Crushera.
It was an ancient city in southern Leomel, the same one Mirei had mentioned before.
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, it was a major location that felt like it belonged in the third game of the series. It was a place with an exceptionally long history, even by the Empire's standards.
The cityscape harmonized beautifully with the surrounding nature, creating a scenic, picturesque view. Known as a premier summer resort, the city was currently hosting festivities to celebrate the end of the Great War, drawing massive crowds of tourists from across the continent. The luxurious interior of the magic passenger ship only added to the growing sense of excitement.
This year marked a significant milestone for the Night of Prayers. Consequently, Crushera was packed with more people than one would typically see even in the heart of the Imperial Capital.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many magic ships lined up like that, not even in Erendil," Fiona remarked.
"And look over there. There are even hot-air balloons," Ren added.
The magic sword user and the Black Priestess took in the view. Only a short while ago, they had been taking their exams at the Imperial Academy, but now they were high above a city far removed from the capital.
Standing on the observation deck of the massive magic ship, the two were captivated by the panoramic view through the expansive windows. It had been roughly half a day since they departed the capital. While long-distance travel was a rare experience for them, the presence of friends like Vane on the same flight meant there was never a dull moment.
In fact, Ren had spent nearly the entire voyage socializing with Vane and the other boys.
Many of the other passengers were acting as representatives for noble houses that couldn't leave the capital, including Licia and Fiona. Since it was such a popular summer destination, Ren had spotted several familiar faces from school. It was exactly as everyone had predicted.
...We will soon be arriving in Crushera. ...Due to the Night of Prayers, the area is currently extremely crowded――――
As an announcement chimed through the ship's magic speakers, most of the passengers began returning to their cabins to prepare for disembarkation. Ren and Fiona waited a few moments before leaving the observation deck themselves.
They met up with Licia and made their way through the glass-walled connecting corridor, which offered a stunning view of their final descent.
"I heard there are many visitors from other continents this year," Fiona noted.
"That's why I made sure to thank Radius again for the lodging. He just told me to stop worrying and go have fun, though," Ren said.
"Hehe, that sounds just like His Highness."
Radius had also added his own perspective on the matter: 'Technically, you’re guests of Count Crushera. He wouldn't invite high-ranking nobles from afar without arranging a place for them to stay.'
Ren had overlooked that bit of etiquette at the time, but it was common sense. While they likely wouldn't have been left out in the cold, he remained deeply grateful for Radius's personal arrangements.
Of course, this candid side of the Prince was something only Ren got to see. While Radius was somewhat informal with Mirei, Fiona, and Licia, he acted differently with Ren—his closest male friend.
Fiona chuckled at the dynamic between the two, then raised a finger with the air of an older sister. "But remember, Ren, you can't spend the whole trip working."
It was true that they all had official duties as representatives. Even though it was summer break, their workload was significant, and they wouldn't always have the luxury of leisure. However, Fiona was concerned about more than just their social obligations. Ren had come here with the vital goal of treating the curse on his arm.
"I-I know! I’ll make sure to take some time for myself, too!"
"Good. We did come all this way, after all," Licia agreed.
"But the same goes for you two," Ren countered.
"Well... it is our summer vacation, too, I suppose," Licia admitted.
As they spoke, the ship continued to descend. Ren looked out the window again, struck by the reality of their destination.
"...So this is Crushera."
Like Eupeheim, the city was home to several important institutional buildings. This vast metropolis was clearly more than just a simple summer retreat; it was a vital hub for the Empire. This importance was reflected in the staggering size of the crowds.
Once they disembarked, the sheer scale of the festival became even more apparent. The number of people was easily double what Ren had imagined. No matter where he looked, the streets were so packed that it seemed like it would be a struggle just to move.
"It might be even more crowded than the Lion King Grand Festival," Ren muttered.
"Ren? Did you say something?" Licia asked, walking a few paces ahead.
"No, nothing!"
Ren followed her, keeping a close eye on their surroundings. Among the throngs of people, he saw many demi-humans of races he didn't usually see in the capital or Erendil. The rumors about international tourists were clearly true.
