The clothing of this era is generally preferred to have less elaborate patterns, it seems.
Luke recalled the outfits of the pedestrians he had seen in the meantime to grasp the rough trend.
In Luke’s time, nobles tended to prefer attire characterized by splendid and beautiful patterns, while plain outfits were mostly worn by commoners.
However, there was no need to specifically seek out extravagant patterns.
In the past, Luke hadn’t been particularly obsessed with the flourish of patterns, and in his later years, he had even relinquished his noble status to live in seclusion, so he had no particular aversion to such plain garments.
While thinking this, Luke moved his eyes continuously, inspecting the outfits in the clothing store.
Overall, although the forms of the clothing had changed in memory, this was likely due to the passage of 5000 years.
“Hmm.”
While looking at those outfits, Luke considered the conditions.
It should be less revealing, and it shouldn’t make him look too young.
He was already treated like a child enough, so he thought it would be better to dress in a more adult manner.
“Indeed, the clothing of this era is all so soft. Such incredible fabric technology.”
In the past, one would have to pay with an equal weight of gold to purchase fabrics of this level.
Moreover, to be able to sell clothes made from such high-quality fabric in such large quantities is astonishing.
In the past, if one wanted clothes made from this type of fabric, they wouldn’t be able to choose a completed outfit like this but would have had to place orders and wait for them to be finished.
“It truly is a remarkable era, after all.”
It is peaceful and prosperous.
To think such a world could exist.
The flow of time was truly amazing.
“Good. This should be suitable.”
Luke entered the fitting room, gently placed the selected outfits in his arms, and quickly yet carefully began to change.
He was cautious not to tear his clothes on the sharp horn protruding from the side of his head.
Thus, the outfits Luke chose were typical of noble attire.
The clothing of the upper class was already familiar to Luke, who had grown up in a noble family.
A skirt and stockings were also one of the symbols of nobility in the past.
“Indeed, this feels much more reassuring.”
As Luke donned the skirt and stockings, he sighed and thought.
To someone like Luke from the past, modern attire that is plain and simple, like those worn by children, was much more embarrassing.
Having skillfully put on his clothes, Luke adjusted his appearance one last time and asked Pai, the spirit watching him from the side.
“Pai, how does it look? Do you think it’s alright?”
-……!
At Luke’s question, Pai nodded with a sound like a flute.
That was a sign of affirmation.
“I’m glad to hear it looks alright.”
Feeling reassured by Pai’s words, Luke exited the fitting room.
“Yerna, what do you think?”
“Uh, Luke. You’ve put it all on….”
She hesitated.
Seeing Luke’s appearance, Yerna was momentarily rendered speechless.
“So, Luke preferred such clothing…!”
She had been worried about Luke’s gloomy expressions every time she went shopping for clothes, which was why she brought him along…
“If he preferred such clothing all along, then the clothes I brought would surely be unsatisfactory….”
She had only envisioned outfits with mage characters and had never expected Luke to like such an adult style.
Seeing Yerna’s expression of surprise, Luke felt flustered.
“Hmm, is it that bad?”
“No, not really….”
“Then it’s the price that’s the issue. I’ll change and come back, so just wait….”
“No, no. Let’s buy that!”
It’s not that price was a concern; in fact, it was slightly more expensive than expected but still well within reasonable limits, and that outfit suited Luke perfectly.
“I wonder if there’s any outfit that wouldn’t suit Luke?”
Any outfit, combined with the childlike innocence and Luke’s adorable appearance, would surely fit well.
“Um, this one can be paid for right?”
Yerna immediately purchased the outfit, paying in full.
——–
The place Luke and Yerna arrived at, dressed in their new outfits, was a residential area.
It was not an extremely tall building like where Yerna lived but a house of about four to five stories.
Could it belong to someone?
“Yerna, where are we?”
“Ah, this is your first time, huh.”
Instead of answering, Yerna smiled slightly and approached the door to press a button.
Then came a sound.
-Ding-Dong!
It was a sound emitted by magic that was clearly transmitted inside.
‘Is it a magical device for summoning a servant? It’s quite simple.’
The information read through magic sight was indeed simple.
The spell was straightforward enough that it didn’t even pique his interest.
However, Pai seemed to enjoy the sound, repeatedly echoing ‘Ding-Dong!’ beside him, laughing.
What meaning did that sound hold for a spirit that made it so amusing for Pai?
Luke couldn’t grasp it.
As he shook his head slightly, a voice came from inside.
“Yee-es, I’m coming out!”
The voice from inside was that of a child.
Moments later, the door burst open, revealing a 7-year-old child with striking red hair dressed in a comfortable t-shirt.
Opening her eyes wide, she beamed a big smile and shouted.
“Yerna Unni! Brother, Yerna Unni is here!”
