Jean, the Darkness

第5話 First travelling (4)

"We'll camp tonight and rest in an oasis tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

Jahir said, and then Amir and the others nodded.

“We didn’t stop by the oasis when we went to the previous town.”

"Oh, I took the shortest route when we went there, but when we returned home, I decided to take a detour to the south."

Jean said and Jahir laughed.

"Hmm."

Jean looked around and said briefly. Everything is new to him.

"Why? Maybe because you want to show me around?"

Jahir smiled when he heard Jean's words.

Sharp, Jahir thought. This is an unusual idea for a 4-year-old boy.

"That may be true, but..."

Jahir got off at the village entrance and signaled to the children.

"This route is relatively safe as more people are passing through it. Besides, there was a large-scale attack the day before, so the defeated bandits are sure to hide somewhere and attack the travelers."

"I see... ah, thank you."

Amir just laughed as he dropped Jean off. Then headed to the camel shelter, leading the camel.

"Jean is polite."

Amir said and Jean tilted his head to one side.

“Well, people who can properly thank you are said to be polite.”

Sabadda said and Amir nodded. But Jean tilted his head again.

"I don't understand. That was normal at home. Isn't it?"

“Also for chamberlains and maids?”

"Yes, I think so."

"For servant boys and servant girls, too?"

"If they did it directly to me, then yes, I would like to thank them, too."

Jean answered honestly. Amir and his friends thought it was a great education. Servants and servant girls are indeed treated almost the same as slaves.

“Come to think of it, you also thanked the servant at the inn.”

Abu said and Jahir looked at Jean and smiled.

"That's a good thing. The servants are people too."

While saying this, Jahir entrusted the six camels and received a tag. When the store manager told him to feel safe to leave their luggage there, Jahir nodded.

"Won't it be stolen?"

"No one will steal it. There's a strong-looking guy over there at the safe house, right? He's a very skilled bodyguard, so there's no need to worry about it being stolen."

"Is that so..."

"Well, first, let's eat."

"Yes, Sir!"

When Jahir said this, Jean said it out loud. Seeing his sparkling eyes, Jahir smiled, picked Jean up, and headed to the street market. Probably because it was lunchtime, there were many people there, enjoying their shopping.

“Sir, what is that?”

When Jean asked Jahir about a dish he had never seen before, Jahir approached the counter and took a closer look.

“Is that what you mean?”

"Yes."

Jean nodded.

"It's meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves. Do you want to eat it?"

"Do you mind?"

"Of course not."

Jahir nodded and bought a large amount, including one for Amir and the others. We also bought what Amir and the others wanted to eat and rented a place at a nearby restaurant. While Saman and Sabadda were buying tea, Jahir talked to Jean about food around here. After hearing the explanation, Jean just nodded and looked at each dish with curious eyes. When Saman and Sabadda appeared, they began to eat deliciously.

"How was it?"

"It's delicious."

When Jahir asked, Jean answered honestly. When Jean said it was his first taste, Jahir laughed and put a large skewer in his mouth.

"Well, eat. Amir, Sabadda, Saman, and Abu, eat everything."

"Yes, Sir!"

After the meal, they wandered around the market again and bought some items. And then we set off again. When Jahir said that they would camp out again tonight, everyone nodded.

The group moved slowly toward the west for a while. When Amir said that it was getting dark, Jahir signaled that he would camp there. When Jan stopped the camel and was about to get off, Jahir lowered him down and placed him in his arms, holding him.

"Are you sleepy yet, Jean?"

"Yes a little"

"Then it's fine as is."

"But I have to prepare the meal..."

"Should be fine."

Jahir said so and gave a signal to Amir and the others. Then, Amir quickly started a fire with the wood he had brought with him. Sabadda and others also started preparing food. Jahir held Jean for a moment and looked around.

Honestly, Jahir began to think that it would be okay to keep Jean as his younger brother or child. If it is difficult for him to have a child since he is still single, he can make him his younger brother.

But in fact, he doesn't have that authority. Jean is a distant relative of Jenal, the village head. And Jenal made a promise to Jean's grandfather. He said he would teach him assassination skills for two years and then give him back.

Jahir is the one who teaches him the assassination technique.

Originally an assassin, Jahir worked for Jenal a few years ago. Jahir, who was highly trusted by Jenal, was engaged to Jenal's daughter Asha and was given the position of head of the village. If that happens, Jahir will become the next head.

