The afternoon sun painted the sky in warm hues as Leo finally approached the towering gates of the Shorein Kingdom. She pulled her hood lower, golden eyes glinting faintly beneath the shade as she neared the entrance.
Two guards in polished silver armor stood watch, their spears gleaming in the light.
"Hey, you! Stop right there!" one of them barked, stepping forward.
Leo froze, then forced a polite smile. "Um… I want to enter the kingdom. I have important business."
The other guard, a red-haired man with sharp eyes, crossed his arms as he approached. "Important business, huh? What exactly?" His tone was casual, but his stare cut like steel.
"Um…" Leo's words caught in her throat. Her mind raced. What should I say? I need to hurry… Panic bubbled inside her chest, and a bead of sweat slid down her temple.
The first guard narrowed his eyes, suspicion flashing across his face.
"Actually…" Leo forced a smile, though her lips trembled. "I came here to visit relatives who live inside. But… alas, I forgot my identity card."
"Should we trust her?" the first guard muttered, glancing at his red-haired partner.
The red-haired man let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "She took her sweet time to come up with that excuse… but fine. Let her through."
Leo's tense shoulders relaxed. "Thank you! Really, thank you!" she said with a quick bow.
"Wait. What's your name, miss? And where are you coming from?" the guard pressed, his tone calm but firm.
Leo stiffened for a moment. Careful, Leo. Careful.
"I… I am Mion," she replied with a practiced smile. "From the Rezein Kingdom." Her golden eyes sparkled, carrying just enough sincerity to mask the lie.
The red-haired guard studied her for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright. You may pass."
"Thank you," Leo said again, relief in her voice as she stepped forward.
But just as she crossed the threshold, the red-haired guard called out sharply.
"Hey, miss!"
Leo turned on her heel, brows furrowing. "Yes?"
The guard's expression had hardened. "Inside the kingdom, there's a mafia gang operating in the shadows. They're dangerous—deadly, even. Watch yourself."
Leo smirked, confidence flickering across her face. "I see… thank you. I'll be careful."
With that, she finally entered the Shorein Kingdom.
Inside, the streets were calm and vibrant. Humans, elves, demons, and half-bloods alike walked the cobbled roads. Merchants shouted out their wares, children chased each other through the crowds, and the scent of roasted bread lingered in the air.
Everything seems so peaceful here, Leo thought as her gaze wandered.
She continued walking until an elf girl passed by—short blunt-cut hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and dressed in a black and blue adventurer's outfit.
"Um, excuse me," Leo called softly.
The elf stopped, tilting her head. "Yes?"
Leo hesitated only a moment before speaking. "Do you know where Leo Julius Eros lives?"
The name left her lips—and instantly, the elf's expression drained of all color. Her eyes widened, trembling with fear.
"W-What are you!?" she shouted, voice cracking.
The outburst drew the attention of the surrounding crowd. People slowed their steps, eyes turning toward Leo with wary curiosity.
"Um… miss? Did something happen?" Leo asked nervously, forcing an awkward smile.
The elf shook her head violently, panic etched across her face. "No… no, no, I can't—I don't know! Leave me alone!"
With that, she bolted down the street, vanishing into the crowd.
"Huh? What was that about? I just asked her a simple question…" Leo muttered, confused.
Did something happen to me… in this timeline? she thought, her finger pressing against her jaw.
But before she could think further, Leo noticed it. Dozens of eyes staring at her—suspicion, unease, whispers curling at the edges of the silence.
What's wrong with them…? A nervous chill ran down her spine.
She quickly turned away, forcing her steps forward, disappearing deeper into the kingdom's streets.
Leo finally reached the mansion that, in her own timeline, she once called home.
But the sight before her made her stop in her tracks.
"Huh? It looks… so different," she muttered, her golden eyes widening.
The building was smaller, humbler, lacking the grandeur she remembered. The nameplate by the door read: Mr. Richard.
Strange… so that means my version didn't live here? Then where…? Leo frowned, thoughts racing.
"Miss? Do you need something?"
A refined male voice broke through her thoughts. Leo turned sharply—and froze.
Standing there was a man with mid-length black hair parted like a curtain, ash-colored eyes that seemed calm yet piercing. His attire was a neat tailcoat with black and blue stripes.
