Part 3
The room was silent.
The light of dawn barely filtered through the curtains, and the air smelled of aged wood and clean sheets.
Kaito sat on the bed, still dressed, his back resting against the wall, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
He couldn't sleep.
Not after what he had seen.
Not after being… erased.
He clenched his teeth, feeling a burning tightness in his chest.
Not anger—at least, not exactly. It was something subtler. More bitter.
—When did they decide I wasn't worth it? —he whispered.
He remembered his mother's face, laughing in the kitchen as she cooked way too much rice "just in case someone came over."
He remembered his father—clumsy with words, but solid in his actions.
He remembered the last thing his father told him before disappearing from that world:
"It doesn't matter if the world doesn't choose you. What matters is that you never stop choosing to be yourself, and always do what's right."
Kaito closed his eyes.
He could let the hate consume him. He could give up. Pretend none of this mattered.
But then… what would be left of him?
He leaned forward and took the metal plate from his belt—the one that read "Swordsman"—and held it tightly.
—Alright… —he whispered.
—If the world doesn't believe in me, I will. Because I'm not a mistake.
—I'm a hero… even if no one says it out loud.
A soft knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.
—If it's Seri, you can come in —he said calmly.
She peeked in cautiously before entering, walking slowly, as if afraid to disturb him.
—Kaito… are you okay? —she asked softly.
—Thanks for worrying, Seri. And sorry if I made you feel that way. I'm okay… —he answered with a faint smile—. I was just thinking about what we'll do next.
He opened his panel and projected a map of the kingdom.
—I remember you mentioned going to Aldoria —she said, stepping closer to look.
—Yeah. We're in Astralis. According to the map, it's about three days by carriage… or a week on foot. We'll leave at first light tomorrow when the city gates open.
Seri nodded, a determined look on her face.
—For now, let's get some breakfast. Then I want to stop by the bazaar. The innkeeper told me there's a pawn shop nearby.
—Pawn shop? What's that? —he asked, tilting his head with curiosity.
—It's a place where people leave valuable items in exchange for money—either as collateral or to sell. Others can buy those items at a lower price than usual.
—Ah… I get it. It's like the trades we do in Mythara villages. We use what we have instead of coins. Yue is only used when dealing with outsiders.
—Exactly. Here, Yue is the official currency across the continent. But if you're short on money, you can pawn something valuable to get by.
—So… are you looking for something specific?
—Maybe a magic pouch, or something useful for the trip. The innkeeper said interesting things show up sometimes for a good price. But we can't spend more than ten gold Yues.
—Understood! —Seri said, raising her fist like it was a mission—. It's a day of strategic shopping, then.
Kaito chuckled softly.
—Yeah, something like that. I want to be prepared… this time, I won't leave things to chance.
After a light breakfast—toast with fruit and something that resembled jam—Kaito and Seri left the inn and headed toward Astralis's commercial district.
The sun was already high in the sky, and the city was buzzing with life.
—Is it always this crowded the day after a ceremony? —Kaito asked, sidestepping a little boy selling lucky charms.
—It's the capital, what did you expect? —Seri replied casually—. You should see Astralith, the city of the light elves.
Kaito fell quiet for a moment. He didn't actually know much about her.
And the mention of another tribe stirred his curiosity.
—What's your village like?
—We guard the borders from invaders —she explained, touching her chin thoughtfully—. So it's a rocky area, with lots of training grounds… I don't really know how to describe it. It's not pretty, but it's tough.
—Do you think you might go back someday?
Seri lowered her gaze slightly, thoughtful.
—Maybe… if they let me. But elves aren't exactly welcoming to humans.
—Only adventurers with a special permit from the light elves are allowed in. And even then, they're not treated very well.
—Sounds complicated.
—It is. A lot of our people believe humans are only interested in our resources. That's why the border guard exists. I grew up hearing all that…
Kaito nodded. He was starting to better understand Seri's caution—and the isolation of her people.
They continued walking past food stalls, clothing shops, and booths filled with weapons.
Eventually, they arrived at the central bazaar, where a worn golden-lettered sign hung above a stone arch: "Market of Needs and Opportunities."
Kaito tilted his head.
—"Needs and Opportunities"? That's the name?
—Maybe they wanted it to sound fancy —Seri commented, though her expression suggested otherwise.
—Sounds more like a party supply store.
Both of them laughed before crossing the threshold.
Inside, the air was cooler. High wooden ceilings shaded them from the sun, and the voices around them merged into a constant hum.
One corner in particular caught their attention: a shop with a half-open door and a hand-carved sign that read: "Pawn Shop ULTIMATUM."
—Definitely someone dramatic named this place —Kaito remarked.
