Five days have passed since the princess squad left Titania, and their journey is progressing slower than they anticipated.
Sherry chose to wear her clothes from the festival, which made her too cold.
Meanwhile, Isaac constantly complained about the heat during the trip, but refused to take off his robes to fix it.
Ryuu fought back his irritation while leading them forward day and night, and now, they’ve finally reached a small road used by merchants.
The three of them sit under a nearby tree in the forest and sip on water.
Their enormous flasks are beginning to run dry after being filled two days ago, but the promise of civilization brings a spark of hope back into the group.
“Sir Ryuu, which way should we go?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Isaac which way the map says?”
Sherry turns to Isaac expectantly.
“Uh… Well, that sign over there is pointing in two different directions. Doesn’t that mean there are villages on both sides..?”
“Yes, but we have no idea how far they are, or if they even have anywhere for us to rest.”
Isaac sighs and runs his fingers over the map again.
“It looks like the closest one is farther southwest… We should get there in an hour or two if we stay on the move.”
Ryuu grins and hops to his feet.
“Alright! Let’s get moving!”
His friends groan and climb off the ground, then follow close behind him along the forested road.
******
They break out of the forest within the hour and come out over a hilltop.
Half a mile ahead, nestled in a wide valley, a small village bustles with life.
Smoke from chimneys and the noise of everyday life greets them in the distance, refueling their bodies as they give one last spurt of energy.
The three of them sprint down the hill and charge into the village, glancing in every direction for somewhere to sit and eat.
Where?!
Where?!
Come on, I’m starving!
I don’t want to think about nuts or berries ever again!
After rounding a few corners, Ryuu stops in place as a familiar sign catches his attention.
It reads “The Empty Barrel”, bringing back memories of a time before he met Ilene.
“Hey, let’s try here! I bet this place has something good!”
Sherry and Isaac follow him without hesitation, stepping into the tavern while their stomachs rumble.
The interior is classically decorated, making use of scattered square tables and locally-made paintings, giving it a small town feel.
Since the sun is still high in the sky, there isn’t much business, but that doesn’t stop them from taking the center table and eagerly waiting.
A door in the back soon swings open, and a woman in a simple red dress steps out to greet them.
Her grin is infectious, and the chestnut ponytail tied high on her head gives her a cheerful appearance.
“How can I help you- AH! You’re that guy from before!”
She points at Ryuu with disbelief, while he grins sheepishly in response.
“Hey there. I’m back…”
Sherry and Isaac glance at each other as the woman recollects herself.
She eventually calms down, then walks over to Ryuu, bending down and getting in his face.
“Why did you run away before? After saving me and protecting the tavern, you thought you could just scamper off without letting us repay you?”
“U-um, I just didn’t want to cause you all any more trouble, so…”
“What are you talking about?! If it wasn’t for you, that guy would have robbed the place for sure! Please, you have to let me repay you somehow!”
“I’m not sure-”
“We need a place to stay.”
Sherry speaks up from her seat at the table.
“We’ve been traveling for some days now, and haven’t had a proper meal or rest. Do you know somewhere we could stay after this?”
The cheery woman nods with a thumbs up.
“You bet I do! My gramps has some spare room at his place. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind my savior and his friends staying over for a night.”
“Really? Thank you!” Sherry graciously replies.
Isaac holds his stomach while waiting for them to finish, then the brown-haired woman steps back toward the kitchen.
“My name’s Lucy. If you need me, just call for me, okay?”
Lucy goes to fix them a meal, while Sherry asks Ryuu for an explanation.
He quickly recounts the time he’d stumbled in here for a meal–much like now–and had a run-in with an Outlaw.
He doesn’t spare the detail of him winning with one hit, but happens to forget the part where he took money from the man’s pocket afterward.
“Wow, Sir Ryuu! It seems your history of heroics began long before I met you!”
“It’s nothing like that. I just didn’t like how the guy was acting so I hit him. I think a lot of people would call that kind of thing immature.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t matter when it’s done for justice! You had no choice but to strike down evil!”
“I’m gonna become evil soon if I don’t eat something…”
Isaac groans with his head on the table as Sherry rambles.
