Stories and Stages
Erza looked at Daichi intently, sizing him up for a moment.
—“Do you have a place to stay, kid?” he asked.
—“Not yet…” Daichi replied, a little awkwardly.
—“Are you just staying for tonight, or do you plan to spend more time in Miura?” she continued.
Daichi thought for a few seconds.
—“I plan to stay a few days… get to know the place, figure everything out. I’m not quite sure how to adjust to this place yet.”
—“I was attacked by a slime not too far from here,” he said, recalling the forest.
Erza raised an eyebrow, surprised.
—Where are you from? Don’t you have slimes there? Are you from the capital?
Daichi realized the conversation was getting serious, and replied:
—No, I’m from the countryside too… but that slime was huge.
Erza laughed again, loud and hearty.
—Kid, you’re so naive. You were lucky to walk away from that.
—There are things worse than slime… — she said, pointing to her own scars.
—If you want, I can give you a room. But be warned: it’s 8 bronze coins per night, or 20 for a whole month.
—You need to find a way to make money… you won’t survive just wandering around!
Daichi smiled.
—All right, I’m going to take a walk and get to know the city. Maybe I’ll find a job…
Erza nodded, pleased.
—Great. But remember: Miura is small, but it has its dangers. Stay alert. Daichi set out through the streets, determined to get to know the rest of the village better.
His steps were slow and cautious.
He observed everything.
The simple, well-maintained wooden houses.
The open windows, light curtains swaying in the breeze.
The smell of freshly baked bread still lingered in the air.
Children ran through the streets, laughing carefree.
A man waved to him as he carried bags of grain.
—Good morning!
Daichi replied with a slight nod.
—Good morning…
A woman smiled as she passed him.
A group of young people was chatting animatedly near the well.
Everything seemed… light.
Peaceful.
Almost too perfect.
Daichi slowed his pace.
His eyes scanned every detail, as if looking for something out of place.
But there was nothing.
No tension.
No sign of danger.
—Strange…
He muttered under his breath.
And then, Erza’s words came back to her mind.
“Miura is small… but it has its dangers.”
Daichi paused for a moment.
He looked around again.
The same people.
The same smiles.
The same calm.
—Dangers…?
He furrowed his brow slightly.
—This place?
A group of children ran past him, almost bumping into him.
Laughter.
Joy.
Life.
Daichi watched in silence.
And, without realizing it…
His smile faded.
Something inside him didn’t feel right.
It was as if he were looking at a painting that was too beautiful.
Too perfect.
Unreal.
He started walking again.
This time, more slowly.
More thoughtfully.
—This place…
His voice was low, almost lost in the wind.
—…is it really real?
His fingers lightly touched the amulet he carried.
The cold of the metal brought him back for a moment.
But the doubt remained.
He looked at the people around him.
Talking.
Living.
Smiling.
And then…
A thought came to mind.
Heavy.
Silent.
—Am I really part of this world…?
His steps slowed.
His gaze fell to the ground.
—Someone like me…
His hand clenched slightly.
—…does he deserve this?
The wind blew through the streets of Miura once more.
Gentle.
Almost welcoming.
But for Daichi…
The feeling was different.
As if that place…
Didn’t quite accept him yet.
Or maybe…
As if he himself couldn’t accept it.
Daichi walked through the streets of Miura, still lost in thought.
The town remained quiet.
People coming and going.
Simple work.
Simple life.
But one thing was beginning to weigh on his mind.
Money.
He stopped.
He reached into his pocket… it was empty.
—Damn...
His face darkened slightly.
—I can’t keep depending on Erza forever…
The thought came to him clearly.
He looked around.
A cart being unloaded.
A man carrying heavy sacks.
A woman arranging goods in front of a small shop.
—Everyone here works…
He muttered.
—So I have to figure something out too.
He took a deep breath.
And she decided to take action.
After walking for a few minutes, he came across an older man trying to lift a barrel that was too big for him.
The object barely lifted off the ground.
—Hnn… damn…
Daichi approached.
—Need some help?