Wait… Richard Bon Arnold?! That's Captain Logen's younger brother!
"Uhh… yes, I was searching for someone who lives here," Leo said nervously.
"Oh, I am the one who lives here," Richard answered with a polite smile.
Leo's lips parted slightly. "O-Oh, I see!"
What!? Richard lives in my mansion in this timeline!?
"I am Richard Bon Arnold, Captain of the Shorein Kingdom. Pleasure to meet you. Did you need anything?"
What!? Richard is the captain here!? Then what about Logen…? Leo's eyes trembled. Confusion showed plainly on her face.
"Excuse me, are you feeling uneasy?" Richard asked, concern in his tone.
"N-No, nothing!" Leo quickly shook her head with a nervous smile.
"What's your name, miss?" Richard asked politely.
"I… Mion. I came from the Rezein Kingdom to visit relatives," Leo answered, keeping her voice steady.
"I see. Then you've been here before, haven't you? You seem familiar with this place."
"Um, sorry. I thought this was the place I visited before, but I must have been mistaken," Leo said quickly, waving her hand.
Richard chuckled warmly. "Haha, no need to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes."
Leo swallowed hard, then asked carefully, "Sir Richard… wasn't your elder brother the Captain?"
Richard's expression froze. His smile faltered, and his eyes darkened. "He once was."
He drew a quiet breath before continuing. "But… during a mission against the mafia gang, he was killed. Since then, I've sworn to carry on his duty." His words carried both weight and sorrow.
What!? Logen… killed by a mafia gang!? He's so strong, how could that even be possible!? Leo's golden eyes shook violently.
That guard at the gate mentioned them… but they're this insane…?
"I-I'm sorry for asking," Leo said softly, guilt lacing her tone.
"No need. It's alright," Richard replied, forcing a small smile. "But be careful. In the evening, those gangs spread all over the kingdom."
"I see. Thank you. Then… I'll be on my way. Goodbye." Leo smiled faintly, bowing before turning.
"Goodbye then. Stay safe," Richard said gently.
—
By evening, the sun dipped low, painting the sky in streaks of red and gold. Doves fluttered across drifting clouds as Leo walked deeper into the kingdom.
Her steps carried her to the slums. The streets were broken, houses collapsed in disrepair. Starving children cried weakly while the homeless lay on the cold ground. Angry quarrels rang out from alleyways.
Leo's chest tightened. This place… it wasn't like this in my timeline. What happened here? Just what kind of monsters are these mafia…?
"Hey, miss, where ya going?"
A drunken man's voice slurred behind her.
Leo turned. A ragged man with messy brown hair staggered forward, a steel staff clutched in his hand. His clothes were torn, his eyes dull with intoxication.
"Sorry, I'm busy," Leo said flatly, turning away.
"Oi! I hate being ignored! Wait!" He lurched forward and grabbed her shoulder.
This trash… Rage flashed through Leo's eyes.
"Enough! What do you want!?" she snapped, glaring at him.
"Heh… don't be mad, I just came to—"
Before he could finish, Leo tossed a pouch of gold coins at him. Thirty gleaming coins scattered into his hands.
"Wha—!?" The drunk's eyes bulged. He caught the pouch, then burst into laughter. "Woooow! So much gold! I'm rich! Hahaha!" He jumped like a fool, cheering loudly.
"Now let me go," Leo said coldly, brushing off her shoulder as she turned to leave.
"Wait, wait! Miss, you helped me a lot. If you need something around here, I can tell ya, hehe," the man said with a sly grin.
Leo narrowed her eyes. "…Really? Then tell me where Leo Julius Eros is."
The man froze. His grin twisted into something eerie. His tongue darted out as if savoring the words.
"You sure you want to know, miss?" he asked, voice dripping with mockery.
"Hurry up and tell me," Leo snapped, arms crossing.
"Hehehe… go to the right side of the slums. Then you'll find what you're lookin' for. Hahahaha!"
With a creepy laugh, he spun on his heel and bolted down the street.
"Wait—! Tch, he's gone," Leo muttered, scowling. "That idiot…"
She sighed, shaking her head. Still… maybe he wasn't lying.
Her gaze sharpened as she turned toward the slum's right side. "Fine. Let's see if he told me the truth."
With steady steps, Leo walked into the deepening dusk.