CHAPTER 7
— WHEN PATHS QUIETLY CONVERGE
The horse-drawn cart carrying Kyoichiiro and Claire slowed and finally came to a complete stop at the gate of a village larger and more bustling than Rimba. The sounds of life greeted them: merchants shouting, children laughing, the creak of cart wheels, and the complex aromas of various cooking foods. After a year in a remote village, this commotion felt almost disorienting.
Kyoichiiro stepped down first, then helped Claire, who followed. He then turned to the old driver who had brought them safely.
Kyoichiiro: "Thank you for the ride. This is for the fare and your kindness."
He extended a few silver coins—small savings from odd jobs over the past year in Rimba. However, the driver shook his head with a smile, gently refusing.
Driver: "No need, son. You already saved my life and my goods from those bandits. That's more than enough payment. Consider it an old man's repayment to a brave child."
Kyoichiiro fell silent for a moment, then nodded. In his past life, people rarely acted with such selfless kindness. But in this world, it seemed there still were some.
Kyoichiiro: "Then, thank you again. Be safe on the road."
Driver: "You too. Take care of each other."
After the cart departed, Kyoichiiro and Claire began walking along the village's main street. They passed rows of stalls selling all sorts of necessities, from food and simple clothing to farming tools. Villagers glanced at them with curiosity—two young children in simple clothes carrying bags, clearly not locals. But there were no suspicious stares, just ordinary curiosity.
After walking for about twenty minutes, they arrived at their destination: a simple wooden house they had rented via letter with Edon's help. The house stood somewhat apart, surrounded by a wide expanse of green land with grass swaying in the evening breeze. The atmosphere was quiet, far from the market's bustle.
Kyoichiiro: (opening the door) "Here we are."
The interior was simple but clean. There was a main room serving as both living and dining area, a small kitchen to the side, two separate bedrooms, and an old bathroom with a well out back. The beds were simple, made of straw and covered with coarse cloth, but looked comfortable.
Kyoichiiro: "It's enough for now. At least until we find our next direction."
They set down their bags. Claire chose the smaller room, while Kyoichiiro took the room facing the back garden. After a short rest, Kyoichiiro headed to the kitchen.
Time to eat. Claire must be hungry by now, he thought, opening the bag containing food ingredients bought from the market on the way.
He pulled out ingredients familiar from his year in Rimba: Lumeralis Tubers (pale purple tubers that exuded a thick liquid when cut), Silpha Leaves (aromatic leaves with silver tips), Rinna Fruit (small, berry-like fruits with transparent skin that revealed the seeds inside), white rock salt from the mountains, and fresh well water.
With a small knife he'd bought in Rimba, Kyoichiiro chopped the ingredients with a precision surprising for a child his age. The tubers were thinly sliced, the leaves roughly torn to release their aroma, the fruit gently crushed. Everything went into a thick iron pot—a deep pan with a long handle commonly used for soups and stews.
He lit a fire in the simple hearth. Kyoichiiro stirred slowly, watching the changes in color and aroma. Fifteen minutes later, a savory, slightly sweet aroma filled the room. The soup was a pale purple color with silver glimmers from the Silpha leaves.
He tasted a little.
Kyoichiiro: (to himself) "The tuber flavor has come out… the Silpha leaves give a sharp aroma… the Rinna fruit provides a balanced sweetness. Salt is right. Good enough."
He ladled the soup into two wooden bowls already on hand, complete with wooden spoons.
Kyoichiiro: (calling out) "Sis. Food's ready."
Claire emerged from her room, looking slightly surprised to see her brother standing in the kitchen with a simple apron and two bowls of soup on the table.
Claire: "Since when can you cook? And… like this?"
Kyoichiiro: (flatly) "Learned a bit over the past year. Uncle Edon taught me the basics. And the books in his library had some recipes."
They sat and ate. The soup was simple yet nutritious, warm, and filling. They ate in silence, but it was a comfortable silence—not because there was nothing to say, but because words weren't needed. A year together on the run had created an unspoken understanding between them.
After finishing, Claire nodded in thanks and returned to her room. Kyoichiiro cleaned up all the utensils, washed the pot and bowls, then neatly arranged them back on the shelf. Once everything was in order, he walked to Claire's room.
Kyoichiiro: (from behind the door) "I'm going out for a bit, just to look around."
There was no reply. But Kyoichiiro knew that meant "yes, be careful." That was how they communicated now.
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Outside, the evening sun began to slant, casting a golden glow over the wide grassland behind the house. Kyoichiiro walked without a specific destination, enjoying the fresh air and open space. He eventually lay down on the grass, gazing at the sky that was beginning to change color.
Kyoichiiro: (whispering) "So refreshing… as if a new life is truly beginning from here."
Suddenly, a voice greeted him from the side.
Unfamiliar Voice: "Yoo."
