Chapter 3: The Road Beyond Petita
Fifteen minutes had passed since Fayrouz entered Petita Village. She walked with a calm, measured pace through its only market, a wide, dusty square lined with stalls of fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. The air was a mix of sweet, earthy scents and the faint, briny aroma of the fishmonger's morning catch. The market, though modest, was usually bustling, but by this time, just past noon, most villagers had returned to their homes, leaving the space eerily tranquil.
Behind her, Fulan followed at a distance. His eyes occasionally flicked to the mesmerizing sway of her blue-streaked hair as a new wave of self-consciousness washed over him. What exactly is this situation? It looks like I'm stalking her. Yes, this is the only path to the other gate, but trailing her like this feels… awkward. I could take a side alley, but that would just waste time I don't have. No, this is the logical choice. Besides, she probably doesn't even know I'm here, not with that blindfold.
His momentary relief shattered when Fayrouz spoke, her voice cutting through the quiet without her even turning around. "Your name is Fulan, right?"
Fulan sighed, the sound barely audible. So much for going unnoticed. "It's not like I'm following you," he said, his tone even but defensive.
Fayrouz glanced over her shoulder, her head tilting slightly. "Why would you be? Isn't this the shortest path to the gate?"
Fulan was taken aback by her straightforwardness. Most people might have been suspicious, but Fayrouz seemed entirely unbothered. "When I heard you call yourself a future knight," he said, deciding to shift the subject, "I assumed you were heading to Ragandarok Academy to take the entrance exam."
Fayrouz turned her head forward again, her voice steady. "Really? When I heard you were going to Ragandarok Academy, only one thing came to mind: you're definitely going to fail."
Fulan's eyebrow twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "And what makes you assume that?"
"The Menma flowing through your veins," she replied without hesitation. "It has no distinct color, no defining signature. This is the first time I've seen something like it. It's as if you have no unique trait at all."
Fulan glanced down at his own hand, seeing only the pale skin of his palm. A flicker of old frustration tightened his jaw, but he masked it quickly. "I'm surprised you can see the particles of Menma," he said quietly. "I've heard only a handful of people in this world can do that. Are you from some noble clan?"
Fayrouz walked in silence for a few seconds before answering. "I'm just a village girl. Do you think a noble would ride in that rickety cart without even the coin to pay for it?"
Fulan let out a soft chuckle. "Fair point."
The quiet returned as they continued, their footsteps the only sound on the dirt path. Ten minutes later, they reached the village's other gate, the exit leading toward the untamed road ahead. As expected, two guards stood watch, their simple leather armor and iron-tipped spears marking them as village protectors. The familiar badge of the Kingdom of Saita was pinned to the left side of their chests.
Before they could pass, one of the guards stepped forward, raising a hand. "Hold on," he said firmly. "The road between here and Saikono Village is not safe. I advise you to turn back and take the main road to the kingdom. It's secure."
Fulan met the guard's gaze, his tone calm but resolute. "Going back now would take more than a full day. We don't have that kind of time."
The guard's expression hardened. "I'm speaking for your own good. A band of highwaymen controls this road. We've been waiting for the knights to arrive, but until they do, it's a death trap. You can wait here in the village or take the long way around."
It seemed the path was closed, but Fayrouz stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "I am a future knight. Therefore, I will see what can be done about this problem myself."
The guards exchanged a baffled look. "A future knight?" the first one scoffed. "All I see is a girl who can't be more than seventeen. Letting you pass would be sending you to your death. Those men… they don't just take coin. We've heard terrible stories. For a young woman, some fates are worse than dying." He then gestured to Fulan. "They might just kill him. But you…" His voice trailed off, the implication hanging heavy in the air.
Before Fayrouz could respond, Fulan took a deep, deliberate breath and began walking past the gate, his expression calm and unbothered. He didn't spare the guard a second glance. Seeing this, Fayrouz followed suit, her steps silent and sure as she crossed the threshold from the safety of the village into the wilds beyond.
The only sound they left behind was the guard's exasperated shout. "I've done my duty and warned you! Seriously, why are the young so stubborn these days?"