The journey back from Terrania Forest passed without incident.
Along the way, Noah found himself glancing at the large sack filled with the monster gems they had collected. It was heavy, but its weight wasn't what occupied his thoughts.
If these really are valuable... how do I turn them into coins?
I don't even know where to sell them.
The longer he lived in Magnora, the more he realized that building a new life required more than food and shelter.
He needed commerce.
He needed money.
And above all...
He needed knowledge.
The moment he pushed aside the bushes marking the entrance to their home, Noah came to an abrupt stop.
The house...
Was finished.
The simple structure that had been nothing more than a wooden frame a few days ago now stood complete before him.
Beside it stood a kitchen, a bathhouse, a small warehouse, and modest rooms for Tomas, Arcer, and Amira.
Without realizing it, Noah smiled.
"That was fast..."
"If I'd built all of this myself..."
"It would've taken months."
On the porch, Tomas was enjoying a warm meal prepared by Amira.
The moment she spotted Noah, the little girl jumped to her feet.
"Mister!"
She ran toward him without hesitation.
Then wrapped her arms around him.
Noah chuckled softly as he patted her hair.
"Amira."
"Look what I brought back."
He opened the large sack he'd been carrying.
Dozens of shimmering red and blue gems sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.
Amira's eyes widened.
"Mister..."
"What is it?"
"...Are these not valuable?"
Amira hurriedly shook her head.
"No, that's not it."
"I've just..."
"I've never seen so many gems before."
"I've only ever seen white ones."
"And sometimes green ones."
"But red and blue gems..."
"...they're extremely rare."
Noah looked down at the gemstones.
"If they're really that rare..."
"Then they must be worth quite a bit."
The two of them sat together in the yard.
The sack of gems rested between them.
Noah let out a quiet sigh.
"The problem is..."
"How do we sell all of these?"
"I don't even know where to go."
Astra's voice echoed inside his mind.
Information: Every village and city has a gemstone trading center.
However, villages generally purchase only blue gems, as their value remains affordable.
Red and purple gems are typically traded only in major cities.
Noah sank into thought once again.
"Another problem..."
"I don't even know where the nearest village is."
A moment later, his eyes lit up.
An idea had struck him.
"Lucia."
Lucia immediately looked at him.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Take me into the sky."
"As high as you can."
"I want to see this world from above."
"As you wish."
The tiny Rabiba perched on Noah's shoulder became enveloped in golden light.
An instant later, Lucia had returned to her true form.
She lifted Noah into her arms.
Then spread her wings.
Whoooosh!!
The wind rushed violently against Noah's face.
Within seconds, their home had become nothing more than a tiny speck below.
"W-Whoa!"
"...Slow down a little!"
"You're flying too fast!"
Lucia immediately slowed her pace.
"My apologies, my Lord."
From high above, Noah finally saw something he had never realized before.
The forest they lived in was enormous.
Far in the distance sat a cluster of tiny buildings.
That must be...
Araris Village.
But his attention was soon drawn elsewhere.
Three colossal structures stood on the horizon.
At first, he had mistaken them for distant mountains.
Instead...
They were three magnificent castles.
"Astra."
"From where I am now..."
"Show me everything."
Astra began her explanation.
Information: You are currently facing north.
To the east lies Araris Village.
Beyond the village stands the Kingdom of Alpaterra.
A human kingdom governed by military rule, infamous for its tyranny.
At the center of the continent stands the Kingdom of Omniterra.
A human kingdom that prospered through magical research and maintains a more democratic system of government.
These two kingdoms have competed for territory for generations.
After a brief pause, Astra continued.
To the west stands the Kingdom of Primoterra.
The kingdom of the elves.
It is renowned for its wisdom, its refusal to pursue expansion, and its dedication to preserving Magnora's balance.
To this day, the strength of the elven armies has discouraged both human kingdoms from encroaching upon their lands.
Noah stood speechless.
The world before him was far larger than he had ever imagined.
"So..."
"This is Magnora."
He slowly turned around.
An endless sea of forest stretched beyond the horizon.
Beyond that...
Nothing but an endless ocean.
"Astra."
"Is there life beyond this supercontinent?"
Information: Yes.
However, there are no civilizations.
Only plants and wildlife.
Noah asked another question.
"No one has ever explored beyond it?"
Information: The oceans surrounding Magnora possess extremely hostile conditions.
To date, neither technology nor magic has made crossing them possible.
Noah slowly nodded.
"So..."
"Every kingdom..."
"Every civilization..."
"And every chapter of this world's history..."
"Exists only on Magnora."
He looked down at the endless forest once more.
"Astra."
"What's the name of the forest where we live?"
Information: Terrania Forest.
It is also known as the Forest of Creation.
Most of Magnora's rare natural resources can be found within its borders.
However, it is also home to countless dangerous monsters and ferocious beasts.
A faint smile crossed Noah's face.
"In that case..."
"This place is far more valuable than I thought."
Yet one question still lingered in his mind.
"If Terrania Forest is that rich..."
"Why hasn't any kingdom claimed it?"
Astra answered immediately.
Information: It is located far from the centers of civilization.
Furthermore, the region is populated by an overwhelming number of highly territorial monsters, making the cost of occupying and defending it far greater than any potential benefit.
Even so, elite hunters and military units from various kingdoms frequently enter the forest to hunt rare monsters.
Noah looked down at the tiny house that was barely visible from this height.
He remembered the day he had first awakened in Magnora.
Back then...
His only goal had been survival.
Now...
