Two days pass in a blur.
We arrive at Quenstown under a sky that resembles a dying ember. The houses stand right on the edge of the sea—closer than where I grew up. My stomach tightens as I look at it.
"The Mr. Oliver you're looking for, right?" asks the driver.
Rose nods, "Yes, is it far?" she asks.
I'm confused, "Have you forgotten where it is, Rose?" I ask.
"The last time I was here, I was just a child. What I remember is the hills, but we're still below them, I have no idea where it is."
The driver laughs, "Pfttt, so Oliver is your uncle, miss? With all due respect and honor, I'm proud to be able to take you safely to meet Mr. Oliver, miss."
"Is he really that famous? Why is that, sir?" Rose asks.
"Of course, he's a hero on this island, no one doesn't know Mr. Oliver," the driver explains. "See that bar over there, miss?"
"Are they partying even though it's getting late, sir?" Rose asks.
"Just as I said, young master. Full of joy and honor over there, besides…"
We're almost there. "Finally, we've arrived, sir and miss."
The carriage stops in front of the busy bar. The people are celebrating something, loud and bright.
"I'm sorry, I'd be really ashamed if you refused this payment, sir. Please accept it," Rose says, handing the driver a pouch of gold.
The driver touches his chest, "The same goes for me, miss. It's with great sincerity that I could take you, miss. Forgive me." With deep respect, the driver politely declines.
Rose lowers her head. "Thank you for everything, sir," she says.
"With humility, miss. Goodbye!" The carriage begins to turn and leave us behind.
"It doesn't feel like it, huh? Finally, we've made it," Rose says. "Let's go inside."
Rose walks toward the bar. As soon as the door opens, a flood of sound spills out—laughter, plates clinking, drunken shouts. Faces turn to glance at us, then turn away again. We're no one to them.
Rose asks a man, "Where is Mr. Oliver?"
"Out back."
"We'll meet my uncle."
Outside, smoke rises around a man sitting alone.
Rose stops. "Uncle?"
Oliver turns slowly, pauses for a moment, then stands up to confirm, "Miss…?" He runs up to hug her.
"It's been so long since I've seen you, uncle."
Oliver laughs loudly, "Ahakh, I was just considering coming to see you lately. Was I just in time, hmm?"
He laughs—loudly, warmly, recklessly.
They whisper. Then his attention turns to me.
He stands and walks over to me.
His hand lifts to my face—gently holding my cheek.
"Is this really you?"
"Let me join your journey, young master." He bows, holding one of my hands in front of him.
"Get up, sir. I'd be embarrassed if you asked like that, Mr. Oliver?" I say, touching his shoulder so he won't bow in front of me.
Oliver rises, "Let me, young master." He says as he bows.
I nod, and Oliver smiles faintly.
Oliver looks over at Rose, who steps closer. "I never thought you would actually fulfill your wish, miss," he says, ruffling Rose's hair.
Oliver looks at me, "Would you like to stop by, young master…"
---
The carriage arrives at the village in front of the bar. But Rose's expression holds something back.
She enters the carriage and starts moving. Rose looks at Oliver, "Why didn't you tell them, uncle?"
"I wanted to surprise them, miss. So, when will you leave again?" Oliver asks me.
I smile faintly, "It's not up to me, Rose decides." I reply.
Rose smiles faintly too, "We can't stay here for long, uncle. He's probably already in the newspapers, many are looking for him, his magic has returned, uncle. I think you're the one who decides when we'll leave."
Oliver looks at Rose for a moment.
"Alright, I don't want to put Quenstown at risk. Do we have a map?"
Rose hands him a map, "Has my weapon been prepared, uncle?" she asks.
"The weapon you've wanted since you were a child? Have you trained with it?" Oliver asks, staring thoughtfully at the map.
Rose nods eagerly, "I've been studying it for years. I didn't bring my weapon, it's too old. Has it been prepared for me, hmm?" She asks excitedly.
Oliver laughs softly, "I could never forgive myself if I didn't prepare it for you, miss. Of course, I did." He looks at Rose for a moment, then returns to staring at the map.
"Alright, I've decided. We'll return to Zepharia, but we'll only touch the edges of the coast and then cross the sea to Nimurelle."
Rose nods, "It's up to you, uncle. As long as my weapon is prepared."
Oliver shakes his head, "You never change, miss. Still the same spoiled one I used to pamper."
Once we reach the hill, the view presented is far more beautiful than the one we saw before.
Rose quickly gets out of the carriage, "Whoaa, it feels like heaven, doesn't it…" Rose says in awe.
"I haven't been here in a long time, again I forgot what a view like this looks like, uncle." She says to Oliver, who is paying for the ride.
"Is that so, miss? I didn't know you had forgotten it." He replies. The carriage starts moving again, going down the hill.
"Sorry, well, uncle didn't visit either after all this time, and brought me to visit here."
Oliver nods, "Yeah, yeah, let's go inside, miss. You're so picky." He says, leading us to the house near the hill, the perfect place to stay and enjoy the view.
"Come, young master," Oliver invites me.
I just smile back and follow behind them.
The door to the house opens, and the inside isn't as dark as I expected, lit by moonlight that shines through the room, along with the oil lamps lighting the main room.
"So, where's my weapon, uncle?" Rose asks once again.
Oliver stretches out on the soft bed, "Go to the room upstairs, your bow is neatly laid there, and you can also sleep there... there's only one room upstairs." Oliver says halfway through, but Rose immediately rushes upstairs.
I quickly follow Rose, but I need to ask something, "When will we leave, Oliver?" I ask.
"Maybe tomorrow. We can't stay here long. Enemies will be coming, and I don't want this beautiful place to be tainted by those animals."
I smile and walk up the stairs to the room above.
As I'm about to enter the room—SPLASHHH.
The bow flies swiftly in front of me, "What the—?" I say.
"E-eh, sorry, I didn't know you were there. The bow accidentally slipped from my hand," she replies.
I enter the room, place my bags neatly at the corner of the room, then stretch out on the bed.
"Do you know, Hiro? I don't want to burden you. With this bow, I'll defeat thousands of enemies, you know!" she says softly.
I laugh softly, "It'll be very helpful if that's the case, hmph," I reply.
"Hah, what are you laughing at? Are you underestimating me, huh?" she asks, sitting on the bed near me.
I don't respond, just smile, one eye peeking at her. Her face turns red and angry.
She lifts one hand toward the sky, "Do you want me to slap you again, huh?"
"DON'T!"