Aerilyn led them deeper into the village, toward the guest house.
The glow of the massive tree softened as they moved further along the winding paths, its warmth giving way to the steady rhythm of village life.
His gaze wandered.
Lamps lined the streets ahead, casting a gentle, unwavering light.
They looked… familiar.
Yet something felt off.
No wires.
No cables.
No visible source of power.
A faint crease formed between his brows as curiosity surfaced.
"Are those… magic lamps?"
He asked, pointing to the streetlights.
Aerilyn glanced at him, puzzled.
"Magic lamps?"
She repeated.
"I don't know what made you call them that. We call it technology. Isn't it common where you came from?"
He let out a small, awkward laugh.
"Ah… right, technology."
Smooth.
His eyes drifted back to the lights.
Technologia… of course.
Damn… that was embarrassing.
Why did I assume everything I see here is magical?
"Haha." He chuckled awkwardly.
"I didn't see any power source."
He added, scratching his cheek.
"So, I figured they were magical."
"They do have one,"
Aerilyn replied as they continued walking.
"Lumenite ores."
She spoke casually, as if it were common knowledge.
"But unlike the ores you have, we use the ones commonly sold in the markets."
As they walked, he picked up a few things about Lumenite ores.
There were two types.
The low-grade ones—common enough to be sold in markets.
And the high-grade ones… controlled entirely by the kingdoms that owned the mines.
The difference between them was massive.
Like nuclear and coal back on Earth.
But more than their power, what stood out was the risk.
Transporting high-grade Lumenite wasn't just dangerous because of bandits—
It was illegal.
Only merchants bearing the royal crest were allowed to carry or trade them.
Anyone else…
Was treated as a criminal.
That left him with only one option.
The black market.
In the village hall, the atmosphere had already shifted.
What began as preparation had turned into a full banquet.
Long wooden tables stretched across the hall, gradually filling with dishes and drinks of every kind. The soft glow of enchanted lights reflected off polished wood and flowing wine, giving the entire space a warm, lively shimmer.
Voices echoed—light, cheerful, unrestrained.
It felt less like a formal gathering…
And more like a celebration.
By the time they arrived in the village hall after unpacking in the guesthouse, it was already alive.
One of the elves stepped forward immediately, guiding them through the crowd toward the center, where Eziel was seated.
The village chief greeted them with his usual calm smile, raising a hand as if he had been expecting them all along.
"Come, sit," he said warmly.
Jade was placed directly beside him.
Aerilyn took the seat opposite, completing the strange arrangement.
For a moment, it felt like he had become the center of attention in some kind of formal tribunal.
Uncomfortable.
Very uncomfortable.
"I thought you said there wasn't time to prepare for a feast," he asked, accepting a cup as an elf poured wine into it.
"Thank you."
The elf nodded and moved on to Eziel's cup.
He turned the silver cup lightly in his hand, watching the wine swirl under the light before lifting it slightly.
A faint aroma rose from it.
Instinctively, he brought it closer, inspecting it the way he had seen in dramas back on Earth.
A small, almost reflexive smile tugged at his lips.
K-dramas really did leave unnecessary habits.
Haaa…
What am I even doing right now?
"That's right. That's why this was all we could offer. I hope you don't think badly of us."
He flinched slightly at Eziel's words.
"Oh—no, no," he replied quickly.
"Why would I think that? To be honest… this is already too much."
A pause followed.
Jade knew their warmth wasn't fully because of him…
But because of those who came before him.
"I don't think I deserve such a warm welcome," he added more quietly.
Eziel simply raised his cup, cutting off the thought before it could settle.
A silent invitation.
He hesitated for only a moment before lifting his own cup to meet it.
Clink.
They drank.
"How is it?" Eziel asked afterward. "Is the wine to your liking?"
He blinked, looking down at the cup.
"I'm not really sure," he admitted. "It tastes good… I just don't know much about wine."
This is my first time drinking it.
Back then, things like this were never even an option.
Wine wasn't something people like him ever thought about—it was for those who had the luxury to choose.
A faint trace of his old life flickered through his mind.
"…I see,"
Eziel said calmly.
"Then perhaps this is your chance to learn to appreciate it."
He raised his cup again.
An invitation.
After a brief pause, he followed.
As more elves filled the hall, the noise rose with them.
Laughter, conversation, the clinking of cups—
All of it was weaving together with the bard's voice echoing softly through the space.
A tale unfolded in song.
A young hero.
An ancient fire dragon.
Bravery against overwhelming odds.
His gaze drifted toward the performer, listening for a moment before a thought surfaced.
"Are otherworlders that famous in this world?"
Eziel didn't answer immediately.
He took a slow sip from his cup, his eyes wandering across the lively hall before settling again.
"If you mean the world at large… no."
A brief pause.
"Neither Emperor Solaria nor the dragon slayer was known for being otherworlders."
Another sip.
"Their names were carved into history by what they accomplished."
I see…
That makes sense.
"Then… does that mean our existence is only known to your people?" he asked.
"Yes," Eziel replied. "And to the Queen of the eastern Elven kingdom."
He gestured lightly toward Aerilyn.
"Her sister."
Jade blinked—
Then pushed himself upright.
"Wait… you're royalty?!"
Aerilyn flinched at his voice.
"I'm not," she said quickly, lowering her tone.
"And keep your voice down."
She motioned for him to sit.
"They are not born royalty."
It was Eziel who clarified the situation.
"Her sister married into the Krysania royal family."
He calmly added.
"…Ah."
Jade slowly sank back into his seat.
A hand pressed lightly against his chest.
"That's a relief," he muttered.
"For a second there, I thought I offended royalty."
A faint grin tugged at his lips.
Tch…
Too bad, I thought that was my chance.
Fufufu…
"Stop thinking evil thoughts," Aerilyn said flatly, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You're painfully easy to read."
"What evil thoughts? I don't know what you're talking about."
He quickly dug into his food to avoid her.
Aerilyn sighed at his ridiculous action.
After some time, Eziel rose from his seat.
The subtle shift in posture was enough.
One by one, the murmurs quieted.
He lifted his cup.
The rest followed.
Aerilyn and Jade did the same.
"To the safe arrival of our new friend."
For a brief moment—
Silence.
Then the hall erupted.
Cheers echoed through the towering space as cups were raised and voices blended into one.
Warm.
Lively.
Unrestrained.
The celebration stretched deep into the night.
Laughter faded into softer conversations.
Voices blurred.
Time slipped quietly past.
Back in the guest house—
He dropped onto the bed without ceremony.
He turned, burying his face into the pillow.
"So soft… warm."
A quiet breath escaped him.
For nearly a year, rest had meant rough wood, cold stone, or whatever surface he could endure for a few hours at a time.
Sleep wasn't comfort.
It was survival.
A grueling journey.
But now…
He had no reason to stay alert.
No reason to hold back.
The exhaustion hidden by his sheer will to survive slowly kicked in.
And the tension he had carried for so long began to loosen, piece by piece.
His body sank deeper into the mattress.
His thoughts slowed.
And before he even realized it—
Darkness took him.