Chapter1:BeyondDespair

Maybe,justmaybethere’sachance,shethought.Shewantedtobelieveinmiracles.Butrealitymovedforward,indifferenttoherwishes.AhighspeedairshipoftheWingedGuardretrievedonecorpsefromtheland,thecorpsewhich,justafewdaysago,

hadbeenKutoriNotaSeniolis.

Naigratexitedtheroomandshutthedoorbehindher.Lackingthestrengthtomoveanyfarther,sheleanedherbackagainstthewallofthecorridorandsliddowntothefloor.Thethunderousrumblingofthespellincineratorshookherentirebody,makingherfeelasifshewereababybeingrockedaroundinitsmother’swomb.Naigratquicklyshookthatimageoutofherhead.Ithadnoplacehere.Therewerenolivescomingintocreationhere,onlylivesalreadylostandliveswhichwouldbelostsoonenough.

NaigratwasonboardamediumsizedWingedGuardpatrolshipwhichmainlywatchedovertheareaaroundthe20thFloatingIsland.

“Itmustbepainfultolookatforyou,”agiantReptrace,theonewhohadcalledNaigrattotheshipinthefirstplace,saidinadeep,heavyvoice.“Inmostcases,afairysoldierlostinbattledoesnotleavebehindacorpse.Theyshatterintobeadsoflightandmeltintothewind…soitisasyousaid.

Kutoriwasnolongerafairy.”

“Iguessso,”Naigratrespondedhalfheartedly,hergazestillonthefloor.

IntheroombehindthemwasthethingwhichusedtobeKutori.Whethershehadbeencrushed,hacked,pierced,scratched,orperhapsallofthem,nowouldwouldeverknow,butinnumerablewoundshadmutilatedherbodytothepointwhereithardlyresembleditsoriginalshape.Inaddition,rupturedjointsandtendons,probablytheresultofherforcingherbodytoactpastitslimits,haddamagedthebodyevenmorethantheexternalwounds.

WhenNaigratsawit,bothherhandsimmediatelywentuptocoverhermouthinadesperateattempttoshovethewailsofdespairbackdownherthroat.Atthesametime,tearsbegantooverflowoutofhereyes.Shedidn’tbothertryingtohidethem.Afterall,unlikesomeofthedemonraces,sheonlyhadtwoarms.

“Shereallydidfighthard…”

ButbeingthetwoarmedTrollthatshewas,Naigratcouldimmediatelydecipherthemessagesleftbehindbytheconditionofthebody’sflesh.Shecouldtellhowintenseofabattlethatthecorpsehadgonethrough,andhowintensetheemotionsithadfoughtwithwere.Thebodymostlikelydidn’ttrytostopKutoriasshefought.Asthegirldrewclosertodeath,theVenominsideherwouldhaveblazedbrighterandbrighter.Suchpowerwouldhavebeenmorethanenoughtoforceherbodytocontinueitsrecklessfight.Evenasherfleshsplit,bonesfractured,andbloodpouredout,sheneverstoppedthrowingeverylastdropoflifeinsideheragainstherenemies.

“Whatwillyoudoaboutthefuneral?Demonstyle?”thegiantReptraceasked.

RegulAire,beinghometomanydifferentracesandcultures,andconsequentlymanydifferentviewsondeath,alsohasvariouswaysofhandlingthedeceased.Burningthebody,buryingit,exposingittothewindandlettingbirdseatit,soakingitin

chemicalstopreserveit,lettingthelocalgovernmentretrieveitontrashday…thelistgoesonandon.Thedemonstylefuneralisrelativelycommon.ItinvolveshiringaqualifiedTrolltoeatthecorpseofthedeceased.Theideaisthatalivingbeingwhichsurvivedbyconsumingotherlifeshouldpassonbyservingasfuelforanotherlivingbeing,asifpartofonegiantcycle.

“…no,Idon’tthinkso.”

Naigrathadthenecessaryqualificationstoperformthatrole.Ifshewishedto,shecouldhaveeasilygottenaburialforKutoriapproved.Butstill,shecouldn’tbringherselftodoit.Everyfairyupuntilnowpassedawayunmourned,simplyturningintofragmentsoflightbeforefadingintothewind.EvenifKutoriwasspecialtoher,Naigratfeltitwouldbewrongtomakehertheonlyexception.

“Thatmeatisempty.Idon’tknowtoomuchaboutVenomorsoulsorwhatever,butIcantellthatthemeathasnothinglefttopasson.Ican’teatit.”

“Hmph.”

Theirconversationcametoapause.Wavesofemotionstillcrashedviolentlyinsideher,buttheshakinginNaigrat’svoiceandthetearsstreamingfromhereyeshadmanagedtosubside.Shestoodup.

“…bytheway,whathappenedtotheothertwo?TheyfellclosetoKutori,didtheynot?Weretheynotfoundaswell?”

“Aboutthat…”TheReptracegaveNaigratatroubledlook.“Ihaveconfirmednewsandunconfirmednews.Whichwouldyouliketohearfirst?”

Isn’tissupposedtobegoodnewsandbadnews?Naigratthought.Becauseinthatcase,shewouldhavetoldhimtotellherthegoodnewsandthenshutup.Rightnow,shedidn’twanttohearanythingthatwouldmakehermoodevenworse.

“…I’llgowiththeconfirmednewsfirst.”

“The1stBeastappeared.Thatisthereasonwhytheinvestigationofthesitewasstoppedmidway,andalsothereasonwhywecannotgainanymore

information.”

“Isthatstrong?”

“Thatisunknown.Thereisnotasinglepersoninrecordedhistorywhohasfoughtagainstit.”

“So…”

“Itisnotpossibletofightit.Allwhoapproachthe1stBeastaresimplyreducedtosand.PerhapstheBeastdoesnotevencarrymaliceorillintentions.Butjustbyexisting,itposesadeadlythreattoalllife.Noonecanapproachit.Noonecantouchit.Therefore,noonecandefeatit.Onecannotevenstartabattle.Inotherwords,wecannotevensearchfortracesoftheremainingtwo,WillemKumeshandNephrenRuqInsania.”

“Isee…”Naigrat,herbackstillagainstthewall,embracedherselftightlywithbotharms.“Sothat’stheconfirmednews.Whatabouttheotherone?”

SheurgedtheReptraceon,notexpectinganythinginparticular.Naigratwasalreadyatrockbottom.Nomatterwhatwordscameoutofhismouth,they

couldn’tmakeheranymoredepressedthanshealreadywas.Thatwastheonlythingshewasconfidentinatthemoment.

“TheGreatSagesearchedforWillem’swhereaboutswithanancienttechnique.IfIrecallcorrectly,itdetectsheartbeatsorsomethingofthesort.Itcanseekoutalivingbeinguptotheveryendsoftheearth.”

“Huh?”

Naigratwasgettingalittleconfused.WhenLimeskinmentionedthe‘GreatSage’,hewasprobablyreferringtothefounderofRegulAireitself.Theoverfivehundredyearoldmanversedinancienttechniquesandpossessingdeepknowledge.Thepast,present,andfutureguardianofRegulAire.Alegendaryfigurefoundincountlesschildren’spicturebooksandschooltextbooks.Andapparently,Willem’soldfriend.Naigratdidn’tbelieveitwhenhefirsttoldher,butapparentlyitwastrue.Soitdidn’tsoundtoosurprisingthattheGreatSagewouldtrysearchingforWillem’s

whereabouts.Buttherealquestionwas…

“Seekout…alivingbeing?”

“TheresultsofthesearchsaidthatWillemisalivesomewhereontheland.”

“……”

Naigratgulped.No.Thatwasn’tpossible.But.Wait.No.But…

“Wecannotjumptoconclusions.IfeventheancienttechniquesofthewiseGreatSageyieldaresultasvagueas‘somewhere’,theremustbesomethingoff.Butstill…”

Butstill,therewasapossibility.Anancienttechniqueforseekingoutlivingbeingshadyieldedresults.Thatwasfact.Andtheycouldnothelpbutseeasmallsliverofhopeinthatfact.

“Thatwarriormaystillbestandingonabattlefieldsomewhere.”

“Ah…”

AstrangevoiceescapedNaigrat’slips.Beforeshe

knewit,thetearsthathadfinallystoppedjustminutesagoandthewailingshehadtriedsodesperatelytosuppressbothrushedforthagain,foracompletelydifferentreasonnow.Thistime,theTroll’smeretwoarmscouldnotstopeitherone.

Naigratunderstood.Thiswastheunconfirmednews.Itwasn’tcertainthathewasstillalive.Andofcourse,theycouldn’tassumeNephrenwasalivewithhimeither.Butstill,shecouldn’tstopherheartfromclutchingontothattinyfragmentofhope.

Naigratknew.Despairresultsfromseveredhope.Theonlywaytoavoidthatpainistonothavehopeinthefirstplace.Sheunderstoodthatlogic,butshecouldn’tresistthefeelingsofjoywellingupinsideher.Shecouldn’thelpbutchaseafterthefaintglimmeroflightbeyondthedarkshroudofdespair.

Thespellincineratorshooktheairshipbackandforthasifitwereonegiantcradle.Andwithin,aTrollwomancriedandcried,asifshewereonelargebaby.

Chapter2:InsideaSweetandGentleDream

Part1:FatherandDaughter

AlmariaDuffnernevergotthechancetoseehermother’sface.Bythetimeshecouldmakesenseoftheworldaroundher,herfamilyhadalreadyonlyconsistedofherandherfather.Butshenevergotthechancetogettoknowherfathertoowelleither.Hehardlyevervisitedhisownhome.Duringtheday,hewenttohisjobatamoneyexchangebusiness,andatnight,hevisitedhislover.Occasionallyhewouldreturntotheirapartment,silentlyconfirmthatAlmariawasstillalive,andleaveheraminimalamountofmoneyonthetablebeforeleavingagain.ThatwastheextentofthecommunicationbetweenAlmariaandherfather.Sotheyounggirleffectivelylivedallbyherself,notrelyingonanyoneelse,andnotreliedonbyanyoneelse.

Oneday,whenAlmariawasjustsevenyearsold,herfatherinvolvedhimselfinsomesortofcrimeandgotstabbedtodeathbyhisaccomplice.Ofcourse,

thatmeantAlmariacouldnolongerliveinherapartment.Shewasoriginallysupposedtobemovedtoacityoperatedfacility,butanoldman,whohadbeeninvestigatingherfather’scrime,steppedin.Heclaimedthattheirencounterwassomekindoffate,andofferedtotakehertohisownorphanage.Theguardsandofficialspresentdidn’tparticularlyhaveanyreasontoobject,andAlmariaherself,stilloverwhelmedatthesuddenturnofevents,didn’thavethecomposuretoexpressherownopinion.

Theoldmanbroughttheyounggirltoaramshacklewoodenbuilding.

“Thisisyournewhomestartingtoday.Andtheyareyournewfamily,”theoldmantoldher,butAlmaria’sbrainhardlyregisteredthewords.

Totheyounggirl,homemeantthatcrampedapartmentroom,andfamilymeantthatperpetuallyabsentfather.Shecouldn’tcomprehendthat,fromthatdayon,thosetwothingsweresupposedtobereplacedbycompletelynewplacesandfaces.

AsAlmariastoodconfusednexttotheoldman,ayoungboycamerunninguptothem.

“Youhaveanewsister,”theoldmantoldhim.

Theboypeeredattheyounggirlandsaid,“What’swithyourboringface?”

Thegirlshotabriefglareattheboybeforeavertinghereyes.Shewasn’texactlyinthemoodtotalktoanyone,especiallytoaboywhoinsultedherafterjustmeetingforthefirsttime.

“Hey,howoldareyou?”theboyasked.

Almariaignoredhim.

“Well,Iguessitdoesn’tmatter.I’mstillyourelderaroundhere.”

Ignored.

“Listenup,okay?Nowthatyou’rehere,you’repartofthefamily.SinceI’vebeenherelonger,I’myourolderbrother.”

Ignored.

“What’swithyou?You’renofun.”

Afterawhileofthat,theboyeventuallygaveuptalkingtothegirlandwalkedoff.Thegirlgavehisbackanotherglarebeforereturninghergazetotheground.Shedidn’twanthimtomindher.Shedidn’tneedfamily,andeveniftheytriedtosuddenlypushoneontoher,shewouldn’tknowhowtoact.Alltheyhadtodowasleaveheralone,andshewouldmanageonherownjustfine.Besideher,theoldmanshruggedhisshoulderswithasigh.

Thatnight,Almariafellill.Itonlyseemednatural,givenhersuddenchangeinenvironment,accumulatedstress,andimmaturebodyandmind.Ahighfeverrenderedherunabletoleaveherbed.Herheadfeltheavy,everybreathhurt,andpainfilledherchest.Inherdimstateofconsciousness,Almariathoughtthatshemightdie.However,sheunderstoodlogicallythatsuchthoughtsonlyresultedbecausehermindwaspassingthroughamomentofweakness.Andbesides,apartofherfeltlikeitwouldbefineevenifshereallydiddiethenandthere.Almarianeverhadaparticularlystrong

willtolive.Ifherlifewouldonlycontinuetobemeaningless,itwouldn’tbesobadtoenditsoonerthanlater.

Asthosethoughtsflutteredthroughhermind,somethingcoldwassuddenlyplacedonherforehead.Herhazyconsciousnesscouldn’tworkitssenseswellenoughtotellthattheobjectwasawettowel,butitfeltalittlenice.Justalittle.

