A young woman, a civil official leading the local team, was the first to speak.
She offered a warm smile to Licia and Fiona before turning to Ren and bowing deeply.
"I heard that you used your strength to save the people during the recent unrest. I was looking forward to meeting you both today."
The other officials around her chimed in, murmuring about how the two girls’ heroic actions were already the talk of the castle.
During Orphide's attack, the Leomel Empire’s military and encirclement had been spread thin across the Imperial Capital. It went without saying that the contributions of the girls, who had stepped off the magic train that day to fight, had been immense.
"Thank you," Licia replied.
"At the time, we were just acting out of desperation..." Fiona added.
The adults watched with gentle smiles as the girls acted with a humility that suited their age. As the group began to move, Ren—who followed behind as if escorting the pair—found himself drawing more attention than he expected.
"Is that the boy who supposedly fought in Windea?"
"He holds the Holy Grimdall Sword Emblem. It’s no wonder he stands alongside the children of the archduke families."
A few voices expressed curiosity about Ren, but none were skeptical; they were fueled by genuine interest. Those voices never reached Ren’s ears, however, as he was focused entirely on their surroundings.
(I don't see anything unusual yet.)
The three had visited this site to inspect the damage from the attack. Parts of the train tracks remained unrepaired, and some areas of the terrain had been gouged out by explosions. This was the collateral damage from the diversions the Demon King Cult had staged around the Imperial Capital during Orphide's strike.
The fact that the magic train Ren and the others had arrived on stopped here was a direct result of that chaos.
A few days prior:
『Wait, Lord Ulysses too?』
『Indeed. Even the Ignat Family has stakes here because of the Gardiknight project.』
『Now that you mention it... that's true. There are the new tracks to consider as well.』
『Exactly. So, I’ll likely have to ask Fiona to represent me on the day of the inspection.』
Ulysses Ignat, the Head of the Imperial Faction and Fiona’s father.
Because that conversation had taken place, Fiona had joined Licia—the daughter of the Lord of Erendil—to inspect the site on behalf of their respective houses.
"I wonder if it’s as bad as my father and the others anticipated," Licia remarked.
"It looks like restoration won't take much longer at this rate," Fiona agreed.
Licia and Fiona took out their notebooks, jotting down observations as they surveyed the area. While the White Saint and the Black Priestess diligently performed their official duties, Ren kept a watchful eye on their perimeter. Since he had no formal task, he hoped to at least provide support for the two of them.
"I shall continue to lead the way. We are truly grateful for your hard work in coming all this way today," the official said.
"Not at all. This is also for the sake of the Gardiknight, which is very important to my family," Fiona replied.
"I feel the same," Licia added. "This area is far from Erendil, but the management of the highway falls under our house."
Listening to the exchange between the woman and the girls, Ren continued to scan the area while secretly reflecting on a half-remembered thought.
(In The Legend of the Seven Heroes, I don’t think you could go very deep into this area.)
He wasn't entirely certain—the usual problem of how much time had passed since his previous life. However, the memory eventually surfaced. He was sure players could visit this location, but it had been a completely unremarkable spot with no quests or exploration elements to speak of.
"Ren?"
Before he knew it, Fiona was peering into his face, her expression clouded with concern.
"Ah... sorry, I was spacing out. Did something happen?"
"There seems to be a canyon just a little further ahead. I’d like to check the damage there as well... if that’s all right with you?"
"I understand. Let's head there right away."
Recalling the terrain about ten minutes ahead, Ren responded and led the girls and the officials across the plains.
To reach the destination, they only needed to pass through a small forest. The group walked along the half-repaired tracks, an experience that felt strange in itself. That sense of novelty only grew as they neared the canyon on the edge of the woods.
The scenery shifted in an instant. The trio soon spotted a metal bridge and tracks spanning the gorge. Temporary scaffolding had been erected around the wide bridge, and workers were rapidly making progress on the restoration.
After they had checked most of what they needed to see, Ren’s gaze drifted toward the bottom of the canyon. Below them was a vast landscape of raw nature where a thin mist danced. The mist moved with a sluggishness that contrasted with the river's flow.
The gentle sound of water. The rustling of leaves.
Listening to these sounds, it felt as though the frantic battles of the past weeks had been a dream. The mist gave the flowing water a dull, bluish tint, creating a vista Ren rarely had the chance to see. All three of them shared the same thought as they stepped onto the rounded gravel beneath their feet.
"They were hiding in that cave," Licia said, pointing toward a small opening along the cliffside.
The cave was said to be less than forty meils deep. Knights could be seen nearby, searching the area for any lingering traces of the Cult.
Ren asked one of the knights, "Is it safe for us to go inside?"
"Yes! The interior and the area stretching out beyond it are secure. Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes. Then... Licia, Lady Fiona?"
The girls nodded and followed Ren into the cave. As he had heard, it wasn't particularly large. The back was supposed to be a dead end, but the Demon King Cultists had forcibly demolished the rear wall.
Eventually, light reached them from the deep interior.
Ren, leading the way, was the first to see the world beyond the stone wall. Looking up through a circular hole in the ceiling, he saw tree branches and lush leaves surrounding them. It was a secluded spot that looked like a large, natural miniature garden, containing a single, weathered stone building.
