Edlic's POV

"Your highness, second prince?"

A soft, subtle voice calls me.

I slowly open my eyes.

A young woman, with turquoise hair, looking at me with her matching turquoise eyes.

(Edelinde?)

I reach my hand out for her unconsciously, caressing her rosy cheek.

"W-What are y-you doing, y-your highness?!"

She grabs my hand, trembling while blushing.

(This moment, It's warm my heart.)

I look at her embarrassed form and smile, thinking that she's still the same Edelinde I used to know.

It's surreal. As if she is... right before me.

"Are you just an Illusion that's here to haunt me? Or Is It's me being delusional?"

I softly mumble.

She stops, turning her face, and looking at me directly in my eyes.

(She's crying.)

"P--a-e, do n-- be -a-m--..."

I could not properly take what she said clearly as the wind blows the Lillies' petals onto us, muffling her voice.

*Clap!*

"Ah!"

I shot open my eyes from the thundering clap.

(Where was it! Where is she?)

I dart my eyes around to find her, but the same room great me.

(Right, I'm on the boat to Gen'an.)

I look at my hand, the hand the touches her.

(I couldn't remember the feeling. Right now, It's cold.)

*Cleak*

"Hey, Eskardian prince."

Coming in through the door, Dayne calls me with an energetic voice.

"Get ready. We're about to hit Gen'an!"

She walks closers to the couch to my side, dragging me down.

"H-Hey, hey! I can walk on my own!"

I push her away gently.

"Hmph, said the one who's just throwing up and take a nap."

She reminds me of the forbidden event that leaves a scar on my pride.

(Yeah, I feel slightly nauseous somehow.)

(I'm prone to getting motion sickness, especially from riding the boat.)

"Here, It's your favorite cloak. The weather outside is a little too chilly, so make sure to wear it."

She takes out my white cloak from her Porta'Poc, the same one which I've worn since the first day of visiting Eion.

(It's quite convenient having that thing around. I could store important stuff within one.)

"Well, Bell is waiting for you in the hall. He's been standing like a pillar for some time now."

She smiles broadly.

Then, the two of us left the room.

In the small hallway, painted orange by the candles, George is standing with his back against the wall.

If not pay attention, one might think that he's part of the decoration items.

(I see, he's been standing-sleeping with his helmet down.)

I sigh.

I poke at the sleeping man. Two times, three times, and four times and he yet awakens.

(Well, I'm sorry for doing this, but you have to wake up.)

"Hyah!"

"Och!"

I kick his knee cap, making him jumps like a cat.

*Crash!*

His head hit the ceiling above, penetrating through to the other side.

"Pfff, hahaha!"

Dayne let out her wholesome laugh as she's witnessing the moment.

"Ack, ah! Y-Your highness? And her highness?"

George gets down on his feet, lifting the visor and greeting us.

"You're really..."

I shake my head disapproval, but at the same time, I'm feeling lively.

"Let's get on the deck. The view above is gold!"

Suggested, Dayne.

(Uhnnn, I don't think I need sightseeing.)

I curl my eyes brow together as I'm thinking.

"Nah, don't worry, Eskardian prince. I've got more than a thousand things to help you out."

"Let's go!"

3rd Person POV

People used to explore Arcad and freely traverse around, but that's before the appearance of the Corruptants.

Unknowingly, the Corruptants spread throughout the Arcad like a plague, things whiter as they touch.

However, even the Corruptants are actively roaming around, a nation's busying themselves doing business.

They build an Island that sat below the sea, surrounded by enormous walls and the savoring sea.

Gen'an, the god's feet, acts as the commercial hub, distributing goods and workforce among Arcad.

Gen'an can provide many things, from construction workers to veteran mercenaries. Or if you want a place to escape the busy world and spend your time leisurely, Gen'an is a place filled with wonder and is one of Arcad's tourism spots.

"Tread carefully, your highness, and princess."