Then came the sound of hurried footsteps from inside.
“What, what did you say! Tell them to come in and wait a moment! I’ll be out shortly!”
‘So this was Dayton’s house.’
Hearing the voice from inside belonged to Dayton, Luke nodded.
“Sister, she says to wait a moment!”
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know, Diana. Then I’m coming in?”
“Yes!”
The child’s name seems to be Diana.
Calling Dayton ‘Brother’ indicates she is likely his younger sister. She was a cute child who bore little resemblance to Dayton aside from her hair color.
Smiling and patting Diana’s head, Yerna entered the room, at which point Diana’s eyes widened as she finally noticed Luke, who had been hidden behind Yerna.
“Huh? I haven’t seen this sister before!”
“Nice to meet you, Diana. You can call me Luke Ilushi.”
“Luke Unni! Come in quickly!”
With Diana’s bright smile, Luke returned her grin as he stepped inside.
“Thank you so much.”
That bright smile of the child triggered a sudden memory of the past for Luke.
A quiet countryside, a leisurely life…
It was a recollection of living as the village chief of a rural community.
The reason Luke had relinquished his noble title to become the chief of a village was that he realized in his later years that such laughter was genuinely valuable.
To see the smiles of children, who had been regained after defeating the Demon King and ending the war, as closely as possible in everyday life.
In comparison to even a 10 Circle, the pure, heartfelt laughter of a child was nothing.
Escaping from bothersome and troublesome politics, leading a life where he protected the happy smiles of children while giving occasional advice to the seeds of the Ilushi family who might come to visit.
Recalling that memory, Luke felt a warmth envelop his heart.
While being guided to the living room sofa, Luke sat beside Yerna, still reflecting on these thoughts.
“Brother! When are you coming out?”
“Just a moment! I’ll be out soon!”
Both Luke and Yerna exchanged smiles of adults, watching Diana as she stuck her head through the door of the room where Dayton was.
“Brother is still putting on pants! Just wait a little longer!”
“Hey!”
“Twhee! Hehe!”
Watching Diana, who fled from the doorway and started running around the living room, Luke thought to himself.
“Having a younger sister like that would truly be a joy.”
He thought as he slightly closed his eyes.
“If I had candy, I would have given it to her; what a pity.”
Luke recalled a child named Tael, who had always come to buy candy with the leftover change after running errands.
“Those were nostalgic days.”
That kid sometimes came to buy without letting his parents know.
Each time, Luke would have to send him back.
“I wonder what happened to him.”
Hopefully, he lived well for a long time and closed his eyes happily.
“Is there something good happening?”
“Oh, it’s nothing much. Just some old memories came to mind.”
“Old… memories?”
Yerna gasped.
For Luke, “old memories” meant…
“Why do you look so serious?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Having seen the rare smile on Luke’s face, Yerna felt relieved inwardly and thought.
“Ah, thankfully, it’s not a painful memory.”
It was truly fortunate that Luke’s memories of the past seemed to hold some happiness.
“Luke, what memory came to mind?”
“Hmm, nothing much. Just seeing that child’s smile reminded me of a little one I knew back in the day.”
“Oh, I see. You must have been quite close.”
“Yes, we were.”
“I see. What was the child’s name? Should I try to find them later?”
If it were a child close to Luke, there was a high possibility they were also a “victim” of similar circumstances.
If they acted quickly, perhaps they could catch hold of those who had kidnapped Luke.
At the very least, if she could learn a name, it might provide some clue…
“Oh, thank you, but it’s something you don’t need to worry about anymore, so it’s fine.”
However, Luke waved his hand and made a slightly awkward expression.
‘They would be dead by now.’
…That unspoken thought was unnecessary to voice, so Luke swallowed it, yet Yerna was not someone who couldn’t deduce the implications behind it.
Linking her speculation about Luke’s past with the hinted meaning of his words was not a difficult task for Yerna; indeed, it was precisely what Luke had swallowed.
“….”
With a heavy heart, Yerna reached out to stroke Luke’s head.
Seeing the blank expression on Luke’s face, Yerna turned her head, pressed her fingers against the corners of her eyes, and held back her tears.
‘Even at such a young age, experiencing a friend’s death, and yet remaining this composed…’
Was Luke’s remarkable maturity due to having endured such a difficult life?
He must have been a friend who had fought through difficult moments together.
After all, the smile Luke had shown when recalling that memory was so truly happy.
But, what was the end of that…
“Huh? Yerna Unni is crying?”
Diana, who had hurried over, popped her face into Yerna’s view and said.
“I’m not crying. Not at all!”
‘If Luke isn’t crying, then how could I, as an adult, cry?!’
Oblivious to Yerna’s uneducated thoughts, Luke merely wore a puzzled expression as he felt flustered.
