Raon blinked his eyes as he faced Rimmer's smile.
"Why are you suddenly mentioning Sepia?"
Sepia is the sacred homeland and birthplace of all elves. Since humans couldn't even enter freely, Raon couldn't tell if Rimmer was being serious or joking about going there.
"It's not sudden."
Rimmer tapped the sword at his waist. The leaf-shaped pommel shook slightly.
"I think it's time to return this sword."
"But you cherish that sword."
Even when he was chased out of the gambling den naked, Rimmer never pawned that sword. Raon didn't understand why he wanted to return a famous blade rivaling the Heavenly Drive or Heavenly Tremor.
"This isn't mine."
Rimmer looked down at the sword with a bitter smile.
"It's a sacred artifact of my tribe that I took with me when I left."
"S-Sacred artifact..."
Raon gulped as he looked at the sword again.
'Did he steal it?'
He imagined Rimmer sneaking out after secretly stealing his tribe's sacred artifact.
"You just thought I stole it, didn't you? That's not it. Erase that image from your head."
"Then what?"
"Of course I got permission!"
Rimmer stomped his foot, saying how could Raon think of him like that.
"I don't believe it..."
"I was normal back then!"
At least he seemed aware that he wasn't normal now.
"Then why do you want to return it?"
"My arm ended up like this."
Rimmer rubbed his right shoulder with his left hand.
"Whether I get a new arm or use my left hand for the sword, I don't think I'm qualified to keep this sword anymore."
He smiled, saying he had let go of any lingering attachments and wanted to return it.
"Is that really necessary?"
"I told you. It's a sacred artifact. Sacred artifacts should be used by those worthy of them."
"Hmm..."
"I was planning to visit home at some point anyway. It's been a long time since I went back."
Rimmer shook his head firmly, seeming to have already made up his mind.
"I understand. Have a good trip. I'll take care of the Light Wind division while you're gone."
Raon bowed politely to Rimmer and turned to leave.
"Wait! You have to come too!"
Rimmer grabbed Raon's wrist again as if he was saying something absurd.
"Why me?"
"Are you going to send a patient off alone?"
He hunched his shoulders, touching his empty sleeve.
"Ugh..."
Raon rubbed his forehead with his palm and sighed.
"But Sepia is the sacred land of elves. How can I, a human, enter there?"
Only humans who had formed special bonds with the elves of Sepia could enter. He would surely be chased away at the entrance.
"I'm an elf who lives there! And you and I are master and disciple. Of course you can enter!"
Rimmer furrowed his brow as if wondering why Raon was worried about such a thing.
"Weren't you exiled from there?"
"I told you I wasn't! I was perfectly noble when I lived there!"
He shouted once again that he was normal back then.
"...Fine."
Raon nodded reluctantly. Rimmer wasn't the type to go around getting beaten up, but it seemed better to accompany him just in case.
"That's my disciple!"
Rimmer slapped his knee with his left hand, saying Raon made the right decision.
"But what did you mean about there being something I'd like?"
"You like weird and strange foods, right? Like the mint chocolate from earlier."
"That..."
-Damn pointy-eared fool!
Just as Raon was about to say he actually didn't like it, Wrath, who had been yawning, jumped up.
-How dare you move your mouth without knowing the refreshing and sweet deliciousness of mint chocolate! You tasteless fool, slap that pointy-ear's cheek immediately!
He raged even more fiercely than when he himself was insulted.
'Come to think of it, I guess that's how it would seem.'
Thanks to Wrath, Raon had been eating strange foods every day, so it wouldn't be odd to be called a lover of exotic cuisine.
"There are lots of unique and delicious foods in Sepia."
"Don't elves usually just eat raw vegetables and fruits?"
"That's ancient history. Sure, some still eat like that, but we have various cooking methods now."
He grinned, saying there were lots of exotic dishes too.
-What are you doing!
Wrath waved his hands quickly as if he had never been angry.
-Let's go! This king wants to try the pointy-ears' cooking too! It seems like it would suit this king well!
