Chapter 52: Fragile Bonds and New Horizons

The half-elf warrior danced like a bird in flight.

She paid no mind to the clumsy tentacles.

Leaping and landing, her flowing form carried a nimble strength.

When her swords hummed through the air, tentacles were sliced apart, crashing to the ground.

Back in the ruins, Nolan had used a similar move under magic’s guidance.

Though the motions were identical, Darryl’s execution was worlds apart.

Unlike the boy’s hollow imitation, her fierce onslaught toppled the menacing tentacles in moments.

Their severed limbs fell, writhing feebly on the ground.

“Look at this!”

As the black fog cleared, Darryl raised her twin swords.

She darted through the wreckage, closing in.

The tentacles’ remains crumbled to ash.

“Tch!”

I looked up, noticing the black mage had vanished in the fading mist.

I hadn’t expected to defeat Ross, the lingering threat, so easily.

Yet letting him slip away in this weakened state was disappointing.

The wooden house’s foundation shook from the tentacles’ impact.

Its pillars wobbled, beginning to collapse.

Kritiya stumbled, grabbing the windowsill to steady herself.

The floor tilted sharply.

“This building’s about to collapse—everyone, run!”

Darryl sheathed her swords and leaped to the second floor, shouting warnings.

No need—residents were already fleeing.

“Grab my hand—I’ll get you down!”

Darryl leaned from the window, seizing Kritiya’s hand without hesitation.

She hooked under the girl’s arms, lifting her, and jumped from the sill to safety.

Kritiya’s eyes widened, staring up at her:

“Can you… put me down?”

“Oh! Sure!”

Darryl met Kritiya’s wide-eyed gaze, shivering with sudden awkwardness.

Her rash move nearly dropped Kritiya on her rear, but the girl reacted in time.

“Uh…”

Darryl opened her mouth, facing Kritiya, and said:

“So, I’m not dead.”

“I see that.”

Meeting again, Darryl felt she owed an explanation.

She thought, then spoke slowly:

“Back at the Mercury Workshop’s grounds… Reilir’s poison targeted my elven half. It wasn’t as strong on me, but it felt awful—like I was dying. So I…”

“Hm.”

Kritiya nodded reluctantly.

I thought, though she’d chosen to help Darryl after weighing the situation, first impressions mattered.

Kritiya still couldn’t warm to her.

“But, despite acting like it was life or death, I just passed out. A sudden rain woke me. I dragged myself up, thinking to find you, but couldn’t. The poison lingered, so I went to recover…

Once I was better, I figured I’d stake out here, hoping you’d return safe…”

“No. It’s my fault.”

Darryl babbled like a broken dam, growing guiltier, her words stumbling.

Facing the expressionless girl, she felt like she was confessing.

Clearing her throat, she said:

“Ahem, anyway, I admit I was reckless back then—completely played. But I swear I didn’t mean to betray you. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t bother with such trouble.”

“I understand.”

Kritiya’s expression was reserved yet calm.

Her gaze shifted from Darryl to the slanting, battered wooden house.

The aged structure, damaged by the collapse, teetered but held.

Residents escaped, supported by familiar kin, scattering to the open ground.

“Um…”

Darryl hesitated, but Kritiya spoke first:

“Whatever you’re asking, I don’t know.”

“What?”

Darryl faltered:

“I thought we were on the same side.”

“It’s not like that…”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A ringing of gongs broke through, followed by commanding shouts.

The ground trembled with the footsteps of dozens, maybe hundreds, rushing in.

Darryl’s face paled:

“Trouble—the city guard!”

Kritiya raised a puzzled brow, but Darryl said:

“They think I killed Reilir. Well, I did, but he was an alchemical master. Even if deserved, the Mercury Workshop demands answers. Without proof of his corruption, I can’t face those puppet soldiers.”

Darryl’s voice grew grave:

“Listen, I don’t know what curse clings to you. But Reilir and tonight’s guy—those tentacles tell you, right? Their power outstrips Roen. I’ve looked into it—an illegal cult’s dark sorcery.

So—hear me out. Cults like this spread by recruiting in secret. They’re skilled at coercion, corruption, targeting weak-willed, scheming nobles to grow their influence. I’m not sure if others besides Reilir lurk in this city…

But if they’re after you, you’re in a bad spot. Romern’s no place to stay. You don’t seem local. If you’ve got somewhere else to go… leave this trouble behind.”

The city guard arrived, barking orders to control the scene.

Darryl glanced at them, ready to slip into the dark alleys before being spotted.

“Wait!”

Kritiya’s voice stopped her.

I felt the girl’s heart pound wildly, then heard her say:

“It’s called Magic Goods—”

“Hm?”

“Where I’m staying, in the upper city.”

Darryl grinned, waving sharply:

“Got it!”

With that, she leaped, vanishing into the tangled streets.

***

“Ah… Mr. Leyak’s medicine is truly miraculous.”

The boy’s awed voice reached my ears.

I sat under the eaves, breathing deeply.

Cool, fresh air filled my lungs.

Yes, yesterday evening brought snow—not heavy like before, but a fine, rainy flurry.

It melted into droplets in the upper city, stopping only at dawn.

Unnoticed, the weather had warmed.

In a port city like Romern, the climate was milder.

Since meeting Darryl, Nolan’s injuries healed steadily.

Now, he could move again.

One early morning, I saw him practicing with a crutch in the small courtyard, walking steadily, breathing evenly.

Kritiya was still resting.

Last night, I’d slept idly too.

Woken by birdsong, I stirred early—not an iron man, I needed rest too.

“Hey…”

I spoke suddenly, watching the pacing boy:

“What did you and Leyak talk about that day?”

Kritiya had no interest in their affairs, but I was curious.

Leyak sheltered us, arranging three daily meals from a nearby tavern, balanced with magical ingredients for recovery.

If Nolan’s background weren’t clear, I’d suspect he was the old man’s secret son.

Nolan smiled, saying:

“He said he’s intrigued by my constitution and wants me to cooperate—as his test subject.”

“Sounds like a contract of servitude.”

“Haha—Tiya, the way you put it…”

Nolan chuckled, then paused, smiling wryly:

“It’s voluntary.”

“Really?”

I eyed him skeptically:

“No such thing as a free lunch, you know.”

“Really, Tiya, what’re you doubting?”

Nolan laughed helplessly, letting go of the crutch.

He stood firm, staring at his raised right palm, clenching and unclenching it:

“He said if I stick with it, I’ll definitely see results.”

“Sounds like he’s selling you a dream,” I said, then fell silent, eyeing Nolan’s limp left arm.

After Leyak’s treatment, it could barely move at the wrist.

“Selling a dream? What’s that mean?”

I’d spoken offhand, but Nolan looked serious.

I brushed it off:

“Nothing… just rambling.”

“A metaphor, maybe? Are you saying Leyak’s promise is empty?”

Nolan frowned, thinking, then said:

“You’ve… grown sharper.”

I blinked, surprised he’d caught the idiom’s meaning.

“Forget it, don’t take it seriously. Just my reflex to doubt.”

“I see…”

Nolan nodded thoughtfully, looking toward the courtyard gate.

Without the crutch, he took two steps forward.

“Hey—”

His feet landed steady.

He turned back, not looking at me, but up at the pale sky, asking suddenly:

“Tiya, do you think now’s a good time to head to the capital?”