“Hmph.Ignoringmethenmakingmetakecareofyou.”

Almariacouldbarelyhearthevoicetalkingrightbesideher.Theownerofthevoice,whoeveritwas,frequentlyswappedthetowelonherforehead.Whenthewaterinhisbucketgrewwarm,hewentoutsideintothecolddarknesstofetchnewwaterfromthewell.Asthenightworeon,Almaria’sconsciousnessgraduallyclearedup.Hermindcouldvaguelyregisterthatsomeonewassittingnexttoher.

“Whoa,it’salreadysolate,”thatsomeonesaidinasurprisedvoice.“Ibettergettobedsoon,orIwon’t

beabletowakeupinthemorning.”

Thepersonstoodup.Almariacouldn’tmakeoutwhathewassaying,butsheunderstoodthathewasabouttoleave.Herhandspontaneouslystretchedout,asifactingallonitsown.Herfingertipsweaklyclutchedtheunknownperson’ssleeve.

“…father…”Hermouthmovedallonitsowntoo.“…don’tgo,father…”

Shespokewithsuchasoft,tremblingvoicethatAlmariaalmostcouldn’thearherself.Thepersonabouttoleavepaused,bewildered.Afteramoment,hesatbackdownnexttoher.

“Don’tworry.Yourfather’srighthere.He’snotgoinganywhere.”

Almariaknewitwasalie.Herfatherwasalreadydead.Evenwhenalive,hehardlytalkedtoheratall,muchlesscomfortherwithgentlewords.Yetstill,thegirlclungontothatlie.Shefeltaroundinthedarkforthatfather’shandandgrippeditwithallherstrength.Shewantedhimtostaybesideher.

Shewantedtodependonhim.Shewantedthatfakefathertoshowhergenuinekindness.Beforelong,thefather’swarmhandsgrippedthegirl’sinreturn.

“Father…”

“Righthere.”

WhenAlmariacalled,shereceivedananswer.Thatmadeherhappy.Whenshewantedsomeonetobethere,someonewasthere.Perhapstheveryfactthatsuchasimplethingcouldmakeherhappybroughthermorehappinessthananything.Withsomewhatdistortedthoughtsrunningthroughhermind,Almariasavoredthewarmthenvelopingherhand.

Afewdayslater,theyoungboyfromearliertalkedaboutthatnighttoAlmaria.Accordingtohim,incidentslikeher’swerenotunusual.Newfamilymembersoftenfellillatthestressoflosingtheirparentsandsuddenlymovingtoanewenvironment.Theboyhadseenmanysuchcases.

Andmoreover,itwasn’tunusualfortheillchildrentocallfortheirmotherorfather.Itwasonlynaturalthattheyfeltlonelyafterlosingeveryonetheyknewandmovingtoaplacefilledwithstrangers.Itwouldbeimpossibletotoughitoutalone.Sowhenthey’relyinginbedatnight,withtheirbodiesandmindsbothinastateofweakness,callstotheirparentsescapetheirlips.Itwasn’tunusual.Everyoneattheorphanagehadbeenthroughitatleastonce.

Sotheboytoldthegirlnottothinkofitasembarrassingorpitiful.Hetoldhertoforgetaboutit,andthathewouldforgetaboutitaswell.

“…no.”

Almariarefusedsoassertivelythatitevensurprisedherself.Buthowcouldsheforget?Shefeltsowarm.Soreassured.Sohappy.Shecouldn’tthrowawaysuchapreciousmemoryforsomestupidreasonlike‘it’snotunusual’or‘everyonedoesit’.

“I’mnevergoingtoforget…father.”

Theboylookedannoyed.“Itoldyoutocallmeyour

bigbrother.Idon’twanttobeafatheratthisage…”hegrumbled.

Itwastruethattheboydidn’thavethedignityorpresenceofauthoritycharacteristicofafather,butstill…

“ButWillem,youdon’tseemlikeabigbrotheratall.”

“AndIdon’tseemlikeafatheratalleither!”

“That’sdifferent.”

“Noit’snot!Whydoyoukeepinsistingoncallingmefather!?”

“Why?Well…”Almariathoughtforabit.“That’sasecret.”Shewinkedandstuckhertongueoutteasingly.

Almariaopenedhereyes.

Theceilinghazilyloomedinherfieldofviewwithinthedarkness.Sheheardbirdcallsfrombeyondthewindow.Dawnmustbeclose,shethought.

“Nn…”

Itfeltlikeshehadaverylongdream,andthatshestillwasn’tfullyawake.Itwasn’tabaddream…probably.Attheveryleast,itwasn’tthatnightmaresheoftengotasayoungchild.Herheadfeltheavy.Unabletothinkclearly,shegotupfromherbedandputonherslippers.Then,stillinadreamlikestate,shelefttheroomandwalkeddownthehallway,causingthewoodenfloorunderneathherfeettocreakloudlyasshewent.Andthen…

“Ah.”

Shefoundsomeonelyingonthewornoutcouch.Familiarblackhair,gentlefacialfeatures,aslenderframe…

“…father?”

Atthatmoment,hermindsuddenlyclearedupallatonce,likehowthelightofdawnsweepsawaythemistofnight.Sherememberedwhoshewas,whatshecametothisroomtodo,andwhatsheneededtodonext.

“Ohno,ohno.”

Withtherapidpitterpatterofherslippers,shescamperedbackdownthehallway.Morningsintheorphanagearealwaysbusy.Therewasmuchtodo.Sheneededtoopenthewindowsbeforethesunrose,preparebreakfastbeforethelittlekidswokeup,andshewantedtomakethatbreakfastalittlemoreextravagantforacertainfamilymember’sunexpectedreturn.Thedayaheadofherwasshapinguptobethebusiestoneinawhile.

“Atleasttellmebeforeyoucomehome,sillyfather.”

Soonerorlater,hewouldwakeup,andthefirstwordsoutofhismouthwouldprobablybe‘I’mhungry’.Italwayswentlikethat.Shedoubtedthathewasgenuinelyhungryeverytime,butwheneverfathercamehomehewouldaskforsomethingtoeat,almostasifheweretryingtomakeupforallthedayshehadmissed.

“Alright.Let’sdothis.”

Almariasmiledandtookoutherfavoriteapron.

Part2:TheForeigners

Willemknewhecouldnolongerfight.Herealizedthathewoulddieifheevertriedtostandonthebattlefield.Heevenlearnedtoseethebrightsideofit:whilethegirlswentofftofight,hecouldseethemoffinthesafetyofhome.

YetwhentheairshipPlantaginestafellunderattack,Willemchosetofightsonaturally.HechosetoleavesleepingKutori’sside,sethisVenomablaze,andconfronttheenemy.WhenhemetLantolqonthebattlefield,shesaidthathewastryingtocommitsuicidewithKutoriasanexcuse.Herdescriptioncouldn’thaveexpressedhisactionsatthetimemoreaccurately.

Willemwantedtodieoutthere.Hewantedtothrowawayeverythingexcepthisresolvetoprotectthegirls.Heusedthebattlefieldtosatisfyhisselfishwishes,stompingoutthepartofhimthatwantedtosimplywaitforthegirls’return.

Hedidallthathecould,andevensomethingsheshouldn’thavebeenabletodo.Forthefirsttimeinawhile,hisVenomignitedtofullpotential.Heheardthesoundsofhisownbloodboilingandfleshburning.Ifhewasgoingtodiefightingnomatterwhat,therewasnopointinholdingback.Andoncehecouldnolongerfight,neitherpainnorsufferingwouldmatter.Hewentallout.

Andthen,hiswishcametrue.TheSecondEnchantedWeaponsTechnicianoftheWingedGuardandmanagerofthefairywarehouse,WillemKumesh,losthislifeduringtheintensebattle.Oratleast,that’swhatsupposedlyhappened.

Thebirdswerehummingtheirprettylittlesongs.Apleasantmorninghaddawned.

Sittingontheroofoftheorphanage,Willemstifledayawn.Then,withslightlywateryeyes,hesurveyedthearea.Thefamiliartownbeforehimlookedexactlyasherememberedit.ThepatchofgreeninthedistancemarkedAdam’sfarm.Infrontofitstoodthechapel.Thebrickbuildingsofvarious

colorsnearbyitwerecheapapartments,andtowardstheedgeoftheclusteraredflagwavinginthewindsignifiedtheAdventurer’sGuild.Andfurtherbeyondthat,pasttheirrigationditch,laythecenterofGomagcity.

Pillarsofsmokerosefromafewofthechimneysinsight.Theresidentsofthetownwerebeginningtopreparebreakfast.Thehumansoftheworldweregettingreadytoliveanotherday.

Ofcourse,therewasnowayallthatwasreal.ThetownbeforeWillem’seyes,alongwiththeEmnetwyteflourishingwithin,perishedlong,longago.Overfivehundredyearsago,accordingtothehistorybooks.Theinvadersnamedthe‘Beasts’appearedrightinthemiddleofthehumans’imperialcapital,withintheking’spalace.Theywereterrifyinglystrong,evenmoreterrifyinglynumerous,andalsoswift.Theydevouredtheworldatapaceunmatchedbyanyarmytoeverwalktheland.Injustafewdays,manyofthemaincitiesandstatescomprisingtheempiredisappeared.

ButnotonlytheEmnetwytevanished.TheBeastsconsumedallinsightwithoutdiscrimination.Grassandtrees,animalsandinsects,ElvesandalltheotherraceswhostoodintheBeasts’way.Theylaidwastetoeverything,asifsimplyexistingwereanunforgivablecrimetothem.

Therealearthwasnownomorethanawitheredwasteland,wheretheonlythingsthatmovedwereashensandstorms.ThefewsurvivorsoftheBeasts’fiercerampagehadlongagoescapedtofloatingislandsintheskyundertheleadershipoftheGreatSageandreforgedcivilizationanew.Thoseracesnotfortunateenoughtohavegottenthechancetoseekrefugewere,ofcourse,extinct.

“Damnit.”Willemsworequietlyenoughthatnooneelseheard.

Humanswerelonggone,alongwithhishometown.Willemrepeatedthattohimselfoverandover.Thesceneryspreadingoutbeforehiseyeswasnomorethansomethinglikeadiary.Itrousedoldmemoriesandanostalgicfeelinginhim,butexistedonlyin

thepast.Theplaceheneededtoreturnhometowasn’there.Itwasupthere,farawayinthesky.

“It’sbig.”NephrentookaseatnexttohimandstartedtalkingintheRegulAirecommonlanguage.“Whatnumberislandisthis?”

“Whyareyouaskingme?”

“Itlookslikeyouknowwherethisis.”

Nephren’sstatementwasoddlydifficulttoeitherconfirmordeny.“ThisisGomagcity,partoftheempire.ThebuildingbelowusistheForeignerCommemorativeOrphanage,builtandmanagedbythehonorable18thgenerationRegalBraveNilsDForeignerhimself.”

Nephren’sface,whichrarelyshowedanyexpression,becamecloudedwithdoubt.“ABravemanaginganorphanage?Neverheardthatbefore…butanyways,ifwe’reintheempire,thatmeansthisisthe6thIsland?”

“Don’tknowaboutyou,butI’veneverheardofaBraveinRegulAire.Thisistheland.”

Nephren’slookgrewevenmoretroubled.Itwasslightlyamusing.

“Buttherearen’tanyBravesonthelandanymoreeither,right?”sheasked.

“Wellthat’stheproblem.Everythingonthelandwasdestroyedfivehundredyearsago,”Willemansweredashelookedaround.“Butthisiswithoutdoubttheexactsamehometownfrommymemories.”

Followingsuit,Nephrenalsotookalookattheirsurroundings.“…sothisistheancientland.”

“That’sright.”

“Isthereanotherlandbelowthisone?”

Nephren’squestionsoundedabitstrange,butWillemunderstoodwhatshewantedtosay.HavinglivedinRegulAireherentirelife,shehadgrownusedtothefloatingislandsandtheirlimitedspaces.Ifyouwalkabityourunintotheedge,andifyoulookdownfromthereyouseetheashenlandbelow.Thatwascommonsensetoher.Theconceptofa

vastfertilelandscapestretchingoutendlesslyinalldirections,whileperhapsvaguelyunderstandable,probablyfarsurpassedanythingshehadeverimagined.

“Thatmountainlooksprettyfaraway,”Nephrensaidwhilepointingoffinthedistance.

“Itsureis.Fromhere,I’dsayit’saboutthelengthoftheentire68thIslandaway.”

“Andbeyondthatmountain,thelandkeepsgoing?”

“Yep,itkeepsgoing.Abouttwodaysawaybycarriagethere’saprettybigtown.”Willemlaidoutamentalmapoftheempire.“Afterthatit’sgrainfieldsforawhile,thenyoucrossariverandthere’sahugeforestandthenamountainrange…afterthatitbecomesawarzone…contestedterritorywiththeElves.”

“…itmakesmefeelalittleuneasy.”

“Ah,Iknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.That’swhathappenswhenyoutrytothinkaboutsomethingsoridiculouslylarge.”

“Butthelandalreadyfellintoruin.”

“That’sright.”

“Sowhat’sallthis?”

