{A/N: hello readers I just want to tell you when I read through the previous chapters I noticed that the plot and interaction are a little too watery, as a new writer I did used some AI and notice it being one of the reason and also my still not to standard writing skill, so I changed the writing style and minimized and even removed AI help. This chapter took me 6 hours to make 6 Freak*ng hours! Writing is so hard I wonder how other writers do it. Anyway I'll stop my yapping and enjoy the read!}
Walking on the road that ran through the dense woods, the wild untamed forest pressing close to its edges. Overhead, the sky was bruised blue tinged with the fading lights of the afternoon.
And there in the distance just pass this forest, lay his destination Ardenshire the town that the slaughtered bandits spoke while also the same place where they planned to sell the captured slaves.
Even from far away, Lucires could see the town's proud silhouette. Its stone walls were solid and well maintained, with banners of deep green color embroidered with a maw of a beast, while waving in the wind showing that this is the territory of a noble.
Inside, the town looked almost peaceful. Although hard to believe that this is the same place where slaves are being sold, and the situation inside just make it more unconvincing. Orderly rows of houses with red brick walls, clean lined cobbled streets. Shops with bustling merchants peddling their goods, children darting between stalls laughter ringing through the air.
It was no grand capital, but it was far better than crumbling village that he passed through. Wealth can be seen here, with people in neat clothing and smiles in their faces.
Maybe he was wrong with his conclusion about it being a town of outlaws scattered through it.
And maybe…
Just maybe, he finally found the place to rest even if it's just a short while. A soft sigh escaped his lips, he didn't expect much but even broken things dream sometimes.
---
As he neared the gates, the guards numbering five with four warriors and one mage based on their clothing, are stationed at the gate entrance which immediately stiffened the moment they saw him. Their relaxed postures snapped into rigid alertness hands moving to their sword hilts, eyes narrowing and readying for any unexpected movements.
Lucires slowed his steps, the tattered hem of his black cloak drag faintly along the ground with a few flakes of ash falling from the fabric as it dance in the wind. He could feel their gazes seizing his figure, those eyes which show their emotion alert, a little disgust, and a little hint of fear.
His appearance didn't help with the situation. Ash grey hair from using too much ash magic fell in messy strands across his face, framing his silver eyes that seemed to glow under the fading light. The faint yet barely visible cracks that spider webbed along his pale skin only made him looked unnatural, less human.
The guards didn't see a weary traveler. They saw it, how the magicules being eroded around the boy, specially the mage with a skill that help her sense spirits she saw something more the [elemental sprites] the tiny sandlike spirits floating in the air that power elemental magic and also weakest form of a spirit, instinctively try to float away from the boy and those unfortunate enough to touch him become ash.
"Halt! You are in the territory of the house of Maulborne" a guard barked with a subtle threat when mentioning the word Maulborne.
Lucires although a little annoyed by the guard subtle threat, complied stopping a little distance from the guard, his hands still at his sides.
"State your business stranger, why do you want to enter the town" one of the guard cautiously spoke.
" I'm just passing by to restock supplies" Lucires calmly answered voice flat. He also planned to get some information about the world he reincarnated through some tavern or the likes, since the first village he encountered ended very badly. But the guards next word made him freeze.
Maybe a little more confident thinking Lucires is afraid of the noble that he mentioned earlier, the guard ask "And your identification?"
Lucires remained silent, how could he explains who he was, he had no paper, no past, no proof of his existence in this world. Only a memory of a life once spent in shadows a life of blood and killing, he was a reincarnated assassin, a weapon given a second chance at life. Yet when he was about to make a reason of losing his papers a sound rang that broke the silence.
"Demon" the mage subconsciously spoke her voice trembling. The word hung heavy in the air as tension spiked immediately, as all the guards unsheathe their weapons and the mage ready to cast spells. Lucires could feel the ash stirring faintly, responding to his instinctive impulse whispering to him urging him- kill them.
It would be easy, laughably so in a flash he could reduce this people to withered husk with his ash magic. Their lives snuff out before they can even drew their breath to scream.
But he didn't, looking at those children loitering around with smiles on their face. He just couldn't bring himself to destroy it, he feels conflicted the assassin part of him is telling him to kill them to remember the code killed or be killed, and the moment the guards draw their blades they should be ready to get killed. But a small part of him is telling him that this is a new life a new beginning, to live for himself and experience new things not just for killing.
Letting a deep breath breathing the flakes of ash around him burning his lungs to calm his mind. He turned away without a word his black cloak sweeping behind him. The guards tense and silent realize that the boy is leaving heaving a huge sigh of relief sweat running to their bodies and dripping.
A young guard can't hold it anymore and fall to his knees trembly whispering "monster".
Although far away Lucires heard the young guard with his enhance senses, still he keep on walking, the road stretching long and lonely before him once more.
---
I should have expected this outcome he thought bitterness spreading through his heart. Even in the past he knows a rule the world is ruled by fear, the fear of the unknown, fear of power, fear of anything that didn't fit neatly into the peoples narrow view of existence. And what is he if not a collection of those fears.
Lucires reached up absentmindedly, brushing his fingers over the faint cracks on his faces pale skin. He started to let his mind wander off thinking. No matter how strong he became, no matter how much he contain his powers within. He would never belong here not among the people, they would always look at him and see a monster and even if he smiled and even if he knelt and begged it wouldn't matter. But there's still a fire burning inside him to keep on trying and if he keep on going he would see what he seeks.
Night was falling fast
There was no sense in forcing his way in a town that doesn't want him. It would only bring him more problem and he had enough blood on his hands already.
Lucires decided to veered off the main road to make camp, his boots breaking over brittle leaves and fallen twigs as he made his way into the nearby woods