The Pillar

Lily spoke to me with a fervent intensity about this peculiar place, known as the Isle, despite its lack of true island status. She recounted tales of a time when this land lay submerged beneath a vast expanse of water, a realm so enveloped that one could scarcely fathom taking a step beyond its borders. By "vast water," I surmised she referred to the sea, and the term "island" suggested a profound isolation. Once you set foot in the Isle, the outside world faded into obscurity; the inhabitants were forbidden from venturing into the inner city of Sidon or any of its streets beyond the Isle's confines.

The reasons behind such a decree remain shrouded in mystery, even to the Isle's own denizens. Some speculate that they are deemed unworthy, like refuse unfit to enter the city's embrace. Yet, this remains mere conjecture, and to this day, no one knows why they are barred from leaving the Isle to seek a better life.

But I cannot linger here forever—not after my transmigration. I refuse to rot in this stagnant existence, trapped in what feels like a prison of cobblestone streets. I must find a way to break free from this confining reality. For now, I will set my sights on survival in these lawless alleys, but the longing for escape will simmer just beneath the surface.

Lily also mentioned that this year is 369, though she cannot recall the month or day. She usually asks someone for the date, but in recent months, she has not encountered the person she typically relies on for such information. It seems the civilization here mirrors that of Earth during the Victorian era; the houses bear the weight of time, and the people don garments reminiscent of a bygone age. Yet, as I observed the passersby, I noticed a few clad in suits that evoke the elegance of that same era—black frock coats, tailored trousers, and high-top hats. They appeared to belong to the upper echelons of the Isle, though their attire was faded and worn, as if inherited from generations past.

I cannot draw any definitive conclusions about this civilization until I explore more developed areas. Yet, thanks to Lily, I have gathered a wealth of information that will help me acclimate to this strange place more swiftly.

"Arthur, are you certain about going there? The rooms at that inn are exorbitantly priced, and I don't have more than a single coin that is not enough," Lily said, her eyes filled with concern. She understood the dire consequences of attempting to enter the inn without the means to pay; humiliation and violence awaited those who dared.

"Don't worry about that; I've got it covered," I replied, a soft smile breaking across my face.

Her relief was palpable, and a flicker of excitement danced in her eyes. Despite her innate caution, she recognized the necessity of being wary in the Isle.

After a half-hour of walking through the winding streets, Arthur and Lily finally arrived at their destination. They stood before a modest two-story building—the inn was unremarkable, occupying a mere one hundred and twenty square meters. Though aged, it remained functional and was considered the best by the standards of the Isle.

The door stood wide open, a silent invitation for new patrons to enter. The low murmur of conversation drifted from within, revealing no more than three souls engaged in quiet discourse.

"Let's head inside," I said, glancing at Lily.

She followed closely behind as I crossed the threshold into the inn. The interior was far from opulent; everything was crafted from hastily assembled, cheap wood, imbued with the scent of age and neglect. Wooden tables and chairs cluttered the first floor, a small stage and reception area visible at the front. This arrangement led me to conclude that the establishment functioned as both a bar and restaurant, with room service offered upstairs. To me, the place seemed antiquated and woefully lacking, but to the people of the Isle, it might have been a veritable paradise.

Lily's eyes sparkled with wonder, her cheeks flushed with excitement. This was her first time entering such a place, and she seemed to drift into a realm of blissful happiness. I couldn't help but sigh, pondering what her reaction would be if she were to witness the marvels of modern civilization. How profoundly shocked she would be! It was a cruel twist of fate that she remained oblivious to such wonders.

Inside the inn, two middle-aged men in frock coats and black trousers were enjoying a breakfast of bread, sausage, and eggs. At another table sat a man in his mid-twenties, clad in a woolen brown shirt and black pants, his strong features capable of intimidating anyone who dared to meet his gaze. He sipped beer in the early morning light, but as we entered, the two men paused their conversation, glancing over at us.

I braced myself for trouble, but to my relief, the two middle-aged men and the young drunkard returned to their meals, oblivious to our presence. The path ahead seemed less fraught with danger than I had anticipated, a small victory I welcomed with open arms.

We approached the counter, where a formidable figure awaited us. The man behind the counter was a towering presence, muscles rippling beneath a snug gray shirt that clung to his frame. His brown pants and the towel draped around his neck only added to his imposing demeanor. He radiated an aura of authority, as though he were the enforcer of some unyielding law, ready to dispense swift justice for any transgression.

"What can I help you with?" The heavy voice of the man behind the counter resonated in Arthur's ears, reverberating like distant thunder.

"We would like two rooms for the two of us," Arthur replied, his soft smile illuminating his handsome features, casting a warm glow even in the dim light of the inn.

This declaration took Lily by surprise. She had anticipated a request for a single room, and the prospect of two left her heart racing with apprehension. Did Arthur have the means to pay for such an expense, or was he merely bluffing?

The muscular man scrutinized Arthur for a few moments, as if weighing his worth. Finally, he spoke, "That will be 2 Nerra and 4 Tenir for a week. You'll need to pay upfront before getting a room."

Two Nerra and four Tenir. I had expected a steep price, but this was beyond my estimation. Four Tenir per day? At least it wasn't three Nerra or something more outrageous. I wondered how Arthur would manage to pay such a sum.

"Ah, I forgot—it's not for both rooms; that's the price for a single room," the muscle-bound man added, his expression unyielding.

Lily's eyes widened in disbelief. Four Nerra and eight Tenir? That was an outrageous sum! With that amount, I could survive for at least a month or two.

The burly man observed the astonishment etched on Arthur and Lily's faces and continued, "If you think you can't pay, then leave. Don't waste my ti—"

But Arthur interjected, his voice steady, "No, we can pay." He maintained his polite smile, which seemed to soften the man's imposing demeanor.

Lily was taken aback. She had seen Arthur without a single possession in the middle of the night and had been with him throughout. Where could he possibly have found the money to cover such an exorbitant cost? 

She watched as Arthur reached into the depths of his pants pocket, her heart racing with uncertainty. Was he merely toying with their fate? But the scene that unfolded next left her jaw hanging in disbelief. Arthur began to extract a cascade of bronze coins, each marked with a 1 digit—Tenir, the official currency of Sidon and the Isle.

The coins seemed to multiply in his hands, more than fifty glinting pieces spilling forth, shimmering like stars in the night sky. Even though the Isle was cut off from the outside world, this currency was a remnant of the civilization beyond its borders, a connection to a life that felt impossibly distant.