“Thisisprobably…”

Willemlookeddownathischest.HecouldseethefaintglowofVenomemanatingoutofthemetalfragmenthangingfromhisneck,thelanguageTalismanwhichhadthepowertotransmitwillitselfthroughwords.ItonlyrequiredasmallamountofVenomfromtheusertoactivate.Itwastrulyaconvenientlittlegadget,butithadsomedrawbacks.

Likeliesorinsultswhichareharmlesswhenkepttooneself,thereareattackswhichonlybecomeeffectiveoncetransmittedtothetarget.Understandingeverylanguagemeansthatallsuchattackscanhityoudirectly.AslongasWillem’sTalismanstayedactivated,hewouldacceptallincomingmessageswithoutanysortofscreeningprocess,considerablyreducinghisresistancetoany

sortofmentalinterferenceattack.HehadcompletelyforgottenaboutthatsinceitposednothreatwhilelivinginRegulAire.

TheTalismanwasnowactivatedagainstWillem’swill.Whatdidthatsignify?

“…it’sprobablyadream.”

Nephrenshothimacoldglare.

“Wait,nono,notjustanyolddream.Imeanwe’rethetargetsofsomekindofattack.”

BackwhenWillemroamedthelandasaQuasiBrave,heencounteredafewDevilswhousedsuchtricks.TheDevilswerearacedevotedtocorruptingtheEmnetwyte.Theytemptedhumanswithvariousschemesinanattempttogettheirtargettothrowawayhisselfcontrolorfaith.Onesuchschemewasamentalattackwhichutilizedadreamworld.

“Afantasyworldbuiltonthevictim’smemories,madetoreplicaterealitywithalmostperfectaccuracy.Thegoalistomakethevictimintoapermanentresidentoftheimaginaryworld.Be

careful.Thesecondwelosethedesiretoescapefromhere,theywin,”Willemexplained.

“Sothisdreamlookssomuchliketheancientlandbecause…”

“TheyprobablythoughtIwouldfalljustbyseeingthisplace.”

Inactualityitwasquiteaneffectiveattack.Justbysittingontheroofandlookingaround,awarmandnostalgicfeelingovercameWillem,almostseemingtomelthisheart.Butaslongasherecognizedthatitwasinfactanattack,andnotreality,hecouldresist.

“Adreamworld…”Nephrenmumbledandpinchedherowncheek.“Ow.Isthisreallyadream?”Fainttracesoftearsbegantoappearinhereyes.

“Wellthewholepointisthatit’sadreamyouneverwakeupfrom,sowewon’tbeabletobreakoutsoeasily.”

“Sowhathappensifwejustdonothing?”

“Theirgoalistomakeuscompleteresidentsofthisworld.Toaccomplishthat,they’regoingtotamper

withtheworldandforceustorespond.”

“Playwiththeworld?”

“They’rethecreatorsofthisworld.Besidesinterferingwithusdirectly,theycandoprettymuchanythingtheywantusingourmemories.TherewereafewspeciesofDevilswhospecializedinthiskindoftemptation.Theyeachhadtheirownmethods.TheAeshmawouldgraduallykilloffallthepeopleinthedream,theBufaswouldattackdirectly,andtheMammonwouldgiveyouloadsofmoneyandjewels.IalsofoughtwithaSuccubusonce…”

TheSuccubuswouldcorruptitstargetmainlybysatisfyingsexualdesires.SothedreamworldWillemgottrappedinduringhisfightwasoverflowingwiththosesortoftemptations.Itwas…well,Willemdidn’texactlywanttoexplainthedetailstoNephren.(Foralittlewhileafterthatfight,hecouldn’tbringhimselftomakeeyecontactwithLeilaorEmissa.)

“Anyways,movingon…”

“WhatdidtheSuccubusdo?”Nephrenasked,muchtoWillem’schagrin.

“Movingon…”Heforcefullychangedthesubject.“Idon’tknowwhoourenemyis,buthistargetisalmostdefinitelyme.”

WillemfoundithardtoimaginethattheNephrensittingbesidehimwasafake.Shedidn’tbelonginthesettingofthedream,somostlikelytherealNephrenjusthappenedtogetcaughtupinthismessalongwithhim.

“SobasicallyaslongasIstillhavethedesiretoescape,ourenemywilltrytointerferewiththisworldinordertobreakmyspirit.That’sourchance.Weneedtofigureoutwhoheisandstrikeback.”

“Doweneedtostrikeback?”Nephrenasked.

“Ofcourse.Ifwejustsitaroundwe’llnevergetoutofhere.”

“Doweneedtoescape?”

……

“Ifweleavehere,itwon’tbelongbeforewebothdie.”

Nephrenwasprobablyright.AsWillemandNephrenlaydyingontheashensand,someonehadcapturedtheirsoulsandbroughtthemintothisdreamworld.Thatmeanttherewasahighpossibilitythattheirphysicalbodieshadalreadybecomecorpsesintherealworld.Ormaybetheirtimespentinthedreamworldonlyamountedtoamerefractionofasecondintherealworld.Inthatcase,whentheyescapedthedreamtheywouldreturntotheiralmostdeadselves,andthendieafewsecondslater.

“We’llneverreturnhome,”Nephrensaid.

“…that’snottheproblem,”Willemsaid,halftohimself.“Don’tletweirdthoughtsgetintoyourhead.Ifyoulosethewilltoescape,you’llbecomearesidentofthisdreamworldforeternity.JustbecauseI’mourenemy’stargetdoesn’tmeanyou’resafe.”

Nephrennoddedandfellsilent.

Iwonderwhat’swrongwithher,Willemthought.Nephrenhadalwaysbeenaratherstrangegirl,butthestrangenessthatWillemsensedinhernowwasadifferentkindofstrange.Shehadherusualabsentmindedexpression,buttheemotionsresidingdeeperwithinhereyestoldadifferentstory.Somethingwastroublingher.

“Faather!”Someonecalledouttohimfrombelowinthelanguageoftheempire.

Justbyhearingthatvoice,Willemfeltatighteningsensationinhischest.Lookingdown,hespottedAlmaria,orrathersomethingwhichtookontheappearanceofAlmaria,standingoutsidethefrontdoorwavingtohim.Thesensationinhischestturnedintopain.Almaria.Thatface.Thatvoice.Whenhelostthem,hehadgrievedlikeneverbefore.Hehadsufferedsomuchtryingtoacceptit.Andwhilehewasneverabletoforgetthatpain,finallybeingabletolessenithadsavedhimmorethanhissaviorseverrealized.Yetnow,shewasthere,lookingathimwiththatface,callingtohim

withthatvoice,asiftodenyhisentireagonizingstruggleoverthepasttwoyears.

“Whatareyoudoingupthere?Breakfastisready!”

“What’sshesaying?”Nephrenasked,unabletounderstandtheEmnetwyte’slanguage.

“It’sbreakfasttime.Wecanthinkmoreafterweeat.”

Nephrennodded.

“Don’tworry.Almaria’scookingisdelicious,atleastasgoodasNaigrat’s,”Willemsaid.“Well,exceptformeat.”TheTrolls’knowledgeofanddevotiontocookingmeatsfarsurpassedthoseoftheEmnetwyte.EventhoughAlmariawasagreatcook,shecouldneverwinagainstaTrollwhenitcametomeat,andWillemwouldn’twanthertobeabletoeither.Thatwouldjustbecreepy.

“Iwasn’tworriedaboutthat.”

“Hm?Thenwhatareyouworriedabout?”

Willemtriedaskingcasually,butNephrendidn’t

answer.ShesilentlyignitedherVenom,sproutedwhitishgrayillusionarywingsonherback,andflewdownfromtheroof.Thefairies’wingsdon’thavephysicalsubstanceandalsogettheprivilegeofignoringthelawsofphysics.Nephren’swingscarriedherdowntothegroundwithoutevenasingleflap,thendisappearedjustasquicklyastheyappearedinitially.

Almarialetoutascream.Beinganordinarycivilian,andnotabrave,adventurer,orchevalier,sheprobablywasn’tusedtoseeingflyinggirls.Withasigh,WillemscratchedhisheadandignitedhisownVenom.Then,leavingbehindanexplosivesound,heleapedintotheair.Hisempoweredlegspropelledhimupwardswithaforcewhichfarsurpassedwhatanormalhumanwouldbecapableof.Afterslightlyadjustinghisstancemidair,WillemlandedrightnexttoNephren.Hisshoesleftadeepimprintinthegroundastheykickedupacloudofdirt.

“Willem!?”

“I’mfine.”

HereassuredtheworriedNephrenandcheckedhisbody’scondition.Nowherehurtinparticular.Hetriedjumpingupanddownafewtimesinplace,butstillnoproblemarose.TheVenomwasproperlyinvigoratingWillem’sbody.

Isee.WillemdeducedthatheandNephrenhadretainedalltheabilitiestheypossessedintherealworldwhilelosinganydamageafflictingtheirphysicalbodies.Andwithoutallthewoundsinhisbody,WillemcouldnowfreelyusethepowerheonceheldasaQuasiBrave.

“Ohyeah,aboutearlier…”Nephrensaid.

“Hm?”

“YounevertoldmewhatkindofdreamtheSuccubusmakes.”

“Forgetaboutit.”

OntheoutskirtsofGomagcitytherestoodalonebuilding.BearingtheofficialnameoftheForeignerCommemorativeOrphanage,itwasfundedandbuiltbythegreat18thgenerationRegalBrave

himself,NilsDForeigner.Well,ithadafantasticnameandfoundinghistory,butthesamecouldnotbesaidforanythingelseaboutit.

Ifyouhadtodescribeitinoneword,‘old’mighthavebeenanaptresponse.Intwowords,‘veryold’.Itwasatwostorywoodenbuildingwhosewallsandceilingshowedclearsignsofbothageandtheincompetenceofthenovicecarpenterswhohadworkedonthemovertheyears.BeforeNilspurchasedtheproperty,itwasarundownpreschoolabouttobedemolished,soitboastedjustaslongahistoryasanyofthestonebuildingsaroundtown.Butunlikethem,ithadawoefullyunstablefoundationwhichseemedreadytoflyawayatanymomentshouldjustonestormstrike.

Atthetime,therewere21childrenlivinginthatprivatelymanagedorphanage.Theylivedthrougheachdayrobustlyandboisterously,freefromthechainsofuselessadults.Willemwasoneresidentoftheorphanage,althoughforaboutfiveyearshebarelyevergotthechancetoreturnhome.His

trainingtobecomeaBrave,andhismissionsoncehebecameaQuasiBrave,didn’tleavehimmuchfreetime.Butstill,hewasaproudresidentoftheorphanage.

Astheyallgatheredforbreakfast,manyofthenewerarrivalsattheorphanagetookonelookattheoldermanandgotscaredoutoftheirwits.ButassoonasWillemshowedthemthatsmileofhis,theyrelaxed.Thesekindofmomentsweretheonlytimeswhenthatfaceofhis,whichlackedanysolemnitywhatsoever,cameinhandy.Theolderkids(mainlyaround10yearsold),whoalreadyknewWillem,gavehimawarmwelcome.

“Hey!Father,you’reback!”

“Hey,teachmehowtouseasword!Remember?Youpromisedtoteachmewhenyougotback.”

“Wheredidyoufightthistime?DidyoukillalotofElves?”

TheyallgatheredaroundWillemandpesteredhimwithquestions.

“Heyguys!Gladtoseeyou’realldoingwell.”

Onebyone,Willemhuggedthekids,rubbedtheircheeks,andrustledtheirhair.Ashewentaround,thechildrenshoutedinexcitement.

“Everyonesettledown.It’srudetocausesuchafussduringmealtime,isn’tit?”

AfterreceivingascoldingfromAlmaria,thekidsalltooktheirseatsandate.

Abittersaladwithsweetandsourdressing.Thatcombinationofflavors,whichWillemhadalmostforgotten,gavehisstomachalittlesurprise.

Thethingshewantedtoprotect.Theplacehelongedtoreturnhometo.Thepeoplehewantedtomeetoncemore.Thevoiceshewantedtohearoncemore.Thereasonhecontinuedtowieldhisswordinbattledespitehislackoftalent.Willemcouldn’ttrulysayitwasallhere.Butmuchofthatwhichheoncelost,grievedover,andfinallygaveuponeverreclaimingwasunmistakablyrightinfrontofhim,intheformofacrowdofchildren.Yetnoneofit

wasreal.ToallowtheimposterstomovehimemotionallywouldconstitutebetrayaltotherealAlmariaandtherealchildrenwhoallpassedaway527yearsago.

Butjustbybeingthereandtalkingtothem,Willemcouldn’thelpbutgetemotional.Hecouldfeelthetearscomingonagain.Hewantedtogivethemallanotherhug.Whatwouldhappenifhestoppedtryingtosuppressthoseimpulses?HowwouldAlmariareactifhesuddenlygaveheragreatbighug?

Waitwait!They’rewatching!Thelittlekidsareallwatching!

Atfirst,shewouldprobablysaysomethinglikethat,butshewouldn’tresistphysically.Butsoonerorlater…

Geez.You’vegrownbigger,butinsideyou’restilljustachild.

Shewouldacceptit.Then,withaslightlydisgustedface,butwithasoftandgentlevoice,shewouldhug

himbackandcomforthim.Willemeasilypredicteditallinhishead,buttheimaginaryscenemadehimalittlesad.

“Father,”Almariacalledtohim.

“What?”

“Whyareyoumakingfaces?It’sprettycreepy.”

Willemwastrulyhurt.