George carefully helps the red-haired princess get off the boat and onto the pier.

The threes finally end their journey and have reached their destination.

Peoples get off the boat and walk along the pier. Their destination is the giant gate ahead.

"Well, It looks like we're just in time."

Dayne says as she's stepping toward the masses of people, making her way through.

"Come here, you slow-feet!"

"Hey, wait for us! Ah, that girl!"

Edlic tries to call for her, but she's gone.

"Let's follow her, George!"

"Understood, your highness!"

"Next, please show me your ticket."

A man with a silver chest plate asks the woman who's holding a boy's tiny hand.

He's sitting in the small post beside the gate, examining each who wishes to enter the town.

"Here..."

She gives him a small piece of paper.

"From Oasia, by Ad and Travel company."

"Okay, you may pass."

He takes the odd-looking device out from his back, pressing it on the paper, and return it to the woman.

"Next, please show your ticket, please."

But the guard was taken by surprise when the next come.

"Here! Here! Here!'

"This is for me, and these are for these two!"

The girl with red hair hands three tickets to the guard.

He's lost in thought for a moment before examining their tickets.

But again, even more, things surprise him.

"Arcad, Royalty exclusive?!"

It's normal for royalty to traveling around, but traveling around on their own is a little too odd.

"And what's th- A People's Welfare and Care for Palace Staff?!"

(Th-There a signature there... Ar-Thi-Sha? Arthisha? Sound familiar...)

Then the realization hit him harder than the speeding-cargo carriage that was pulled by a pair of Dune Striders.

(It's the current queen of Eion's name!)

His eyes are almost popping out of the sockets as he internally yells.

*Glup*

He looks at the three.

Right now, before him. A girl, a boy, and a man who seems to be their guardian are pressuring him with their burning glazes.

"Are they alright?"

Ask the girl, leaning forward.

"W-Well, you may pass(How could I say no to royalties.)"

He marks all the tickets with his device before handing them back to the girl carefully.

"Let's hurry and get something as we go!"

She told the boy and the man who's following shortly behind her.

Then the three passes by as the guard's duty continue.

"Next..."

The three are surrounded by buildings from both sides, from a grocery shop to a full-on weapon store.

Walking on the road packed with peoples, the three talk as they look around the place.

"From what I've read in the book, if we're taking this road all the way until we see the Gran'del church, we should be able to find a small park there."

"Hey, hey! Speak more elaborately! I don't know what's your "Gran'del" church looks like, but for sure, I don't want to mess around any longer."

"Hm? Up until now, why don't you say anything?"

"Or? You secretly have an interest in the treasure?"

Dayne stops, turning around, and jokingly punch at Edlic's arm.

"You see, they'll know that we're gone, and that will get us in trouble."

Edlic reminds the princess.

"Not with us having the sky-cutting gladius with us."

She takes the Porta'Poc out, taking out a small pouch, and hands it to the blonde prince.

"This is the money, in case you have something you'll need."

Dayne knows that Edlic and his guard, Bell, come with an empty hand since she has planned not to tell the two about this matter.

Edlic takes the pouch and hands it to George beside him to keep.

"As said, we're going to get some stuff before being out exploration, and we can also ask the local about the tomb."

"Okay, do as you say, princess."

Edlic shrugs, but in his head, he's gathering information by observing around.

He sees that most people here are adventurers, mercenaries, and some merchants.

He sees some tourists, but only a minority of them.

(This is quite a strange place. Judging by my surrounding, most stores sell brewed herb, metalworking materials, potion, and a weapon.)

(If It's a tourism place, It shouldn't have this many of these stores.)

"Let's go to the Gran'del church first. Then we can look for things around that area."

It's only taking them fifteen minutes before reaching their destination, the Gran'del church.

"Where's was the church you're saying?"

Edlic asks the princess since he couldn't see any of the "Gran'del" churches anywhere in his surrounding.

