From an inn's balcony, Kanoru gazed at the port city coming to life in the dawn's mist. A light spring rain fell, veiling the streets in a soft haze. Now seventeen, he stood on the balcony of an inn in Xinghai, a city on the Five Sacred Beast Continent. He had arrived the evening before, but a heavy downpour forced him and his party to take shelter, spending the night there.
It had been six years and ten months since the Lord rewarded him. The years had been uneventful, with no wars, allowing him to focus on practicing and managing Nisi Village. His training bore results—he had gained complete control over the energy within his fourth gate and could briefly open the fifth, marking his advancement to a middle-ranked samurai.
His sword training had also progressed; he had reached the third stage of the sword wind realm. With it, his perception of the power of the wind deepened, leading him to understand its fundamental nature—Cut. Wind had three natures: Cut, Shatter, and Sound. If he could comprehend one of the remaining two, he would step into the fourth stage of the sword wind realm and truly enter the threshold of mastering the power of wind.
He suddenly turned at the sound of movement behind him and said, "You're awake."
On the bed, beneath the covers, Asuna opened her eyes. She glanced toward Kanoru, silhouetted against the soft morning light, with the gentle rain falling behind him.
"It's already morning? Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, sitting up quickly. Her loose clothing barely covered her, but Kanoru showed no reaction.
"A few hours won't make a difference in a journey that lasts months," he replied as she grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
From inside, her voice came: "Can you check if Mika is awake and bring me some food?"
Kanoru responded, "Yes, my wife."
Six months ago, he and Asuna had married.
He stepped out of his room and knocked on the door next to his. After a moment, Mika opened it.
"What? Are we leaving now?" she asked.
"Not yet. Asuna asked me to check if you were awake," Kanoru replied.
"I woke up at dawn and got ready for the journey," Mika said.
Kanoru nodded. "Did you have breakfast?"
"Yes, about half an hour ago," she answered.
"You can wait in our room and talk to Asuna. She's nervous."
Mika nodded. "Okay."
Kanoru turned and walked down the stairs. Reaching the first floor, he scanned the room and spotted Takenaka and the others seated at tables, plates of food in front of them. He approached one of the inn workers and said, "Send two plates of food to my Room."
"Room number?" the worker asked for confirmation.
"Seven," Kanoru repeated.
The worker nodded and walked away.
Kanoru then saw and heard Takenaka calling and waving at him. He walked toward him, and Takenaka said, "Kanoru, I asked about the route to the capital of the Ming Empire."
Kanoru gestured for him to continue.
Takenaka explained, "It's best for you, Asuna, and Mika to join a caravan to Qinhua City. From there, you'll need to take a boat across to Bilo City. After that, you can decide whether to join another caravan or complete the journey on your own."
Kanoru nodded. "Alright, then we should buy a carriage."
"Yes," Takenaka agreed. "A carriage would be better. The journey to Qinhua City takes about a month."
Kanoru noticed the same inn worker carrying two plates of food up the stairs.
He then asked, "Brother, can you handle buying the carriage and finding where we can join the caravan?"
Takenaka smiled. "Leave this small task to me. And thank you for doing this for my family."
Kanoru shook his head. "You forget—I became part of your family after marrying Asuna. Besides, this journey to the Ming Empire's capital is a new experience for me, a chance to see the world and take a break."
Takenaka nodded, then stood up from the table and left the inn with some of their samurai.
Kanoru also turned and walked up the stairs, passing the worker along the way. A few moments later, he entered his room to find Mika sitting in a chair, while Asuna sat behind the only table, eating her meal.
Kanoru took the seat opposite her, picked up his chopsticks, and began his breakfast.
After a moment, he heard Asuna ask, "Why are you late?"
Kanoru replied, "I was talking with your brother," then continued, "I asked him to buy a carriage and find a caravan for us," before explaining their discussion.
Asuna frowned. "A caravan will slow us down. We should go alone."
Kanoru chewed his food before responding, "You shouldn't be anxious. We don't know the rules and customs of the Ming Empire. Traveling with a caravan will help us understand them."