“Wheneveryoucomehomeit’salwayssuddenlikethis,”Almariasaidwithahintofannoyanceinhervoice.“Grandpawasalwayslikethattoo.Now,IgetthatBravesarebusyandall,butIthinkthere’salimitonhowmuchyoucanusethatexcuse,right?”

EventhoughAlmariaseemedtobecomplaining,shemaintainedacheerfulexpressionandlightfootsteps.Willemknewthatoftentimesshehadtroublebeinghonestwithherself,sohedidn’ttakehercomplaintstoheart.Sittinginhischair,hetookanotherlookatAlmaria.Sheseemedalittlesmallerthanheremembered.Afteramoment’sthought,hesoonrealizedwhy.Thereasonalmostmadehim

wanttolaugh.

Theridiculouslylongperiodof500yearssandwichedbetweenhadmesseduphissenseoftime,butonthatnightwhenWillemlastsawAlmaria,hewassixteenyearsold.Afterhisslumber,hespentclosetotwoyearsinRegulAire.Duringthattime,hegrewtaller.Overfivehundredandtwentysevenyears,Willemonlyunderwenttwoyearsworthofchange.Physically,hesimplygrewfromsixteentoeighteen.ButAlmariahadn’tchangedonebit.Willemwasmerelyseeingtheirnewheightdifference.AndthatalsoservedasclearproofthattheAlmariaherewasafake.

“…say,doyounoticeanythingstrangeaboutmetoday?”Willemasked.

“Yeah,”Almariaanswered.

“What?”

“Thefactthatyou’reaskingthatquestion.Also,you’remakingthesamefacethatFalcomakeswhenhe’scryingafterhavinganightmare,andyoulook

kindofnervouseventhoughyou’rehome.”

Isthatit?Willem’sthoughtsturnedbitter.Earlier,henoticedthatAlmariaseemedsmallerthanusual.Flippingperspectives,AlmariashouldhavenoticedthatWillemhadgrownquiteabit.TherealAlmariawouldhavewithoutdoubtnoticedthatandpointeditout.Thefactthatshedidn’tdosoonlyprovidedmoreevidencethatshewasanimposter.

“Father.”Agirlpulledonhissleeve.“Who’sthat?”

Nephren,althoughunabletounderstandtheirlanguage,couldstillseethateveryonehadturnedtolookather.ShegaveWillemaquizzicallook.

“Youfoughtupinthenorththistime,right?Isshefromoneofthosecountries?”

“Ah…”Willemthoughtforabit,butcouldn’tcomeupwithadecentexplanation.“Yeah,that.”

“What’sgoingon?”NephrenaskedinthecommontongueofRegulAire.

“Someoneaskedwhoyouare.Ican’texactlytellthemthetruth,soplayalong.”

“…gotit.”Nephrennoddedandreturnedtohermeal.

“Shehasprettyhair.It’slikealittleofffromsilver,”someoneremarked.

“Ah…yeah.”

Amongthefairies,whooftenpossessedhairwithstrikinglybrightcolors,Nephrenwasrelativelynormal.Thankstothat,whilepeopledidnoticeherhair,theycouldn’ttellrightawaythatshewasn’thuman.

“Sowhat’sherstory?”Almariaaskedasshebroughtoveranotherbowlofsalad.“Sinceyoubroughtheroverheresuddenly,atfirstIthoughtshemightneedtobetakencareof,butearliersheflew,didn’tshe?”

“Ah…”

TheorphanageoperatedwithsupportfromthecityofGomag,butthechildrenwerenotallresidentsofGomag.Theycamefromallover,pickedupbyWillem’smaster,alsothefounderoftheorphanage

andtheir‘grandfather’,duringhisbattles.

“No…she’smorelike…mycomrade.”

“Comrade?”Almariarepeatedsuspiciously.“Comradeinwhat?”

“AfellowQuasiBrave.Whatelsecouldthatmean?”

“Brave!?”

“Eventhoughshe’ssmallerthanus!?”

“Really!?”

AlltheboysimmediatelyturnedtheirattentiontoNephren,whodrewbackinbewilderment.Afterall,shewasraisedintheallfemalefairyorphanage.TheonlymenbesidesWillemsheevercameclosetoweretheReptraceguysinthearmy.Thiswasprobablyherfirsttimedrawingtheattentionofboysofasimilarrace.

“Hey,let’shaveaduel!”

“Hey,nofair!Igettogofirst!”

TheboysgrabbedontobothofNephren’sarmsandbegandraggingherdownthehallway.

“Idon’treallyknowwhat’sgoingon,butit’slikethere’sabunchofCollons,”Nephrenmumbled.

Hervoicetrailedoffasshemovedfartheraway,theneventuallybecameinaudibletoWillem.That’saprettygoodcomparison,hethought.

“Hey,atleastsay‘thankyou’whenyou’refinishedeating!”Almariayelleddownthehallway.Afewoftheboysreturnedanenergetic‘thankyou!’.“Geez,howrude.Anyways,she’sreallysmall…butI’mguessingshecanwieldoneofthosebigswordsyoushowedmeearlier?”

“Yep.Despiteherbodysize,she’sfarmorequalifiedtobeaBravethanIam.Oh,andalso,shelookssmall,butshe’saroundyourage,”Willemsaid.

“What,really?IthoughtshewasaboutthesameageasNanette.”

Sittingatthecornerofthetable,Nanette,whojustturnedten,noddedvigorously.Willemcoulddefinitelyseewhytheygotthatimpression.Nephrenwasprettysmall.However,hedecidedto

nottellherabouttheirlittleconversation.

Faather.

“…hm?”Avoiceseemedtocalltohimoutoftheblue.“Didsomeonejustsaysomething?”

“Huh?IsaidthatshelooksaboutthesameageasNanette,”Almariaresponded.

“No,afterthat.Itsoundedkindafaraway…”

“Ialsothoughtshewasthesameageasme!”Nanetteraisedherhandandsaidenergetically.Thatprobablywasn’twhatWillemheardeither.

Ohwell.Maybeitwasjusthisimagination.Inanycase,hecouldn’taffordtolethisguarddown.Itwasshapinguptobeamoretroublesomedreamthanheoriginallythought.Remindinghimselfthathewasintheclutchesofanunknownenemy,andnotinthesafetyofhome,Willemfocusedhismindandsharpenedhisvigilance.

Part3:TheQuasiBraveWhoReturnedHome

Threedaysflewbywithoutincident.Oratleast,nothingnoticeableoccurred,likeasuddenbloodbathattheorphanageorallthechildrenstartingtohurlinsultsatWillem.

Almariawasscurryingenergeticallytoandfroaroundthehouseasusual.

“I’mhome!”

“Welcomeback—you’reallcoveredinmud!Here,wipeitoff.”

“Almaria!Ineedtopee!”

“Okayokay,holdonasecondI’mcoming.”

“I’mhungry!Ineedasnack.”

“Youjustatelunch,didn’tyou?Alright,waitonemoment.”

Right,left,up,down,sheraneverywhichway.

Willemwatchedherfromthegardenashedidsomework.

“Well…it’sgoodthatshe’sfullofenergy,”hemuttered,thenswunghishammerdownuponanironnailwithaclank.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Nephrenappearedbesidehim.

“Exactlywhatitlookslike.I’mrepairingthisbrokenfence.”

“Lies.YouwerelookingatAlmariaandsmiling.”

“Seeingherjustcheeredmeup,that’sall.”

“Hmm.”Withanexpressionthatmadeithardtotellwhethershebelievedhimornot,NephrentookaseatbehindWillem.Then,sheleanedagainsthimsothattheywerebacktobackandopenedabooksheprobablyborrowedfromsomewhereintheorphanage.

“Ican’tworklikethis.”

“Don’tmove.”

Willemsetdownhishammer.“…you’vegottenprettygoodwiththelanguage.”

“IstudieditoncewithLan,soIknowalotofthebasicgrammarandvocabulary.AfterthatIjustneedtolistenandspeakalot.”

“Yeah,wellusuallythatpart’snotsosimple.”RememberingthestrugglehewentthroughtryingtolearnthecommonlanguageofRegulAire,Willemsmiledbitterly.Also,hefoundithardtobelievethatNephrenwasactuallypracticingthat‘speakalot’part.“Youcanusethecommonlanguagewhenyou’retalkingwithme,youknow?”

“No.”NephrenshotdownWillem’ssuggestion.“Thekeytolearningnewwordsistoonlyusenewwords.Ifyourunawaytowordsyoualreadyknow,you’llforgetthemall.”

“Serious,huh?”Willemsighed.“IfIcouldgiveyouthislanguageTalisman,thatwouldmakethingseasier.Butforsomereasonitwon’tcomeoff.”

“Evenifyoucould,Idon’tneedit.Convenienceis

theenemyofgrowth.”

“Geez,howseriousareyou?”InfrontofWillem’seyes,ahalffixedfence.Tohisright,ahammer.Tohisleft,ironnails.Behindhim,Nephren’swarmth.Hegazedidlyattheskyandanswered,“There’snoneedtoworksohardtolearnit,isthere?Onceyouleavethisworldyou’llneverusethelanguageagain.”

“ButI’lluseituntilIleave,right?”Nephrensaidassheflippedthroughherbook.“Yousaidwewouldwait.Untilourenemygetsimpatientandstartsinterferingwiththeworld.Sothatleavesplentyoftimetousethelanguage.”

WillemdidindeedtellNephrenthat.Although,atthetimehehadn’tbeenimaginingsuchalongtimeframe.Hefigureditwouldonlytakehalfadayorso.

“Besides,therearealotofinterestingthings,”Nephrencontinued.

“Interesting?”

Nephren’sgrammarwasalittleoff,butWillem

couldtellwhatshemeant.Hestartedtoturnaroundtofaceher,but,sincetheyweresittingbacktoback,thatcausedNephrentostarttofallover.Willemquicklyturnedbacktohisoriginalposition,wherehecouldn’tseeherexpression.

“Ifthisisyourdream,thenthingsthatyoudon’tknowofshouldn’tappear.”

“Hm,Iguess.”

Willemheardtheflippingofpagesfrombehindhim.

“WestGar…Garm…GarmondFlowingSandsConfederation?Outofthetwentyoriginalparticipatingclans,doyouknowhowmanymembersoftheroyaltywerestillaliveinyear1030oftheempirecalendar?”

“Uh…wha?”

Nephren’sunexpectedquestionthrewWillemintoastateofconfusionforamoment.Ofcourse,heknewoftheWestGarmondFlowingSandsConfederation.Itreferredtothelargedesertwhich

coveredalmosttheentirewesternhalfoftheGarmondregionandthegovernmentofthepeopleswholivedthere.Theyhaddeepknowledgeofpeculiartypesofspells,especiallyexistencealterationtypes.Butcometothinkofit,thatwasjustaboutallWillemknewaboutthem.Hedidn’trecalleverlearningabouttheirhistoryorpoliticalstructure.

“IfIreadthiscorrectly,thatfactiswrittenwithinthisbook.”

“…seriously?”

AsWillemexplainedtoNephrenearlier,dreamworldscreatedbysuchTalentsastheirenemysurelypossessedreflectedthetarget’smemories.Asaconsequence,thingsunknowntothevictimneverappearedinsidethefakeworld.

“Ofcourse,Idon’tevenknowwhatthisWestGarmondplaceis.Whichmeans,therearethingswrittenherewhichneitheryounorIknow.”

“Forreal…ouch!”Willeminstinctivelymutteredin

theRegulAirecommonlanguage,onlytoreceiveanastypinchinthebehind.

“Nocommonlanguage.”

“Okayokay,gotit.Anyways,so…whatcouldthismean?”

“Ourenemyisinterfering?”

Coulditbe?No,ifthatwerethecaseWillemwouldn’tunderstandtheirenemy’smotivesatall.Whatkindofdamagingeffectcouldreadingarandomunknownfactinabookpossiblyhaveontheirmorale?AndifNephrenneverstartedreadingthatbookinthefirstplace,theyneverwouldhaveseenit.Suchaminorinterferencewouldbemeaningless.

“…let’snotworryaboutitfornow.”Willemcametotheconclusionthatfurtherthoughtwouldnotyieldanythingofuse.

“Canweaffordtodothat?”

“It’sbettertonotgotoodeepintomysterysolvingwhenwehavesolittleinformation.Themore

hypothesesandassumptionswemake,theharderit’llbetoseetheanswerlateron.Let’snotreadtoomuchintothingsuntilwegetaclearerhint.”

“Isee.”Nephrenreturnedtoherbookwithoutfurthercomment.

“…Ican’tworkwhileyou’resittingthere.”Asbefore,Willem’scomplaintwascompletelyignored.

Withintheterritoryoftheempireweremanyspotswellknownfortheirbeautifulscenery.Forexample,SnowflakeAvenueindistrictoneoftheimperialcapital.OrtheNegatisCommemorativeChurch.OrFistilasLake.TheObsidianTowerandGraveoftheTwinswouldhavealsobeenincludedinthatlist,buttheywererazedinthefiresofwarbytheotherraces.Poetspraisedtheempireasthe‘treasureboxoftheland’,andthepeoples’heartsoverflowedwithnationalisticpride.Thatsaid,however,everytinybitoftheempirewasn’tasrefinedandfilledwithbeautyasthosemonuments.Nomatterhowdevelopedthelargecitieswere,thecountrysideremainedthesameoldcountryside.

