Even—" I trail off, my gaze turning empty at the end.
"Even?" Rose asks.
"I think traveling alone wouldn't be so bad after you reunite with your brother or your father, Rose. Because if not, the cost will be too great. Loss—that's what I mean." I lift my eyes to the sky.
She looks at me—not like someone who is about to ruin my life.
"But you won't be lonely like before if we're together, Hiro."
"I don't know. I'm tired of thinking about it. Maybe the view in Nimurelle will heal it."
I carry more of the gear bags over my shoulder.
"Come here with the bags. I will place them directly in the carriage—wait outside," I say, extending my hand.
She hands me a few of the lighter ones. We step down from the ship, and I head inside to look for Olivia's carriage.
Inside the outer carriage bay, many are parked neatly, all the same color. None in the front row stands out.
Then—
"Sir?" A guard calls to me.
I am not covering my face with my cloak. I pull it up and turn. Olivia's carriage is parked near the guard.
The guard approaches me at once. "Allow me, sir," he says, reaching for the bags on my shoulder. I hand them over, lowering my head.
"Everything is ready, sir," he says, loading the bags into the storage.
I climb into the carriage. The guard stands straight at my side.
"Safe travels, sir," he says, bowing.
"HAA!" I shout, whipping the horse—WUSH. The horse accelerates.
I look for where Rose is standing. Among the crowd of passengers who have just disembarked, far from the bustle at the edge of the road, I see her and walk over.
"That was fast. The others have not even brought out their carriages yet," Rose says as I step down from the horse.
"Almost careless—but I think it already happened," I reply.
"Hm? What?" she asks.
"Our faces. We should be hiding them under our cloaks, Rose," I explain.
"Ah, right. I forgot," Rose says, quickly pulling up her hood.
"So, who is driving?" I ask.
"Of course I am. This is my proof," she says confidently.
I look at her for a moment, say nothing, and step into the carriage.
"Do not repeat the same mistake," I leave her with.
"Of course. I know. Relax—this will get us there faster if I drive," she replies. It is not reassuring, but I am tired and need rest.
"Very well. Let us begin. I cannot wait to see the scenery—"
---
The view opens into darkness.
"Huh—" Rose gasps, shocked, never expecting a land where morning feels like the dead of night.
"A view like this… what happened before? Why is it like this?"
Mountains stretch across the horizon, unclear—though it's morning, the sunlight is swallowed by thick clouds. A river winds like silver, ending in a waterfall spilling from a high cliff, barely visible. The carriage moves slowly along a packed dirt road connecting several small settlements.
Below us, the valley is consumed by dense forest. Everything is dark; farmland can't be seen. From a small hut, a thin stream of smoke rises, feeding the clouds already heavy enough that only a sliver of sunlight slips through.
"The land that refuses the light, huh?" I say.
Rose glances back with a look of disgust. "I just traveled this road this morning. With scenery like this… how could I possibly feel comfortable?"