A few days had passed, and the end of November was fast approaching.
Ren sat in his private room at the Clausel manor in Erendir, having recently returned from his journey to Eupeheim. He had just finished dinner.
"Isn't the quest reward a little too generous?" he wondered aloud, staring intently at the object on his desk.
"Kyu?"
Kukuru, perched on the desk, tilted her head as if to ask, "Is it?" She peered at the item curiously.
A creature born from the Selakia Blue Pearl using a shard of Asval’s horn as an offering, Kukuru was an adorable spirit beast covered in fluffy fur. When Ren and the others had departed for Eupeheim on the Gardiknight, she had stayed behind to watch over the house with Yuno, the maid.
"Are you curious?"
"Kyu."
Kukuru chirped an immediate reply, though she didn't seem particularly interested. She simply floated in mid-air and let out a tiny yawn.
"Well... I suppose that makes sense," Ren muttered. It was hardly something a spirit beast would find fascinating.
The Dragon Vein Reactor.
Though small enough to be held in both hands, it was a high-output furnace that generated energy from magic stones. It was a rare artifact, crafted by incorporating the cores of dragon species. Its origins traced back over a century to the Shelgad Empire on the Sky Continent.
While its potential output was noteworthy even by modern standards, its handling was notoriously difficult. Ren didn't fully grasp the technical specifications, but he knew enough to realize it was a temperamental device—excessively expensive yet incredibly impractical.
To put it simply: if handled incorrectly, it would explode with catastrophic force.
Maybe he gave it to me so easily because he hates Shelgad, Ren thought.
Ragna made no secret of his disdain for his ancestral homeland on the Sky Continent. However, given that the reactor was objectively valuable, it was a massive reward for Ren simply opening The Unopened Door. Whatever Ragna’s motives, the item was far too precious to be considered a slight. The problem was that Ren had no personal use for it.
"By the way, I wonder what happened with that water flow anomaly in Eupeheim."
"Kyu?"
"You know, the place I was at until the other day... actually, never mind. You wouldn't know."
"Kyu."
Ultimately, the cause had remained a mystery up until the moment they left the great city. Since Marquis Ulysses was the lord there, Ren doubted it would escalate into a major crisis, yet the thought lingered in the back of his mind.
As Ren turned his attention back to the reactor, a knock sounded at his door. Lithia peeked inside.
"Ren? I was thinking we could swing our swords for a bit... Oh, you’ve already hung that painting."
She walked over to Ren’s side, her eyes lingering on the painting he had recovered from the orphanage in the submerged Old Quarter.
"Kukuru, you’re here too. Yuno was just looking for you—she said it's time for your meal."
"Kyu!? Kyu-kyu!"
Kukuru chirped a quick response and zipped out of the room past Lithia. Watching her go with a smile, Lithia turned her attention to the Dragon Vein Reactor.
"This is the Dragon Vein Reactor, right? It’s quite ancient."
"Yes. It’s an old reactor, but it produces power that rivals anything made today. Aside from the fact that it could trigger a massive explosion and level an entire town if mishandled, it’s a wonderful piece of equipment."
"...Isn't that a rather significant downside?"
"A fatally significant one," Ren admitted.
Lithia’s cheeks twitched slightly, though she still looked lovely. Ren, meanwhile, was considering his options.
"Don't you think Mr. Werlich could make good use of this?"
"Ah! You’re right!"
Back in early autumn, Estel had taken Ren and Lithia to visit Werlich's Workshop. During the hunt for the Lesser Griffins, Werlich had mentioned needing a better furnace. This Dragon Vein Reactor might be exactly what was needed to complete the repairs on the magic ship Lemuria.
"Are you sure? It was a gift for you, Ren."
"I don't mind. I want to see the Lemuria sailing again as soon as possible. Besides, I'd have no use for this thing anyway."
"And you’re certainly not going to use it as a decoration... not after what you just said."
Selling such a rare item never even entered Ren's mind.
By nine o'clock on a holiday morning, the main streets of Erendir were already bustling.
In her room, Lithia groggily sat up in bed, tidying the front of her nightgown. She stood up and drew the curtains as she did every morning.
