"Very well."
Nicole crossed her arms lightly afterward.
"I'll explain the route toward the Astryx Empire."
"Let's head back to the guild first."
Soon—
the members of Cross began returning from the harbor alongside us.
The city lights of Ashgrave glowed brightly throughout the night while cold ocean winds brushed past the streets.
After arriving back at the guild—
Nicole led me upstairs toward her private chambers.
The moment she opened the door—
a faint cough escaped her.
"…Sorry if the room feels a little messy."
I smiled faintly.
"It's fine."
Though honestly—
calling this place messy felt like an understatement.
Documents were stacked everywhere.
Several swords leaned against the walls carelessly.
Maps covered almost half the room while unfinished reports were scattered across the desk.
It genuinely looked like someone had tried surviving a war inside this office.
Still—
I chose not to comment on it.
Nicole soon walked toward a large map hanging against the wall before pointing northward across the ocean.
"The Astryx Empire is located far north beyond the eastern sea routes."
"To get there…"
"…we'll need to use a ship."
"I see."
Nicole continued afterward.
"Don't worry."
"There's an ally of mine on the other side."
"I'll send him a message beforehand so he can help you once you arrive."
Then—
her expression became slightly more serious.
"But I should warn you."
"Astryx is widely considered the greatest hub of swordsmanship in the world."
"The swordsmen there…"
"…surpass us in almost every way."
I quietly listened without responding immediately.
Because honestly—
I already knew that.
Even though Verilian currently held the advantage in the war—
that advantage existed largely because of a single monster.
Alaric Ryker.
The Sword of Verilian.
Without him—
the balance between both empires would've looked completely different.
Because when it came purely to martial skill and swordsmanship—
Astryx stood above everyone else.
Nicole remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Tomorrow at dawn…"
"…wait near the eastern port."
"There'll be a ship heading toward the outskirts near Astryx."
She then pointed toward a marked location on the map.
"But it won't dock directly at the harbor."
"You'll need to head toward the ship yourself once it arrives."
I quietly memorized the location.
Then—
Nicole's expression became serious.
"Noctis."
"Make absolutely sure you don't reveal your identity no matter what."
"That ship…"
"…will contain warriors from Astryx."
My golden eyes narrowed slightly hearing that.
"I see."
"Got it."
Honestly—
with how famous my fight against Samuel had become—
revealing my identity there would only create unnecessary problems.
Nicole slowly sighed afterward before speaking again.
"I'll send Ren with you tomorrow morning."
"He knows the route toward the harbor better than anyone."
"You can stay here tonight if you want."
"There's an empty room downstairs."
A faint smile appeared on my face afterward.
"I see."
"Thank you."
Nicole simply waved her hand casually.
"Don't mention it."
...
Morning soon arrived.
Soft sunlight passed through the small room windows while the distant sounds of Ashgrave slowly echoed outside.
I quietly opened my eyes.
For a moment—
I simply stared at the ceiling silently.
Then slowly—
I sat up from the bed.
Astryx.
Today—
I would finally head toward the empire where Rio Valen was born.
The place where countless answers waited for me.
The Valen Family.
The Sovereign.
The sealed memories.
And perhaps—
the truth behind the First Retainer.
Soon—
after preparing myself—
I headed downstairs.
The guild was already far more lively compared to last night.
Several members moved around carrying supplies while voices echoed throughout the old building.
Then—
I noticed Ren waiting near the entrance.
The young swordsman immediately straightened after seeing me.
"Y-You're awake."
I smiled faintly.
"Seems like it."
Ren still looked slightly nervous around me after last night's harbor battle.
Honestly—
I couldn't really blame him.
Nicole soon walked down the stairs while adjusting her coat.
"Good."
"The ship should arrive within the next hour."
Nicole crossed her arms afterward.
"Remember."
"Don't start unnecessary fights."
"You're entering Astryx during wartime."
"The moment they realize a Verilian celebrity entered their territory…"
"…things will get troublesome very quickly."
I smiled slightly afterward.
"I'll try my best."
Nicole narrowed her eyes immediately.
"That response alone worries me."
Meanwhile—
Ren quietly tried holding back his laughter beside her.
Soon afterward—
the two of us departed from the guild and began heading toward the harbor beneath the morning skies of Ashgrave.
...
Cold morning winds swept through Ashgrave as Ren guided me toward the eastern harbor.
The city was already awake.
Floating transport rails moved between skyscrapers while merchants opened their shops beneath glowing holographic signs.
Workers filled the streets carrying supplies toward the ports.
Meanwhile—
I quietly walked beside Ren wearing the black cloak Nicole had given me.
My hood remained lowered over my face while Nocturne Veil rested against my back.
After several minutes—
the futuristic parts of the city slowly began fading behind us.
Soon—
the scent of the ocean grew stronger.
Then finally—
the harbor itself appeared before us.
Massive ships floated across the waters while countless sailors and warriors moved throughout the docks.
Some ships looked highly advanced with glowing mana engines attached beneath them.
Others resembled older war vessels reinforced with magical steel.
Honestly—
the atmosphere here felt far rougher compared to the rest of Ashgrave.
Most people around the harbor carried weapons openly.
Mercenaries.
Warriors.
Smugglers.
Adventurers.
All kinds of dangerous people gathered here.
Ren quietly leaned closer afterward.
"The ship Nicole mentioned should arrive soon."
I nodded silently while gazing toward the vast ocean ahead.
Then—
a large shadow slowly emerged through the distant morning fog.
CRRRRRRRRRR—
A massive black ship gradually appeared across the sea.
Unlike the other vessels—
this one carried almost no decorations.
Its dark metal exterior looked heavily reinforced while countless scars covered the sides of the ship.