He was beginning to understand the world beneath his feet.
He knew where the great kingdoms stood.
He understood the immense value of Terrania Forest.
And for the very first time...
He could see a future.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"I understand now."
"I'm not lost."
"I simply started..."
"...in a place no one else ever chose."
His gaze drifted once more across the endless sea of trees.
Then, in a quiet voice filled with unwavering conviction, he said,
"One day..."
"...I'll build a kingdom of my own."
Lucia said nothing.
She simply continued beating her wings, remaining high above the world as she waited for her lord's next command.
Lucia slowly descended until Noah's feet touched the ground once more.
As the glow surrounding her wings faded and she returned to her tiny Rabiba form, Amira immediately ran over.
"Mister!"
"Well?"
"What did you see from up there?"
Noah smiled.
"Quite a lot."
"At the very least, I know where we're headed next."
His answer prompted Tomas and Arcer to walk over as well.
Noah looked at each of them in turn.
For a brief moment, he remained silent.
"The house is finished."
"The fields are coming along."
"The livestock farm has begun."
"Now it's time for us to learn about the world beyond this forest."
He softly clapped his hands.
"Everyone, gather around."
"I have a plan."
The three of them immediately formed a circle around him.
"Tomas."
"Can you make me a straw hat like the ones the villagers wear?"
Tomas nodded without hesitation.
"Of course, my Lord."
"It won't take long."
Noah then turned to Arcer.
"Arcer."
"What do you think..."
"Can you find me a mount?"
Arcer thought for a moment.
"A mount?"
Only then did Noah realize something.
"Right..."
"Horses only exist in my world."
He quickly clarified.
"I mean a tame animal that I can ride to the village."
Understanding immediately dawned on Arcer's face.
"Oh."
"Certainly, my Lord."
Noah nodded in satisfaction.
Amira, however, looked startled.
"Mister..."
"You're going to the village?"
"I am."
Noah smiled.
"I could keep creating more people to help me."
"But that doesn't mean I should stay hidden here forever."
"I need to see this world with my own eyes."
"I need to learn how people live."
"How they trade."
"And what the world beyond this forest is really like."
He paused.
Then looked at Amira.
"But..."
She tilted her head.
"But what?"
"You're coming with me."
Amira's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
Noah nodded.
"Of course."
"I'm still a stranger in this world."
"I think I could use a guide."
Amira practically jumped with excitement.
"I want to go!"
"I'm coming too!"
Her smile was brighter than ever.
She no longer feared returning to the village.
She knew...
The person beside her would protect her.
Seeing Amira so happy made Noah smile as well.
"At least..."
"This journey won't be so lonely."
Time passed until late afternoon.
The sun was beginning to sink toward the western horizon when Arcer finally returned from the forest.
Walking behind him was a creature Noah had never seen before.
"My Lord."
"I've brought what I believe is the best mount for your journey."
Noah turned.
Then froze.
The creature resembled an enormous bird.
Its neck was long.
Its colorful tail feathers flowed elegantly behind it.
And it stood nearly as tall as two grown adults.
Beside him, Amira unconsciously grabbed Tomas's arm.
"What..."
"...is that?"
Noah asked.
Arcer smiled.
"It's called a Peabird."
"It's gentle."
"It can run."
"And it can also fly, making travel much faster."
Arcer climbed effortlessly onto its back.
After giving a few simple commands, the Peabird obeyed without hesitation.
Noah watched in amazement.
"Incredible..."
"It seems much smarter than the horses back on Earth."
After Arcer climbed down, Noah cautiously mounted the creature himself.
At first, he was a little nervous.
But before long, he grew comfortable guiding it.
A smile spread across his face.
"From today onward..."
"Your name is Pinix."
As if it understood him, the giant bird proudly lifted its head.
"Kooaaak!!"
Everyone fell silent.
Then—
They all burst into laughter.
The forest, usually so quiet, echoed with cheerful voices.
Noah gently stroked Pinix's neck.
"There's still something I'm curious about."
"When I first arrived at Araris Village..."
"I saw merchants and soldiers riding different animals."
"What were those called, Amira?"
She answered immediately.
"They're called Horsia."
"Almost everyone rides Horsia."
"But nobles..."
"They usually ride Lizarda."
"They're stronger."
"Faster."
"And they can carry much heavier loads."
Amira looked at Pinix.
"But..."
"I've never seen anyone riding a Peabird."
Noah thought for a moment.
"In that case..."
"Pinix would attract far too much attention."
"If I rode such a rare creature into the village..."
"Everyone would be staring at me."
He slowly shook his head.
"No."
"I'll ride Pinix only to the edge of the forest."
"After that..."
"I'll continue on foot."
In Noah's mind, blending in was far safer than becoming the center of attention.
He had no intention of revealing his existence to the world just yet.
He looked around at everyone gathered before him.
"All right."
"We leave tomorrow morning."
"For now..."
"Get some rest."
"You've all worked hard."
Peace returned once more.
Tomas began weaving straw into a hat.
Amira sat beside him, helping whenever she could.
Arcer cleaned his hunting equipment.
Meanwhile, Lucia had already curled up in her Rabiba form beside Noah's feet.
Noah quietly watched them one by one.
Before he even realized it...
The little home in the heart of Terrania Forest no longer felt lonely.
Tomorrow morning...
He would set foot in Araris Village for the second time.
But this time...
He wouldn't be arriving as a lost stranger.
He would arrive with a purpose.
To sell monster gems.
And to take his very first step toward understanding the world of Magnora.