Chapter 16: Turning Point 1

Before I even knew it, a full year had passed since my return to Roa.

My age on the adventurer's card ticked over to fourteen, and life had more than easily settled in for me in that time.

I'd managed to rise up to A Rank as an adventurer, training with Ghyslaine meant my swordsmanship was only growing ever sharper, and working with Rudeus helped me refine my magic even further, and achieving the goal of learning new languages on top of it.

By all means, the preparation for when I'd finally fly the nest yet again were coming along well.

But, right now the priority was hardly on myself.

It was a cool, rainy day, and the manor was abuzz with activity from the servants. Why else but for a private party for the young tutor now turning ten? Everyone had already been hard at work since the previous day just getting things ready.

"You've really got everyone working hard, huh?" I couldn't help but snicker as I was helping Eris move some things into the main hall, my sister nodding furiously as I set the boxes down. "To think you'd be the one helping plan it all."

"It has to be perfect!" said Eris. "Rudeus' family is still in Buena, but we've gotta show him we all care! Besides… it's the only party we might get to throw him before he leaves. If he leaves!"

"Haha, well that's all up to him once he's older," I ruffled Eris's hair, the girl pouting a bit. "Now let's just hope Ghyslaine can keep him in in the study until everything's ready. That kid's too crafty for his own good."

"I suppose we can also consider this a run of what we'll have to do for you next year," Philip approached, tucking his arms behind his back. "A shame really, I'd prefer to let those in Fittoa know my son has returned to his proper home."

"I thought it was clear I wouldn't want anything like that anyway," I folded my arms, Philip chuckling. "Though I imagine the only this one is also private is because of further branch family nonsense."

"Well of course," said Philip, putting a hand on my shoulder. "The Notos house wouldn't be pleased to learn we have one of their potential heirs under our protection. Even if Paul has long left them, Rudeus could still one day rise as their heir. Thus, we must tread cautiously."

"It'd be easier if he'd been born into a different family…" sighed Eris, the girl giving a cross look at the whole idea. "Not like Rudeus asked for any of that, especially since his family so far away from it all."

"Well, in some ways it can't be helped, no matter how much we'd like to avoid it," Philip's grip on my shoulder tightened, and I quickly brushed his hand off.

Eris looked confused for a second as me and our father shot each other looks. I didn't miss the meaning behind those words of his, but I doubt he'd push anything on a day like this one.

"I'll go and get the next set of things. Eris, why don't you help the servants set the tables?" But, ease came thanks to Eris's excited grin.

"Of course! I'll make sure everything's perfect!"

Eris hurried off, leaving me and Philip to ourselves as I turned to head out of the room. And yet, I was followed into the hallways anyway.

"So, how has life been, solely as an adventurer and nothing more?" said Philip, all but forcing me to come to a stop with a question like that. "I'm sure that when you'd left Ars last time, it was far different since you had to return."

"I quite like it, a lot. It's freedom, compared to the gilded cage of the capital," I palmed the hilt of Nyle's sword, turning to Philip. "Though I'm sure you have your ideas about me choosing to live my life this way."

"Hardly! If anything, I admire the decision. To ply your talents in the way you choose, and travel far and wide in pursuit of new monsters to hunt and higher bounties to earn. It must be far more thrilling than remaining cooped up all of the time. Though… it's rather shocking you'd choose such a life after growing up in the lap of luxury in the capital."

"I suppose this is just in my nature," I leaned into the wall, staring out of the window as rain rattled against it. "Something not even a royal could work out of me. Hagh… father, if you're going to propose some idea… don't. I've already made it clear the kind of life I intend to live. And that life doesn't involve the nobility or the games they play. Plus, today isn't the day for quiet scheming in the background. Let's just focus on giving Rudeus a good party, nothing else."

"My my… I didn't think I'd see a day you become so apt at seeing through people," Philip chuckled, but the tenseness in his smile betrayed frustration mixed with amusement. A strange blend in pride for his son, yet frustration he was being shut down like that. "Have it your way. We can talk after the party is done. I would hate to kill the mood."

