SSS Transmigration: I Can Extract And Evolve Overpowered Shadows-Chapter 20: Reaching Falmouth City (1)

Rattle. Rattle. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

An old transport cart shuddered violently, metal grinding against metal as it trundled forward along unseen tracks. Every jolt sent passengers lurching into one another, while the dim overhead light cast a flickering glow on the rock-filled road.

The air was thick with the sharp stench of blood, sweat, and rotten meat. Chains clinked softly in the dark corners, and low, guttural chuckles rose and fell like distant echoes.

"Hahaha, did your wife actually say that?!" one man barked, his mouth opening wide enough to gulp down a grown rat.

"Don’t laugh, Gered! You should already know how much I spent just to make Emily marry me. If she leaves because I can’t fulfill her request, what will I do?" the man grunted, a grim expression on his face as his old, wrinkled hand clenched by his side.

The two men continued discussing for a long time. This was until they noticed one of the passengers staring at them from the corner of his eye.

Both men immediately went on guard. For some unknown reason, they felt an indescribable terror from the individual completely covered by a black cloak.

"Oi, what are you staring at?!" Gered spat, standing slightly despite the shaking cart. "Do we look like jesters to you?"

The figure gave a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Gered was about to snap when his body suddenly froze. The young man was barely even looking at him, his facial features completely hidden, yet every nerve in his body told him to avoid offending him.

The other man held Gered’s arm, then shook his head tiredly. Gered just gritted his teeth, veins bulging along his jaw before sitting back down.

The ride became eerily silent, and the figure, who hadn’t said a word since the start of the trip, finally spoke up with a calm, almost lazy, deep voice. "So, what exactly did your wife ask for?"

The man who had been telling his story turned to the domineering young man and stared at him for a moment, then burst into loud laughter that echoed through the carriage.

"So you were interested in my story?! Good, good, it’s not every time you see young lads who can sit down for a tale or two!" The man’s laughter only grew louder, which made the cloaked man smile.

"I’m Christian, you can call me Chris." he said, moving over to the young man’s side and wrapping one hand around his shoulder, which made the cloaked figure flinch slightly before relaxing.

Chris, however, noticed this brief reaction. His smirk softened into a warm, fatherly smile. "Hey kid, how about this? Ask this old man anything, and he’ll answer you. In exchange, you have to tell me your name. How does that sound?"

Before the young man could respond, a gust of wind blew past the carriage, causing cloaks to rise and people to cover their eyes. When Chris, Gered, and everyone in the cart opened their eyes again, the hood of the cloaked figure had come undone.

Their eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost, or rather, an angel.

An unholy angel.

The young man had a beautiful face like those of high nobles and elves. His hair was long, black, and silk-like, while his purple eyes carried a silent authority. The presence he radiated made them feel as though they were in the presence of an emperor.

The young man, a gentle smile tugging at his lips, spoke in a voice that made the passengers’ racing hearts settle. "Why not? I really like stories. As for my name..." he paused, ran his gaze over every one of them, and said, "I’m Hinata. Nishikawa Hinata."

The atmosphere in the cart suddenly turned bright, as though an angel had decided to pay them a visit.

Chris laughed heartily despite his obvious old age. "That’s such a unique name! If you weren’t in this rundown carriage, I would have thought you were a hero!"

Hinata tilted his head slightly, which, for some unknown reason, made several of the passengers’ faces flush red. "A hero?"

Gered answered enthusiastically, clenching his hands around his knee. "Haven’t you heard the news? The goddess of love summoned heroes to defeat the Demon King since the last set of heroes summoned by the Free Nation, Avalon, died."

He shook his head as if recalling a great tragedy. "Honestly, I hate that we are now forced to send little children to battle for us. But since the world’s tribulation allows more gifts to be bestowed upon otherworlders and lets them grow faster than normal awakened, this is the only path we can take."

Hinata took in the information with genuine interest. ’That explains why a world filled with awakened even needs heroes.’

Hinata raised his gaze, now filled with a glint of curiosity toward Gered. "If it isn’t too much, could you tell me how far the heroes are from here, and anything about awakened? I came from a small village, so I’m not too versed in the workings of the world."

Chris nodded several times. "No wonder you didn’t know about the heroes. The place we are headed to is Falmouth City on the great Aethelgard Continent, ruled by the Goddess of Light. The heroes, on the other hand, are all at the other end of the world, in the Vaeloria Continent."

"Is the distance that far?"

Gered responded with a grave expression. "Yes, Vaeloria is very far from Aethelgard. That’s why many of the locals have begun to fear, since it would take the heroes far too long to get here in case of an attack by the demons."

Hinata’s brows furrowed. "Can’t natives like us just attack them?"

Gered stared at him for a long moment, glanced at Chris, then both of them burst into laughter. "If it were that easy, we wouldn’t need heroes. Not only are awakened people rare, but their growth speed is very slow. Even though there are some exceptions, do you think such talented people would limit themselves to saving the masses?"

Although they were laughing, Hinata could feel their discomfort in bringing up the matter, so despite the ache in his chest to know more, he didn’t pry further.

Gered, seeing he had no further questions, continued. "As for your other question, I can’t exactly answer since I am not awakened. But you’ll be able to find all the answers in the city’s library."

"The city library?"

Chris opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the coachman slamming his hand on the cart. "Everyone pull out your identity cards. We are nearly there."

Hinata immediately looked out of the carriage, and there it was, a vast, imposing city. Colossal walls of stone rose high into the sky, casting long shadows over the crowded entrance below. Lines of travelers stretched outward like veins feeding into the city, all funneled through the heavily guarded gate. In the distance, towering buildings stood above the rest, their height alone a quiet declaration of authority and dominance.

’So this is it...’ he said, one side of his lips curling upward. ’The City of Falmouth!’