Chapter 4 The first chapter is about to travel

Kant raised his head and looked at the tall city wall slanted by the sun in front of him.At this moment, apart from his shabby clothes, he only has eighty copper coins. Every day, countless new faces eager to venture and adventure appear here. They walk on the narrow streets paved with green cobblestones, they walk in the gaps between the stucco arcades, they walk on the muddy carriage paths, and the brilliance shines on them. On the huge sculptural column of the Memorial Church, the great human figures in history are printed on the ground, like a huge shadow pressing on the head of the insignificant.The adventurers stood at the gate of the city, murmuring, or staring in a daze.In the distant future, they may become a heroic knight who defeats demons, a great mage who slays dragons, or a model migrant worker.But now, they converge on the same broken brick road with potholes and holes, and there are shops with wooden sheds on both sides, with various signboards hanging:

"An absolutely effective potion, the wound disappears as soon as it is wiped." "Strong gloves that allow you to lift an elephant with ease for fifty coppers." "The magic wolf summoning scroll is produced by the Kirogang Magic Guild with the reputation. It is absolutely guaranteed that there will be fifty of them, and the formula will be taught for free." After walking this path, an ordinary farmer can turn into an iron-clad can or a mage wielding a wand that was broken off from some tree.But no one knows where they went afterwards, like a mighty long-distance race, people will only remember the last person they saw at the finish line.

Kant kicked his heavy boots, and immediately his toes were exposed.The broken knight sighed, and saw the corner of the street, where the shoemaker Hashmien was standing on the wooden stairs and smiling at him. Hashmian's cabin is full of all kinds of modified old boots, including high tops, thick soles, iron heels, herring skins, and peacock feathers, but Kant can't afford them. of. "Please mend a piece of cowhide for me." The knight put his feet up, "There are so many stones on the road recently!" "It's useless to mend you with a piece of iron." Hashemian swung his shoe hammer to sweep his foot away. "The shoe is no longer wearable, and besides, you still owe me sixteen copper coins."

"But I'm going to the dance at Yundi's house this afternoon." "You should go out in the street this afternoon and see if there's any knapsack work to do, or hang out with those jimmies in the square. There's some girls in there, and they're pretty good at dancing." "Please don't talk to a knight like this, you have to know that we have a legacy..." "I know... the Red Knight of Apaia, since the last temple war, when your grandpas followed King Dingluke XVI and were repaired by those Idel people, this name has become like the one on the fish stall on the street. Smells like yellowtail. Gone with your battered boots, and don't remind me of those bloody sixteen coppers!"

Kant fled out of the wooden house in a hurry, his unsatisfactory boots slipped again when he was going down the wooden ladder, and he fell into the muddy water on the street. There seemed to be laughter everywhere, as if suddenly the whole town came out from the alley, behind the wooden doors, and under the windows, laughing loudly: "Look, this is the poor guy who claims to be a legendary knight .” He shook his head vigorously, and stood up angrily with clenched fists, but no one was watching him. The scattered people on the street were all walking their own way, and even the small vendors at the foot of the stone wall didn't bother to look at him.Yes, no one paid attention to him, a knight fell and a beggar fell, there is no difference in the eyes of the layman, and the fall of the hereditary order is not any better.

Laughter is indeed there. On the square leading to this small stone street, there are men's whistles, women's excited shouts when they dance, and the sound of music. It must be the Spice Girls singing and dancing troupe of the wandering tent tribe. show. "Actually, I also danced this kind of street dance when I was a child... It's kind of like that. When I was a child, I went to the street to watch this kind of performance every day, and discussed women's legs like adults... At that time, I didn't seem to think What is the difference between me and these ordinary people? Since when did I change? Since I discovered the medal? Since my aunt told me that our family actually has a hereditary title, but because my father is not the eldest son, he is no longer a baron I'm dying, and my family is poor, and the only thing left with me for the rest of my life is the title of Knight of Apaia..."

"Anyway, I'm still a knight, even though there are hardly any coins in my pocket." Kant thought, straightening his back, "I won't go to the streets to do coolies or bow to those old merchants, a knight will not give up His noble mission to live...but... where is the mission? I need a place to eat before I go to Chimelia's ball, and I hope that damn porter will let me in this afternoon, last time I really wanted to beat him up - I actually turned around and took a half-bitten piece of bread and told me to get the hell out... But the girls are getting more and more indifferent to me, and they are more smiling around the guy Damn Ferdinand. Also a knight, I'm obviously a little more handsome than him, but why do they ignore me? Is it really that big in a bright silver-banded knight's dress and an old gray frayed leggings suit? different?"

