CHAPTER 38: Velmore’s comfort

As soon as they arrived at the charming wooden inn nestled near the inland village, Baihou, leading the way, grinned as he escorted them inside the Goldenleaf Springs Inn, a place where travelers find comfort on their journey.

“It can’t be helped, you guys attracted a lot of people out there~ But at least you could stay here for a bit!”

An elderly man, short in stature yet radiating wisdom, approached the group. His dwarven-like build gave him a sturdy presence, and despite his age, his eyes held a sharpness that spoke of years of experience.

He had been the owner of this place for quite some time.

With a warm chuckle, he turned to Baihou.

“Oh, Baihou~ are these your friends?”

Baihou grinned, his tail flicking excitedly.

“Grandpa Otto, yeah. They are. We’re reuniting~”

The old man let out a hearty “Hoho~” as he eyed the sheer amount of food they were carrying.

“Now, that’s quite a lot of food you younglings have there.”

Kaziel and the others stood, arms full of wrapped packages—gifts from the overly enthusiastic ladies earlier. Given how ridiculously popular they had turned out to be, they had been practically buried in offerings.

Meanwhile, Baihou’s irritation had not faded.

His arms crossed tightly, his golden tail flicking in annoyance. “Yeah, one of them found out Kaziel and the others were Sapphire Heart Collectors and that was enough to make them completely lose it.”

Anna sighed—but then smirked.

“Well~ at least we got free food~ Keep it up, Kaziel. I’m looking forward to tomorrow as well.”

Kaziel scowled, clearly irritated. “Am I some kind of beggar to you?!”

Helion just sighed, carrying his share of food as if he wanted absolutely no part of this nonsense.

Meanwhile, Sakura was carefully checking the contents of the packages. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she realized the quality of the food. She had never tasted anything like it before…

And she was already craving to eat it soon.

Suddenly, a new presence appeared at the entrance.

Her hoodie, a vibrant green with a contrasting black inner lining, gave her an air of both warmth and mystery. Her short-haired turquoise strands framed her face perfectly, accentuating the mesmerizing depth of her entirely blue eyes—a color so pure it carried an almost ethereal glow.

Her pale skin gave her a delicate charm, yet her expression remained distant, an aloofness in her presence that only added to her enigmatic aura.

She stepped forward, her gaze settling on Baihou with quiet recognition.

“Ah, Baihou. You’ve arrived.”Her voice was soft-spoken, sweet, yet unwaveringly calm.

The others immediately realized—this was the traveler companion Baihou had mentioned before. An unexpected but intriguing presence among them.

Baihou grinned, gesturing toward her.

“Hey, Leina! Let me introduce you—these are the Sapphire Heart Collectors, my traveler friends.”

The group was still burdened with stacks of food, but Leina seemed unbothered, merely bowing politely with composed silence.

“The name is Leina La Lalerei. Call me Leina, that’s fine.”

Anna, still juggling the food in her arms, smiled and carefully gestured toward each of them.

“N-Nice to meet you… I’m Anna, this is Kaziel, Sakura, and Helion..”

Leina lifted her gaze, her expression distant as she glanced at Baihou nonchalantly.

“Did you forget to clean the baths?”

Baihou’s shoulders stiffened. His long tail flicked up in alarm.

“Ack—! Ahaha… I almost forgot it was my duty today…” he muttered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

Leina blinked, unimpressed. “It’s already late. We might not be able to catch up for tomorrow’s meeting. I was looking forward to it.”

Baihou’s tail twitched. “D-Don’t worry! I’ll make sure to finish it as soon as possible, even if it’s this late…!”

Leina’s gaze lingered on him.

Though her expression remained calm and unreadable, she leaned in slightly, studying him. “Really…?”

Her sudden close inspection made Baihou visibly flustered. His tail twitched erratically.

He nodded furiously. “Y-Yes! We’ll make it in time tomorrow, Leina…! I promise!”

Leina leaned back, satisfied. “Okay then.”

The old man Otto and the others watched the scene unfold with subtle amusement. But when Sakura’s eyes met hers, something flickered—recognition.

That gaze, that presence… Sakura realized it immediately.

Leina was Elyssian.

The old man Otto chuckled, his warm smile wrinkling the corners of his eyes.

“Oh! You guys should stay here for a while. We’re always glad to have new guests.”

Anna smiled, carrying the stacks of food. “Ah, well, staying here for a while wouldn’t hurt.”

Otto then turned his gaze to Leina.

“Leina, would you like to show them around the place?”

Leina nodded casually, her expression as composed as ever.

“As you wish.”

Baihou, stretching his arms behind his head, grinned. “Well then! I’ll get to work burning some charcoals to keep the hot spring at right temperature for you guys.”

Kaziel and Anna froze.

“Wait… We have hot spring?!”

Their shock was so genuine they nearly forgot they were still lugging stacks of food in their arms.

Baihou smirked smugly, flicking his tail. “Of course! What do you think the outside of the room was for~?”

