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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Arrival at the Union
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Sienna seemed to have only one goal in mind—returning to the Union—as she rode relentlessly eastward.
Occasionally, she would swap horses at administrative offices in small towns, maintaining a steady pace.
Riding, eating, riding, sleeping, and riding again—every day was the same.
Though the routine never changed, each day was new to Loan.
He was thrilled to take in the world, amazed by every new realization and experience.
Just the simple act of seeing the wide-open world without obstruction was enough to make young Loan's heart grow.
"Hoooom..."
The crispness and density of the mana scattered in the air also brought new awakenings to Loan.
Whether on a galloping horse, during a meal, or camping under a blanket of starlight, Loan circulated his mana as naturally as breathing.
Whenever he had a spare moment, he would move his body and levitate the sword fragment.
*Whoooosh—*
The distance the sword fragment could travel was a direct measure of how much mana in the air Loan could interfere with and control.
Loan trained constantly, turning his will into a convection of mana, which then acted as a force to manipulate the sword fragment as he pleased.
The same was true at their campsite on the evening of the third day after leaving the shelter.
Standing in the middle of a quiet clearing in a lush, green forest, Loan levitated the sword fragment into the air.
*Whoong—*
His body responded to his focused thoughts.
The faster the mana surrounding his heart spun, the thicker the convection of mana around his body became.
The sword fragment circled around Loan's shoulder, as if eager to be commanded.
Its edge was still sharp, but the body of the blade was covered in a spiderweb of cracks, looking as if it might shatter at any moment.
It was a result of separating the mana layers, but how he had managed to break it was still a mystery to him.
*'I'll get you fixed when we get to the Union.'*
Loan imbued the sword fragment with the precision to hit its target and the power to increase its speed, then sent it flying.
*Chwaaat—!*
It was no surprise when the fragment, after slicing through countless twigs, came to a vibrating halt right between the eyes of the alpha of a wolf pack hiding in the pitch-black thicket.
The beasts, who had been eyeing Sienna and Loan as prey, were overwhelmed by its energy and scrambled to flee with their tails between their legs.
Sienna merely watched the situation unfold with a blank expression.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise, but Loan, deeply focused, didn't notice.
That was how quiet and taciturn Sienna was.
Sienna never initiated a conversation with Loan.
As a result, Loan was uncharacteristically quiet as well.
The word "bloodline," which she had mentioned when they left the shelter, lingered in his mind, but he sensed Sienna was uncomfortable with the topic and didn't dare ask.
Of course, Sienna hadn't been completely silent from the start.
But her words were limited to things like "Let's eat," or "Let's make camp."
As time passed and Loan learned to act on his own initiative, even those words became unnecessary.
But Loan didn't mind.
He could feel her emotions without words.
Now, just by observing the subtle light and changes in the density of mana's flow, Loan could guess what a person was feeling or thinking.
If pure black and white were the standards, Sienna's usual mana was like a bright aura faintly tinged with gray paint.
While with Loan, it had subtly grown clearer and brighter, which he took to mean their closeness had increased.
The convection of mana surrounding Loan didn't push Sienna away either.
When they sat side by side, back to chest, their mana flowed and circulated in perfect harmony, never clashing or resisting.
The sense of stability that came from this was proof that Sienna liked Loan and that they were a good match for each other.
As if to prove this.
One day, around the midpoint of their journey, Sienna handed something to Loan.
"That blade. I thought it might need a sheath."
A sheath made of dark brown leather.
Perhaps this was what she had been fiddling with during their nights at camp.
But for something made on the road, it was as beautiful and sturdy as a master craftsman's work.
Stunned by the unexpected gift, Loan slid the sword fragment into the sheath without even managing a proper thank you.
*Ssk—.*
It was a perfect fit.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, leaving no gaps, a testament to her keen eye.
Loan attached the blunt sheath with its leather strap to his belt, then tested drawing and levitating the blade in one smooth motion.
It felt much more secure than when he kept it in his front shirt pocket.
The diagonal angle of the sheath also streamlined his movements, making them more efficient.
"Wow..."
Loan was incredibly pleased.
He turned the sheath over and over before attaching the brooch he'd taken from the vice-director to its front.
The color and shape matched as if they were made for each other, making it look even more luxurious.
Belatedly, Loan bowed his head deeply to Sienna with heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you, Runner Sienna."
"...'Runner' feels weird."
Sienna furrowed her brow slightly.
"Then should I call you 'sister'?"
"That's a bit..."
"How about 'Senior,' then? I'm going to join the Union anyway."
"Whatever."
Loan was overjoyed, while Sienna felt a mix of pride and embarrassment.
For her, known as the "Ice Witch" in the Faith Division, such actions and experiences were entirely foreign.
She eased her awkwardness by casually tossing twigs into the already roaring campfire.
Loan watched the red embers leap up and dance with the aura of mana for a moment before continuing, as if talking to himself.
