(Just received the site message—this novel has officially been signed! Double updates today as a celebration. Don't ask why I suddenly have so much time to write today (づ╥﹏╥)づ)
William was awakened by Agin. In this unfamiliar environment, the group maintained a degree of vigilance, taking turns to keep watch through the night.
Upon waking, William remained calm and asked Agin tentatively, "Did you notice anything unusual last night?"
Seeing Agin shake his head in denial, William breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the strange phenomena he had witnessed in the mirror within the mysterious space—such as the sudden appearance of glowing points—were invisible to Agin.
The campfire under the night sky attracted many light-seeking insects, some of which even flew directly into the flames. One particularly fast insect darted toward William by the fire, only to be swiftly caught between his index finger and thumb in a single, effortless motion.
William's gaze flickered for a moment. While he couldn't say he felt drastically different upon waking, this instinctive action made it clear to him that the mysterious space had indeed affected his body.
He raised his right hand, bringing the struggling insect closer to his eyes. In the past, he could catch such insects if he focused intently, but doing so with such ease and control was rare.
Though it wasn't a complete transformation, William was already quite satisfied. After all, consistent training could also improve reaction speed, and increased potential would help him break through the limitations of his natural abilities step by step.
Japanese anime protagonists and key characters are often depicted as descendants of famous or powerful figures. William, though not much of an anime enthusiast, was vaguely familiar with this trope. In truth, it wasn't entirely accurate; rather, in fantasy-themed, action-driven anime, it was more common for protagonists to be portrayed as inheritors of legacy or "second-generation" individuals.
This narrative device likely stemmed from the genre's tendency to drastically increase the strength of newly introduced enemies as the story progresses. To maintain a sense of excitement and impact, even the weakest minions in new arcs were often stronger than previous bosses. In such scenarios, giving the protagonist a powerful lineage was the easiest way to justify their continuous growth and survival.
For a transmigrator like William, this trope was particularly frustrating. On Earth, even the most significant physical differences between ordinary people were not so exaggerated as to seem like entirely different species. But in fantasy-themed manga, the disparity was often immense. William worried that, no matter how hard he pushed himself—squeezing every ounce of potential from his body—his ordinary physique and talents might only make him as strong as a minor boss in the early stages of the story. If that were the case, many of his plans might ultimately prove futile.
Fortunately, the mysterious space in his mind had not let him down.
After killing Danton, William's luck seemed to take a turn for the better. Initially, he had been worried about what to do if they couldn't find a ship to leave the island. However, just three days into their stay, a merchant ship happened to pass by.
William, Agin, Aramis, and Vallon—four young men with innocent-looking faces—benefited greatly from their appearance. Although the ship's owner had some reservations about their weapons, the chaotic times made it difficult to judge someone solely by their armament.
Among the supplies Danton had brought on the small boat were not only food and water but also a stash of valuables. William left the kind-hearted ship owner a generous sum before leading his three companions off the merchant ship. They landed on a populated island along a major shipping route, transferred to several other vessels, and finally arrived at the destination Aramis had mentioned: Shimotsuki Village, home to the renowned Isshin Dojo.
Shimotsuki Village was located along a main trade route, making it a hub for passing ships and a center of frequent human activity. Information traveled quickly here, unlike in the remote, impoverished areas far from major routes.
In a society plagued by rampant piracy, a locally established martial institution provided some measure of security for the community. The dojo's master, reputedly a skilled swordsman, contributed to the dojo's significant local reputation.
William, ever resourceful, spent some time at the docks and local taverns, gathering information about Isshin Dojo and its master, Koushirou.
In a tavern, Agin watched as William chatted amiably with a scruffy, drunken sailor. When William returned to their table, Agin couldn't wait to ask, "So, what did you find out?"
Having drunk some alcohol to loosen tongues, William's current body—unlike his previous life's—was less accustomed to alcohol, leaving him slightly flushed. However, his mind remained clear. After composing himself, he said, "The dojo master seems to be genuinely skilled. This village, despite being on a major trade route and lacking a Marine base nearby, shows no signs of pirate activity. Either the pirates are blind, or there's something here that keeps them away."
Agin and the others smiled faintly, but William didn't appear relaxed. Initially, he had worried that the dojo and its master might lack real ability, wasting their time and money. But after gathering some information, he now had a new concern.
Koushirou, the master of Isshin Dojo, was highly regarded locally. His reputation stemmed not only from the dojo's role in deterring pirate activity but also from his willingness to charge modest fees for students. For families in dire financial straits, he even covered the costs of food and lodging for diligent, sword-loving students.
Isshin Dojo owned extensive farmland surrounding its premises, ensuring it had no trouble supporting its students. However, William learned that, despite the dojo's ample agricultural output, it frequently purchased additional grain. This detail, combined with other observations, made William suspect that Koushirou might have ulterior motives—perhaps aiming to win over the community's favor.
Vallon, after hearing William's analysis, said gruffly, "Maybe he's just paying off corrupt officials. You wouldn't believe how some tax collectors, annoyed by the scattered plots of small farmers, prefer to deal directly with prominent landlords. Then, those landlords collect taxes from the smaller farmers themselves. From what the locals say, the dojo master seems like a decent guy. Maybe he's shouldering the tax burden himself."
"Where does he get the money for that?" William countered.
Vallon rubbed his bald head and fell silent.
Aramis, seeing this, lowered his voice to persuade William, "William, we're pirates, remember? Why worry about his motives or whether he's doing something shady? If he really has ulterior motives, isn't that a good thing? Even if we slip up and he figures out we're pirates, he wouldn't report us to the Marines or refuse to teach us."
After thinking it over, William realized Aramis had a point.
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