"Come on, my friends. It is never too late to discover a new world."

Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892, English poet

(Odysseus to his comrades)

•Last time•

Having secured his food supplies, Zeno decided to take a look at the other benches, if there was something useful that he could buy.

"Ouch !"

With his attention focused on merchants' merchandise, he did not notice the man who was a few meters ahead of him, and he fell over him.

"Gomen nasai, sir, are you all right?"

The man stood up, giving Zeno the opportunity to observe his features better.

He was an elderly one, relatively tall in stature, with long gray hair and equally long beard. He wore a gray robe with a pointed hat and was resting on his rod. His clothing did not correspond to any kingdom known to Zeno. Also, his aura was anything but human.

Just like his own.

The man looked at Zeno with a thoughtful look. As if he had just gained access to the core of his soul. Every thought and remembrance. But before he could make or think of anything, the stranger smiled cordially.

"I'm fine, thank you ... um ..."

"Zeno, my name is Zeno."

"Zeno, I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Zeno, I'm Gandalf the Gray, a simple traveler."

"Gandalf, an unusual name. That means you do not come from the countries bordering the Kouka Kingdom. Where do you come from?"

"I'm from a country too far from here, so I doubt if you've heard it. Its name is Middle Earth. Her beauty is unmatched, it's really worth visiting."

A country he had never heard before. A country beyond the limits of the world that he knew all his life.

It was exciting, but he kept his reservations.

Gandalf was a stranger he just met. He did not know what his intentions were. All the more if he told him the truth.

His memory was automatically returned to his brother, Abi. And the events of that night.

There were still people who wanted the power of the Four Dragons for their selfish desires.

He had to be careful. Do not repeat the same mistakes.

So, he chose his next words.

"Middle Earth. Hmm, its the first time who I hear this name. There is no map I have in my possession.

"As I said before, it is a country very far from here. Can I see your map, Mr. Zeno?"

"Of course ."

It did not take long for Zeno to take out the map he had with him and deliver him to Gandalf.

Gandalf, in turn, took out his own map and joined them as if they were the pieces of a puzzle.

What Zeno saw left him speechless. He did not find the right word to describe it.

"You mean ...?"

"Yes, the country you call *Kai Empire* is actually my homeland, the Middle Earth."

Zeno's blood froze all over.

Although he did not have the military experience of his brothers, King Hiryuu often assigns him a detective function, exploiting his low profile.

Besides, who would have suspected a * innocent and harmless seventeen-year-old shepherd who cared for a herd of sheep?*

In this way, Zeno informed his king of possible threats or opportunities for alliances.

That's how she learned about the *Kai Empire*.

Of course, they did not say so. It was a code-temporary name given by King Hiryuu until they got more information about it.

It was a vast, uncharted continent, located north of the Kingdom of Kouka, near the frontier of the Fire of Fire.

The * Kai Empire * was known for two things.

The first was its terrain, which made it the largest kingdom ever founded, according to its information.

The second was its superiority to powerful armies of various local tribes. There have been few times when the Kouka Kingdom has been attacked by the North, especially in the last twenty years since the death of King Hiryuu. And the reason was simple.

For the gift of the Gods.

For the power of the Dragon Warriors.

Now Zeno became anxious, although his face seemed perfectly calm. Gandalf could be a spy. Be learned does the enemy leaves the Kuuto and sent someone to capture him when he was loose down his guard?

"Be cool, Zeno, a little temper. There is no reason to be afraid. Of Four Dragon Warriors are the only one that goes unnoticed. Use it to your advantage. He's a traveler, you're a traveler. You might get lucky and not know anything about the current evolution is."

With all the courage he had left, the Zeno looked gi'alli once Gandalf smiling.

"Wow, as long as you live. Do you really know what brings you here to humble of our Kingdom, Gandalf-dono? Do you enjoy the exotic beauties it offers you?"

"I can not deny that Kouka is a beautiful place, Mr. Zeno ..."

"Please, tell me Zeno."

"... Zeno, but I do not have time to explore it better, actually ..."

Gandalf approached Zeno closer and flashed his ear with utter secrecy.

"... I am on a special mission."

"[Oh, that's not good at all.] Mission? What kind of mission?"

"The homeland of my beloved friend is in great danger. I was hoping your king would be a valuable ally."

The slowness in his words was enough to reassure Zeno. For the time being.

"You do not have to worry at all. I'm sure Yak-Shi Heika will be happy to help you."