Jenal himself was a retired assassin. The village itself is a village of assassins. Amir's father is also an assassin and is currently away in the village working. Sabadda's father and brother were also assassins, and her mother passed away several years ago. Most of Abu's family members are assassins, and they are big siblings, so when he saw his mother busy taking care of her younger brothers and sisters, Abu thought it was difficult, so he decided to live with Amir and his friends. In Saman's case, he wandered in the desert and was rescued by Jahir. From what he heard, an acquaintance of his parents took him in after his parents passed away. However, an acquaintance of the parents sent Saman, who was still young, to the market as a slave. Unable to bear the violence, Saman ran away and wandered into the desert, where he was rescued by Jahir. Jahir thought it would be troublesome later, so he secretly killed the acquaintance of Saman's parents.

"Sir, the meal is ready."

"Okay."

Jahir went back and sat on the rug that Amir had spread. However, Jean was already sound asleep on Jahir's shoulder.

He doesn't want to wake him up, Jahir thought. However, if he doesn't eat at the scheduled time, he'll be in trouble if something happens in the middle of the night.

"Jean, wake up."

"Hmm, just a little more, Grandpa."

"I'm not your grandfather."

Hearing Jahir's words, Jean immediately woke up, looked at Jahir, and blinked.

"Ah, I'm sorry, teacher."

"Good. Well then, let's all eat."

Jahir smiled and accepted the bowl that Amir held out to him. Jean also said his thanks and accepted the bowl.

The meal was relatively simple. All they had was the bread and bean stew they had bought during the day. However, they ate deliciously. Jean also tore off the bread and cleaned the bowl of soup, leaving not a single drop of it. Finally, Abu brewed tea in Jahir's bowl first, and then in each of their bowls. A warm drink would be a blessing in the cold desert, Jean thought as he drank the tea.

After the meal, Amir and his friends taught Jan various things. They talked about stars in the sky and oases, and Jean listened with great interest.

"...Isn't there an oasis in Archia?"

"There is no oasis in Archia."

Sabadda asked, and Jean nodded.

“A desert like this, too?”

"No."

Abu asked, and Jean shook his head.

“Is it a country with a lot of greenery?”

"Yes, it is."

Sabadda asked, and Jean nodded.

"I'm jealous of that."

"Hmm, I wonder why."

Jean had a difficult look on his face.

“Because we are blessed with resources and greenery, many enemies from distant countries like the Ircandians have come.”

“Did anyone other than the Ircandians come?”

"Yes, they were."

Jean nodded.

“There were still some Heslandians and Akhish people coming… They attacked us one after another, and with the constant battles, Archia's power was weakened…”

When Jean says that's why they lost, Jahir and the others look at Jean with pity.

“Did you hear that from your grandfather?”

"Yes, I did."

Jean nodded.

"Were there many Ircandians?"

"No."

Jean shook his head.

"There weren't many of them...However, with magical weapons such as guns, they were able to kill a large number of Archia's soldiers from a distance with a small number of troops. As a result, Archia lost."

When Jahir heard this fact from a small child, he thought for a while.

"Then how did they conquer Archia? Was the royal family all exterminated and abolished?"

"Hmm."

Jean thought for a while.

"They created a new royal family. The new royal family stands above the control of all the areas that have existed up..."

"Was the new royal family loyal to the Queen of Ircandia?"

"Yes."

Jean nodded.

"The king's daughter married into Ircandia's nobel."

"I see."

“And the eldest sons of the nobles will also study abroad in Ircandia.”

“Jean’s brother, too?”

"Yes, he is."

In effect, Jahir thought, he was a hostage.

"Are you thinking of meeting your brother?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

Jean tilted his head.

"I have never met Brother Theo. I was told he had already left for Ircandia before I was born. I only heard about him from Brother Vesta."

“What about your second brother?”

"I met Brother Piet twice. He was a very quiet person."

"I see."

"Vesta big brother is probably the closest to me. He taught me a lot of things so that I wouldn't get scared when I was locked up alone."

Jean said with a smile.

"Were you afraid of being alone?"

Sabadda asked.

"Sometimes...I mean, don't you see ghosts?"

"Ghosts? Hahaha!"

Amir and others laughed when they heard Jean's answer.

"Bandits lurking in the dark are scarier than ghosts."

Sabadda said and Jahir nodded.

"That's right."

Jahir said to Jean in a kind voice.

"Well, I have something to give you."

Jahir took out several knives from his bag and handed out five to each of Amir and his friends. It was a small knife, about 10 centimeters long.

“A throwing knife?”

Saman asked and Jahir nodded.

"I'll give this to you guys. Also to Jean."

When Jahir said this, everyone looked at the knife in their hands with sparkling eyes. A small string is attached to the top to make it easier to tell whose knife it belongs to by color.

