The scenery of Crushera receded into the distance outside the window.
Just a few days ago, the three of them had looked at this nearly identical view, wondering what kind of summer break lay ahead of them.
Now, as they began their journey home, each of them was lost in thought. They reflected on everything that had happened, but none of them thought only of the hardship or the danger they had faced over the past few days.
"Technically, we’re still on summer vacation," Ren said with a self-deprecating smile.
Licia and Fiona both looked at him.
"It’s not just 'technically.' We are firmly on summer break," Licia corrected him.
"And it’s still only the beginning... isn't it?" Fiona added.
"I suppose so."
Ren tried to clear his mind and recall why they had come to Crushera in the first place.
Licia and Fiona had been tasked with attending a noble gathering related to the Night of Prayers as representatives for their fathers. The other objective had been to completely remove the lingering remnants of the curse on Ren’s arm.
Once those duties were finished, they had planned to spend the rest of their time in Crushera relaxing. Instead, before they knew it, Mistolfo had tried to recruit Ren as a Holy Palace Knight, and they had ended up in a life-or-death struggle against Mascheria.
"And Licia became a Sword Saint," Ren noted.
"That’s true, but... there were much bigger things than just me, weren't there?"
She meant things like the God's Haze. Or, more specifically, the fact that Ren had obtained the Flame Sword Asval.
Ren had checked his bracelet afterward to look for the name "Flame Sword Asval." However, the text only displayed "Flame Magic Sword." Since the description mentioned it only awakened under specific conditions, perhaps its appearance was normally different.
"So much has happened that I’m not even sure where to begin explaining it myself," Ren admitted.
"I feel the same way," Licia agreed.
"There was also the matter of the Divine Child at the Temple of Micel," Fiona added.
"That's right! The Divine Child! We're finally starting to understand that!" Licia exclaimed.
Even so, questions about which god’s favor he possessed remained, just as they had during their conversation the other day.
"I’ll try talking to Ragna about it when I see him next," Ren said.
It had been some time since their exploration of Muedi’s Hideout; perhaps Ragna had made some new discoveries. Ren also needed to report the events in Crushera to him.
Since there was no more information to discuss regarding the Divine Child, the topic naturally drifted back to Licia’s ascension to the rank of Sword Saint.
"I hope we can figure out the effects of your Authority Sword soon, Licia."
"I don't think I have the mental energy to think about that yet. It barely feels real. At first, I didn't even notice the tone."
Licia looked at Fiona with a wry smile.
"Lady Fiona, were you able to hear that sound at the time?"
"I could hear it clearly toward the end. Come to think of it... is the sense of Enshroud really different compared to before?"
"It might be a little different. I can't say for sure yet, though..."
This was somewhat tangential, but Ren found himself curious about the way Licia and Fiona were speaking to each other. Licia had occasionally slipped into a more casual tone before, but now, including the way Fiona spoke, he couldn't help but notice a shift in their dynamic.
However, he chose not to mention it.
"It was the same for me at first," Ren said, drawing from his own experience. "Once you use it, the difference becomes obvious, but it’s hard to grasp in the beginning."
"...I see," Licia murmured, nodding.
She looked down at her own body for a moment, though obviously, no outward change was visible. After satisfying herself that it was merely a matter of her internal spirit, Licia spoke again.
"I’ve thought about it a few times. Maybe my poor health the other day was related to becoming a Sword Saint."
This was something she had wondered about briefly before leaving the Count’s Manor. She had been concerned about the sudden change in her condition, and she couldn't help but feel the two were connected.
The awareness necessary to become a Sword Saint—the trigger. Since that was all Licia had been missing, it may have caused a slight change in her Enshroud as well.
Ren and Fiona were both given pause by her words. Though it had been different from when Ren achieved the rank, Estelle had once mentioned that the circumstances surrounding the evolution of one’s Enshroud varied wildly between individuals.
"I have to tell Lady Estelle when I get back. She’s been worrying about me lately."