ThecityofGomagbelongedtothecountryside.Itmanagedtobealittleofffromallthemajortraderoutesrunningthroughtheempire,didn’tboastanyfamousbuildings,anddidn’thaveanyparticularlyfamousproducts.Accordingly,notmanytouristsoraspiringbusinessownersstoppedby.Gomag,situatedafairdistanceawayfromtheborders,alsohadnoneedtofearthefiresofwar.Itsresidentssawthesamefaces,talkedaboutthesamethings,andwentthroughthesameeventsdayafterday.

Caughtoutbyasuddendownpour,WillemandNephrenhurriedintoanearbycafetotakeshelter.

“Wow,lookatthat.”

Outside,theraincontinuedtobatterdownwitheverincreasingintensity.Itlimitedtheirvisibility,butevensotheycouldmakeoutthefiguresofpeoplerunningabouthurriedly.Awindhadalsobeguntoblow,renderinganumbrellaeffectivelyuseless.

“Guesswegottakilltimeuntilitstops…hey,canweorder?”Afterabriefglanceatthemenu,Willemcalledawaiter.“I’llhaveacoffeeand…friedpotatoes.She’llhave…”HelookedovertoNephrenandaskedintheRegulAirecommonlanguage,“Youokaywithorangejuice?”

“I’llhaveacoffeetoo,andalsothissconewiththreevarietiesofjam.”Nephrencompletelyignoredhimandorderedforherself.“Nospoilingme.”

“Right.”Willemshrugged.Well,atleastshedidn’tpinchhisbuttthistime.

“…Iknowit’sobvious,buteveryonehereismarkless.”

“It’sthesameinthefairywarehousetoo,isn’tit?”

“Irarelygetthechancetoseeaplacewithlotsofadultormalemarklessthough.”

Themarklessracestendtohaveaweakerphysiquethantheothers.Asaresult,notmanyofthembecomesoldiersintheWingedGuard.ToNephren,whoprettymuchonlyeversawtheresidentsofthe

68thIslandandthesoldiers,thisplacemustseemlikesomekindofexoticzoo.

“So,didyoufindanyinterestingbooks?”

“Iwon’tknowuntilIreadthem.Ijustgrabbedthemrandomly,soI’mnotexpectingmuch.”

ApaperbagfilledwithafewbookssatonNephren’slap.Theyhadbeencheckingoutanearbybookstorealittlebeforetherainstarted.

Intheircurrenttimesetting,largeprintingmachineswerealreadybeingwidelyused,makingbooksmucheasiertoobtaincomparedtoearliertimeswheneachoneneededtobecopiedbyhand.ThestreettheywereonalsohappenedtobesituatedbehindtheoneandonlycollegeinGomag,sotherewereplentyofbookstores,fromfullyfledgedshopstolittlestandsbytheroadside.Needlesstosay,awidevarietyofbookslaywaitingonthemanyshelves.

WillemfeltlikehecouldseeNephren’seyessparkling.Eventhoughshewasstillrelatively

unfamiliarwiththeEmnetwytelanguage,sheseemedtobeprettyexcitedatthechancetoreadallthenewbooks.Theyhaddecidedtogoshoppingwiththegoalofsheddinglightontheabnormalitiesintheworldaroundthem.Byexaminingandcomparingbookswhichcontainedinformationthatneitherofthemknew,theymightbeabletogainsomekindofhintastotheirenemy’smotives.Butevenifthatplanfailed,justseeingNephrensohappybyitselfmadetheirshoppingtripworthitalready.Willemhidasmileashethoughttohimself.

Whentheyenteredthecafe,abouthalfoftheseatshadbeenfilled.Thosecustomersallstayedputbecauseoftherain,soasaresultitwasgettingprettybusy.Naturally,almostallofthemwerecollegestudents.Willemfeltthathe,whodidn’tlooklikemuchofanintellectual,andNephren,whowastooyoungtoevenpursueacademics,stoodoutfromthecrowdabit.

—WhatwouldKutorisayaboutthissituation?Shewouldprobablylookdownandasksomethinglike

‘doesitlooklikewe’reacoupleonadate?’whileblushing.ThenWillemwouldrespond‘probablylookslikeyou’remyyoungersister’,andKutoriwouldsay‘don’ttreatmelikeakid!’.Asthesituationplayedoutinhishead,hischesttightened.

“Willem?”Nephrenaskedworriedly.

“It’snothing.”Hemusthavelethisbitteremotionsshowonhisface.

“Didyoufindoutwhat’soff?”

“Hm?…oh,that.”Theworldaroundthemwasnomorethanadreambasedonsomeone’smemorywithsomechangespossiblymadebythecreator.Thatmuchtheyalreadyknew.Theproblemwasafterthat.“It’shard.Wedon’tevenknowwhosememoriesthisworldisbasedoffofyet.”

Sincetheywereinhishometown,atfirstWillemthoughtitwashismemory.Butifthatwerethecase,theworldwouldn’tcontaininformationhedidn’tknow.Helookedoutsidethewindowatthe

winterstreetsofGomag.Thegreenshadesofmossgrowingonthestonepavement.Tinycracksinthebrickwalls.Graffitiscatteredabouthereandthere.

“Whoeveritis,theyknowmoreaboutGomagthanIdo,readmorebooks,andmustbeasfamiliarwiththeorphanageasIam.Idon’thaveacluewhocouldfitallthoseconditions.”

“Hmm.”

“Besides,weweretheonlyonesdownthereontheland.Nooneelsecould’vebeenthetargetoftheattack.Ihavenoideawhat’sgoingon.”

“Hmm.”

Nephrendidn’tsoundtooinvestedintheconversation.“Hmm?Isthatallyouhavetosay?”

“I’mnotthatinterested,”sherepliedcoolly.

Notthatinterested?Iftheydidn’tsolvethisproblem,theywouldneverbeabletogobacktoreality.

“It’skindacomfortablehere.Iwouldn’tmind

stayinglonger,”Nephrenaddedon.

“Thisisafakeworld,filledwithfakepeople.Nothinghereisreal.Everymomentspenthereisemptyandmeaningless.”

“You’retellingmethat?”

Willemfellsilent.Leprechaunsarefakelife.FakeEmnetwytemadeforthesolepurposeofdeceivingtheKaliyons.Nothingaboutthemisreal.Yet,theyunmistakablyexist.SecondTechnicianWillemKumeshcouldn’tbringhimselftoignorethatlastpoint,andsohedecidedtocareforthem,defyingtheemptynatureofhisjob.

“Almariaishere.Iamhere,”Nephrensaid.

Thepeopleinthedreamwereprobablyfake.Fictionalbeingscreatedforthesolepurposeofdeceivingthetrappedvictims.Inotherwords,exactlythesameasthefairiesinthewarehouse.

“Therealworld,orthisone.Youcanchoosewhichoneyoulikemore.”

“…geez,you’remakingthisawholelotmore

difficultforme,”Willemgrumbledquietly.

Therainshowednosignsoflettingup.

Astheircoffeesarrived,Nephrentookoutoneofhershinynewbooksandimmersedherselfintoreadingrightaway.Willem,whounfortunatelydidn’thaveanythingtokilltimewith,idlystaredoutthewindowandlistenedtothesoundoftherain.

Heusedtohatebeingbored.Ormorelike,hecouldn’tstandwastingtime.Afterall,hehadagoal.Andnotjustanygoal,butonesofaritwasunattainablewithadecentamountofhardwork.Sohewentbeyonddecent.Ifhehadevenatinybitoffreetime,hespentitallonimprovinghimself.

Intheend,hisbeyonddecenthardworkgothimtoapeculiargrayareawhichhedidn’tknowwhethertocallsuccessorfailure.Certainly,havingacquiredcountlessskillsandstudiedcountlesstechniques,Willemhadgrownfairlystrong.Hisdiversearsenalledtoconsistentresultsonthebattlefield.Afewof

hiscomradessaidthathecoulddoprettymuchanythingthatanyotherhumancoulddo,andWillemhimselffeltlikehewasgettingfairlyclosetothatbeingtrue.

Butstill.Willem’sgoalwastobecomeaRegalBrave.Andthatmeantnotonlybeingabletodoanythingthatotherscoulddo,butalsothingsthatnooneshould’vebeencapableof.NomatterhowcloseWillemgottothepinnacleofhumanity,hecouldneversetonefootintheterritoryabovethat.Trainingandstudyinghadnomeaning.Oratleast,theywouldneverbringhimtohisgoal,nomatterhowdiligentlyheworked.Yetevenafterknowingandacceptingthatfact,Willemcouldn’tstop.Hedidn’treallyknowwhyhimself.Maybehejustdidn’twanttoletallhispasteffortgotowaste.

Thereweretimeswhenhethoughtthatmaybeitwasallpointless.Maybeifhehadgivenuponhisimpossibledreamrightawayandspenthisfreetimelikeanormalteenageboy,hewould’vegottentoexperiencemorethingsandlivedamore

fulfillinglife.Maybehewould’veevengottenbetteratdealingwithgirls.Maybehewould’vebeenabletoactuallybringhappinesstothosewholovedhim.

“Willem!?”

Aman’ssuddenvoicecutoffWillem’strainofthought.Turningaround,hespottedasilverhairedyoungmanlookinghiswaywithacheerfulsmile.Theman’sentirebodywasdrenchedfromthedownpouroutside.

“Willem!It’syou!It’sbeensolong!WhendidyougetbacktoGomag?”

NephrenstoppedreadingforasecondandgaveWillemalookthatasked‘acquaintance?’.Willemnodded.

“Justafewdaysago.”

“Oh,neverseenherbefore.Anewkidattheorphanage?”

“Yeah,somethinglikethat.”

Theyoungmantookaseatwithoutbotheringtoask

forpermissionandsmiledatNephren.“Nicetomeetyou.MynameisTheodoreBrickroad.I’vebeenfriendswithWillemsincewayback.EveryoneI’mclosewithcallsmeTed,soyoucancallmethattoo.”

Nephren’seyesneverbudgedoneinchfromherbook.Completelyignored.WillemthoughthesawbeadsofnervoussweatappearonTed’sforehead.

“Youlooklikeyou’redoingwell,Ted.”Willembroketheawkwardsilence.

“Ah,indeedIhave!I’veleveledupquitealottoo!”

“Level…”Willemthoughtforabit.“…ah,youbecameanadventurer?”

Theadventurersmadealivingbyputtingthemselvesindanger.TheyfoughtagainsttheMonstrous,exploredthemysteriousMazes,andriskedtheirlivesbringingdowntheDragons.Ofcourse,allthosemissions,beingextremelydangerous,offeredattractiverewardstothosebrave,orperhapsfoolish,enoughtoacceptthem.

“Youdidn’tknow!?”Tedexclaimed.

“No.It’sbeenawhilesinceI’vebeeninGomag,andIhavenointerestinyou.”

“Atleastpretendtoknow!Honestyisavirtue,butsometimesthetruthhurtstoomuch,youknow!?”

Hahaha.Thisguy.“Well?Whatlevelareyounow?”Willemasked.

Anadventurers‘level’indicatedhisskillinbattleandextentofhistraining.Thehigher,thebetter.Aregularcivilianwouldrankaround2or3.Acapablesoldier,around10.Onewholivedanddiedforbattlewouldreacharound30.Thatwasconsideredtobeasortofupperlimitforwhathumanitycouldreach.Toreachbeyondthatnumber,onewouldneedtostepoutsideoftheframeworkofahuman.

“I’mlevel8,”Tedresponded.

Fairlyaverageforyoureverydayadventurer.Takinghisyoungageintoaccount,itmightevenbealittleonthehighside.Ted’slevelwassomethinghecouldbeproudof.

“Ohbytheway,I’veheardthatyourlevelisreally

high,evenbeyondthelevel30wall.”

“Ah…well,yeah…”Willemwasn’tanadventurerhimself,butheoftenfoughtalongsidethem,sohehadhislevelestimatedafewtimes.Thelasttimehegotitchecked,hislevelwas69.Needlesstosay,everyonenearbywasastoundedatthatridiculousnumber.

“Wow,that’samazing.AretherespecialtrainingmethodsthattheChurchofHolyLightteachesonlytoBravesorsomething?”

“No,notreally.”Willemtookasipofhiscoffee.“Besides,it’sjustanumber.Doyouwantitthatbad?”

Certainly,levelservedasanindicatorofone’sstrength.Butconversely,itwasnomorethanasingleindicator.Therewereplentyoflowlevelsthatprovedthemselvesusefulonthebattlefield,and,unfortunately,therewereevenmoreoftheopposite.Willemneverthoughtofitassomethingtoworrytoomuchabout.

“OfcourseIwantit.Forusadventurers,ourleveldeterminesoursalarytoo.Ifyourlevelisn’thighenough,youcan’tgetinformationonthehighrewardmissions.”

Ah,Isee.Sothat’showtheGuildpreventedneedlessdeaths.Theideaofanadventurernotallowedtogetclosetodangerdidseemamusingthough.

“Ifyoureallyjustwanttoraiseyourlevel,it’snotthathard.Justkeepbruteforcingyourwaythroughdifficultiesandit’llgoupallonitsown.”

“They’recalled‘difficulties’forareason…”

“…anyways,it’snotexactlyasecrettrick,butIhaveanideaofhowtolevelupfast.”

“Really?!”Tedleanedforwardinexcitement.

