บท 23: The Mystery of Mikasa Sukasa
Xan woke up just as the sun peaked over the hills. A maid brought breakfast to him. He ate leisurely. Finishing his breakfast, he sat in a hot bath and dressed. He dressed in the typical outfit of a swordmaster from Three-Cities territories. A red linen skirt, Basmu leather sandals, bare-chest with a corselet, and basmu leather straps. A bronze helmet with neck guard, Basmu leather shield covering a Cunik metal frame.
His sickle sword hung at his waist with a bronze fighting ax attached to the back of his corselet. His extra clothes and weapons were loaded in his wagon among other supplies. The wagon, now mostly empty collapsed into a wheelbarrow shaped object which he strapped to his back and dragged behind himself. This would allow him to travel through the forest more easily. This was because he was so strong. A human of normal strength would never be able to use such an object.
Walking out of his room, and into the main hall, there were numerous people bowing on the ground. All of them were covered in wounds and dried blood. He spent the night in the Village Chief's residence and forced the Village Chief, his son, and his main officers to spend the entire night prostrated in the direction of the Village Chief's bedroom where Xan slept the night before.
The battle between Xan and the Village Chief was surprisingly short. It was strange to him how powerful he was. According to the system, he was only a level ten warrior but he had little trouble fighting the level twenty Village Chief and his men. He hacked off a few limbs the night before but mostly knocked everyone out. He then took chains and bound all of the men together. He took the Village Chief's main rival and installed him as the new village chief. In exchange for their survival, they were forced to prostrate themselves all night. After he left, the new Village Chief would make all of these men his slaves. From each of the men, he removed the thumbs on their right hands, a demonstration of their status as slaves captured in battle.
"Remember," Xan began as he passed the group of people. "All of this is because you didn't properly discipline your son. From a mighty ruler to a lowly slave in one night because of a worthless son. If he were my son...I wonder if I would let him live," Xan said. He didn't really mean his words he just said them because it made him sound really imposing. He was shocked when he heard the sound of a crack. When he turned to look, the old village chief broke the neck of his son and returned to prostrating. Xan made a cruel sneer on the outside, but internally he was shocked. What kind of monster would kill their own child?
Xan walked out of the Village Chief's residence and saw the new Village Chief waiting anxiously outside the gates. "You may move in now, Village Chief, I just hope you will control your children in the future. Of course, this is merely my advice. You can see how the slightest mistake can lead to a sudden disaster," he said. The new Chief nodded his head emphatically, "Yes young Prince, this one will remember your lesson and wise advice." Xan nodded his head sagaciously and continued staring at the man. Realization appeared on his face, "Prince Elam, please accept this treasure-ring containing a few sentiments from your lowly servant," he said as he handed a gold ring with an inset bluestone to Xan. Using his spirit sense, Xan saw a small mountain of gold, jewels, and medicines in the ring.
"How kind of you, I believe you'll grow into a much better Village Chief than the last fool. We'll see the next time I pass this way," Xan said. The Village Chief started sweating at the idea of this unstoppable brute returning to his village one day. "One more thing, young Prince. The swordmaster Alcibiades Flamma left a message. He said he looks forward to seeing you in Jambre," the new Village Chief said as he handed Xan a gold medallion.
Xan took the medallion and contemplated it for a few moments. A small smile crept on his face. "This will make things easier in Jambre," he thought. Putting away the medallion, Xan said nothing more to the new Village Chief and headed to the forest dragging his wheelbarrow wagon behind him.
After he left, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. "Chief, that walking disaster finally left," one of the Village Chief's men said. "I prefer to think of him as a walking opportunity. As long as we don't offend him or others like him, we shouldn't have any problems retaining our power here.
However, what happened last night must be a lesson we all take to heart. If any of our progeny make trouble for the villagers or passing travelers, make it known to them I will cut off their heads and put them on a pike to remind the rest of them. This includes my own sons and daughters much less any of your mongrels!" The New Village Chief said. All the men present made it their number one priority to beat this warning into their children when they returned home.
Walking through the forest, Xan was pleased by his performance the previous night. However, he was puzzled about his strength. "Otrera, why am I so strong," he asked. "The player's question is vague," she said. "My level indicator says that I'm only a level ten but I found a level twenty warrior, an easy challenge," he said.
"The player's body reconfiguration in the rebirth cabinet has made the player's strength equivalent to a level twenty-two physique. However, the player's skills and other abilities are only at the level ten level," she answered. "Well, adjust the level display so I know what my real fighting ability is. It's easier to make plans when I know my real strength," he said. "Very well," she responded. A change appeared in his display ranking him as a level twenty hero with an asterisk next to the number.
Toward evening, Xan arrived in a very small town called Mikasa Sukasa. It was a little nothing place. It was nearing night time and he decided to rest for the evening in the town instead of making camp in the forest. The town had one inn and a restaurant. He walked into the restaurant and unstrapped his Wagon Barrow; chose a table and sat as he waited for service. A fat man, the owner probably, walked over to take his order. The man looked really nervous. "Steak," Xan said. The man nodded. "Anything to..." he started. "Something strong, I want to feel the fire at the back of my throat," Xan said. "A room for after," he added. The man nodded again and dashed off. "Oh yeah, send me a woman to my room," Xan said. The man stopped and froze in place.
"I can't do that sir," the owner said. "I have money," Xan said. "It's not a matter of money sir, it's just...it's...well, sir...it's..." the owner said nervously. "It's what, just say it, don't make me lose my temper!" he commanded. "I'm sorry, young warrior, it's just...there aren't any women here," he said. "There aren't any professional women?" he asked. "There aren't any single girls," he said. "What?" Xan said. "They've gone missing, we don't know where they are. It's not just here, young hero, it's the same in the other towns around here," the fat man said.
"Missing? Whose taking them?" Xan asked. "We don't know, maybe it's the Phantom," the man said. "The Phantom?" Xan asked. "The Phantom Sword, whenever a girl disappears we find a mark carved into the wall. It's made by some kind of sword," he said. "Show me," Xan said. The man nodded and led him upstairs to one of the rooms. "This was my daughter's room, look at the wall," he said.
On the farthest wall from the door, Xan saw a single character that said, "mine."
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