"You and me both."

Sauros was right… I should keep my eyes on Philip in the future. As my father walked off, that bitter thought lingered in my head. I didn't like the thought, but I could only guess it was unlikely he wouldn't have ideas involving Rudeus now.

"Honestly, your father can be such a boor," perhaps unsurprisingly, Hilda approached next, her lips pursed as she looked at my departing father. "We've had you back for all of a year and he's already scheming things… I swear. He can scheme with the other boy all he wants, but our own son?"

"Ahaha, come on mother, don't be that harsh with Rudeus. I know you don't like him but give him a chance. It's not like he's here specifically because me and Leonel weren't. Give him that much, it's just happenstance."

"Where did you learn to be so carefree with people?" Hilda sighed, and I snickered.

"I am an adventurer. You meet a lot of people when you're on the road, so it's best to be friendly and get to know 'em first."

"I feel so robbed," Hilda put her hands to my shoulders, a dour look on my face. "One of my sons is grown and married, and the other only came home right when he's about to become an adult. Where did my small children go? It's like yesterday I was holding you in my arms, and now you're almost as tall as your father."

"It was gonna happen at some point, y'know?" I took my mother's hands, and for a moment she ran her fingers over the rough callouses my fingers and palms had turned into. Her face was painted with the regrets of a mother who'd missed all of it. "I'm not planning to just run off as soon as I'm of age anyway. At least until Eris is also grown and making her own choices. So I'll be in the nest a bit longer, don't worry."

"Thank you, Aegir. For coming back to us."

"Of course. I always would have, it's just the way I am. Anyway, I gotta finishing helping prep for the party. Ghyslaine's only gonna be able to keep Rudeus tied up for a bit, so we gotta hurry!"

This was still normal. For all the troubles that could be had, wasn't that just part of being family? Sometimes you disagreed, and other times it was warm like this. And throwing a party for someone? Just as normal.

[Rudeus, congratulations on your tenth birthday!]

Being able to contrast the parties I'd been too in Ars, the gathering for Rudeus was hardly anything close to grand. Just us in the family and those servants close enough to be aware of his position, meaning the maids and guards. I'm sure when Eris turned ten they'd had a whole lineup of the nobles from across Fittoa and even some from the capital.

But, for something small and private—by nobility standards anyway? This was plenty.

Though a certain mother of mine certainly didn't look pleased as she elected to remain the only one seated.

"Wh-What's this?" If Rudeus wasn't surprised, I'll give the kid points for being a damn good actor.

"Rudeus, happy birthday!" Eris, naturally, was the first to approach, whipping a bouquet of pink flowers out from behind her back. I'd watched her carefully picking them when it wasn't rainy. Oh the thought she put into this.

"Oh, yeah. I'm ten years old today," Again, I wasn't sure if Rudeus was acting or not, but as his face broke into tears, I was starting to doubt my suspicion. The silence from everyone else and Eris's panic were all definitely real. "S-sorry! I-It's just that… this is new to me. Since I got here, I worried I might not be welcome. I-I never thought… you'd throw a party for me."

Oh boy here we go… and right next to me, Sauros was getting choked up with every word, and the dam finally burst as the man shouted.

"T-TO ARMS!" Ears were covered as the feudal lord bellowed. "It's war with the Notos! I'll murder that rat Pilemon and put Rudeus in charge!"

"F-Father, restrain yourself!" I stepped back as Philip tackled the raging Sauros to the ground, a stilted grin breaking my expression.

"Philip, don't try to stop me!"

"Guards, could you get my grandfather out of here so he can calm down?!" And at my call, two of the men nearby nodded, hurriedly grabbing Sauros and doing their best to drag that hulk of a geezer out of the party room.

"You fool!" and of course, Sauros was screaming the whole way. "Let me go! Let gooooo!"

"He's lively for a man as old as him," I put a hand to my head and sighed, glancing at Rudeus, the boy drawing his eyes from his sleeve, and he looked about as confused as the rest of us.

