Morning sunlight spilled through the cracks of the wooden window, painting faint lines across Leon's face.
He blinked his eyes open, half expecting to see his sister's hand flying toward him like yesterday but for once, he'd beaten her to it.
"Ha," he muttered to himself, smirking as he sat up. "Not this time."
Downstairs, the smell of breakfast already filled the air. He washed quickly and went down before his sister could yell.
"Morning," he greeted as he took his seat.
His mother smiled. "Good morning, dear."
His sister, looking mildly impressed, arched a brow. "You're early. I was about to come get you."
"Yeah, well, I value my life," he said, earning a chuckle from their father.
The family began eating, the familiar warmth of their chatter filling the small dining room. But partway through the meal, his father looked up from his plate.
"Leon," he said.
"Yes, Father?"
"I'm heading to the city today to sell the harvest. Your brother's got errands, so I'll need an extra hand. You up for it?"
Leon blinked. The city? His heart skipped. He hadn't seen it yet the first city mentioned in the game's early chapters.
He nodded immediately. "Of course."
His father smiled. "Good. Finish up and meet me outside when you're ready."
The wagon waiting outside was larger than the one he and his brother used for the fields. Wooden crates filled with grains and produce were stacked in neat rows. Leon helped his father secure the ropes and tie the barrels, the morning wind cool against their faces.
Once everything was loaded, they climbed aboard, and the wagon creaked forward.
The countryside rolled by in waves of green and gold, the sound of hooves steady and rhythmic. Leon leaned slightly out, feeling the soft breeze hit his face. The sky was a clear blue no smog, no noise, no city horns. Just birds, wind, and the faint laughter of children playing in the distance.
He couldn't help but breathe deeply. So this is what peace smells like.
His father glanced over, smiling faintly. "Feels good, doesn't it?"
Leon nodded. "Yeah… better than I imagined."
His father chuckled. "You sound like an old man."
They both laughed, and the rest of the ride passed quietly.
When the walls of the city came into view, Leon felt a strange mix of excitement and awe.
Tall stone gates stood open, guarded by men in simple armor. Beyond them, streets buzzed with life merchants shouting, carts rolling, children darting between stalls. The smell of bread and roasted meat filled the air.
It wasn't huge like the cities he knew in his past life, but it was alive vibrant in a way modern cities had long forgotten.
His father parked the wagon near the market square and began unloading their goods. "I'll handle the selling. Here," he said, handing Leon a few small silver coins. "Go look around. Buy something if you want. Don't wander too far."
"I won't," Leon said, pocketing the coins.
He walked off, weaving through the crowd. Everything fascinated him the handmade tools, the colorful fruits, the strange fabrics. It felt surreal to walk through what used to be just pixels and dialogue boxes on a screen.
Then, as he turned a corner near a quieter part of the market, he saw her.
A girl, no older than fifteen, sat against a stone wall.
Her blonde hair caught the sunlight like threads of gold, though it was messy and dull from dust. Her blue eyes were clear, calm too calm for someone begging with a small wooden bowl in her lap. Her white dress was torn in places, but clean.
Something about her tugged at his memory instantly.
Wait… no way. That's… the Saintess.
He froze, heart pounding. In the game, the Saintess was one of the Hero's closest allies a healer blessed by the divine, destined to change the course of the war.
But right now, she was just a poor girl on the street.
He hesitated only for a second before walking over.
The girl looked up, startled. "Oh… um, good day, sir," she said softly, voice barely above a whisper.
Leon smiled faintly and knelt down. Without a word, he pulled out all the coins his father had given him and placed them gently into her bowl.
Her eyes widened. "W-wait this is too much!" she said, reaching to give them back. "Please, I can't accept"
"It's fine," Leon said with a smile. "If you really don't want it, you can just donate it to the church."
She blinked, her lips parting in surprise. For a moment, she just stared at him, uncertain how to react. Then, slowly, a genuine smile spread across her face.
"Thank you," she said softly. "You're… very kind."
Leon stood, scratching the back of his neck. "Don't mention it."
He gave her a small wave before walking away, his heart still racing.
Behind him, the girl stared at the coins, then looked up to where he'd gone.
"…Thank you, kind stranger," she murmured, her voice barely reaching the wind.
When Leon returned to the wagon, his father was already done with the sale, counting coins with a satisfied grin.
"Everything's loaded and sold. Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Leon said, climbing aboard.
As the wagon rolled out of the city, his father glanced sideways at him. "So, what did you spend your money on?"
Leon hesitated. "I… gave it to a beggar."
His father blinked, then laughed. "All of it?"
"Yeah."
"You really are something, Leon. I don't know whether to scold you or be proud."
Leon grinned sheepishly. "It felt like the right thing to do."
His father just shook his head, smiling. "Well, it was your money. Just don't come asking me for more later."
The rest of the trip was filled with easy conversation, the kind that warmed the heart without needing much meaning.
By the time they reached home, dusk had settled again. His mother was waiting at the door, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Welcome back. How was the city?"
Leon's father laughed as he stepped down from the wagon. "Ask your son. He gave all his spending money to a beggar!"
"What? Really?" his sister said, peeking out from the kitchen with an incredulous grin.
Leon groaned. "It wasn't a big deal."
"Oh, sure. Next time you'll be giving away the whole harvest," she teased, chuckling as she went back to help their mother.
His father patted his shoulder. "Don't mind them. You did a good thing, son."
Later that night, as Leon lay in bed, he couldn't stop thinking about the girl's face her calm eyes, her faint smile, and the way she thanked him.
In the game, she was fated to meet the Hero years later not him.
But now… he'd changed that.
He smiled faintly in the dark.
Maybe this time, things really will be different.