Ren returned to the Department of Mysteries, the same place he had visited only the day before.
Though he was visiting alone this time without Radius, he felt no trace of nervousness. Ordinarily, he should have been at the Ignat manor by now, but he had made an abrupt detour to the Department of Mysteries.
That morning, almost the exact moment Edgar had arrived with a carriage to collect him from the inn, a messenger from the Department of Mysteries had appeared, explaining that Ragna was asking for him. While the messenger had apologetically offered to return later, Edgar had intervened.
"I shall inform my master of the delay," Edgar had proposed. "Since this is a matter regarding His Highness’s introduction, it is for the best."
And so, following that brief exchange—
Ren found himself back in the same high-rise office.
"I’ve been waiting for you."
Just as before, Ragna greeted him from his desk with his usual arrogant posture. Ren offered his morning greetings and brought up a detail the messenger had mentioned.
"Ragna-san, I heard the staff calling you the 'Room Chief'."
"Occasionally, yes. In the sense that I head this laboratory. Some call me 'Doctor,' though this is merely one of many research rooms under the Department of Mysteries' umbrella. When you think about it, the Department of Mysteries is a strange bunch."
"Strange? In what way?"
"They welcomed a man like me with the status of a Room Chief, didn't they?"
Ren recalled their conversation from the previous day. He felt comfortable enough to speak more freely now, though he remained careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Isn't it because the wisdom and 'romance' you pursue are considered so valuable?"
"Ho."
Hearing that, Ragna’s mood visibly brightened. The mention of his favorite word caused his sharp features to relax.
"My eyes weren't mistaken. Ren, you truly are a man who understands romance. It was worth calling you here so early."
"That's the thing. Why did you call me?"
Ren stepped toward the desk where Ragna waited.
"Are you interested in the Old Quarter?"
The Old Quarter had been mentioned yesterday as the site where the mysterious Mithril had been excavated. It was also the place Licia had paused to admire from afar.
"I’ve heard it’s beautiful, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge. I’d like to see it, though I don't know much about the state of the ruins."
"It is a fascinating place. Most of the buildings submerged in the water are made of stone, and many retain their original shapes from centuries ago."
The thought of ancient stone structures preserved beneath the waves, with colorful fish darting through their halls, sounded like something out of a fairy tale.
"It sounds like there might still be rare artifacts sleeping there."
"Exactly. It's said that Eupeheim back then was even more bustling than the Imperial Capital. As a strategic trade hub, it was a place where cutting-edge technologies from across the world intersected."
"Were there research institutes submerged as well?"
"Naturally. Several, in fact."
That explained why the area was under strict public management. Ren could easily understand why the Department of Mysteries conducted such frequent, periodic investigations. But Ren found himself drawn to this more than the "dead" Mithril from the day before.
"The Seven Heroes were rising to prominence back then. That means it was an era when the technology of Mirim Altia, the legendary God of Magic Tools, was at its peak."
"Are the defense systems she created still active?"
"Yes. Large manors and research institutes possess magic tools she crafted personally. They protect the buildings themselves."
Even after hundreds of years, it remained nearly impossible to bypass her technology. That was the primary factor that made investigating the Old Quarter so difficult. The submerged city seemed to house a far greater heritage than Ren had imagined. He thought of a way to describe the places guarded by Mirim Altia’s ancient systems.
"Calling them 'unopenable doors' sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?"
Upon hearing those words, Ragna’s eyebrows twitched with excitement.
"Ah... that is incredibly cool. I want to open those doors, yet a part of me almost wishes they would stay closed forever."
"I feel like the best part is the journey leading up to opening them."
"Heh... You have excellent taste."
Finding a kindred spirit, Ragna’s mood soared.
"Very well. I’ll give you something good. No charge, of course."
He reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a piece of folded, aged parchment.
"What is this?"
"A secret map. Well? Is your heart racing?"
Ren couldn't deny that it was. He took the parchment and spread it out. It was a perfect size, fitting comfortably between his hands. Deep creases spoke of how long it had been kept folded.
"This is a map of the Old Quarter, isn't it?"
"You can tell?"
"I'm just guessing from the terrain. I've never actually been there."
"Hoh, you're a quick study."
