CHAPTER 14 — STARTING TO GET WEIRD
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The simple inn room fell silent again after Elaina's departure. Only the sound of the old wall clock—perhaps decades old, its hands moving slowly and heavily—filled the silence between them. Kyoichiiro sat on the floor, his back against the cold bed leg, staring at the plate of food still steaming before him. He didn't eat immediately. His mind was still wandering, still circling the questions he couldn't answer.
In the corner of the room, Amura sat quietly, leaning against the slightly damp wall. His slender fingers danced across the wooden tabletop, tapping an irregular rhythm—a habit Kyoichiiro had come to recognize as a sign that Amura was thinking hard. His red eyes—Crimson Iris—weren't focused on anything in particular, but moved quickly beneath half-closed lids, as if reading something invisible to others.
Kyoichiiro shifted his gaze toward Amura. His stare was sharp, analyzing, trying to read beneath the casual smile always etched on the red-haired boy's face. There was something behind that smile—something he couldn't easily grasp. Something that felt like an unsolved puzzle.
Amura, noticing the stare, only responded with a wide grin, as if inviting questions. A smile too perfect, too calm, like a mask carefully fitted over a face that didn't want to reveal its contents.
He's hiding something, Kyoichiiro thought, his fingers in his lap clenching slightly. And I don't like things being hidden from me.
Kyoichiiro: (Suddenly speaking, breaking the silence that had hung too long) "Amura, aren't we supposed to get our meal today? The package includes breakfast, right?"
Amura was startled—not by the question itself, but by Kyoichiiro breaking the silence that had hung between them like thick fog. He blinked a few times, then his confused expression shifted to awareness.
Amura: "Hah?..." He shook his head, as if shaking off the remnants of a daydream. "Oh, you're right! I almost forgot. Sorry, sorry."
He quickly stood, straightening his cloak—a simple black cloak slightly wrinkled from travel, but still looking neat. His movements were fast, but not hurried. There was precision in every motion, like someone accustomed to doing everything efficiently.
Amura: "Alright, I'll go ask. You two wait here."
Kyoichiiro: (Nodding briefly, his eyes still watching) "Hmm."
That was enough to mean "yes" between them. Amura turned, opening the door with a silent motion—as if he were used to walking without making noise—and stepped out.
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AMURA — STEPS IN THE HALLWAY
In the hallway, Amura walked with light steps. His small feet moved across the creaking wooden floor, but he managed to make the creaks almost inaudible—a skill he had learned from somewhere he never told anyone about. He passed the rows of doors on his left and right, recalling the route they had taken when they first arrived: the stairs at the end of the hallway, turning right toward the ground floor, then the reception desk on the left.
His mind wasn't empty—it was never empty. Even as his steps were steady and his face calm, inside his head, a whirlpool of thoughts kept spinning. About Kyoichiiro, growing more curious, sharper in observation, closer to the truth he had been hiding. About Aetheria, still fragile, still finding her place in this world, still unaware that she had potential far greater than she imagined.
But Kyoichiiro, Amura thought, descending the wooden stairs with careful steps. He's different. I can feel it. There's something inside him—something he doesn't realize himself. Something that makes me certain I made the right decision.
After turning right, he descended the wooden stairs to the ground floor. The lobby was now busier—not too crowded, but enough to make the atmosphere feel more alive. A few guests sat in wooden chairs near the fireplace, which had begun to burn, chatting in low voices. An old man was reading a newspaper with glasses perched on the tip of his nose. A young woman with a woven basket was speaking with the innkeeper about room rates.
Amura walked toward the reception desk, where a neatly uniformed female attendant—not Elaina, but another attendant with short blonde hair and cheerful green eyes—was writing something in a large book with a feather pen. She looked up as Amura approached, smiling warmly.
Amura: (Politely, his voice not too loud but clear enough) "Excuse me. We're from room number 6 on the second floor. It seems we haven't received our meal today."
