CHAPTER 52: To Those We Couldn’t Save

A few days had passed.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the sky was clear.

The endless, suffocating gloom that once choked Velmore had lifted, revealing a horizon bathed in blue.

Sakura stood alone, watching as the people of Velmore worked together to rebuild their home.

She could hear the rhythmic hammering of wood, the murmurs of conversation, the occasional bursts of laughter.

Across the borderline, beyond the edges of the town, she saw it—the coastline.

Untouched.

No shadows slithering at the edges.
No remnants of dark energy lurking near the trees.
No twisted roots rising from beneath the soil.

Only vast greenery before the borderline.

The land had begun to heal.

Then—

A small ball bounced and rolled toward Sakura’s feet.

She blinked, turning toward the sound.

Drake barked once, tail wagging as he hurried over, and not far behind him were two familiar faces—Aunt Patty, and Melinda, the woman from the bakery.

“Oh my~ if it isn’t the dual blade’s crush,” Melinda chimed, a smug grin tugging at her lips.

“C-Crush—?!” Sakura stammered, caught completely off guard.

BONK.

Aunt Patty smacked Melinda’s head with her cane.

“You really got a mouth on you, don’t you!?” she scolded. “As if I’d let my sweet Sakura be someone’s little crush just like that!”

“Ow—! Fine, fine, I’m sorry, Aunt Patty~!” Melinda pouted, rubbing the top of her head.

Sakura just chuckled softly, crouching to pick up the ball. Drake nuzzled against her knee, eyes wide and tail wagging. She gently offered it back to him, giving his head a soft pat.

“Don’t lose it again, alright? It’s precious to you, isn’t it?”

Drake barked once in response, as if to say yes.

Aunt Patty approached quietly—her voice lower this time.

“I didn’t manage to say anything back then…”

She paused, then looked at Sakura with a softer gaze.

“Thank you.”

Sakura raised her eyebrows slightly, puzzled, as she looked at Aunt Patty.
“Eh…? Why?”

The old woman’s gaze lowered for a moment, her voice carrying the weight of something long unspoken.
“I wasn’t able to say sorry… but you—” she paused, eyes softening as they met Sakura’s. “You said it in my place.”

Sakura’s thoughts drifted back—

To the moment Isla held the blue ball in her hands, tears falling freely as she thought of Aunt Patty.

That memory lingered like a quiet echo in her chest.

Sakura smiled softly. “I should be the one saying that. For everything.”

She lowered her gaze for a moment, letting the quiet settle.

The nearby hut offered a bit of shade, sunlight peeking through the gaps between its planks and casting dappled patterns across the ground.

On a worn bench, Baihou sat with the Sapphire Heart Scythe resting across his lap, its polished edge catching the morning light, glowing faintly with residual magic.

He stared at it, then turned to the old man beside him, hesitation lacing his voice.

“Are you really sure…? I can’t use this… It’s important to you.”

Grandpa Whisker let out a soft chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth.

“The Sapphire Heart Scythe has been passed down through generations,” he said, his voice steady with meaning. “But it doesn’t belong to me anymore. It only finds its wielder in those chosen by fate.”

Baihou’s eyes widened slightly, realization dawning on him as his grip tightened on the scythe’s handle.

“Watching you all fight… was entertaining,” Grandpa Whisker added with a grin, his voice tinged with pride. “I always believed you’d be the ones to defeat it.”

Baihou scratched the back of his head, sheepish.
“Nah… I was never really good at it.”

Kaziel sat down beside him, folding his arms with a light smirk.

“Its true, Grandpa Whisker, He was,” Kaziel said, his voice firm. “Baihou’s grown stronger than I ever thought he would.”

Baihou flinched, glancing away. “H-Hey… I wasn’t—”
But the slight pink in his cheeks betrayed him.

The old man simply smiled, clearly amused.
Kaziel remembered it clearly—how Baihou used to challenge him constantly, always racing to surpass his speed, always chasing that one goal.

But somewhere along the way…

He found his own path.

Unlike the others who trained in traditional martial arts, Baihou had always been different. Unpredictable. Wild. Free.

He fought with a grin.

And somehow—that became his strength.

Now, as the sun dipped below the coastline, painting the sky in warm hues, Sakura stood quietly at the town square. She had been watching for a while, sharing the peaceful view with Kaziel, Anna, and Helion.

"It's been a while since I've seen it..." Sakura whispered in awe.

Anna nodded. "Yeah, now that you mention it. When was the last time we saw a sunset like this?"

Sakura smiled softly. "At Caelivara."

She remembered so many moments from back then. How she wished she could watch sunsets like this every day again.

Just then, a high-ranking officer approached the group, calm and composed.

“Ah, you’re all here,” he said with a respectful yet warm tone. “Apologies—we haven’t had the chance to meet properly, with all the work rebuilding the town. I’ve been meaning to thank you. Your efforts at the Umbral Foundry… and now, here in Velmore—they’ve been invaluable.”

Anna folded her arms with a gentle smile. “Well, it’s our job to help people other than being the Sapphire Heart Collectors.”

The officer chuckled. “With that said… allow me to offer you something in return. A gift—from the High Guard.”

Then—with a signal from the officer—a nearby guard stepped forward, carrying a long, rectangular box.

The guard carefully unlatched it and opened the lid.

A soft glow spilled out.

Everyone leaned in instinctively—Kaziel, Helion, Anna, and Sakura’s eyes widened with awe.

Inside were five radiant stones, each uniquely shaped and pulsing with subtle, shimmering power.

Enhanced Sapphire Hearts.

“These,” the officer said, his voice almost reverent, “are enhanced cores—each one attuned for higher compatibility and greater output. Rarer than most ever see in their lifetime.”