Kyoichiiro turned. A boy about his age—around six years old—stood there, looking at him with a relaxed expression. He had bright red hair parted in the middle, simple yet good-quality clothes made of fine fabric. Most striking were his eyes—Crimson Irises, a clear, deep red that radiated confidence and sharp intelligence.
Since when has he been here? thought Kyoichiiro. He was usually very alert to people's presence.
Kyoichiiro: (sitting up) "How long have you been here?"
Boy: "Since you lay down. I was walking and saw you. An interesting sight—a kid my age lying alone staring at the sky as if pondering big problems."
His voice was fluent, educated. Kyoichiiro immediately noted it.
Kyoichiiro: "So, who are you?"
Boy: (smiling, as if just remembering) "Ah, right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Amura. Amura Caelvire."
Caelvire… Kyoichiiro thought quickly. That's the name of a neighboring kingdom. And a high noble family name. So he is indeed from nobility.
Kyoichiiro: "Kyoichiiro. Kyoichiiro Khaneo."
Amura's expression changed instantly. His Crimson Iris eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in assessment.
Amura: "Khaneo? From the Kyoukoten Khaneo Family? The one connected to the Empire?"
Kyoichiiro observed his reaction carefully. He knows. Of course. The Khaneo family is one of the oldest and most influential noble families in this region. Even a child this age must have heard the name.
Kyoichiiro: (in a calm tone) "It seems you know a lot about that."
Amura: (smiling again, more cautiously) "Of course. I have to know a lot of things. It's… an obligation."
There was something in the way Amura said it that piqued Kyoichiiro's curiosity. He wasn't just a pompous noble child. There was depth there.
Kyoichiiro suddenly stood up, approaching Amura until their faces were only inches apart. His light blue eyes stared directly into Amura's red ones.
Kyoichiiro: "Really? You know 'a lot of things'?"
Amura didn't retreat, nor did he look uncomfortable. He actually seemed challenged.
Amura: "Try me."
Kyoichiiro pulled back, returning to a normal distance. An idea began to form in his mind.
Kyoichiiro: "I have a request. Will you hear it?"
Amura: (curiously) "Sure. Go ahead."
Kyoichiiro: "Work with me. You're from Caelvire, with certain access and knowledge. I'm from Kyoukoten, with… a different perspective. Let's share information. Understand this world together. Find interesting things hidden beneath the surface."
Amura fell silent, considering. His red eyes glinted with suddenly ignited interest.
Amura: "That… sounds interesting. Very interesting. But—"
Third Voice: (small and nervous) "Um… excuse me…"
Both turned simultaneously. A little girl stood a few steps away, looking extremely uncomfortable as if she had interrupted an important moment. She had long blonde hair tied loosely, and eyes the color of Scarlet Luminis—a brighter, softer red than Amura's, radiating warmth and hesitation. She wore a simple dress that was slightly too big for her.
As they stared, the girl flinched, her face turning red.
Girl: "Sorry! I'm interrupting! I'll go—"
She turned to leave, but Kyoichiiro quickly stepped forward and gently caught the sleeve of her dress.
Kyoichiiro: "Wait."
The girl turned back, her face reddening further, her eyes shimmering as if she might cry from embarrassment.
Girl: "W-what is it?"
Kyoichiiro: (releasing his hold) "What's your name?"
Girl: (looking down) "Aetheria…"
Kyoichiiro and Amura exchanged glances. A wordless understanding passed between them. Both sensed something unusual about this girl—a faint aura of energy, or perhaps it was just her innocent demeanor that was compelling.
Amura: (introducing himself warmly) "I'm Amura. Amura Caelvire."
Kyoichiiro: "And I'm Kyoichiiro Khaneo."
Aetheria lifted her face, slightly relieved they weren't angry.
Aetheria: "N-nice to meet you…"
Kyoichiiro extended his hand. Aetheria hesitated, then tremblingly shook it. A small smile—very small—appeared on Kyoichiiro's face. Amura also extended his hand, shaking with more confidence. Then, Kyoichiiro made a fist and held it out toward the center.
Kyoichiiro: "Not a handshake. This."
Amura smiled in understanding, then made a fist and bumped it against Kyoichiiro's. Aetheria looked confused for a moment, then slowly imitated them, placing her small fist against theirs.
Three fists from three children of different backgrounds, meeting in the grassland as the sun set.
Kyoichiiro: (sitting back down on the grass) "How about we sit for a while? And… how about we go exploring together tomorrow? Look for something interesting in this village?"
Amura: (sitting beside him) "Agreed. I was getting bored alone."
Aetheria: (sitting down slowly on the other side) "I-I'd like to come too… if it's not troublesome…"
They sat there until the sky turned orange and purple, talking about small things—about this village, favorite foods, things they'd seen today. A simple bond formed, without them realizing that this chance meeting was the point where the paths of their destinies began to converge.