An underground facility
"Boss, we couldn't find the specimen, but we did find a new subject."
A bald man said to his boss.
The boss was busy doing experiments and quietly listened to his subordinate's report.
"Where is this new subject?"
The boss spoke calmly, yet his excitement was clear in his voice.
"We have just located the target. The men will take action soon when the opportunity arises."
"Good, very good job. Cron."
'I will finally be able to find a cure soon.'
The boss continued his work while the subordinate reported, but now a twisted smile and a glint could clearly be seen on the boss's face.
***
D-DAYS: 2
Click~
Clack~
Click~
Clack~
Two carriages with a symbol of a sword and shield. Alongside the carriages, knights in silver-colour armour with the symbol of sword and shield on their chest plate could be seen.
"Wow, it really is beautiful out there."
I mumbled to myself while quietly watching the scenery from inside the carriage.
The view was amazing.
Green lands. Clear rivers.
A field of flowers.
It was really beautiful.
"What do you think, little brother?"
"Of course, he thinks it's beautiful, just look at the expression he is making."
"Oh shut up, James, I was talking to Liam, not you."
'You shut up! You little…'
I ignored my siblings' bickering and focused on the view outside.
No matter how much I said. The words still unconsciously came out of my mouth.
"Wow, it really is…"
"Beautiful, right, master?"
Alina, who sat beside me, inquired about my thoughts.
"Yes, Alina. No matter how many times I see it, I won't get bored. It is just that beautiful."
Of course, it is beautiful. In my past life, there were a few places I could visit, and most of the time I was busy doing training, going to school and night raids.
I did watch videos of some places on my phone, but seeing it in person and watching it on screen were clearly different.
Now that I think about it…
'How are my parents doing? Do they miss after all these years? And what happened to my old world? Did the girl I rescued call cops? Were the kidna…'
"Master, are you okay?"
"Yes, I am fine, Alina. Did something happen?"
I jolted away from my thoughts by Alina's sudden question.
"No master, it's just…"
"Just?"
"…It is just that you looked sad, master. If anything is bothering you, tell me, master, I will always be by your side."
"Thank you, Alina, for worrying about me even though we have known each other for less than a week…"
"… I was just thinking about something, so you don't need to distress because of me."
I expressed my gratitude to Alina with a soft smile on my face.
After that, the journey was quite peaceful.
"You monkey-looking idiot."
"Stupid face, illiterate."
Yes, quite peaceful if we ignore the insults my siblings threw at each other.
"Young master, we will soon reach the city of Radan and rest there for the night."
"Yes, thank you for the report."
'So, we will be staying at Radan for the night, huh?'
Soon after the knight's report, we reached the city named Radan.
'Damn, that is a huge wall.'
Radan was surrounded by towering walls on all sides to protect the people from monster attacks. The walls stood 5 meters tall and were 2 meters thick.
Knights were stationed at the top of the walls to patrol the area. Each knight wore silver-colored armour with an eagle emblazoned on their chest plates.
They carried swords sheathed in scabbards at their waists. As our carriage approached the city wall, I could see a long line of people waiting at the city gate.
An old man with goods on their wagon.
Couples with their children.
Adventurers with a monster corpse on their backs.
All sorts of people could be seen waiting in line to get inside the city.
Before getting inside the city walls, they would first be checked by two guards. After the inspection, you would need to pay a certain price if you are not a local.
Of course, the adventures were an exception as they had a guild card.
When we neared the city gate, one of the Rysen knights went to talk with the guards. After which, we soon got approval and went through the city walls without waiting in line.
'Nobility really is nice.'
The city looked marvellous. It featured wide roads that comfortably allowed two carriages to pass side by side. The buildings resembled European architecture from the 1980s, standing no taller than three stories and adorned with chimneys on top.
The roads included pedestrian pavements and had street lamps spaced at appropriate intervals.
Benches were present, and most shocking of all, it had trains.
Yes.
Fucking trains.
'Did I time-travel instead of reincarnation?'
I looked out the window with wide eyes.
When I looked closely, I noticed people were also wearing 80s European clothes.
My eyes grew wider.
My expression turned to one of confusion.
I was shocked.
I was confused.
Utterly confused.
"Liam, are you alright?"
Clara's voice brought me out of my daze.
"Uh, ah, yes. I am alright, sister, but this…"
I said while pointing out.
"ahhh."
A realisation hit Clara as she looked out.
"You see.."
"You haven't gone outside much right?"
James interjected before Clara could speak and got into another fight.
"This has been the norm for a long time everywhere, Liam. It is just that…since our barony is newly established, we are still underdeveloped." Said Clara.
"Besides, you don't go out, that's why you don't know anything."
James said with a smirk on his face.
'He can't be honest about his emotion.'
I stared outside while thinking about my bias for the fantasy worlds.
'Right, it was my prejudice about fantasy worlds. That made me blind to see that this world has brilliant minds too, besides strength.'
After that small self-reflection, we arrived at an inn, which could be considered a luxurious three-story hotel in the evening.
My parents booked the third floor for a day to accommodate everyone, including the servant.
As there were three women, my mother chose to stay with my father while my sister Clara shared a room with Alina.
Likewise, I shared my room with James.
Soon after, I asked James if he would like to sightsee.
'What? Sightseeing? Can't you see I am tired?'
He rejected my offer, so I went to the room next to us and asked the girls.
'Would you like to go sightseeing with me?'
'Yes, I would love to, little bro.'
'Yes, master, I will accompany you wherever you go.'
Clara and Alina both accepted my offer without hesitation.
The three went to sightsee the city.
***
'It is dark.'
A boy was caged.
Squeal~
A rat ran and ate whatever it could.
'I am cold.'
Shiver~
The boy's eyes were hollow as if he had given up on life.
"hehe."
He laughed.
"Did you come again?"
He talked to the rat.
"Where is Kon? Did he leave you?"
"…"
The rat didn't answer.
"Are you alone?"
"…"
"Don't worry, because I am alone too."
"…"
"If you become my friend, you won't be alone."
"…"
The boy talked alone until he fell asleep without getting any response.
Squeal~
The rat left.
And the boy slept in a cage with the filth…
…all alone, in darkness and cold.