The attendant looked surprised—perhaps because guests rarely reminded about their meals, or because Amura looked too young to be a responsible guest. Her face quickly showed regret.
Attendant: (Bowing slightly) "I apologize for the delay, sir. We'll prepare it right away. Please wait a moment. Oh, for today's menu, what would you like to order? And for how many people?"
Amura: (Still smiling, but his eyes moved quickly, scanning the surroundings—a habit he couldn't abandon) "Anything edible and filling is fine. For three people, with reasonable portions. Nothing fancy."
Attendant: (Nodding, noting something in the small book in her hand) "Very well. We'll prepare your order and deliver it to your room shortly. Please wait about fifteen minutes."
After the attendant disappeared toward the kitchen in the back—a wooden door with a cloth curtain swaying—Amura turned and climbed the stairs again. His steps were steady, his eyes looking straight ahead, undistracted by the paintings on the walls or the sounds from the common room. After turning left on the second floor, he arrived at room number 6. He opened the door with the same silent motion.
The sight inside made him smile.
Aetheria had woken up and was sitting cross-legged on the floor, her back against the wall, a thin blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Her pink eyes—Scarlet Luminis—were still slightly drowsy from just waking, but already beginning to focus. She was staring at Kyoichiiro, still sitting on the bed—or rather, now asleep in a seated position.
Kyoichiiro's face was propped up by his right palm, his head tilted slightly to the side. His usually flat, unreadable expression now looked more peaceful—younger, more vulnerable, like the child he should be at his age. No furrow in his brow, no tension in his jaw. Only the calm he rarely showed when awake.
Amura: (Whispering to Aetheria, his voice barely audible) "Kyoichiiro-san fell asleep?"
Aetheria: (Also whispering, smiling faintly—a soft, warm smile) "Yes. When I woke up, he was already asleep like that. He must be very tired. After everything that happened in the dungeon... and then the long journey..."
Amura: (Sitting on the floor beside Aetheria, with a silent movement) "Yes. He pushed himself too hard. As usual."
For a while, they just sat in silence, enjoying the comfortable quiet. The soft, steady sound of Kyoichiiro's breathing became a calming backdrop. Outside the window, the sky was beginning to shift from pale blue to golden orange, and shadows were lengthening over the village.
Then, Amura began a conversation in a teasing tone—a tone he rarely used, but always kept for moments like this.
Amura: (Leaning slightly toward Aetheria, his voice a whisper) "Hey, Aetheria... do you know?"
Aetheria: (Shaking her head, confused. Her thin brows furrowed slightly) "Know what?"
Amura: (A mischievous smile spreading across his face, his red eyes glinting) "When you fainted earlier and fell to the floor... Kyoichiiro-san was the one who picked you up and laid you on the bed. Very carefully. Like you were made of glass."
Aetheria didn't answer. Her face began to flush—a red color slowly spreading from her cheeks to her ears, to her neck.
Amura: (Continuing, growing more animated) "And after you fell into a deep sleep, he kept staring at you. Not just looking, but truly staring. With a strange, curious expression. Like he was trying to understand something." He paused, tilting his head. "And suddenly—" Amura perfectly imitated Kyoichiiro's gesture: his right hand raised, covering his mouth quickly, and his head turning away like someone who had just realized they were being watched. "—he covered his mouth like someone embarrassed at being caught!"
Aetheria's face turned bright red. Not pink like before, but blazing red like a freshly ripened tomato. She spun her body around, both hands covering her burning face. Her body trembled slightly—a mixture of embarrassment, confusion, and something else, something she couldn't name.
Aetheria: (Her voice muffled behind her hands) "W-what... what are you saying...?"
Amura: (Chuckling softly, enjoying Aetheria's reaction) "Just facts. I'm just stating facts."
Aetheria: (Still covering her face, her voice growing smaller) "Kyoichiiro-san... no way..."
