Part 2 Chapter 50

Part 2 – Episode 50

The following evening, the passenger ship arrived safely at the port of Ostita.

I’d only ever heard about the Republic of Kontaninos from other people—this was the first time I’d ever set foot there.

Maybe that’s why, as I looked out at the bright lights of the harbor through the cabin window, I found myself quietly filled with anticipation. Perhaps I was about to enter a whole new world, like when I first visited Astrosa. I wanted to take in the exotic atmosphere and scenery you’d probably never find in Penrotta—even if this trip wasn’t exactly meant for sightseeing.

But the moment I disembarked, those expectations were completely shattered.

Because of the swarm of reporters crowding the docks…

“Ah. As expected, quite a turnout!”

On the stern’s outdoor terrace, now mostly emptied as people poured off the ship—

Baroness Fiora, seated at a table beside me and leaning against the light while reviewing documents, stood by the railing and let out an impressed remark.

“Looks like quite a few from the Legion came to greet us too. So… instead of the usual civil servants, we might even be seeing high-ranking officials or elders today.”

Click, click.

The sound of camera shutters had already begun going off. The once-quiet night air was now filled with noise and cheers.

Looks like he has stepped off.

“The Flame King has disembarked.”

Hmm.

Focusing my hearing on the Flame King’s voice, I caught snippets like, “If possible—no, we must get a handshake shot for the headline…”

Between yesterday and this evening, the relentless attention he seemed to focus on me had already started to wear me down. I initially thought I was imagining it, but the Flame King had been sending someone to knock on my cabin door every hour since yesterday.

Baroness Fiora eventually couldn’t take it anymore and switched our room. It seemed she stayed somewhere else herself, leaving this one to us—thanks to that, I ended up benefiting from her kindness.

“What’s so great about a washed-up relic like me, anyway?”

I just couldn’t figure it out.

When it came to heroes who stood out in the Magic War, Raphael and The Swordmaster were far more famous than me, and I didn’t have a face that particularly turned heads either. Compared to Rue, at least, Andert’s face was like a scoundrel’s.

‘As I thought… he’s most likely curious about the secret behind my survival.’

Sorry, but that was not something I could tell him.

There are people who would actually take “Try dying and see for yourself” as a serious answer, after all.

“You’re always so modest.”

Baroness Fiora smiled softly, clearly trying to flatter me.

“Even I was surprised when I saw Lord Andert’s name written plainly on the list of participants—do you think the Legion would feel any differently? They’re probably preparing to receive you as an honored guest.” she then added, “…Maybe it’s about time you head down,” in a tone that gently suggested as much.

Turning my back to her, I stood up and slowly began to stretch. Thanks to that Flame King bastard, I’d been stuck sleeping in the cabin the whole time — my muscles felt completely stiff.

“…Lord Andert?”

“Baroness Fiora. The meeting’s in Corphinium in five days, right?”

“Pardon? Ah—yes, that’s correct. It should take about half a day to reach Siagot. We’ll rest there for two days, then take an airship to Corphinium.”

I remembered Corphinium as a strategic stronghold located between the Land of Death and the Wall of Fire from when I’d checked the map. It was also close to Banahel, making it a key point where reinforcements from the three nations would gather.

Rolling my shoulders, I glanced at the Swordmaster.

“Are you heading straight to Siagot?”

He had his eyes neatly closed, enjoying the night breeze, and moved his lips quietly.

“If I don’t go straight there, then what—are you planning to take this ship back to Penrotta?”

“As if.”

The Swordmaster cracked one eye open and gave a strange smile.

“That’s the face of someone about to cause trouble again.”

“I told you, it’s not like that. Anyway, I’ll see you in Corphinium.”

I turned on my heel and tapped Baroness Fiora on the shoulder as she stood there looking confused.

“I’ve got something important to take care of, so I’ll head out first. See you in five days at Corphinium, Baroness. Good work these past couple of days.”

“…Pardon? You’re leaving right now?!—w-wait! Andert—!”

I threw myself into the sea.

Splash—

Cold seawater and foam wrapped around me.