The "secret map" was marked with several red circles in Ragna's handwriting. Notes indicated when specific investigations had been conducted. Just by looking at it, Ren could tell the map held immense value.
"What do these marks mean?"
"Those are locations where the doors remain sealed by ancient magic tools."
"You don't just blow them up or force them?"
"I understand the urge. If we used explosives, we could see inside in an instant. However, we must avoid destroying historical architecture and the local environment. Furthermore, such methods are strictly prohibited under Imperial Law."
"That 'furthermore' should probably be the first reason," Ren remarked.
"Also, for the record, I’m not actually interested in blowing things up." He had only voiced the thought out of curiosity. "Wait, why are you giving such an important map to me?"
"That's my spare. I've already prepared a newer one."
"No, I mean—what’s the real reason?"
"Consider it a small gift to a fellow traveler who understands romance. There is no other reason."
"...I understand. I don't know if I'll have the chance to use it, but I'll keep it safe."
Ren then asked a practical question. "How do you usually explore a submerged city?"
"On foot. We use diving equipment sometimes, but many of the buildings with active defense systems still have pockets of air inside, even though they’re underwater."
"So you can actually walk through them?"
"Precisely. If you see it for yourself, you'll witness some truly incredible sights."
Ragna insisted that seeing was believing.
"I suppose the only issue is getting permission to enter."
"Just think of it as an option if the opportunity arises. That map is proof of our shared appreciation for the unknown. I wrote it myself, so it's not a state secret. Use it as you wish."
"—Then I won't hesitate."
As Ren tucked the map away, Ragna handed him several more books regarding Holy Magic and ancient myths.
"Take these. I've read them several times already."
"Thank you... wait, what language is this?"
"Southern Martel tongues, some Western Continent beastfolk dialects, and so on. Try reading them with a dictionary. It’ll be good for your brain."
"...Can you read these without a dictionary, Ragna-san?"
"They're just human and demi-human languages. Anyone could learn them in a few weeks of study."
Ren decided to ignore the man's impossible standards for a moment. Ragna admitted that he hadn't found much more information regarding the Saintess's power beyond what they had discussed yesterday, but he hoped these materials might serve as a reference if Ren decided to investigate on his own.
Ren thanked him deeply and resolved to find a translation dictionary.
"Oh, right." Ragna slammed his feet onto the desk and grinned provocatively. "If you actually manage to open one of those 'unopenable' doors, I'll give you a reward."
"Uwah... the way you say that makes it clear you think it's impossible."
"About half of me does. But if it opens, that's romance, isn't it?"
"Are you serious? If it's a reward from the Bag Traveler, I'm going to have high expectations."
"Go right ahead. If that day comes, I promise to give you an item of true intrigue from my personal collection."
Ragna’s laughter followed Ren out the door.
Ren sat in the Department of Mysteries' carriage as it rattled toward Eupeheim’s noble district.
While Ulysses was the Lord of this city, several other nobles maintained manors here. In the Empire, owning a manor in Eupeheim was a grand status symbol.
Ren let out a yawn as the carriage swayed. The coachman had mentioned it would take twenty minutes to reach the Ignat manor. Having stayed up late on his first night in the city, the fatigue was catching up to him. He decided to close his eyes for a quick rest.
The dream came almost immediately.
Unlike his usual dreams, his five senses were startlingly vivid. He found himself watching the scene as an invisible bystander.
A massive force of knights had been mobilized. Their skill was clearly elite; even those using magic were obviously high-ranking practitioners. This was the military might that made Leomel the world's strongest empire.
They stood before the front gates of the Ignat manor.
"A threatening display during the master's absence, I see."
In the dream, it was the dead of winter. A light dusting of snow covered the cobblestones. An elderly gentleman stood alone before the gate, facing the hundreds of knights. Even the elite Knights of the Lion Holy Chancel seemed to be sweating, their eyes locked on the old man in extreme tension.
A knight stepped forward. "Master Edgar, please accompany us to the Imperial Capital."
"For what reason?"
"You understand it concerns the abduction of His Highness."
"It seems you suspect our house's involvement."
"—Tch! This is no time for jokes, Edgar! You know exactly why we are here!"