"The weather is nice today, too—"
She stopped mid-sentence. Lately, the mornings had been greeted by a light dusting of snow. She was about to open the window to breathe in the crisp air when she froze.
"Wait... what?"
The scenery beyond the window was wrong. As the morning breeze fluttered through the casement and swayed her hair, she realized something was missing.
Panic set in. She dressed hurriedly and raced toward her father’s office.
"Father!"
Inside, she found Lezard and Ren already waiting. They turned to look at her as she burst in.
"It seems Lithia has noticed as well," Lezard observed.
"Yes... something felt different!"
Her steps were restless as she walked behind her father’s sofa to join Ren by the window.
"Good morning, Ren. You saw it too?"
"Yes. I noticed it the moment I woke up."
The discrepancy that had unnerved Lithia was the Great Clock Tower. The symbol of Erendir was standing still.
"I was hoping it might just jump back into motion, but no luck so far," Ren said.
Lithia followed his gaze. It was nearly nine-thirty, but the clock face showed exactly eleven o’clock. The manor’s clocks were accurate, which meant only one thing.
"This is the first time I've ever seen the Great Clock Tower stopped."
An hour later, the group stood at the base of the tower. Usually, the square would be packed with holiday-goers, but Lezard had ordered the area cleared before Lithia had even opened her eyes.
"Cough... cough!"
A young girl emerged from the tower’s entrance, coughing from the thick dust. It was Nemu Altia, a descendant of one of the Seven Heroes—the one hailed as the God of Magic Tools.
"Ugh... just climbing those stairs wears me out..."
"Good work, Nemu. Are you alright?" Lithia asked, handing her a towel and a drink.
Nemu beamed with a smile as bright as the summer sun. "I’m fine, I’m fine! My thighs are just twitching a bit. Want to feel?"
"No, I’m good."
"Ehh... you’re no fun."
Nemu was here as the representative of House Altia. Her family had managed the tower for generations, and she had been inside investigating the cause of the stoppage.
"Viscount Clausel, the safety system was triggered," Nemu reported, her work clothes slightly smudged.
While House Clausel assisted in the tower's management, the facility was largely under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Castle. Still, as the lord of Erendir, Lezard had a duty to understand the situation.
"As I’ve mentioned before, the Great Clock Tower contains several small components that require a constant flow of mana," Nemu explained.
These were the systems designed by Mirim Altia. They were failsafes meant to stop the entire mechanism if a single component showed signs of deterioration, preventing a chain reaction of damage.
"The system our ancestor built worked perfectly. It stopped automatically because the parts I mentioned reached their wear limit. It’s a scheduled maintenance stop, essentially."
"So, the tower isn't actually broken?" Lezard asked, relieved.
"Not at all! House Altia performs regular checks, so this was expected. It’s actually a sign that everything is functioning normally."
"Then this is the perfect opportunity," Lezard said. He recalled previous consultations regarding the tower’s maintenance. "Heroic Duke Altia suggested some time ago that we should replace several gears and other components. We might as well do it now."
"The gears are already stored in the Imperial Capital, so we just need to transport them," Nemu added.
With the plan decided, the logistical work began. Preparations had been made for such an event, but the specific components that had reached their limit were a different story. Nemu proudly declared that only someone from House Altia could handle those.
"They have to be custom-made. They're the parts that transmit power from the gears through the other magic tools."
Because of the specialized metals and processing techniques required, these parts couldn't be mass-produced in advance. They had to be installed almost immediately after completion.
"A secret technique of House Altia, then?"
"Exactly! The tower is incredibly complex. And so..." Nemu thumped her chest confidently. "Leave it all to me! I was sent here as the representative of the family for a reason! I'll have the parts ready in no time!"
No one doubted her. Before long, civil officials and knights arrived from the castle to coordinate the restoration. Nemu eventually left the technical discussion to her attendants and turned back to Lithia and Ren.
"It’s a big job, but a rewarding one!"
"I’m sorry to ruin your holiday, Nemu. I’m sure you wanted to relax at home," Lithia said.
"Nope! I was going to spend my holiday researching magic tools anyway. This is even better because I get to tinker with the Great Clock Tower! I come here alone sometimes just to mess around with the mechanisms. It’s so much fun!"