They wait a few more minutes, then Lucy returns with three steaming plates atop her arms.
“Sorry about the wait! Here you are: three of this week’s special!”
A large plate of pasta topped with some kind of dark sauce sits in front of them, along with a mug of ale and some bread on the side.
Ryuu and Isaac dig in immediately, while Sherry thanks Lucy for the meal, then joins them with surprising intensity.
The group finishes their meals in less time than they had waited for them, then lean back in their chairs as they instantly become drowsy.
“Oh my, was it really that good?”
“It was the best… Thanks, Lucy.”
“Hee-hee, you’re welcome, Mister Ryuu. Since you wouldn’t introduce yourself, I had to overhear your friend here say your name for me.”
“Ah. My bad.”
She shrugs and hugs a tray close to her chest.
“This place doesn’t get busy until the sun sets, so I can close up real quick and bring you guys to the place I mentioned before. It looks like you need a nap.”
“Yes, please. That’d be a big help.”
She leads the Blade and his friends out of the tavern and closer to the center of the village.
While most of the houses are one-story–made with brick and clay–the house they’re brought to stands above the others, and is made entirely of dark wood.
It’s clearly a sign of status in this small village, causing Ryuu to side-eye Lucy.
“You aren’t secretly rich are you?”
“Rich? No, my grandpa is the chief. It may not be as extravagant of a position as a city’s duke or duchess, but a leader will always live comfortably.”
“Well, that’s true. It’s just surprising, that’s all.”
Lucy winks and waves them ahead.
“My family is pretty diverse. I’m used to seeing all kinds of people pass through here, but you in particular got stuck in my mind, Mister Ryuu.”
The imposing door ahead swings open easily enough, allowing the princess squad to pass through.
They’re led through a long hall filled with portraits and framed documents, as well as the occasional suit of armor.
Toward the back of the mansion, two thick doors stand slightly ajar, and a soft light pours through the gap.
“Okay, wait here for a moment.”
Lucy moves ahead through the doors while the others wait outside.
A few moments pass, then she returns with an easygoing smile.
“Alright, come on in. Let me introduce you.”
She pushes the doors farther apart, revealing a deep hall with a large chair positioned at the far back.
A velvety red rug leads to the chair from the entrance, which the four of them walk across at an even pace.
Once they get halfway across the room, Lucy stops and bows her head.
“Good afternoon, Chief Garfield. I’ve brought a few people with me who want to ask you a favor, and it is my wish that you at least hear them out.”
She gestures toward Ryuu and the others, who clumsily smile and wave.
“Do you remember the incident at the tavern a couple months ago? This white-haired man is Ryuu, the one who saved me.”
Chief Garfield–a man with sunken eyes and a stubby white beard–lounges in his wooden chair at the end of the room.
A couple of advisors whisper in his ears, but he waves them off and stands.
“I see. So you are the one known as Dragon Blade, the record holder for the fastest ascension to Intermediate-Tier as both an A’yang and M’yin in the Northern Reaches. I’m honored to have you here in my home.”
“Likewise, sir. I’m surprised you know of me.”
“Anyone that reads the paper knows of you by now, son. It’s said that you reached Intermediate-Tier with only two weeks of training, and you were a central figure in the defense of Mahora during a terrorist attack. There was recently an unprecedented wave of attack on the major cities as well, and I heard you helped Titania this time. It seems trouble follows you around.”
“It does, doesn’t it.”
The chief’s dark robes shift as he shuffles a bit closer, then he addresses Ryuu more directly.
“Why have you come here, and who have you brought with you?”
“These are my traveling partners, Isaac and Sherry. We’re here because we were hoping to find a place to rest comfortably for the night, and when we voiced our worries, Lucy kindly offered this option.”
Lucy looks away with a smile as the chief glances at her, then he sighs and motions for one of his advisors.
They bring him a pipe, already prepared, and he puffs it for a short while before finally giving an answer.
“As long as you agree not to go on a late-night adventure in my home, then I don’t see any issue with you staying here for a night. I’d like to thank you for what you did for my granddaughter any way I can, and it wouldn’t hurt to form a good relationship with someone as promising as yourself.”
