On this bright morning, hours ago at the rising of the golden sun that made the azure sky merge with the glowing yellow, forming a breathtaking view in the sky.
Specifically outside Galleon City and near it, a small carriage was traveling toward the city. The carriage was nearly destroyed, as the sound of its corroded wheels friction against the ground stifled the pitch-black silence. The horse pulling the carriage was exhausted, barely able to continue its path; in fact, if the choice were its own, it would have taken a nap to regain its activity.
It was Sota's carriage, which had just emerged from the darkness of the Fargrim Forest, encountering the shadows of Galleon City on the horizon, prominent thanks to the overlooking sunrise. At the sight of this scene, Sota's eyes could not endure, and soon they began to shed tears in great abundance. This was the natural reaction in any case; after a long night like that, and after that terrifying chase, crying after reaching their destination was the perfect choice.
However, Takeshi showed no reaction. He had believed they would take several more days to reach the city, and he was wrong in this, so his reaction was not exciting at all.
'I have returned to this cursed city once again…'
Takeshi had visited Galleon City once already years ago, and his memory etched in his heart made him realize that the path they took was not the same path he took on his first visit; rather, it was much shorter. After contemplating the city from that distance, Takeshi moved forward cautiously, loosening his defense, saying:
"Yoi, Sota."
Sota did not respond at all. Takeshi initially thought that Sota was still moved by the breathtaking view before him, but his thinking changed as soon as he saw a wood piece like a sharp needle stuck in Sota's neck. Takeshi panicked forward, throwing his hand toward Sota involuntarily, and this was a fatal mistake he committed. Suddenly, Takeshi froze in his place while cursing himself.
'I am a stupid fool…'
As soon as he stopped, he heard the sound of the straw shaking. He tried to move, but a voice from behind him warned him.
"Don't move, otherwise the next shot will be in your head."
Takeshi responded to the request of the one threatening him; after all, Takeshi realized from that tone of voice that this man was serious in his words, and he did not want to die because he moved. At the very least, he wanted to think of a plan to get out of this situation, and at the same time, worry about Sota—whether he was dead or not.
"Who are you?" Takeshi asked, and soon the response came to him.
"I am the one who will ask the questions here. Turn around slowly, and know that any reckless movement, its reward will be death."
Takeshi obeyed and bent more to turn around, and as soon as he did, he saw the one who was threatening him. He was a man of nearly thirty wearing a dark black robe covering all parts of his body, and his face was barely clear. He was holding a long hollow stick attached to his mouth, which he used to fire that wooden needle, and with it, he would fire directly at Takeshi if he moved suspiciously. It was the same man Takeshi met on the night of this day.
"I can realize the extent of your intuition and skill, for you were able to notice me even without me making the slightest sound. What is your name?"
Takeshi knitted his eyebrows, answering the question: "I am Takeshi."
"Why did you come to this city?"
At first, Takeshi thought that the person before him was a guard from the city guards, but the sudden attack on Sota and the disguise in this strange black outfit reminded him of another outfit—the outfit of the old man Orvin. The thinking made him delay in answering.
"We came in order to sell this straw in Galleon City."
Takeshi gritted his teeth, while his eyes grew sharper and he said in a loud voice:
"My colleague… what did you do to my colleague!"
The mysterious man stepped toward Takeshi slowly, saying:
"I have met many boys like you; most of them acted with foolishness and naivety, considering themselves heroes in some novel, but they ended up with a single shot to the head. Therefore, I want you to remain as you are: a person who is calm and thinks before every step he takes."
Takeshi wanted to interrupt him, but the man completed his speech after taking a light breath.
"You are thinking about how to get out of this situation to pounce on me and smash my head. I know what you are thinking about, Takeshi—Takeshi, the young man who wants to recover something dear to his heart from the Royal Skull gang."
Takeshi's eyes widened quickly, and he clenched his hand and did not even blink after hearing the words of the man before him, and he said in a heavy tone hollowed with anger:
"How do you know? Are you from that gang?"
"No, rather, I am an enemy of that gang. I think you said that because of my knowledge or because I attacked your companion. Don't worry, he will wake up after a few minutes."
The man lowered his hand, showing his smile with his broken, cracked teeth, then lowered the robe from his head to show his pale yellow hair. Takeshi could have exploited the loosening of the defense of the man before him and attacked him, but as soon as he heard his words and his goal, he concluded one thing.
'Is he one of Orvin's allies?'
This was a logical analysis; after all, this man wears the same robe that Orvin wears, and he also knows about Takeshi's goal with the Royal Skull gang. What confirmed that was the completion of his speech.
"I am Yoshi, you can call me The Hunter. If my expectation is correct, then you are Takeshi, the person who met Isousha, is that not so?"
Takeshi shook his head, for indeed Orvin had used the name "Isousha" before Sota in order not to reveal his true identity as Takeshi thought; after all, he is a wanted criminal with a bounty that a state might not even be able to afford. But why did Orvin tell Takeshi about his real name? And why didn't he tell it to anyone else besides him? Or does Yoshi the Hunter know Orvin's real name but used this alias? Many questions were in his mind making him distracted, and this is what sparked Yoshi's wonder.
"Do you think you can reach Galleon City already?"
Takeshi raised his head toward Yoshi, and when he opened his mouth to ask about the reason, he felt a strong vibration in the carriage. The rear wheel of the carriage had broken.
"Do you have food?" Yoshi asked.
"We had some, and unfortunately, we lost it."
The Hunter took out a small bag from behind his black robe and took out a large piece of meat that could barely fit inside the bag. Yoshi presented it to Takeshi, saying:
"Enjoy it, you and your friend after he wakes up. According to your facial features, the two of you haven't eaten well for a while, or exhaustion along with hunger has prevailed over you. Important: act as if I wasn't here, and we will meet tonight in a place I will determine after I meet you again."
Yoshi turned and descended from the carriage which had stopped because one of the wheels smashed, leaving Takeshi in confusion about his matter. How exactly can this person help him in recovering his sword and bringing down the Royal Skull gang? And more importantly, is he worthy of trust or not?