At a cafe terrace along the Imperial Capital Boulevard.
"Sorry, I’m late."
Ren arrived slightly out of breath and apologized to the boy seated at a table enclosed by hedges. Sitting there ahead of him was his best friend, Radius.
"Don't worry. You're perfectly on time—three minutes early, in fact. Besides, I've been having a surprisingly good time on my own, so there's no need to apologize."
Ren assumed those were merely polite words of consideration. However, after he took his seat across from Radius, the prince continued.
"Gazing out at the boulevard on a holiday isn't half bad."
"Heh, why's that?"
"I’m simply taking in the atmosphere. Lately, I've found myself thinking more about my subjects than usual."
"Wasn't that always the case?"
"It has been for a long time, but... things have happened recently that have made it especially so."
Their conversation began with their usual idle chatter. The two spent a typical holiday enjoying themselves like any other boys their age. Every so often, they sipped their tea while looking out at the boulevard through the gaps in the hedges.
"...Yawn."
Radius, the Third Prince with his characteristically dignified features, showed a momentary lapse of composure that piqued Ren's interest.
"That's rare. I didn't think I'd see you looking sleepy in public, Radius."
"I woke up early this morning. I had a bit of private business to attend to at the Temple of the War God."
"You went to the temple?"
Ren had never been there himself. However, as someone aiming to become a Sword King, he knew very well what kind of place it was. It was rare for Radius to visit such a location. Ren looked at him with curiosity, and his gaze met Radius's, who clearly understood what his friend was thinking.
"It was just a personal errand."
"O-Oh... I see."
Since Radius didn't seem inclined to say any more, Ren stepped back obediently. He stuffed a piece of cake into his mouth, his cheeks relaxing at the sweetness.
"Ah, also, I took a look at the stone slabs. I'm looking forward to the day your name is carved into them."
"Guh... Cough! Cough!"
"Is it really that surprising? You're far too restless."
Ren choked at the sudden remark and stared at Radius after a few coughing fits. His face was a mask of pure shock.
"What are you saying all of a sudden!?"
"What? Had you not already resolved to become a Sword King?"
Since Ren had already shared his ambition, Radius merely tilted his head in confusion.
"...I have, but you caught me off guard by bringing it up so abruptly."
"I see. So it wasn't that you've lost heart."
"Of course not."
A firm determination shone in Ren's eyes. Radius hadn't actually doubted that resolve; he had simply been teasing. His determination was unwavering, and he could finally put it into words.
"I'll do it. Absolutely."
"Yes. I shall look forward to it."
Their time at the cafe ended, and the two stood up. Radius was lightly disguised, and it didn't seem like he would be recognized on the boulevard, which was currently overflowing with crowds. As for guards, the prince claimed he had already made arrangements. Since he said so, Ren walked alongside him without further worry.
After leaving the cafe, they walked aimlessly along the boulevard.
"Radius."
"Yes, what is it?"
"About what I consulted you on before... I'd like you to introduce me to that person within the year."
"You mean regarding holy magic and the Divine Child."
"Yeah. The person you said was in Eupeheim."
Following the incident at Roses Kaitas, Ren had sought Radius's counsel. During the battle with the Sword Demon, an anomaly had occurred within Licia's body. If he had to put it into words, it was like an "angelization." He could not forget the glowing wings that had sprouted from her back or the immense holy power she had unconsciously unleashed.
"So, what kind of person is this you're introducing me to?"
"Someone who was once my teacher. I told you before—the one who helped me establish the Arnevelde Company."
Ren felt a deep sense of relief, knowing it was such a reliable figure.
Ren parted ways with Radius shortly after the sun had set, during the twilight hour. It seemed Radius had other business to attend to, and since Estelle, the Chief of the Lion Sanctum, had come to collect him personally, there was no need for Ren to escort him back to the castle.
Ever since autumn began, the days had started growing noticeably shorter. Glancing up at the darkening sky, Ren walked through the Imperial Capital toward the gates of the Imperial Academy, a place he now knew well.
"Ren!"
