Nagumo Hiroto walked alongside the knights in silence, his body still heavy with exhaustion as they continued their journey. The events from earlier replayed in his mind, the fear of being chased and the image of the monster still fresh in his memory. Even so, there was a small sense of relief knowing he was no longer alone. For now, he was safe.
After what felt like hours of walking, the scenery began to change. The endless fields slowly gave way to a more structured path, and soon, something massive appeared in the distance. Hiroto's steps slowed as his eyes widened in disbelief. Towering stone walls stretched high into the sky, their size overwhelming compared to anything he had ever seen before. Guard towers stood firmly along the walls, and large banners fluttered in the wind, marked with symbols unfamiliar to him.
One of the knights noticed his reaction and spoke. It was the Kingdom of Flaris.
Hiroto stared at it in silence, trying to process what he was seeing. The kingdom looked like something out of a fantasy story, grand and imposing, yet alive with activity even from afar. Compared to the empty and dangerous land he had wandered through, this place felt almost unreal.
As they approached the massive gates, the sound of people grew louder. Travelers moved in and out, merchants carried goods, and guards stood watch with serious expressions. The knights led Hiroto forward, and as they neared the entrance, the guards immediately recognized them.
They exchanged a few words about their patrol and briefly mentioned Hiroto, explaining that he had been found wandering alone and chased by a monster. The guards gave him a careful look, their eyes filled with curiosity and caution, before allowing them to pass.
The gates opened, and Hiroto stepped inside.
The moment he entered, he was overwhelmed by the sudden change. The streets were full of life, far more than anything he had seen since arriving in this world. People walked in groups, vendors called out loudly, and the smell of cooked food drifted through the air. Stone buildings lined the streets, each one different yet forming a lively and organized environment.
Hiroto couldn't help but look around in amazement. It felt so normal, almost like he had stepped back into civilization after being lost in a nightmare. Yet deep down, he knew this world was far from safe.
The knights guided him through the busy streets, eventually leading him into a quieter area where the buildings looked more official. The noise faded, replaced by a calmer and more controlled atmosphere. They stopped in front of a large stone building, guarded and clearly important.
Hiroto was told to wait outside while one of the knights entered. He stood there awkwardly, unsure of what would happen next. The remaining knights stayed nearby, but none of them spoke, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
After a short while, the door opened.
Two people stepped out.
The first was a man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, dressed in light armor with a sword at his side. He carried himself with confidence, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp and observant. The second was a girl around Hiroto's age, with long, light-colored hair and a calm, composed expression. She looked at Hiroto with quiet curiosity.
The man spoke first, asking if Hiroto was the one the knights had found. After a brief confirmation, he let out a small whistle and commented on Hiroto's luck for surviving.
He then stepped forward and introduced himself as Gilbert, extending his hand casually. Hiroto hesitated for a moment before accepting the handshake and introducing himself in return.
Gilbert nodded, seemingly satisfied, and gestured as if everything was already decided. Before Hiroto could ask anything further, the girl stepped forward and introduced herself as Alice. Her voice was gentle, and there was a kindness in her expression that caught Hiroto off guard.
She mentioned that he must have been through a lot, and for a moment, Hiroto didn't know how to respond. Eventually, he admitted that he had. It was the simplest answer he could give.
Alice studied him briefly before asking if he was from around the area. Hiroto paused, unsure how to answer truthfully, before simply saying no. It wasn't a lie, but it avoided explaining the impossible.
Gilbert crossed his arms and spoke again, explaining that regardless of where Hiroto came from, things worked differently here. He mentioned that Hiroto would need to be registered, as people in the kingdom required some form of status to exist properly within society.
Hiroto frowned slightly at the idea, unfamiliar with what that meant. Gilbert explained it as something similar to identification, a way to determine a person's role, rank, or affiliation. Without it, a person was essentially treated as if they didn't exist.
That thought lingered in Hiroto's mind longer than expected.
No one.
That was what he was right now.
Alice seemed to notice his reaction and gently reassured him, saying that everyone starts somewhere and that he didn't need to worry. She added that they would help him, her voice calm and sincere.
Hiroto looked at her, slightly surprised by her kindness. In a world that had shown him nothing but danger so far, hearing someone offer help felt strange.
Still, he quietly thanked her.
Gilbert then turned toward the building and told Hiroto to follow, explaining that the first step was getting him registered. After that, they would figure out what he was capable of doing.
Hiroto nodded and followed them inside.
As he stepped through the doorway, something shifted within him. The fear and chaos of the outside world still existed, but now he stood in a place filled with people, order, and structure.
This was different.
This was a beginning.
And as he walked further into the building alongside Gilbert and Alice, Hiroto realized that his journey in this world was only just starting.