Licia emerged from the cave and took in the sight. "It looks like they smashed through the back of the cave to get here."
She continued, explaining the history of the site. "I heard this place used to be a rest stop for people traveling the highway hundreds of years ago. As the Old Highway fell into ruin, nature swallowed it up."
"According to the maps, this path should still lead out to the new highway," Fiona noted.
"It does, but it might be quite the adventure to get there," Licia joked.
As Fiona had suggested with a smile, the area was so overgrown that returning to the main road wouldn't be simple. Untouched nature surrounded the ancient stone building. Though the site had technically existed before the cave was opened, it was a place very few would ever encounter.
Ren searched his memories of the game once more.
(I'm pretty sure this area was outside the playable map.)
He only remembered it as a location where players couldn't set foot. They were only able to stand here now because the cave had been breached; otherwise, even adventurers would have had no reason to visit.
Because of its isolation, the beauty of the untouched nature felt particularly striking. A refreshing breeze swept through the clearing, and Ren took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs. Now that the inspection was concluding, he felt he could finally allow his heart to rest.
Let's finish the inspection here as well.
Just as the three shared that thought—
Ren suddenly felt the voices of Licia and Fiona growing distant.
Before he could process the sensation—
"Ngh...!"
A sharp, violent headache seized him, just as it had before. Ren tried to reach for his forehead, but the pain arrived before his hand could.
When he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, the scenery shifted. He opened them to find himself standing in the exact spot where Licia and Fiona had been.
"Licia? Fiona?"
The two girls were nowhere to be found. Instead, a familiar voice reached his ears.
『Sorry to keep you waiting, Ren.』
"Ragna? Why are you here?"
Ren was taken aback by Ragna’s gaze, which seemed to be looking straight through him toward something far away. It was no wonder Ren felt confused.
The Ragna standing there wasn't looking at him at all.
"Wait... what?"
Ragna walked past him as if he weren't there, addressing a figure leaning against a weathered stone wall in the back of the clearing.
『I haven't been waiting that long.』
Ren Ashton.
The boy who had murdered the White Saint, and then murdered Chronoa Highland.
Ren, cast once more as a silent bystander, realized that he was being shown another vision of the past timeline. He could only stand there, unable to intervene.
Following the brief exchange, an elderly gentleman stepped out of the forest. It was Edgar, the former butler and chief aide to Ulysses Ignat.
『Lord Ren, it is a relief to see that we are both unharmed.』
『It is indeed.』
After the light greeting, Ragna offered a dark smile and looked up at the tall, older man. Ragna was dressed as the Bag Traveler, his handsome features visible beneath his hood.
『Even an Ignat butler surely hasn't experienced a journey this full of secrecy before.』
『Lord Ragna, I am a former butler. Besides, until I met Lord Ren, I also—』
『I don’t care about that. For someone who showed so much devotion, you sure are quick to call yourself "former."』
『B-But, I—』
Without even looking back at the silenced Edgar, Ragna spoke as he approached the other Ren.
『Didn't you say you would serve the same master even in death? If you're going to call yourself "former," do it after you've been granted leave in the afterlife.』
『Good grief. Aside from your foul mouth, you are quite kind-hearted.』
『I'm just honest. That's why I'll complain to God if I must, and I use old holy scriptures for my campfires. They burn well, making them excellent companions for the road.』
『See? It's useless to argue with him, Edgar. I've already given up.』
『I'm glad. It seems Ren and I have become quite close.』
『Right? This is just the kind of person he is.』
The vision of Ren Ashton shrugged with a wry smile. Edgar returned the smile, seemingly untroubled by the banter. His gaze was fixed on the young man before him.
『You truly do look alike.』
『Hmm? What does?』
『That smile. Lady Fiona often wore a troubled smile just like yours, Lord Ren.』
『That name... Marquis Ignat’s daughter?』
『Yes. She was a beautiful, pure soul. I truly wish you could have met her, Lord Ren.』
『I wonder. The Marquis might not have taken kindly to her meeting a young man.』
The group began to make small talk as they walked. Leaving the sun-drenched miniature garden, the three moved slowly toward the exit.
『If it were my master, I believe he would have thought highly of you, Lord Ren.』
『I doubt it. I can't imagine such a great man taking an interest in a mere knight’s son.』
『We shall see. My predictions are usually quite accurate.』
『Is that so?』
The elderly gentleman laughed like a kindly grandfather, lost in his memories.
The three figures walked together, their footsteps echoing across the cracked cobblestones as they traversed the ruins of the stone building.
The Great Sinner who had carved his name into the history of Leomel—Ren Ashton—spoke again.
『Predictions aside, you're overestimating me.』
He laughed brightly, sounding like any other boy his age. But then, Edgar immediately countered.
『"Mere"? You've suddenly started saying strange things, my lord.』
『Edgar.』
When the vision of Ren Ashton spoke his name to chide him, Edgar immediately fell silent with a "My apologies."
As if the casual conversation had never happened, the boy spoke to the two men with a new, commanding tone.
