You’er could not recall when he had emerged from the Bamboo Grove, knowing only that as the last green bamboo vanished from his sight, the landscape before him was a land that should have been intimately familiar, yet now felt utterly alien. He had resided there since the age of eight, until the cataclysmic event two years prior.
Another spring had arrived, adorning the mountains with blossoms, yet the joyful laughter that once filled the crowds was nowhere to be found.
“Angus Village, your You’er has returned…”
A gentle breeze stirred, swaying the mountain flowers, and You’er spread his arms, yearning to embrace the long-missed scenery.
Unbeknownst to him, You’er’s eyes had welled up with tears.
Whoosh, whoosh~~
The ethereal blue pendant swayed in the wind, as if a pair of tender, small hands were gently wiping away You’er’s tears.
“Noelle, this is my hometown, the place I always wanted to bring you. Do you like it?”
You’er gently stroked the pendant, as though caressing a lover’s skin. The pendant lay quietly in his palm, and the lingering soul-resonance seemed to be the very response of the person within.
Angus Village was gone, and so were its villagers. All that remained was a desolate wasteland, ravaged by fire. Closing his eyes, You’er could almost hear the mournful wails of the departed souls echoing in his mind.
“Kora Village Chief, Aunt Mais, Grandpa Lamb, Marlene… please rest in peace… Trust me, one day, I will seek justice for all of you!”
You’er knelt, plunging [Hidden Edge] deep into the earth, a solemn oath and a silent solace for the departed.
Having erected tombstones for the villagers, You’er resolutely rose and turned to leave.
****
“This place…”
Turning down several narrow paths, You’er’s steps abruptly halted. Looking up, he saw the natural cave where he had once left Lilinai alone.
You’er swung his sword, cutting away the wild grass that blocked the cave entrance. He stepped inside, his heart heavy with a tangle of emotions.
His gaze swept around, first falling upon a grey cloth bag, the very one he had left for Lilinai. Inside were dried rations taken from the village, now, two full years later, covered in dirt and dust.
‘When Lilinai woke up and found him gone, had she been terribly anxious?’
‘Had Lilinai not touched the food, waiting for his return to share a meal?’
‘Had Lilinai felt afraid, all alone in this cold cave?’
‘If Lilinai were still alive, she must surely despise him, her brother who had abandoned her…’
You’er clutched his chest, a searing pain piercing his heart at the mere thought of Lilinai curled up alone, sobbing in the corner.
“Damn it! …Why, why am I so powerless? Why can’t I protect anyone? It was like this with Marlene, like this with Noelle, and now like this with Lilinai… If there truly are gods, I beg you, give them back to me, give them back to me!!…”
You’er could no longer suppress the anguish in his chest. He screamed, his voice hoarse, frantically pounding the rock wall. He felt no pain from the jagged protrusions cutting into his palms, blood flowing as freely as the grief in his heart.
“Hm?!”
The You’er of today was vastly different from his former self; his immense strength caused the entire cave to tremble as if in fear. Long-settled dust cascaded to the ground from the rock wall, and then, You’er saw marks etched upon it.
They were words, indeed, words! Words carved by an unknown hand!
“Eastern Emperor… Gatania… Academy…”
Reading the inscription, You’er’s eyes trembled violently. These were not Lilinai’s words, nor did Lilinai possess the strength to carve such deep marks into the hard rock wall. Could it be…?
“Haha, haha, hahahaha, hahahaha…”
As a certain possibility dawned on him, You’er’s face was overcome with wild elation. This emotion was even more uncontrollable, his face contorting into a mask of pure, unrestrained laughter.
Eastern Emperor Gatania! Eastern Emperor Gatania! Eastern Emperor Gatania!
The laughter continued for a long time. When it finally ceased, You’er’s figure was nowhere to be seen in the cave.
He was going to the place indicated by the rock wall, to confirm that possibility.
Lilinai, his sister, must still be alive…
The Eastern Emperor Empire was, after all, You’er’s homeland. Even though he had never ventured beyond the village, You’er’s understanding of it was not insignificant. Eastern Emperor Gatania was merely an abbreviation; the full name was Eastern Emperor Gatania Academy, a world-renowned institution. When You’er had originally left the village with Lilinai, their destination had indeed been Gatania Academy.
Given that Gatania Academy was located within the Eastern Emperor Capital, his objective was no longer so clear.
However, You’er quickly realized that things were not as simple as he had imagined. Firstly, the Eastern Emperor Empire’s territory stretched far too vast; he had no knowledge of specific routes or directions. Even with the clear goal of the Eastern Emperor Capital, he would never be able to reach it.
Secondly, ‘He was penniless, without even food; how could he possibly continue?’
You’er now found himself in a small city. Upon entering, a myriad of problems began to surface.
“—Keane, if you could ever get out of here, what’s the first thing you’d want to do?”
“—That’s an excellent question, Boss. Let me tell you, my dream is to join the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“—Why?”
“—Because once you join the Adventurer’s Guild, you can travel anywhere, anytime, all on the public dime!”
“—…”
“—Boss, just imagine it: exploring all sorts of places, wooing beautiful maidens of every kind, and making a fortune! Tsk, tsk, what a free and easy life that would be!”
‘The Adventurer’s Guild, huh…’
Recalling Keane’s words, You’er’s lips twitched. Following the directions of passersby, he walked along the smooth, large stone-paved road in a certain direction.
“Is this the Adventurer’s Guild?” You’er gazed up at the exquisitely decorated building before him, uttering a sigh of admiration.
Standing four or five stories high and spanning dozens of acres, it stood out distinctly in this small city. Adorned with red and white checkered tiles, it resembled a chapel, exuding an air of nobility without sacrificing solemnity. The interior of the building featured a floor-to-ceiling floating window design, allowing sunlight to stream in and transform into various patterns as it traversed the sequential windowpanes. It was truly a captivating sight.
On the Eastern Continent, the Adventurer’s Guild boasted a history of several millennia. There was a common saying: ‘A city’s potential for prosperity is judged by the appearance of its Adventurer’s Guild.’
Perhaps, this saying alone was enough to illustrate the paramount importance of the Adventurer’s Guild within a city.
You’er stepped inside, observing his surroundings, but he could make neither head nor tail of it, for the internal structure of the guild was far more complex than he had imagined.
Not far from him stood an adorable young boy, seven or eight years old, with short brown hair and bangs swept to the left. He was craning his neck in eager anticipation, seemingly awaiting someone.
“Little brother, may I ask you something? Do you know where I can accept quest commissions?” Believing the boy might know something, You’er inquired.
“Ah, oh… Q-q-quest commissions are… are at…” The little boy turned, staring blankly at You’er, his face flushed crimson for reasons unknown, stammering and struggling to articulate his words.
“Little brother, are you alright?” You’er looked at the boy with some concern; his reaction was undeniably peculiar.
“N-no… I’m fine…” Despite his words, the little boy’s face remained bright red, and he stared fixedly at You’er, making the latter’s skin crawl.
“Oh, never mind then.” You’er decided not to wait for the boy’s response any longer. He simply walked around him to find the answer himself.
“Hey, you must have been anxious, old man’s back!” Just as You’er walked away, a man approached the little boy.
“Dad, Dad, listen to me, listen to me! I just saw a really, really beautiful big sister!”
The little boy’s excited voice reached You’er, nearly causing You’er to lose his footing.
‘You could speak perfectly fine, couldn’t you? What on earth did he mean by ‘big sister’?!