Nemu’s eyes sparkled. Then, she paused. "Lithia, do you have some time after this?"
"I did, but now... I’m not so sure."
"Aww... did Viscount Clausel give you work to do?"
"No, I was just going to go shopping with Ren. But I can't really go out and play while the town’s symbol is broken, can I?"
"I see, I see. You two are as close as ever."
Lithia blushed and looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Is there something you needed?"
"Since I have to make the parts quickly, I was hoping you’d come with me to the forest."
"The forest?"
"Yep! I need to go to the lake deep in the woods."
Ren realized which lake she meant. It was the place where he had once overfished the Berserk Fish. The population had plummeted the following spring, leading him to swear off over-harvesting.
That lake contained metals that were highly conductive to mana. Nemu needed to process them on-site and bring the finished components directly back to the tower.
"Can you really make the parts that easily?" Lithia asked.
"Are you doubting me, Lithia?"
"No, I just meant it sounds like a lot of work, even for you."
"I’ll be fine! But I don't want to go alone. It’s lonely out there. I want you to come with me."
Nemu looked at Ren, clearly hoping he would join as well. However, Ren had a different idea.
"I’m going to stay here and help with the tower."
Lithia and Nemu being alone wasn't unusual, and the woods around Erendir didn't pose much of a threat to them.
"Wait, you’re helping here?"
"The gear assembly is going to be a nightmare... especially the weight. I think it’ll be easier if I’m here to handle the heavy lifting during the replacement."
Nemu clapped her hands, realizing she had forgotten about that. "Oh, you’re right! I saw the specs—removing the old gears and bringing in the new ones will be incredibly difficult without help!"
"It’s no problem for me," Ren assured her. With his strength, the physical labor would be finished in record time.
"I know!" Nemu said, struck by another idea. "I saw Sera before I left the Capital, and she said she might drop by. I’ll bring her along too!"
"Are you just going to decide that for her?" Lithia asked.
"It’s fine! She looked bored."
"I... see." Lithia gave up trying to reason with the impulsive Nemu.
Ten minutes later, Sera arrived at the tower.
"Sera! We’re heading out to gather materials for the repairs. Want to come?" Nemu asked.
Sera looked at Lithia. "Lithia... will you explain this to me properly?"
"Of course."
"Hey! Why aren't you asking me!?" Nemu pouted.
"Because you skipped every single detail, Nemu!"
Once Sera understood the situation, she sighed. She had a few choice words about being called "bored," but decided it wasn't worth the effort. She gave Nemu a playful flick on the forehead.
"Ow!"
"Explain yourself better next time."
"Okay~," Nemu chirped, sticking out her tongue. "But anyway, if Ren is staying here, the two of you should be fine just outside town, right?"
"Right," Ren agreed. "I’ll handle the heavy parts. You three go ahead."
Ren crossed his arms, watching them. He knew there was no way those three would lose to any monsters in the local woods. Still, he worried—not about monsters, but about people. He closed his eyes, considering if they really needed to go.
"I plan to have the parts finished by tonight," Nemu said.
"What about the materials?" Ren asked. "Can't someone else gather them? Then you could just do the processing in town."
"The metal’s properties change the moment it leaves the water. It’s a huge pain if I’m not there to process it immediately. I have to be the one to do it."
"So you’re using Water Vein Ore."
"Ooh! As expected of Ashton-kun!"
Sera was the only one looking confused. Lithia stepped in to explain. "It’s iron ore influenced by the mana of underwater monsters. It’s exceptionally hard and highly conductive."
Ren nodded.
"Exactly," Nemu said. "And since it degrades the moment it hits the air, I have to be there. In short: Nemu is essential!"
Mirim Altia had designed the system using Water Vein Ore for specific components. Some parts used even more expensive metals, though thankfully those weren't damaged. Still, the gears themselves were incredibly costly. The entire project was going to be an expensive undertaking.
"So that’s why you have to go," Ren said.
"And why only I can process them!"
"Ren, don't worry," Lithia said. "The roads have been busy lately anyway."
Since the incident with Roses Kaitas, the number of pilgrims following the ancient routes had surged, making the area safer. Lezard gave his approval, and the three girls spent the next thirty minutes preparing to leave.
