Story Reader / Event Story / Lightning and Thunder / Story
Episode 10
>The virtues of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are credited to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties. The long wars of the Seven Warring States and the Five Hegemons are mere moments in the grand scheme.
A few names in the history book costs countless graves in the northern hills. What is there to fight when we only reap what our ancestors have sown?
Last we left off, the commandant received orders to head to Kangzhou for a secret mission...
Kangzhou is a treacherous land, surrounded by natural barriers of mountains. Even catching a glimpse of it is a challenge.
Most people one encounters on the path there are either locals or those seeking a better life.
Although it is a land of riches, the mountains and forests are fairly unsafe for the average traveler in these turbulent times.
It is still summer, and fall is a while away. The journey to Kangzhou is going to take about three more days.
Commandant [player name] is not traveling alone. Three well-known figures from the martial world have been assigned as escorts.
Are you even trying?
He's definitely slacking off.
You expect me to carry this heavy thing all by myself?
Noctis' voice echoes from the bottom of the slope nearby.
It started raining lightly about half an hour ago, just as the four of you were setting up camp.
The rain softened the soil, so when Noctis stepped onto the carriage, it rolled down the slope while the startled horse broke free and ran into the woods.
Fine. Remove his arm, No. 21.
Okay.
No. 21 runs down the slope toward Noctis. Reluctantly, Noctis grabs the heavy supply box and starts dragging it back up.
Hey!
I will keep an eye on him.
Putting the map away, you walk toward Vera and look up. The sun has passed its peak and is heading west.
We can still make it if we leave now. Tell Noctis to hurry up, No. 21, or we'll leave him behind.
You—!
Noctis grunts as he drags the heavy cargo up the slope. His prosthetic left arm glows faintly, its power increasing.
I'm sure he was slacking off.
Noctis!
What is it this time?!
If you keep dawdling, you'll be eating with the dogs tonight!
Our rations taste like dog food anyway!
Stop whining and get to work!
The hot-tempered ones need more discipline.
Your conversation does not sound like one between a superior and a subordinate.
Can someone give me a hand here?!
Go have a look, No. 21.
No. 21 does not answer. She just jumps down from the supply box.
You call that helping?
You have already lost a horse before setting off, and your boat sank while crossing a river—such mishaps are no longer unusual. A toppled carriage is hardly a big deal.
You comfort yourself with these thoughts as you walk toward the small county. The words "Xun City" are displayed above the city gate.
For a county, Xun City is not big, but it has all the necessary facilities. It is not as bustling as a big city like Kangzhou, but it has its own charm.
Around fifty steps into the city, Noctis drops the supply box he has been carrying with a heavy thud.
Even mules need to eat, right?
Despite saying this, Noctis still glances at Vera's expression. Seeing she has no objections, he begins to move.
You have heard that this town has everything, even though it is small. Walking down the street, however, you begin to notice some differences.
Despite the numerous shops, there are very few people around. Given Kangzhou's harvests in recent years, people here should not look so sickly.
Moreover, the streets are filled with banners bearing the surname "Xie".
You have taken it all in without a word. After a while, Noctis returns with a few steamed buns.
Who wants one?
Me.
As No. 21 reaches for one, Noctis moves his hand away. Vera clears her throat, but Noctis pretends nothing has happened and is about to put the buns away when No. 21 snatches the whole bag of them.
Hey!
Shut up. You're annoying me.
It's getting late. Normally, we would crash at a random inn, but given our commandant's habits...
Just as the commandant makes a decision, a voice calls out from a distance before anyone can take a step.
Commandant! F-forgive my late welcome!
Before the voice finishes, Vera instantly moves in front of you, her hand resting on the "Spear Champion" in the supply box.
The man's pitch is already sharp. His nervous stutter is only making everyone more tense.
He runs while panting heavily, looking quite disheveled. Seeing your group turn around, he immediately kneels down.
Who are you?
I-I'm Bu Qing Lian, the magistrate of this county. I wasn't expecting you here, Commandant. N-no one has notified me.
The self-proclaimed magistrate in front of you is short, hunched, and narrow-eyed. His official robe drags on the ground, barely covering his figure.
You made quite a commotion just now.
Vera lifts Bu Qing Lian's face with the tip of her spear, making him tremble. He first looks at Vera before stealing a glance at you and finally realizing the problem.
My bad! My bad!
You give Vera a look. The townsfolk are chuckling at the magistrate's ridiculous appearance, many peeking out from small two-story houses and restaurants to watch.
Seeing this, Vera pretends to stab him, eliciting a few gasps from the bystanders. Bu Qing Lian staggers back several steps in fright.
It seems that Vera, No. 21, and Noctis are the only ones who find this amusing. No one is making any sound, either intimidated by Vera's actions or too scared to laugh.
Regardless, the situation on the road makes the magistrate quite suspicious. Of course, this is mostly your intuition.
This small county, which can only be reached with a detour, is more than meets the eye. And Bu Qing Lian himself seems quite dubious.
Vera must have noticed it too, but her expression shows that she is enjoying it.
Bu Qing Lian dusts himself off and bows again.
Thank you, Commandant... I instructed my servants to prepare a small mansion for you to stay in as soon as I heard of your arrival. This way, please.
It's just that I don't understand why you have someone carrying your supplies. Xun City might not have any fine horses, but we do have hardworking donkeys or mules...
Not wanting to continue the discussion, you brush off his question.
Afterward, you walk from the south gate to the west, crossing the main road. You thought you would stop by the county office, but Bu Qing Lian just keeps walking.
Hey, Bu.
Y-yes?
Why don't we just stay here?
Bu Qing Lian is so frightened by this that he shivers. He turns around, trembling.
It will take some time to clean up the county office. I'm afraid it's not going to be a comfortable place to stay...
Hey, how long do I have to carry this thing? When can we take a break?
Noctis drops the supply box on the ground, extremely annoyed.
I'm hungry.
No. 21 points at Bu Qing Lian. These three always like to team up and give others a hard time.
We have chefs at your mansion. H-here, I have to cook for myself sometimes...
Without saying much, you reveal the secret order you have hidden in your sleeves. Its appearance alone has enough authority to make Bu Qing Lian stop making excuses.
Before Bu Qing Lian can say more, Vera is already walking toward the county office.
The guards are about to stop her when Bu Qing Lian waves his hand, and they refrain.
Noctis and No. 21 also follow her into the county office, heading straight in without bothering to find out which hall is available.
P-please head east, my esteemed guests...
Seeing his demeanor, you also walk in without waiting for him.
Finally, it's time to introduce the three heroes and their past deeds to our new audience—
The renowned Vera was a valiant female general. She has defeated countless enemies with the "Spear Champion" in her hand, her fame spreading far and wide.
No. 21 is a doctor who works miracles. Her claws, "Bloom and Boom", have eradicated countless ailments, and her reputation is second to none.
A hero with a heart of gold, Noctis has used his "Star Dragon Fist" to defend the people against great injustice and shrouded dangers.
You've heard of their extraordinary abilities, but what you don't realize is that they were already known as the "Howling Cerberus" before their mission to escort the commandant.
And if you're wondering about the synergy and the friendship between the commandant and the three of them—just keep listening.