"F-Forget about Grandfather!" said Eris, and I nodded along. "I've got a surprise for you today, Rudeus!"

Ah, she must mean that staff Alfonse picked up the other day.

"What is it?"

"Take a guess!"

"Hmm… Are Father and the rest of my family coming?" The crowd went silent again at the boy's hopeful look, Eris just as visibly shook as I felt.

Ohhhhhhhh….

"Huh…? Uh, well…" Eris's brow furrowed. "We did invite Paul and your family. But monsters have been acting up lately, and they couldn't make it."

"I'm sure Paul will get back in touch as soon as he can," I added, giving Rudeus a pat on the back. "And if you want, I can ride out to Buena in a couple days and drag him here myself."

"I see… it's a shame, though," And now the mood of the party was all but killed, Eris fidgeting about and the servants looking about to cry as the boy looked downcast.

Only for sudden footsteps to break the silence, and I was downright shoved aside in a blur of red.

"Rudeus! You're one of our children now!" And who else but Hilda, barreling over and hugging Rudeus as tightly as she could. Ah… that's all it took to get her motherly side to kick in with him. "I'll adopt you. No! Marry Eris!"

"M-Mother?!" Eris and I spluttered at the same time, Eris's face turning as red as her hair.

"Is my Rudeus not good enough for you, Eris?!" Then Hilda looked at me. "And Aegir, did you not have a good impression of him?!"

"I-I get what you mean, but Eris and Rudeus are still way too young!"

"Yeah, he's only ten!"

"Age has nothing to do with it!" Our mother ignoring our protests was, perhaps, expected. "Eris, you need to be more feminine and—"

And next Philip was the one prompting the guards to pull someone out of the room.

"What are you doing?!" Philip and I could only exchange bemused looks as Hilda was dragged out, like Sauros, kicking and screaming. "Unhand me! I must save that child!"

"So uh… what is that surprise?" Rudeus, quick to get us back on track, Eris cleared her throat.

"R-Right!" And with a snap of her fingers, she turned to Alfonse, the old butler approaching with a wrapped bundle in his arms, which was prominently larger at the top. "Alfonse, give it to him!"

"At once," Alfonse approached and handed the bundle over, Rudeus takking it with a free hand and balancing it for a moment. "For you, young lord."

"A staff?" Tucking the flowers under his arm, Rudeus got to unwrapping the item first thing.

"For your sake, we gathered the finest materials from around the world and had this fashioned by Asura Kingdom's foremost staff-maker," Had to admire the aplomp Alfonse was able to build as the covering fell away from the staff. "Its name is Aqua Heartia."

Naming sense isn't exactly the best in this world is it?

Despite my snark, the staff was nothing short of impressive. A handle of fine black wood carved into a split crook closed by an upper pair of triangular metalworking, and nestled within a large, deep blue gemstone contained further by a metal band. Considering the materials and who made it, there wasn't any doubt this was something that only a mage in the employ of nobility could hope to get their hands on.

"You're a great mage, so it's weird that you don't have a staff!" said Eris, and I nodded along.

"Can't be casting by hand or with a wand forever y'know?" To make the point, I raised my left hand, still covered in my near-ever present catalyst glove. "Now all you need are some fancy robes and you'll really look the part."

"I'm sure I will one day," Rudeus chuckled. "Thank you. This must have been expensive."

"The price doesn't matter!" I could only side-eye Eris a bit as she proclaimed such. I feared for her monetary sense in the future. "Now, let the party begin!"

"You heard the little lady! Time to get lively folks!" And with a loud clap from myself as Eris threw her arms out, the mood finally rose to something proper for a celebration.

Small, simple, but warm and welcoming. Something far from the suffocating parties I'd been to back in the capital. A life that here, I felt I could actually enjoy properly.

The party went on well until things had darkened, the mood winding town almost in time with the continuing rain as what little light the rainy clouds gave us faded.

The servants dispersed to clean up, and Ghyslaine took the worn out Eris off to get some sleep in her room. Leaving me, Rudeus, and Philip in the main study, drinking our way through a jug of wine as things settled.

