Both of them were running down the main street, holding up promotional posters they had found in the trash. Joaquín carried one that read, "Become a Master of Origami," while the knight held another—completely upside down—that advertised, "Turbo Hose Vacuum Cleaner: Sucks Up Even Your Sins."
They turned sharply around a corner and threw themselves behind a massive menu board placed in front of a pastel pink-and-white bakery door, using it as temporary cover. Towering houses surrounded them, side by side, leaving narrow alleys in between. Some reached over two stories tall, and all were built from materials completely different from the rock or wood used in Nocturne. The scorching sunlight kept the streets calm, with few people passing by.
—Ha... Ha! I never want to do that again! —said the knight, gasping for air.
—This definitely isn't Nocturne or any nearby kingdom. Look at all these lights and massive houses.
—You're right, they're huge! I've never seen anything like this in my life! —the knight exclaimed, awestruck by the strange new landscape.
—Listen, since we're not from here... we need to gather information about this place. We don't want any more weird encounters.
—Man, I'd say walking around naked in broad daylight isn't normal even back home.
—Also true...
Suddenly, a figure approached them. It was a girl with shoulder-length black hair, bright yellow eyes, and a black apron. With a sweet—though clearly uneasy—expression, she asked kindly:
—G-good morning... do you need something?
Both of them turned instantly, as if they'd just seen a celestial messenger in the middle of their chaos, and shouted in unison:
—Clothes! Please!
The girl took a step back, her tone turning more wary.
—Eh? What do you mean, clothes? Don't tell me you're actually...
Both jumped up from behind the menu board, waving their hands defensively.
—It's not what you think! —exclaimed the knight— We're not perverts or anything like that. Obviously, we're covering ourselves with these posters we found in a very interesting trash can —he added proudly, as if that made it sound better.
The girl raised an eyebrow.
—Ah... I see...
She fell silent for a few seconds.
—Isn't that actually even weirder?! —she shouted, pulling out her phone and dialing quickly—. Hello, police?
—Wait a moment! —Joaquín interrupted frantically—. I swear we can explain! Just give us five minutes, please!
The girl hesitated, then slowly hung up. She watched them silently for a few seconds before saying:
—Fine. Five minutes. Not one more, not one less.
Joaquín began to speak sincerely, explaining the story of their world—the endless wars, the demonic creatures, and of course, the "little mistake" that had brought them here, half-naked and clutching promotional signs.
—So... you're telling me you come from a completely different magical world? —she asked, still processing it all.
—Exactly, fair lady —the knight nodded proudly.
—I see...
The girl pulled out her phone again and started dialing.
—Hello? Yes, good morning. I'd like to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist, please...
—One second! —the knight shouted, grabbing Joaquín's shoulders—. We can prove it! Look at this!
He lifted Joaquín's long black hair with one hand, revealing the empty space where his ears should have been.
—See for yourself! That's where his ears should be... but as you can see, they've vanished completely due to a spell!
The girl stood silently, covering her mouth in shock. She observed for a few moments before letting out a long, deep sigh.
—Ahh... fine! I'll get you some clothes. But please, stay right over there —she said, pointing toward the alley beside the bakery.
Joaquín and the knight's eyes sparkled like twin stars. At last, they had found a drop of mercy in this strange world.
Minutes later, the girl came out of the bakery with a few bags in hand.
—Here you go.
Both rushed to get dressed. The outfits were spare bakery uniforms: black apron and pants, a short-sleeved blue button-up shirt, and matching black shoes.
—It's been so long since I've been this excited to wear something comfortable! Thank you so much! —Joaquín said, shaking the girl's hand vigorously in gratitude.
The girl gave an awkward laugh, looked at them for a few seconds, and continued:
—Ahem... the outfits don't look bad on you at all. But! —she pointed at the knight— Please, can you take that off?
—Eh?... Take what off?
—The helmet! The h-e-l-m-e-t!
The knight lowered his gaze for a moment, then said in a melancholic tone:
—Oh... forgive me, but I really wouldn't want to frighten you with my face.
The girl put a hand to her forehead and said bluntly:
—At this point, I don't think anything could surprise me anymore, so don't worry.
—Well... if you insist —the knight said hesitantly.
Then, he began to unfasten the sturdy iron helmet that concealed his face. From the narrow gaps, an intense, almost divine light began to shine through. Joaquín and the girl shielded their eyes.
—Agh! I can't look! —Joaquín cried, ducking down.
—It can't be! What am I seeing?! This guy... this guy is...! —the girl exclaimed, struggling against the blinding radiance that struck her face with incredible force...
[What will the knight's face be like? A handsome model? Or someone who hasn't shaved in 30 years?]
---To be continued in Chapter 3---