The voices of the people throughout the streets of Amaria’s capital rose like a dissonant chorus through the long, wide roads. A rabbit-eared demi-human argued with an elf over the price of a special herb at the edge of the commercial district, which was packed with stalls run by traveling merchants.

The aroma of freshly cooked food mixed with the smell of pack animals and the smoke of improvised kitchens. Merchants raised their voices trying to attract customers while adventurers walked between the stalls carrying weapons and enormous backpacks.

The cobblestone streets stretched beneath them in irregular stone patterns that somehow fit together perfectly.

Some parts of the road showed signs of wear from the constant passage of carriages and people. The sound of horse hooves echoed endlessly against the stone.

Buildings made of pale gray stone rose everywhere in an almost geometric arrangement. Towers stood beside sturdy structures connected by bridges crossing above the streets; golden banners bearing the symbol of an eagle grasping a serpent fluttered in the wind, and decorations on the larger buildings made it obvious that this kingdom was different from the others.

The windows were adorned with thin curtains and flowerpots filled with brightly colored flowers. Even in such a crowded city, Amaria’s orderliness was evident.

In the distance stood the royal palace, a grand and beautiful castle built entirely from pure white bricks with silver and golden details. It possessed four main towers at each corner and eight smaller secondary towers that seemed connected to other parts of the castle.

"Listen! Please, listen to me!" shouted a man.

He wore rags, filthy and bald, an old blind man walking with a stick.

His clothes were covered in dust and tiny patches. His bare feet struck against the stone road as he stumbled forward awkwardly.

"He’s here! He’s finally here! We’re doomed! We’re all doomed!"

No one paid him any attention, because he was just a crazy old man constantly spewing nonsense.

Some people simply walked around him and continued with their business. Others glanced at him in annoyance before ignoring him.

"Shut your mouth, you crazy old fool!" said a pale-skinned elf.

The vagabond, however, didn’t listen.

"The Herald! The one who comes from beyond the stars! He has finally arrived!"

Some people looked at him with irritation. How dare this bastard toy with something as taboo as the existence of the Herald of the Unnameable?! That was unheard of!

A group of merchants even began whispering among themselves. Some made religious signs with their hands, as though trying to ward off bad luck.

Nearby, someone was eating a caramel-covered apple. Her red hood drew a great deal of attention, and her crimson eyes observed the situation with terrifying insight.

It was a girl...

Her presence contrasted far too much with the city’s bustle. While everyone else reacted with annoyance or fear, she merely watched in silence.

"Two kingdoms of Nemoria have been freed from the curse! It’s only a matter of time before the Herald claims the power of the Mystery of Cinder!"

The old man fell to his knees, nearly in tears.

His hands trembled as he desperately pounded the ground.

"Please! Believe me!"

The hooded girl bit into her apple and approached the old man with relaxed steps. She wore a white long-sleeved blouse that partially concealed her modest chest, a short red skirt with small golden details, long black stockings covering her thick thighs, and large brown boots protecting her feet. She also carried a large brown belt and a wooden staff in her free hand.

Every one of her steps was silent and elegant. Some people instinctively moved out of her way without even knowing why.

The girl crouched in front of the man and looked him in the eyes.

She was beautiful... as beautiful as she was dangerous. Her hair was black, with red-stained bangs hiding one of her eyes upon her expressionlessly captivating face.

She grabbed the old man by the collar and lifted him effortlessly.

The elderly man let out a small groan as he dangled helplessly in the air.

The townspeople did nothing to stop her. In fact, some of them even looked relieved that she had intervened.

Clearly, that girl gave off such a dangerous aura that staying away from her felt preferable.

Then she spoke. Her voice was soft and adorable, yet as cold as polar ice.

"Where did you hear that, old man? I’d like to know."

The man stuttered.

"You... you actually believe me?"

"Well, we’ll have to check your sources. Tell me, where did you hear that? Is the Herald of the Unnameable truly among us? What happened in the Land of Ash, Nemoria?"

The man cleared his throat.

"The Heralds of Shadow have been traveling through the villages surrounding Luxar, where the rumors first began. They’re saying the Herald descended into our world and has begun freeing the kingdoms cursed by ash. They showed real proof, objects like the crown of the king of Holylight and other priceless items. I could feel it in my hands... It was gold from an ancient era, a lost essence from long ago, corrupted by ash."

