Ch. 172

As the appointed time drew near, everyone began to gather.

The meeting point was the pier where Gale had been guarding our luggage. Chad, who had returned the horses, was the first to arrive, followed by Enk, who came back from buying daily supplies. Ash helped carry about half of Enk’s load.

I picked up one of the smaller bags myself.

When we got there, the only one still missing was Lox.

“What were you two doing?”

“Sightseeing.”

Chad, who had been sitting in the shade, came over and took the sack I was holding. I followed him without much thought.

I realized that I talked to Chad the most simply because he was the easiest to speak with.

“Find any good restaurants?”

“I saw a few places with long lines.”

“Oh, when Lox gets here, let’s talk him into getting us a meal first…”

[Master!]

I was idly chatting when I suddenly felt like I’d forgotten something.

From far off, a golden blur came charging toward us, startling the seagulls — Rai.

So that’s what was missing.

As I looked his way, Chad turned too.

“Oh! The dog!”

“He actually showed up?”

“Huh.”

“Where’ve you been?”

Chad wasn’t the only one shocked. Gale, Ash, and Enk all stared as if they were witnessing some strange magic.

To them, a dog that had disappeared three days ago had just popped out of nowhere.

He must’ve escaped his horseshoe-shaped confinement when no one was looking after the horses were returned.

[Rai revived!]
[When did you even die?]
[My dignity died, Master!]

After spending days as a lifeless object, Rai was extra energetic, spinning around me in frantic circles as if celebrating his freedom.

I should definitely use that horseshoe form again. Now that he was back, I realized how peaceful things had been without him.

“That’s… amazing. What kind of magic is that?”

“Magic? I’m a Spirit Mage. That’s spirit arts.”

“Liar. What kind of spirit art looks like *that*?”

“I’m serious. I’ve never lied in my life.”

“You lie as easily as you breathe, you con artist.”

“Exactly. That’s the first lie.”

I laughed and lightly tapped Chad’s stomach with the back of my hand.

He laughed too and playfully smacked my back — a bit too hard, making me wince.

“Ow!”

“Don’t be such a baby.”

“Your hands are the size of cauldrons!”

He was nearly two heads taller than me — I had to crane my neck just to look at him. What did this guy eat to get so strong?

Chad was the kind of musclehead who always wore a mischievous grin.

“Want me to blow on it?”

“Ugh, go away.”

“If it bruises, tell me.”

“If I get a bruise, you’re dead meat.”

The weather was good, time was plenty, so we kept up our meaningless banter until I felt someone’s silent gaze.

Ash.

There he was again, staring without saying a word.

What’s with him lately?

He’s easier to read when it’s just the two of us, but that didn’t happen often.

“Everyone!”

Before long, Lox finally arrived at the pier. With Rai’s “resurrection,” our team was complete.

“Good news! We can board the ship that leaves in four hours!”

“Is that good?”

“Of course! The next one’s tomorrow, and it’s already full. Miss this one, and we’ll be stuck for two days.”

Our tickets were flexible one-way passes valid for a week — we could only board if there were empty seats.

Thankfully, since there was still time before the much-anticipated Swordmaster Duel, there were still spots available.

“How long’s the trip again?”

“Six hours if all goes well. The weather’s great, so it should be smooth sailing.”

“Hm, nothing exciting out there?”

Lox gave me a wary look, as if sensing trouble.

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“You know, like a Kraken. Giant squid, maybe a Megalodon.”

“…Are you trying to get us all drowned?”

“I’ve never seen a sea monster. I’d love to see a Megalodon. They say it’s bigger than a ship.”

“Those only show up in deep seas…”

“So nothing comes out here? Disappointing.”

Maybe it was because I was a Spirit Mage of water, but I’d always had a fascination with sea creatures.

Land monsters? Those were just meals — Magi’s meals, to be exact.

I wondered if our dear Magi was eating well. I kind of missed that troublesome thing.

“If we’re lucky, we might see a mermaid. This area’s famous for them — a tourist attraction.”

“Really? There are mermaids here?”

Oh, that made my heart flutter a bit.

Would they be like an evolved form of an Undine?

“But they’re rare now. Slave traders keep capturing them, so they’re hiding… Ah! You mutt!”

Lox finally noticed Rai, who had blended in so naturally beside me that he hadn’t even realized he was there.

I stretched my arms out in presentation.

“Tada.”

[Tadaaa!]

“Damn. Disappointing.”

He even swore a little, but still gave Rai’s head a quick pat.

Rai didn’t bare his teeth this time — he must’ve accepted Lox as an ally now.

