The village was still alive when I walked back through the gates.
As I walked back through the village gates, now wearing a clean tunic and trousers, I felt a shift in the atmosphere.
Lanterns swayed from every post and doorway, casting warm orange light across the cobblestones. The smell of roasted meat and spiced wine hung in the air, mixed with the sound of laughter and off-key singing from the tavern. The festival was still going, same as every night, but something felt different.
People were staring at me.
Not in a bad way. Not in a scared way. Just... looking. Some of them nodded. Some of them smiled. A few old men raised their cups in my direction as I passed.
What is wrong with them...?
I sighed and kept walking.
Before I made it ten steps, a small body slammed into my leg.
"Demon King Leo! Demon King Leo! Is it true?!"