He gestured dramatically toward the room beyond the inn’s wooden corridors.

“No way! We never would’ve thought!” Anna and Kaziel were still in shock, but excitement quickly overtook their surprise.

Meanwhile, Baihou smirked, his tail flicking playfully.

“Yeah, so Leina will navigate you guys around this place then you’ll find out more~”

Leina nodded quietly, then her blue eyes lingered on their armfuls of food. “But first of all…”

A brief silence.

The group had been carrying those for a while now.

A lot of food.

Considering how many people adored the Sapphire Heart Collectors and their generosity, it was clear—they weren’t getting out of this without unloading it first.

As time passed, Leina guided them through the inn, showing them around with her usual calm demeanor.

She led them through the guest rooms, the common area for travelers to relax, the kitchen, and the dining space—each area reflecting the inn’s traditional charm.

Eventually, they arrived at the highlight of the tour.

Softly glowing lanterns illuminated the path as the inviting warmth of a nearby onsen greeted them.

To their surprise, the inn had both an indoor and outdoor hot spring—one enclosed within a cozy wooden apartment-style lodging, while the other embraced the natural surroundings with a traditional yet inviting charm.

Additionally, there were steam rooms, their faint mist visible even from a distance.

It was only now that Kaziel and Anna fully realized the extent of the place’s beauty.

Their eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Woah…! This is absolute heaven!”

They reacted in unison, completely in awe.

Leina led them deeper into the garden, where the soft glow of night-blooming flowers illuminated the dimly lit path. Her gaze softened as she crouched near one of the blossoms, her fingers gently brushing its petals.

“This is called Lunaflora.”

She tapped the delicate flower, and it slowly unfurled, emitting a gentle, ethereal glow that bathed the garden in soft, silver-blue light.

“It watches over you in the dark. And guides you if you’re in trouble.” Her voice was steady, yet there was a quiet reverence in the way she spoke. “We offer that kind of comfort here—if you ever feel wary.”

Sakura’s breath hitched.

She knew Lunaflora all too well.

It had once been her only guide through the darkness. The very flower she had relied on when escaping the Farmland, the path she had memorized and later taught to her friends, weaving it with Elyssence.

It was beautiful… yet it held a bitter place in her heart.

She watched as Helion’s gaze lingered on the glowing petals. Then, his eyes flickered to Leina, who subtly cast magic onto another nearby flower, making it bloom with the same soft radiance.

Sakura stepped closer, curiosity pulling at her.

“It’s… a pretty flower.” Her voice was quiet. “Did you actually build this garden?”

Leina’s expression softened even more. She nodded.

“Yes. I’ve loved flowers for as long as I can remember. They were the reason I learned magic.”

She stood, turning to face Sakura.

Sakura smiled softly. “I love flowers too! I once had a beautiful garden.”

Leina’s gaze flickered.

“You learned Elyssence?”

Sakura hesitated for a second before nodding shyly. “W-Well… I grew up learning it.”

Leina’s expression became more intrigued. She leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes focused.

“Which part of Elyssia did you reside in?”

A weight settled in Sakura’s chest.

She couldn’t give her the exact answer.

Before she could respond, Kaziel stepped in.

“Well, unfortunately, she wasn’t from Elyssia. She learned it while she was in Thalvaris.”

The moment that name was spoken—Leina paused.

“…Thalvaris. I see.”

Her expression remained calm, unreadable. But the air shifted.

Helion, however, knew the history too well.

Elyssia and Caelivara’s war. The cold, brutal conflict where Thalvaris supported Caelivara, aiding them in their bid to bring down Elyssia.

Many believed Elyssia had been the cause of the war—but in truth, Thalvaris had orchestrated everything.

Sakura knew.

Her fingers instinctively traced the golden clock at her waist, recalling the moments she had spent in her Elyssian’s friends.

Leina must have hated Thalvaris.

But Sakura didn’t press further.

She didn’t need to.

Time skipped to later that night.

Inside their shared room, the soft glow of lanterns cast a warm ambiance over the space. Anna lay sprawled on a futon, dressed in a light yukata, her expression blissfully relaxed.

“To think that this place is so convenient for travelers… it’s heartwarming. The treatment here is so generous~”

She stretched lazily before turning her gaze to Sakura, who sat on the floor, comfortably leaning against the table with a blanket draped over her legs. The warmth of the inn had lulled her into a rare moment of comfort.

Anna smirked. “You look so comfortable, Sakura. So~ how’s your journey so far?”

She rolled onto her stomach, resting her chin on her hands, watching Sakura with a smirk.

Sakura’s gaze flickered as she stirred from her thoughts. “It feels… nice.”

She went thoughtfully, unsure what else to say.

Anna chuckled, her voice light. “It is~ isn’t it~? I much prefer seeing you lighthearted along this experience.”

Those simple words made Sakura smile softly. She nodded, warmth settling in her chest.

“I’m curious about what else we can experience in this world.”

Anna tilted her head.

“Then, wanna go to the hot spring later?”