Ryuu grins and bows his head, prompting his friends to follow suit.
“Thank you, sir. We promise to remain respectful of your property.”
Garfield grunts and waves his pipe at Lucy.
“Show them where they’ll be staying. Since you’ll be busy with the tavern this evening, it’s best if they get settled right away.”
He returns to his seat without waiting for a response, then Lucy quickly leads them back to the doors they came through.
Two large staircases stretch up to their immediate left, with a beautiful stained-glass window positioned between them.
It depicts a scaly creature descending from the heavens and unleashing its breath upon the land, yet instead of burning, the land sprouts with life.
“What is that, Lucy?” Ryuu inquires.”
“It’s the dragon king, blessing Bexter with bountiful seasons for years to come.”
“They’re sort of like a god to us. In the ancient texts and stories that have been passed down in this village since its creation, there are multiple mentions of a winged creature as dark as the night itself that descends from the sky and grants us its blessing. It’s said that one day, the creature will return and save Bexter once again in a time of despair, but faith in that story has dwindled over the centuries.”
“Interesting… Do you believe it?”
“I do. You’re free to think I’m odd for that, but my family has been passing this belief down since the time of the first chief. Both my sister and I have always wondered about the dragon king, and where they’ve been all of this time. Ever since the three Apostles wounded it…”
“Apostles?”
Sherry steps closer to them and faces Lucy.
“Excuse me, Miss Lucy, but you said there were three Apostles and a powerful dragon… Could you be referring to “The Trial of the Heroes”?”
“Miss Sherry, was it? I’m sorry, but I’ve never heard of a story like that. I don’t get out of the village much, so if it’s not in our library…”
“No, don’t worry about it. I was simply a little curious.”
Lucy nods and returns her attention to bringing them to their rooms.
At the end of a wide hall on the second floor, two doors with completely different designs sit across from each other.
She gestures toward the door on the left, which is decorated in small carvings of arrows and M’yin writing.
“Mister Isaac and Mister Ryuu, you two can stay in this room. It hasn’t been used in a while, but proper beds will be prepared by tonight. As for you, Miss Sherry, you can stay with me.”
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“I don’t mind. It’s better than sharing a room with them, right? Unless, of course, this is that kind of group.”
“No! We are definitely not that kind of group! Let’s go! I can’t wait to see your room!”
Sherry pushes Lucy through her bedroom door, while Ryuu and Isaac enter the opposite room with their bags slung over their shoulders.
It’s mostly bare–with a few boxes spread around the floor–but it’s plenty for now.
They set their things down and lounge on different sides of the smooth wooden flooring.
A large window on the far wall brings in the warmth of the sun, making the men yawn as they stretch out.
“So…what’s the plan?” Isaac wonders aloud.
“After we crash here, we’re still a little under three days away from Mahora… You think we’ll make it?”
“Making it there isn’t an issue, it’s what happens once we arrive. I’m sure I can get you guys into the city without a problem, thanks to my status as a Blade, but as for a place to live or what you guys can do with yourselves… I don’t have a clue.”
“How dependable of a leader you are… If we end up stranded, I’m living with you.”
“You’re welcome to try, but you’ll have to really get on Ilene’s good side.”
“…From what you’ve told us of her, it doesn’t sound like I’ll have an easy time with that.”
“Why? Is it because she doesn’t really like most men?”
“No, it’s because she sounds like someone that knows how to get their shit together… I don’t like when those types of people take pity on me, because I actually respect them.”
“Heh, then you just need to make sure you don’t give her a reason to do that. Ilene’s pretty blunt, but it’s because of her directness that I can trust her.”
“If you say so…”
“Back to what I was saying, I’ll probably be busy as soon as we get back. I have to help Ilene prepare for an event soon. We’ll get your situation figured out, but I’m just warning you that it may be a little rough at first.”
“Yeah, got it. It’s not like I thought the capital would be easygoing…”
The two of them discuss the future, while the girls get situated in Lucy’s room.
Her door has small drawings of books and dragons, which perfectly reflects the interior.
A bed just big enough for two people sits under a far window, surrounded by shelves full of books and trinkets.
A display cabinet next to the door shows off a wide collection of objects, such as a strange amulet and a dull crystal.