He shook his head so hard his jowls wobbled, insisting they must go.
"Oh! You like Nadine bread too, right?"
"Well, it's alright."
Raon nodded, as he truly did prefer Nadine bread.
"The person who made that bread is in Sepia."
Rimmer shrugged, asking if Raon wasn't curious.
-N-Nadine bread?
Wrath narrowed his eyes, filled with sticky killing intent.
-I'll kill them. I'll kill that devil who inflicted the horrible rubber torture on this king! Let's depart at once!
Just a moment ago he was saying they'd get along well...
* * *
Ensia nodded calmly after taking Rimmer's arm and shoulder measurements.
"It will take some time, but I'll do my best."
She wrote down the details she observed while examining Rimmer's shoulder in her notebook.
"Ugh..."
Raon's lips trembled for a moment as he saw Ensia's notebook.
'There's my photo on that too...'
A large photo of his face was plastered on the cover of the notebook Ensia was holding. It was too embarrassing to look at.
"So you're going to Sepia?"
"Yes. It seems we will."
Raon nodded.
"Then could you bring back a piece of the World Tree? A leaf, branch, or root would be fine."
"Why do you need a piece of the World Tree?"
"As I mentioned, to avoid burdening the prosthetic wearer, we need materials infused with natural energy. The World Tree should be more than sufficient."
"That seems difficult..."
The World Tree was revered like a mother by the elves. It was guarded day and night all year round, so it didn't seem possible to take anything from it.
"The World Tree's leaves and branches are managed by the Council of Elders, so they can't be leaked out. You've never heard of World Tree fragments appearing outside, right?"
Rimmer clicked his tongue, saying it would be hard to obtain.
"That's true."
"Well, we could just steal some, right?"
He rubbed his fingers together, suggesting they steal if they can't get it legitimately.
"Wow..."
Raon's mouth fell open. It was shocking to hear an elf suggest stealing a piece of the World Tree.
-...Is he really allowed to be like that?
Even Wrath, the Demon King, was worried about Rimmer's mental state.
"If we can't get it, we'll have to find something else. Don't push yourselves too hard."
Ensia smiled gently as if trying to reassure Rimmer.
"Why are you suddenly being so nice?"
Rimmer blinked at Ensia.
"You seemed to be in a bad mood earlier, so I was just teasing you a bit."
Ensia shook her head, saying not to mind it.
"Right? I knew it! There's no way I could look ambiguous!"
Rimmer laughed brightly, seeming to regain confidence in his appearance.
"Yes. You're so handsome."
"Of course! Actually, my face doesn't even lose to Raon's..."
"A firefly before the sun. Not even close."
Ensia revealed a cold gaze, her smile vanishing.
"Uh..."
Rimmer's lips trembled as if frightened.
"Well, I'll be going now. I need to prepare."
Ensia said she should start drafting the design right away and entered the annex building with the ice cream she was given as a gift.
"Ow, ow. That last comment was too sincere, it hurts..."
Rimmer groaned, clutching his chest with his left hand.
"Hmm?"
Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Yua jump excitedly at the ice cream in Ensia's hand.
"Come to think of it, elves are good singers, right?"
"Most of them are."
Rimmer nodded slowly.
"Then should we bring Yua too? Seems like she could learn something."
"Oh? That's a good idea."
He wiggled his finger, saying it should be fine.
"When do you plan to depart?"
"No need to delay. Let's leave the day after tomorrow."
"Understood."
As Rimmer said, it would be best to go quickly during their vacation period since they didn't know when the next mission would come.
"Then let's meet in front of the Lord's Manor the morning after tomorrow."
Rimmer waved his left hand cheerfully and left the annex garden.
Raon sighed as he watched Rimmer's empty right sleeve flutter in the wind.
'I hope things work out well, whatever happens.'
-Grrrr....
He heard Wrath's groan as he briefly smacked his lips.
-I'll kill them! I'll definitely kill that bastard! That's all there is to it!
'...'
Why are you being so scary.
* * *
"Haaaah!"
