CHAPTER 42: Cutting deeper

Sakura tensed slightly.

Kaziel and the others immediately understood what she was implying.

Then—Leina’s next words made Sakura freeze.

“During our meeting with the High Court of Velmore, the officers reported a faction from Thalvaris suddenly went missing.”

Leina’s gaze sharpened, locking onto Sakura.

“Are you aware of that… Sakura?”

A sudden tension gripped the air.

Anna startled. She knew what Leina was referring to. Miki and her group—the Thalvaris tribe who worked with the corrupted Sapphire Hearts.

Kaziel opened his mouth, about to step in—but before he could, Baihou moved first.

Grinning, he immediately took Leina by the shoulders and turned her away from Sakura.

“Now, now~! Let’s not get feisty!” he sighed, shaking his head. “Leina, we talked about this. It’s not an interrogation, but you’re making it look like one.”

Leina’s gaze flickered, narrowing slightly in amusement.

Her expression remained distant, but she didn’t press further.

Kaziel sighed in relief before speaking.

“About Thalvaris, we did hear something.” His voice was calm, calculated. “From the information we gathered, they aren’t just any Thalvaris we know. They have tribes—and those tribes work with the corrupted Sapphire Hearts. That’s why we need to report this to Her Grace, the High Priestess, as well.”

Leina’s voice remained calm, but there was an underlying weight to her words.

“The Thalvaris tribes… huh.”

She wasn’t just repeating it—she was acknowledging something deeper.

Most people barely knew the true existence of the Thalvaris tribes.

All they understood was that Thalvaris was a land of militarized power. A kingdom structured around discipline, war, and control.

But the tribes?

They were different. As Helion learned from the Hanz the other day...

They were never meant to exist—at least, not in the eyes of the government.

Hidden beneath the rigid military was something else entirely. A network of forgotten clans, isolated factions, and rogue entities that operated outside of official Thalvaris law.

And those who knew of them…

Knew better than to speak about them.

“But…”

Baihou’s tail swayed idly before his gaze flickered back to Kaziel.

“After the abrupt magnitude that shook Velmore, we decided to send an infantry team to investigate the Black River West.”

Kaziel tensed slightly but maintained his composure. “Was the quake severe?”

Baihou smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. “Nah~ just a light shake. It didn’t even last an hour.”

Anna let out a small relieved sigh.

She chose to cover up the truth.

Instead, she spoke in half-truths, weaving a narrative that kept suspicion at bay.

“The Umbral Foundry wasn’t destroyed naturally,” she said. “It was wiped out by volcanic lava—a catastrophe we barely managed to contain.”

Her tone was steady, her words carefully measured.

Baihou, however, wasn’t the type to press further.

He simply nodded, accepting the explanation as if it made perfect sense. “Hmm~ I see, I see! Didn’t expect that from your doings, brother!”

Kaziel grinned, laughing in confidence.

“You underestimate me!”

The two laughed, tension lifting slightly.

Whether he truly believed it or just chose not to question it…

Anna couldn’t tell.

But beneath it all—one thing remained unspoken.

Baihou had no idea about Sakura’s true identity.

Sakura let out a quiet sigh of relief. No one had told him.

That she was a Divine Oneness Candidate.

She wasn’t just some traveler with the ability to see dark energy.

And for now, it was better that way.

With Baihou and Leina now assisting, the group resumed cutting the overgrown grass.

As Leina examined the scythe in her hands, she ran her fingers along its surface. “It’s definitely old,” she murmured, noting the worn engravings.

Then, with fluid precision, she shifted her grip and twirled the scythe in a swift, practiced motion.

In a split second, she slashed through the tall grass, the blade cutting seamlessly from one end to the other.

A single strike—fast, clean, effortless.

Everyone watched in stunned silence.

The scythe hadn’t just cut through the grass; it had extended its reach, slicing through as if guided by an unseen force.

Spells must have enhanced its accuracy.

Kaziel turned to Sakura. “Did you sense anything?”