Mika agreed. "Asuna, Kanoru is right. Your two elder brothers are with Aunty. She will be fine."
Kanoru nodded. Their journey to the Ming Empire's capital was to check on Asuna's mother. At their wedding, her mother and brothers hadn't attended, only sending gifts. The messenger had informed them that Asuna's mother was sick, which was why they couldn't come.
As time passed, Asuna worried about her mother daily. Kanoru, curious about the Ming Empire and the Five Sacred Beast Continent, had suggested they travel to visit her. Lord Mori, also concerned for his wife, had permitted them easily.
They finished the rest of their meal in silence. Gathering their luggage, they walked out of the room and down the stairs, where they found Takenaka waiting for them.
Seeing them, Takenaka said, "I brought a large carriage for you three."
They followed him to find a spacious carriage pulled by four black horses.
Asuna said, "Thank you, Brother."
Takenaka replied, "It's the least I can do."
Kanoru asked, "What about the caravan?"
Takenaka said, "I found one. They'll be leaving for Qinhua City in an hour."
Asuna said, "Then let's go." She and Mika entered the carriage with their luggage.
Kanoru, noticing there was no driver, knew he would have to take the reins. He climbed into the driver's seat, and Takenaka sat beside him. With a flick of the reins, the horses started moving.
Following Takenaka's guidance, they soon reached the caravan's location. A bald man spotted Takenaka and walked toward them.
Seeing him approach, Takenaka said, "That's Ji Yuan, the caravan's guard captain. He's a medium-rank warlock."
Kanoru, hearing this, noted that the man's realm was the same as his, but he suspected his strength was greater.
Ji Yuan said, "Mr. Takenaka, are they joining the caravan?"
Takenaka nodded. "Yes, this is my brother-in-law, Kanoru. My sister and her maid are inside the carriage."
As Takenaka introduced him, Kanoru gave Ji Yuan a nod.
Ji Yuan asked, "You're a Samurai?"
Kanoru replied, "Yes, does it matter?"
Ji Yuan said, "Yes, it does. If you agree to help protect the caravan from demons and bandits, we can offer you a discount."
Kanoru asked, "How much does it cost to join the caravan?"
Ji Yuan replied, "It depends," then glanced around. "Wait here. I'll call the manager to discuss the cost with you."
Kanoru and Takenaka nodded, watching Ji Yuan leave.
Kanoru said, "You didn't negotiate the price?"
Takenaka replied, "I did. The manager said it's 10 gold per person for the journey to Qinhua City. They'll provide all necessary supplies."
Kanoru spotted Ji Yuan returning with an older man.
The older man said, "Nice to meet you. I am Wang Hui, manager of the Golden Sparrow."
Kanoru nodded. "I'm Kanoru. My wife and her friend will be joining your caravan."
Wang Hui replied, "I heard you three are heading to Qinhua City."
Kanoru nodded, and Wang Hui continued, "That will be 30 gold coins. Since you're using four horses, there's an additional fee of 2 gold coins for their feed."
Ji Yuan added, "Kanoru is a Samurai."
Wang Hui raised an eyebrow. "What is your rank?"
"Middle-ranked Samurai," Kanoru replied.
Wang Hui seemed surprised to see a teenager at that rank but said, "Then, the total will be 25 gold coins."
Takenaka nodded. "Okay." He took out two large gold coins and five small ones from his pouch and handed them to Wang Hui.
Wang Hui nodded. "Do you need a carriage driver? Don't worry, it's free."
Kanoru nodded. "When does the caravan leave?"
"In a few minutes," Wang Hui said. "I'll make the preparations."
Ji Yuan nodded and followed Wang Hui.
A few minutes later, a teenager approached, following Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan said, "This is Zhao He. He'll be your driver for the journey."
Kanoru nodded and jumped down from the driver's seat.
After half an hour, the caravan set off, with their carriage positioned in the middle of the convoy.
From inside the carriage, Asuna, Mika, and Kanoru waved goodbye to Takenaka.
"Take care," Takenaka called out as they left.
As the caravan disappeared from his sight, he sighed. "I wish I could go with them and check on Mother." But he knew he couldn't—he was the only heir left to his father's.