Burren let out a weary sigh as he set down his practice sword.
"Damn bastard. Just when I thought I was catching up a bit, now he's gone off to the heavens."
He frowned, looking up at the blue sky.
"Funny how we're thinking the same thing."
Martha pushed back her sweat-soaked hair as she leaned against the wall.
"We finally made it to Master and stood on equal ground, but now he's gone somewhere out of reach."
She clenched her fist, muttering that it was frustrating.
"The strange thing is, I feel frustrated but not jealous."
Burren lowered his gaze and chuckled.
"Can't help it. That guy is probably still training even now."
Martha nodded in agreement.
"Actually, he's not."
Runaan swallowed a mouthful of bead ice cream and shook her head.
"What?"
"He bought ice cream with me this morning."
She wiggled her finger, saying Raon bought her this ice cream.
"It's really unexpected. A guy who calculates even his meals liking ice cream."
Burren tilted his head, saying he didn't understand.
"Raon is similar to me."
Runaan blinked, seeming to like that fact.
"Putting all that aside, it pisses me off that even this idiot surpassed us..."
Martha frowned as she looked at Runaan.
"Heh."
Runaan stared blankly at Martha before curling up the corners of her mouth. With only her lips moving and her eyes not smiling, it became an eerie grin.
"Grrrr..."
Martha's clenched fist trembled.
"I'm going to catch up. I'll train all night if I have to, but I'll catch up!"
She turned her head, declaring she absolutely wouldn't lose.
"Come to think of it, who's going to oversee our evening training now?"
Burren spoke up as if he just remembered.
"Training?"
"The Division Leader probably can't supervise our evening training anymore, right?"
"Hmm, that's true."
Martha nodded heavily.
"The Gambling Monster and Raon already train with us from dawn to afternoon. It wouldn't be right to ask them to help in the evening too..."
"I guess we'll have to do it ourselves from now on..."
"Would it be alright if I helped?"
A gentle voice flowed in from the training ground entrance as Burren and Martha were pondering.
Creeeeak!
The door to the training ground opened and Denier Zieghart nodded his head.
"Father?"
Martha's eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"How did you..."
"I came looking for you when you didn't come even though it was mealtime."
Denier waved his hand with a faint smile.
"Ah, I'm sorry. We had made plans..."
Martha scratched her head, saying she just remembered now.
"It's fine. But I heard you were looking for someone to help with evening training?"
"Well, yes..."
"If you'd like, I could supervise in the evenings."
He nodded, saying he could make time if they wanted.
"R-Really?"
"It's not particularly difficult. Of course, I won't be able to when I'm busy."
"That's more than enough!"
Burren swallowed hard before speaking.
"Are you sure it's okay? You've been so busy lately."
Martha looked at Denier with worried eyes, asking if he was overexerting himself.
"I can spare that much time for my daughter and nephews."
Denier patted Martha's head, telling her not to worry.
"I'll help you go even higher."
* * *
Two mornings later.
Raon entered the audience chamber with Rimmer. Since both the Division Leader and Vice Leader were leaving, they needed to get permission from the Head of House first.
"We greet the Head of House."
"Rise."
Glenn waved his hand roughly, as if even greetings were bothersome.
"So. You're going to Sepia?"
"Yes."
Raon straightened his back and nodded.
"The Light Wind Division Leader may have trouble going alone, so I will act as his escort."
"Hmm..."
A faint light flickered in Glenn's indifferent eyes.
"There shouldn't be any missions for a while, so it's not a bad time. However..."
He glared fiercely at Rimmer as he continued speaking.
"Can you even enter Sepia? Weren't you exiled?"
"Hah, like father like son, asking the same questions."
Rimmer shook his head and stepped forward.
"I told you I wasn't exiled! I left of my own free will!"
"Like father like son?"
"This brat said the exact same thing you just did!"
He frowned and pointed at Raon.
"Ahem!"
Glenn nodded, covering his mouth with the hand that had been resting on his chin. His left leg suddenly began shaking violently.
