Ki and Zephyr clean themselves from the sweat of the early duel. They bathe in the same hot spring. The room is full of statues and windows, allowing sunlight to flood the space.
"Aw, aw, aw. My chin hurts," Zephyr cries in pain. "Man, you really didn't hold back there," Zephyr glances at Ki, who is leaning against the side of the huge spring, his back exposed to Zephyr. Ki sighs.
"I have so many questions right now," Ki's voice is low.
"Huh? Like what?" Zephyr asks curiously.
Ki remembers the look of that dark creature that swallowed them into this world. "Never mind." Ki stands up and grabs a towel.
"You're going already?" Zephyr asks.
"Yeah. It's almost lunchtime. You should also dress up," Ki replies.
"Yeah, just a minute. My body still hurts, you know that?" Zephyr responds.
Ki leaves the bathhouse and sees the maids talking among themselves, murmuring. When they see Ki, they stand straight, pretending to work. But once Ki passes, they return to their murmuring, talking about Ki and Zephyr.
"Do you think he's cool?" one maid asks.
"But Zephyr is more handsome," another argues.
"Yeah, but Ki is stronger," a third replies, daydreaming about marrying Ki. "How I wish I could meet someone strong like him," she adds.
Zephyr emerges and hears their conversation. "Sorry, ladies, but my heart is occupied," Zephyr says, thinking about Sophie. "But I don't know if Ki is interested in any girls though. Anyway, I'm gonna go now. Bye." Zephyr leaves, and the maids immediately go back to murmuring.
"Did you hear that? Ki is still not interested in girls," they chat among themselves.
Ki enters the living room and sees Septh sitting there. Sophie is sitting opposite her. Zephyr joins them later, spotting Sophie. "Good afternoon, Sophie," he says energetically. Sophie ignores him, making Zephyr feel down as he slumps into his seat like a sluggish vegetable. The three of them eat together with Sophie.
After eating, the three friends meet in Zephyr's room to hang out. Septh tries on different dresses in front of a mirror, Ki reads a book on the bed, and Zephyr sits on the balcony fence, glancing at the city. "I wonder what it looks like," he sighs under his breath.
"I can tour you if you want," Sophie responds as she enters the room.
Zephyr looks at her, his eyes full of life. "Really!?" He runs across the room to grab Sophie's hands.
"Yes, I can. You are not prisoners now. You are our guests, so you can leave and visit the city as you please." Sophie smiles. "How about you three dress up and let's go visit it?"
Septh and Zephyr dress up, but Ki remains in his casual clothes—hoodie and jogger pants. They set off from the castle. The gate opens, and they step outside for the first time in a long while. Septh and Zephyr are amazed by their surroundings, while Ki observes everything keenly. The streets are lively and busy, with people minding their business. Stalls are scattered everywhere, and buildings made of stone house various businesses like tailors and bars.
They visit stores, taste local foods, and explore marketplaces. It's a new experience for the three of them. They laugh and talk as they walk. Suddenly, a girl trips in front of Septh, her basket of apples scattering. Septh immediately helps her gather the apples. Once done, the girl stands up and runs away, seemingly in a hurry. Septh can't help but notice the chains on her arms and legs, and her rugged clothes.
"What's with her?" Septh asks Sophie.
"Oh, don't mind her. She's a slave," Sophie responds.
Septh is surprised. "You can have slaves here?" she asks.
"Yes. Slavery is not illegal in most countries, and ours is one of them," Sophie explains.
"Why aren't they banned yet?" Septh inquires.
Sophie starts walking, and the three friends follow, paying attention to her explanation. "Our main source of income is through inviting many merchants. This kingdom is located at the center of the land. There is no river nearby, so we can't produce crops or fish. Our income comes from charging fees to outsiders. Many merchants come here to trade because of our central location. It just happens that many of these merchants own slaves. Banning slavery would mean driving away our business."
"Oh, I see," Septh murmurs.
Sophie stops in front of a bakery shop, her attention shifting to the cakes displayed there. They eat their fill. As they walk side by side, chatting, Ki follows behind. He notices a weapon smith shop that catches his attention. Ki stops and enters the shop, but the others don't notice.
Ki looks around the shop, filled with armors and weapons of various designs. The shopkeeper calls out to Ki, asking if he has any particular interest. Ki's gaze is fixed on a pair of daggers displayed on a rack. To him, they are fine works of art.
The store owner approaches Ki, asking if he is interested. "Sorry, I'm just looking," Ki replies in his language and leaves immediately. The shop owner, confused, doesn't understand Ki's foreign words.
Ki looks around and realizes he has lost the others. "Ki!" a shout from a distance calls out. It's Septh, waving at him. Ki walks over to them.
"Jeez, Ki. Stop worrying me," Septh says, her voice full of concern.
Sophie looks at the sky. "It's getting dark. Shall we go back?"
The three agree and they all return to the castle.