Once they had departed, Ren stood at the base of the tower.
"Time to get to work."
Despite the late November chill, Ren shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt.
"Shall we begin?" a knight asked.
"Yes. We don't have much time to waste."
Ren exchanged a few words with the Clausel knights and opened the door he had once leapt into with Radius. He looked up at the dizzying array of gears and passageways. No matter how many times he saw it, the complexity boggled his mind.
I come here alone sometimes just to mess around with the mechanisms. It’s so much fun!
Nemu’s words echoed in his head, and he found himself marveling at her genius once again.
Ren climbed the long stairs to the middle levels. "I’m here to help move things down," he announced to the Altia technicians.
As he began lifting the massive, decommissioned gears, the workers stood back in stunned silence at the speed of his progress. Ren worked with silent focus, eventually reaching the maintenance walkway behind the clock face.
He leaned his elbows on the railing, letting the freezing high-altitude wind cool his skin.
Nostalgic...
The last time he had been here, the Knights of the Lion Holy Chancel had been fighting the Demon King Cultists right on this very platform. Now, he stood alone, looking out over Erendir, thinking of the Third Prince.
He wondered how Radius was doing, and his mind drifted back to the events of that summer. After a few minutes of quiet reflection, Ren stepped away from the railing.
"Right. Back to it."
He had a lot of work left to do.
By the time Lithia and the others returned, the streets of Erendir were glowing with the evening rush.
Erendir was a beautiful city, where historical charm blended seamlessly with modern architecture. The antique black streetlights cast a warm orange glow over the cobblestones and the passing crowds. However, the Great Clock Tower remained dark, its hands still frozen.
"Ugh... I'm dead...!" Nemu groaned, stretching her back and interlacing her fingers behind her head. Even exhausted, she moved with the grace of a noble cat.
Walking through the city with Lithia and Sera, the three girls drew plenty of attention. Their beauty and undeniable air of nobility made it impossible for them to go unnoticed.
"That was quite the ordeal," Sera sighed, though she wore a tired smile. "Just as we managed to dig the ore out with Nemu’s tool, a swarm of monsters attacked from the sky."
"They probably sensed the mana in the Water Vein Ore and thought it was food," Nemu guessed. "Don't you think so, Lithia?"
"Most likely. They were definitely targeting the ore."
"Do either of you remember how many you took down?" Sera asked. "I lost count after twenty."
"Same here," Lithia admitted. "I was too busy making sure Nemu could work."
"Hahaha! Thanks to you two, I finished everything!"
The three arrived back at the square, where they found Ren resting on a bench. He had just finished his final task.
"I'll go find out where Father is," Lithia said, leaving the other two to approach Ren.
Watching her go, Nemu mused aloud, "You know, we were all in Eupeheim together just a little while ago."
"What about it?" Sera asked.
"The Gardiknight was amazing, and it made me think... that lady we met on the train was so incredibly beautiful."
"It was a comfortable trip. And by 'beautiful lady,' you mean Lady Ignat?"
"Yes! I was so nervous when I greeted her."
Nemu had spoken to Fiona for the first time on the train. They had seen each other at various school functions or parties, but they had never actually talked. While Sera was used to such things, Nemu had been stiff with nerves.
I-I'm Nemu Altia!
It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Fiona Ignat. House Altia provided invaluable assistance in the construction of the Gardiknight.
No, no, no! It was our pleasure! Nemu enjoyed it very much!
Beyond the prestige of the Ignat name, Nemu had simply been overwhelmed by Fiona’s beauty. Lithia and Sera had found her nervous flailing hilarious.
"Anyway, what’s your point?" Sera asked.
"Just watching Lithia run toward Ashton-kun looking so happy... I won't say it out loud, but maybe Lithia has a bit of a lead?"
"It’s hard to say," Sera said. "But if Lady Ignat were my rival in love, I think I’d be in despair."
"Hahaha... me too."
The conversation ended there as they joined Ren and Lithia.
"Master Lezard and the others have left for the Imperial Capital," Ren informed them. "They're going to report the situation to the castle."
"I see. Then what about you, Ren?"
"I stayed behind to handle the contact work while you were gone."
"That sounds like you."
