Kyushu was a region of rock and warmth, the fertile land providing the ideal state for farming crops. The most important factor that contributed to the fertility was the active volcanoes that littered the region.
One could not be expected to walk half a kilometre without finding a small and active volcano in the sight and over time people had adapted to these changes. People were now no longer surprised when a small volcano erupted.
However, this made the region as a whole much more unapproachable to the common public and news about small mishappenings were rare. Even more so in recent times when even the temple was being outcast here.
To Noah's eyes, the region's geography matched famous Hawaii without the limit of land space. The sea covered one expanse of the long stretch, the other lined by the volcanos, one by their nation and the last connected to the valley.
"Let's get ourselves registered in the records" the king led them toward the security post that guarded the borders. This was a necessary measure to stop theft but Noah knew it was all for the show.
These were humans after and by nature they were greedy.
"Show your identity papers please," the guard asked, his disinterest showing. Noah did not think much of it at all, clearly, he had seen such a site too many times during his checks but it seemed new to the king who frowned at such disregard for security.
"Are you not going to check the papers properly?" he asked with an evident frown. The guard finally looked up from the lazy position, not happy at being questioned.
"Listen, we are just doing our work. If you have a problem with any of it then take it up with the higher post and leave me alone. If you question me any longer then I won't be held responsible for your future" whispers broke out between the people around but no one stepped forward to help.
The homeless looked eager for the drama, staring openly while those who believed themselves more sophisticated hid their faces and observed it all with a side-eye.
"Please pardon my friend, he did not mean any insult. We just ask to be let in" the masked persona stepped forward and everyone shifted their eyes to the new target with a bored eye.
"What are you doing? They can't be let away with such behaviour" Keito found these people lacing for such a post and he made sure the other heard the displeasure in his voice. He had thought that the other would agree with him and make a plan to stop them but nothing of that sort happened.
Instead, he watched as the other discreetly passed off a few coins to the offended guard who finally calmed down and looked thoughtful now. People finally stopped looking their way, now sure that things were under control now.
"I see, he's a hot-headed person for sure. But since I'm generous, I'll allow you entry on account of your correct identification. Tell your friend to control his temper or he will not make any useful friends" the guard no longer looked interested and Noah bowed.
The still fuming king did not look any better than a few seconds ago, but now he was literally seeing red. His anger was no longer aimed just at the guard but also at the fox now.
Noah just took the other's arm in his hand and proceeded to drag him inside. Any complaint or rude gesture the other made was ignored and the arm was not let off till they had reached a considerable distance inside.
Then and only then did Noah allow the other freedom of speech and as expected, the other exploded.
"How could you allow them to behave as such? And to me? We need to rectify this at once and tell the governor that such things are happening at once" the other was silent during the outburst.
He thought about how to break the news to the others but then decided that the brutal truth would work best.
"Did you really not notice their coat of arms? They were from the governor's household and likely there to earn profit" this was not the first occurrence of such kind but it was impossible to prove in court since people could lie and there was no proof.
Plus, with a noble household at their back, these people generally did not have any problem with getting their way at all.
Keito found this a hard pill to swallow.
While he knew that noble households were involved in shady businesses he had faith that it was more underground and out of the public eye so this incident was an eye-opener.
Why had he never faced such situations in his past life? Maybe because he never left the main city without prior notice. He made sure at least someone knew and if one person knew then everyone knew.
Such was their higher circle and he was begging to hate it.
"Can we not do anything to help improve this place?" the king asked, now helpless about the situation. He would like to change things if he could help it but the other's solemn expression seemed to be dashing his hopes.
"I don't think anything else but changing the current leaders would help. Even then, we cannot guarantee a new one would be any better. What you need to do is to first strengthen your hold over your kingdom and that means, solving this mystery" the king looked miserable, his eyes hiding the helplessness he felt and Noah felt almost sorry.
But the other did need to learn and he never would if he was being babied.
"Yeah, the current problem comes first" but even as he said so, Keiot knew he would not be able to forget what he had learned today and it would haunt him for some time till he had enough power to correct things.
"Did you at least send a letter in advance? How curious that the governor did not come out to meet you. Not even informing the guard to keep an eye for your arrival" the king found this weird too, the inattentiveness of the governor.
Did he not receive the message or did he choose to ignore it? Both cases marked serious consequences for that person.
The city was quiet, a solemn air covering it and it was clear to see that there was a distinction between rich and poor. It was so bad to the point that people had different markets for different groups with different qualities.
And the difference was huge.
The biggest and richest building in the city was clearly the governor's house followed by the holy looking building built in the expensive white. Its rich carvings and gold inlay on white made it seem like glittering gold.
"Excuse me, which building is that?" Noah bowed to a local, the lady in red who seemed surprised to see such a figure. Clearly, the warrior robes along with the mask was not a local attraction.
And the man in black at his side was handsome beyond measure so clearly another noble.
"Ah, you must be new here. That is the holy building for the temple built recently. Rumour has it that the governor spent a huge portion of the fund he received there" the lady gossiped, her tone taking a curious tone.
"I see. I was curious since I had not heard about such a magnificent building built in the temple's honour before. You see, I'm in front of the central main branch of the temple and I just arrived today" the lady gasped, her hands coming to clasp near her chest and her eyes widened.
"Oh, Oh my. This. No one told us about this. Wait. Wait here and I'll call the head priest here" she looked a little panicky now, her eyes still wide and blown-in shock but it gave Noah all the information he needed.
The girl was clearly clueless about things that were happening in this region. Apparently, only a few people were in the know which was a curious observation. But that was not what they wanted and Keito understood when Noah gestured that.
"No, please don't panic on our account. We will make our way there ourselves. It's a surprise visit after all and we won't want to spoil anything" the king came forward and flashed one of his polite smiles.
The lady blushed and seemed to be lost for words. She could not contain the red of her cheeks for the world and her stutter made itself audible.
"I-I see. I-I'll leave y-you to it t-then" and she turned away with that red face. Keito made sure his smile did not dim during the whole time and it worked.
Once she was gone, the pair shared a look with each other. There was another target added to the list of places they needed to check and this one was an urgent addition before words of their arrival got out.