The trio had just stepped off the ship and needed to clear the arrival procedures at the counter before heading into the city proper. Looking through the massive windows of the docking terminal, Ren noticed how intense the sunlight seemed.
Just as he was wondering how hot it would be outside, Fiona spoke up from beside him. "The sun looks quite strong, but they say it's actually cooler here than in the capital."
Ren looked at her, surprised. She smiled back, clearly enjoying his reaction.
"You looked like you were worried about the heat. Was I right?"
"...You saw right through me."
"Hehe, I thought so."
They navigated the crowd to find their designated counter. Each passenger had to register individually, so they joined the queue. Ren let Licia and Fiona go ahead of him, waiting for his turn to step forward.
That was when he heard a voice.
"Oh, it's you――――"
Ren recognized the woman passing by. He had met her once before in a Neutral City, near another magic ship terminal. It had been back when he was investigating the Demon King Cult's movements on his own.
"We met at the docks once before, didn't we?" he asked.
"We did. Last time was in a Neutral City... what a remarkable coincidence to meet again."
She was a beautiful woman with violet hair and glasses. She wore a serene smile and, just as before, was clutching a large book in her arms. Ren was curious about what it was, but the book was covered, and the title was hidden.
"Are you here looking for books again?"
"That... and other things. There are some important things I wanted to find here."
The woman tightened her grip on the book, her voice carrying a trace of deep emotion. She quickly smoothed over her expression, however, and changed the subject. Being slightly shorter than Ren, she had to look up to meet his eyes.
"And what brings you to Crushera?"
"I'm here for some recuperation... and a few other things."
"Seeking the power of healing, I take it?"
"Something like that. It's also my vacation, so I was planning on hitting some of the local bookstores."
"That sounds like a lovely holiday. I hope you find some wonderful books."
As they made small talk, Ren suddenly remembered something she had said during their first encounter.
"If I remember correctly, you once said..."
He tried to recall her exact words.
"Books are the only memories of the world that remain unaffected by the gods... right?"
"Ah... you remembered."
The woman's eyes widened behind her lenses. She seemed genuinely touched that he had kept her words in mind. A look of joy flickered across her face, but then she glanced at a nearby clock and sighed. Though she looked like she wanted to stay and talk, she began to move away.
"I'm sorry, I really have to go."
"Oh... sorry, I didn't mean to hold you up."
"Not at all. Well then――――if our paths should cross again."
"Sure. Though I doubt lightning will strike three times."
"I suspect you're right."
With that, they parted ways. When his turn finally came, Ren headed to the counter to collect his things, glancing out the window one last time.
It's just like Lady Fiona said. The sun is bright, but it's actually quite pleasant.
After finishing his registration, Ren rejoined the two girls who had been waiting for him. They exited the docking terminal—which was nearly as large as the Sky Garden in Erendil—and stepped out into the brilliant summer sun.
Crushera was a point of pride for the Empire, but during the era of the Seven Heroes, it had shared characteristics with the Neutral Cities. Records stated that because this was the site meant to celebrate the end of the continental war, it had been chosen for its beauty and its status as a place that invited no political dispute.
Licia had told him about it earlier. "Normally it would be unthinkable, but back then, they even allowed foreign armies to pass through the region under certain conditions."
"Wow... I guess having the Demon King as a common enemy changed the rules of what was possible," Ren remarked.
"Back then, almost every nation was united against him. Times have changed, though. Conflicts have already flared up again on the Martel Continent..."
After a half-day journey from Erendil, they finally entered the heart of Crushera.
"We can take the magic train straight to the Arnea," Licia said.
She was referring to the Arnea Crushera Branch, the local outpost of their capital lodging. While she called it a magic train, it was actually a streetcar that ran along the main thoroughfare. Since Ren and the others rarely saw magic trains operating on public streets, even just boarding it felt like an adventure.
Though Crushera wasn't on the coast, it sat beside a lake so vast that the opposite shore was lost in a haze. There were even areas that looked like genuine sandy beaches. But what really caught their attention was the bridge spanning the water—a structure of staggering proportions.
It was the symbol of Crushera.