Sakura studied the area where Leina had struck but slowly shook her head. “No… nothing yet.”

Leina tapped her chin, thoughtful. “I suppose I need to learn more about dark energy auras as well.”

Anna, still observing the scythe, frowned slightly. “Do you think… the scythe detects energy through magic?”

Leina nodded but clarified. “It can detect energy, but we don’t call it a spell. It’s more of an understanding.”

She turned to the group. “You don’t cast it like a spell—you learn to perceive it. The presence of dark energy exists, but only a select few can see it with the naked eye.”

Anna hummed in thought. “I see…”

The more they learned, the deeper the mystery seemed to grow.

“Magic adapts to its own nature,” Leina explained, her tone steady as she adjusted her grip on the scythe. She held it with practiced ease, demonstrating the proper stance.

“You don’t need to force it—just let it flow. The key is ensuring you have enough Sapphire Hearts, as they serve as our daily mana reserves.”

She lightly patted the left side of her chest, where her mana was stored. “Your true strength lies in the specialty you were born with. Mine, for instance, is Elyssence.”

She paused briefly before continuing. “However, magic only truly responds once you’ve mastered the art of integrating your specialty into it. The same applies to others with different affinities. Those who can do it effortlessly… simply have a natural talent.”

Sakura listened intently.

In this world, everyone had their own way of synchronizing with their innate nature. Magic was not a rigid force—it was fluid, rich, and ever-changing. Many possessed hybrid specialties, allowing them to experiment and refine their abilities through Sapphire Hearts, which acted as powerful energy cores.

But for Sakura, she could hold more than one specialty.

Yet beyond that, one thing remained certain—she possessed divine power.

The rest—the abilities she had gained through experience in the Celestial realm—were additions to her strength.

And then—a memory surfaced.

A moment from her time in the Celestial realm.

She had once stood at the edge of a river.

A river so dark, so terrifying, that only the Divine Oneness could see.

At first, she had seen nothing.

But when she learned how to perceive it…

She saw the truth.

That river… was the Abyss of No Return.

The place where Abyssal Beads were created.

Where dark energy was born.

And now, as she stood in Velmore’s borderlands…

That same feeling stirred in her chest.

Like something—something just beyond her sight—was watching her.

As they headed back to the inn, the old man greeted them warmly, his eyes crinkling with genuine relief. The evening had turned lively with their presence, filling the once-quiet space with laughter and conversation.

Kaziel and Baihou engaged in their usual playful banter while the girls sat together, chatting. Even Helion, who preferred solitude, found himself acknowledging the warmth of the moment. As he passed by the old man, he was stopped by a quiet remark.

“It’s such a lively place, isn’t it?” the old man mused, smiling.

Helion paused, considering the words before offering a small nod. It was true. For the first time in a long while, he felt an unfamiliar sense of peace watching them together.

That night, as everyone drifted into deep slumber, Helion found himself caught in yet another dream. But this was not just any dream, it was the nightmare.

A chilling smirk.

Sakura stood before him, but she was different. Grown up. More sinister. Her eyes were hidden beneath her bangs, yet the malicious intent was unmistakable. She raised a gun, aiming directly at his childhood self.

“How unfortunate being, I shall end you.”

The words echoed like a curse, rattling his very core. The suffocating feeling of inevitability washed over him.

Suddenly, he jolted awake, his breathing uneven. The dim moonlight streamed through the wooden slats of the inn. Beside him, Baihou snored loudly, undisturbed. Helion pressed a hand to his forehead, steadying himself.

“How many times has this dream returned?” he muttered under his breath.

His thoughts spiraled as he stood, some matters need to settle. Slipping out of the room, he stepped into the inn’s quiet garden. The Lunaflora blossoms glowed faintly, their yellow light casting soft shadows against the night.

Helion stared at them, his fingers tightening around the edge of his gold coin. His gaze was distant, unfocused—lost in the echoes of the past.

Was it truly wise to continue like this?

