🏚️ ARC30: The place that was supposed to be safe

When she returned to the village, the first thing she noticed was—quiet.

Not the quiet of relief.

The quiet of held breath.

It was daytime, and yet there was no one in the square.

Doors were shut, and only eyes watched through narrow gaps in windows.

Being watched.

Not welcome.

Not hostility, either.

—Checking.

“She’s here…”

Someone whispered.

Who it was meant for,

she didn’t know—yet the air went taut.

More requests on the board than yesterday.

But at the very top,

a new sheet had been pinned.

A red mark.

Target—

Road Returnee.

Her fingers stopped.

The text was simple.

“At night, combat accompanied by an abnormal surge of magical power was confirmed.

　Eliminate the cause.”

Eliminate.

The word felt strangely cold.

“...Fast.”

The murmur reached no one.

A presence shifted behind her.

When she turned,

the smith from yesterday was standing there.

His gaze was on her sword.

“It started after you came back.”

A low voice.

“The monsters changed.”

“They come closer, right.”

“...Into the village.”

For an instant, her breath stopped.

“Last night, they crossed the fence at the edge.

　No damage. But—”

The sentence cut off there.

He didn’t say more than necessary.

He didn’t blame her.

But the fact was laid down.

—The center had shifted.

Something deep in Lumia warmed, faintly.

Not anger.

Not panic, either.

Understanding.

They’re coming closer.

Not from outside, but—

toward her.

Somewhere beyond the square, a child cried.

Immediately, someone scooped them up.

Their eyes met.

Not fear.

Wariness.

“...No.”

Not to anyone in particular.

And yet she knew.

It wasn’t wrong.

The monsters are learning.

When to close the distance.

Density.

Night.

And—

the “safety” called a village.

The smith said, low.

“You’re going west.”

He wasn’t surprised.

The rumor is already walking.

“If you stay here, you’ll draw them.”

She couldn’t deny it.

“...I know.”

She slowly peeled the notice down.

Road Returnee.

She almost laughed.

She only came back.

But the place she returned to

wasn’t the same village anymore.

Lumia stood in the middle of the square.

She didn’t let the light out.

She didn’t draw her sword, either.

She only looked around.

“Tonight, I’ll fight outside.”

Not meant for anyone.

Even so, a presence beyond the doors wavered.

“I won’t let them into the village.”

Not a declaration.

Not an apology.

A choice.

The smith nodded once.

“Then go. Now.”

Words that pushed her back.

Lumia left the village.

The moment she passed the gate,

the air felt lighter.

No.

The weight became clear.

Far off, magic pulsed.

Closer than yesterday.

Undeniably.

The village was no longer safe.

But that wasn’t

only because of the monsters.

—Because she was here.

Lumia touched her sword.

West.

The thing too close to see.

Before she goes to see it,

once more,

a night of being tested will come.

— Lumi🪄💕