"Eris has two brothers, you know," said Philip, taking a drink as he laid across one of the main chairs. "Aegir's mentioned him before, but my eldest actually still lives abroad."

"Really?" hummed Rudeus, looking to me. I gave a nod, downing some of my own drink.

"Leonel, who's older than me by three years," I said, running a thumb on the rim of my cup. "My uncle took me and him to the capital when we were younger, right after Eris was born."

"You see, it's Boreas tradition that male heirs are raised in the household of the current head," added Philip. "Normally they're taken at birth, but my brother and I hadn't fully resolved things before either Leonel or Aegir were born. Thus, they were raised here for a time until we finally decided who would take over from my father. As you can tell, I lost that dispute. And so, our tradition carried on."

"That's an… interesting tradition," Rudeus, understandably, looked quite troubled at the revelation.

"Indeed," Philip chuckled, but there was no amusement behind it. "Hilda of course, refused to accept it. It was only natural. Her own children were being taken from her, who wouldn't? That was why she hated you. Her own sons couldn't be here, yet someone else's is running around like he owns the place?"

The exact same conclusion I'd drawn. Knowing about me and Leonel, who wouldn't understand Hilda's feelings?

And before he continued, Philip refilled both Rudeus and my cups.

"Don't think ill of her. And as you can tell, even just having one son back is a blessing to Hilda."

"I don't intend to," Rudeus's assurance as welcome to me. Though after that display today, I doubted the kid would even bother holding anything against my mother.

"So, would you?" Yet now, Philip had a certain scheming look about his face. "Would you really marry Eris and take over the Boreas family?"

"Come on Father," I saw where this was going. No way no how. "Let's not joke here. I doubt Paul would appreicate you and mother trying to marry off his son without him knowing."

"Ahehe, yeah," Rudeus nodded along to me. "What do you expect from a ten-year-old?"

"All you'd need to do is sit still. I'll handle the coup," and now, I was shooting Philip a very cold, dead stare as he spoke. "If you want, I'll leave Eris in your bed with her hands tied tonight."

"Father, I'd recommend stopping there," my tone was firm, direct. Philip looked to me, his face cracking to a frown. His eyes were just as serious as mine. Even Rudeus visibly looked shook by it, quickly downing the rest of his wine in a second.

"Let's just say this was idle chat over wine," said the kid. "We're all a little bit tipsy, and things slipped out."

"Is that so?" Philip sighed. "What a shame."

"Well then, I'll be off to bed," understandably quick, Rudeus picked up his new staff and hurried off down the hall, Philip and I nodding to him as he left, nighttime farewells being traded.

It was only when Rudeus shut the door to the study I turned back to Philip, my father having gone to one of the windows and gazing out at the rain as he swirled his cup. Whether it was influenced by alcohol or not, it didn't change what I saw in his face. Stewing frustration, and a desire for something more.

"Father, were you serious?" I tented my hands, Philip humming. "Be honest with me."

"Why would I not be?" Philip drank, turning and seating himself. "Aegir, you honestly don't believe I'm simply content to remain here as mere mayor?"

"Gramps certainly doesn't think you are," I set my own drink down, leaning back and folding my arms. "What would even be the point after this long? The only thing you'd get out of another power struggle might be taking the status James has. Might."

"Ufufu, I only lost to James back then because the final contest was one of strength," Philip tightened a hand into a fist, his knuckles going white. "First, he schemes to get my other brother married off to another clan, and when the time is right bests me in the one thing he knew I was the worst at to take control. But… he's made the mistake of allowing himself to lose the cards that prevented Father and I from making any new moves. Quite ironic both his own trick and your own willfulness have opened the way."

"Speaking of my willfulness…"

In a flash of movement, the next thing Philip could have processed, I'd grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall. The thud of his back slamming into stone and the clatter of his cup to the floor were the only sounds. Much as I hate to admit it, the surprised look in my father's eyes were a bit satisfying after what I'd heard him say.