While cursing this snobbish society, he came to a beautiful white house with a small garden, which was his aunt's home. "Are you here again?" the maid asked angrily and helplessly. "Yeah, what's the matter—do you dare not let me in?" Kant replied with the same firm and fearless eyes. After this silent struggle, the maid finally managed to hold her breath, and moved aside heavily. Kant knew that she was fighting against the ridicule that was about to churn in his big belly, and he was afraid that all the air would pop out when he exhaled. He sat down in the dining room in a grand manner, and quickly glanced to see if there was any oil on the table: "What, where is Aunt Qiss? You..." Kant tried his best to swallow "Don't you all eat at this time?" Tapas.

The maid took the mop and wiped vigorously on the carpet in front of the chair where he was sitting, where many mud spots from the street also rushed in excitedly following Kant.Thinking that she would be scolded if she didn't clean it up, the maid wished that the carpet was Kant's face. Thinking of this, she seemed to see herself rubbing the mop on Kant's dirty face, and she couldn't help showing a trace of happiness on her face. smile. This smile boosted the confidence of the well-off knight: "Where are my two lovely and beautiful cousins? Aziroa and Shanqia, oh, they must be very happy to see me. They have loved to follow me since they were young."

"It's a pity that people will grow up!" The maid sneered in her heart, and said in her mouth: "The hostess is visiting friends, and she won't be back until evening. The two young ladies are eating upstairs, so you shouldn't disturb them." Hearing the faint voice of the girl upstairs, Kant felt itchy: "They don't know I'm here, do they?" "No, they know, but they have something to do." The maid's voice was so hard that it jingled on the carpet. They knew that I was coming but they refused to come down to see me. Kant felt cold. It seemed that my two innocent cousins ​​had also disappeared into this world, and the only ones left were those who had been changed into indifference and snobbery by the world. I don’t know how their mothers and those idle relatives contemptuously described me as a lazy and lazy bum in front of them—although this is also true—but they never saw a dilapidated The proud and righteous heart under the coat - oh hell, even I think it's useless...