The man looked up, surprised.
—Hm? You?
—I can try.
Without waiting for an answer, Daichi grabbed the barrel.
Heavy.
Much heavier than it looked.
His arms trembled.
But he strained.
With some effort, he managed to lift it and set it down on the cart.
—Phew…
He exhaled sharply.
The man gave a slight smile.
—Not bad, kid.
—“Thanks…” Daichi replied, still catching his breath.
The man scratched his beard.
—Are you looking for a job?
Daichi looked up immediately.
—Yes.
—Anything.
The man nodded slowly.
—I need help unloading goods and organizing the inventory. It’s not exactly glamorous… but it pays.
Daichi’s eyes sparkled slightly.
—I’ll take it.
The rest of the day went by faster than he expected.
Carrying boxes.
Organizing bags.
Stacking wood.
His body ached.
His hands were dirty.
But, strangely…
It wasn’t so bad.
—Here.
The man tossed him a few coins at the end of the day.
Daichi took them, almost in disbelief.
Bronze coins.
Small.
Simple.
But… real ones.
—“That’s for today’s work,” said the man. “If you want to come back tomorrow, show up early.”
Daichi stared at the coins for a few seconds.
And then he smiled.
—Thank you.
When he returned to the tavern, the sky was already beginning to darken.
The village lights were coming on one by one.
The smell of food filled the air.
Erza saw him coming in.
—So, kid… did you die or manage to survive?
Daichi opened his hand, showing the coins.
—I survived.
She smiled slightly.
—Hmm… so it’s not completely useless.
He chuckled softly.
For the first time… weightless.
Later, in the simple room Erza had given him, Daichi lay on his bed, staring at the wooden ceiling.
His body still ached.
But his mind…
Was restless.
Too quiet.
He closed his eyes.
And then he remembered.
Erza’s words.
“Miura has its dangers.”
He turned over in bed.
The night breeze blew through the small window.
Something seemed… strange.
Different.
— …
Daichi opened his eyes again.
He remained silent.
Staring into the darkness of the room.
And, for some reason…
She had the feeling that the peace she felt during the day…
Wasn’t the same at night.
Suddenly, exhaustion got the better of him.
Daichi closed his eyes…
And fell asleep.
He didn’t know how much time had passed.
But something woke him up.
A light.
Faint… but steady.
Coming through the window.
Daichi opened his eyes slowly.
He blinked a few times, still sleepy.
— …?
He turned his face toward the window.
The light wasn’t from the sun.
It was different.
Flickering.
Like… fire.
He got up slowly.
His body still felt heavy.
He walked to the window and looked out.
And then…
He furrowed his brow.
The whole village was lit by torches.
People were gathering near the entrance.
Some were hurrying in that direction.
Others just watched from a distance.
The atmosphere… was strange.
Heavy.
Nothing like the rest of the day.
— What is this…?
He muttered.
Without wasting any time, he grabbed his torn tunic and quickly put it on.
He left the room.
He went downstairs.
And went straight outside.
The night air was cold.
But that wasn't what bothered him.
It was the silence.
No laughter.
No small talk.
Just footsteps.
And serious looks.
Daichi followed the flow of people to the village gate.
When he arrived…
He stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
Several villagers were gathered there.
But no one was smiling.
No one seemed at ease.
That happiness from earlier that day…
Had completely vanished.
What he saw now were tense faces.
Tired.
Resigned.
— What’s going on…?
He asked the man next to him.
No answer.
The man didn’t even look at him.
Daichi felt a chill run down his spine.
That was when he realized.
A carriage.
Large.
Luxurious.
Parked right in front of the gate.
Surrounding it, soldiers.
Armor.
Swords.
Cold stares.
The silence grew even heavier.
And then…
The carriage door opened.
A man stepped out.
Fat.
Well-dressed.
Expensive clothes.
Arrogant posture.
Clearly… a nobleman.
He looked around, sizing up the people as if choosing merchandise.
—Citizens of Miura… — he said, in a calm, authoritative voice — I have come again.
