NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The Trip
As Arthur walked back to the inn under the fading light of the evening, the central square began to transform. The lively hustle of the day had given way to a calmer, quieter ambiance, with lanterns casting a warm, golden glow over the cobblestone streets. Street vendors packed up their stalls, while others lit small magical orbs to keep their businesses open into the night. The gentle murmur of conversations mixed with the occasional laughter of children chasing each other around the fountain.
Arthur couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in how the citizens spent their evenings. Some sat at the fountain's edge, sharing stories and laughter, while others carried the weight of their struggles, their faces marked by fatigue and worry. The scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted meat from street vendors.
The sunset painted the horizon with hues of gold and crimson, its beauty a brief reprieve from the struggles of the kingdom. Arthur sat for a moment longer, reflecting on the day's events and the hardships he had observed. Despite the small joys of the people, the underlying problems of Keldoria were ever-present.
As the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Arthur rose from the bench, stretched his legs, and made his way back to the inn. The guards discreetly followed him from a distance, ensuring his safety as he returned to his room. Once inside, Arthur removed his wig, letting out a sigh of relief and rest for the night.
The next day, Arthur ventured to the outskirts of Eldoria, where he encountered a starkly different reality. Unlike the bustling central square and the lively popular districts, the outskirts were marked by destitution and despair. Many people were living on the streets, struggling to survive. Women deemed attractive often resorted to selling their bodies, while others resorted to begging, stealing, or even fighting for scraps of food to stave off hunger. Despite their relentless efforts, starvation claimed the lives of many.
After carefully observing the dire conditions, Arthur returned to the inn to rest for the night. In the solitude of his room, he reflected deeply on what he had witnessed. The outskirts were home to the homeless and the impoverished—individuals who had lost their jobs or failed businessmen crushed by huge debts. Others had never managed to find employment, trapped in a cycle of poverty.
In contrast, those residing in the central square or the wealthier districts even if they are not noble, they enjoyed a better quality of life. They had jobs, some measure of wealth, and the means to sustain themselves. The nobles, on the other hand, displayed their opulence by either residing in the central square or retreating to vast rural estates, where there is a large area of lands and isolation to show their superior status.
Pondering the sharp divide between the lives of the privileged and the suffering of the destitute, Arthur felt the weight of the kingdom's inequalities pressing down on him. After analyzing the grim realities he had observed, he resolved to carry the insights forward. He closed his eyes, letting sleep take him once more, determined to continue his mission the next day.
On the final day of his trip, Arthur explored the rest of Eldoria, taking in the kingdom's full spectrum of life. By afternoon, he found himself back at the central square, seated on a bench near the fountain. The gentle breeze carried the sounds of life around him—merchants haggling, citizens chatting, and children laughing as they played. Despite the kingdom's flaws, there was something peaceful about watching people go about their lives, working hard, relaxing, or enjoying simple moments of joy.
As Arthur observed, his attention was drawn to a man accompanied by five escorts. The guards flanked the man closely, their presence a clear indication of his status. Arthur guessed he was a noble, possibly of baron rank, though he didn't recognize him. The baron strode confidently through the square, his path clearing as commoners quickly stepped aside, wary of offending him.
Suddenly, a stray ball struck the baron squarely in the head. Startled and enraged, the baron turned to see a young boy, no older than ten, standing frozen in fear. The boy was thin, with unkempt hair and tattered clothes that hung loosely on his malnourished frame. His wide eyes brimmed with tears, and his hands trembled as he stood rooted to the spot. His friends scattered immediately, leaving him alone. The baron, face contorted with anger, stormed toward the child. Before the boy could stammer an apology, the baron struck him across the face. The boy crumpled to the ground, crying out in pain, only to be kicked mercilessly by the baron.
The boy's cries for help filled the square, but no one dared intervene. A man, likely the boy's father, rushed forward and dropped to his knees, pleading for mercy. The father was a frail man in his mid-thirties, with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes that spoke of endless hardship. His clothes were patched and worn, a testament to his struggle to make ends meet. "Please, my lord, forgive my son. It was an accident."
The baron sneered, stopping his assault on the boy only to direct his fury at the father. "This filthy commoner dared to strike me with his ball? Do you think an apology is enough?" He delivered a brutal kick to the man, who curled up, shielding himself. "This is attempted murder on a baron!" the baron shouted. "I'll see to it that your entire family is punished!"
The father, bruised and trembling, continued to beg. "Spare my family, my lord. Punish only me and my son, I beg you."
Arthur could no longer bear the sight of the injustice. The baron's privileged cruelty burned in his chest, and he stood up from the bench. His sharp gaze locked onto the baron as he approached with calm determination. "That's enough," Arthur said, his voice commanding and resolute. "Stop this at once."