They walked for a short while.
Just before they parted ways to return to their respective inns, Sera’s parting words left a strong impression on Ren.
"Licia, I’m serious. I’m going to have a word with them later."
"I told you, it’s fine. It’s not like it doesn’t bother me, but I don’t want you to get in trouble on my account."
"It’s no trouble at all! Besides, Lady Fiona was suddenly subjected to that nonsense as well..."
"N-no, please! I’m perfectly fine, so don't let it worry you!"
Seeing Licia and Fiona offer strained, weary smiles, Ren cocked his head in confusion, wondering what could have happened.
He received his answer as soon as he returned to his room.
Sensing Ren’s curiosity, Licia and Fiona suggested they talk for a moment and visited his quarters shortly after their arrival.
Licia sank onto the sofa and pulled a cushion tight against her chest. Her expression was a mix of a wry, helpless smile and a hint of apology. She paused for a beat, watching Ren’s concerned gaze before she finally spoke.
"On the way back, we ran into a nobleman from the Hero Faction—"
The story was straightforward enough.
They had just stepped out of a cluster of shops when a nobleman called out to them. His remarks had cast a pall over the end of their pleasant afternoon.
"The Hero Faction has been quite loud lately, haven't they? Since I was with the others, he made a 'joke' about the Clausel family finally abandoning their neutrality to switch sides. Then he started going on about how pathetic the Imperial Faction has been recently."
"Wait, even with Lady Fiona right there?"
"Lady Fiona happened to be looking the other way at the time. She was standing in front of a stall, trying to decide on some ice cream for the walk back."
Even for a smooth-talker, one would expect a modicum of restraint depending on the company. Regardless, his comments had been egregious, and hearing them had left a bitter taste in their mouths.
"It felt like I was being shoved right back into the middle of those factional squabbles for the first time in a while. I’m still feeling a bit restless because of it."
Licia let out a long, heavy sigh—a rare display for her. While the way she huffed and kicked her feet against the floor was undeniably charming, the frustration on her face was genuine.
"I was quite surprised when Altia-san... well, when she clicked her tongue," Fiona added hesitantly.
"Wait, Nem-san did that?"
"She did. She kept that same cheerful smile she always wears, but she made sure he couldn't hear her."
She had likely done it to avoid making a scene, given the man’s status as a noble. Even so, the fact that she had clicked her tongue suggested she had reached the absolute limit of her patience.
"If anything, they all seemed more offended on our behalf than we were," Fiona said.
"That's true. It almost made me feel guilty for making them worry."
Whenever Licia’s speech became informal with Fiona, it was a sure sign that her emotions were running high. She was clearly still worked up.
"But that’s the end of it. Who I choose to spend my time with is my business and mine alone."
However, as they continued to talk, it seemed other remarks came back to them. Despite their smiles, it was clear they had more on their minds. They obviously didn't want to burden Ren with the details, but the tension was palpable.
"Was there more to the nobleman’s 'jokes'?" Ren asked.
"Yes!"
"There was!"
Their responses were identical.
The two lovely girls leaned forward from their seats toward Ren. Finding himself the target of four beautiful, pleading eyes, he subconsciously drew back.
"Uh..."
Ren couldn't bring himself to meet their gazes head-on. As the seasons passed, both girls had grown more refined in every sense. This lack of guard was a gesture they only showed because they trusted him, but unsure where to fix his eyes, Ren pointedly looked out the window.
It wasn’t that he was bashful; rather, it was a sense of gentlemanly propriety that compelled him to give them some space.
"You suddenly looked away... Ren?"
"Is there something outside that caught your eye, Ren-kun?"
"It's nothing. I’m just retreating, so don't mind me."
"Is that so? Well, if you say so..."
"Retreating...?"
The girls couldn't quite grasp the meaning of his words.
The madder-red of the twilight sky seemed more vivid than usual.
Lights began to flicker on in the rows of buildings. The lake’s surface glowed with the colors of the evening, and a massive bridge spanned the water. The three of them walked along, taking in the sights that defined the city of Crushera.
"...It’s finally starting to cool down."
"At this rate, it might even be a little chilly by nightfall."
The midday heat had retreated. With the air much more bearable, they finally had the leisure to appreciate the scenery. While the temperature had dropped, the city’s energy remained high. The terrace seats of most restaurants were nearly full, and the number of carriages on the streets had increased. The orange glow of the streetlights painted the town, accentuating the nocturnal beauty of Crushera.
"It’s just as people say. The crowds have thinned at the landmarks, but the heart of the city is only getting busier."
Fiona smoothed her bangs as they fluttered in the cool breeze and looked around. They could have taken the magic train to get closer to their destination, but since the air was pleasant and the sidewalks weren't as packed as they were during the day, they chose to walk. The magic trains were starting to get crowded anyway, so it was a well-timed decision.
