Ace snapped out of his deep thoughts, lifting his head as though her words had pulled him from a trance. He looked at her with anticipation and asked:
"What is it?"
"You can stay at my house for a while. You won't have to worry about food or a place to sleep."
Her words struck him like lightning. He stared at her face, searching for any sign that she was joking. But her expression was completely serious. His face twisted into a mixture of surprise, concern, and unease. The simplicity of her offer carried layers of complications he wasn't ready to face.
"Thank you for your generosity, but... don't you think letting a stranger stay in your home is risky?"
"Of course! I don't let just anyone in. But you're a respectable young man—I can tell. My instincts have never failed me when it comes to people."
There was a calm spark in her eyes and a steady tone in her voice that left no room for misinterpretation. Yet, despite her confidence, Ace wasn't entirely convinced. He felt something contradictory about her—a strange mixture of innocence and certainty, of impulsiveness and wisdom. Part of him wanted to trust her intuition; another part warned him she was still just a child who might make reckless decisions.
He wondered if her maturity was real or just a mask hiding inexperience. But regardless of the answer, Ace realized he had no other options. His situation didn't allow for hesitation—it demanded that he seize any opportunity. He had no choice but to accept the hand offered to him with such certainty. Finally, he broke his silence and asked cautiously:
"And what do you want in return?"
Her eyes sparkled, as if she had been waiting for that question. She stepped closer—so close he instinctively stepped back. Her expression was eager before she proclaimed loudly enough for passersby to hear:
"I want your clothes!"
Time seemed to freeze. Her words unleashed a storm of shock—not just for him, but for the onlookers whose eyes widened in disbelief. Ace stepped back again, his face a mix of confusion and discomfort, and managed to utter a flustered:
"W–what?"
Whispers spread around them as everyone tried to make sense of what was happening between the young man and the little girl. Emilia, realizing the misunderstanding, blushed deeply and waved her hands in a flurry to correct the situation:
"Oh no! That sounded weird, didn't it?"
She rushed to explain, trying to avert the small scandal she had accidentally caused:
"I meant the clothes you left at my house earlier!"
Ace raised his brows, his face flushing with embarrassment as he realized how her words could be taken. The people around them exchanged knowing glances. He quickly grabbed her hand and led her down a nearby alley to continue the conversation in private, while the suspicious eyes of the crowd followed them. Emilia, meanwhile, stared at his back. Her gaze drifted to his hand—his grip was neither harsh nor forceful, but warm and gentle, a mix of firmness and care. It felt like his hand told a story of past experience, and she was suddenly overwhelmed with a strange sense of nostalgia.
Once they entered the alley, Ace let out a long sigh, as if releasing a hidden burden. He turned to her, noticing that she was still looking at her hand, as if recalling an old memory. He said quickly:
"I get it! You want my clothes as payment for letting me stay at your house. But... are they really worth that much? Even if they're not torn, they hold little value."
Emilia smiled and replied:
"That doesn't matter. I just want to study their measurements and details so I can make similar clothes. I'm sure once I finish, I'll have plenty of buyers." She winked and added, "Let's call it a smart investment."
After she said that, Ace looked at her differently again. She wasn't the impulsive girl he had assumed—she had a sharp business mind far beyond her appearance. He wondered how a child could think that way—to see opportunity in what others dismissed as worthless. And yet, he couldn't help but ask another question, as if testing the reality he struggled to grasp. He examined her closely and asked in a serious tone:
"But... is that acceptable here? I mean, inviting a young man to stay with you—won't that raise suspicion and harm your reputation?"
A moment of silence passed before she answered without the slightest hesitation, leaving no room for doubt:
"People might think the wrong thing, sure. But I don't care. I'm a mature girl, and I do what I believe is best for me."
Ace continued to study her confident face, questioning whether her supposed maturity was genuine or just a mask hiding her lack of life experience. He had met many who pretended to be wise when they were not, but Emilia was different. There was something in her stance and gaze that radiated conviction. She then raised her hand, as if cutting through his thoughts before he could object further, and said with an unyielding tone:
"Please, don't think I'm reckless or unaware of what's appropriate for my age. Let me assure you again—I wouldn't have proposed this if I didn't feel you were someone I could trust. And I'm sure of that!"
Ace stood in silence for a moment, then finally surrendered to her unwavering trust. He exhaled softly and said in a low, decisive voice:
"Alright. If that's what you want, I'll accept your offer."
As soon as he said it, her eyes lit up, and a smile bloomed on her lips—not just a sign of satisfaction, but of triumph. A blend of two joys shone through: one she recognized, and another she couldn't quite name.
5
As the silence between them took on a new shape of unspoken understanding, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. Sounds erupted from the market—an uproar unlike before, sharper and more fervent. They stepped out of the narrow alley and found crowds of people rushing in a single direction, as though an unseen force was pulling them toward a common point.
They followed the masses, arriving at a vast square that pulsed as the heart of the market. The crowd was dense, people jostling and shouting with anticipation as if awaiting a long-expected event. Emilia gazed at the scene, then let out a quiet sigh, her expression starkly different from the crowd's excitement. In a voice tinged with indifference, she said:
"Oh, so it's started."
Ace turned to her, puzzled.
"What's going on?" he asked.
She crossed her arms over her chest and answered matter-of-factly,
"Looks like the preparations for the annual tournament have begun early this year."
"The annual tournament?"
She looked up at him and said,
"Yes, it's a competition held every year in town. Fighters from all over come to compete in various matches, and the winner receives a large cash prize."
"And how much is the prize?"
She tilted her head upward, placing a finger on her lip as if trying to recall something amid the noise.
"I think the prize last year was 10,000 silver coins."
Ace's eyes widened. He couldn't hide his surprise at the amount. That kind of money could change his situation and save him a great deal of time. He then asked again, his voice filled with pressing curiosity:
"Why is this tournament held in the first place?"
Her small eyes sparkled, as if she had been given another chance to showcase her knowledge.
"It's held to gather powerful fighters from all over the country into one place, where they can be offered tempting deals to stay in the town."
"So, it's to strengthen the town's security?"
She raised her eyebrows and nodded approvingly, her tone firm:
"Exactly! The more strong fighters and warriors reside here, the less likely criminals and bandits can act without punishment. That doesn't just protect the townspeople—it also keeps our trade caravans, which are the town's lifeline, safe."
After her explanation, Ace turned his gaze to the square, where something was clearly captivating the crowd. In the center, a group of large wooden blocks—scarred and cracked, as if bearing the marks of past battles—were being assembled. It took several workers to lift or push each one. They were stacking them side by side, forming what appeared to be the arena where the tournament would be held. From their size and shape, Ace guessed they had been cut from the massive trees in the forest they had passed through.