Could he change the course of his own fate?

Fate was unpredictable, a web of infinite possibilities. Yet, the future he had foreseen—the one that haunted him—felt immutable. Set in stone. Unchangeable.

Even his own death had been woven into the threads of time.

For the longest time, he had accepted it. Resigned himself to the idea that there was no escaping what had already been written. But somewhere, deep within the depths of his soul, a part of him refused.

It wasn’t just fear.

It was something else entirely.

Something telling him—

It shouldn’t end this way.

“A light that will guide you when you’re in trouble.”

A voice cut through the stillness of the night.

Helion didn’t turn. He already knew who it was—Leina.

She approached him, the faint rustle of her footsteps barely disturbing the quiet. In her hands, she closed the book she had been reading.

She had been sitting on the bench the whole time.

“Strange, isn’t it?” she mused, stopping beside him. “A Fateweaver, looking for guidance.”

Helion exhaled quietly, his gaze fixed on the glowing Lunaflora at his feet. “I’m not here for entertainment.”

Leina didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stood in silence, matching his energy. She didn’t ask why he was here. They didn’t exchange unnecessary words. It was a quiet understanding—one that neither needed to explain.

Having him seek her out was not something she had expected.

And yet, here he was.

From the corner of his eye, Helion caught sight of the book in her hands—"The Subtle Arts of Magic." A text about unseen magic that influenced energy flow, perception, and magical resistance.

After a long pause, Leina spoke, almost as if answering an unspoken thought.

“This is the book the commander assigned me. They believe I can learn to perceive the aura of dark energy through it.”

Helion idly flipped his gold coin between his fingers. “I assume you have plenty of books to study—especially spellbooks.”

Leina opened the book, casually flipping through its pages. “Are you interested in learning magic, then?”

He let the coin dance between his fingers before catching it. “I do… but more than that, I’m wondering…” His voice lowered slightly. “Have you ever heard of a spell called Echoes of the Dream?”

Leina remained expressionless, though she continued reading. “A spell that reshapes the memories of dreams—bringing them to life. It only works for those who have encountered certain entities within their dreams.” Her voice was calm, but then she glanced up at him, her blue eyes droopy.

“That means you’ve met someone who is dead.”

Helion stilled, but only for a second. “Dead… is quite ironic.”

Leina tilted her head slightly. “I don’t have that spell,” she admitted. “That kind of magic is tied to other roles, like bards. But… there was someone who wielded it.”

Leina’s gaze softened as she recalled the past. “She was a powerful mage—a master of magical melodies. Before I set out on my own journey, she was my mentor, the one who cared for me.” She paused, then added, “She lived in Aurondale.”

Aurondale…

A name shrouded in both legend and belief—tied to the Mist of Melody.

A place where melodies could guide lost travelers… and reveal hidden truths.

Leina studied Helion for a moment before speaking again. “But I’m surprised you know about it.”

Helion smirked, flipping his coin effortlessly between his fingers. “I’m more knowledgeable than you think.”

Leina studied him for a moment before closing her book. “Why did you ask?”

Helion paused, his fingers idly brushing against the edge of his coin. “Something important… something that needs to be settled between me and my fate, it seems.” His voice was calm, yet laced with an unspoken weight.

He glanced toward the distant horizon. “They say dreams uncover truths that reality chooses to hide.”

His words made Leina’s gaze flicker with quiet wonder.

“Was it related to the future?”

“I always bet with the future. And so do you. Tread carefully—Every choice casts a longer shadow than you think.”

With a flick of his wrist, he caught his coin midair, then continued walking toward the inn without another word.

Leina remained where she was, watching as his figure disappeared into the dim corridors, swallowed by the shadows.

The soft glow of the Lunaflora pulsed gently at her feet, its delicate light reflecting in her eyes.

Her face, usually composed, held a quiet curiosity.

What was he trying to tell her…?

As if she had glimpsed something more—something unspoken.

But instead of dwelling on it, she turned to take her leave as well.