The next morning arrived quietly, the air crisp with the scent of dew and baked bread. Kazuki emerged from the inn's second floor, stretching in the sunlight with a yawn that suggested "retired traveler" more than "potential threat to empires."
Downstairs, the innkeeper, Marla, waved from behind the bar. "Off to save the world?"
Kazuki chuckled. "More like saving the local fruit stand from rotting inventory."
He stepped out into the street, the breeze tugging at his cloak. Aria was waiting by the fountain, already munching on an apple. She tossed him one without looking.
"You've got a tail," she said casually.
"I have many good features, thank you."
"No," she gestured discreetly. "Tail. As in someone's been following you."
Kazuki turned his head slightly. His eyes caught a blur of movement—someone ducking behind a pottery stall.
"Huh. Thought the subtle stares were just my devastating charm."
> Celestia: I did warn you you'd be getting fan mail.
Kazuki: I thought that was a joke.
Celestia: Everything I say sounds like a joke, but that doesn't make it one.
They wandered through the town's outer edge, pretending not to notice the figure still trying to follow them with all the grace of a nervous squirrel. Kazuki led the way into a quiet clearing beyond the fences, where wildflowers and waist-high grass painted a peaceful scene.
Then he stopped. Loudly.
"You know," he said, turning around, "if you're gonna stalk me, you might as well bring snacks."
Silence.
Then, from behind a tree, a nervous young man stepped out. Robes too big, hair too messy, and hands shaking around a notebook.
"I-I didn't mean to alarm you," the boy stammered. "I'm a scholar! A researcher from the Imperial College. I heard rumors—about you. About the black-cloaked traveler who cut down a corrupted knight with a glowing blade and vanished into smoke."
Kazuki sighed. "I knew that bard was overdoing it."
"I wanted to see if the stories were true," the boy went on. "They say you're from another world."
Kazuki stared, face unreadable.
"I'm curious," he added quickly. "Not dangerous!"
Kazuki walked over, crouching to eye level. "You're not the first curious person to get themselves hurt poking into dangerous things."
The boy gulped. "Are you really a Demon Lord?"
"No," Kazuki said simply. "But if I was, this would be the part where you vanished mysteriously."
> SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Passive Skill [Intimidating Calm] temporarily activated.
The boy shivered.
"Go back to the College," Kazuki added, standing up. "You're not ready for this kind of story."
---
That evening, Kazuki sat alone on a hill outside Bristhaven, watching the sun dip below the horizon. His sword lay beside him, its blade etched faintly with traces of [Soulcut].
> Celestia: You know you could've just let the kid tag along.
Kazuki: And accidentally teach him how to reverse gravity with a sneeze? Hard pass.
Celestia: You're in a strange mood.
Kazuki: Just thinking. This peaceful life... it won't last forever, will it?
There was silence.
Then:
> Celestia: No. It won't. The Demon Emperor's already noticed the ripples you're making. You don't have the luxury of being invisible anymore.
Kazuki: Yeah... I figured.
Celestia: But you still have time. The longer you walk the quiet path, the better prepared you'll be when it ends.
Kazuki stood, brushing dust from his coat.
"I'll keep walking it," he muttered. "For as long as I can. For their smiles."
He glanced back toward the town. Warm lights flickered in windows, laughter echoed faintly in the distance.
That peace was real.
And if he could hold onto it—just a little longer—maybe he could build something worth fighting for.