to be said, if any.

The knights change formation to give space in the middle. And then someone with two knight escorts can be seen walking from the left side of the wall walk.

All Ruheist's eyes are focusing on the individual. As the three men reach the center and come closer to the edge, Ark can see the figure of a well-dressed man. A bright blue suit with a white lavalière tie and dress shirt. He also has combed-back black hair and wears glasses. A look of pride can be seen as he scans the Ruheist below.

Isn’t that the viscount? Ark can't help but notice him from what he has heard about the viscount.

A knight comes beside the viscount and hands him what looks like a wand with perfectly round bluish gems on the tip.

“Listen!” One knight shouts and the murmur stops. “The viscount has decided to give you some precious time and words of his. So listen carefully!”

No one dares to make a sound and all collectively decide to listen. So does Ark.

“To all of you! I understand that you might have some questions. But to answer the most obvious one right away, NO. I can’t give the kids back as some of you might learn in the process, it was a royal decree. And for the second, you all might wonder most about. The children of Ruheist will be mandated to attend a special program of the Thellos kingdom to either be useful as magic casters or loyal fighters for the royal family of Thellos.” An unexpectedly loud voice comes from the viscount.

The first statement gives some reaction from the crowds. But, the second statement creates a big murmur among the crowds. It's obvious what they are worried about.

“No! It's wrong to force the kids to do that!”

“That means you will use them as cannon fodder in case of a war, right?!”

“I can’t let my son's future be ruined like that!”

“We want our children back!”

All the tension erupts into uncontrollable shouting and the crowds move closer to the gates, pushing each other tighter.

“Silent!” One sharp shout from the viscount forces the crowd into silence as it spreads fears among the Ruheists.

“Think about it! This can be your way to give reciprocal payment in the sixteen years you are here as outsiders. I don’t care if you believe it or not, but I am the type of person who can value meritocracy. I promise you all, as the leader of Korland viscounty, that the potential of these children will bring them a comfortable life. Three meals a day. Better clothes. A warm place to sleep. And if any of them show exceptional results, I will shower them with a better life than you all ever could.” The viscount’s words make everyone think in their own heads, and the shouting stops.

The viscount steps back and moves away from the gates with the two knights still following him.

“Be grateful that the viscount himself has blessed you with his presence and wisdom!” The knight who shouted before once again declared.

“Disperse at once! Or you choose to join the training session of us knights!” The knight's voice was full of mockery, and then followed by laughter from his peers.

Everyone at the scene starts to disperse. But Ark left thinking about the invitation in the middle of the moving crowd.

“Mala…” Ark whispers under his breath.