Days after the investigation of the ruins, in the Druhwood.

“Even with this hot spring and all that resting, my body still hasn’t completely recovered in full yet...”

In a slight rotation of my right arm, it felt as if that same arm still held semblance to a rusty extension of myself. I could just make out faint sounds of grinding and cracking. After the dire events in the mountains, Eru and I had returned back and I finally submerged myself amid the waters of a true and well-deserved vacation—of sorts. It had been a rather quiet and pleasant few days at least. That aside, I was also planning on leaving Druhwood to head toward the north for Nefra tomorrow morning.

“Everything seems to have been settled regarding the whole Caelios situation after all. Torrel said he simply ‘left Wesil with a message’ and even if I don’t have any idea what that means, I’ll just have to take his word for it. That being said, the ruins though...”

I couldn’t gather any more information as to what had happened in the ruins. We had retreated while still being left in the dark about who had been there, the events that initially took place, and why those Disians had turned into something as grotesque as that. Misshapen and completely different than their original appearance. That included why they were still seen as people toward their reflected statuses, their new Class and why their Level had gone beyond the normal cap of 60.

By the end of it all, I hadn’t been able to restrain—nor save—them. Passing by them as we left, their bodies had seemingly been drained completely as well, leaving only shriveled husks of what they once were. It was all nonsensical and surreal—the ruins and everything involved.

“The only things I have are a few unreadable demon-tongue books, the name ‘Estreth’ and something being referred to as the ‘ancestral root’... Well, not to mention also her...”

The summoned Celestial, Haifalaura. The moment the cobalt beast had transformed into a young girl, she hadn’t said a single word before simply dematerializing into the air like a scattered and vanishing array of blue flame-like waters.

“Even so...”

Glancing around at the interior of the hot spring, I was—without a doubt—alone inside. Yet, just like how I could tell Cruubi was some distance away from me, I could still also feel her somewhere nearby. She hadn’t shown herself at all ever since the ruins though.

“It’s not as if I’d know what to do with her even if she did show herself... It’s just that...I’d like to at least have some of these things properly explained to me is all!”

From a deep sigh into grumbling howl, I made a quick tap-like motion toward the area in front of me and my status appeared.

Name: [Albel]

Rank: [Human]

Level: [60 (MAX)], [38]

Class: [Divination/Wizard]

–SUB: [Conjurer]

Alignment: [Chaotic Good]

INFO:

Unique SKILL - [Extra Class]

Titles - [Goddess' Token],

[The Diviner], [Pact of the Eighteenth]

Not only did the Level of my Conjurer Class jump from 32 to 38, I had gained another title somehow. I could only gather that, due to Haifalaura defeating those monster-like Disians, I had gained EXP from it as her summoner. Yet, they were still considered people, not monsters. I couldn’t understand why it had been that much EXP too, to the extent of raising several levels.

The title, on the other hand, was potentially due to summoning her—the Celestial of the Moon—but I wasn’t 100% sure about that either.

“Maybe if I just slam my head against the ground a few times, an answer will magically come sooner than later, hm? No, no, no. I think the heat is finally getting to me. I should probably get out now.”

Withdrawing myself from the warming waters, something smacked against my chest as I lifted myself out. Eying it, it was a ring without any of the three previous gemstones at its head. More specifically, it was Marna’s exhausted ring. Eru had found it for me before we had left the ruins, only to then give it back to me as a necklace.

“That’s right, Eru’s been acting rather strange these past few days or so, hasn’t she? I feel as if she’s been avoiding me lately. Hmm.”

Dressing myself and heading toward the entrance of the inn, I ruminated on what to do in regard to Eru.

I’d rather not leave on such an awkward note after all. No better way to find out than to just ask, right?”

Coming to this conclusion, I intended on heading to wherever Eru was. Yet, as I approached the inn, I could see a few people leaving in a rather hustled manner. One of the locals then caught me with their eyes, quickly calling me out.

“Oh! Albel! If I were you, I’d advise against going in there for a next hour or two...”

He pleaded this with a nervous expression, one where I could already surmise at what he was implying. It felt like the usual by this point.

Ah. Not again.

“Let me guess, it’s those two?”

“Indeed... Looks like they’re getting pretty heated this time around. Wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that crossfire, right? You’re probably better off with just taking a walk for a bit instead.”

A part of me almost agreed with the man in front of me. I had done so a handful of times whenever this happened after all. But it was my last day here and I had business with one of the two currently inside.

“Well, I’d rather not work up a sweat after just bathing. I think I’ll just take my chances with whatever it is they’re going on about this time. Thanks for the heads up though.”

“If you say so. Good luck in there then.”

