Kuro returned to his room to find that Cinti had laid out a new set of clothes on his bed. These were much higher quality than the last set. There were fresh undergarments, a tunic, black pants and matching gloves, a wool undershirt with chainmail sewn on, and dark leather boots.

  As he examined them, thinking the chainmail was an odd addition, it began to dawn on him how lucky he was to be placed in this house. Maybe the Administrator was actually looking out for him, even if she was sort of rude.

  If everyone in this world was as kind as Cinti, he doubted life could get very bad here at all.

  Once he’d dressed, he went out to meet his hostess. She had exchanged the baggy, casual clothes for her usual light green and yellow-gold trim surcoat. Except now, she was armored down to the teeth. Bulky pauldrons over her shoulders connected to a breastplate by rondels. There were vambraces on each arm extending into heavy gauntlets, and guarding her hips and thighs were thick plate armour. A sword and shield were mounted on her back, and a shortbow and corresponding quiver on either side of her hips.

  For some reason he felt like teasing her.

  “What, no war hammer today?”

  She tutted, taking him seriously as usual.

  “War hammers are not for hunting.”

  As she spoke, she walked over, pulled down and smoothed his sleeves, and then folded his collar.

  “A bit tight in the mid section, aye?” she said, slapping his gut.

  Hot embarrassment flooded his throat, choking any comeback he might have given. A weak smile crawled up one side of his face. But Cinti was all smiles as she looked him over like a proud teacher.

  “It fits and that’s what matters. Here take this. The final piece.”

  She grabbed a shield and shortsword off the coffee table and dropped them into his arms. The weight made him teeter slightly, but he quickly righted and tried not to look like it had caught him off-guard.

  He pulled the blade from its scabbard, which was built directly into the back of the shield, and tested its weight. Satisfied that he could handle it without issue, he put it away.

  “It’s a little much for killing rats, don’t you think?”

  Cinti shook her head with a knowing smirk.

  “Can never be too prepared. Speaking of which, our gear is by the door. That pack is yours.”

  Bracing himself, Kuro hoisted a bag and satchel over his shoulders with a grunt. He shot her a thumbs up.

  As she headed through the door, the light spilling on her golden hair, he felt his earlier appreciation burning the back of his throat.

  “Cinti, wait.”

  She turned, and he glanced away. Surprisingly, he hesitated to say the words with her looking directly at him.

  “Well… I just want to thank you. For everything. It really means a lot to have someone looking out for me.”

  But she only waved him away with a little chuckle, like it was just another errand she had to run throughout her day. Natural. Unobtrusive.

  “Just consider it an investment into your future,” she said, still smiling reassuringly. “One day you’ll be a great and powerful summoner with an army under your control, so I want you to remember me fondly if you take over the world.”

  Kuro stared at her, not sure how to take that. A half-smile and wide-eyed stare full of confusion was all he could muster. Cinti led the way down the front path, giving Kuro some time to think about what she’d said. Could he really have that kind of power at his disposal? A sceptical laugh slipped out and he jokingly said, “Cinti, of course I’d think of you fondly. And maybe I’ll even make you my queen.”

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  She stopped abruptly at the front gate which was swinging wide open as he strolled past, obliviously dreaming of a fantasy life in a grand castle surrounded by a harem. But he could have sworn he heard her whisper, “A girl can dream.”

  It set his pores at attention. Still, he didn't know if he was hearing things and kept his mouth shut.

  They walked the road to the village in silence. But once they got to the first stretch of houses, an oppressive weight bore down on him. Village women walking by in dresses and bonnets hurried past, turning their shoulders away and their noses up. Not even the men made eye contact.

  Kuro glanced around. He was picking up whispers growing more brazen as they went on. One lady pulled her young daughter aside, and the girl made a repulsed expression.

  Kuro let out an awkward laugh, muttering, “A little cold, aren’t they… Why are they looking at us like we’re the scum of the Earth?”

  Cinti had her gaze locked straight ahead. Her softness had hardened into an unbreakable focus.

  “Hm?” she mumbled. “Well, obviously you’re a strange man who just appeared out of the blue and lives with the village virgin. That’s bound to get a few rumours going, especially in the countryside.”

  She patted him on the shoulder. “Just ignore them.”

  But Kuro’s eyes went wide with understanding, then anger at the people gossiping in plain sight.

  “Cinti… I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about how I was damaging your reputation.”

  Thoughts of his own social ruin plagued him and he cringed. He never wanted to be the cause of that kind of pain for Cinti. Running beneath his concern was the other part of her statement.

  “Virgin… virgin… virgin…”

  He shook his head, trying to banish the word that was now violently bouncing around in his mind.

  “My reputation won’t change even with you in the picture,” she said.

  “What do you mean?” Kuro asked.

  “Reputation can only get you so far, and in some situations, it can't help at all. I've tried it all, being more feminine, being sweet, being the considerate friend, praying, crying, begging… Nothing changed. Men want beautiful women, and if you're not that, you're alone.”

  “But you’re—”

  “Don't, do that,” she said, stressing each word. “Maybe where you come from, men are into muscle-bound freaks. Here though? They're definitely not. I've accepted my position and the last thing I need is hope. So, thank you for trying to be kind, but please don't.”

  Kuro wanted to comfort her. He genuinely thought she was gorgeous, but there was no way to get through to her right then.

  “It's not the end of the world. You're only sixteen. There’s lots of time and you honestly don't need to be worried about that kind of thing yet.”

  Cinti whipped around at him wearing a face he'd only ever seen in memes.

  “What are you on about? Most girls are married and settled down by ten! I already told you I'm a grown woman.”

  “Ten?!”

  Kuro looked appalled, like someone had kicked his puppy.

  It was only then that he considered the matter of time. Maybe time ran differently here. Tentatively, he asked, “Cinti… how long is a day here?”

  “Twenty-five hours. What kind of question is that?”

  “And how many days in a year?”

  “Seven hundred.”

  Kuro blinked rapid-fire, coming to a stop in the middle of the road.

  He smacked a hand over his mouth and sighed deeply.

  “Ooooh-kay. This is finally starting to make sense. You're actually in your thirties by my time, but still, you don’t look at a day over twenty.”

  She made another disgusted face and quickly replaced it with an uncertain smile.

  “Uh, I’m not sure how to feel about that, but I suppose you’re not calling me an old woman by your own standards so… thank you?”

  They had cleared the boundaries of the village, approaching the outskirts near the bridge. Kuro remembered her hopping off her bicycle and stifled a laugh. Young or old, Cinti was definitely spirited.

  As the pair crossed, her posture shifted. Her shoulders and legs tensed and there was a spring in the arc of her back.

  She glanced back at the rolling hills, tiny farms, and peaceful Gingerbread-style cottages one last time. Kuro followed her gaze.

  Although he now knew better, the countryside appeared picture perfect.

  “Are you ready to see the city of the high elves?” Cinti scoffed.

  Kuro didn't know why she did. but the idea of high elves made him light up. He nodded like crazy.

  With a brisk flourish, Cinti strode ahead, leading their party of two into the depths of the forest.