The atmosphere around it alone felt dangerous.
Then—
my eyes slightly narrowed.
Because standing atop the ship—
were several warriors.
All of them carried swords.
And even from this distance—
their presences felt sharp.
"…Astryx warriors huh."
Ren swallowed slightly beside me.
"Yeah…"
"These people are insane when it comes to swordsmanship."
Soon—
the massive ship slowed near the outskirts of the harbor exactly like Nicole described.
It never fully docked.
Instead—
a smaller transport boat was lowered onto the water.
Ren glanced toward me afterward.
"That's your ride."
Silence followed briefly.
Then—
Ren awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"…Try not to die over there."
A faint smile appeared on my face afterward.
"I'll try."
Then—
without saying anything further—
I began walking toward the transport boat waiting near the sea.
...
Rio quickly headed toward the small transport boat waiting near the harbor.
The ocean waves violently crashed against the sides of the vessel while the massive black ship loomed above like a giant shadow.
The closer he got—
the heavier the atmosphere became.
Soon—
a red-haired man suddenly grabbed his arm the moment he stepped onto the boat.
The man looked around nervously before whispering hurriedly.
"Hurry!"
"We don't have much time!"
Rio blinked slightly before quickly nodding.
I'm guessing this is the man Nicole mentioned.
The moment the transport boat finally reached the large ship—
the red-haired man immediately exhaled in relief.
"Okay…"
"Listen carefully."
"My name's Jack."
"Nicole already informed me about your situation."
"Luckily for you…"
"…this ship really is heading toward Astryx."
Jack then quickly glanced around once more before lowering his voice again.
"So listen closely."
"You're going to act as a slave."
Then—
he suddenly brought out several dark iron chains before shoving them toward Rio.
"Wear these."
Rio stared at the chains blankly.
"…A slave?"
"Yes!"
Jack nearly panicked hearing Rio say that out loud.
"There are already multiple slaves aboard this ship."
"And look at yourself!"
"You're not even wearing Astryx clothing!"
"Anyone with eyes would immediately realize you're not from there!"
Jack quickly pointed toward Rio's cloak and appearance.
"Your accent."
"Your clothes."
"Your face."
"Everything about you screams outsider."
"So hurry up already before someone notices!"
Rio quietly stared at the chains for several seconds.
Then—
he sighed softly.
"…This is degrading."
"Would you rather get thrown into the ocean?"
"…Fair point."
Without arguing further—
Rio eventually grabbed the chains.
Meanwhile—
Jack immediately pulled out rough dark clothing from a nearby crate.
"Hurry and change into these too."
"The warriors onboard aren't exactly kind toward outsiders."
Then—
his expression became slightly more serious.
"And especially don't reveal your strength unless absolutely necessary."
"People aboard this ship…"
"…are dangerous."
Soon—
a gruff voice suddenly echoed from above us.
"Jack you piece of shit!"
"I thought I told you to work near the—"
The voice suddenly stopped.
Then—
heavy footsteps approached across the wooden deck.
"Oh~?"
"What do we have here?"
A large man with a scar running across his face stepped toward us while placing his hand heavily on Jack's shoulder.
The smell of alcohol surrounded him.
Several warriors nearby laughed quietly seeing his expression.
The man's eyes slowly scanned me from head to toe.
Then—
a disgusting grin appeared on his face.
"Where did this beauty come from?"
"I don't remember him being part of the slave group we brought onboard."
Jack immediately stiffened beside me.
"A-Ah boss…"
"I-I found this guy hiding near the docks…"
"Hiding?"
The man slowly glanced at me again.
Then laughed.
"…Are you sure this beauty isn't actually a woman?"
Several nearby men laughed loudly hearing that.
Meanwhile—
I simply stood there silently beneath the hood.
The man stepped closer afterward while narrowing his eyes greedily.
"Oh…"
"You must be one of those special products the captain told us to bring, huh?"
Jack visibly panicked now.
"I-I'll take him to the other slaves boss!"
"Right now!"
The man only smirked wider.
"Yeah?"
"Go ahead."
His gaze slowly lingered on me once more.
"Keep him there."
"I'll have a little fun with him tonight."
Silence.
Then—
a faint smile slowly appeared beneath my hood.
Not an angry smile.
Not a forced one.
Just—
dangerously calm.
Because honestly—
this man had no idea how close he currently was to death.
Soon—
Jack hurriedly led me down toward the lower levels of the ship.
The further we descended—
the darker the surroundings became.
The wooden halls were damp while the scent of salt, rust, and smoke filled the air heavily.
Then quietly—
Jack spoke again.
"P-Please…"
"…don't do anything reckless."
His voice carried genuine worry now.
"These people…"
"…could kill you."
I glanced at him briefly before smiling faintly.
Honestly—
Jack truly had no idea who I was.
Or what exactly he had just smuggled onto this ship.
Still—
I appreciated the concern.
"I'll come check on you by evening."
Soon—
Jack unlocked a large iron door before pushing it open carefully.
CREAK—
The moment I stepped inside—
silence filled the room.
Then—
my eyes slowly scanned the chamber.
Multiple slaves sat chained throughout the dark room.
Some looked exhausted.
Others quietly cried while holding onto each other.
Several children were there as well.
And the moment my eyes landed on them—
my expression slowly disappeared.
A small girl sat near the corner trembling weakly.
Both of her hands were gone completely.
Beside her—
a young boy who was likely her older brother held her tightly while crying quietly.
"…It hurts…"
The little girl's weak voice echoed softly through the room.
Meanwhile—
laughter echoed from outside the chamber.
The Astryx warriors drinking above us had absolutely no idea—
what kind of storm they had just locked inside this ship.