He waved me off and followed the rest of the usual faces as I walked toward the entrance. Before I could even touch the door, a set of roars came from beyond it. A trickle of hesitation came over me on whether I was making the right choice of entering or not.

“Why must you constantly disagree with me, Grandpa?!”

“What else am I to do when all you’re blabbering about is complete nonsense?”

Yeah, you can’t just nonchalantly walk into the Mirth Oak Inn during one of these, can you...?

I could feel the intensity from outside, and due to that, I was readying to turn around. Yet, Eru’s voice then latched onto me—pulling me to stop and continue listening.

“What’s so crazy about that idea? I’ve been in this town my whole life. With the mountains, the forest and your smothering—all acting like a protective barricade to the outside world! I’ve never even visited any of the nearby villages before...”

“And for good reason, Eru. Your ‘condition’ isn’t something that you can handle alone out there, and the fact that you even said you had an incident just days ago means that it hasn’t disappeared or settled down yet... If something were to...no, I won’t take that risk—!?”

The sudden slam of someone’s hands echoed and breached the doorway, and with it, came that same someone now laying bare their soul—their pent-up frustrations.

“It’s not your risk to be taking to begin with—it's mine! And after the events of these past few days, I don’t mind it anymore... It had never occurred to me before Albel arrived, but did you know, Grandpa? There could be people, just like me, suffering from something they don’t understand either. Being subjected to scrutiny and hatred—even their own self-loathing—based on a title they never asked for. Living their life almost similar to mine, all alone and shut away from the world. I want to find them! Because even I know that not everyone can be as blessed as I have. I’ve had a loving and caring family, and still do—as long as you’re around. And even the people of Druhwood that don’t view me in such a way too...”

Even from where I stood, I could feel her voice quavering ever so slightly now as my back rested lightly against the side of the entrance.

“But it’s not as if they truly know about my title either, right...? And sitting here my whole life won’t absolve me of whatever this sin is—whatever curse has its clutch over me...! That’s why! That’s why I wish to travel with Albel, Grandpa! To the capital of Nefra and wherever else my legs, my heart and my goals take me!”

“Eru...”

An unexpected declaration to, not only seek after those haunted by their ominous title just as she has been, but to travel alongside me in the process to achieve said goal. Silence had overtaken the interior of the inn, or at the very least, I couldn’t hear if they were saying anything more. Either way, after some thought, I decided to finally enter the inn.

“Chirp!! Chirp!!”

“Cruubi...?”

Eru turned toward the doorway and our eyes met as I entered at the sound of bell jingling and Cruubi’s tune. Her eyes immediately shifted to a downcast, yet in that short moment I could still see the tension in her face that was accompanied by tears. Torrel had given me a side glance himself, only to then resume his standard posture of stroking his beard in rumination. It wasn’t the perfect entrance by far, but it would have to make do.

“I’d like to second that, Torrel. Eru’s wish and all. I’d like for her to come along with me as well.”

“A-Albel...?”

His side glance returned and met my eyes, but this time, there was an implied intensity behind his glare. Even so, I had no intention on backing down after hearing Eru’s plea.

“What do you mean by that, lad? On what reasoning?”

“It’s only natural to want to protect your family to the best of your ability, to keep them close enough to be able to stop anything from happening to them. But over the past week though, I’ve been able to see Eru’s determination—her strength—for myself. I feel as if you underestimate her a bit too much, Torrel.”

It was the truth. She could be a nervous wreck at times, but there was an inherent courage in her words and actions nonetheless. Her Spellbinder abilities were far more elaborate than she believed them to be too.

“Besides, if it wasn’t for her, the ruins would have been an even more dangerous fight for me. She even saved me in there—not once—but twice. I shouldn’t even have to say this though, since you of all people should know by now too, Torrel. Eru is far stronger than she looks, and I can’t help but feel that her potential is just getting started.”

His eyes locked onto my own as he then shut them, proceeding to dive back into his contemplative stance. He had every right to be continuously cautious. It’s not as if I had some cure to her condition either. She was even hurt under my watchful eye in the ruins. But—

Eru is correct here. Nothing will come from her remaining in this town her whole life. That title didn’t seem like something that would disappear with such a cowardice approach. She has every right to seek after that freedom—from that title and her cage that is Druhwood.

“Eru...”

“Yes, Grandpa...?”

There was a pause in his response, one that was then accompanied by an air of reluctance.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I am! I don’t want to waste any more of my life here, sitting around and waiting for this to go away. So, please...”

The reinvigorated eyes of Eru were now fixated on Torrel as she held her fists to her chest. She was brimming with a renewed and immovable determination now. He then looked back over to me as I nodded in his direction. He murmured under his breath as he gave his awaited reply.