『We leave today. We have to catch up to Vane and the others.』
It was a voice and a posture full of majesty, entirely different from a moment ago. He radiated an authority and a presence that no ordinary boy could possess, and both Ragna and Edgar instinctively straightened their posture.
『Should I accompany you as well?』 Ragna asked.
『Only part of the way, Ragna. After that, proceed as usual.』
『Fine. I’ll go back to my research, and you can handle things on your end.』
『Then I shall serve as your guard, Lord Ren,』 Edgar said.
Ren Ashton shook his head.
『That won't be necessary. Only part of the way for you as well, Edgar. Instead of guarding me, I want you to look into the Demon King Cult’s movements.』
『Oh? You intend to head into battle alone? Without even that lady accompanying you?』
『She’s coming with me, so there's no problem. Even if I end up fighting Vane and his group, I've already told them I'll handle it myself. I've given her a different task.』
『Is that wise? The children of the Seven Heroes are strong enough to kill a priest.』
『It will be fine.』
The boy whom seven descendants of the Seven Heroes together could not overcome. Neither Edgar nor Ragna doubted the power or the conviction of the young man known as the Mastermind.
『If it is me, I can manage it alone.』
Ren could not even fathom the depth of experience or the resolve required to speak with such calm certainty. A chilling aura was hidden beneath that nonchalant voice. Edgar didn't even try to argue.
『Please be careful. The ones the descendants of the Seven Heroes might face are Bishops. They are existences on a completely different level from Priests.』
『That's why Ren intends to intervene if necessary, I assume.』
The Shelgardian gave a sharp smile and a sidelong glance, and the butler who had served the Strong-Armed Marquis let out a long sigh.
The vision of that world came to an end.
Before long, Ren found himself back in reality.
He realized he was becoming dangerously used to how abruptly these visions ended, returning him to the present as if nothing had happened.
To Licia and Fiona, however, it only looked as if he had suddenly fallen silent. They looked up at him, their faces full of worry.
"Ren?"
"Ren-kun?"
They spoke almost simultaneously. The two were remembering the time Ren had been struck by a headache while they were returning to Erendil from the Imperial Capital. That had been the moment he saw the vision of Eve.
"C-Could this be a lingering effect of the curse...!" Licia cried.
"T-That must be it! Are you okay!?" Fiona asked.
"No, that’s not it! And Licia, you don't have to try and use Holy Magic so suddenly—!"
Ren gave a strained laugh as he stopped the girls, assuring them that he was truly all right. They eventually accepted that it wasn't the curse and breathed a sigh of relief.
As they resumed their walk, Ren dug through his memories.
(During the final battle of the second game, was the area behind where Ren Ashton arrived like that?)
That aside, he felt as if he had been reminded of the sheer, overwhelming strength of the original Ren Ashton for the first time in a while.
(He mentioned "her"... who was he talking about?)
He couldn't find an answer. As he walked, a voice reached him from the direction of the cave. Alongside the knights and officials, he heard a voice he knew very well.
Just as he suspected, the person who emerged was the same man from the vision—the Bag Traveler himself.
"I wondered who it was. Ren, what are you all doing here?"
It was Ragna, the researcher from the Ministry of Mysteries. His signature, massive bag stood out against his small frame. His appearance was nearly identical to the version in the vision, causing Ren a moment of disorientation.
But Ren quickly regained his composure and spoke to Ragna as he approached.
"I'm just accompanying these two for their work. More importantly, what are you doing here, Ragna?"
"Half hobby, half work. I have permission from Radius to explore this area, but the civil officials and knights seemed worried about me, so they insisted on coming along."
Behind him, a female knight offered an apologetic smile.
"Given the current climate, I think being extra cautious is only natural," Ren noted.
"Well, I understand the sentiment. Anyway... sorry for the trouble earlier," Ragna said to the knight. "I don't actually dislike you all."
"N-Not at all, sir!" the official replied.
Ragna then caught Ren’s eye, a look that seemed to signal he had something important to say. Licia and Fiona noticed it too, and the three of them played along.
"Ragna, I’d like to get your opinion on the situation here. Is that okay?" Ren asked.
"Seeking the wisdom of the Bag Traveler? Well, if it’s a request from Ren, I suppose I have no choice."
"Then we will stay nearby, everyone. Please call out if you need us," the official said before stepping away.
Ragna looked at the surrounding nature and let out a satisfied smile. "I didn't realize it was connected to this path."
"You knew about this place?"
"When it comes to old highways and rest stops, I've always wanted to see them at least once. I just haven't had the chance until now."
Ren then stood between Licia, Fiona, and Ragna, facilitating introductions for the three who were meeting for the first time. Licia, who had been helped by him regarding her "Angelization," thanked him politely for his past assistance. Ragna simply brushed it off with a casual "Don't worry about it."
"So, Ragna, why are you really here?" Ren asked.
"Right. I'll tell you."
Ragna pulled back his hood and began to walk, with the other three following closely behind. He lowered his voice so that only they could hear.
"—It's about that key."
The key. The item Ren had been waiting for—the one that would grant them access to the Legendary Bard Muedi's Hideout.