Divine Sword Art System

Chapter 11. Similarity of Origin

The battle at Stratham Bridge ended with casualties on both sides. Valcke's troops chose to retreat by treating their wounded soldiers, as did the border troops in Atrea.

While they were retreating, Giselle cried bitterly on the bridge, looking at the abyss below. She was devastated to lose her talented brother, never expecting Tobias to die so soon.

Thompson and Darwin were also saddened but not as devastated as Giselle was. Darwin walked through the pouring rain toward Stratham Bridge to get to his sister.

"The border troops are going down the river to find Tobias' body," Darwin said.

"Can't you see? The river's flow is so strong. How can you find him then?" asked Giselle, eyes red as she turned to look at her brother Darwin.

"I know, but trust me, they'll find him," said Darwin, crouching beside Giselle as his right hand rubbed her back, trying to ease the sadness in her heart.

In the end, Giselle listened to what Darwin said. She trusted that the border troops would be able to find Tobias' body, although Giselle was skeptical that Tobias was still alive given the rushing river.

Giselle left Stratham Bridge with Darwin. Thompson approached the two and hugged them warmly, trying to reassure them that Tobias would be okay, even though in his heart, it was impossible.

The number of border troops heading down the river reached twenty, a number proportionate to the importance of Tobias's life, which according to the people at the battle, had a significant impact.

Ronald kept guard at the temporary border post on the south side of the bridge while watching the movements of Valcke's troops. Thompson and his two children chose to go to Archibald's residence and tell his wife, Lussie, about what happened at the Stratham Bridge battle.

Hearing that Tobias was a casualty made Lussie unable to hold back her tears. She fell to her knees, her body tensed, and her heart broke to find that her third child was presumed dead in the battle.

The atmosphere of the Archibald family became somber. They were silent in contemplation, lamenting the fate that one of their family members had to die. Giselle chose to stay in her room, locking the door and burying her face in the pillow until she fell asleep with a sad heart.

"Dad. I'll help search for Tobias," Darwin said, unable to bear the sight of his mother and younger siblings crying over the uncertainty of Tobias' safety.

Thompson nodded. He was just as weak as they were; he didn't even have the strength to do anything then. Darwin, who received permission, immediately went to his horse. He left Archibald's residence alone towards the river.

"Tobias. I hope you're okay," Lussie said in Thompson's arms, praying to God for her child's safety.

Their grief became a spectacle for the refugees at the Archibald residence, some of whom felt sorry and mourned the loss of Archibald's family members. However, those who had lost family since the initial battle felt nothing of the Archibald family's cries.

Despite the rain, Darwin continued to gallop his horse at a fast pace, breaking through the increasingly heavy rain until he reached the river in question. Several border troops were still searching for Tobias' whereabouts, using oil lamps for light.

"Have you found Tobias yet?" asked Darwin. One of the border troops shook his head, indicating they hadn't found him yet.

"Keep searching. Expand the search area," Darwin pleaded.

Darwin began to feel anxious, fearing the worst possibility of Tobias' body disappearing in this river. He continued to walk along the river between the two cliffs with cautious steps. The stream beside him was frightening for anyone who saw it, especially when it was raining.

"Oh gosh, where are you, Tobias?"

***

One week later.

The white-haired old man in the long robe he wears walked along a path in the forest near his home. He had gone into the forest to collect firewood for the furnace in his small wooden house.

He always went into the forest when the firewood supply was running low, as it was very cold in the village, and it would be dangerous for him and the young man if there was no firewood.

The distance from his house to the forest was not far. It only took him twenty minutes to go and return with dozens of firewood in the woven bag he wore on his back.

His wooden house was seen from a distance, but to his surprise, black smoke was coming out of the chimney. The old man rushed quickly down the hill until he reached the door.

The door opened, and to his shock, he saw that the young man he had rescued was already awake. He didn't seem to be lying down or staying still but immediately lit the furnace.

"Doesn't your body still hurt?" asked the old man, surprised.

"So, it was you who saved me, huh?" replied Tobias, looking at the man with wrinkles on his face and white hair on top of his head.

Tobias stood with his right hand resting on the wooden wall of the old man's house. He tried to step closer to him and accidentally hugged the man's body as Tobias almost fell over due to his weak legs.

"I'm really grateful to you, old man," Tobias said, hugging the man tightly.

They began introducing themselves, Tobias finding out that the old man's name was Muino. He used to work as a blacksmith but retired after his work was no longer appreciated.

Speaking about sword forges, Tobias couldn't find his black katana sword at all. Muino walked over to the wooden cabinet, and opening it, he handed the black sword to its owner.

"Ah, finally. I thought this sword would-"

Tobias' speech was interrupted when his eyes looked into Muino's wooden cabinet. His eyes squinted with mouth agape, and he found something he had never expected.

"Y-You have katana swords?" asked Tobias, surprised.

Not just one, but five in total. The swords also looked well-maintained, like someone who frequently used them. Tobias crept closer to the wooden cabinet while admiring the beauty of the katanas Muino had made.

"Of course. That's why my work isn't appreciated in this world," Muino said, closing the wooden cabinet door again.

"In this world? What do you mean?" asked Tobias, curious.

Muino didn't answer Tobias' question. The old man preferred to set up dinner for the two of them while placing the firewood he had collected near the furnace.

Tobias' mind kept trying to confirm Muino's words. There was only one possibility when he said so: he came from another world just like Tobias' current soul.

"I'm Taichi Hayashi," Tobias said, abruptly making Muino stop what he was doing with a surprised expression.

"You must know the Hayashi clan, right? I'm in charge of guarding the Yamaguchi noble family," Tobias said.

"My guess was right. You're from the same world as me." Muino placed the wooden bowl he was holding on the wooden table, turned his body around and looked at the young man near him with excitement.

"I'm Isaki Kojiro. A sword forger of the Yamaguchi family from the Heian period."