[A/N: From this arc onward, the narration will shift to Ruis's 1st-person POV. Why? Because he's taking over as the storyteller for a while.]
***
The sounds of birds chirping filled my ears, while the warmth of the duvet covered me. It was pleasant, yet addictive. I didn't want to leave this place. I didn't want to open my eyes.
"Ruis?"
Stunned, I burst my eyes open instantly.
That voice… I had never forgotten that accent.
In front of me sat a middle-aged woman. A few wrinkles spread across her cheeks and forehead.
"What happened, Ruis? Why are you crying?"
She brushed her fingers over my cheek.
My mother was sitting in front of me, my mother.
I hadn't seen her in years, yet something felt wrong. I knew this woman. I knew her warmth.I knew the scent of her clothes.
And yet, somewhere deep inside me, another memory screamed that she had been dead for years. I didn't know which memory was real anymore.
Amidst the battle raging inside my chaotic mind, she came closer and embraced me.
"It's okay. It's okay. Everything's fine."
I was only nine or ten years old when my mother passed away. I didn't really remember when; my memories from that time were faint.
Yet she was here. Embracing me in her arms. I could feel her warmth. Her scent.
It was really her. Wasn't it? I let out a sigh.
"What's today's date and year, mother?"
She looked surprised, yet still answered.
"It's the twelfth of July, 1546. Did something happen?"
As soon as those words left her lips, visions began appearing before my eyes.
These were the memories I had from before I became conscious of myself here. Surprisingly, I had lived quite a simple life.
My father worked as a general for the Ottoman Empire. But due to a civil war, my mother and I had migrated to the Holy Roman Empire.
Thankfully, he continued supporting us by sending funds from there, allowing us to live comfortably.
By some strange twist of fate, I found myself at the exact same age as I was in my present life.
We had crossed over just a month earlier, stumbling into a place where language itself had become our greatest barrier.
Yet against the odds, we crossed that threshold and found our footing.
"I had a bad dream last night."
She patted my back.
"Dreams are just dreams. They aren't real."
Maybe she was truly right. If it weren't for the consciousness I had now, I would have probably believed that too…
Moments Later...
The view from my window was beautiful. Children ran through the lively streets, while the scent of flowers resting on the sill filled the room with a refreshing energy.
Despite the pleasant view, I wondered what those murmurs had been about when I had almost lost consciousness before waking up here.
"Ruis!"
My mother suddenly called out, distracting me.
I walked toward her room, only to find her already standing in the hallway.
"By the way, here, take some coins. We have run out of chicken and potatoes, so make sure to buy them tonight."
She had even listed them on a piece of paper so I couldn't forget, shoving everything into my trouser pockets. I sighed before forming a faint smile. Maybe in another world... this would be real.
But even if it wasn't, I would probably delude myself into believing it was. Yet my consciousness would always remind me like a curse. This was all an illusion. Somewhere.. I wanted this to happen…
Coming outside, I strolled through the narrow streets. Children ran past me, but my mind was nowhere near them. I kept thinking about those strange whispers I had heard before waking up.
I wonder where they all are. If I'm the same age as I was in my current life, then they should all be the same age too, right?
"Watch your steps."
I snorted at the kid who bumped into me.
Well, everything was pretty great here, but... finding them would be a challenge.
And there was also that novel mystery…
At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind, causing my steps to pause.
If Lisa is an Astran, she shouldn't be on a cycle of reincarnation. Which means she won't be here... Is that what he was trying to say?
I didn't really know, I just wanted to get some fresh air. It felt like my mind was steaming itself up from all these thoughts…
Ah, shit. I just remembered I haven't done a shit since getting here. You guys must be bored as hell. Oh well. Let's move along.
After strolling from street to street for a while, I leaned against a wall and rummaged through my trouser pockets before looking down at the coins resting in my palm. Chicken and potatoes, huh?
Apparently, reincarnating into my past life didn't exempt me from grocery shopping.
Roaming through markets and stalls, my heart pounded heavily.
Who knew if I would randomly encounter one of my bums here? Well, I should act as stoic as possible to avoid any misconceptions about me.
While traveling through the main street, I came across a bridge in front of me. It was made of heavy timber and cobblestone, spanning the rushing gray waters of the river beneath it. Its thick oak beams had darkened with age.
Beyond it, in the distance, was a path leading toward the forest. Well, I shouldn't go there, at least not now.
Walking through the streets on my left, I passed a Catholic church. Then, after heading toward the right, I strolled further and further until the sight of a huge palace appeared before me.
It was surrounded by fences, with guards either walking around or standing completely still. They all wore huge boots, though I didn't think they were actually that tall. Probably faking their height with those damn boots.
I decided to pass by without causing any trouble, making my way back toward the market.
Well, this time I would actually buy the chicken and… Wait…
I forgot. Thankfully, the list mother had given me came in clutch. Otherwise, I would have probably rotted outside for the whole night.
…
Time passed, and the sun eventually went down. I had spent the entire day exploring the town. Though I had memories of this place, I decided it would be better to check everything for myself.
Now that intrigued me…
Was the version of me who had lived here before I gained consciousness, was he really me? This question made my skin crawl.