With a heavy sigh, the elderly gentleman shrugged off his jacket. Despite the freezing cold, he stood in his white shirt and rolled up his sleeves. His breath came in white puffs.
"I apologize, but I cannot comply."
The knights drew their swords as one.
Edgar looked up at the winter sky with a lonely expression, then glanced back at the manor. It was silent. He had locked it himself just moments ago. Even though he knew the day to reopen it might never come, he kept the key tucked safely in his pocket.
When Edgar turned back to the knights, tears were streaming down his face.
"I give you one final warning. If you withdraw now, I shall not swing my blade."
"You know we cannot do that."
"Then there is no choice but to fight?"
"If that is what you desire. We must restrain you and inspect the premises."
"...How very troublesome."
The old man refused to yield an inch. "This manor is my soul. It is the proof of my service to the Ignat family. Regardless of your reasons, I cannot step aside."
There was nothing left but violence.
The moment the knights surged forward to take the initiative, the old man vanished. Snow swirled in the void where he had stood.
"Eh—?"
Fresh blood sprayed from the chests of the knights in the front row. Two silver swords had pierced through them before they could even blink.
The scene shifted abruptly.
Edgar had escaped, though he was heavily wounded. He was hidden in a safe house prepared by Ulysses, being nursed by an Ignat servant. He had survived, but at a great cost—one eye was gone, hidden behind a patch, and his left arm had been replaced with a prosthetic.
"How much time has passed?" he asked.
"A very long time, Master Edgar."
"Tell me... what happened while I slept?"
Ulysses had lost his life in the Baldur Mountains, and a new hero had been born in Leomel. Learning this, Edgar wept for the fact that he was the only one left alive.
"Master Edgar, you must do what only you can do," the servant urged.
"There is nothing left for me. I failed my master and Lady Fiona. What would you have me do now?"
"We do not know. But if you take your own life, the master will not welcome you in the next world."
Knowing Ulysses, that was certainly true. The two survivors wept together in the silence.
Edgar became a drifter. The Ignat family was gone, and he spent his days wandering the world, lost in memory. But in a corner of a distant town, he found an old book...
"It seems there are still secrets to be uncovered," he muttered. "One final task for this old body. Before I join my master, I shall do what must be done."
The dream accelerated. Ren watched Edgar travel through countless lands. Eventually, the old man returned to Leomel, where he was spotted by the Imperial Knights. They cornered him in a slum.
Edgar leaned against a grimy wall, his prosthetic arm heavy at his side. He closed his eye, ready for the end. "It is nearly time, Master."
Footsteps approached. But then—
"What—!?" "You, how—!?"
The knights who had been closing in suddenly collapsed. Not a drop of blood was shed. They had simply been struck with such precision that they were knocked unconscious instantly.
Edgar looked up to see a figure wrapped in a tattered robe.
"You are Master Edgar, I presume," a boy's voice said.
"You... do not look like a knight."
The boy and the old man met in the shadows of the slum.
"I am rather an enemy of the knights," the boy said. "Or perhaps an enemy of Leomel itself."
The boy pulled back his hood to reveal a young, handsome face. He lifted Edgar onto his back and began to run, leaping across the rooftops with a light-footedness that seemed like flight.
"Young one," Edgar asked as they escaped the town. "What is your name?"
The boy didn't slow down. "I am Ren Ashton. The 'Great Sinner' who took the lives of the White Saintess and the Academy Director."
Ren woke up with a start.
"—Ashton-dono, Ashton-dono."
Ren opened his eyes to see the coachman shaking his shoulder.
That dream... was it a memory of another world? A timeline where he and Edgar had become outlaws together? He had no idea why he had seen it, but the vividness reminded him of the strange visions he'd had when Jelkku kidnapped him.
"I'm sorry," Ren said, rubbing his eyes. "I fell asleep."
"No apologies needed. We are quite close to the manor."
The carriage had stopped about a ten-minute walk from the Ignat estate. The road was blocked by knights conducting emergency repairs on a faulty underground waterway.
"It seems we must proceed on foot from here."
"I'll walk. There are enough knights around that I won't get lost."