Ren stood up with a light, effortless movement. "Shall we? The Altia team is waiting upstairs."
The technicians were ready. All that remained was to install the parts Nemu had crafted. As they started toward the tower, a civil official from the castle called out to Ren.
"Master Ashton, if I might. I have some matters to consult regarding Viscount Clausel’s earlier instructions."
Normally, such questions should have gone to Lithia. However, she had only just returned, and Ren was more familiar with the day's progress. Furthermore, since Lezard had left Ren in charge, the official addressed him directly.
"We’ll go handle the work upstairs," Lithia said. "Ren, you stay here."
"Please do," Ren replied.
Once the parts were in and the final safety checks were completed, the gears would finally turn again.
Dozens of minutes later, Nemu descended and reported that the task was done. Ren bowed deeply in thanks.
"You’re heading home after the inspection, right?" he asked.
"Yep! That’s the plan. Why?" Nemu tilted her head.
"Master Lezard wanted to thank you all properly. He’s arranged a celebration."
"We’re honored, but it’s quite late. I’m not sure what we should do..." Sera hesitated.
"It’s no problem. He’s already booked rooms at Arnea."
Sera and Nemu froze. Arnea was the most famous luxury inn in Leomel, owned by the Arnevelde Merchant Guild. Even high-ranking nobles struggled to get reservations there.
"Are you serious!?" Sera gasped. "Even for us, Arnea is almost impossible to book!"
"Ashton-kun... even a magic tool nerd like me knows how prestigious that place is," Nemu added.
"I’m serious. He said you’re welcome to stay the night."
"We’re going! Sera, you’re coming, right!?" Nemu was already fully committed to the idea. A sleepover at a legendary inn with her friends was an offer no one in their right mind would refuse.
"I... I’d have to ask my father first," Sera said weakly.
"Oh, come on! You know you want to! Are you really going to say no to a sleepover?"
"I want to! But if I stay without permission, I’ll be in trouble! Won't you?"
"My parents are in the Capital for work. As long as I send word to the manor, it’ll be fine!"
Lithia watched them with a knowing look. She suspected Radius was behind this, and she was right.
"Did the Third Prince contact you?" she whispered to Ren.
"Wow, you’re too quick," Ren replied.
Radius had arranged the rooms at Arnea as a personal favor, a reward for their hard work on a project that was technically an Imperial responsibility. While Radius provided the access, Lezard would be footing the bill. He had already contacted the Riohard and Altia families to ensure the girls had permission.
The dinner at Arnea was beyond magnificent. Even these high-born daughters were charmed by the cuisine, and the dessert nearly brought them to tears of joy.
The massive suite contained several bedrooms and a central salon, where the three girls gathered after their baths around eight o'clock.
"The exams at our Academy are just too hard!" Sera’s lament echoed through the room.
Following the Lion King Festival, the Academy had held exams for all students. Sera was currently agonizing over her humanities scores, despite having a perfect score in swordsmanship.
"Did you actually study, Sera?" Nemu asked.
"I did! I worked as hard as I did for the entrance exams!"
"And the result?"
"It was... a disaster. Happy now?" Sera grumbled. She wasn't actually a poor student—her grades were well above the school average—but the competition in the Special Merit Class was fierce.
Nemu awkwardly looked toward Lithia. "How did you do, Lithia?"
"I did okay."
"'Okay'? Lithia, get over here."
Sera grabbed Lithia’s arm and pulled her onto the sofa, straddling her playfully.
"You got over ninety percent in every single subject! How is that 'okay'!?"
"I get it, you’re frustrated! But why are you on top of me?"
"Because of this!"
"Kya! Wait! Sera—stop!"
Sera began tickling Lithia mercilessly. No matter how strong a Strong Sword User Lithia was, this was a battle she couldn't win. She writhed and laughed until she managed to scramble away, her face flushed and her breath hitching.
"Honestly! What was that for?"
"Sorry. You were just so cute, I couldn't help it."
"That’s not an excuse!"
Lithia sat back down, eyeing Sera warily. The three of them spent the rest of the night laughing, enjoying their impromptu party. Eventually, the conversation turned to their discovery in the coastal cave. The Silver King Shield had sent shockwaves through the nobility, especially the Hero Faction.