“Those are all souvenirs my sister brings back from her coolest missions,” Lucy explains.
“Some of these look like parts of Fallen I’ve seen in books. Is your sister a Hunter?”
“No, she does more than hunt Fallen. I can’t reveal her specific title lightly, but I’ll say that I’ve never met anybody stronger.”
“Not even Sir Ryuu?”
“Mister Ryuu is cool, and very kind, but I’d be lying if I said he was one of the strongest people I’ve seen. My grandfather certainly seems to think that could change soon, though.”
“I agree with your grandfather. Sir Ryuu is someone that has the potential to bring a change to this land.”
“You sure think highly of him. How did the two of you meet? Is it like that? You know, do you like him?”
“T-this is a very stereotypical topic that I wished to avoid, you know.”
“Come on, what’s the harm? It’s just a little friendly conversation.”
“F-fine. We met in Titania, where I worked at the Mystic Palace as a maid until recently. Due to recent events, I’ve decided to follow Sir Ryuu for now. The same is true for Isaac. And yes, I do like him, but not like that.”
“Boring. Maybe I’ll make a move then.”
“Excuse me?!”
“I’ve had my eyes on him for over a month now.
Most people that pass through here are gross, and the guys around here are fine enough, but they’re simple-minded.
Mister Ryuu has that kinda scary vibe to him, don’t you think?
Your first impression of him is “Whoa, is he gonna kill me?”, but then you talk to him and realize he’s pretty much clueless.
Isn’t that kind of gap the best?!”
“U-um… I’m afraid I’m having a hard time following you.”
Lucy frowns and grabs Sherry’s arm, pulling her over to a nearby shelf.
“Since it’s come to this, I’m going to educate you in the forbidden world of love. I recommend you start with this one. The main love interest has zero appeal, but manages to win out against all of their rivals. It’s so unbelievably cheesy that it’s almost good.”
The two women talk more in depth about the stories Lucy has collected, then Sherry is left in the room as she leaves to prepare the tavern.
Lucy knocks on the men’s door and shouts, “I’m heading back to the tavern! You guys are free to come whenever you get bored or hungry! I’ve already told Miss Sherry the same!”
Ryuu and Isaac snore soundly on the floor of the room, missing everything she says.
******
Hours pass as the sun dips in the horizon, casting deep shadows over their bodies.
The two slumbering men are eventually woken up by the sound of a door opening, which causes them to roll onto their feet, ready to go.
It turns out to be some of the mansion staff coming to set up their beds, so they apologize and step out into the hall.
“Well now what?” Ryuu mumbles.
“I don’t think I’m gonna just fall back asleep.”
“I don’t know… Let’s bother Sherry.”
Ryuu nods in agreement and knocks on her door.
“Sherry, Lucy, you in? We’re bored.”
They wait a few more moments before twisting the knob and opening it just a crack.
“Are you decent? We’re coming in.”
He opens the door to a room mostly lit by moonlight, with nothing but a small candle flickering in the corner.
Sherry sits in the center of the floor with her back turned to the door, slowly swaying back and forth as she bends over something.
“Sherry, are you okay?”
“Seriously… What’s gotten into you?”
Isaac walks over and puts his hand on her shoulder, making her jump and turn to face him.
Even in this dim lighting, he can clearly see that her face is a deep shade of red, and what looks like a book is open on the ground in front of her.
“What have you got there, Sherry?”
“Ah! D-don’t worry about that, Isaac! More importantly, what brings you two here?!”
She quickly shuts the book and hides it behind her back as she turns to face her friends.
Ryuu tilts his head in question, then shrugs as his boredom returns.
“We wanna do something. Got any ideas?”
“U-um, Miss Lucy mentioned that we could go down to The Empty Barrel whenever we were feeling hungry or bored. I ended up losing track of time, but I bet it’s still bustling at this hour. The night has only just begun, after all.”
“Okay, it’s decided.”
The three of them leave the room after Sherry returns the book to its shelf, then find their way out of the mansion and onto the streets of Bexter.
A few streetlights–lit with fire instead of magic–light their way to the tavern, alongside a trail of stumbling people moving the opposite direction.