Currently, they are in the large open area of Gen'an, the Storm eye plaza.

It got Its name from the town's seven main roads spiraling in from the outer part and connect at this plaza, looking like a storm.

Here, even more, people are present.

"There's no mistake that this is the Storm eye plaza, but the church should be around here!"

Dayne places her hand on her forehead, blocking the light from the Solaris clypeus.

"Ah, excuse me, your highness..."

George calls Edlic in a whisper, taking his attention.

"What's is it?"

Edlic whispers.

"Over there, your highness. between those buildings."

George points in the direction where two tall buildings are.

Edlic about to asks him but swallow his word.

He sees a small building between the two, having a sign that reads "Gran'del church." hanging over the roof.

(So there's really is a church somewhere in here.)

"That's small 'church.' is almost crushes by the two buildings!"

Edlic tells George as he gestures his hand in the direction.

"It looks too shady to be called a church!'

"Exactly, your highness."

George nods.

"It's looking more like a fortune teller stall rather than a church."

While the two were chatting, Dayne's slowly approaching them.

She raises her hand.

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO TALKING?!"

She grabs Edlic by his shoulder, making him flinch.

"Y-You!"

He's surprised that he couldn't feel her presence at all.

"There."

Edlic points toward the church between two buildings.

"Oh, what?"

"A church!"

"Yea, the "Gran'del." church."

Dayne's reaction is not what Edlic expected. He wishes to see her disappointed, but instead, she is excited.

"Now that we see the church. Let's go and ask them about the tale of sky-cutting gladius!"

"No?"

"I won't do that, just don't go near that shady thing of a church."

Edlic waves his hand while looking away from her, expressing his thought.

"But, it's crucial for us to find the way to the tomb hidden below! And despite the 'strange' appearance of the Gran'del church, It's was built four hundred years ago!"

"Time goes on, right?"

"Well, except for the church."

Edlic says.

"Okay, I get it."

"I'll go and ask them myself. You guys wait here and don't go too far off."

She then strolls off to the church, leaving the two behind.

"What do we do, your highness? Should we follow her highness?"

Edlic shakes his head.

"No, We'll let her do what she pleases."

"And why don't we explore this town as well?'

"B-But, her highness said that we shouldn't be far away from here."

George raises his concern against Edlic's suggestion.

"Far away from here? No, we are taking a look around in the Storm eye plaza."

"And... We have that much money."

Edlic points at the pouch holstered to George's belt.

Then the two walkings off to the center of the plaza, where there were many stalls set.

"Hmm, there are many people crowded the stalls there. What do you see over the crowd, George Bell."

"Umm, I see an old woman. She's selling some strange gadget to the people."

Edlic raises his brows, curious to what 'strange' gadget George is referring to.

"Hey, old lady. Can you lower the price of these magnex stones by half? They're damaged."

The man with black hair and an unkempt beard said, trying to negotiate with the old seller.

"Hell no! These are the finest lot shipped from Oasia! If you can afford them, take what you can afford!"

"Finest? I've seen better magnex stone! Don't you lie to me, old lady?"

He clenches his fist and yells at the old seller, his hand itching to take out his crossbow and end her but, his morale is holding him back.

"Sure, you may have been fool by those low-grade sellers that are all over the Arcad, but trust me, I'm the most trusted and only import thing of high qualities as possible In Oasia and Arcad!"

"For example?"

He asks.

"Ah, youngster these days don't know how to appreciate hard work."

"Fine, you see these magnex stones? They may look damaged and worn out, but that's natural for the higher qualities magnex stone."

She holds the stone as she explains while the crowds went silent for her to speak.

"The magnex stones are sentient. They have consciousness and can think."

"Also, It has the property to attract metal and alike that contain metal."

She does something and makes the magnex stone glow in white, distorting the light around it.

"W-What is this?"

The man's sword, arrows, and other's items are pulling from themselves to the lady's hand.