Licia's voice called out from where she stood before the school gates. Her hair, like silver melted with amethyst, swayed as she stood there, her beauty as captivating as ever. The smile she directed at Ren was different from the ones she gave others; her eyes sparkled with genuine delight.
Standing next to her was Sera Riohalde, the daughter of the Riohalde family, one of the Heroic Archduke houses.
"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?"
"No. We just finished up a moment ago ourselves."
Licia and Sera had been attending supplementary lessons at the academy today. Naturally, it wasn't because their grades were poor; they simply attended because they felt the extra study was necessary. Ren hadn't needed them, which was why he had been meeting with Radius instead.
"You two are as close as ever."
Sera, who had occupied the role of the Main Heroine in the original Legend of the Seven Heroes, also possessed a striking appearance. Ren wondered how things were progressing with her own person of interest, Vane, the protagonist of that same legend.
"Sera, why bring that up now?"
"I just felt it quite deeply, that's all. So, Ren, why didn't you take the supplementary lessons? It's rare for you to skip when Licia is attending."
"Ah, I had an appointment with Radius."
There was no other reason. Even if Ren had received a perfect score on the previous exam, there was no need to boast about it here.
On the way back with Licia, they wandered through the Imperial Capital for a bit of a detour. They turned down an alleyway off the main boulevard—not a dangerous area, but a stall district where one could occasionally find rare bargains.
"Where did you go with His Highness?"
"We just had tea and wandered around the capital."
"Hmm... and I suppose Lady Estelle came to get him when he was heading back?"
"As expected of Licia. You knew—ah."
Ren muttered, his dark brown hair swaying. On his gentle face, inherited from his mother, he wore an expression as if he had spotted something truly rare.
"What's wrong?"
The Saint peered into Ren's face from beside him. She looked toward where Ren’s gaze was fixed, her own curiosity piqued.
In the direction they were looking, a person carrying a giant bag was walking. Their height was comparable to Ren and Licia's when they were ten years old, making the bag on their back seem completely disproportionate to their build. The bag was truly massive, looking to be about two meils wide.
The figure set the bag down on the side of the road, sat on top of it, and rested their chin on their hands over their knees. Their features were impossible to discern beneath a dirty robe and a mask.
"That's impressive. I wonder if they're a dwarf."
"I wonder. There is absolutely no information on The Bag Traveler."
"Who is 'The Bag Traveler'?"
"That's what people seem to call him. There have been quite a few rumors lately about a small person carrying an enormous bag."
"Heh... I see... That appearance would certainly stand out."
He was a rumored existence both in the Legend of the Seven Heroes and now, in this world that had become Ren's reality.
"Licia, have you never heard of him?"
"Now that you mention it, I feel like I might have heard someone talking about it..."
The Bag Traveler was known to appear in various regions of Leomel for brief periods. Currently, it was the season for him to appear in the Imperial Capital. Judging by the voice, it was likely a man. He was a mysterious individual who sold special items—provided you could pay an astronomical price. The sums required were far beyond what Ren currently had on hand.
Several adventurers approached the figure.
"It seems you're curious about The Bag Traveler's Shop."
The man used that name because it was how he referred to himself. The adventurers spoke up after being addressed.
"You've hauled quite a large bag around for someone of your size."
"Looks like you're selling something. Let's see it."
"Very well. My bag is filled with wisdom, hope, and romance. If you boys want something, you can have it—for the right price."
"How about it?" the Bag Traveler asked.
Then, the adventurers' expressions soured.
"Wisdom and hope?"
"And romance... Is this guy selling some kind of dangerous drug?"
"It's quite rude of you to call it dangerous after you were the ones who approached me."
The adventurers seemed to lose interest in seeing the wares and turned away with dubious expressions. The Bag Traveler didn't seem to mind at all, simply waving them off with a sigh.
"Ren, shall we go as well?"
Pulling themselves together, the two continued through the stall district, enjoying the atmosphere. It was only after another hour of savoring their time in the Imperial Capital that the two finally began their journey back to the manor. Licia, still in her school uniform, walked with the hem of her coat swaying. The regret of their time together coming to an end was clearly visible on her lovely face.