A few hours earlier, before Aether found himself chased by animals...
In a quaint wooden cart pulled by a sturdy chestnut horse, a blue-haired boy turned his attention to the mysterious black-dressed girl, "So, Madam, where are you from?" he inquired.
"...." The woman remained silent, her expression unreadable.
The other passengers seated around them couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's unsuccessful attempt to engage the mysterious woman.
The blue-haired boy then turned his attention to the other occupants of the cart, consisting of three middle-aged men and two women, one of whom held a child in her arms, their expressions amused yet sympathetic.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Leon," he announced with a hint of confidence, stealing a quick glance at the black-clad figure who remained fixated on the path ahead.