“I taught Amir and Sabadda the other day, but you practiced properly, right?”

"··yes, Sir."

Jahir asked and Amir nodded. Sabadda also nodded but did not reply.

"Abu and Saman are a little early, but I'll teach them now."

"Yes, Sir!"

Jahir said, and the two responded forcefully.

"And Jean, first of all, just watch so you don't get hurt."

"I see."

"What up?"

"Can I give try it for a while?"

"I don't mind, but if you do it in this darkness, I don't think you'll be able to figure out where the knife goes, right?"

Jahir says and Jean just looks at Jahir.

"··Understood."

Jean says and he looks behind him.

“But those people are our enemies, right?”

When Jean said that, Jahir immediately looked at what was ahead of Jean's line of sight. A group of horses can be seen running in the dark desert.

They have their weapons drawn and it is a hostile act.

Probably bandits, Jahir thought. Jahir drew his sword and stood before the camel. The camels got up and started moving, perhaps because they sensed danger.

"Saman, take Jean with Abu! Head to the village!"

"Yes, Sir!"

When Jahir said this, Saman immediately picked up Jan and jumped into the camel. Abu also grabbed the camels' strings, got on to the camels, and made them run.

"Is the teacher okay?"

"Oh, no problem!"

Saman hurried his camel. It's filled with valuable items for the village, so they must not let the bandits steal it at all costs. However, bandits appeared from another direction.

Just when Saman thought he couldn't escape, Jean suddenly stood up and threw the knife twice in a row.

He hit one person after another.

"Jean..."

“Saman-bro, please concentrate ahead!”

"Alright!"

Saman replied, grabbing Jean's waist. Abu saw them and understood. He has to coordinate his movements so that he doesn't get in Jean's way.

"Abu-bro! Lay down!"

Jean suddenly said this loudly, and Abu looked at him and lowered his head. Then, a knife suddenly flew out and hit the bandit who approached Abu. However, another bandit swung his sword at Abu. Abu became impatient because he had to control his camel while leading the four camels.

It was at that time.

“Lie down!”

A knife came flying at the same time as a loud voice. Abu quickly lowered his head looked in the direction the knife was coming from, and saw Jean.

"Once again!"

Abu heard the sound of the knife being struck by the enemy's sword. Another knife flew over Abu's head, and he lowered his head.

He hit the mark this time. The enemy dropped his sword as the knife hit his hand. Abu looks at the enemy and also looks at his surroundings.

"Jean! Back!"

When Abu said that, Jean shifted his gaze. This time, there is a bandit who approaches Saman. And there are a lot of them.

All he had was a dagger and a knife.

"What should I do··"

When Jean said this, Saman noticed. There's no weapon.

"Use my knives!"

"Where is it?"

“It’s in my bag!”

Saman said, and Jean threw the knife in his hand, hitting the enemy as he approached.

Then he bent down, took the bag, and opened it.

"I'll use it."

"Okay!"

Saman looked at where Abu's camel ran.

Horses are faster, but when it comes to sandy ground like this, horses can't run very well. Abu knows the terrain well, so he tries to run in the sand as much as possible.

With a new knife in his hand, Jean stands up again and looks behind him. There are only 5 enemies left. Two people ran behind Abu, and three people ran behind them. These five knives were the only weapons he had.

Don't miss the target.

Jean takes a breath, trying to calm herself down. He felt Saman's hands steadying his feet. And set his aim...

The knife flew. It then hit a bandit who tried to hijack a camel running behind Abu. The bandit fell, and another knife flew. The knife hit a person running right next to the bandit who had fallen earlier.

Jean shifted his gaze, saw the person approaching them, and threw the knife again. And he threw two shots in a row, hitting each opponent.

Jean looked around, making sure no one was following him before sitting down in front of Saman again.

"I think it's okay now."

"Oh okay."

Jean said, Saman nodded and announced the news to Abu in a loud voice. Abu looked around and stopped the camel. Saman also stopped his camel and looked around carefully.

The enemy was gone, and no one but them.

Abu checked the starry sky and drank water from a water bottle hanging from the camel's neck.

"Jean!"

"Yes!"

When Abu called, Jean, who was sitting in front of Saman, answered.

"Take my knives! I'm all about camels!"

"Yes!"

Abu threw his bag to Saman, who took it and placed it in front of Jean. Jean nodded and took out a knife from his bag.

"Jean."

"Yes, brother."

Saman said, and Jean shifted his gaze from the bag.

"Maybe they'll come again."

"Yes, Brother."

"I think you're tired, but can you hold back a little?"

"Yes, brother."

Jean nods and looks at the horse heading towards them.