"Come to think of it, I remember hearing something like that. I think it was the day my grandmother died. The shelter director said it. That looking at my eye color, I was clearly a half-breed with pointy ears. The squad leader said something similar later on."
"..."
"It means I'm the child of a human and an elf, right? And when you said it was because of my bloodline, Senior Sienna, you were talking about that too."
Sienna stared quietly into Loan's eyes before answering.
"Your eye color. That strange luster, like a peacock's feather, doesn't appear in humans."
"I see. I don't have any memories of my parents."
"They probably weren't ordinary people."
"Huh?"
Loan's eyes widened at the unexpected remark.
"You. That ability to handle the sword is very special. You must have inherited the talent from your parents."
"Vice Commander Oscar said it was psychokinesis..."
"It might seem that way. And it might be better to pretend it is."
Loan understood her meaning immediately and asked again.
"Then what is my ability?"
"I've never seen anything like it. Without formulas or chants, it's as if you're directly touching and controlling mana. It's an ability that only the ancient elves might have possessed."
"Ancient elves?"
"The race that was the origin of the elves, before they split into the different tribes like mine today."
"Ah..."
"You'll find out someday. It's a bit uncomfortable for me to talk about."
Loan was so engrossed in the conversation that he briefly overlooked Sienna's mana becoming tinged with a faint gray.
It was a light that showed her heart was heavy.
"Thank you for telling me, Senior Sienna. That cleared up a lot of my questions."
No more affectionate conversation passed between them after that.
Not the next day, nor the day after.
And just like that, the day Sienna had anticipated arrived.
The black horse carrying Sienna and Loan galloped for a long time along a desolate, arid dirt road.
There was nothing around to obstruct their view.
After a day of kicking up dust, a plain of deep bluish-green appeared.
The black horse, too, seemed happy, pawing the ground energetically.
It was incredibly refreshing.
The early summer wind against their skin and the wide-open expanse all around.
"Hooah..."
Glancing down at the back of Loan's head as he let out a small sigh of admiration, Sienna tightened her grip on the reins and slightly turned the horse.
At the sudden move, the black horse left the road and galloped alone across the wide-open plain.
"Ahaha..."
Loan laughed loudly amidst the baptism of countless auras of light that rushed toward them, collided, and flowed past.
The more he laughed, the harder Sienna spurred the horse on.
Amidst the horse's ragged breaths, Loan's clear laughter rang out with exceptional crispness.
On the afternoon of the fifteenth day after leaving the shelter.
The black horse crossed the plains, passed through a wide expanse of hills, and finally reached the vicinity of their destination.
For the first time in a while, Sienna spoke.
She stretched her arm out over Loan's shoulder.
"That is the Union."
"Uh-uh..."
Loan couldn't close his gaping mouth.
He knew of the concept of the Union, but this was the first time he realized it was an entire city.
Then again, given the Union's status and nature, it would be difficult to document its location and form in detail.
It was a matter of security.
In any case, the Union was a massive city in itself, and that city was also a castle surrounded by high walls.
A place rumored to be even safer than a king's castle.
"We'll enter through the East Gate."
Perhaps because her mission was safely completed, Sienna was more talkative.
Loan, too, grew excited.
"The road is huge."
Sienna forced Loan, who kept trying to stand up, to stay seated as she guided the horse onto the grand avenue leading to the East Gate.
For fifteen days, they had avoided unnecessary encounters and conflicts with people, resulting in a very peaceful journey, but now there was no need for that.
Loan was momentarily dazed by the suddenly bustling scenery and noise.
The civilian district, where the creation of the Union had guaranteed safety, leading to prosperity and development.
In this place, where residential and commercial districts formed concentric circles, goods of all kinds and various races from the 1 Kingdom and 6 Duchies mingled together.
It was only natural, being at the very center of the continent.
"Mount Perara base herbs are in! If you want to boost your potions' effects, you have to use Perara herbs!"
"Wheat harvested in Schwerin has arrived! Stock up before the famine gets worse!"
Loan craned his neck, overwhelmed by the sprawling market and the passing crowds.
He felt as if he could get lost in an instant amidst the complex smells and tangled auras of light.
Then, he was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the wall, so tall he had to crane his neck further and further just to see the top.
It looked as if it could easily fend off even a legendary beast.
As if reading Loan's thoughts, Sienna, who was riding slowly, leaned down slightly and spoke.
"The Union is the most formidable fortress on the continent. But that's not because of those walls."
"Then why?"
"It's because the strongest people in the world are gathered here. That's why it's called the Sword and Shield of the Continent."
"The strongest people in the world..."
"This place, a collection of military might, is what supports the kingdom, keeps the 6 Duchies in check, and protects the people from the Grave."
"Ah."
As Loan swallowed hard, gazing at the arch of the East Gate that filled his vision.
Sienna spoke with a faint smile.
"This is where you'll be living from now on."
*Rumble—!*
The iron gate opened with a deafening sound.
Loan entered the Union.