As they near a corner, a crowd can be heard shouting and laughing ahead.
The Empty Barrel sits with its doors wide open, while sounds of laughter and community pour out into the village.
The group of travelers doesn’t say anything to each other, but the warm feeling helps to ease their individual worries as they take in the comforting atmosphere.
They step inside without waiting another moment and find a small table near the bar, where Lucy makes drinks and chats up customers.
I hadn’t paid it any thought before, but Lucy must run this place.
She seems a bit young, so I assumed I just missed the owner last time, but it turns out I actually saved them.
I never imagined that would help me at a time like this.
The world is more mysterious than you told me, Drax.
Lucy spots them after a few minutes and waves a staff member over, who takes their orders and runs off.
They each get a drink and light meal, here for the people more than the food this time.
Their orders come out quickly, and once Lucy gets a moment, she comes over and greets the group.
“You guys finally got out of that house! I was wondering when you’d start to feel cooped up.”
“Yeah, well it was nice being able to sleep for once,” Ryuu replies.
“By the time we get back there, that bed will have my name on it.”
“Same here…” Isaac mutters after a hefty bite.
She laughs and steps closer to Ryuu.
“Speaking of that, Mister Ryuu, I actually have a spare bed upstairs. I use it when I don’t feel like walking home after a long night, but you’re free to use it if you’d prefer more…privacy.”
Sherry coughs on her drink, and a light grin forms at the corners of Lucy’s mouth.
“U-um, Miss Lucy, I don’t think that’s the best idea. The three of us shouldn’t spread too far apart until we reach our destination.”
“Hmmm.”
The tavern owner turns back to Ryuu and leans over the table.
“And what do you think?”
He sighs and replies, “I appreciate the offer, but I’d be a bit anxious to be too far from these guys. It’s my responsibility to protect them, after all.”
His friends immediately speak up in disagreement, but Lucy nods her head with an even smile.
“You think so?”
“Hahaha! I do. I really feel like you’re something unique, I just can’t tell what it is yet.”
Ryuu sips his drink and leans back in his chair.
“Thanks. I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”
A customer calls for a drink at the bar, pulling Lucy back to work for a while.
The princess squad sits in silence in the meantime, watching people and listening in on conversations.
Since they’ve been in the wild for a short period, this is the only way they can catch up on some of the world’s recent news.
Deep into the night, a few hours after their arrival, the tavern finally begins to thin out.
People with work in the morning or children at home file out one by one, while the late-night regulars settle in at their tables and play cards or exchange rumors.
Lucy wipes the bar down while a couple of guys sip and talk with her, leaving the travelers as the last “normal” group left.
Isaac has his head buried in his arms on the table while breathing deeply.
Sherry finishes her fourth drink before plopping the mug down with a light blush on her face, and Ryuu leans back with his feet crossed on the edge of the table.
The quiet, steady ambiance reminds him of slow nights in the Pit, when people would sit around the arena and bet on half-serious sparring matches for things like breakfast the next day, or a certain time to fight that week.
Just as he begins to nod out in his chair, a new arrival pushes through the tavern’s saloon-style doors.
They have long periwinkle hair that curls around their face and shoulders, and are dressed in expensive-looking light armor, as well as a pure white cape on their back.
They walk up to the bar, directly to Lucy, and their eyes meet in an instant.
“How’s it going, Lucy? I was in the area and decided to swing by for a visit.”
“Jane?! I didn’t expect you to be back for another six months!”
Lucy dashes out from behind the bar and leaps at the woman, who catches her effortlessly and swings her around for a moment.
Ryuu regains full consciousness as he stands out of his chair and starts toward them.
“I’m assuming this is the sister you were talking about?”
The two of them turn toward him, then the brown-haired one nods with a teary smile.
“Yes, this is my older sister, Jane. Jane, this is Ryuu. He recently saved me from a violent Outlaw and is staying in our village for the night.”
“Is that so? It seems I owe you a debt of gratitude as well, Ryuu.”
“Not at all. I just did what came naturally.”
He shakes Jane’s armored hand and pauses for a moment.
He couldn’t tell before, but the amount of mana stored within her dwarfs anything he’s ever encountered.
