The group continued their lively stroll, soaking in the sights as they ventured further along the path. Eventually, an ancient highway, unlike any they had encountered so far, appeared before them. It stretched straight toward a town that lay largely underwater—a road long since abandoned by the living.
They veered off the main path and walked along the weathered stones of the old highway for a time.
"Is that it, then?" Sera asked.
"Yeah. It’s your first time seeing it too, isn't it, Licia? Not that I’ve seen it myself, of course," Charlotte replied.
As they crested a low hill, the scenery transformed completely. A town from several centuries ago came into view.
This was the Old City—a relic of Eupeheim that had borne the brunt of the devastation when the Demon King's Army marched upon the Imperial Capital. Back when the enemy was wreaking havoc, the Old City had been a brand-new district. However, it was struck by the Demon King's forces at a point far from the town center. The combined onslaught of powerful monsters like the Sword Demon had physically reshaped the land; the surrounding rivers had merged with the sea, swallowing the entire district whole.
The group continued to where the road abruptly ended, looking down at the submerged ruins. Many of the stone houses remained largely intact, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene reminiscent of a kingdom at the bottom of the sea. Schools of vibrant, colorful fish darted gracefully through the waterlogged streets.
"We can't go past here without permission," Sera noted, stopping just before the water's edge.
Due to its historical value, the Ministry of Mysteries conducted regular surveys of the Old City. Though infrequent, knights also carried out patrols, and special magic tools were stationed throughout the area for security. While tourists and adventurers were free to visit the vicinity, setting foot within the Old City itself required the local Lord’s permission.
They had only stopped by to take in the view; their true destination lay further ahead.
"Sera-chan, shall we get going?"
"Right. Let's come back to see it again on our way home."
They left the highway behind and returned to the rugged path lined with rocks and trees. As they proceeded along the monster-infested road, a new threat showed itself. This creature, however, was different from the ones they had faced earlier.
"If Licia is going to join the fray, this might be just the right opponent," Sera said. Her voice was competitive, but she was more on guard than before.
The monster was a large horse covered in scales resembling Dragon Scales—a D-rank beast bordering on C-rank. Since it wielded lightning magic, they needed to be extra cautious.
The creature didn't wait. Electricity crackled at its hooves as it prepared to unleash a bolt. Watching the sparks fly, Licia drew Byakuen from her waist. She gave the blade a casual flick, as if shaking off a speck of dust. As the others took up battle stances, she stepped forward.
Don't worry.
If Licia had learned Holy Sword Arts and become a Sword Saint, she surely would have used the combined Arts of Sacred Magic and the Holy Sword to protect everyone, slaying the beast single-handedly.
"Licia!"
But things were different now. Ignoring the shouts of Sera and Vane, Licia didn't even look back.
"Don't worry," she repeated.
Before the flash of lightning could reach her, she swept Byakuen horizontally. The surging electricity didn't just dissipate—it shattered into luminous dust and vanished like mist. The magic hadn’t just vanished; it had been slain.
“Oh, is this a challenge against me, who grew even more just the other day? You never know, I might even overtake Ren one day soon.”
Licia recalled the words she’d spoken to Ren on their way back from the Lion Sanctum that autumn. She felt a profound sense of fulfillment. Having reached the rank of Swordmaster, was she finally getting closer to him? Even though she stood at the same rank as Ren now, her heart still whispered, No, not yet.
Sera and Vane were left speechless. They understood the weight of what it meant to slay magic, and what it meant for a Strong Sword User to accomplish such a feat. Licia was a Swordmaster of the Strong Sword style. Given that the Strong Sword was considered a cut above other disciplines, her current level likely rivaled that of a Sword Saint among Holy Sword Users.
In short, Licia was now a powerhouse of a completely different caliber.
"Sera, what are you standing there for?"
"O-Oh... Right! Everyone, move in!"
Licia stepped aside, yielding the rest of the fight. In the end, an arrow fired by Charlotte pierced the monster between the eyes. The beast collapsed with a heavy thud that vibrated through the ground. Licia smiled at her stunned companions, sheathed Byakuen, and spoke casually.
"That was unexpectedly easy."
"...I suppose it was," Sera managed to say.
Continuing their trek, they eventually reached a magnificent hidden paradise. Tucked away in the shadow of a cape beyond Eupeheim, accessible only through a labyrinth of winding paths, lay a secret sanctuary.
The Coastline Cave: A Great Legacy.
Cobalt blue waters met white sandy beaches, accompanied by the soothing rhythm of gentle waves. The entrance to a nearby cave seemed to beckon the descendants of the Seven Heroes toward a new adventure.
In the summer, the sun would have still been out, but with winter approaching, the evening sky was already ink-black. Ren, on his way back to the inn, ran into Licia as she returned from the outskirts of Eupeheim.
"Ah—Ren!"
Licia ran toward him with a radiant smile—a look so bright it seemed to sparkle, and one she hadn't shown to Sera or the others all day. Sera watched them with a knowing, gentle smile.
"Are you on your way back too, Ren?"
"Yes. Radius and I stopped by a café after our meeting."
"Hehe, so I caught you just as you were walking back."
Licia knew the nature of his business. Since it concerned her, she looked a little apologetic for taking up his time.
"It was perfect timing... Oh, and you're with everyone?"
Ren noticed the rest of the group. Sera and the others walked over to join them.
"It’s rare to see you and Licia acting separately, Ren," Sera teased.
"It's not that rare. We're apart quite a bit at the academy. Right, Vane?"
"Yeah. But this isn't the academy."
"...Well, I had things to take care of today, too," Ren replied.
Kaito let out a booming laugh, his Greatshield catching the light as Ren glanced at it.
"Gahahaha! That's right! Even Ashton’s got a busy schedule!"
"Exactly. But Upperclassman Leonard, why is everyone in full gear? And in your uniforms, no less?"
"We went to that rumored cape. Have you heard of it?"
"Kaito, no matter how much Ren knows, he wouldn't know about that with only—"
Sera started to sigh, but Ren cut in.
"That beautiful spot further past the Old City, right?"
"See? Ren is a walking encyclopedia."
"...Fine, fine. Have it your way." Sera let out an exasperated huff, while Vane shared a laugh with her.
Meanwhile, Charlotte stepped forward to offer a greeting. "So you're the rumored boy."
After a brief introduction, Charlotte added, "I borrowed the Saint’s time today."
"Since you were with Licia, I assume she went out to the outskirts with you?"
"She did. She's truly incredible. She was so strong, I found it hard to believe she was a junior."
Ren felt that went without saying, but hearing it still made him swell with pride. He nodded, secretly pleased. With this, Ren had met five of the descendants of the Seven Heroes. He had yet to meet the remaining two, who were a year younger than him. Vane and the others had likely met them, but as a member of a different faction, Ren was still technically an outsider.
"Licia, wasn't Nemu with you?"
"Nemu said, 'I'm already sleepy!' and headed back to the inn ages ago."
The group was just about to disperse when Ren had appeared. Licia reached out and lightly tugged on Ren's sleeve.
"Want to hang out for a little bit before we go back?"
"Of course."
"Then... can we get dinner too?"
"I’m all for it, but if we stay out too late, Lord Lezard might get anxious."
"Ah... you're right. Maybe another time, then..."
"No, no. Tell you what—let's go back to the inn first to drop our things off, and then we'll head back out together."
"Really? Then let's go!"
Sera, finding her friend's enthusiasm heartwarming, decided to make herself scarce.
"We're heading to the inn where Charlotte is staying. See you later, you two!"