Night draped itself over Wandland, stretching like a silent curtain across the ancient roads. Rui walked steadily forward, the cold breeze brushing past his cheeks as the arriving city of Drakkar came into view—its tall wooden gates, crooked rooftops, and faint lantern lights fluttering in the distance.
"We're close to the capital," Rui murmured.
Caesar looked at him, confused.
Rui chuckled softly. "La tierra del comienzo. The land of the beginning. That's what they call it."
His footsteps slowed, eyes narrowing with a subtle smile. Dust rose beneath their boots as the road sloped downward.
"But I have a question," Caesar said quietly. "I know… I know it's foolish."
Rui didn't stop walking. "Go on. Ask whatever you want. This journey…"
He glanced sideways at Caesar, a small smile forming.
"This journey will be only yours with me. So ask."
Caesar breathed in nervously. "I know you probably don't believe it but… why is it called the land of beginning? I mean, is it really where everything started? Or do you think otherwise?"
Rui hummed. "Hmmm…"
He scratched the back of his head.
"I never said I don't believe. People exaggerate everything… but look—let's say this is the place where everything started. Even then, it's just land. Normal land. People worship whatever they find even a bit new or interesting."
He scoffed lightly.
"Hell, just recently, my men found a bunch of stone idols. And people found out about it, and suddenly they started calling it God's face, God's essence. They will accept everything God made… except God."
Caesar whispered under his breath, "You're right, my king… people… people are fools."
Rui exhaled. "Alright, enough talking. We should look for an inn."
Before they could take another step forward, a frail voice cracked through the silence.
"Dear gentlemen…"
They turned.
An old lady stood under a dim lamp, her face deeply wrinkled, her back bent, hands trembling slightly as she leaned on a cane.
"If you are looking for rooms for the night," she said gently, "we got you. And don't worry… we don't charge."
Rui frowned. "You shouldn't worry yourself. We will find somewhere else."
"Oh, God… it's really not a worry."
The lady smiled faintly, her voice softening.
"I would be glad to have you both. Please, I insist."
Rui glanced at Caesar.
"I…" Rui muttered quietly. "What do you say, Caesar?"
"My k—"
Caesar froze, clearing his throat.
"Ahem… sorry. I will follow you wherever you go."
Rui nodded once.
"Then, my lady, we would be glad to accept your proposal."
"Wonderful. Let us walk a bit. It's right up there."
They followed her. Rui studied the area. The path darkened as they moved eastward, the roads quiet, the houses fewer and more broken.
Caesar hesitated. "What? You live there? Isn't it called… monster land?"
"Yes, my children," the old lady sighed. "The east of Wandland. The mountain of legends. But you shouldn't worry. It's just a bunch of crap people have spread to make our living miserable."
Rui and Caesar exchanged a glance—but kept walking.
Silence weighed heavily on them until Rui broke it.
"Mam," he said, "why were you in the arriving city this late? What were you doing?"
The old lady stopped for a second. Then chuckled lightly.
"Well… it's just my work. I work here, that's why. And sometimes… it gets very, very late."
Rui narrowed his eyes.
"And what do you work?"
"Haha," she chuckled again, waving a hand.
"Aren't you curious? I work as a bar cleaner. I just happened to see you both while I left."
Rui whispered, "Caesar… keep your senses intact."
"W–why?" Caesar stuttered.
"Don't tremble. I doubt her. But it's not a concern. Just for safety. Keep your mind active."
Caesar nodded, swallowing hard.
The woman stopped again, breathing heavily.
"Uff… we are here. See? It wasn't far. That right there is my small house."
It was small. Very small. Wooden walls patched with mud, roof slightly broken.
"Come on, both. Come inside."
"Sure," Rui said.
"A–as you wish, lord," Caesar added quietly.
"Wonderful," the old lady said. "If you want to get fresh, you will be shocked to know—just behind our house is a river lake. Wash yourselves there. And have you boys eaten anything?"
"Well… e…"
"It's… th…"
"A…"
"Probably not." She smiled warmly.
"Don't worry. I'll make something for you. You just go and get fresh."
"Mam, you shouldn't worry—"
"Worry?" she laughed with a strange tone.
"Oh, dear… it's not worry. We always take care of our… our… our guests."
Rui's eyes narrowed at the slight glitch in her words.
But he nodded.
"Alright then. As you say."
They walked to the river lake behind the house—moonlight shimmering across the water like liquid silver.
Caesar leaned closer. "Isn't this weird? Isn't this… suspicious?"
"Caesar," Rui said without turning.
"Stay put. Don't act unless I say so."
"As… as you say."
"The dinner is ready! Come in!" the lady shouted.
Rui stepped out of the water.
He whispered sharply,
"Listen. Don't open your mouth until I say. Understand?"
"Yes, my king."
"Alright. Let's go."
They entered the small house again.
"Good," the lady smiled, "sit down. I will bring the food."
Caesar sat beside Rui.
"Well, isn't this nice?" he whispered.
"No table, no chair. Eating on the floor… it's kind of soothing."
The old lady brought a big bowl, placing it gently on the ground. On top were plates, old but clean.
"It's not much," she said softly. "I did whatever I could. But it will be sufficient."
She served rice mixed with beans and herbs. Simple. Warm. Fragrant.
Rui didn't waste a second and began eating. Caesar followed.
"This… is really good," Rui said.
"It's delicious."
"Well… it's nice to hear," the lady replied with a soft smile.
"A–ahm—!" Caesar coughed suddenly.
"Careful now," the lady said, fake worry in her tone.
"Rub his back," she added.
Rui helped him. "Are you fine?"
"Yes… sorry. The food got stuck…"
He cleared his throat.
"So… granny… aren't you going to eat?"
"I have already eaten, dear."
Rui finished his food and licked his fingers clean.
"Thank you, mam. You made food for strangers. Very kind of you."
His eyes darkened.
"But," he said as his voice dropped, cold and sharp,
"tell me… why were you following us since we arrived in the city?"
The lady's smile twitched.
She chuckled nervously.
"Huh? Wh–what are you saying? Fo–following you?"
Rui unsheathed his sword slowly.
"I ask again. Why?"
Her voice changed completely.
"A… hufff… oh well."
She leaned back.
"Sit down."
"Not until you tell the truth."
"Oh well."
She sighed.
"Before I answer… if you knew I was following you, why didn't you question me earlier? And why eat my food? It could have been poisonous."
"It isn't," Rui said calmly.
"I have an inherited ability to smell poison. Any type, any amount. And you… you aren't a threat. But I still don't know why you were following us. Are you a spy?"
The lady chuckled.
"Listen… this land of Drakkar, though our home… you may have noticed no movement. No breath of a human. Or even an animal."
"Yes. I sensed very few humans in the city compared to its size."
"But you didn't realize… maybe too careless to… that the other humans were, in fact…"
Rui's eyes narrowed.
"You don't mean…?"
"Yes," she said calmly.
"This mountain you see… is the land of monsters. Monsters once human. Human-eating monsters."
Caesar froze in horror.
"And you," Rui said slowly,
"You mean to say… you're one of them?"
"Well, not really. I use the body odor of dead bodies to resonate with them. Because I—well, we—"
Suddenly, two figures walked in through the entrance.
The lady's back straightened.
Her bent spine corrected.
Her wrinkled face smoothed into youthful skin.
She walked close to Rui, smiling.
"My name is Gloria."
Rui's eyes widened.
"And what," she whispered,
"are you doing here… King Rui?"