“Let’ssee…somewhereclosetohere…ah,that’sright.InthecityofAlvaliethere’sthisguycalledtheHolyBladeoftheWestgatheringdisciples.Gothere,andlearnthe‘finalsecrettechniques’.”

“Finalsecrettechniques?”

“Onceyoustarttraining,youeithermasterthetechniquesandgohome,oryoudie.It’soneofthosekindadeals.”

“…die?”AhintofskepticismbegantoshowinTed’svoice.

“Itwasasortofcompoundofmultipledifferentskilltypesthatletyoucrushanopponent’sinnardsevenfromabovetheirarmor.Guyswithsomesensecouldusuallygraspthetechniquewhendriventothebrinkofdeath,andguyswithoutsense,well,theynevergottolearnit.”

“…um?”UneasinessnowclearlyshowedinTed’svoice.

“Nowasforthetrainingitself,itwasarealdealDragontakedown.”

“I’ddefinitelydie.There’snowayIwouldsurviveforfiveseconds.”

“Welltechnicallyit’sasubspeciesofDragon,butstillaDragon.Sobasicallyridiculouslystrong,scalestoughassteel,resistanttoregularweapons…

theonlywaytosurviveistoreachenlightenmentandacquirethesecrettechniqueduringbattle,thenuseitrightawaytokilltheDragon.Orthat’showit’ssupposedtobeanyways.Thatenlightenmentnevercametome.”

“…huh?”Ted’seyesopenedwide.“Ah,didyouusesomekindofsneakytrick?”

“Isupposeyoucouldcallitthat.SinceIcouldn’tusethesecrettechnique,Ijustkilleditwithbruteforce.”

“……huh?”

“TheysaidtheDragonwasresistanttoregularweapons,butapparentlythatmeantweaponsjusthadaverytinyeffect,notnoeffectatall.Itriedallsortsofskills,andafteraboutaweekthetinywoundsaccumulatedandtheDragonjustfelldown.”

“…ah…”

“AsIsaid,aslongasyoukeepbruteforcingyourwaythroughdifficulties,yourlevelwillgoup.I

thinkjustfromthatmylevelincreasedby10.ThatHolyBladeguywasspeechless,tosaytheleast.”

“……Iwouldbetoo.”Forsomereason,Ted’svoicesoundedexhausted.

WhenWillem’smasterandLeilaheardaboutthatlittleordeal,theyexplodedinlaughter,sayingsomethinglike‘peoplewithnosensesurehaveitrough’.Rudebastards.

“Ifyoukeepdoingthingslikethat,yourlevelandthenumberofdojosyou’rebannedfromwillsteadilyincrease.Usingforbiddenspellsisalsoagoodmethod.They’reeasytouse,butthebacklashcanbeprettynasty.Ifyoucanendurethat,though,youcangetabouttwoorthreelevels.”WillemsmiledbroadlyatTed.“Ifyouwant,Iwriteyousomereferralletters.”

“No,sorrybutIthinkIwillpass.Iwanttoliveasteadylife.”

Thenwhythehelldidyoubecomeanadventurer?“Sowhatdoyouplanondoingonceyourlevel’s

higher?”

“Well,youknow…”Forsomereason,Ted’scheeksflushedred,andhescratchedthemnervouslyashespoke.“ThenI’llbeabletoproposetoAlmaria.”

“OookayI’llintroduceyoutoatrainingprogramthat’llgetyou50levelsinstantlysoprepareyourlastwillandtestament.”

“SorryIwon’tdothatpleaseforgiveme.”TedbackedhischairawayfromWillem,onlytohaveawaitertellhimtostop.

—Willemsuddenlyfeltlikesomesharpobjectgrazedagainstthebackofhisneck.

“…Willem?”Tedasked.

“Ah,sorry.Ineedtogo.”Rubbinghisnapewithhispalm,Willemstoodup.

Nephrenlookedupfromherbook.“Areyougoingsomewhere?”

“Yeah,itlookslikeIhaveonemoreoldfriendtomeet…Ted,sorrybutcanyoutakethisonehometo

theorphanage?”hesaid,thenleftthecafe.

“Huh?Uh…Willem?”

WillemignoredTed’sconfusedvoiceandkeptonwalking.Therainstillhadn’tletup,butnowwasnotthetimetobeworryingaboutthat.

AnoldmemorysuddenlyranthroughWillem’smind.

Thesettingwasalittlemorethan527yearsago,afewdaysbeforeheandsixothersgatheredtodefeatVisitorElqHarksten.

“Idon’treallylikebigswords,”Leilasaid.Accordingtoher,shepreferredalengthaboutaslongasherarmandaweightlightenoughtoswingaroundeasilywithonehand.Inotherwords,ananti-humanoidlongswordwithwhichshecouldusethewiderangeofskillsshelearnedfromherparents,teacher,andmaster(apparentlythoselasttwoweredifferentpeople).

Kaliyons,ontheotherhand,werehugeswordsmadetokillthosewhofarsurpassedthehumans.

KindoflikeasteppingstooltohelptheweaklingEmnetwytestandastallaspossible.SoLeiladidn’tlikethemverymuch.

Willemunderstoodwhatshewastryingtosay.Heunderstood,butatthesametime,hewasn’tsosureifthecurrentRegalBraveandchosenuserofthelegendarySeniolisshouldbesayingsuchathing.CountlesspeopleintheworldlongedtobechosenbyastrongKaliyonbutremainedunchosenandlongedtoholdgreatpowerbutremainedunabletoattainit.Foronewhohadbothtospeaklightlyofthemwouldnotsitverywellwithallthosepeople.IfLeilasaidsuchthingspublicly,someangryguyjustmightstabheroneday.Actually,Willemwantedtostabherrightthatinstant.

“…soIchallengedhertoapracticeduelandgotdestroyed,”WillemgroanedtoNavrutri,whodidn’tlookveryimpressed.

ShiningStaffintoBearPalm.FoxTailintoNeedleElbow.DemolishingNightingaleDashintoFrolickingIronBellSmash.AlltheskillsWillem

workedsohardtolearnfromHilgramwerenomatchforthespecialperceptionabilitygrantedonlytothechosenRegalBrave.UsingthatAbyssalEye,asitwasapparentlycalled,shesawrightthroughallofWillem’smovesandswiftlycounteredthem.Heeventriedusingthe‘BlazingSunWalk’and‘FootstepsoftheNorthStar’whichhelearnedfromNavrutri,butitwasnouse.ThewalloftheRegalBrave’stalentandskilltoweredhighaboveWillem’shead.

“Willem,Ithinkyou’remisunderstandingsomething,”Navrutrisaidwithanexaggeratedsigh.“Usmencannotwinagainstwomen.Nomatterhowmanytimesyouchallengethem,you’llnevercomeclose.Allwecandoisbegfortheirlove.”

“IwasstupidtothinkI’dgetanyseriousadviceoutofyou.”Willemgroanedagain.

“Nono,I’mbeingveryserious.Ithinkthisissuemaybeduetoadifferenceinswordsmanship.”Navrutrislicedtheairwithhisfinger,asif

brandishinganimaginarysword.“Yourstyleoffightingissuitedforbattle.Theaimistochipawayatyourenemy’sstrength,dishoutlargeamountsofdamage,anddestroy.Youcouldsayit’sastylethatclassifieseverythinginfrontofyouintotwocategories:thingsthatyoucankill,andthingsthatyoucan’t.Itrejectsanymoreinformationthanthat.”

“Isthatbad?”

“No,it’sstandardforawarrior.Noone’sgoingtofindfaultinthatstyle.”Navrutrishrugged.“Butyoudon’tactuallywanttodefeatLeila,sothatstyleisn’treallysuitedforsuchanopponent.”

“…wellifIcoulddefeatherthenI’dliketotry,but…”

“Indeedthatiseveryman’sdream,butalasafutileone.I’llcheeryouonthough.Fromasafeplaceoffintheshadows.”

“Soifmyswordsmanshipissuitedforbattle,thenwhataboutLeila?”

“Hmm,herstylecloselyresemblesNils’.Maybeshelearnedwellfromhimbecauseshe’sobedientatheart,ormaybeherpersonality’sjustmadefromthesamestuffashis.”

NilsDForeigner.Leila’smaster,andWillem’s‘good-for-nothingmaster’.

“Notwantingtogethurt,andnotwantingtohurtothers,yettakinguptheswordbecausethere’snootherchoice…typicalcaseofacoward’sswordsmanship.”

Willemarrivedinanarrowalleywayandstoppedwalking.Asilverbladesuddenlyappearedpressedrightupagainstthebackofhisneck.Athinstreamofbloodseepedout,onlytobewashedawaybytherain.

“Hey,”hecalledoutcalmly.“Aratheroldfashionedwaytoinvitesomeonetotalk,don’tyouthink?It’snotlikewe’restrangers,ifyouwanttotalkyoucanjusttellmewithwords,youknow?”

“…it’snotasubjectIwanttodiscussinfrontof

people.”AmanwearingablackwaterrepellantrobeappearedbehindWillemandansweredcasually.“Beforewerekindleoldfriendships,thereareafewthingsIwanttoaskyou.Iwouldbegratefulifyoucouldanswerhonestly,Willem.”

“Well,goahead.YouknowI’mbadathidingthings,don’tyou?”

“Firstquestion,”themancontinued,ignoringWillem’splayfulcomments.“Whyareyouhere?”

“…well,Gomagismyhometown,youknow?Ifyouaskme,it’swaymoreunnaturalthatyou’rehere.”

“Iguessyoudidn’tunderstandmyquestion.”ThebladegrazingWillem’sneckbitslightlydeeper.“Thatdayofthefinalbattle,youandEbonCandlesimultaneouslydefeatedeachotherinyourfight.Whyareyousuddenlyherenow?”

“…what?”

Forasecond,Willemfailedtocomprehendthequestion.Then,themomenthegraspedthemeaninginthosewords,herealizedthathehad

forgottentothinkaboutoneveryimportantpointupuntilnow.Hehadgottensocaughtuponthefactthattheworldwassimplyadreamthatheforgottoconfirmexactlywhenthedreamwasset.

Fromwhatthemanjustsaid,Willemcouldinferafewthings.First,theworldwassetatatimeaftertheywenttodefeattheVisitors,butbeforethe17Beastsappeared.Second,Willemneverreturnedhomefromthatbattle—mostlikely,hisbodywasnowachunkofstonerollingaroundonthebattlefield.Andlastly,theworldwasnotjustbasedoffofWillem’smemory,asheandNephrenhadsuspected.Besidestheunknownfactsinthebooks,henowknewthattheworldwasprogressingthroughatimeinwhichheneverexperiencedforhimselfbackthen.

Whattheheckisgoingon?Willemmostlikelyspentonlyafewsecondslostinthought.Themanbehindhim,apparentlytakingthatsilenceassomekindofanswer,withdrewthebladefromWillem’sneck.

“…areyousureit’sokaytoletmego?Istillhaven’t

givenyouananswer.”

“Iwasn’tintendingtothreatenyouinthefirstplace.AgainstthestrongestQuasiBrave,thisbladeisnomoreusefulthanatoysword.”

“Strongest?”Willemchuckled.“Itfeelswrongtobecalledthatbyyou,Navrutri.”

Slowly,Willemturnedaround.Themantookoffthehoodofhiswaterresistantrobe,revealingaheadofbrightredhairandtheunshavenfaceofamaninhisthirties.

NavrutriTeigozak.AQuasiBraverecognizedbytheChurchofHolyLight.HailingfromoneoftheclansofWestGarmond,hisweaponofchoicewashisclan’shereditarydualcurvedblades.Whenitcametimetostandagainststrongerenemies,however,heunsheathedhisbelovedKaliyonLapidemSybilus.

“Noneedtoputsomuchpraiseonme,”Willemsaid.“You’vebeenaQuasiBraveforlonger,andyou’remoreskilled.YoualsowieldahigherclassKaliyonthanIdo.”

Navrutriletoutasmalllaugh.“Thefactthatyou’rebeingseriousandnotmodestwhenyousaythatiswhatmakesyouscary.”

Willemlaughedback.“Thefactthatyou’rebeingseriousandnotjustteasingwhenyousaythatiswhatmakesyouannoying.”

Abriefsilence.Thesoundoftherainviolentlyhittingthestonepavingalonefilledtheair.

“…yes,thatblackskullandIdefeatedeachother.Idon’trememberwhathappenedafterthat.WhenIcameto,IwasinGomag.Thatwasinthemorning,threedaysago.”WillemansweredNavrutri’squestionfromearlier.Tohonestlytellthefullstory,hewouldneedtoexplainthatthisentireworldwasfake,andthatseemedlikearatherdifficulttask,sohedecidedtokeepthosebitshidden.“Infact,I’dliketoknowwhathappenedmyself.”

Willemlightlyscratchedhisrainsoakedhair.“Howdidthatbattleturnoutintheend?Judgingbythefactthathumanityisn’textinctyet,I’mguessingthatwedefeatedtheVisitors.AndnowIknowthat

youmadeitbacksafely,butwhatabouttheothers?”

Navrutrididn’tanswer.

“Andalso,what’swithsuddenlyputtingaknifetoyourcomrade’sneck?Explainthesituationtome.”

“TrueWorld,”Navrutrimuttered.AratherembarrassingnameforanorganizationinWillem’sopinion.“Youremember,don’tyou?Whattheyoncedidtotrytooverthrowthecapital.Theremnantsofthatgrouparestilltryingtocarryouttheirplan.”