"And if you combined It like this, It can repel metal."

*Clank*

All the Items that once gathered at her hand are launching toward the man, but before they can rip him apart, the lady stops them using the same method.

"Are you surprise? Why can low-grade magnex stones as these have such strong traction?"

"The more damaged the stone is, the stronger the traction."

"That explains why the low-grade are looking refined. That's because the magnex are sentient and trying to appeal to our interest."

"I bet your crossbow could use some replacement."

She smirks at the man as she's taking all the magnex away.

"Twenty coins for each magnex stone, no less."

After seeing the show, Edlic is interested.

After a while, the crowd starts to get thin.

"Hello, lady."

Edlic greets the old lady.

'What are you looking for, kid?"

"These, what was It's called again?"

He points at the magnex stones, smiling at her.

"These thing catches your eyes? Good choice."

"These are magnex, a non-elemental with controllable property stone."

"Hmmm?"

He places his finger under his chin.

"Well, I'm buying them all."

The old lady smile, leaning back on her chair.

"Now we're talking. That'll cost you a thousand and four hundred coins."

Edlic opens his hand, gesturing for George to hand him the coin pouch.

"Here, an exact thousand and four hundred coins."

The lady takes the coins while keep her smiling at the boy.

"By the way, kid, do you know how to control these things? If not, It's been a hassle."

Edlic nods.

"Yes, I do."

"It relief and surprise at the same time, hearing that."

"A young kid like you know how to control these things, unlike that silly man from before."

"Anyway, I would like to suggest some more Items that will definitely spike your interest."

Edlic raises his eyes brow in curiosity.

"And what would It be, lady?"

"Heh, just spare me some time."

"Well, luckily, that girl gave us a load of money."

"If not, that lady could've kicked our asses."

"Y-Your highness? It's a bit inappropriate to speak like that?"

Edlic forgets about himself for a moment.

"W-Well, my tongue slipped."

In George's eyes right now, Edlic seems more mature than he is. From his way of speak, and his reasoning.

Since the first day they met, George always wonders what the reason for Edlic to trust him.

After all, he's just a recruit with less to no experience in fighting.

But after some time, he comes to accept the duty as Edlic's personal guard.

Edlic takes out a piece of magnex and inspects it.

"Hmmm, this thing is truly a remarkable quality."

"May I ask you something, your highness?"

George speaks while catching up to Edlic's side.

"Okay."

"Why would you bought the magnexs, glowing air, and the magic filter?"

"I don't know, but I think that they seem Interesting and may be useful in the future."

"Well, It isn't our money, so don't worry."

The things that the old lady suggested were glowing air and the magic filter.

The glowing air is an air contained in a container made for them. It can react to the elemental and glow the color that belongs to the element.

It's a magic detection device but also acts as a lighting tool.

And the magic filter, a strange-looking tablet with a slot on both sides for thing to be inserted there.

This device can remove excess magic left on an Item or adjust the amount.

It's quite popular among the Item crafter who uses magic to create their craft but doesn't want to leave a magic signature on their creations that can trace back to them.

"You see this thing? The glowing air. It's quite a useful thing."

Edlic takes the said Item out as It glows a subtle green.

"It's glowing.. green?"

"Yes, It's indicating that there's a wind elemental around here, but not great."

Edlic explains.

"Can It detect multiple elements at once, your highness?"

George is interested as his eyes are glittering while he's asking the prince.

"I'm not sure, but the lady told me that It could detect up to five elements at once."

"Anyway, that girl has just done with the church."

Edlic quickly hides all the things he has bought in his cloak as Dayne is walking toward them with a broad smile.

"Good news! They know where the tomb is!"

"Isn't this the sewer? Why are you taking us into the sewer?!"

"This the way they told me! Just go through this, and we'll see the entrance to the tomb!"

The three found themselves walking with their hand pinching their own nose from the foul scent of the water.