Ren stepped out onto the cobblestones, thanked the coachman, and started walking. The road was indeed blocked about ten meters ahead. A knight stopped him as he approached the cordon.
"Where are you headed, lad?"
"To the manor of Marquis Ignat."
"The... His Excellency's manor?" The knight was dumbfounded. Even though they served the Empire, Ulysses was their ultimate boss. However, seeing that Ren had arrived in a Department of Mysteries carriage, they didn't doubt his word.
Ren proceeded toward the massive gates. The estate was so vast it looked like the citadel of a small country. "It’s huge," he whispered to himself.
He approached the main gate, where the Marquis’s private guards stood watch. They seemed to recognize his description but remained professional.
"Pray tell us your name," one guard requested.
"I am Ren Ashton. I was invited by—" Ren paused. He didn't actually have a physical invitation for the party, only the pass for the magic train. He felt a bit awkward standing there in his travel clothes, looking like a commoner or at best a minor noble.
Then he remembered. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the old, black invitation card Edgar had given him years ago.
The guards tensed, watching his hand. When he presented the pitch-black card with the gold-leaf crest, the atmosphere changed instantly.
Suddenly, the crest on the card began to glow. A three-dimensional image of the Ignat family emblem rose from the paper, radiating light.
Flowing script appeared in light across the card: Welcome. We have been expecting you.
The massive gates began to swing open automatically. Ren gave a wry smile at the theatrical security system. The commander of the guards straightened his posture and the men lined up in a formal salute.
"We have been waiting for you, Master Ashton."
It was the highest-level invitation the Ignat family offered—the one Edgar had personally prepared. Ren looked up at the fortress-like manor and stepped inside.
The garden was breathtaking. The grass was a lush, vibrant green, maintained by magic tools that kept the autumn chill at bay.
Fiona and Licia were already there, and they suited the scenery perfectly. They were more radiant than the flowers surrounding them.
"I'm sorry," Fiona said with a smile. "My father has been looking forward to this for so long. He’s been dreaming of this day since the Baldur Mountains incident."
Ulysses had been so excited that he had practically dragged Lezard away to show him the estate. Licia chuckled. "I was happy to see the Marquis in such high spirits."
They stopped before a vibrant flowerbed. "What beautiful flowers," Licia remarked.
"They only bloom in the late autumn. Their name is—"
The two girls spoke naturally, their rivalry seemingly set aside for the moment. Licia watched as Fiona leaned over the flowers. She knew Fiona better than almost anyone; she knew that Fiona’s most charming side was the one she showed only to Ren—the noble lady who had risked everything for love.
"Is something the matter?" Fiona asked, noticing Licia’s gaze.
"No! Nothing at all!"
The servants watched from a distance, mesmerized by the sight of the two girls. To them, the garden looked like a celestial realm.
"My ladies," a servant interrupted, bowing low. "Master Ren Ashton has arrived."
The girls shared a look and immediately started walking toward the entrance. A familiar tension returned.
"I won't yield today," Fiona began, but Licia cut her off.
"I won't yield either."
"I-I wasn't finished! I meant—I won't yield the chance to thank him! I promised I would serve him tea in this manor!"
"Oh! You meant that!" Licia laughed, the tension breaking. They hurried forward.
"I'm not going to lose, you know," Licia said, her voice full of genuine resolve.
"I won't lose either," Fiona replied firmly.
This was their declaration. Their feelings hadn't changed since that night in the Imperial Capital; they had only grown stronger.
"I'm sorry I'm late... eh?" Ren appeared, led by Edgar. He looked at the two girls and blinked. "Your faces are red. Are you okay?"
The girls sighed in unison. They were frustrated that he hadn't noticed their feelings, but they had come to expect it from him.
"It's nothing," they said together.
The party hall was more lavish than any Ren had ever seen. Ulysses was in an exceptionally good mood. "Hahaha! I haven't held a party in this manor since before I inherited it from my father!"
"You've certainly made it worth the wait, Master," Edgar remarked with a smile.
"Indeed! Hosting at home is usually a chore, but today is just inexplicably fun!"
The celebration lasted for hours. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the windows, Ulysses turned to Lezard.
"Viscount Clausel, why don't you and your family stay the night? We have much to discuss regarding our business ventures, and the servants would be delighted to host you."