Amura: (Shrugging, casual) "Ask him yourself. But wait until he wakes up."
And at that moment, Kyoichiiro—who had actually been awake all along, who had heard the entire conversation with keen ears even though his eyes were closed—slowly opened his eyes. No sudden movement, no warning sound. Only his eyelids lifting, and a pair of cold light blue eyes staring straight at Amura.
Amura, glancing his way, was immediately startled. His smile vanished in an instant, replaced by the expression of someone who had just realized they were being watched.
Amura: (His voice rising slightly in surprise) "Oh? Kyoichiiro-san, you're awake—"
Before Amura could finish his sentence, Kyoichiiro—with a smooth, quick motion only possible for someone already accustomed to weapons and combat—took a Zeyn coin from his pocket and flicked it. The coin shot forward with surprising speed, spinning through the air like a small disc, and struck Amura's forehead squarely with a loud, sharp thwack.
Amura: (Wincing, his body lurching backward, falling onto the wooden floor with a soft thud) "Ouch!"
Kyoichiiro: (Flat but firm tone, his eyes still fixed on Amura with an unreadable expression) "Don't tease her, idiot."
Kyoichiiro then stood gracefully—without rushing, without looking tired, as if he hadn't just fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position. He walked toward the two of them, his steps slow but steady. Amura rubbed his forehead as he sat back up, smiling wryly—a smile that said he knew he deserved it.
Amura: (Still rubbing his forehead, his voice a little whiny but not angry) "You could have killed me with that coin."
Kyoichiiro: (Flat) "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't use a coin."
Amura: (Chuckling softly—a strange laugh, between relieved and amused) "Fair point."
Kyoichiiro sighed. He shifted his gaze from Amura to Aetheria, who was still sitting with a red face and hands on her cheeks, trying to compose herself. He decided to change the subject—something more practical, more neutral.
Kyoichiiro: (Changing the subject, his voice returning to flat) "Oh, by the way, Amura. Do you know where the library is around here?"
Amura: (Still rubbing his forehead, but his eyes already refocused) "Ah... a library? I don't really know if there is one in this area—"
Right at that moment, as if arranged by fate—or perhaps by a coincidence too perfect to be a coincidence—there was a knock at the door.
Tap, tap.
Woman's Voice from Outside: (Clear and friendly, with a tone they had come to recognize) "Excuse me! The food for room number six is ready!"
Amura: (Calling softly, his voice slightly louder than usual) "Come in!"
The door opened, and a different attendant—not the one from the lobby, but Elaina—entered carrying a large tray with three plates of food, a water pitcher with thin steam still rising, and three small wooden cups. She stepped gracefully, carrying what seemed like a heavy tray with ease, and set it on the small table in the center of the room with practiced skill.
Kyoichiiro observed her quickly—not because he didn't trust her, but because he was used to it. Everyone who entered his space, every new face, every unfamiliar voice, he always watched carefully. It was a habit he couldn't abandon, a habit that had saved his life many times in his previous life.
Another attendant? he thought, his eyes moving quickly from Elaina's face to her hands, to the way she walked, to the way she set down the tray. No, the same Elaina. She just came back.
Elaina approached and carefully placed the tray on the small table. Her appearance was striking: her long black hair was neatly tied to the side with a simple wooden clasp, her brown eyes were warm and friendly, and her posture was graceful like a dancer accustomed to moving beautifully. Her uniform was simple but neat—a white long-sleeved shirt, a long dark blue skirt, and a clean white apron that still looked new.
Amura: (Looking at Kyoichiiro with a meaningful glance, as if saying "this is your chance, ask now")
Kyoichiiro: (Only returning the glance with a flat stare before finally giving in and speaking)
Kyoichiiro: (To Elaina, his voice polite but not overly friendly) "May I ask you something?"
