Here's the next chapter, and Itsuki's first meeting with people in Symphonia begins. Do enjoy

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Walking across an endless plain, Itsuki munched on an apple. Despite the deliciousness of the apple, he craved some juicy meat. Too bad all the animals were so friendly in Demeter’s forest. Sigh...the first thing on the agenda in the Renaissance must be to eat good food!

While absent-mindedly walking, Itsuki didn’t realize he strolled right into a group of goblins.

Veri: “SNAP OUT OF IT MORON!”

Itsuki flinched at the volume of the little pixie, but he quickly dodged a slash aimed for his neck. Brandishing his sword, he decapitated the head of every goblin in a mere moment.

Veri: “You’re lucky goblins are only D ranked monsters. If you were this careless with a B rank monster, you’d be dead! You need to be more aware of your surroundings.”

Itsuki: “I’m sorry…I was thinking about my next meal. How much longer will it take to get to the kingdom?”

Veri: “It shouldn’t be that much longer, but geez…you do realize you’re on your own here? You can’t haphazardly summon me to fight since it could attract unnecessary attention. I won’t answer your summon unless it’s an A rank beast.”

Itsuki: “You did mention that I’d be able to handle C ranked monsters and below, but what are my odds at the higher tiers?”

Veri: “Well, every beast is different, but generally, you’d have a 70% chance against a B rank, 30% chance against an A rank, and 1% chance against an S rank putting it nicely. You shouldn’t worry too much about S ranks though. That rank is exclusively for the Gods and Titans.”

After crossing over a hill, Itsuki’s eyes noticed a caravan. Could this be his lucky chance? Jogging over to the group of wagons, Itsuki approached a man roughly in his 40s.

Itsuki: “Excuse me, but would you happen to be heading to the Renaissance kingdom?”

???: “Why yes lad. Who might you be?”

After leaving the forest, Veri explained that people in Symphonia were named on a first name last name basis. Thus, to prevent any confusion, Itsuki should introduce himself as Itsuki Hideyoshi.

Itsuki: “My name is Itsuki Hideyoshi. I’m traveling the world, and my first stop is the Renaissance kingdom.”

???: “Hohoho, an adventurous lad I see! My name’s Bruno Grest. I’m a merchant born in Renaissance kingdom. I just finished a huge job, and I figure I can stay at home with my wife for a good while.

Itsuki: “Would it be ok if I hitched a ride with you to the kingdom then? I’ve been walking all day, and I don’t know when I’ll reach it.”

Bruno: “Sure thing kid. We need to stick together! Lots of unexplainable things have been happening. I’ve heard that whirlpools are preventing boats from traveling at some sea, and powerful monsters have sprung forth out of nowhere. Another intriguing thing I heard was that someone claimed Demeter’s forest stayed lush and green all year, experiencing an eternal spring! How amazing is that?”

Itsuki: “That’s…definitely quite something. Perhaps the goddess was pleased this year?”

Bruno: “Haha who knows. Anyway, hop in. All I’ve got with me is my granddaughter Hina.”

Itsuki hopped into the wagon and immediately appeared face to face with a young girl, probably age 7. Her hazel eyes stared intensely at Itsuki, and a wide smile appeared on her face. She struck a pose as her self-introduction began, causing the ribbon tying her long brunette hair to fall to the ground.

Hina: “Hiya mister! My name is Hina Cranos, and I’m 7 years old! I like playing music and playing with cute animals.”

Itsuki gently replied: “Hello there Hina, my name is Itsuki Hideyoshi. I’m actually 22 right now. But what a coincidence. I too love playing music. Oh, here’s your ribbon by the way. I do wonder though, why are traveling with your grandpa?”

Hina: “Thanks! I’m traveling with grandpa because---.”

Bruno: “I can answer that one. That little mischief maker snuck into my cargo when I set off. By the time I realized she was there, I couldn’t turn back. Sigh, my daughter Martha is going to scold me…maybe my wife Sarah will too...oh dear...”

Hina: “But grandpa! Staying at home is so boring. I got to see so many interesting things traveling with you! Please let me do it again?”

She clung to his shirt and begged him with her upturned eyes. Ah what is this…this must be the special technique all grandchildren instinctively know that is super effective against their grandparents!

