The Fate of The Reincarnated

9. The outcast

Gales was significantly larger than Finn had initially thought, he realised. As he wandered through its streets, he saw both scenes that were familiar to him and scenes that he had never imagined. Shops supplied rice dumplings, and tables had tungsten crabs for sale. These observations had people thinking about what had come before. Would he experience the same destiny as others who came before? He didn't want to think about it too much.

"Are you referring to the four cities or just Gales?" Kyla questioned.

"Four cities?" Finn's curiosity peaked in his voice.

"Are you some sheltered noble who recently lost their parents and inheritance?"

"Something along those lines."

"There are four cities: Halestadine, Gales, Leigrix, and Rosso Horizon, all under the great nation of Vancrest."

"I'm aware of that," Finn fibbed.

"So, what exactly would you like to know?"

"The location of BaneStead in Leigrix."

"It's not too far from the main gates."

They walked past a brothel, and silence fell between them. Faint moans emanated from the walls, but Finn resisted the urge to look, not wanting to meet Kyla's judgmental gaze. "Why did you leave BaneStead in the first place?" he asked.

"A demon slaughtered everyone in my village," Kyla revealed, her voice steady despite the slight tremble in her hands. "I was the sole survivor, and the elders cast me out for it."

"Because you survived?"

"Gin saved me. He used magic I'd never seen, transporting both of us to a nearby village," Kyla's voice wavered, but she fought to maintain her composure. "Upon returning, the village labeled me a coward and expelled me. They even accused me of having ties to the demon. It was the only way they'd spare me."

"Did you explain the truth to them?"

"I told them a stranger suddenly teleported me, but they laughed it off, deeming it an excuse to label me a witch," Kyla laughed dryly.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just weary."

The rest of their journey to Leigrix proceeded as expected, punctuated by breaks during which Kyla treated Finn to unexpected meals.

"We'll be stopping soon; Leigrix is just ahead," Kyla announced, scanning their surroundings.

"We should find an inn for the night."

"An inn in Leigrix? I've heard unsettling things about them—rumors of racial bias against people from other cities."

"Racism? Is there even racism in this world?"

"This world?" Kyla's confusion was palpable, and Finn brushed it aside.

"Why are they racist, though?"

"The roots trace back to a dispute that occurred about a century ago during the era of the demon king. Initially, humans served as food for demons, and the leaders of each nation forged a pact to appease the demon king by providing humans as peace offerings. Leigrix was the first to comply, offering humans from their city. In the following days, leaders of the other cities—Rosso Horizon, Gales, and Halestadine—also offered up people to the demons," Kyla explained.

"So, what's the issue? I mean, it's a flawed solution to a bigger problem, but if all cities participated, why the resentment?"

"At first, there wasn't much trouble. However, when people from Halestadine offered those from Leigrix as sacrifices to the demon king, conflicts ignited. The initial agreement was to offer people from their own city—criminals, death row inmates, and the like. But other nations began providing people from different cities living within theirs, sparking the feud."

"Yet, they didn't just single out Leigrix. If all the cities were involved, why does Leigrix hold the grudge?"

"Well, the total individuals offered from all four nations before the demon king's fall numbered around seven hundred. Shockingly, five hundred of those were from Leigrix."

"I understand now," Finn sighed. "These disputes seem to happen everywhere. But, you're from Leigrix. Why be concerned?"

"I worry for you. I don't want my escort to be killed before the night's over," Kyla retorted, arms crossed.

"You're quite caring."

"Shut up." Kyla halted abruptly before grabbing Finn's arm and darting into a nearby thicket.

"What's going on?" Finn queried, but Kyla remained silent.

A bunch of men were going by when Finn struggled to see through the greenery. Was this the reason behind Kyla's concern? "Are you OK?" Finn asked again, but Kyla didn't answer.

He thought about asking again, but it was clear that she was trembling not only with her fingers, but with her whole body. She was terrified, but what made her afraid? Finn made the decision not to inquire further since she withheld the information. "Let's find an inn. They both came out of the bushes at Kyla's urging.

The legendary blue moon of Leigrix had replaced the sun, which had completely disappeared. Finn was in awe of this phenomena and stared at the moon rock for a while before realising they needed to find a place to stay.