There were other massive bridges throughout the city as well. In a place like Crushera, where the terrain shifted between flat plains and steep elevations, these bridges connected the various districts and created a skyline unlike any other in the world.
"Look, all those buildings lined up over there are hotels," Licia pointed out.
"No wonder they're all booked. Look at how many people are here," Fiona added.
The two girls let out gasps of surprise. As they pressed themselves against the window to see the massive skyscrapers in the city center, Ren looked out the opposite window.
The lake, the bridges... the city had a majesty that set it apart from the Imperial Capital, Erendil, or Eupeheim. It felt almost sacred, as if they had traveled to a location from the final chapters of a grand epic.
I see. I think I finally understand that feeling I had.
He had felt all along that this wasn't just a simple trip for rest. Crushera was an essential city on par with Eupeheim and a world-famous resort. Moreover, it was the site of the Night of Prayers, a festival that symbolized the very history of the Empire. Ren finally realized that he had been holding a special kind of reverence for this place without even knowing it.
"The stuff with my arm is almost an afterthought... though I'd probably get scolded if I said that out loud," he whispered to himself.
He couldn't help the thought. It wasn't that he was ignoring his health, he told himself—he was just caught up in the atmosphere.
The streetcar came to a stop shortly after. Following a ten-minute ride from the docks, they disembarked at a station tucked between rows of buildings just off the main thoroughfare. The three stepped back out into the intense sunlight, luggage in hand.
"It's strange. We're still in the same country, but it feels like we've traveled abroad," Licia murmured, before giving a charming smile. "Not that I've ever actually been abroad, of course."
The area around their hotel was crowded with other high-rise lodgings and fashionable boutiques that immediately caught the girls' eyes. One shop in particular seemed to stop them in their tracks.
"Wait, is that Varna?" Licia asked.
"And is that Miliea next to it...?" Fiona added.
They clearly recognized the names, though Ren had never heard of them. However, he did recognize the logos from signs he'd seen in the capital.
"Are those the shops that cause those near-riots in the school dining hall a few times a year?"
"Yes! The sweets shops where the lottery for their products is nearly impossible to win!"
"They don't have branches in the capital, so you can almost never buy their stuff unless you're in Crushera!"
"I-I see... so that's why you're so excited..."
If they were interested, Ren didn't mind going, though he doubted they'd get in easily during the festival. But first, they had a more pressing concern.
"――――Should we grab lunch first, though?" Fiona suggested.
"Good idea. Everywhere will be packed if we wait too long," Licia agreed.
Ren nodded. "If we see a restaurant that looks good on the way to the hotel, let's just stop there."
He looked around as they walked. The main street ran alongside the lake, facing a beach that shimmered in the midday sun. He had been skeptical of the idea of a beach on a lake, but seeing it now, it was more beautiful than any ocean shore he'd ever seen.
"I can't believe that's not the sea," Ren said, gazing out over the water.
From their vantage point, they could see the lake and the iconic bridges in one sweeping view. Since it wasn't the ocean, there weren't many swimmers, but children were playing in the sand while adults strolled along the water's edge.
No wonder it's the top summer resort in Leomel.
Now he understood why Sera and the others had been so hyped up at the academy. Vivid greenery, crystal blue water, and world-class shops—it was the perfect place to spend the summer.
As they walked along the lakeside road, Fiona suddenly remembered something. "The Riohaldes arrived just a little while ago."
"Sera and her group are staying at the hotel across from ours. Apparently, it's run by members of the Hero Faction," Licia added.
"Then we'll probably run into Vane and the others around here," Ren said, reaching down to his waist.
As he adjusted the position of his scabbard, Licia and Fiona gave him wry smiles. While they were used to seeing him armed in his school uniform, the sword looked much more conspicuous against his summer casual clothes.
"It's just a habit... besides, I'm technically your escort!"
"We know. And if we're talking about habits, I'm no different――――see?"
Licia gestured to Byakuen at her own hip. Even for the summer outfit she'd commissioned for this trip, she hadn't forgotten her most essential accessory. And Fiona, for her part, was always ready to deploy her magic at a moment's notice.