Sitting at the empty table, feeling the coldness of the world and the indifference of people, the knight couldn't help playing a sad song in his heart, and suddenly wanted to stride out like this, and never come back until he made a contribution.But as soon as he heard the maid tinkling about something in the kitchen, he felt that there was still a glimmer of hope in the world.The poor man just sat quietly in this faint longing, listening to the ticking of the bell, silently feeling the sadness brought by time, the burning in his belly and the feeling of dizziness.He looked up and saw the portrait of his grandfather in the hall. The old knight was covered with medals, looking at him mightily... My appearance really follows my grandfather... Thinking this way, Kant stood up and came to the portrait, kneeling on his knees. Kneel down and pray silently: "Grandfather, what about the honor of our noble title? Why is it rusted like the medal in the iron box in the old cupboard? It is said that Apaya was a wealthy family in the Knights in the past, but now its descendant People don’t even have a chance to ride a horse! I don’t want to live such a life of wandering around all day long, but I don’t want to be like my uncle who guards the hereditary title and becomes a wine bag and a rice bag, and I don’t want to carry rice sacks or It is to live a life as a fishmonger. O ancestors, guide me with your kindness and majesty." He rested his forehead on the back of his hand, sobbing silently. There was a sound of stairs behind him, and his eldest cousin Aziroya came down, seeing the tears that this man did not fall in front of others made her heart soften. "Dear cousin Kant, haven't you eaten yet? I'll ask Liz to make it for you." Kant wiped away his tears and turned around, suddenly unwilling to stay here any longer. "I didn't come to eat, I just came to see you, to see... the portrait of my grandfather. Well, as long as you are all well. I'm going on a long journey." "Where are you going?" Azroya asked in surprise. Kant was also a little surprised at what he blurted out, he just subconsciously didn’t want people to see him live like this again: “I… I’m going to mine a gold mine with a few friends, it’s far away… But I swear, I will take They came back here with several cartloads of gold and silver treasures." Yes, I am going to be a hero, Kant thought.I must go on an adventure.Only fighting can change the fate of a knight, and a beautiful girl will only fall into the arms of a warrior. When I become a heroic knight, I will ask all those who fall by my sword to admit that the person I love is the most beautiful woman in the world, and to proclaim her name. All the way thinking about where there are witches and dragons, Kant found that his feet had walked outside the mansion of Chimelia's house.He knew he wanted to see Yundi. The Chimelias were family friends.When he was a child, Kant often ran up and down the wide and huge stone steps in the hall of their house with her, and chased her in the garden.But the child will not be aware of the changes of the times, and the relationship between the two families has long been indifferent with the decline of the Kant family.Chimelia also learned in time not to be hypocritical when she grew up, so she only smiled at the children of the famous families.Kant was often a favorite at balls, and people liked to see him in his father's ill-fitting old-fashioned dress, but he insisted on putting on a cavalier air.Kant knew they were laughing, but didn't understand why.Is it wrong to yearn for the morality and glory of knights?Or is this era only used to show off horse racing, hunting and collection to girls? Alas, the age of the knights has passed, the demons have been defeated for three hundred years, the sword and armor have rusted, and the great temple war can only be pursued through dramas and novels. Standing in the hall, Kant felt that time had returned to the moment when he met Yundi. It was the same dance that day, and Chimelia walked past Kant without turning his eyes.Kant felt that even though he was dressed darkly, his face would not be blurred. "Cimeria," he called. "Oh, it's my dear Kant." Chimelia waved her hands as if she didn't even want to turn her neck back, "You have some snacks first, I'm very busy now." Yeah, she's too busy talking about fashion. On the other hand, Ferdinand, who liked to make fun of him in front of the girls to show off his extraordinary ears, felt that he had found another good opportunity to make fun of Kant, so he came over to clink glasses with him affectionately. "Hey, our amazing knight Kant, I heard you have a new plan?" The ladies next to him immediately laughed approvingly, but Kant didn't think the conversation was funny at all. "Yeah, I'm going to learn horsemanship and swordsmanship. Maybe someone needs my help somewhere, maybe the demons are moving around in the dark." There was a burst of laughter.Kant became more and more puzzled, is there any humor in his words? "Oh, just right." Ferdinand's expression suddenly became serious, "I just got the news that there was a princess whose boat was overturned by a giant dragon on the Ferris Sea, and the princess was also taken to Dragon Island by the dragon. The kingdom and the princess herself come to ask the heroes for help." "This is real?" There was an explosion of wild laughter.Kant didn't expect that those ladies could laugh out such a terrible high-pitched voice, and some of them fell to the ground and were about to roll. Kant sighed, and suddenly felt that there was nothing to be nostalgic for after the dance. At first, it was for vanity, and he felt that he belonged to this class, but now that he was going to travel far, he didn't need to be in the social circle with the audience. It's hard to underestimate.All he needs is a horse and a sword, and the wind and snow in the mountains and the sheep on the roadside will not laugh at him. Suddenly all the laughter stopped, and the hall became extremely quiet.People all looked in one direction, as if there really was a demon emerging from there. Kant also looked over, and he saw the girl walking in from the door, like a star suddenly descending on the world, it was she who silenced all the people.All men are jealous, all women are jealous.Her brown-blond long hair was curled, her eyes were like deep blue lakes, she walked slowly, her steps were as light as walking on clouds. It turns out that seeing something too unusual is not a good sign, but Kant doesn't know that now. The girl came directly to Kant. "What's so funny?" "Let me introduce," a young baron who is about to be honored jumped out, "This is Miss Yundi, from the great Howard family, the niece of Mrs. Sitz, who