“Since we have some time, let’s eat first. Over there they check tickets and handle luggage. After that, we’ll find a restaurant. I’ve also planned our route after we disembark, so I’ll go over that next—”

“Lox.”

Our treasurer, quartermaster, and teacher all rolled into one — Lox loved perfect schedules.

Interrupting him mid-briefing took guts.

Unless it was me, of course.

The brave soul this time was Enk, raising his hand like a student with a question.

“Shouldn’t we… buy tickets?”

“I already bought our return tickets.”

“No, not the ship ones. The, uh… Count Trenpe vs. Rovenin Fedri match…”

“…”

“Hehe.”

So he was the cute type, huh.

* * *

“You people! Your minds are somewhere else!”

“Well, it’s exciting.”

“If you lose focus now, what happens to our goal?”

“Hey, think about it — the duel’s one day only, but the chalice can be found anytime, right?”

“What kind of lazy logic—? Someone else could find it first! You know how many excavation teams there are?”

“Oh come on, no one’s found it in eight thousand years. Besides, we have the marker.”

I stayed quiet. I didn’t care which they prioritized.

The men, however, were getting into a small debate over whether to focus on the chalice or the duel.

The great duel would be held in Heidrike’s capital, ten days’ ride from the port. The lakeside village of Hirilike, where the chalice was said to be hidden, was only half a day away.

Enk and Gale wanted to check Hirilike first — if they didn’t find anything, they’d head to the capital for the duel. Lox clearly hated the distraction.

“Ash! You’re the leader — say something!”

“We follow the vote.”

“But this—!”

“A promise is a promise. We agreed to check it out. Find out where and when to buy the tickets.”

Poor Lox. Even Ash didn’t side with his disciplined heart.

Still, it wasn’t Ash who was desperate about the chalice — it was Lox.

Ash searched out of hope. Lox searched out of belief.

But it was really Ash’s problem. The chalice mattered far more to him.

I’d always thought Ash lacked ambition for someone destined to be emperor.

Humans should have desire — fiery, selfish, glorious desire. Like me.

Ash, though, was too… clean.

“You’re all unbelievable… This is ridiculous. We’re this close, and you’re thinking about fun? Ugh!”

“Exactly. What’s so great about Rovenin anyway?”

“That’s exactly— wait, you! You’re the one who voted for this! We’re going because of ‘you!’”

“Was I? Well, I meant it as encouragement. Screw Rovenin!”

“You— you can’t just—!”

“Hey, medicine after pain, right? Chin up!”

I patted his shoulder kindly while he gnashed his teeth in frustration.

Then I caught Ash watching me again. That same uneasy look.

‘Is he worried I’ll kill Lox…?’

Maybe I really was just ‘too’ strong.

—

The island nation of Heidrike, proud of its long history, was part of the Imperial Union — yet famous for not obeying the Empire.

Its independence came from its geography: an island detached from the continent, wealthy and self-sufficient, needing no one.

Since ancient times, Heidrike had preserved its own peace — its pride and identity.

Its insular nature protected it from both war and monsters. The royal family was capable, the monarchy stable, the people content.

If happiness could be measured, Heidrike would top the charts.

They called it “the resort of the gods,” a paradise that earned vast wealth through tourism.

Many nobles dreamed of retiring there — and many actually did.

The king’s aunt lived there. The emperor’s uncle too. The island was full of such ties.

Naturally, it grew resistant to outside pressure. As a member of the Union, it couldn’t easily be invaded or controlled.

Perhaps that’s why Heidrike became both a haven for hidden wealth and a hotspot for ancient ruins.

Peaceful, remote, and beyond the Empire’s reach — perfect for hiding things.

[Master…]
“Hm?”

[The water… feels wrong!]
“Don’t tell me you’re seasick.”

[It’s not that! I just really want to stand on solid ground again!]

Even if I forgot what he was, Rai never did.

Being a spirit of metal, he hated floating over water, pacing restlessly at my side. To strangers, he probably looked like a dog desperate to relieve himself.

“Bear with it. The ship’s made of metal.”

[But it’s ‘floating’ on water!]
“A spirit getting motion sickness… you’re something else.”

[Thanks for the compliment, but it’s not motion sickness!]

That wasn’t a compliment, Rai.

Ignoring his whining, I leaned against the railing, breathing in deeply as I gazed at the distant sea.

Maybe it was because I was a Spirit Mage of water, but looking at the ocean always calmed me — or maybe it was just human nature.

Others were on deck too, leaning over the rails, hoping to catch a glimpse of a mermaid.

A notice about mermaids was even posted on one side of the deck.