"I honestly don't care if you do want to make some kind of play to usurp James. Like I said, I don't care about these noble politics and the games they play," My grip tightened, and my face shifted to a glare. "But leave Eris the hell out of it. Leave Rudeus out of it. They're kids, and neither have anything to do with your grudge against James. Let them make their own decisions."

"Aegir, you're forgetting your place," hearing those words again, I couldn't help but snarl. "You've cast aside your rights as nobility. You may be my son, but as you yourself said, you don't wish to involve yourself. I see no reason you'd care so much."

"On the contrary," my voice was a growl. "I care very much if it happens to involve my family. Like say my own father saying he'll tie up my sister so the boy he wants to use as a prop for his schemes can have his way with her. Lucky for me Rudeus seems to have a lick of sense and knows better."

"Rudeus is a Greyrat, do you really think he'd be exempt from allures just because he's a child?" Philip shook his head, and I growled again. "You've only been here a year. That boy is far more… aware than he's no doubt let you think. But… I suppose that isn't the point."

"Eris can handle herself if he tries anything funny," I relaxed my hold, but didn't drop the glare. "And to correct you on something: My "place" isn't under anyone's thumb. Not James', not yours. My life is my own, and the only who decides on things is me. And I sure as hell won't stand for people thinking they have a right to tell anyone else how to live their own lives… even if that person is my own father. Got it?"

"You really have tossed aside being a noble. Nobility means being above others, and them knowing they are below you."

"Oh please. If anything, I just wish more nobles were like Leonel, who actually want to use their position to help people. Not waste their time with coups and power plays all to advance themselves," letting go of Philip, I stepped back, letting him dust himself off. "There is another benefit to my position though: I can call out this exact kind of shit, and you can't exactly do anything about it."

"You really think that?" Philip adjusted his collar, and I knew the implicit threat. There was a reason he had Ghyslaine around as a bodyguard. A Sword King like her was as guaranteed protection as anything. "Ugh… you know, Rudeus perhaps had a point. Let's chalk this up to both of us not being our usual selves and leave it at that. A fight is the last thing we should be going to sleep lingering on."

"Couldn't agree more," I pocketed my hands with a sigh. "But I'm also serious… if you want to start some idiotic coup, then fine, but don't drag me or Eris into it. Especially Eris."

"That has been made very clear," Philip sighed, turning back to the window. "I'm sorry. I see a chance to get back for what happened twelve years ago, and I suppose I'm too eager. Good night, Aegir."

"Good night, father."

I hated to say leaving that room still felt frosty. Philip's apology didn't feel genuine. It felt embittered. Like he was thinking of the possibilities of this, and ruing how out of his reach it was despite it all. Here he was with people who could be powerful cards in this game… and barely any of them either cared or had the mind to go with whatever he could plan.

To a man with ambition like Philip, is must have been awfully frustrating to not have anyone around share in those desires.

Sauros was content, Hilda no doubt abhorred Boreas tradition. Ghyslaine was a simple bodyguard, and she didn't care either way. Eris and Rudeus were children who cared more about their hobbies and improving their skills than politics.

And then there was me, the son who could have been active. Could still be driven to act in the political scene. Hell I'd be of age in a year and was backed by a member of the royal family. By all means I was the perfect person to prop up for a power play to take control of the Boreas clan. On top of my abilities, who better than me if Rudeus wasn't a pick either?

And yet.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, I knew Philip had to find this maddening. As relieved as he was to have a son return home, over the last year some part of him, stewing in his ideas, must have concluded my choice to live the slower paced, more menial life of an adventurer was nothing short of madness for a son of the Boreas to choose.

And. Yet.

This is what I was stewing on as I got to bed, staring holes into the ceiling as I tried to force my mind to stop working and let me rest.

Not a fun time.

The next morning, all said, all I really wanted to do was get to work and get away from town for a while. That conversation with Philip left a bad taste in my mouth and the best remedy right now felt like making some distance and getting some work done. It was another cloudy day, but hey, I'd make do if it rained again.

