Shortly after they departed, Tuziku and his father could finally see the port a short distance ahead. They stopped for a moment to admire the scenery from afar.
"We're almost at the port, son."
Tuziku shaded his eyes. "Woah! The ocean looks surprisingly beautiful from here," he said with a wide grin.
"You've only just seen the beginning, son."
"Come on, let's get to the port," his father said as he resumed walking.
Tuziku followed behind.
As they made their way toward the port, a troubling thought crossed his mind.
"Father, I was wondering... I always thought the Grand Sea was impossible for humans to cross because of the dangers lurking beneath," Tuziku said.
His father scratched his head.
"Hmm? Have I never told you this before? The people of Fuyu know a way to cross the sea safely. It's only impossible if you try to cross without their permission."
"Is that so?" Tuziku replied, his curiosity growing.
Before long, they arrived at the port.
"Let's go! That's our ride!" his father said, pointing toward a sailboat guarded by an armed soldier.
"Are we really crossing the sea in that little boat?"
"Were you expecting a cruise ship?" his father laughed.
Tuziku stared at the soldier for a brief moment.
Is that soldier going to help us cross safely?
Together, Tuziku and his father boarded the sailboat.
As they sailed toward the other side, Tuziku could not help but admire the sublime sight of the clear blue waters stretching endlessly below.
"Say, son, do you know why it's called the Grand Sea?" his father asked.
"No..." Tuziku replied.
His father placed a hand into the water.
"A long time ago, the world suffered a devastating earthquake. It was unlike anything humanity had ever seen and claimed millions of lives. Afterward, a massive crack stretched across the center of the world, separating the people into two lands—Fuyu and Hinkon."
Tuziku listened intently.
"A few months later, a great storm appeared. Rain fell for ninety days and ninety nights. When it finally ended, this vast sea had formed and stretched around the globe."
His father smiled.
"And that's why it became known as the Grand Sea."
Tuziku blinked.
"That's a pretty strange story..."
"Maybe," his father chuckled.
"But it's an interesting one."
"Enough chatter, Helmon!" the soldier barked.
Before long, they arrived in the Land of Fuyu.
Another armed soldier waited to guide them as they stepped off the boat.
Tuziku was completely absorbed by the scenery. The trees, buildings, plants, and animals were far more beautiful and abundant than anything he had ever seen in Hinkon.
"W-What is this place?!" Tuziku asked in disbelief.
"Well, how do you like it, kiddo?" his father asked.
"It's beautiful, Father. The most amazing thing I've ever seen."
"Follow me!" the soldier ordered.
As Tuziku and his father followed behind, he noticed the strange clothing worn by the people of Fuyu. Many wore layers of what looked like soft animal fur.
Even their clothes look expensive...
Soon, they arrived before an enormous mansion.
It was larger than every building Tuziku had ever seen in his life.
"We've arrived at Master Jilaal's residence in Kurukuru Town," the soldier announced.
A tall, slender, middle-aged man dressed entirely in white stepped forward.
For a brief instant, Tuziku saw something strange.
Ruined buildings.
Countless corpses.
Blood covering the land of Fuyu.
He froze.
"Master Jilaal!" Helmon bowed his head respectfully.
"Helmon! At last, you've arrived," the man said with a chuckle.
His gaze shifted toward Tuziku.
"And this must be your boy. What's your name, young man?"
"Tuziku."
"You may call me Master Jilaal," he said, wearing an eerie smile.
"Well, Tuziku, you'll be working hard on my farm. But since you're here for three days, you might as well get acquainted with my boys."
Three boys stepped forward.
Two of them appeared older than Tuziku.
"These are my sons—Jiqu, Reter, and Kavin."
"Jiqu, why don't you show Tuziku around?" Jilaal suggested.
"Okay, Father."
Jiqu glanced at Tuziku with a look of disgust.
What's up with that look?
"That's a good idea," Helmon said. "Go have some fun while I speak with Master Jilaal."
"Let's go," Jiqu said coldly.
"M-hmm," Tuziku replied.
Jiqu led him inside the mansion.
As Tuziku stepped indoors, Reter smirked.
"So, you're from the other side, huh?"
"...Yeah," Tuziku mumbled.
"I heard it's full of savages," Kavin said.
"That's not true!" Tuziku snapped.
Kavin laughed and smacked him on the back.
"I'm just messing with you. So... is this your first time here?"
"Yes."
Jiqu smiled.
"Then this is going to be even more fun."
The brothers' smiles suddenly turned cold.
A strange feeling crept over Tuziku.
"Huh?!"
Without warning, Jiqu struck him across the head.
Tuziku collapsed to the floor.
The two older brothers immediately began tying him up.
CHAPTER END