"Hey, Lithia," Sera said suddenly. "I wonder if my ancestor's sword is sleeping somewhere, too."
The memory of Kaito finding the shield of Wright Leonall was still fresh in her mind. It made her think of her own legacy.
"I don't know," Lithia said softly. "Do you want to find it?"
"Yes. It’s been years since the Demon King Cult resurfaced."
"Me too," Nemu added. "I think everyone feels the same way. There must be a reason that shield was found now, right when the Cult is active."
"I’ll be rooting for you both," Lithia said with a gentle smile. Her warmth seemed to soothe their anxieties.
Sera nibbled on a cookie. "There’s a party coming up."
"To celebrate the shield?"
"Yep! Over winter break, we’re all going to the Leonall Territory. All the heads of the Seven Great Ducal Houses will be there."
Ren didn't head for the station. Instead, he made his way toward the Imperial Military Academy. At this hour, very few faculty remained, and students weren't allowed on campus without a special reason. But Ren was there to meet someone specific.
"I’ve heard everything. It sounds like it was quite a day."
Radius, the Third Prince, was leaning against the Academy’s perimeter fence.
"It was fine. No big deal."
"You’re incredible, Ren," Radius said. "I know how many stairs are in that tower, yet you look like you just went for a stroll."
"It’s easier than training at the Lion Holy Chancel."
Radius let out a bitter chuckle. He remembered his own exhaustion when he had climbed those stairs with Ren over the summer.
"Where are your guards?" Ren asked.
"Estel is nearby. If anyone attacks, she’ll have them pinned in a second."
"I almost want to try it just to see."
"And what would the official report say? That I had you arrested for playing around?" Estel’s voice drifted from the shadows.
Ren laughed and leaned against the fence next to Radius. He let out a long breath, finally letting the day's physical toll settle. He noticed the dark circles under Radius’s eyes.
"You haven't been sleeping, have you?"
"Maybe three hours a day lately. I’m practically living on potions."
"Don't push it. You’ll collapse."
"I thought you’d tell me to rest," Radius said.
"I could, but you wouldn't listen. Telling you not to collapse feels more productive."
"Fair point."
The night breeze brushed past them.
"I’m curious why you’re so busy, though," Ren added.
Radius hesitated. "I’ll tell you another time."
"Fair enough. But aside from the tower, I wanted to ask about the factions. Since the Leonall family found that shield, the Hero Faction has been in an uproar."
"I thought you weren't interested in politics, Ren."
"I’m not. And I want to keep House Clausel out of it. But I care about what you’re thinking, Radius."
Radius smiled. "A shield of the Seven Heroes was found. It’s a wonderful thing. If the people are happy, then I’m happy. That’s my honest feeling."
"But it makes things complicated, doesn't it?"
"It does. Which is why I can't ignore it."
"Does that mean the Imperial Faction is making a move?"
"We’re... working on things. Mostly me. I’ll explain everything soon, Ren. Just wait a little longer."
Ren looked at his friend. History was already changing. In the original Legend of the Seven Heroes, Radius would have been kidnapped and killed this winter. There was no data on what he would have been doing otherwise.
"Speaking of the Hero Faction, it seems every head of the Seven Great Ducal Houses is gathering at the Leonall manor. It’ll be the biggest gathering in years."
"Yeah... so I heard."
"What’s with that look? You seem hesitant."
"It’s nothing," Ren said. Radius let out a breath.
"On a lighter note, Ulysses claims he’s lacking exercise. He sent me a ridiculous letter suggesting the Imperial Faction should hold a rival party somewhere remote."
"Remote? Like where?"
"He didn't say, but surely not the Baldur Mountains."
Ren went still. "You and Master Ulysses should stay far away from those mountains, Radius. Seriously."
The combination of the Baldur Mountains, Ulysses, and Radius felt like a recipe for disaster. It was a joke, but Ren’s smile didn't quite reach his eyes. They talked for a few more minutes about the tower. Radius clearly valued these quiet moments of friendship.
"I should get going," Ren said eventually.
Estel stepped out of the shadows. "Ren, I’ll have my men escort you back to Erendir."
"I’m fine, Estel. I’m not that fragile."
"True. Any thugs would be the ones in danger."