It was as I was heading out, all geared and ready for a day on the field, I saw something interesting.

Ghyslaine prepping up horses, with an excited Eris bouncing around and Rudeus patiently waiting as he looked his new staff over. And the second Eris saw me, she about jumped over.

"Hey Aegir, are you headed out for work?" I nodded as Eris skid to a stop. "Did you already get a job set up?"

"Ahaha, not yet. I took some days off to prep for Rudeus's birthday. Where are all of you headed?"

"Rudeus is going to show us a Saint class spell with his staff!" Eris pointed off to the boy, who waved as he was addressed. "You should come with us!"

"Well…" I played it a bit coy, Eris shooting me a hopeful look. Scratching my chin a bit, I chuckled. "Why not? I can put off work for another day."

"Yes!" Eris twirled around and hurried off, and I followed after. "I'll ride with Ghyslaine! Rudeus, you're with my brother!"

"Really?" Rudeus looked oh so mildly disappointed, but Ghyslaine was already hefting Eris onto a saddle. "Guess so. Sorry to impose on you."

"Not at all," lifting myself onto the horse, I held a hand to Rudeus and helped him get on. "Oh, one second…"

Rudeus raised a brow as I fiddled with my belt, pulling a wider rear set pouch forward.

"What's that?"

"Just an emergency pouch," Opening it, I double checked to ensure it was full. "I keep my adventurer card, a spare map, extra money, and a few other things for safekeeping just in case anything happens. I don't want a repeat of a couple years ago where I get lost and I'm just shit outta luck for a few hours."

"That's a good idea," Ghyslaine said, and I appreciate the approval. "Being prepared for emergencies is a good mindset. Rudeus, Eris, I'd suggest keeping the same when you're older."

"Got it!" said both of the kids.

"So, where are we even riding out too?" I leaned on the saddle, Rudeus propping his staff on my back. I'd let him get away with it. "If we're talking Saint magic, then we're gonna have to ride pretty far out of town."

"We'll need to go pretty far," said Rudeus. "I want to be sure we're totally clear of Roa."

"Good call," I nodded. "Alright then, oh Saint Mage, pick a direction and let's go."

"Yes sir!"

We rode for around two hours, until Roa was well out of sight but still at our backs. And the entire time, I couldn't help but feel a growing tension in the air. It wasn't hard to feel; that the mana in the air was moving, drawing to this area more and more.

Just like when Sauros had asked me to see what was around that orb, the epicenter of this odd feeling was obvious. The entire ride, it made me unable to not hold the reigns tightly, my face tight with concern as I just couldn't ignore the sensation of the gathering mana.

Thankfully I seemed to do a pretty good job hiding it, cause Rudeus never asked a single question the whole way.

And once we were surrounding by nothing but rolling hills and trees, Roa's walls well in the distance, we finally brought the horses to a stop.

"We really had to come this far out?" Eris stretched as she hopped to the ground, Rudeus nodding as he strode into the meadow while Ghyslaine and I hitched the horses.

"Like I said, we need to be as clear of Roa as possible."

"So you can definitely use your strongest spell out here?"

"Naturally!" Rudeus snickered, stepping forward and raising his staff. Its gem glowed, and a massive orb of water burst into form ahead of the boy, launching off as he flicked his wrist.

"Pheeoooo!" And I couldn't help but give an impressed whistle. "Not bad! How's the staff feel?"

"I barely used any mana at all," Rudeus balancing the staff for a second, a pleased grin splitting his face. "It'll take some fine tuning, but it's incredible!"

"Yes!" Eris pumped a fist, and then slapped a high give when I raised a hand to her.

"Now then!" Rudeus took another step forward, raising his staff high. "The moment you've been waiting for: Rudeus Greyrat's mightiest spell. Behold: Cumulonimbus! Gather, mana! Grand spirit of water and imperial prince of lightning who…"

A boom of thunder stopped Rudeus, and all eyes looked up. Clouds moved aside, and only now did I realize we were right under that red orb. Its glow was only more intense up close, and that pressure I felt was only growing more intense by the second now.