She tilted her head. “I mean… I don’t mind going with you.”

Anna laughed, clearly pleased. “We should bring Leina along! It’ll be more fun for the three of us in the hot spring!”

Sakura nodded, her smile lingering. “That sounds like a good idea too.”

As Anna and Sakura stepped outside, the cool night air carried the gentle scent of the steaming hot springs.

Anna stretched her arms, turning toward the inn. “Sakura, you can go in first~ I’ll go find Leina and invite her to join us.”

With that, Anna spun around and walked back,

Though Sakura didn’t mind being by herself…

But what worried her was—

The sign.

Her mind flashed back to Leina’s words.

“There are two different rooms. Be careful which one you enter.”

Yet… standing in front of them now, Sakura hesitated.

The symbols were unfamiliar.

She stared at them, her brows furrowing. She could read letters, understand meanings, but these symbols…?

She had no idea what they meant.

For a long moment, she stood outside, observing the two signs, hoping for a hint, a clue—anything that could give her an answer.

But no matter how long she stared…

She didn’t understand.

Meanwhile, Helion was making his way toward the hot spring, his usual composed steps unhurried—until he noticed something strange.

Sakura.

Standing in front of the two doors, staring at the signs with deep concentration.

Helion stopped.

His golden eyes narrowed.

She had been there for a while.

Then—after a moment of apparent reluctance…

She stepped forward.

And walked straight into the male hot spring.

…

Helion’s entire face twitched.

For a long moment, he simply stood there, staring at the door she just walked through.

Disbelief.

Disappointment.

For a Divine Oneness Candidate…

She really had no idea what she was doing.

As Sakura stepped inside, she scanned the changing section with mild curiosity.

Neatly arranged woven baskets lined the shelves, along with small wooden lockers for belongings. A rack nearby held freshly folded light robes and towels, their soft cotton fabric carrying a faint scent of lavender and sandalwood.

Her gaze wandered past them toward the steaming baths ahead.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

Just as she was about to unbutton her blouse—

“Are you a pervert or something?”

A sharp male voice cut through the air.

Sakura jolted, her hands freezing mid-motion as she whipped around.

Helion.

He was standing there, arms crossed, his sharp golden gaze unimpressed.

“Wha—what are you doing inside the female’s hot spring, Helion?!”

Sakura’s face turned completely red as she instinctively looked side to side, her mind racing with panic, covering back her blouse.

Were there others nearby?! Did anyone see this?!

But Helion sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“This is the male’s hot spring. I request that you check the sign again.”

Sakura’s flustered expression froze.

She blinked.

“…Eh?”

Helion simply pointed at the sign outside.

“This is the female symbol. And this—” his finger moved to the next sign, “is the male symbol, meaning this is for males only.”

His tone was flat, yet clearly exasperated.

“I’d be surprised if you couldn’t differentiate genders as well.”

Sakura tilted her head, processing his words. Then, she nodded firmly, determination flashing in her eyes.

“Understood.”

She stared hard at the symbols, memorizing them properly this time to avoid making the same mistake.

Helion, however, sighed again.

He couldn’t believe he was teaching her like she was a toddler.

But then again… she kind of was.

The Divine Oneness Candidates had no fixed age.

They existed as vessels, awakened by the will of Divine Oneness itself. And upon their awakening, they were bestowed with immense power—far beyond mortal comprehension.

But to him, she was the terrifying one.

“Thanks for helping me out, Helion..! I needed this!”

Sakura smiled determinedly at him, gratitude shining in her eyes.

But Helion didn’t react.

“Good then.”

His voice was flat, detached. Without another word, he turned away and entered back inside.

Yet, Sakura noticed.

He wasn’t just avoiding eye contact.

He was avoiding her.

Her heart clenched. She immediately called out.

“Um… Helion! Wait!”

He halted.

His hand still rested against the door, pushing it open, but he didn’t turn around.

Sakura’s chest felt tight. She knew.

He hadn’t just been distant. He hadn’t just stopped talking to her.

He had never told her what was wrong.

Even if Anna or Kaziel had asked him the same… he still wouldn’t tell.

No.

She had to force him herself.

Taking a shaky breath, she stepped forward.

“Are you… still mad at me? Because I didn’t listen to you the other day…?”

Helion’s body stiffened. His fingers tightened slightly on the doorframe.

“I’m sorry.”

She pressed further, voice laced with regret.

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you… Malevolence was too strong… that was my only weakness… and he knew I reacted too much… but I tried—”

She was trying to convince him, then she shook her head,

“No– I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. But—”

“That was not my mere concern.”

Helion’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

His expression hardened, avoiding to turn to look at her.

Sakura’s eyes flickered with confusion. “Then what is the reason..?”

“None. None of the reason. You should forget about it.”His tone was final.

Before she could respond, he stepped inside and let the door close behind him.

Leaving her alone.

For the first time, Sakura wondered.

If she wasn’t the problem…

Then why?

Why was he still avoiding her?

Why wouldn’t he tell her the truth?