As Ren walked back toward the town, his mind was racing.
The Hero Equipment event...
In the game, finding the legendary gear triggered a major sub-event. The gathering of the Ducal Houses was exactly that. Finding a relic of the Seven Heroes was a national event, far more significant than their casual conversations suggested.
What worried him was what came after. After the party at the Leonall manor, the region would be plagued by random attacks from the Demon King Cult. In the game, it was a scripted event to showcase the power of Kaito’s new shield, and the players were guaranteed to win. But in this reality, there was no such guarantee.
Ren couldn't ignore the danger.
But how do I tell them?
Simply saying "something bad might happen" wouldn't convince the adults. He needed a better way to frame the warning.
Even in Legend of the Seven Heroes II, the reason the legendary equipment was scattered across the world was never fully explained. There was a mystery there, hidden in the past.
Ren looked up at the winter stars. "I think I’ll sleep well tonight."
He stretched, enjoying the cold wind for a moment longer before finishing his walk to the Town of Prayer.
Following Ren’s success in opening the door, the Department of Mysteries had taken over the investigation of the orphanage ruins.
"Director, it’s time," a subordinate called out.
"Go on ahead. I’ll be right there," Ragna replied.
He was standing in the back room of the orphanage, staring at the mural. In the light of his magic tool, the image was unmistakable.
"Looking at it again, there’s no doubt."
It was a depiction of the world’s creation myth—a story from before light or darkness existed.
In the beginning, there was a single girl. She had no name, and she did not know why she existed. She sat alone in the void, shivering with loneliness, until eventually, she began to cry.
Her tears began to glow. As they fell, the light illuminated the nothingness. The ripples from her tears created the lush earth, the flowers, and the azure sky. The vast oceans rose, and the sun began to shine. In the place where she sat, a small spring formed. When she scooped up the water and scattered it, the droplets caught the light and became four sisters—the Primordial Goddesses.
"Creator God Alice," Ragna whispered. "Geno certainly chose an obscure deity to honor."
Temples to the oldest god were nearly non-existent now. Over centuries, worship had shifted to Lord Elfen, and the War Gods who oversaw the Sword Kings had also taken precedence. Alice had been largely forgotten by history.
Ragna turned away from the mural, his mind already moving to something far more fascinating. "I don't think I've ever been this excited."
He left the room, passing his assistants in the hall. He paused at the exit, looking back at the orphanage one last time. Outside, the submerged ruins were barely touched by the starlight.
"Director, who actually broke the seal on this place?" a researcher asked.
"Someone special. Under the Imperial Law of Confidentiality, I am the only one permitted to know. Don't pry."
"Understood. But watch your tone regarding the law, or you’ll get in trouble."
"I’ll keep that in mind. Maybe I’ll try it out on Radius next time."
The researchers laughed. Ragna stepped away and leaned against the wall of the nearby library. He looked back toward the orphanage.
"'The traveler who fought the Phoenix was beloved by children. When asked why, he said it was because he often helped his friends and spent time with the little ones. As if to prove it, the hero was seen cradling a babe.'"
It was an old folk tale, preserved only in certain corners of the Shelgad Empire. Stories of the hero who slew the Phoenix were common, but this specific anecdote stuck in his mind.
"It’s too strange. Why could Ren open that door? And why did he mention 'Adventurer Ashton'?"
The Shelgad researcher, ever obsessed with wisdom and romance, felt the pieces clicking together. The ancient tales of the Sky Continent, the secret orphanage, and Ren’s enigmatic ancestor...
"It’s worth looking into."
He was certain now. It was all connected.
Ragna returned to the Department of Mysteries just long enough to pack. "I’m going to be away for a while. Research trip," he told his staff.
"Now? But we just got into the orphanage!"
"I’ve found something more pressing. Proceed carefully while I’m gone. If you so much as scratch those murals, I will haunt you for the next seventy years."
"We understand, Director. Though most of us will be dead in seventy years anyway."
Ragna gave a sharp laugh. His results were always beyond reproach, so no one questioned his sudden departures.
Tonight, he set out alone. Clad in his familiar robes and carrying his massive traveling bag, he looked every bit the wanderer of legend.
He was less than a month away from discovering the truth.