Ah.Well,whenWillemthoughtaboutit,itwasn’ttoosurprising.Thisdreamworldwascreatedbasedonthepast,atatimeaftertheirbattlewiththeVisitors,soofcoursetheappearanceofthe17Beastscamenext.Afewdaysafterthat,thetownwouldbedevoured,thecountrywouldfallintoruin,andtheentireraceofhumanswoulddisappearoffthefaceoftheearth.Whichmeant,theTrueWorldguyswhocreatedtheBeastswereschemingsomewhereintheworldevenastheyspoke,poisedtobringanendtoitall.

Willemfeltalittlelikeaprophet.Butitdidfeelkindofstrangetoknowthefutureforcertain.Itwaslikeamixofbeingomnipotentyetpowerlessatthesametime.IfWillemhadtosay,betweenpleasantandunpleasant,thefeelingleanedheavilytowardsunpleasant.

Hidingthetroubledthoughtsrunningthroughhisheadbehindastraightface,Willemasked,“AndhowisTrueWorldrelatedtoyoubeinghere?”

“TrueWorldhaseitheraBraveoraformerBraveamongthem.”

“–What?”ThatwasnewstoWillem,andunexpectednewsatthat.“Iwouldsaythat’salie,butIknowyou’renotthetypetoactonunreliableinformation.Whichmeansyouhaveagoodsource.Andsinceyou’renothidingthenews,youmusthavejudgedthatslowingthetraitor’sactionsbymakinghimbemorecarefulismoreimportantthanactuallydiscoveringhisidentityorpreventingtheQuasiBravesfrombecomingsuspiciousofeachother.”

“Youpickupfast,asalways,”Navrutrisaid.“Nowif

onlyyoucouldreadwomenthatwell,you’dbemorepopular.”

Shutup.Willemdidn’tparticularlywanttobepopularwiththeladies,butbeingtoldthatbyNavrutri,whowasalwaysboastingabouthisnumerouslovers,madehimextremelyfrustrated.

“Judgingbyyourreaction,IthinkIcanassumeyouhavenotieswithTrueWorld.”Navrutrispreadouthishands,andthesilverknifeheheldinhisrighthandjustmomentsagodisappearedasifinamagictrick.“But,I’mguessingyouweren’tentirelyhonest.Ithinkwebothknowyoudidn’tjustwakeupthreedaysago.”

…hepicksupfast,asalways.Andhecanreadwomenthatwelltoo.Damnit.

“Alright,Willem.Youarefreefromsuspicion,forthetimebeing.Domeafavorbynotstandingouttoomuchuntilthissituationsettlesdown,”Navrutrisaid,thenturnedaround.

“Yousureyoudon’tneedanyhelp?”

“Myjobrightnowistodoubtmycomrades.Ican’tentrustmybacktosomeonewhoIcan’tsayisinnocentwith100%certainty,”NavrutrirespondedwithhisdefenselessbackfacedtowardsWillem.Hecouldn’ttellwhetherthatwasonpurposeornot.

“…IsupposeIcangiveyouonemoreanswer.TheonlyoneswhosurvivedthebattlewiththeVisitorsandthePoteauweremeandLeilaonly.Well,andIguessyoutoo.”

“…Isee.”WillemhadalreadyheardtheoutcomefromtheGreatSage,Suwon.Soofcoursethenewswasn’tsurprising,butstillitdampenedhismood.

“TheonlybodieswewereabletorecoverwereSuwon’sandEmissa’s.Suwoncastsomekindofcomplicatedspellonhimself,sohisbodyiscurrentlysafelystoredawayinthechurch’sundergroundsanctuary.”

Whatareyoudoing,GreatSage?Thisisn’tthetimetobetakingaleisurelynap.Apparently,Suwon’sselfresuscitationspellhadn’tkickedinquiteyet.

“Ithinkthat’saboutallIcantellyoufornow.Whenallthisisover,I’lltellyoutherestoversomedrinks,”Navrutrisaid,thenstartedwalkingoff.

“Hey,Navrutri.”Drivenbyimpulse,Willemcalledouttothebackofhisoldcomrade.“Ah…howhaveyoubeen?”

Navrutristoppedforabriefmomentandanswered,“Justfine.”Then,hedisappearedoffintotheheavyrain.

Willemgazedupatthesky.

Eveninthisdreamworld,thedropsfallingonhisskinfeltascoldasever.

Aloudsneezeechoedthroughoutthenarrowalley.

Part4:TheScarletHairedGirl

Alargepaintinghungfromoneofthewallsofasmallchurch.Itdepictedavast,barrenwastelandandabouttenfacelessmenandwomenstandingonit,allhuddledaroundeachother.

“Outfromthefarawayoceanofstars,thegodsdescendedonthewasteland.”

Ayounggirlstoodinfrontofthatpainting,gazingupatit.Herbrightscarlethairresembledalivelyflame,andherbodyframewastypicalofagirlinhermid-teens.Butherinnocent,enrapturedfacialexpressionasshestaredatthepaintingonthewallalmostlookedlikeaninfant’s.

“Uponseeingtheempty,bleakplains,thegodswerefilledwithsadness.Theysplitoffsmallportionsoftheirsoulsandgavethemtothewildbeastswhichcrawledontheland.Carryingthesoulfragmentswithinthem,thebeastsgainedintelligenceandstartedtowalkacrossthelandontwolegs.Thatis

howtheraceknownashumanscametobe.”Theoldmanwhoranthechurchfinishedhisexplanationandstoodnexttotheyounggirl.“Youseemtobestudyingthepaintingquiteintently,younglady.AreyouinterestedinthelegendoftheVisitors?”

“Mm.”Thegirlnoddedslightly.“I’veneverseenmyfatherortheothers.”

Theinstructorseemedpleasantlysurprised.ThestoryofhowtheVisitorscreatedthehumanswhichtheChurchofHolyLighttaughtwasnotwidelybelievedamongstthecommoners,soapersonsopassionateintheirbeliefthattheyreferredtotheVisitorsastheirparentswasquiterare.Oratleast,that’swhattheoldmanthoughtwhenheheardthegirl’sremark.

“Thereisnoneedforlonelythoughts.Thesoulsofushumansweregiventousbythegods.Aslongaswearehere,soarethesoulsofourdistantancestors,theVisitors.”

“Idon’tthinkthat’spossible,”thescarlethairedgirlsaidwithasadsmile.“Thesoulfragmentsfromthe

Visitorswerelimited.Butthehumansgrewinpopulationtoofast.Thefragmentswithineachindividualbegantoweakenandlosemeaning.AmIwrong?”

Theinstructorfrowned.Thegirl’scommentscontainedsomebeliefswhichcontradictedtheChurch’steachings.Hethoughtaboutpointingthemouttoher,butsomethingelsecaughthisattention.

“Whydoyouspeakinpasttense?”

“Eventhoughthoseeventsarethepresentforyou,formethey’rethedistantpast.”Shedidn’tseemtobejokingorplayingdumb.Thegirlhadthetransparentandemptyexpressionofonewhohadgivenuponeverything,anexpressioncompletelyunfittingforayounggirl.

“Whatareyouta–”

“Ah.”Thegirlsuddenlycutoffthemanashestartedtoquestionher.“Sorry,Ihavetogonow.Carmaiscalling.”Sheturnedaroundsharply,causingthe

hemofhertravelclothestoflutterslightly.“Goodbye.Ireallylikedthatpainting.”

“W-Waitonese…eh…”

Theinstructorthoughthehadheardatinyfootstep,butinthenextinstantthegirl’sfiguredisappearedcompletelyfromhisview.Hedrewbackthehandwhichhehadstretchedouttograbthegirl’sshoulderwith,andstaredathispalm.

“…hm…?”

Hismemoryrapidlygrewcloudy.Someonehadbeenherejustnow.Heexchangedwordswiththatsomeone.Hewassosureofthat,yethecouldn’trecallwhatthatsomeonelookedlike,whatthatsomeone’svoicesoundedlike,orwhattheyhadtalkedabout.Itfeltalmostasifhehadbeentrickedbyafairyinthefoggydarknessofnight.

“Whatjust…”hemuttered,butnoonewastheretoanswer.

Theoldmanshiftedhisgazetothepaintinghungonthewall.Ofcourse,theVisitorstrappedwithin

thecanvascouldn’tspeaktohim.Yet,foronebriefmoment,hethoughthesawlonelysmilesontheiroriginallyundrawnfaces.

Chapter3:ThingsWhichCannotBe

Reclaimed

Part1:TheSeven

Theyprobablytookgreatcareincreatingtheirplan.Theyprobablyinvestedlonghoursandlargesumsofresourcesintotheirmeticulouspreparations.AhordeofMonstrousstrengthenedbyalterationcurses.Puppetwarriorsforgedwithlavishamountsofheavymetalsforbiddenunderthelaw.Cockatricesforciblycontrolledbyresponsespells.Eachofthoseheldpowerequalto,orno,surpassingthatofasmallarmy.Theterrifyingassemblycouldhavecrushedasmallcountrywithease.Whentheplanwasputintoaction,themastermindsbehinditwereprobablyalreadyconvincedoftheirvictory.

Howmanyyearsagowasthat?Atthetime,Willemwasfourteen.SothatmeansfouryearsinWillem’stime,529yearsinreality,andameretwoyearsinthedreamworld.That’sright.Here,thoseeventsoccurredjusttwoyearsago.

Willemswunghissword.Andswungagain.And

again.

Afteraboutthetwentieth,itgrewtoobothersometocountthenumberofenemieshehadslain.Hesethismindfreefromalldistractionsandconcentratedonsimplycuttingdowntheenemiesinfrontofhiseyes.

However,thecursestrengthenedMonstrousprovedtobetroublesome.Analterationcurvecompletelyoverwrotethevictim’snaturalstateofbeing.Theysometimesappearedinchildren’sstories,likewhenapersongotturnedintoastonestatueorwhenalittlebirdgotturnedintoacutegirl.Suchmagiccouldbeusedtobestowstrengthoriginallyunattainableorinfuseweaponsintothetarget’sverybody.

Now,havingsaidallthat,theenhancedMonstrousweren’tactuallythattoughtobeat.TheproblemliedinWillem’sKaliyon.Bothhisswordandhisenemieshadadvanced,elaboratespellsworkingwithinthem,andtheKaliyon’sconditiongraduallyworsenedasitheweditscurseriddenfoes.Atfirst

Willemthoughtaboutignoringitandsimplypushingonuntiltheend,butthenumberofenemiessurroundinghimprovedtobefargreaterthanwhatheimagined.Ifhedidn’tbothertofixtheswordrightaway,thebattlewouldonlyenduptakingmoretime,sincehewouldbefightingatdecreasedefficiency.

Iguessthere’snoavoidingit.

WillemcreatedsomedistancebetweenhimandthepackofenemieswithBlazingSunDashandpassedVenomthroughtheKaliyoninhisrighthand.

“Startmaintenance!”

Uponthestartofmaintenance,thebindingforceinthespelllineswhichheldthemetalfragments,orTalismans,togetherwouldnormallydissolve,causingtheswordtotransformintonomorethanagatheringof29shards.Thoseshardswouldthendispersethroughoutthesurroundingairandpreparetoreceivefinetuning.

However,onthebattlefield,therewasnotimefor

suchaleisurelymaintenance.Insteadofcompletelydissolvingthespelllines,Willemonlyweakenedthem.Themetalfragmentsscatteredslightly,butnotsomuchthattheswordlostitsoverallshape.TheyleftjustenoughspacebetweenthemforafewofWillem’sfingers.

HecuttheapproachingsteelpuppetsoldiersinhalfwiththeKaliyoninhislefthand.Atthesametime,heslidhisrightthumbthroughthegapsinthemetalfragmentsandpushedonthecrystalhiddeninthesword’sinterior.Throughthatcontact,hecouldreadthesword’scondition.

…ah.

OnepartofthespinalcircuithadbecomebadlycloggedwithVenom,renderingWillem’smagicunabletoproperlycirculatethroughouttheblade.Hecouldseewhyithadbeenworkingsopoorly.Hecouldperformafullmaintenanceafterwards,butrightnowheneededaquickfixtogetthroughthefight.Withhisthumb,heswitchedsomeoftheTalismansaround,improvisinganewrouteforthe

Venomwhichbypassedtheblockage.Whenfinished,hereturnedthespelllinestonormal.

TherewerenumerousvarietiesofKaliyons,butWillemparticularlypreferredthemassproducedPercivalmodelforthisveryreason.Itssimpleconstructionmademaintenancemucheasier.Nootherswordcouldhaveitsslayerlevelorresistancesadjustedintheheatofbattle.Inaddition,itsrelativelysmallsizemadeitperfectforfourteenyearoldWillem.Hecouldevendualwieldashewascurrentlydoing,butitputquiteabitofstrainonhim.Unfortunately,nomatterhowmuchhespokeofthePercival’sexcellence,theotherQuasiBravesnevergotonboard.Theycouldhardlywraptheirheadsaroundtheideaofperformingmaintenancebythemselves.

Anyway,thePercivalinhisrighthandhadregainedsomevigor,butprettysoontheDindraneinhislefthandwouldstarttowearout.Hemadeamentalnotetofightmorecarefullyfromnowonandleaptbackintotheaction,whenablindingflashoflight

eruptedbeforehiseyes.Athunderousboomfollowedit,poundingWillem’seardrumsmorefiercelythananynormalsound.TheintensewindsfromtheshockwaveseemedtothreatentotearWillem’sentirebodyapart.