It was my first time jumping from that kind of height. Not bad at all, actually. Aside from the water being a bit salty.

Avoiding the shimmering lights on the surface, I swam toward the empty pier. By the time I climbed onto the deserted dock, Rue was already there waiting for me, Ash perched on his shoulder.

“Walking around soaked like that is a bad look on you, Daisy.”

“One drawback of the Sword Demon Art. It can’t dry the clothes you’re wearing.”

The beauty in front of me let out a small laugh and casually flicked her hand, drying me off completely in an instant. I took Ash and my bag back from this ‘lady’.

“Alright then, shall we head to the garbage hill first?”

*

The road from Ostita to the Kingdom of Banahel wasn’t difficult.

We wandered around nearby for a bit, and by the time the sun rose, we boarded an airship and arrived at Banahel’s capital—Centerflat.

There wasn’t any proper transport from here to the garbage hill, so we walked, well, briskly, for about ten hours straight without rest.

Every now and then, Rue carried me on his back. Especially whenever we passed travelers, he made a point of doing it each time. The way they’d glance at us with those odd expressions as they walked by became a small, quiet amusement during the journey.

Maybe it was because of where we were headed—but we spent most of the time talking about what happened after Rue left the garbage hill four years ago.

How I met Grandma Bluebell, the last successor of the Gray Hawk clan.

How I ended up teaching swordsmanship to that boy.

And how I eventually passed the Pearl Sword on to him…

Every memory felt as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

Late afternoon, as dark clouds gathered and the air thickened with humidity—

By the time we rounded the winding path and reached the garbage hill…

Everything was gone.

A cold, harsh wind blew, but the place that had once been livelier and more bustling than any other neighborhood had vanished without a trace.

All that remained was ash. Blackened skeletons of houses. Collapsed roofs, abandoned furniture… The charred stench from the fire four years ago still lingered in the land, stinging the nose every time you breathed in.

Tweet—

Ash took off lightly into the air and circled overhead.

Did it remember this place? I couldn’t tell if it felt alerted or regretful.

When this land had been swallowed by flames of death, Ash had been nothing more than a hatchling, fast asleep on my bed. Thinking back, it was a relief Rue hadn’t forgotten to take Ash with him.

Green shoots had begun to grow on the charred hills, but no one seemed to have returned to this place.

‘I think we used to stay somewhere around here.’

I searched through the collapsed debris, but nothing familiar remained. Since arriving here, Rue had been persistently showing discomfort, so I couldn’t even bring myself to make a light joke.

And so, passing through the garbage hill that had turned into a mountain of ash…

We came to a spot where my time spent with that boy still lingered vividly.

The tent was still there.

But inside, it was completely empty.

“…A grave?”

In the wrecked clearing stood a single mound of sand, piled into a grave, with a wooden stake planted on top.

Whose grave could it be?

The boy and his brother came to mind—but only for a moment.

After all, this ruined land was dotted everywhere with stone graves built for those who had been caught in the flames.

Somewhere, a whistle seemed to echo, like a hallucination.

For me, it had only been a few weeks ago.

Maybe that’s why I crossed the clearing and kept walking, as if tracing my steps through my memories.

The forested hill I had rushed up.

The low cliff overlooking the ruins.

The bush I’d run through, holding that boy’s hand— it was now nothing but a desolate trail.

And then…

At the very end of my search through that memory,

Someone was standing there.

I could only see his back, but his posture was straight.

Standing amid the newly sprouting green grass, his height rivaled Raphael’s.

His light, cream-blond hair—about shoulder-length—was neatly tied back, and as with most swordsmen, a sheath hung at his left hip.

Not long after I noticed him, he turned to face me.

Tap… tap. The teasing drizzle that had barely begun started to fall more heavily.

In the silence, the man gave a faint smile.

“…Impressive tenacity. I didn’t expect you to chase me all the way here.”

The moment his sword left its sheath, his figure shot toward me like lightning.

—-

Reunion between mentor and mentee!! Daisy and Rue being so cute w the carrying T-T