I sat at a sidewalk cafe, with the chicken and potatoes resting on the table in front of me.
I was busy devouring a sandwich alongside a jug of watermelon juice. Well, my legs were burning from all the walking I had done today…
I guess I had lost more calories today than I consumed. After finishing my lunch and handing some coins to the waiter, I didn't have much to worry about. Mother had given me additional money.
Picking up the items I had been sent to buy, I started making my way home. Well, mother would probably be worried about me, but I guess I could manage it.
Walking through the uncanny valley, which happened to be the shortcut to my home, my ears suddenly caught something.
I instinctively turned around as quickly as I could.
Two bandits stood there. They had knives. And they were approaching me.
"Give us everything you have, and we'll let you go."
Such morons couldn't do anything useful for a living, so in the end, this was the only way they could survive. I smirked.
These thugs… Gosh…
"I'm not giving you anything."
I placed the bag on a window slab beside me before stepping forward.
Both of them showed different reactions. One looked astonished, while the other grimaced before marching toward me.
"You don't care about your life!?"
I wasn't sure about my physical capabilities in this life. I hadn't worked out as much or as intensely as I had in my current one.
Still… It would be fine, right?
I dodged the knife that came toward my face. If I hadn't moved in time, I would have lost an eye.
Using the opening, I positioned myself to throw a hook, but the other one rushed toward me as well.
Regardless, I threw a punch with proper form, hitting the first one hard enough to send him slamming against the wall.
Then, for the other one, I bent my body before throwing a kick.
My body wasn't as skillful as it was in my current life, yet it had trained enough for me to utilize my skills without much difficulty.
Panting as I caught my breath, I realized the guy had gotten back up. He was only a few centimeters away from me. I couldn't dodge this in time…
SCHLICK!
Amazing...
Out of nowhere, a knife had precisely struck the guy in the head from the side.
Blood poured from the wound. The other one noticed it and immediately tried to run away.
Unfortunately for him, he received the same outcome.
How the hell had someone helped me in the middle of the night?
I turned toward the direction the knives had come from.
A boy stepped out of the darkness, wearing a dusty shirt. As soon as my eyes landed on him, I was flabbergasted.
He was quite tall, though not taller than me. Still, he had a decent build. The boy pulled the knives from the lifeless bodies before calmly cleaning them. I stared at him.
If this was a story, then this guy could definitely be both the protagonist and the antagonist at the same time.
I decided to keep my mouth shut and avoid speaking his name. Still, I had to say something to make the atmosphere less awkward.
"U–Uhh, thank you... sir."
"No need. These bandits are increasing day by day. We should do some cleansing."
Judging by the way he had just killed them, it definitely wasn't his first time.
And judging by the type of pants he was wearing…
Only a blacksmith could have those pants.
I swallowed. To find the truth here, I needed to make sure he got to know me.
"By the way, what's your name?"
For a few seconds, he remained silent, as though he hadn't expected me to ask.
Though I already knew his name. I knew him very well. How couldn't I? This was the only person who had always challenged me. And the only one… Who reminded me of the truth.
"Ender Levin."
He mumbled, looking at me with unreadable eyes.
I smirked and raised my hand toward him.
"My name is Ruis Forst, wanderer from the lands beyond."
Surprised by the additional information I had given him, he sighed before turning around and walking away.
Damn it...This guy was really hard.
"Oh! By the way, do you work somewhere?"
He turned around, one of his brows rising.
"I... I was looking for a job, you know. A place to work."
Though I didn't really need a job... I guess this was the only way…
He thought for a few seconds before declaring.
"Fine. Meet me around the bridge tomorrow afternoon... then we'll see."
[ The Next Day ]
He walked ahead of me. We had crossed the bridge and were approaching the path beyond it. It was quite beautiful here.
The sounds of birds chirping echoed through the trees, while squirrels moved between the branches.
After strolling deep into the forest for a while, I began hearing the sound of splashing water.
Was there another river here? Or was it the same one? Probably the same river, I guess…
Finally, when the trees began to clear, I was astounded.
Before me lay a grassy field covered with flowers, while the sun beamed from the clear sky above. In the distance stood a blacksmith's shop beside the riverside.
When we arrived there, I was surprised by how big and well-kept the shop was, I hadn't expected all that. Well, let's see who's gonna be the master…
"Stay here. I'm calling them."
I nodded at his words as he went inside.
Soon, I found myself occupied by the sight of the river.
Coming to think of it… Was this the world I wanted to find? I didn't really know…
"So, this is the guy you were talking about?"
Someone suddenly spoke behind me.
Because of the water splashing against the rocks, I couldn't hear the voice clearly at first, so I turned around.
My body stiffened. I couldn't move a muscle. Just seeing her… Alongside him, she approached me.
"Hello, mister. Thank you for joining us here. My name is Sara Rain. Uhh... did I do something wrong?"
That soft smile of hers, though it was mechanical. I could easily read it, yet I wanted to lose myself in the sight of her. Because...No way… It…
It was actually her. But I couldn't say it already.
"My name is..."
I forced my throat to speak, yet only one word came out.
"Ruis..."