Published: August 1, 2025
Knock, knock, knock-knock.
The knocking gradually grew louder.
“...Could it be the island chief? Maybe he’s tired of the castanets already.”
I murmured, but for some reason, the landlady didn’t respond. Reluctantly, I stood up, but Lord Cyrus grabbed my hand and stopped me. The landlady frowned as well.
“The island chief wouldn’t be knocking like that. There’s no gentleman like that in Luhab.”
The knocking continued.
Though it sounded urgent, they didn’t open the door themselves. It seemed they were waiting for us to open it. Lord Cyrus’s expression grew even sterner.
“...Landlady, it’s just us tonight, right? The whole place reserved.”
“Of course. Besides, there’s only one guest room.”
The landlady seemed to sense something strange and carefully asked through the door.
“Who is it? If it’s a guide request, please come back during the day.”
“It’s not for sightseeing. Could you please open the door for now?”
A man’s voice—speaking in Flarian language.
“Don’t open it yourself; the door isn’t locked.”
“Then, excuse me.”
Quietly, the door opened.
Standing against the night sky was a man.
Seeing him, my eyes widened.
—Someone from an unfamiliar country.
That was my first impression.
He looked like a man just past thirty. Blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and deep-set facial features with a sparse unshaven beard. He had a kind aura, and nothing about his appearance was particularly troubling. His somewhat unusual hairstyle—a long ponytail tied high, with the nape shaved—was distinctive, if anything.
What caught my eye most was his clothing. A front-overlapping bathrobe-like upper garment, ridiculously wide-legged long pants. A mysterious emblem was drawn on his chest. The man looked like he belonged to a western continent’s tribe, but was there such a nation with that traditional dress? The item at his waist looked too thin to be a sword, but too short to be a rapier. The sheath was decorated in a design I had never seen before. What kind of weapon was that...?
As I stared intently, he happened to look at me. Our eyes met sharply in midair.
Ah—such beautiful eyes. Not like a clear lake, but a deeper, stronger blue. Summer sky? No, more like Luhab’s sea.
I couldn’t help but be captivated—
“M-Marie?”
Lord Cyrus’s voice snapped me back to reality. Oh dear, how rude of me to stare so blatantly.
“I-I’m sorry.”
I bowed, and he smiled. Deep wrinkles formed around his eyes, crinkling them warmly. Then he bent at a 90-degree angle,
“Were you dining? I humbly apologize for the rudeness. I am truly sorry and offer my deepest apologies.”
“...Huh?”
The landlady looked puzzled. It was probably her first time meeting someone who bowed so deeply. I might have seen it only once myself, besides me.
Also, his way of speaking was strangely old-fashioned. Mostly Flarian, but some parts sounded like pre-war classical language.
Isaac, munching on a piece of squid, stood up.
“Are you staying overnight? Sorry, we’re fully booked until the day after tomorrow.”
I quietly said, “Sorry,” but the man shook his head.
“I see. Then at least allow us to take a meal break.”
“Eh, um—we only have one table—”
“No.”
Lord Cyrus cut Isaac off firmly.
“...Lord Cyrus?”
His tone felt unexpectedly cold, and I was confused.
The visitor seemed to expect that answer and remained unfazed. Still smiling,
“Please don’t be so harsh. It’s already dark, and it would be a bit cruel to make us walk back down to the foot of the mountain now.”
“If that’s the case, wait outside until we finish eating. Luhab nights are warm, and the stars are beautiful.”
“Lord Cyrus, what’s gotten into you?”
Startled, I grabbed Lord Cyrus’s sleeve.
“It wouldn’t hurt to share a table. Besides, telling them to wait outside is cold. They’re clearly troubled.”
Lord Cyrus was merciless to villains or enemies threatening him or his family, but those punishments always served a purpose. He was inherently gentle and kind to everyone. His sudden unkindness now was puzzling. I had no idea what was bothering him.