"And... Ugh!"

Dayne swallows as she almost pukes from inhaling the air.

Edlic internally laughs and smiles faintly.

"W-What? A dead end?"

Dayne surprise as she sees that the path was no more. Only a wall was there, no door, no entrance to anything.

"I tol-"

Edlic about to speaks, but he sees shadowy figures are hiding behind in one of the pillars on his left.

"George, follow me."

George hears his voice become serious and quickly obey Edlic's command.

The two then slowly approaching the pillar.

"Come out!"

Edlic orders as George jumps in and unsheathing his sword.

"Ahhh!"

"P-please don't hurt us!"

The boy blonde boy raises his hand in the air and cry, his voice echoes in the sewer.

"Y-Yo-"

Edlic places his hand between George and the boy, preventing George from exposing him.

He looks at the boy, behind him was a girl with short blonde hair who's his maid.

"Why are you here?"

Edlic asks them.

"N-No! We don't mean any harm!"

"I ask, why are you here?!"

Edlic asks them again, raising his voice.

"What are you guys shouting at over there?"

Dayne comes in and sees the boy crying.

"Hnn? Another blondie? And that's a maid?"

"These people are stalking us. We should get ri-"

"What's your name, blondie?"

Dayne ignores Edlic and asks the boy his name.

"M-My name is F-Felix!"

"Okay, what a wonderful name."

Dayne chuckles.

"My name is Red, and this blonde is uhh... Dumb, his name is Dumb."

"Hey! That's not my na-"

"Well, he's a little too much but glad to meet you."

"Hey, Isn't that Mitz Selis's tale of the sky-cutting gladius?!"

Dayne's eyes widen as she sees the book that the boy is holding.

"Y-Yeah..."

"I'm a big fan of Mitz Selis too! I'm double glad that we met!"

Dayne then cries out in joy as she's holding the boy's hand.

"Y-yes, me too."

Later she's back to her usual self and starts introducing herself and the two to the boy.

"As I said, Felix. My name is Red. This boy is Dumb, and this man is Bell!"

She said as she's pointing at the two when telling him their name.

The boy wipes the tear from his face and clears his throat.

"I'm glad to meet you, fellow reader of Mitz Selis. My name is Felix."

"And this is my maid, Letian."

Felix introduces her as she's doing a curtsy, greeting the three.

"You two seem to be some well off, but I'm curious as to why you two are here in this stinky sewer?"

"Oh, Isn't the book of the sky-cutting gladius is the proof? Of course, we're here to find the tomb hidden beneath Gen'an and ended up here."

"So, you two were looking for the treasure as well?"

Felix nods.

"Oh, so that was the reason..."

Dayne glances back to the two behind her, seeing Edlic's discontent face, tapping his feet.

"Hehe, Well, you see. We know the tomb is around here, but we can't pinpoint the exact location."

"Red was it?"

Felix then takes the crumpled paper out of his bag.

"Here, this is the map I've got from the bookseller In Arcad."

"He gave me this in the promise of treating him a good beer."

Felix sighs, explaining to her.

"What is this? It looks like a kid's drawing! You have been fooled, Felix!"

Dayne surprises, seeing the poorly drawn map.

"Yeah, that what was I thought when seeing It for the first time, but I've decided to follow this map, and It takes me here."

"Now that a little more believable."

"What's this circle mean?"

Felix walks to Dayne's side and looks at the paper, pointing at the red circle.

"It's our current location."

"The entrance is ahead of us?"

Dayne points at the poorly written words but manages to read them somehow.

"You could decipher the strange symbols?!"

"I've been looking everywhere for the clue."

Felix looks at Dayne in awe, admiring her ability.

"A-Actually...(It's just poorly writing.). Nothing."

She was about to tell him the truth but chose not to since that'll make him feel like a fool.

She continues to look at the map and slowly connects the pieces.

"It's just behind us, the entrance."