Even Andromeda didn’t hold a candle to this.
“Oh, you peeked. That’s okay. After taking a look around, it seems like the secret was gonna get out one way or another.”
“What do you mean?”
A loud gasp suddenly hits Ryuu from behind, which causes Isaac to raise up with a deep red mark on his forehead.
“You are… The Seventh…”
Sherry mutters a few words while shaking at the knees.
Her fear is different than it was when facing death in Titania.
It looks to Ryuu as if she’s already accepted her fate.
“Uh, Miss Jane, you’re scaring the crap out my friend. Would you care to explain things to me, in a way even an idiot would understand?”
Jane lightly smiles and takes a few steps back from all of them.
“Of course, I should start from the beginning. My name is Jane Argon. I’m thirty-two years old, and Lucy’s older sister. I have a history with Lady- excuse me, Miss Sherry, which is why she’s a bit startled to see me.”
I didn’t ask for your age.
Jane looks around the tavern and puts on an approachable face.
“Excuse me, everyone~ Could you please leave? I want to properly celebrate with my sister and her friends.”
The stragglers grumble and shrug as they rise from their seats and shuffle out the doors.
She then faces Ryuu once again and raises a finger to her lips.
“Now that we’re alone, I’ll be blunt–I’m a member of the Swords of Harmony. Sherry, no, Lady Shirley referred to me as The Seventh because that is my title within the group.”
“The Swords of Harmony… As in the king’s elite ten, handpicked from both reaches?!”
“That’s correct. I joined when I was about your age, and have been serving the royal family ever since. It’s because of my time serving that I’m aware of Lady Shirley’s identity, and why she’s here with you.”
Is this really happening?!
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do if someone like this comes to take Sherry back home!
Ryuu keeps his face calm and his tone even as he steps to the side, blocking Jane’s view of Sherry.
“If that’s true, then someone I didn’t think I’d meet for a long time has shown up. I’m sorry if this is rude, but I don’t care who you are. I won’t let anyone take Sherry somewhere she doesn’t want to go.”
“Sir Ryuu, you mustn’t anger her!”
“It’s okay, Lady Shirley,” Jane says as she raises both hands in surrender.
“I passed through a few villages on my way here, and heard about a new star rising in the Northern Reaches. Dragon Blade, that’s you, right?”
Ryuu stands his ground and nods, doing his best to forget the immense power he felt from her earlier.
“I see, so Ilene Mahora has finally moved on. Are you aware that her partner before you, Michael Serafall, was on track to join the ranks of the Swords of Harmony?”
“Really? I knew he was strong, but not to that degree.”
“Yes, he was truly the pride of the Serafall family. It’s a shame what happened to him, but perhaps where he is now is a better fate… Excuse my ramblings, but allow me to correct something. I’m not here to take the princess back home. The primary reason for her leaving was the king’s orders, after all.”
Now that she says it, I do remember hearing that before.
“…I’ll believe you, for now.”
“Thank you. Now then, my lady, I apologize for frightening you like this, but I’m only here to make sure that you’re alright after the incident in Titania. I was already in the Northern Reaches on a job, so when I received word about the attack, I figured you’d end up in this area.”
Sherry steadies herself and soon finds her voice.
“You mean, you knew I was in Titania all this time, and you even predicted that I would leave after the attack?”
Jane shrugs and gives a broad answer.
“Don’t underestimate our intelligence team. It’s the very best, as you know.”
“…Okay, well as you can see, I’m perfectly fine. My friends are here with me, so you can go back and tell everyone that I’m not dead.”
Lucy frowns, while Jane remains silent for a few seconds.
She then turns to leave, but Lucy pulls on her arm with all of her strength.
“Where do you think you’re going so soon?! You have to stay at least a night after coming all this way!”
The older sister glances back and shakes her head.
“I can’t keep making Lady Shirley anxious. If my presence is too much, I’ll see myself out.”
Sherry glances between the two sisters and rubs her temples.
After a few seconds of intensely furrowing her brows, she gives in.
“Stop, Jane. I can’t make you leave your home, but if you lie and take me away, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Neither will I,” Lucy adds in.
The royal soldier smiles and steps back toward the bar.