“...You really are the child of Orileia. Your mother’s stubbornness and persuasiveness seem to have fully developed in you too.”

“Grandpa...?”

He simply nodded to her in acceptance to her request as she then lunged at him, throwing her arms around his sides with tears of joy and unrestrained happiness. Torrel returned the action with a sincere smile and gentle embrace. For better or worse, Eru would now be traveling with me.

❖❖❖

The next morning, at the north gate of Druhwood.

“Make sure both of you youngins have everything you need before setting out, ya hear?”

The night before ended with Torrel lecturing both Eru and I on this and that, and now we stood at the north gate rather exhausted still. Quite possibly even induced with listening fatigue. I was surprised he still had the ability to even speak.

At least, in advance, I had already negotiated to hitch a ride to the north with one of the merchants, Arden, that visited Druhwood regularly. He would take us until the village of Firspur, and from there, we would take a different carriage to Nefra. We were now all gathered near the rear end of the merchant’s cart, where a handful of people came to see off Eru and myself—but mostly Eru.

“Well, there goes my only reason for visiting this old man’s inn now...”

“I’m saying. You’re going to have to hire a new beauty if you want to keep us as your patrons, Chief!”

“Ahaha! Ain’t that right! But shame, her cooking was way better than his too...”

“If you lot don't quit your yapping, I’ll tie you all to the back of Arden’s cart and he can drag you all along with them. Got it?”

“Aye...”

I could only force out a small chuckle at the sight, since it was clear to me that Torrel would do exactly just that for some reason. Looking off to my side, Palvo had now begun talking to Eru a short distance away—with tears in his eyes at her sudden departure apparently. A sudden nudge that came from behind me.

“Torrel?”

“There’s something important I have to say before you leave, lad. Something about the youngin’.”

Pulling me away from everyone else, we found an isolated spot toward the front side of the cart. He then whispered something just faint enough for me to hear in a rather stern tone.

“I don’t know if this will help you in the long run or not, but I trust you enough to tell you at least this much for now. You see, that girl’s father, he...”

As the words slowly and clearly left his mouth, I remained in stunned silence for the duration before being jolted back by a sudden and familiar voice that was followed by a peep.

“Albel! Grandpa! Arden says he’s ready for us to head out. So come on! We can't remain here all day!”

“Chirp!!”

With an enthusiastic smile on her face, she returned toward the rear of the cart as Cruubi hovered alongside her. Torrel then placed his hand over my shoulder and continued a bit more before following behind Eru.

“...Use that information wisely, lad. She doesn’t know about it yet either, but she’s old enough to know now. So, if you decide to tell her—I won't blame you for it. Growing old with these thoughts is almost akin to a curse... It seems I’m still too much of a coward to do any of this myself these days, especially when it involves her... Sorry, forgive this old man for leaving it in your hands. And keep that youngin’ safe for me, would ya?”

He walked away with that final note and I couldn’t say anything in response at all. We said our final goodbyes, and readied to leave. Eru and I then boarded the back of the carriage as the merchant, Arden, then began setting off as Eru waved toward the familiar faces she was leaving behind at the north gate.

“We’re finally departing, Cruubi! I can’t wait to see what’s out there, waiting for us.”

“Chirp!!”

I sat across from the two of them, watching on as Eru played around and talked with Cruubi in her usual energetic fashion. I couldn’t necessarily share in that sentiment currently, since I could only keep thinking about what Torrel had told me only minutes ago.

"You see, that girl's father, he also came from beyond the Outer Region over two decades ago. He was also proficient in magic—just as I've heard you are. He then left and returned back to Druhwood after years had gone by. Yet, he came back a whole different man. One that... No, I'll stop there. My point being here, is that he may have come from the same place as you have...”

Those words lingered heavily, feeling all-consuming. Someone that came from beyond the Outer Region, over two decades ago, was the father of the person before me right now. A young woman by the name of Eru, who held two seemingly important titles, a Unique SKILL, and had an altered rank that contained “Other”. A rank inclusion that held semblance to that of the monster-like Disians in the ruins.

I once compared her presence to that of a flickering and bright flare being sparked within a dark void. An unnatural presence that only became noticeable once you’ve opened your eyes at the proper and ideal moment.

Eru... Just what in the world are you...?

An old question sprung from within, leaving me with just another answer-less thought to further contemplate on and get nowhere in particular. I did know one thing though; this would be an arduous journey—one that would hopefully uncover that question—alongside a chaotic future that Marna had prophesied. And for some reason now, I couldn’t feel as if they were mutually exclusive either.