—Or someone with a final boss complex —Seri added, already pushing the door open.
Inside, the shop was packed with shelves and crates. There were old books, half-rusted armor, loose jewels, and clearly non-magical items… like a teapot.
—Welcome, wandering youths —came a deep voice from the back—. What brings you to this humble and honest cave of opportunity?
The voice belonged to an older man with a graying beard and an eye patch. He wore a robe as aged as the shelves and had the smile of a seasoned merchant.
—We're looking for magic pouches or something useful for adventurers —Kaito said plainly.
—Something useful? I've got everything from enchanted maps to knives that cry when left alone too long. But if it's storage you're after… right this way.
The merchant pulled a dusty trunk from beneath the counter and opened it with a theatrical flourish.
—Ta-da!
Inside was a chaotic pile of trinkets, but among them he pulled out two magic pouches that looked handcrafted by elven artisans. He laid them gently on the counter like precious treasures.
—Two medium-capacity magic bags. They can hold up to fifty items each, keep food fresh, and… contain no cursed spirits. Or at least, not any aggressive ones.
Kaito blinked.
—Was that last part a joke?
—Who knows? —the merchant replied with an ambiguous grin.
—How much?
—Eight gold Yues for both. A bargain, trust me. Normally just one would cost at least ten.
Kaito let out a long, defeated sigh as he pulled out his coin pouch.
—I knew you'd bankrupt me, Seri…
—Think of it as an investment —she said with a triumphant smile—. This way you won't have to carry everything like a pack mule.
Kaito huffed softly but didn't argue further.
—Alright… but at this rate, I'll be eating stale bread for the rest of the month. We've only got two Yues left to spend…
Meanwhile, Seri was inspecting the shelves, rummaging through objects wrapped in dust and time.
Kaito did the same on the other side of the shop.
Everything looked like it belonged in a horror movie—or the Warrens' house.
He was convinced more than one item in here had some kind of curse or trapped spirit.
Until something caught his eye.
A large glass display case, set apart from everything else, with a handwritten sign: "Please do not touch."
Kaito crossed his arms, wearing an ironic smile.
—So we meet at last, Annabelle —he murmured jokingly.
Inside the glass stood what appeared to be a tall girl with lavender hair and closed eyes. Her skin was pale, almost porcelain-like, and she wore a dark maid outfit with silver detailing.
At first glance, it could easily be mistaken for a statue…
if not for the crystalline core faintly glowing in her chest.
—What is this? —Kaito asked aloud, and both the merchant and Seri approached, drawn by his tone.
The shopkeeper frowned, clearly annoyed.
—That… is the biggest headache in this entire store —he said, crossing his arms—. That damned Francheszca Zarakov owed me a fortune and gave me this piece of junk as partial payment.
—What!? She gave you a person as payment? —Seri asked, stunned.
—Ha! Call me what you will, but I'm no trafficker. That, dear customers, is an automaton.
—Auto-what now? —Seri repeated, tilting her head.
—A mechanical being with a human form —Kaito explained, eyes still fixed on the figure.
—Exactly. Supposedly a servant model, but she's got major behavioral issues.
I've sold her three times… and all three brought her back the same day.
—What's wrong with her? —Seri asked, now even more intrigued.
—They say she doesn't follow orders, talks weird, makes toxic food, and can't even sweep the floor.
It's like she has a mind of her own… which, for an old model, is a serious concern.
—I see… must be a defective prototype, or a failed experiment.
The merchant shrugged, clearly tired of the whole thing.
—Didn't you say you had two gold Yues left? I'll let you have her for that. Interested?
—I don't think we need something like that… —Seri murmured, visibly uneasy.
—Well… —Kaito hesitated.
—I've got it! I'll give her to you for free.
Just one condition: no returns. I need the space, and that hunk of junk takes up too much of it. If you don't take her, I'm sending her to the incinerator.
Kaito looked at her again, silently.
The automaton's eyes were still closed, but the core in her chest pulsed faintly. As if it were waiting for something.
As if… it were listening.
—Free, huh? —Kaito murmured.
And for some reason he couldn't explain… he felt like he had to say yes.
—Deal —he said, shaking the merchant's hand.
Seri looked at him like he had completely lost it.
The shopkeeper burst into laughter, clearly relieved to be rid of the problem.
But Kaito just stood there, silently watching the automaton's motionless face behind the glass.
He didn't know why…
but there was something about her.
Something familiar in her solitude.
Maybe she couldn't sweep.
Maybe she couldn't cook.
Maybe she couldn't follow orders.
But that didn't make her useless.
After all… he hadn't been chosen either.
And yet, here he was.