“Of course. I promise not to disturb you, my lady. I also apologize for exposing your identity to my sister.”
Isaac lets his head drop again as the matter is resolved, then Lucy brings out more drinks for everyone as they talk at the bar throughout the night.
******
As the hours get extremely late, the scene at The Empty Barrel becomes a mess.
At some point, Isaac transfers from his chair to being curled up on top of the table, and Sherry stands on the bar with Lucy, singing some nursery songs with mugs in hand.
Jane and Ryuu sit at a table in the center of the tavern, watching the two singing women with light amusement as they blush red.
A dozen empty mugs litter the table between them, evidence of their drinking game that had ended in a draw.
“Dragon Blade… Can you tell me what happened in Titania? We’re currently gathering reports from all of the affected cities, but it’d help to hear it from someone who was directly involved.”
Ryuu considers the question for a moment, still unsure of who he can trust in this world.
“As far as I know, the attack was led by a higher-up of the organization known as the Eternal Order. They invaded the city at all levels and aimed for several targets, including an artifact, and Sherry.”
“So they are after the princess. And that artifact you mentioned, what was it?”
“I think they called it Heaven Piercer. Apparently, it’s pretty powerful.”
“Yes, that’s one of the five S-grades. It’s also known as the Sapphire Relic, though that’s a name more commonly known to those in the upper echelons of society. If they targeted that, it would appear they’re stocking up on war power. I’ll need to investigate this further.”
“Can’t you just report this back to the king? Surely he’ll help if the entire northern region is in danger?”
Jane shakes her head and sighs.
“The Sacred Land is a neutral region. We don’t get involved in outside affairs, and in return, nobody messes with us. Only once in our thousand-year history has someone broken that agreement, and it ended with former members of the Swords of Harmony sinking half a continent.”
“That sounds a little unreal. Are you guys really that powerful?”
“Haha, well, I don’t know if we’re quite as good as some of the past generations, but we’re a fairly talented crew. Speaking of artifacts, The Second, one of my comrades, wields the Amethyst Relic.”
“Amythest Relic? So one of the S-grades?”
“Yes, it’s quite powerful. I’ve only seen it in action once myself, but that day redefined my definition of strength. The full potential of the relics isn’t something a regular person could ever hope to reach.”
“But you said that person was The Second, right? Then what kind of monster is The First?”
“The First… Let’s just say they’re a genius. They joined about a decade ago–making them the newest current member–and overtook The Second in half that time. Most of us have some kind of gimmick: a powerful weapon, a unique skill, an unrivaled Talent. That’s not the case for The First. They simply overpower you with raw skill.”
“You mean, like, martial arts?”
“That, and just about anything else you can think of. The First picks up everything just by seeing it once, and often surpasses the original. It’s said that the day they awakened, they challenged the man who was The Tenth at the time and lost horribly. The next day, they challenged him again, and won decisively.”
“Wait, you’re saying they learned how to fight by fighting a Sword of Harmony?! In a day?!”
“Indeed. That’s why you should forget about trying anything around them in the future. I can be a little lenient in matters like this, but The First is someone who would give even the ancient Apostles a run for their money.”
Damn.
Every time I think I’ve gotten a little stronger, I find out the ceiling is five stages higher.
I mean, they are the strongest people in the country, but even Jane feels unbeatable, and she’s seventh.
“I take it you’re okay with me bringing Sherry to Mahora, then?”
“Yes, it’s not a problem. Although she’s being targeted by this Eternal Order group, I doubt there’s many places safer than the capital. If she wishes to remain outside of home, that is the best place for her.”
“Got it. I swear I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe.”
“I know you will. Thank you once again for saving Lucy before. I get anxious sometimes, knowing how many rough travelers pass through this town while I’m away, but it eases my worries to see that there are still people like you out there.”
“You’re flattering me.”
The drinking extends for another hour, then the girls on the bar eventually collapse.
Jane and Ryuu carry the other three back to the mansion and separate for the night, with the boys crashing in one room, and the girls piling together in the other.
Silence rings through the darkness around Bexter as the new friends sleep well into the morning, rested and well-fed before they return to the journey ahead of them.