And then the sky changed. Rolling grey clouds darkened to black, swirling and roiling with lightning as amber light. Only a ways out did the grey clouds remain.

"What's that? Is it Rudeus's spell?" Eris folded her arms, Rudeus shaking his head.

"No. I can't do anything like that."

"It's that orb…" I clutched a hand to my chest, then glanced at Ghyslaine.

She'd lifted her eyepatch, exposing a glowing emerald eye marked with four points around the pupil. The first time I'd ever seen her even shift the article, and it was clear the thing wasn't there because she'd lost the eye. Whatever it was, I knew it had to be magic.

"What incredible mana… no wonder you look so tense, Aegir," Ghyslaine glanced at me, and I could only nod.

"You can both tell?" Eris raised a brow at us.

"Should we return to Roa?" asked Rudeus.

"Yes. We need to get away from—GET DOWN!" Ghyslaine jumped for the three of us, and I felt the same sudden threat she must have seen.

KYOOOON!

A sound I didn't know at all, and a flash of white light.

Ghyslaine took off, pursing that flash as it arced around, crashing over the ground as she gave chase. Swords clashed at a speed faster than even I could notice at this point, all I could see were brief flashes of Ghyslaine and our unknown attacker.

Only when a blade clash hard enough to move the air sounded did both finally stop, and the attacker was revealed.

A man in a white uniform wearing a fox mask. Hair blonde as the sun, and wielding a reverse held dagger. And killing intent was radiating from him, directed right at Rudeus.

"Who are you?" Eris voiced the demand, and I was already drawing Invictus to guard her and Rudeus.

"I am Almanfi the Radiant," answered the man in white. "By order of Lord Perugius, I have come to slay the source of this disturbance."

Perugius? He means that ancient guy in the flying castle?

"Aegir, get Rudeus and Eris out of here!" Ghyslaine raised an arm, and I was already taking a step back.

"Step aside, woman," yet Almanfi didn't look deterred. "If I slay that boy, the disturbance may cease."

"I'm the Sword King Ghyslaine Dedoldia. We have nothing to do with this. Leave!"

"You're a Sword King?"

"I swear it by my master, the Sword God Gal Farion and the honor of Doldia!" Ghyslaine lifted her sword, setting the flat to her opposite palm.

"Very well," Almanfi sheathed his dagger, but neither Ghyslaine or I relaxed for even a moment. "If what you say is false, Lord Perugius will judge you later."

"No apology for attacking us without warning?!"

"It's your fault for being in a place where you'd arouse suspicion."

He had a point there, annoying as it was to admit.

But this was all too weird. It was like everything that could have been mere chance happened all at once. Going out to use an all too powerful spell, ending up right underneath the thing that must be causing this odd phenomenon. Then out of nowhere, someone claiming to serve under a hero of legend comes down, tries to kill a child on the off chance it might stop this?

What the hell is even going on?!

A sick feeling hit me, my gut churning for a moment.

A thrumming noise rumbled through the air, and the instant it did, Almanfi vanished in a burst of light.

"P-Please wait! Tell us what's…" Rudeus didn't even get to finish.

The warped clouds began shifting in color, pulsing as they sucked in. Then vanished.

Just when I dared to hope nothing would happen, the air cracked open. A ball of pure white mana formed in the sky and pulsed downwards in an instant. It was like the world itself had split open, a wall of light bursting outwards and rushing along the ground.

In the split second I had, the sight of it all burned into my eyes as that rolling wall of light looked to devour the very land itself.

Roa vanished.

The hills vanished.

The trees vanished.

An instant where everything and anything is consumed.

Ghyslaine turned, and I barely registered her shouting as she hurried to us. The last I saw of her was her hand just about to reach me before she vanished into the light. I myself barely had the time to turn, Eris and Rudeus's faces plastered with shock before my vision was consumed by nothing but pure, burning white.

And then, darkness.

That day, Fittoa disappeared.