Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 326 Rhys's Labor

"You… don't happen to have a phone with you. Do you, Sir?"

"...A what?"

And with those words and the view of the beach in front of him, Rhys just fully confirmed what level of technology this world he was in now was — from the little bits of information Joseph told him, this world should be much older than his.

At first, when they were slowly docking on the beach, Rhys thought that the place was just some sort of small fishing village — and that's why it looked like that. But now that he was stepping off the boat, he quickly noticed the utter lack of any sort or sign of electricity around the village.

There were no powerlines at all, and no one was using any sort of engine to power their boats. Of course, it could also just mean that they were just far away from civilization — but when he asked for a phone and Mikkos looked like he absolutely had no idea what that was, that was it.

"By the gods, you truly are tall," And now that Rhys was outside the boat, Mikkos could not help but just look up at his head as he stood beside him, "Come, Brother — follow me. Let me introduce you to the wife and we'll see if we have anything that could fit you…

…you can't be wearing almost nothing with a body like that, the woman of the village would turn crazy, eh?"

"...Right," Rhys just nodded as he followed Mikkos and his son out of the dock — and Rhys did not really know what to focus on; the loud creaking noise the floorboards beneath him were making with each of his step, or all the whispers and the stares of the women they were passing by.

Most of the women they passed by were either weaving some sort of net while talking with each other, or if they were not doing anything, then they were being pulled away by their husbands as they stared at Rhys; all of them, popping Hearts above their heads as soon as they catch a glimpse of him.

"Ho… I knew you were going to be popular with the ladies, Brother," Mikkos let out a small chuckle as he patted Rhys on the back several times, "Man like you, I bet you had plenty of wives, eh? Maybe bedding them one for each night, eh?"

"That…" Rhys could not really deny Mikkos's words. And before he could actually respond, Mikkos once again screamed at his son.

"Boy! I swear, if you don't haul your ass fast — you will get a beating from your mother!" Mikkos pointed at Mik, who was struggling to carry the large fish that was twice his size. Rhys was about to wait for him to grab the fish, but Mikkos stopped him.

"Leave the boy," Mikkos gestured to Rhys to just follow him, "He needs to grow large and strong, you should know that. You have any runts of your own, Brother?"

"...No," Rhys shook his head while he continued to follow Mikkos through the beach. There were a lot of huts floating in the water; most of the wood, already rotten — but no one really seemed to care at all as everyone just lived their lives. It… was quite a bizarre sight for someone like Rhys who had lived in the city his entire life.

But of course, this was not Rhys's first time seeing a civilization like this; the cenleons and the gorgons were of similar advancement.

The question is why, though. The humans of this world should have already existed long before the humans back on Earth; by all means, they should be more advanced than them…

…so why do they not even have access to electricity?

"You alright, Brother?" Mikkos then waved his hand in front of Rhys, "Looks like you blacked out there for a second, maybe you really did get the wind knocked out of you. But what am I saying, eh? You're lucky to even be breathing."

"No, I'm sorry," Rhys cleared his throat and shook his head, "I was just thinking that this is a beautiful village."

"You can come up with a better lie than that," Mikkos burst out into a fit of laughter, almost causing the weak wooden boards beneath his feet to bounce, "Ithaca has seen better days. Back when I was younger, the village wasn't this crowded — but now the houses are starting to crawl through the jungle. Ah, to be young again, Brother."

"...Right."

"You know, when I was about your age, eh? The ladies dig me — in fact, keep this from my wife. Maybe half of the young people in this village are my seed, you know? And—"

"Half the people of this village are your seed, is that it?"

And before Mikkos could finish his words, his eyes suddenly turned wide. Even Rhys felt the skin on the back of his neck crawl as he turned around — only to see a slightly meaty woman standing there with her hands on her waist.

"Agapia, my love!" Mikkos just instinctively took a step back as soon as he saw his wife glaring at him, "I was—look what I got for us!"

Fortunately for him, Mik reached them right on time. Mikkos quickly rushed toward Mik to grab the large fish from him, "Deep-sea fish, your favorite!"

"Hmph," Agapia then just gestured with her head, and as soon as she did so, Mik just grabbed the fish from his father and quickly entered the hut close to them; not wanting anything to do with what was about to happen — fortunately, Agapia just rolled her eyes before looking at Rhys from head to toe, "So, who's this now? Another stray you picked up?"

"Well, we fished him up but—"

"What's your name then?" Agapia did not let Mikkos even finish his words as she stood in front of Rhys.

"My name is Rhys, Ma'am," Rhys bowed his head at Agapia.

"Well, would you look at that," Agapia smirked as she glanced at Mikkos, "At least this one has proper breeding than the last one. I guess you'll be staying with us for a while?"

"Only for the night, Ma'am. And only if it's alright with you," Rhys nodded.

"Very well then, what are you waiting for?" Agapia waved her hand as she headed to the hut; not before, of course, pretending to lunge at Mikkos and causing him to flinch, "Stop dilly-dallying there and help me prepare the fish, we have a guest!"

"R… right," Mikkos quickly followed behind his wife before turning to Rhys, "I… I swear, I am not usually following my wife's order—"

"Mikkos! I swear!"

"Y…yes, my wife!"

The only thing Rhys could really do was also enter the house unless he also wanted a taste of Agapia's wrath — and from what Rhys had seen so far, she probably would.

Agapia's house, as expected, was small. But still, their table was broad and the was ample space to put an entire feast. And as he sat at the table, Rhys could not help but notice that there were also 4 chairs even though there were only three of them.

"Father likes sheltering people." And almost as if to answer his silent questions, Mik sat next to him; clearly avoiding his mother and the chaos that was happening in the kitchen, "We… actually just had someone here before you — that's why were were in the Acheron sea. We were giving Mr. Eko a burial… but then Father just suddenly found you floating."

"...Is there no healer in this place?" Rhys then asked as he tried to check if any of these people had abilities.

"Healer…? Like from the temples?" Mik blinked a couple of times, "They don't go here, Ithaca's just a poor fishing village."

"Boy! Stop bothering the man and get us some more firewood!"

"Y…yes, Mother!" Mik quickly stood up, "I'll… leave you for now, Mr. Rhys."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Rhys also stood up, but Mik was already gone before he could even finish his words. And so, the only thing Rhys could really do was look out the window — just observing the village to try and see if there was anything amiss.

But aside from people seemingly stealing a glance and peek at Agapia's house from time to time, obviously because of his presence, there wasn't really anything noteworthy.

And after an hour or two, Agapia started filling the table with dishes. Rhys offered to help, but his hand was just slapped away as Agapia gestured to him to just relax and eat.

And as Rhys already expected, the dining experience was not quiet at all as Agapia still continued to scold and lecture Mikkos.

"...At least this time, the one you brought seems useful," Agapia let out a small breath as she looked at Rhys, "You're not from around these parts, aren't you?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Aye, I can see with the way you're eating," Agapia sighed and shook her head, "You're used to eating with those fancy herbs and spices. You move like someone who came from a rich family too."

"...Not at all, Ma'am," Rhys just continued eating with his hands, "But… I am a very long way from home. I know this might be rude, but can I ask a question?"

"What is it, then? Don't be shy."

"...Maybe you've seen someone who looks like me?" Rhys decided not to waste any time as he started to ask, "Or maybe anyone who might resemble me? I'm…

…trying to search for my father."