Bruno: “Sigh, I’ll talk to your mother…It’s so hard to refuse her when she does that…”

Bruno then readied the horses, and the wagon began to move in conjunction with the other wagons. The trip was relatively peaceful, as Hina would talk continuously while Itsuki listened. Veri seemed to have fallen asleep. Once Hina was done speaking, she pulled out a recorder and began to practice. Barely any sound was coming out of the recorder as her face slowly began to get red.

Itsuki: “Hina, are you alright?”

Hina: “*cough cough* Yes, I’m fine…*cough*”

Itsuki: “Here, have some water.”

Itsuki pulled out his water pouch gifted by Persephone.

Hina: “Wow, this water is delicious! I guess I was really thirsty. But…I don’t understand. I saw a man playing the recorder really easily…and the song was really complicated! I’ve been trying to copy him, but it isn’t going well…”

Her dejection was so visible, as her cheeks puffed up from her pouting.

Itsuki: “Hm, would it be alright if I tried the recorder?”

With a nod, Hina handed Itsuki the recorder. Itsuki, with his experience playing so many instruments, easily began to play a simple melody he remembered for a recorder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9yCGvnHMcQ

Applause filled the air as Hina furiously clapped her hands in admiration. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she jumped at Itsuki.

Hina: “Itsuki, please please please teach me how to do that!”

Itsuki: “Haha, alright. Now…”

Itsuki began showing Hina how to properly breathe and play the recorder. As she continued to try, she finally began to make a sound using the recorder. With her first success, her excitement climbed even higher, only stopping her practice for eating and sleeping. Itsuki watched over her with a gentle smile, as there was nothing better than an enthusiastic student. He would give her pointers and listen to her play all day without a complaint. Bruno was quite happy to see his granddaughter so engrossed in the recorder. He felt guilty that he couldn’t spend time with her while driving the wagon. Thus, he was grateful for Itsuki being there for his granddaughter.

Two days had passed since Itsuki boarded Bruno’s wagon. In those two days, Hina’s skill with the recorder grew leaps and bounds due to Itsuki’s teaching and her own diligence. It would be an understatement to say that Hina grew really close with Itsuki in the span of two days. She would always sit next to him when it was time to eat, and she would snuggle up next to him in order to fall asleep. Bruno jokingly warned Itsuki not to get any ideas, but Itsuki scoffed at the thought.

Today, Hina took a break from practicing to stare at the view outside the carriage with Itsuki. Their eyes caught many animals like cows and sheep roaming the pastures. However, a shrill cry came from a wagon up ahead. Staring outside the wagon, Itsuki saw a horde of wolves surrounding the wagon in front of them, forcing all the wagons to stop.

Bruno: “10 D-ranked brown wolves. They’re a bit dangerous in a large group, but we hired some adventurers for this.”

Five mercenaries ran to engage the wolves. Four were D ranked adventurers, while one was a C ranker as Bruno explained. They were quite skilled, as the wolves quickly began to fall one after the other. The adventurers were confident that they had control of the situation until a wolf three times as large as the brown wolves appeared. Its sheer size and intimidating aura caused the 4 D rankers to fall onto their knees while the C ranker began to sweat.

Slowly, the wolf moved, each step forward sending waves of fear among the mercenaries and merchants alike.

Bruno: “By the gods, what is a B-ranked Alpha wolf doing so close to the kingdom! Hina, do not step out the wagon do you understand? I won’t let that wolf hurt you even if it kills me.”

Hina: “*hic* Grandpa, I’m scared…that wolf looks really mean…”

The Alpha wolf all of a sudden sprinted directly for the C ranked mercenary, and his life flashed before his eyes. He truly felt the coming of death and prayed for a swift release from the pain. However, the feeling of sharp claws piercing his flesh never arrived, and the mercenary looked up, stunned at the young man who intercepted the claw with his sword.

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Here comes a battle! Since B ranked monsters are quite strong, I can show some more of Itsuki's fighting rather than immediate decapitation. The music I randomly use in this story are just instrumentals or pieces I enjoy, so I do hope you do too. Leave any constructive criticisms or comments to help me improve the story if needed! Thank you for reading.