Later that evening, in Ulysses' office, the Marquis handed a report to Ren. "It's about that time of year for the Old Quarter inspection. Would you like to take a look? Since you're curious about it, I’ll grant you permission. Consider it a half-job, half-sightseeing trip."
Ren accepted the task eagerly.
Later, Ren was guided to Fiona's private room. He felt a bit hesitant about entering a young lady's bedchamber, but the servant assured him it was fine. Fiona welcomed him with a radiant smile, her hair smelling faintly of sweet flowers.
"Master Ren, welcome!"
Licia was currently in her own room checking her luggage, leaving Ren and Fiona alone. Fiona's heart was racing, though she tried to keep her composure.
"Master Ren... the promise I made in the Baldur Mountains. May I fulfill it now?"
She looked at him with watery, earnest eyes. Ren remembered that snowy night, after the battle with the dragon, when she had promised to practice her tea-making until it was perfect.
Fiona began to brew the tea with trembling hands. She had practiced every day since that winter. The aroma filling the room was incomparable to before.
She placed the cup before him. "If it isn't good... please don't force yourself."
Ren laughed. "You said the exact same thing back then."
"I'm just... worried."
Ren took a sip. He closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. "I've never had a cup of tea this delicious in my life," he said sincerely.
Fiona’s heart swelled. The tension left her body so suddenly that she sank onto the carpet.
"Lady Fiona!?" Ren crouched beside her, worried.
"I'm fine," she whispered, a gentle smile on her face. "I was just so happy that my legs gave out."
The next morning, Ren, Fiona, and Licia set out for the Old Quarter.
The submerged city was breathtaking. Using a boat, they reached a point where a large stone library rose just above the waterline. From there, they descended a spiral staircase into a world preserved by ancient magic tools.
Membranes of air held back the sea, allowing them to walk across the seabed. Fish swam "in the sky" above them, and the sunlight filtering through the water created shimmering, aurora-like patterns across the stone buildings.
"It’s like a different world," Licia whispered.
They followed Ragna's map to a specific location: the "Geno Orphanage." It was a small, stone building guarded by a stained-glass window depicting a young girl in a garden.
"This is one of the 'unopenable' doors," Ren noted.
Licia tried the knocker, but nothing happened. She tried the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. "It’s sealed tight," she said.
Ren stepped forward. He reached out to the brass knocker. The moment he touched it, the sapphire-like stone embedded in the metal began to pulse with blue light.
"Ren! What did you do!?" Licia cried.
"I didn't do anything! I just touched it!"
With a heavy groan of wood on stone, the door swung open.
The three stood in the entrance, stunned. The seals that had held for centuries had vanished at Ren's touch. They stepped inside, exploring the silent halls. In a back office, they found a desk containing several old letters.
Ren read them aloud. They were from a traveler to the orphanage director, Geno. One letter mentioned "Mirim Altia" and "Dragon-Eater seeds."
"Mirim Altia... that's Nemu's ancestor," Licia said, shocked.
Ren felt a strange conviction. These letters had been written by his own ancestor, Adventurer Ashton.
They also found a small painting on an altar. It depicted a happy man and woman in a garden—the man bore a striking resemblance to Ren.
"Take it," Ragna said later that night when Ren reported back. "If it bears no magical value, it belongs to the Ignat family, and I’m sure Ulysses will let you keep it. It’s a beautiful piece of romance."
Meanwhile, on the coastline near Eupeheim, another group was making their own discovery.
Wayne, Kaito, Sera, Nemu, and Charlotte had spent the day exploring a sea cave. After a long day of training, they were resting near a rocky wall when Kaito accidentally leaned back with too much force.
The wall crumbled, revealing a hidden passage.
"What’s this?" Kaito asked, peering into the dark.
They followed the passage into a magnificent, celestial-looking chamber. In the center, suspended within a massive crystal, was a legendary artifact.
Kaito’s eyes widened. "It’s just like the family legends... it’s the Silver King Shield, Airia!"
The artifact of Wright Leonall, the Seven Hero, pulsed with silver light. As Kaito approached, the crystal barrier shattered, recognizing its new master.