“–Agh!”

WillemignitedalargeamountofVenomandfunneledhisstrengthintohislegs.Withdemolishedvisionandhearing,hemanagedtoseekoutthedirectionofthegroundrelyingonhissenseofequilibriumalone,thensoareddownforanemergencylanding.

“Agh…ah…”

Afterafewsecondsofmoaninginpain,Willem’sfivesensesgraduallyreturned,andhislungs,whichhadbeencrushedbytheimpact,resumedtheirwork.Hetookadeepbreath,ignoringtheslightpaininhisthroat,thenyelled,“Emissaaa!?Areyoutryingtokillme!?!”

“Hm?Oh,didn’tseeyouthere.”

Awomantoucheddownonthegroundalittlewaysawayfromhim.Willemheardshewastwentyyearsold.Sheworealongskirtwithfrillscompletelyinappropriateforabattlefield.Withsuchanoutfit,sheshouldhavegottencakedinmudafterafewminutesofrunningaround,buthecouldn’tspotevenatraceofdirtonher.EmissaHodwin.Anadventurerwithalevelof61,secondhighestoutofallactiveadventurers.

“Areyoucrazy?!”Willemscreamed.

“What,youturnedoutalright,andalltheenemiesarenicelycleanedup.What’stheproblem?”

Hesurveyedthebattlefield,orrather,theplacewhichusedtobeabattlefieldjustsecondsago.ThegroundonwhichhehadbeenrunningaroundandfightingwithhistwoKaliyonswasnownomorethanagiantbowlshapeddepression.Thehordeofenemieswasnowhereinsight.

AVenomexplosionofabsurdlylargescalewasresponsibleforthescenebeforeWillem’seyes.TheamountofVenomrequiredforsuchanattackfar

surpassedthelimitofwhatanormalindividualcouldignite,butEmissawasnonormalindividual.Inadditiontohersuperiorgenesandremarkabletalent,shehadherownspecialcontroltechniqueswhichallowedhertorealizesuchenormousdestructivepower.Willemstoppedcountingataroundtwenty,buthefiguredheprobablyslewfiftyorsixtyenemiesintotalafterswinginghisswordsnonstop.ThenumberofenemiesEmissajustsentflyinginoneinstantprobablyexceededthat.

“…wow,they’reallgone.”

“That’swhatI’vebeentryingtotellyou.”

Willemtookaseatonthegroundandlookedaroundoncemoreatthenewlandscape,whichnowhadexcellentvisibility.Beforethebattlestarted,thesteepyetbeautifulslopesofmountainsandasparseforestofconifershaddecoratedthearea.Butnow,theslopeshadbeenleveledandtheforesthadtransformedintoruggedgroundwithnothingmorethanafewunearthedrockspokingout.

“Ithinkyoujustdestroyedalotofnaturalhabitats.”

“Justsaying,it’snotallmyfault.ThatmountainoverthereandthatriverwereHilgram’sdoing.”

“…hm…”

HilgramMoto.Adventurer,level58.Hedidn’tuseweapons,nordidheigniteVenom.Byhisownchoosing,hestoodonthefrontlineswithonlyhisbarefists.Hewasabitofaneccentric,butanamazingmartialartist.

WillemturnedtolookwhereEmissapointed.Amassiveboulderhadsplitapartasifitweremadeofsand,andnumeroussmallstreamsflowedwhereawaterfalloncestood.

“Allthatwithhisbarehands,huh.Lookingatthat,myselfconfidenceasaVenomuserkindagoesdown,”Emissasaid.Willemunderstood,buthearinghersaythatpissedhimoffslightly.“Nowthen,canyouseehowmanyenemiesareleft?”

“Uhh…IstillseesomeintheforestthatKaiya’sinchargeof,and…oh,there’sanentiregroup

remainingoverthere.”

EmissafollowedWillem’sgaze.“Arethose…ivyDryads?Ifso,they’reprettybig…”

“Hm,they’veprobablyhadtheirverynaturealteredbyacurse,liketheothermonstershere.”

“…creepy.”

Alterationspellshadenormouscostsassociatedwiththem.Thosemutantswereprobablythetrumpcardofwhoeverplannedthewholething.Forhisultimateweaponstobesummedupwiththesingleword‘creepy’byEmissa…Willemkindoffeltsorryfortheguy.

“Well?Who’sgonnatakecareofthosethings?Notme,I’mnotgettinganywherenearthem.”ThemomentafterEmissafinishedtalking,agiganticcircleoflightappearedinthesky.“…ah,IguessSuwonwill.”

Astheylookedupatit,WillemandEmissatookearplugsoutoftheirpockets.Aninvisiblepaintbrushcontinuedtoscatterlightabout,

drawinganintricatedesigninthesky.

“That’sprettybig,”Emissaremarked.

“Hisspellsaren’tveryeffectiveagainstguysthatarealreadycursed,sohe’sprobablytryingtoputasmuchforceintoitaspossibleinordertocleanthemupforcertain.”

Thesealbeingdrawnintheskyactedasasortofcatalystforaspell.Thestrongerthespell,thelargerandmorecomplicatedthesealitrequired.Ofcourse,onabattlefield,therewasnotimetodraweachonefromscratch.Almostallthaumaturgistsinscribedsealsonparchmentorclaytabletsbeforehand,thenutilizedthemduringbattleasneeded.

However,SuwonCandeldidn’tfitintothecategoryof‘almostallthaumaturgists’.Hecouldinscribethenecessarysealforanyspellthatthesituationcalledforrightonthespot,nomatterhowcomplicatedorspecialized.EvenWillem,whocouldn’tcarvethemostbasicofsealsduetohisterribledrawingsense,couldtellthatSuwonwasabigfatcheater.

Hetrulysympathizedwiththeotherthaumaturgistsoftheworld.

WhileWillemwasbusythinking,thegiantsealintheskyhadbeencompleted.HeandEmissasimultaneouslypluggedtheirears,turnedaround,andshuttheireyes.

Fivesecondslater.

Thetwoopenedtheireyesandturnedbackaroundtoseethehumbleremnantsofthegreatmountainthatoncetoweredabovethearea.

“Thishasgottobebadfortheenvironment,”Emissasaid.

Willemagreed,butagain,hearinghersaythatpissedhimoff.

“Willem!Goodwork!”KaiyaKaltranwalkeduptoWillemandgavehimabighug.

“S-Stop!Ow!Dirty!Ow!Dirty!!”

Kaiya,level39,wasalsoanadventurer,andaproperoneatthat,unlikeEmissaandHilgram.She

protectedherbodywithasuitofwelltemperedarmorandslewherenemieswithaswordforgedbyamastercraftsman.Ifanynormalhumanwerehuggedthishardbysuchanexperiencedwarrior,hisbackbonewouldprobablysnapinstantly.Ontopofthat,Kaiya’spost-battlearmorwasdrenchedinMonstrousblood.

“Sorry,sorry.You’rejustsocuteIcouldn’thelpmyself.”

“Youjustcouldn’thelpbutsqueezingmesohardIneededtoputupafullforceVenomdefense!?”

“Ofcourse.IhugyousohardpreciselybecauseyouputupafullforceVenomdefense.IfIdidthattoanyotherkid,I’dhaveabountyonmyheadthenextday,”Kaiyasaidwithasmile.“Besides,youwon’tbethiscuteformuchlonger,right?Sinceyou’reinyourgrowthspurt,nextyearortheyearafteryou’llhavegrownintoasplendidman.IfIdon’tadmireyounow,it’llbetoolate.”

Willemsilentlywishedhewouldgrowfaster.

“Thenit’syoursons’turns.Howmanydoyouhavenow?Three?”Leilajoinedinontheconversation.

“Wellaboutthat,myhusbanddoesn’twanttoletoursonswieldswords.Ireallywantedtostarttrainingthemnow,but…”

“Oh?Whynot?”

“Hesaysstufflike‘Iwon’tletthempursueaviolentcareerlikeanadventurer’,or‘Iwon’thavebothmywifeandmychildrenbestrongerthanme’.Ican’tseewhat’swrongwiththose,though.”

WillemsilentlycheeredKaiya’shusbandon.

“Willem,youjustsilentlycheeredKaiya’shusbandon,didn’tyou?”Navrutrireadhismindasalways.

“Youdon’thavetosaythatoutloud…wha,whatamess,”Willemsaid,lookingathisclothes.TheyhadalreadyreceivedmorethanenoughmudafterhisownbattleandEmissa’sexplosion,butnowthebloodfromKaiya’sarmorjoinedthemix.Wearingthisaroundwouldjustbeaskingtogetarrestedbyguardsontheroads.

“Iseeyou’recoveredinmud.DidyounotusetheBlazingSunDash?IthoughtItaughtyouitearlier,”Navrutriasked.

“Youdidteachme,andIdiduseit.AndIendeduplikethis,”Willemansweredgrumpily.

TheBlazingSunDashwasonepartofthecurvedbladetechniquepasseddowninNavrutri’snativeland.Atitscore,itwasafeinttechniquebasedoncontrollingthetempoofone’smovements.Ifmastered,however,itapparentlyallowedtheusertotransformintoahazeofheat,effortlesslyflowingpastanyincomingattacks.

“Ifyougetusedtoitalittlemore,you’llbeabletododgecloudsofdusttoo,”Navrutrisaid.

Willemdoubtedifhewouldevergetusedtoit‘alittlemore’.

“Ididit!Look,myclothesareallclean.”

ShutupLeila.Yourtalentistheenemyofallregularpeople.

“Well,comeon,tellherhowprettytheyare.You

can’tholdbackthosekindsofcompliments.”

“Yeah!Sayit,sayit!Behonest!”

Shutupyoutwo.

Justthen,WillemnoticedasmallboysittingnexttoaMonstrouscorpseabitseparatedfromtherestofthegroup.Theedgeofhisoversizedwhitemantlewasgettingsoakedinmudandblood,butapparentlyhehadn’tnoticed.

“…whatareyoudoing?”Willemwalkedupandasked.

SuwonCandel,thetwelveyearoldgeniusthaumaturgist,answeredwithoutraisinghishead.“Iwasinvestigatingthestructureofthecurse.Ihadastrangefeelingaboutitduringthebattle.”

“Curse?”

WillemignitedhisVenomandturnedonhisspellvision.HesawcomplicatedmagicrunningthroughouttheMonstrous’entirebody.Notbeingveryfamiliarwiththesubject,hecouldn’ttellhowthespellveinswereconnectedorwhatkindofcurse

theyformedtogether.

“Istheresomethingoffaboutit?”

“Thepatternisalmostthesameinallofthem.”SuwonlookedupatWillem.“Cursesliketheseareusuallycustommade.Ifyoudon’tcreateadifferentcursecateredtoeachindividual,theeffectweakens.That’swhythesecursesaresocostly,andofcoursetheycan’tbemassproduced.Butthesecursesseemtohaveovercomethatproblem.”

“…sotheyfiguredoutawaytoputthesamecurseonasmanycreaturesastheywant!?IthoughtonlySenioliswascapableofsuchridiculouspower!”

“No,itdoesn’tlooklikeit’squitethatpowerful.Perhapsbecausethey’restillintheprocessofresearch,theduplicatedpatternisrelativelysimpleandsmallscale.Itcangrowhornsormuscle,orchangethenumberorpositionsofinternalorgans,butnothingmore…”

“Soifthey’restillinresearch,this’llgetprettybadinthefuture,won’tit?”

“That’sright.Ifwedon’ttakecareoftheorganizationmakingtheseguysnow,they’llbeahugethreatlater.”

Willemscouredhismemoryforthatforgottenname…itwassomethinglike…

“TrueWorld,”Suwonmuttered.

“Whataterriblename,”Willemsaid.

“Really?Ithinkit’skindacool.”

Pleasenevertrytocomeupwithatitleforyourself.

Atthetime,Willemwasfourteenyearsold.SothoseeventstookplacefouryearsagoinWillem’stime,529yearsagoinreality,andameretwoyearsagointhedreamworld.That’sright.Onlytwoyearshavepassedsincethatday…

Part2:ThoseWhoShouldBeProtected

Willemdidn’tknowtheexactdate,butsometimesoonthe17Beastswereduetoappearinthisworld.Afewdaysafterthat,everythingwouldbegone.Navrutriwascurrentlyworkingtostopthat,but,well,itwasprobablynouse.Theworldwouldbedestroyed.That’swhathistorysaid.

“Whattodo…”

Whileitwasjustadreamworld,iftheydieditmighthavesomenegativeeffectontheirrealselves.TheyneededtofindawayoutbeforetheBeastscame.

GuessI’llputalittlemoreeffortintoit.

SomeonehadmadethisworldandtrappedWillemandNephreninitwiththeintentionofkeepingthemforeternity,oratleastthatwastheprobablesituation.Ifthatwastrue,theirenemywould

surelycomeattheminanobviousattempttobreaktheirwillbeforetheBeastsappearedandkilledthem.Iftheycoulddetectthat,theyhadagoodchanceatescaping.

Undertheshadeofatreeinthegarden,Nephrenwasreadingabook.Sheflippedthroughthepagesonebyonewithherusualexpressionlessface.Offtotheside,agroupofboyshidin