In contrast to Gales' cosy and happy camping environment, Leigrix felt like a whole different world. Instead, Leigrix gave off the impression of being a hub for commerce, with miles-long chats about deals reverberating through the air. Shop proprietors emerged, casting orange beams of light with their mana to signal that their businesses were open for business.

Pedestrians passed by, preoccupied with their own concerns to the point where they were oblivious to the copper plate on Finn's breast. Thoughts of making a scene briefly crossed his head, but in the midst of the city's busy streets, they quickly vanished.

Though Finn yearned to explore further, Kyla required her 'beauty sleep', according to her. 'All this didn't merely manifest.' Finn pondered, wondering about the nature of 'this,' especially since he had never had a glimpse of what lay under her mask.

"Separate rooms?" queried the innkeeper, and Kyla nodded.

Even the inn pulsated with energy. Couples paraded in and out, arm in arm, radiating happiness. "Ah, it's that kind of inn," Finn mused, realizing the deeper implication behind the innkeeper's earlier inquiry.

"We should reach BaneStead around noon tomorrow. Rest is advisable for now," Dusk recommended.

"Yeah, that sounds like a plan." Finn extended his hand, extinguishing the mana bulb that had illuminated the room. A broad grin illuminated his face. "That's actually cool."

"Help."

Once more, Finn extended his hand, reigniting the source of light. He awaited Dusk's input before uttering a word, yet when no response arrived, he wondered if he alone heard the voice.

"Help."

Finn turned toward the window on his room's right side. Was someone in distress on the lower floors? Were nightmares plaguing someone in another room? He couldn't define it, yet for some inexplicable reason, the voice seemed familiar.

"Help me, Finn."

It was Kyla's voice. Bursting through the door, Finn made a beeline for Kyla's room, confirming his suspicions. Her room door stood wide open, but she was nowhere in sight. "Are you certain she didn't simply depart, sir?" Dusk's inquiry aimed to curb Finn's urgency.

"She might have, but she was frightened," Finn paused, longing for one more utterance of that voice. Just one more time. "Please, say something."

Finn stood motionless in the corridor, filtering out the wind. The sole sound he sought was Kyla's light, delicate voice.

"Help."

Finn dashed into Kyla's room, leaping through the window and descending to the ground. As he had done in his battle against Emma, he cleared his mind of thought. His sole focus lay on instinct, and once again, it led him correctly. Before him stood Kyla, confronted by the same gang of men he'd encountered earlier through the small holes of the bushes.

"You wretched fool! After all these months, you dare return to Leigrix?" the largest of the gang members bellowed, striking Kyla with brutal force that shattered her mask.

"Did you think the mask would shield you?" Another member sneered. "Your stench reaches miles."

"The stench of a witch," added another.

Though Finn's entry through the window had been noisy, it appeared they hadn't heard or didn't care. Finn's gaze shifted to Kyla. He didn't need to touch her to comprehend her fear. "Hey, dumbasses."

[Equip]

The gang members turned their attention to Finn. The self-proclaimed leader was the sole one to unsheathe his weapon, evidently alarmed by Finn's daggers.

"Please, just leave," Kyla implored.

"So, he's with you." The leader chuckled. "The witch possesses enchantment magic, it seems."

[Twin dagger Form 2: Needle] It was similar yet quite different. Finn moved in the star trail pattern, evading attacks and putting himself in the best possible location for an attack/counterattack. However, evasion wasn’t his concern right now. The only thing coursing through his mind was how he could inflict as much pain as humanly possible on those that harmed someone dear to him.

A mental diagram materialized, outlining points and spaces surrounding the gang members. The glowing points were a mystery, but Finn's sole intention was to cause agony at those specific locations. Armed with both daggers, he charged the gang.

"I couldn't do it for Emma, and I regret that. However," in an instant, all but the leader fell to the ground, their bodies marked by various stab wounds. Finn now stood beside the leader, his blade pressed gradually against his spine. "It won't happen again."

"The rattling of a plate," the leader laughed. "The witch ensnared an adven—" Finn thrust his dagger into the man's leg before he could complete his sentence.

"I dislike murder. Even your comrades only sustained minor injuries. However, utter one more word about her, and I might disregard my principles."