The Knights are broken
Chapter 4's

The dawn was clear and cold, with freshness hinting at the coolness of the air in the region. On the side of the track the ground lay a little higher and overgrown with weeds.

On the dirt road, they see Adam and Joy walking together. Those who were initially tense, slowly calmed down due to the comfortable feeling of clean air.

Adam rubbed his palms, producing a little heat which he then placed on both cheeks, while observing around, he asked, "In the deserted village, there are only elderly. Where are people at?"

"The men work," said Joy pointing towards the mountains at the side, "they go to the mountains to mine." Then, he pointed to the town settlement that looks not far from the mountains, further saying, "When the women go to the city with the children, to sell or buy things."

"Hem... What did they mine there?" ask Adam.

Joy replied, "They're mining materials that will be sold to businessmen from noble families."

'Nobility? This means including the kingdom', ' thought Adam daydreaming, holding his chin with a finger.

The daydream was immediately denounced by Joy, "Hey, what are you thinking?" joy asked, pushing Adam's body with his shoulder.

“Nothing," said Adam, then diverted the conversation by asking, "What material do they mine?”

“Mana crystal,” replied Joy briefly.

When Adam's eyes narrowed, he looked at Joy and said, “ Hah...? which crystal?”

"Yes, one of the materials for making magic-powered tools of necessity. Time you don't know anyway," said Joy looked at Adam with curiosity, “I guess.

Adam did not care about the question of where he came from. He was more serious when he heard the word magic.

"Can you explain in more detail?" adam asked Joy, looking serious about it.

Hearing the question Adam asked, Joy was shocked, “Heh...! What the fuck? You seriously have never heard of which crystal?”

"Yes." Yeah."

Joy scratched her head with her index finger, saying, “Hehe, I'm not good at explaining. It would be better if you just ask the same expert."

"Hem, where should I go?" ask Adam.

"Enough to the nearest town in the region, Veronica City."

After chatting a lot of things, Adam suddenly stopped when he saw a tropical forest whose nature had never been touched. Trees with dark brown stems grow in rows filling the forest, while the surface of the ground is layered with thin grass. Staring at that forest, it felt as if the soul was being drawn by a living shadow.

Joy turned to look at Adam, and said, "There is a forest of death, villagers forbid anyone to go in there, they say dangerous."

Adam asked, “why?”

Joy replied, “ Deep in the forest, she said there are man-eating demons. The demon preys on those who enter the forest.”

“Sounds like a myth," said Adam disparagingly.

“So did one of the people from the village say before he disappeared, he used to be a mercenary." Joy began to tell me, "When she was drunk with her friends, walking home through the exact path we were walking on today. One of his friends told him about the dangers of the forest, but the mercenary instead challenged and went into the forest alone. As a result, he never came home until now,” said Joy while paying attention to Adam's reaction.

But Adam did not listen to the story at all. He just kept walking past Joy. Once Adam was at the mouth of the forest, Joy stomped her feet on the ground, and said, “Hey, listen no?! We're not allowed through this forest" Joy warned. "We're going to rotate" he continued, twisting a finger. "Well, there will be a forest zone that the villagers say is safe. The zone used to go in and out of the village" he continued, pulling Adam's hand to return.

“Ya... alright,” replied Adam in a cold tone.

Joy smiled hearing that, and said, “Sound comfortable when you become obedient. Come on…! I show you the right path.”

Adam was silent for a moment, while observing around. He reacted when he passed by one big tree in the forest. Joy, who was aware of it, spontaneously asked, "Do you recognize this tree?"

Adam replied, "Yes, we call it the ulin tree."

"really? I never knew the names of the tree types" Joy said.

"How large is this forest? ask Adam.

"Hem.. never know, but it's wide enough."

Joy suddenly glanced at Adam who looked busy observing around, she made up her mind to meet her curiosity and asked, “I want to know one thing but.”.

“Ka-you, where exactly did it come from?” joy asked as he turned away his embarrassed face.

“Should such a shame?” Adam mocked by showing his face that looks underestimated.

“Don't mock me like that! Asking someone's place of origin is a shame to know!” Joy snapped, her face flushed.

“I come from a different world. Don't ask why, because I'm not—”

Feeling enough, Joy rebuked Adam's words, and said, “Yes! Just like I thought. Seen from the way you wear those clothes. Weird tau.”

“Any? Everywhere wearing the sarong is like this,” said Adam while showing a cloth rolled up to the stomach.

“What the heck, but.... Ahh! That's it!"

The two of them finally get into a forest path that Joy thinks is safe. On their way, it felt like the forest was untouched; the plants were really wild, the trees were huge and lush.

The forest was very quiet, until the sound of wind whistling was heard. The birds endlessly fly from tree to tree to inspect the nest. They chirped very sweetly, as if to congratulate the guests.

"Yes, thank you. I'm going back and a little bit to ruin this forest" Adam said.

After traveling far enough, they decided to return to the village. On the way, Adam and Joy had a little chat to set up a plan.

"What do you need?" ask Joy to Adam.

"All kinds of tools I can use" replied Adam.

Once they reach the village, Joy takes Adam to the village warehouse, and gathers the necessary building tools.

"Is it okay for me to use all these tools?" adam asked, hesitating about the things Joy had brought.

Joy reassures Adam by saying, "Don't think about it, everything will be safe if we return it."

"Reverting stolen goods?" Adam crossed his arms and stared intently at Joy.

"Not ridiculous, all of this stuff is public property. So, free anyone who wears it."

After getting enough items, they decided to return to the forest. Not long looking for a suitable place, finally Adam can start his work.

Start by finding the position of the tree that is easiest to cut. Cleaning then tidying the ground of the tree footing to be safe in taking a swing.

Adam made a circular position, holding a hand axe, and then floated to the bottom of the tree.

The sound of the axe lacing was rhythmic, produced by a highly skilled hand, making the tree trunk erode bit by bit.

Hearing his jolt, while waiting for the axe that touched the bark of the tree was truly satisfying.

The glint of steel from the sharp side of the ax reflected the sunlight, dazzling each time the ax was released.

Sweat began to wet the clothes, the breath was already heard heavy, as soon as the last attack was launched by sticking an axe at the foot of the tree.

"Yep, I give up."

"H...! Not a minute!" joy shouted not far from there.

Adam was also surprised by his completely different physical state. He felt so weak that he sat on the ground. “Hah....! Huh....!

I have to train my body slowly. Shit....! Must start life from zero in a new world" he said as he stared at the vast blue sky.

Recalling his time of struggle during his ruthless training in the military academy, he regretted spending life like a loser.

Thus, it can be concluded that Adam Maula began his journey in this new world completely from scratch.

“Starting from zero? It's more to minus."