Elaina, who was carefully arranging the dishes—placing plates on the table, adjusting the pitcher's position to prevent spills, making sure each cup was in its proper place—was momentarily surprised. Her brown eyes widened slightly, then she smiled.
Elaina: (Smiling, her voice gentle) "Ah, of course, sir. How can I help you?"
Kyoichiiro: (His eyes still watching Elaina, but his voice remaining flat) "Do you know where the library is around here? I saw a woman on the ground floor earlier, sitting and reading a book. I was curious."
Elaina smiled wider, as if understanding—or as if she had heard questions like this often. Perhaps many guests were also curious about that mysterious woman.
Elaina: "Oh, of course! There's a small library here at the inn itself. Not very large, but enough for a few shelves of books. Usually for guests who want to read, or sometimes for villagers who don't have their own library."
Kyoichiiro: (Curious—he didn't show curiosity on his face, but inside his heart, something stirred) "Where exactly?"
Elaina: (Pointing toward the back with her hand) "On the ground floor. There's an old wooden door with 'Library' written above it, in silver letters that have faded slightly. It's near the back stairs, close to the kitchen. Not too hard to find."
Kyoichiiro: (Nodding, his eyes moving in the direction she pointed, then returning to Elaina) "Thank you."
He shifted his gaze to Amura, who only shrugged with an expression of "I don't know anything, don't ask me," then back to Elaina.
Kyoichiiro: "Oh, yes. May we know your name? So we don't have to keep calling you 'attendant.'"
Elaina smiled wider, a genuine, warm smile, a smile that showed she appreciated the question. Her eyes sparkled with small delight.
Elaina: "My name is Elaina. Nice to meet you."
Elaina? Kyoichiiro repeated the name in his mind, storing it somewhere among the other information he was collecting. A simple name. Not too remarkable. But there was something in the way she spoke, something in the way she moved...
Elaina: (Continuing, as if unaware that Kyoichiiro was analyzing her) "And about the woman you saw reading earlier... that was probably Miss Hana. She often comes here just to read in our library. A regular guest, but she rarely stays overnight. Usually she comes in the afternoon, reads for a few hours, then leaves before dark."
Kyoichiiro: (Nodding, his eyes still watching Elaina carefully) "You can call me Kyoichiiro."
Amura: (Joining in, with his friendly smile) "Amura."
Aetheria: (In a small voice, still a little shy) "Aetheria."
Elaina: (Smiling warmly, her eyes moving from one face to another) "Nice to meet you all. You seem like interesting guests. It's rare to see children your age traveling without parents."
Kyoichiiro: (Didn't answer. He just nodded.)
Elaina: (Standing, straightening her apron) "I'm sorry, I have to get back to work. There are a few other guests waiting. Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
The three of them nodded. Elaina turned and left, closing the door softly behind her. Her footsteps faded down the hallway, swallowed by the creaking wood growing distant.
A brief silence filled the room after her departure. Only the sound of Aetheria still taking deep breaths to calm herself, and the sound of Amura beginning to pull his chair closer to the table.
Amura: (Breaking the silence, his voice already back to normal) "We should eat before it gets cold. The soup will lose its flavor if left too long."
They began taking their plates. Kyoichiiro went first, taking his plate and sitting on the floor near the window—where the twilight light still entered, creating golden lines on the wooden floor. Aetheria followed, sitting beside him at a distance not too close, but not too far. Amura sat across from them, on the wooden chair near the table, with his plate on his lap.
The food was simple but looked nutritious: thick vegetable soup with pieces of carrot, potato, and green onion; warm wheat bread still steaming; and a piece of grilled fish still emitting a savory, appetizing aroma. After hours of only eating hard bread and dried meat in the dungeon, this meal felt like palace cuisine.
Before beginning to eat, Kyoichiiro reflexively brought his hands together in front of his chest, bowed his head slightly, and said:
Kyoichiiro: "Itadakimasu."