"You only choose to do strange things, so what else can we think?"
"Anyway, I'm not an exile, so don't worry."
Rimmer waved his hand, saying they would let him in just by seeing his face.
"I see. If you can enter, then it's fine."
Glenn slowly turned his gaze to look at Raon.
"Light Wind Vice Division Leader."
"Yes."
"Sepia is not an ordinary city, but the sacred land of elves. Be mindful of your words and actions as an executive of Zieghart."
"Understood."
The words were long, but the meaning was simple. It meant to keep Rimmer in check.
"And..."
Glenn briefly closed his eyes before continuing.
"After reaching Grandmaster, physical changes won't be very significant. From now on, insights and mental images are important, so observe and experience as much as you can."
He delivered sincere advice in a stern tone.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Raon placed his hand on his chest and bowed respectfully.
"You may go."
Glenn waved his hand as if he had said all he needed to say.
As Raon bowed his head and was about to leave the audience chamber, the door burst open roughly.
Boom!
It was Alice. She thrust her head in before the door even finished opening.
"You're going to Sepia? Let me come too!"
She nodded, saying she wanted to go along.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Glenn frowned and shook his head.
"Didn't I tell you to write all the accumulated reports?"
"Ah, how can I write all that! It's 20 years worth!"
"It's your fault for putting off the work. You can't go anywhere until you finish it all."
He narrowed his eyes, saying she absolutely couldn't escape.
"Raon! Tell Father I want to go too! I'll die of old age if I stay here!"
Alice grabbed Raon's sleeve and shook her hand.
"Umm..."
Raon closed his eyes and quickly pondered.
'If Alice comes along...'
He imagined the World Tree collapsing in half with Alice laughing in front of it. He even pictured elves charging at them with twisted expressions like demons.
Cold sweat ran down his spine. If Alice came along, they probably wouldn't die from enemies, but he had a feeling they'd end up getting shot by elves.
Raon looked at Alice and firmly shook his head.
"I'll have to decline."
* * *
"Are you just getting here?"
"Young Master!"
As Raon exited the Lord's Manor, Dorian and Yua, who were munching on round cookies, waved.
"Yua is coming, but Dorian too?"
Rimmer tilted his head at Dorian.
"If you're traveling, you need someone to carry the backpack."
Raon shrugged, asking why he was asking such an obvious question.
"Oh..."
Rimmer chuckled dryly.
"People call me crazy, but I think you're the real one..."
He shook his head at Raon.
"I'm used to it."
Dorian laughed, saying not to worry.
"I'm already tired before we even start. Let's go quickly."
"Young Master Raon!"
As Rimmer led the way, Roenn's voice came from behind.
"Roenn?"
Roenn approached quickly, holding a luxurious pouch.
"This is..."
"He said to buy a gift since you're going to your hometown."
He laughed, saying Glenn had given it to him.
"Oh!"
Rimmer beamed at the generous pouch.
'It worked.'
Rimmer had intentionally mentioned being of the same bloodline as Raon, and it seemed to have paid off with this money.
He imagined Glenn trembling with anger but smiling broadly as he handed over the money.
"I'll accept it gratefully..."
As Rimmer reached out, Roenn pulled the pouch back.
"Huh?"
"Lord Glenn said to give it to Young Master Raon."
He handed the pouch to Raon, saying it was Glenn's order.
"Understood. I'll use it solely for buying gifts."
Raon bowed and took the pouch from Roenn.
"Sigh. Stingy head of house..."
Rimmer clicked his tongue and shook his head. But he smiled thinly, seemingly pleased.
"Raon."
"Whatever you say, I'm not giving it to you."
Raon shook his head at Rimmer and handed the gold pouch to Dorian.
"That's not it. Remember what the head of house said?"
"To gain experience?"
"Yes. If we go there, you might see arrows flying freely."
"Arrows usually fly."
"That's true."
Rimmer blinked blankly.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Let me put it this way."
He traced the trajectory of an arrow with his fingers and smiled.
"There, you'll see arrows flying freely at will."