The morning sun was gentle that day, painting the Solheim estate in soft gold. Birds perched along the marble balustrades, their songs weaving faintly with the hum of carriages being prepared outside.
Leon was halfway through breakfast when his eldest brother, Adrian, set down his cup of tea and said casually,
"Leon. You're coming with me today."
Leon blinked. "Huh? Where to?"
Adrian smiled faintly. "A village visit. It's about time you saw how our lands are doing. Father's been too busy lately, so I'm handling it."
He glanced at Leon's posture and added, "You should come. It'll be good for you."
A visit to the Solheim territory? Leon hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Alright… I'll go."
The carriage rolled through the estate gates, its wheels crunching softly over gravel. Leon leaned against the window, eyes widening as the Solheim estate faded into open country.
Fields stretched endlessly on both sides — waves of golden wheat rippling under the morning light. Farmers moved rhythmically among them, their laughter carried by the wind.
Leon's eyes softened. "It's… beautiful."
The air was fresh untouched by the smoke and noise of the city he remembered from his previous life. A life of cramped rooms, flickering screens, and glowing monitors.
He chuckled quietly. "So this is what the outside really looks like…"
Adrian glanced at him from across the carriage, amused. "You act like you've never been outside before."
Leon's smile was small but wistful. "Maybe… I just never paid attention."
When they arrived, the village was already bustling. Children ran between cottages, merchants shouted friendly greetings, and the scent of baked bread filled the air.
Leon stepped down from the carriage, blinking against the sunlight.
The moment the villagers spotted Adrian, they immediately bowed and greeted him warmly.
"Lord Adrian!"
"Welcome back, young master!"
Adrian waved humbly, exchanging a few kind words. Despite being of noble blood, there was no arrogance in his tone — only familiarity and warmth.
Leon stayed behind him, observing quietly. The villagers' faces were open, genuine.
He recalled the lore from the game — House Solheim: A minor noble house known for fairness and integrity, respected by the people but uninvolved in major political plots.
He had thought it was just flavor text back then, something easily skipped.
But seeing it now — living, breathing — he felt something stir inside him.
Maybe this world wasn't meant to be "beaten."
Maybe it was meant to be understood.
While Adrian went off to speak with the local elder, Leon wandered through the streets.
The stone-paved paths curved gently between thatched-roof homes. Vendors waved as he passed, offering fruit or handmade trinkets.
He politely refused at first — until a group of children caught his attention.
They were playing by the riverbank, chasing each other with wooden sticks that resembled toy swords. Laughter echoed across the water.
When they saw Leon, they froze.
"Uh… M-Milord?" one of the boys stammered, bowing so fast he nearly fell over.
The others followed, fidgeting nervously.
Leon blinked, then laughed softly. "No need for that. I'm not going to scold you."
They exchanged confused looks. Nobles weren't supposed to talk to them — not like this, at least.
Leon crouched down, smiling. "Mind if I join your game?"
The children stared, mouths agape, before a bold little girl with braids asked, "You… really want to play with us?"
"Why not?" Leon grinned. "I'm not that scary, am I?"
They hesitated — then erupted into cheers. "Okay!"
Minutes passed in a blur of laughter and dust.
Leon found himself chasing the kids across the grass, wooden sticks clashing like mock swords. He exaggerated his movements, letting himself be "defeated" more than once, earning triumphant cheers from the little ones.
Their laughter rang like bells.
For the first time in years — across both lives — Leon genuinely laughed, too.
He didn't feel the crushing weight of loneliness from his streamer days. No empty chat mocking him, no cold glow of a monitor staring back.
Only sunlight, warmth, and laughter.
"Hey, mister!" one of the boys said, tugging his sleeve. "You're strong, but you fight weird!"
Leon chuckled. "Weird, huh? Guess I'll have to learn from you."
The boy giggled. "You're funny for a noble."
"Then I'll take that as a compliment."
After a while, Adrian's voice called from the distance.
"Leon! Time to go!"
Leon waved to the kids, smiling. "Looks like that's my cue."
"Aww…" the children groaned. "You'll play again, right?"
He hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yeah. I will."
The way their faces lit up made his chest tighten in a way he didn't expect.
He turned and jogged back to where Adrian stood waiting by the carriage. The elder brother's arms were crossed, but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Well," Adrian said, eyeing Leon's dusty clothes and smudged cheeks. "Looks like the young master of Solheim made quite the impression."
Leon scratched his head, embarrassed. "Guess I got carried away."
Adrian laughed softly, patting his shoulder. "That's not a bad thing. You've changed, Leon."
Leon looked up. "Changed?"
"Yeah. The old you would've stayed in the carriage the whole time."
The words hit deeper than Adrian probably intended. Leon turned toward the fields again, where the wind rippled through the golden wheat like a living sea.
"Maybe I just… wanted to know what living actually feels like," he murmured.
Adrian didn't reply immediately. But after a pause, he smiled faintly.
"Then keep feeling it," he said. "That's what makes us human, Leon."
The carriage rolled away from the village, the cheers of the children fading behind them. Leon leaned his head against the window, watching as the golden fields stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
His reflection flickered faintly against the glass the faint shimmer of his two systems barely visible like ghostly overlays.
The Dark Knight's voice was quiet this time.
"Strange… You fight monsters in battlefields, yet play with children in the dirt."
The Sorcerer's calm reply followed.
"Perhaps that's what makes him different. He seeks strength not from conquest… but from connection."
Leon smiled faintly. "You two sure talk a lot."
"You're welcome," said the Sorcerer, amused.
"Hmph. Don't get soft," the Dark Knight muttered. "Emotions won't save you in battle."
Leon closed his eyes, the sound of the carriage wheels fading into rhythm.
"Maybe not," he whispered. "But they'll remind me what I'm fighting for."
And for the first time, both spirits fell silent as if quietly agreeing.