Published: January 12, 2026
I walked through the city that had already grown quite dark. The streets were still fairly bright, but the light would gradually fade away as time went on.
The cracked asphalt seemed to smell like it had been scorched, and I looked up as I walked.
I originally came from the countryside. I was born and raised in a region blessed with sea, mountains, and rivers. It was only when I went to university that I lived alone near the center of a certain government-designated city for the first time.
Though I only had a medium-sized vehicle license, I got a motorcycle license and enjoyed life in the city.
There were job offers from my hometown at the university's recruitment, but somehow I chose to stay in the city.
However, after a few years, I found myself unbearably nostalgic for my hometown. At work, my diligence was appreciated, and I was given more responsibilities, but that also meant I spent more time at the company.
I would wake up, go to work, work until night, then come home and sleep. That was my everyday routine. Before I knew it, I had lost weight.
The most enjoyable thing about city life was riding my motorcycle through the streets at night. But I was too tired and had no time for that.
One night, after a long spell like this, I got home at ten PM, dropped my things, and decided to ride my motorcycle. It had been a while, but I had kept up with maintenance, so I was able to ride immediately.
After cruising lightly, I got on the highway and took a route where I could enjoy the night view. After getting off, I moved to a seaside restaurant district, drank coffee while gazing at the nighttime sea scenery.
It was a fairly well-known tourist spot, and the illuminated buildings and ships were lively and fun. The glass workshops were closed at that hour, but most restaurants with terrace seats were open.
I rested there, relaxing, and before I knew it, it was closing time.
After that, I hardly remember the way home.
Only one moment remains clear, like a photograph: when I was driving on a long bridge built over the sea.
Before I knew it, I was lying in bed.
I should have still been on my motorcycle, so had I somehow returned home without realizing it? The high ceiling and the fluffy bed were too large to be a child’s.
No doubt about it. This was the corner room on the second floor of the small castle of the Marquis Fertio family. In other words, it was my room. The familiar stone walls and evenly spaced wooden pillars. And the demon crystal light.
The sky was still dark, and an unbelievably beautiful starry sky was spread out. I instinctively sat up and looked at the large window spanning about two tatami mats.
Why is this? It was a strange feeling.
Outside the window, I saw the lush garden I always viewed and the stone wall fence. Beyond that stretched the southern part of the town. A major street ran straight through the center, and in the distance stood tall castle walls and a castle gate.
As I stood on the bed, placing my hands on the windowsill and stretching to look outside, a voice called from behind.
“Ah, Lord Van! That’s dangerous over there!”
I heard a slightly breathless voice and turned around to see a girl with long brown hair tied back, droopy eyes, dressed in a maid’s uniform primarily black with a frilled white apron.
She was one of my personal maids, Til.
Though her voice sounded a bit weak, it was clear she was quite flustered. She was desperately trying to stop me.
“Yeah, sorry. Oh, good morning, Til.”
I apologized and sat on the bed, and Til froze where she stood.
“Uh, n-no! Thank you for listening! By the way, Lord Van? What were you just… doing over there?”
Til asked timidly, and I tilted my head, pointing at the window.
“I was just looking at the scenery from the window.”
When I answered, Til’s eyes widened, and she blinked in astonishment.
“Lord Van, where did you learn such difficult words? You’re only a little over two years old…”
Two years old? I’m almost thirty, so what is Til talking about?
Thirty?