As he spoke, the fear in his voice became increasingly obvious.

"I see... Interesting," the girl said, though her expression never changed.

"Please, miss, I’m not lying. I may be blind, but I can feel the essence of things, even the essence of your soul. That’s why I’m certain. We’re doomed!"

The girl released him, and the man fell face-first onto the ground. She looked toward the streets as if nothing had happened, toward the people. Everyone seemed calmer after she silenced the old man. Some had even gone back to shopping and chatting as though nothing had occurred.

"All of you are very strange...," she whispered. Then she continued walking, leaving the man sprawled on the ground.

Her red cloak drifted through the streets, making her look like a ghost painted in crimson tones. Occasionally, her staff tapped softly against the ground with the brief sound of wood.

Several gazes followed her figure as she advanced through the crowd.

"So... it began in Luxar. Should I take a little trip there? I can get there quickly, don’t you think, Hati?"

A ghostly growl echoed near the girl’s ear. For the first time, she smiled, but her smile was terrifying. Her lips curved delicately while she looked down the road with false kindness.

A dark shadow briefly moved behind her before disappearing.

"I feel like taking a walk today."

***

The carriage stopped at the edge of a dirt road. The surrounding forests still covered everything around them. Leaves swayed gently in the breeze, and rays of sunlight pierced through the branches, partially illuminating the road.

"Thank you very much for the ride. From here on, we’ll continue on our own," Monar said.

Jeanne nodded.

"It’s nothing. It was a pleasant short trip. Ellegaard enjoyed it too, even if she doesn’t look like it."

"Go fuck yourself, Jeanne," the elf said from the back of the carriage.

The princess laughed. Mitsuki, who stood beside her, bid farewell to his companions.

"I’m sorry I can’t continue traveling with you, but I chose to stay with them since I need to heal my soul, and I still have a lot to learn from Ellegaard’s magic."

"Don’t worry, Mitsuki," Monar said. "Someday we’ll be able to share adventures again like we have these past few days. Though hopefully next time there won’t be such an extreme risk of death."

"Yeah, hopefully. Let me give this back to you."

Mitsuki extended his hand, and the heavy backpack appeared on the ground.

The metallic sound of several objects inside the backpack echoed faintly.

"With this, we’re done," he said. He looked toward Marco, who was resting with his back against a tree. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The Blondie looked much better than before, although several bandages were still visible beneath his armor.

When their eyes met, Blondie raised his index and middle fingers in farewell. Mitsuki responded with the same gesture.

Azel, on the other hand, pulled out a small bag of coins and tossed it toward Mitsuki. He reacted quickly, catching the bag in his hand.

It was much heavier than expected.

"Payment for being our porter. We’ll meet again someday, Ashen Kid. Let’s both grow stronger until then."

Mitsuki nodded. Jeanne tapped him on the shoulder.

"It’s time to go."

"Okay. Let’s go."

With that, they climbed into the carriage. Aslan urged the horses forward, and they galloped ahead. Soon, they were leaving that group of adventurers behind.

The carriage wheels kicked up small clouds of dust as they rolled down the road.

’So this is how a journey ends, huh... It feels strange.’

As if it weren’t real, yet he still had to live through it.

Mitsuki watched for a moment as the figures of Marco, Monar, and Azel grew smaller in the distance.

After that, the two-week journey back to Luxar resumed. The road was peaceful. Quiet nights around the campfire returned, Jeanne’s jokes became a daily occurrence, and training with Ellegaard remained the hardest part.

During the nights, the sound of insects filled the forests while the campfire’s flames illuminated the group’s tired faces.

Jeanne always found something to say to break the silence, while Aslan merely smiled faintly at the interactions between the younger ones.

Mitsuki, however, despite being the source of fear for many throughout the world, was accepted by them without judgment. At the very least, Jeanne and Aslan never questioned his involvement in the end of the world as the Herald of the Unnameable.

Even Ellegaard, though she still insulted him constantly, seemed far more tolerant of him than before.

In the end, those two weeks flew by. Luxar’s walls were already visible at the end of the road, and the voices of people could once again be heard everywhere.

Returning to this calm atmosphere was undoubtedly a drastic change compared to the experiences of the past few days.

Facing death had been difficult, but nothing had truly ended.

This was only the beginning.