"Yak-Shi? You probably did not understand, I have come to ask for help from King Hiryuu."

In the last statement, Zeno looked at him as though he was alien. How can he not know who's now the new King of Kouka? The whole world knew it!

Slowly, he began to question his previous theory. Gandalf did not speak of a spy at all. Especially with such incomplete and unreliable information. Or maybe it wanted to make him believe.

"[Calm down, you just managed to do it so far.] So ... did not you learn?"

"For what ?"

"King Hiryuu died twenty years ago. His only son succeeded him."

That was the last thing Gandalf expected to hear. Surprise and sadness were engraved on his face. But he would not leave so easily.

"I was a shame, I was really a shame. I had heard that he was a good, fair and dear leader, and I made a long journey to ask for his help. At least, I can count on his four trusted generals."

"[Here we go. Be careful not to nail, Zeno!] Do you mention the Dragon Warriors?"

"Yes, exactly ."

"Then you have done so wrongly, Gandalf-dono. The Dragon Warriors disappeared right after King Hiryuu's death. Until now their fate is unknown."

Gandalf sighed heavily, expressing his disappointment. Another fate once revealed her hard face. He failed in his mission. And now he had to turn back empty-handed. How could he face his friend again in the eyes.

"I was betting all my hopes on Hiryuu and his Warriors, and my friend, my own, and finally we can not have them all alive. Now who Kouka's * Door * is closed, we need an alternative plan."

Lost in his thoughts, Gandalf began moving toward the nearest ship that was about to salvation.

"Gandalf-dono, what's wrong?"

"I'm going back to my homeland, I have no business here anymore."

Zeno really felt really bad about him. He wanted to help him in whatever way he could, but he had to protect the existence of his brothers and his own at all costs. He was watching Gandalf heading for the nearest ship he was about to sail when ...

"Ouryuu-sama!"

A seven-year-old boy and three of his friends spotted him and came to him. But how did they recognize him?

"Ouryu-sama! Do you remember me? Its me, Tae-Yang. I had come to Kuuto with my mom to pray in the palace's Temple. My sister was sick and would die. But you saved her. It's alive thanks to you. Thank you! "

Indeed, Zeno remembered this child. He had lost his father from incurable illness and risked losing his little sister. When they arrived at the Temple, they learned their tragic story and decided to personally help the poor family. He walked personally and did not feel sorry for the costs. With the money from charities he paid all the medicines and brought the best doctors of the palace for the little girl. In listening to the wonderful events, he could not but feel joy and satisfaction.

Eventually, he understood the reasoning of King Hiryuu.

Ouryuu's job was not to spill blood, but to prevent it from spilling.

"... Sorry, kid, you're probably confusing me with someone else."

"I'm not wrong! I will never forget your face, you are a hero!"

"I'm sorry, I have to catch up with my ship."

"OURYUU-SAMAAA!"

But Zeno did not pay attention to the boy and began to move quickly to the ship that was about to leave the harbor.

He jumped the wooden ladder while the sailors picked it up and climbed onto the deck of the ship.

There he met the captain, a tall gray-eyes man and black hair with slightly gray shades caught on a ponytail.

"Where do you want to go, my young man?"

"Where your boat goes."

"Our Destination is the Gray Heavens on the Middle Earth. Three days trip."

"Middle Earth? I have heard the best of this country! An opportunity to discover its beauties."

"Hahaha! I do not want to complain, my young guy, that's what I guarantee. The ticket costs 5 Ling."

Without losing time, Zeno paid the sum to the captain, who in turn handed him the ticket.

"Have a safe and beautiful travel."

"Thank you, captain."

With the captain returning to his post, Zeno sat in a rope bunker to enjoy the view. The ship sailed from the harbor and plunged into the endless blue of the sea. Their only companionship, some dolphins that combined them in the journey, without of course omitting their play in the water. In the background, Awa had a small dot as they moved away.

He praised the Kouka Kingdom. His homeland. The only place he knew all his life.

However, he smiled.

Because were waiting for new parties to meet him. New cultures to explore. New adventures to live.

And so, they all started: with a travel to an unknown country.

Hello, Friends Readers!

Specify the second chapter of the story. Another time delayed. I will try to be more consistent at my appointment. Please tell me your opinion about "Hobbit: The Yellow Dragon Warrior".

Thanks .

• Translations •

• Tae-Yang = Sun

• sama/dono = master

~Next time~