Everyone's eyes widen.

"Hah, are you believing the map that he gave us? It's genuine or not, we don't even know."

Edlic crosses his arm, looking at Dayne with his side.

"Ahh, keep it down, Dumb!"

"Your voice will break our ears."

"Felix, don't mind him. That's just his way of expressing his concern."

Dayne smirks at Edlic.

"Let's not waste more time and head in!"

Dayne pulls Felix's hand and dashes away.

"Let's go, George."

Edlic said with annoyance in his voice.

George hesitates for a moment before the maid, named, Letian passes him.

They met eyes for a moment.

He sees her beautiful blues eyes that remind him of the sea.

(She's blushing as well?)

They arrive at the wall, which has four strange symbols of a sword, spear, hammer, and a bow on it.

"What do we do now, Red?"

Felix asks Dayne.

"I'm working on it."

Dayne takes a book out from her Porta'Poc and opens it, and stops at a particular page.

"O ignis fabri ferrarii creatura proferet, Fortem, et ad vescendum via lux sapientiae!"

She chants the passage In an ancient elemental language, making the door shining radiant green before slide open.

"Ah!"

The strong wind rushes out from the entrance, making Felix fall on his back.

"Woah, you did something?"

Edlic asks Dayne, dusting himself.

"Glad writing this down."

Dayne uses her gadget and places the book inside it.

"It's dark, so dark that I don't want to take a step beyond this..."

Dayne says, hugging herself.

"I-I can help."

Letian steps forward, looking at the princess with determined eyes.

Letian gathers her mana and focuses then a ball of purple light forms on her palm and later, changing to white.

"Felix?"

Dayne calls Felix as she's witnessing Letian displaying her magic.

"Well, please don't be surprised. Letian can use Diote magic."

"No, I mean, why she's your maid?"

"Umm, Yeah, to be honest..."

"M-Master Felix saved me from the Magic tracker... He gave me a... place to stay and taught me about magic. After that day, I vow to serve him."

"I want to be able to help him, and I want him to be able to rely on me."

Letian says, looking at them with her blue eyes as she's talking about her past with her voice cracking a little.

The ball of light glitter as It's reflects the focus of the caster.

George looks at her in sympathy, thinking that she's unfortunate to be capture by the terrible magic tracker.

He could imagine what she has to endure until Felix saved her.

After all, he knows someone who has experienced the same as Letian.

"L-Letian..."

"Please trust me. With the knowledge I've learned from you, I'm more capable than lighting a way for you."

Letian shakes off the sad reminiscence of her past and move on with a more energetic persona.

"Well, Felix. Your maid is quite wholesome."

Dayne says, wiping a tear from her face.

"Haha..."

Felix nervously laughs as Letian looks at him with a warm smile.

"Now we've got the light. Let's invade the tomb and take the gladius!"

Now that's the five starting their 'invasion' of the tomb of the surface smith.

Just like how I've predicted, he returns differently than before.

The prince struggle because of love, returning with a new intention.

To return the favor and save what he holds dear.

A strong start, of course.

"Wise, you're looking at them again. What's make them so special?"

I've not heard she's knocking on the door before coming in as I told her to.

"I told you to knock on the door before coming in, Joker."

I look at her, seeing her smirking face along with the usual playful aura that surrounded her.

"Haha, I just come to tell you that the Collector got the Hesh'tooh and will return to here In a month."

"In a month? What would she 'extent.' her time for what reason, you know?"

"Hmm, she called me but told me nothing about it?"

"Why you ask me anyway? You've got the answer already."

Yes, I already know the reason. I just want to hear the answer.

Anyway, she got the Hesh'tooh and the plan will move onto the next step.

"Okay. As for you, Joker."

"Get ready for a departure to Eion."

This is unnecessary, but I'll lend them my help.

"Hnn?"

She looks at me.

I turn back and continue observing the group.

"Trouble starts to stirring there."