That was a habit from his previous life in Japan. The gesture and pronunciation were perfect, natural, like something he had never forgotten even after years. He didn't realize he was doing it—just a habit so deeply ingrained.
Amura and Aetheria exchanged glances, confused by the unfamiliar ritual. Their eyes blinked, asking each other questions they couldn't put into words. But they decided to follow, imitating the gesture and words they heard.
Amura & Aetheria: (Together, imitating the gesture slightly awkwardly) "Ita... dakimasu?"
Kyoichiiro didn't comment on their mispronunciation. He just picked up his wooden spoon and began to eat.
They then ate with gusto—not in an impolite way, but in a way that showed how hungry they were after their long and exhausting adventure. The sound of spoons touching bowls, soft chewing sounds, and occasional satisfied sighs from Aetheria filled the room. A comfortable silence once again enveloped them—a silence that didn't need to be filled with words.
In the middle of the meal, Kyoichiiro glanced at Aetheria. The girl had finished almost all of her soup and was chewing bread with cheeks puffed out like a small squirrel.
Kyoichiiro: (His voice unchanged, but with an unusual note of concern) "Aetheria, are you fully recovered now?"
Aetheria: (Swallowing her bread quickly, choking slightly, then nodding) "Yes, Kyoichiiro-san. I feel much better. My energy and spirit have returned. I'm sorry for worrying you."
Kyoichiiro: (Nodding, returning to his food) "Good."
Amura: (From across, smiling) "You don't need to apologize, Aetheria. We were all exhausted. What matters is we're alive and eating together."
Aetheria smiled—a small but genuine smile, a smile that said she felt safe among them.
After they all finished, Kyoichiiro neatly placed his plate and spoon back on the tray. His movements were orderly, tidy, like he was used to cleaning up after himself—not like a noble child used to being served.
Kyoichiiro: "Gochisousama deshita." (Thank you for the meal.)
Amura and Aetheria, though still confused by the foreign words, also set down their plates and nodded. They had begun to learn that Kyoichiiro sometimes did strange things they couldn't explain, and it was better not to ask too many questions.
Kyoichiiro then stood, his eyes gleaming with new resolve—not a grand, lofty resolve, but a simple one: to find out. To find answers to the questions that continued to haunt him.
Kyoichiiro: "Shall we start now?"
Aetheria: (Smiling brightly, her spirit returned) "Let's go!"
Amura: (Standing, rubbing his his hands together like preparing for something enjoyable) "Alright, let's go! I'm curious about this library."
They gathered the dirty plates and placed them back on the tray, leaving it on the table for the attendant to collect later. Each of them prepared themselves: Kyoichiiro straightened his robe and made sure his katana was still at his waist; Amura tightened his belt and checked his sword; Aetheria brushed crumbs from her dress and tied back her slightly messy hair.
Kyoichiiro: (To Aetheria) "Aetheria, can you open the door?"
Aetheria: (Nodding, walking to the door with quick steps) "Okay!"
She unlatched the door with a practiced motion—after a few days together, they were beginning to learn each other's habits. The door opened, revealing the dimly lit wooden hallway with oil lamps on the walls beginning to be lit one by one as the day grew darker.
Aetheria held the door for the others. Kyoichiiro stepped out first, his eyes immediately sweeping the hallway left and right—a habit he couldn't abandon. Amura followed behind him, with more relaxed steps. Aetheria came out last, carefully closing the room door behind her, making sure it was securely locked.
Standing in the hallway, the three of them exchanged brief glances—a silent acknowledgment that they were beginning something new, something that might change their lives. Their goal was clear: the small library on the ground floor, a place where there might be clues, might be answers, or might only be old books that meant nothing.
But they wouldn't know until they saw it for themselves.
Their steps began to move, leading them down the corridor toward the stairs, their hearts filled with curiosity and a little caution. Behind the inn's wooden walls, behind the closed doors, lay a world they had yet to explore—and tonight, they would begin to uncover it.