"I’m sure she’ll be happy for you. By the way—and I know it's a bit late to ask—but what was the trigger you needed to reach that level?"
"O-Oh... well, that is, um..."
A Strong Sword User requires a specific spark to become a Sword Saint. Because it varies by person, it’s hard to define, but it is almost always rooted in a psychological shift.
In Licia’s case, unlike Ren, she knew exactly what it was. It was a realization she had reached through many conflicting thoughts... including a return to her own origins. However, because Ren was so central to that realization, she was far too embarrassed to say it out loud.
"Let’s just keep that a secret for now."
It was an unsatisfying answer, but because Licia seemed to be in such a strangely good mood, Ren and Fiona simply shared a resigned smile.
Some time later, they were high above the clouds.
Drifting through the sky, the sunset felt different than usual. Outside the window, the madder-red sunlight reflecting off the sea of clouds stretched out into infinity.
After finishing dinner early, Licia visited Ren’s guest room. Given the strain of the recent battle, she intended to use her Holy Magic on him as a precaution.
"Ren?"
She knocked on the door several times, but there was no answer.
She grew concerned. His wounds should have been healed by now, but what if something had been overlooked?
The thought made Licia restless. She felt she should check on him, but she hesitated to walk in uninvited. While she wrestled with the decision, she reached for the doorknob and found it unlocked; it turned almost on its own.
She stepped inside quietly.
"Ren, is it okay if I come in?" she asked softly.
Still, there was no reply, and she couldn't hear the sound of water running from the shower.
Entering someone's room without permission was wrong, but the battle was still fresh in her mind, and her worry won out. After a few tentative steps, Licia finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew... thank goodness."
He was sitting in a chair by the window. His cheek was resting in his hand against the ledge, and he was breathing peacefully in his sleep. It was no wonder he hadn't heard her.
She decided she would just use a little Holy Magic on him and then leave quietly. Licia walked up beside him and looked at his profile, illuminated by the dying light of the sun.
"You fell asleep because you were so tired," she whispered.
She stopped and stood there, lost in thought.
Once again, they had faced death together. So much had happened, and through those shifting emotions, she had finally reached the rank of Sword Saint.
Because she was so intensely aware of the trigger that had brought her there, Licia was more conscious of Ren than ever before.
To stand by his side.
That wasn't just about their skill with a blade. Even if she never held a sword again, she wanted to be with him.
She was more certain of that than anything else in the world. But if she wanted that, she had to make him truly see her. She realized that her wish would never come true if they just continued on as they always had.
What she needed was the courage to take the next step. A new trigger.
"That's why I said it's a secret," she whispered to his sleeping form.
Holy Magic shimmered at her fingertips. She reached out and touched the arm that wasn't supporting his head.
‘—because, okay? Ren.’ ‘Even so—with this—’
Lately, fragments of her own voice had been echoing in her head. She seemed to be having an unrecognizable exchange with Ren, which left her confused. Every time she heard it, she was struck by an indescribable sense of poignancy. It was one of the reasons she felt so driven to stay by his side.
A thought surfaced in Licia Clausel's heart.
"I have to be more brave."
She said the words to confirm her own feelings. Becoming a Sword Saint had been a turning point, creating a shift in her heart and nurturing her desire to move forward.
And so, she decided to take one small step. For him, and for herself.
"Huh... Licia?"
"I’m sorry for coming in. I got worried when you didn't answer."
"Oh, sorry. I must have fallen asleep the moment I got back to my room."
"No, it's okay. I’m sorry for bothering you when you’re so exhausted."
She told the waking Ren this and extinguished the light of her magic. As he moved to stand up, she pointed out the window.
"Oh, look!"
He immediately turned his head toward the glass.
"Um, is there something out there?"
"Right there, over that way."
"That way? It just looks like empty sky to me..."
He couldn't find anything. As Ren turned his face back toward Licia, he realized they were closer than they had ever been before.
"That was a lie. What’s actually here is this."
A warm sensation brushed against Ren Ashton's cheek.
The lips of Licia Clausel touched him, for just a fleeting moment.