Chapter 4: A Misunderstanding
After waking up early as usual, he searched for some trees with large leaves where morning dew collects so he could drink from them. He was no longer able to drink from the river since seeing how filthy it was. After quenching his thirst, he continued walking toward his goal, and after an hour of walking, he reached the edge of the forest, where all the trees had disappeared and only a nearly flat land full of half-grown crops remained.
In the distance, there was a large village. When Arthur saw it, he smiled happily and quickened his pace.
He increased his speed but still remained cautious of his surroundings, observing everything with a sense of discomfort. The crops nearby were in poor shape and disorganized, and more importantly, the grass looked sickly—even though it had been sufficiently watered by several man-made water channels that carried river water. What stood out the most, however, was how foul-smelling and backward the place was, which made his heart sink.
He was sure he had been transported to another world—but what kind of world? That question deeply bothered him. Suddenly, he started hesitating, afraid he would be treated badly once he reached that large village.
"There's no need to hesitate. I can't live the rest of my life in the forest without understanding my situation properly." He stored his sword in the dimensional box to avoid any misunderstanding, then continued walking. Within a few minutes, the village came clearly into view. The houses were old and worn out—most of them single-story, some two-stories. A gloomy atmosphere hung over the place, making it seem like an abandoned village. The only thing that stood out was a massive stone castle in a medieval design located at the end of the village. At the top of the highest tower, a foggy flag fluttered, its details unclear.
Upon seeing all that, his expression tightened and he thought, "Did I end up in a backward world still stuck in the Middle Ages? This is the worst." He didn't need any more proof—the architecture alone was enough, not to mention the foul stench that doubled the moment he reached the village, making him feel like vomiting. He barely managed to keep his composure.
The villagers were filthy-bodied, wearing disgusting, tattered linen clothes. As soon as they noticed his presence, they stopped what they were doing and cleared the way for him, staring at him with awe and fear.
[ I advise you to activate the Plot Savant ability ]
As soon as Arthur saw the system's advice, he activated the ability immediately. Dozens of blue screens appeared. Despite their number, they were well-organized and did not obstruct his vision.
[ Region: Thornsreach Barony – Thornsreach Town ]
[ Baronet's Castle ]