has just come to live in this city. Our Kilogang City is even more beautiful." Chimelia stepped forward and hugged Yundi affectionately: "Yes, we have become good friends since we met at Mrs. Sitz's house last time. We discussed the current art and trends affectionately." At that moment, Kant saw a trace of helplessness flashing through the smile of this girl named Yundi.He suddenly felt that this girl should not belong to this group of people.She is so different, whether because of superiority or inferiority, their loneliness is the same. "What are you talking about?" Yundi asked. "Oh, about the adventure." Before Kant could open his mouth, Ferdinand rushed to say, while smiling vigorously, "We are discussing whether dragons and demons exist." "Why does anyone want to look for the demons?" When Yundi said this, he only looked at Kant, perhaps because his clothes and expression were out of tune with the surroundings. "Yes." Kant said, somehow full of courage, "I think that people should do something instead of spending their lives in gossip and card games. Somewhere in this world, maybe on some mountain Behind the scenes, there are miracles that we don't know about." Everyone was waiting for a new laugh, but Yundi said: "Kant, if you are going on an adventure, please inform me too? I am willing to walk with you all the way." Kant always felt that Yundi's arrival was like a dream, which became unreal because it was too beautiful, and he couldn't believe it. Yes, almost everyone hates Kant, cobbler, fruit seller, sewer repairer, porter, pig butcher, just because they are common people and he has the title of hereditary knight, but he has to live with them, Because of his dilapidated family background.When they were working, he wandered in the streets in rags, trying to get a little bit of the superiority of the knight class with his good and lazy work, but in exchange for more ridicule and blank stares. But even if everyone in this world abandons him, there is one person who will not, and that is the beautiful Yundi.Although God deprived Kant of his honor and fortune, he gave him a beautiful miracle: her long brown-gold hair and blue star-like eyes.Since that chance meeting, this girl has always devoted enthusiasm and concern to him. She doesn't dislike him living in a slum area, and often invites him to play in a carriage.Whenever the hooves of the white horse knocked on the gravel road, Kant felt that his heart became brighter, and everyone looked at him differently. Yundi was his glory. They discussed chivalry literature together, talked about legends of ancient heroes, went to second-hand bookstores to find ancient scrolls, and used the poems inside as magic spells to make each other laugh; She is so different from other squeamish and contrived noble daughters.Kant believed that Yundi shared his interests—a desire for adventure—and that she had a secret affection for him.No matter how many sour guys have beaten his delusions, Kant still firmly believes that Yundi is destined to be his own miracle. For Yundi, he vowed to become a true hero knight in the future, and then he will propose to her , to repay the glory and happiness she gave him. So even if he only has one piece of clothing without holes, no matter how many times he suffers from the eyes of other famous children, he will go to Yundi's ball—like a knight! In the beautiful white stone hall, Kant stood uneasily holding a wine.Except for Yundi, not many people would be willing to come and talk to him.And he didn't care at all, just waiting for Yundi.He knew that she would definitely come to him after entertaining other friends, smile at him enthusiastically, and ask him about his experience today.She seemed perpetually interested in his every move.He didn't know if he should say goodbye to Yundi and tell her that he was determined to go on adventures as a knight, to make great achievements for her, and to spread her beauty to heroes from all over the world.If she insists on going with him, he will say affectionately: "No, please let me explore the difficult road. You just need to look into the distance. The eagle will tell me new achievements, and people from all over the world will also pass on your words." name." He thought she would be happy that he finally had courage. But when Yundi really walked towards him and heard his words, the starlight in his eyes immediately cast a shadow. She almost screamed: "Don't be stupid, Kant. Give up this unrealistic idea. What can you do? A wild dog outside the city may kill you, so many people live ordinary lives , why can't you settle down? I don't care about you wandering the streets every day, but can you have less childish thoughts like this!" Her voice was so loud that everyone around her could hear it.Kant felt that everyone was looking at him with a smile, saying, look, that guy who was taught by a girl. Kant suddenly felt very depressed. It turned out that his dream, his motivation... He always thought that the only person who could understand him and appreciate him was no different from others. "Um, I'm just saying... I'm actually... er... Forget it... If you don't like the idea, just pretend I didn't say it." Kant walked out of the hall as if fleeing, but Yundi chased him from behind. "Kant..." Kant turned around. "Let's go for a walk in the square..." They strolled on the square of Kiluogang City, the setting sun sprinkled the dark golden light on the square, and the glow was as unreal as if it had been painted on.At this time, if you can hold the hand of your loved one and look into the distance together, how wonderful it would be.But they just bowed their heads and walked silently, feeling the distance between each other. "Yundi, I'm leaving." And Yundi just stared at him, like when they met for the first time: "Kant, what you believe in, will you always stick to it like this?" "certainly." "No, everything will change in this world. You will too." "Why are you so pessimistic about the future?" "Because...the future is a process of dying hope, everything will unfold before your eyes, there will be no more suspense, no hope, everything you thought you could pursue will finally disappear into the distant sky. " "Yundi..." Kant sighed, "You can't stop me, maybe the future is really as bad as you said, but for me, there is nothing worse than staying here." Yundi smiled reluctantly: "Stop thinking about it, I will find you tomorrow, let's go to the manor to ride horses together." No, Kant wanted to say, tomorrow you will not see me again, I will travel far away alone. But he couldn't speak.After walking a long way, looking back, Yundi was still standing there, looking at him all the time, with the sun shining on her body.