After a long stroll, they stopped at the plaza in front of the Gate of the Starry Realm.
Besides Ren’s group, there were only a few tourists scattered about. The roar of the rushing water nearby easily drowned out the hushed conversations of the onlookers. This was the source of the healing waters Ren had come to find. Being able to see the Gate of the Starry Realm up close made this a perfect way to spend their evening.
"I think... ah, look! Over there!"
In front of the gate lay a deep basin of water, so clear it looked as though it had been carved from the cobblestones to reveal the depths below. Stone pillars rose from the basin, serving as potential stepping stones to reach the front of the water gate. However, the area was enclosed by a sturdy, new fence, marking the limit of where tourists were permitted to go.
"It’s breathtaking... I had no idea it would be this beautiful."
Fiona gasped in admiration. Before her, countless particles of light danced as they drifted upward from the surface of the water. It was a mystical, ethereal sight—the kind of beauty that made one want to lose themselves in it forever. Each individual grain of light held the very power Ren sought for his arm.
"Go on, Ren," Licia urged.
Ren extended his cursed arm toward the water. Several particles of light drifted closer, swimming through the air until they touched his skin. He felt a faint jolt of surprise as a cool, soothing sensation washed over him, as if the particles were drawing the heat right out of his skin.
Though his arm hadn't felt particularly stiff lately, it suddenly felt even lighter. He clenched and unclenched his fist experimentally.
"I think... it actually feels a bit lighter."
"That’s wonderful!"
"I’m so glad we came!"
"I’ve said it before, but it was already almost entirely healed thanks to you two. This feels like... like the last bit of lingering fatigue has been washed away."
It wasn't a dramatic transformation, but exactly as Ren described. His arm, which was already well on the mend, felt refreshed.
"I know, I know. Thank you for the consideration, though."
"The curse had taken root deep inside you, so it’s only natural for there to be a lingering sensation," Fiona noted.
Licia and Fiona tentatively reached out their hands as well, and the lights drifted toward them. They both felt a sense of lightness as they touched the glow, experiencing the ancient mystery of Crushera for themselves.
They lingered there for some time, gazing at the gate and the surrounding waters for nearly twenty minutes. The sight of the lights reflecting in the pool held a beauty that rivaled the night sky. As Mirei had mentioned back at the academy, Crushera was often called the "Land Where the Stars Sing." The name "Gate of the Starry Realm" felt entirely appropriate.
"It’s strange that such a magnificent gate exists, yet we know so little about the temple beyond it," Fiona remarked.
The temple hidden behind the Gate of the Starry Realm was much like Ren’s supposed ancestor—shrouded in mystery with almost no records to speak of. The only difference was that Cecil’s very name was a challenge to find, whereas the temple’s existence was public knowledge. Of course, if the details were missing in both cases, the distinction hardly mattered.
"Usually, you’d expect at least some historical records to survive."
"Master Ragna said there are many ruins where excavations and surveys simply haven't been completed yet."
"That's true. The Jeno Orphanage in the Old City was the same way, wasn't it?"
"Right... we didn't know anything about that place until last year."
Perhaps the truth of the temple would come to light one day as well. Ren couldn't begin to guess when that might be.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the veil of night began to settle, the three of them finally turned to leave the plaza.
On the way back...
A sudden, sharp gust of wind brushed past their cheeks. Ren reflexively glanced back toward the Gate of the Starry Realm. He thought he had heard a voice riding on the wind... but when he turned, there was nothing but the empty plaza.
Was it just his imagination? It had felt strangely distinct. He strained his ears, but the only sound was the distant rush of water.
"...Must have been the wind."
"Ren? Is something the matter?"
"...No, it’s nothing."
He turned back to the path ahead. He walked in silence for a moment, thinking about mundane things like what to do for dinner once they reached the inn.
"Maybe I'll take a break from training today," he muttered to himself.
"I think the inn has a training hall in the basement, you know?" Licia teased.
"I heard they even allow magic practice down there," Fiona added with a smile.
The girls joked with him, and Ren laughed. They continued their trek home, chatting idly—until they all paused and looked up at the sky.
They had been admiring the brilliance of the stars, a sight far clearer than anything they could see in the Imperial Capital or Erendil. But then, they noticed a shadow moving against the night sky.
"What is that...?"
"It’s massive. It looks like a magic ship, but..."
A colossal silhouette was approaching from the horizon, slowly descending toward the city's magic ship dock. Ren cocked his head, straining his eyes.
"...It’s too dark. I can't make out any details."
He whispered the words, but no answer came. He could only watch as the shadow drifted silently through the night.