He looked to Kaziel and the others. “They’re yours.”

Kaziel’s jaw nearly dropped. “No way— You’re giving these to us… for free?!”

The officer smiled. “I believe you called yourselves ‘Sapphire Heart collectors,’ no?”

Sakura’s eyes lit up. Even Helion smirked knowing as he flipped his coin.

Kaziel gave a rare grin. “Then.. we won’t waste them.”

Anna nudged Helion with her elbow. “We’re finally getting paid in something better than food rations.”

Helion sighed, but there was a subtle ease in his expression.

“Thank you,” Kaziel said gently. “You’re… incredibly generous.”

The officer gave a respectful nod. “Velmore stands because of you. This is the least we can do.”

Baihou and Leina approached, his hand on the back of his head. “Nahhh, come on—it’s thanks to you guys that we’re even able to set out and travel again. We wouldn’t have made it this far without your help too!”

Leina gave a small nod, her expression calm but sincere.

Then she turned to the group, her gaze nonchalant.
“After all… you’ve got a little Divine Oneness on your side.”

Everyone froze.

Silence lingered like a held breath.

Then—

Leina shrugged. “Just kidding.”

A wave of relief swept through the group, even though their stunned reactions had already given it away.

“Oh well, Leina,” the officer turned toward her with a small smile.

“This is for you and Baihou.”

Baihou blinked, surprised, lowering his hands from behind his head.
“Eh? For us?”

The officer handed her a thick, leather-bound spell book, its edges worn but glowing faintly with enchantment.

Leina’s eyes widened. For a split second, her composed expression cracked—revealing the gleam of pure, internal excitement. She carefully opened the cover, her fingers brushing the aged parchment as she flipped through the first few pages.

Each rune, each arcane diagram sparked something in her.

Magic. Real, ancient magic.

Just then, a nearby sorcerer stepped forward, eyeing the book with a mix of respect and awe.

“That tome… it’s from the Tier 5 archives. Reserved for elite magicians only.”

The officer nodded with pride. “An original manuscript. Written by Velmore’s first archmage—passed down through generations. I figured it might finally be in good hands now.”

Leina looked up at him, gratitude clear in her eyes. But words still escaped her.

The officer gave a respectful nod. “I hope it serves you well.”

Then, with a glance to the guards beside him, he stepped back. “Alright then. I’ll be returning to my post. May your path stay clear.”

“Thank you, officer,” Kaziel said, offering a respectful nod.

“See you two later as well, Baihou! Leina!,” Anna added, turning to Baihou and Leina.

Helion gave only a flick of his hand as a farewell, while Sakura smiled warmly before they went back, helping the villagers nearby.

Baihou watched them leave, stretching his arms. “Well then—guess it’s back to work.”

But as he turned, he noticed the young sorcerer from earlier standing unusually close to Leina, clearly admiring the book—and maybe Leina a little too much.

Baihou’s brow twitched.

The sorcerer took a deep breath, chest rising as if bracing himself for battle.

“L-Leina…” he stammered, eyes locked on her as though the world had faded around them. “This is sudden, I know, but… I’ve started to like you.”

Baihou’s tail twitched. A dangerous sign.

“I’ve always admired your strength,” the sorcerer continued, his cheeks flushed with nervous sincerity. “It inspired me to work harder… to believe in myself.”

Leina turned to face him, her expression as unreadable as ever.

Emotionless. Calm.

She said nothing.

The silence stretched.

Then—

“Will you be my girlfri—”

“WH-WHAT!? You’re confessing NOW?!” Baihou practically exploded, lunging between them like a shield. “Hold it right there!”

The poor sorcerer stumbled back in panic. “I-I’m sorry! I just… I had to say it! I didn’t mean to make it weird! You don’t have to reply—I-It’s fine!”

Baihou stood firm beside Leina, arms crossed, lips pressed into a scowl. His thoughts were anything but calm.

Like heck she needs to accept someone like YOU!

The sorcerer gulped, rubbing the back of his neck. “B-But if it’s not too much… C-Can Leina… be my master, at least?”

That threw him off.

Then Baihou blinked.

Leina finally turned to look at the sorcerer. Her voice, as always, steady.

“Sure.”

“No!” Baihou immediately stepped forward again, almost tripping. “Absolutely not!”

The sorcerer flinched, confused. “B-But why?! Isn’t it good to share knowledge?!”

Baihou’s eyes flared with irritation, his tail swishing sharply in protest. “We’re not open for student applications right now!”

“I never said that,” Leina said dryly, glancing up at him.

Baihou froze. “Leina—!”

He turned to her, one hand still gently on her shoulder from earlier. But this time—Leina noticed.

The weight of his hand.

The warmth behind his defensive stance.

The protectiveness in his voice.

She looked away, her cheeks faintly pink.

Something stirred deep in her chest—a feeling she couldn’t quite name yet.

“…Mm.”

Baihou noticed her shift but didn’t press it.

Instead, he stood taller, arms crossed like a barrier of judgment.

The sorcerer, awkwardly scratching his head, gave a nervous bow. “U-uhm… I’ll take that as a no… for now…”

The night before they set off, the moon hung high—bright, unwavering—casting a gentle silver glow across the fields of Velmore. The stars shimmered like scattered fragments of distant dreams, while the trees rustled softly in the breeze, whispering quiet lullabies to the night.

Sakura stood near the edge of the overlook, her silhouette illuminated by moonlight.

She held the golden clock in her hand, her gaze lingering on it for a while. Its weight brought with it a memory—of her creator.

"Once it's unleashed... it holds far more divine power than you’d believe," the Divine Oneness had once told her, as Sakura stared at the clock in quiet reflection.

"It’s a relic I created solely to unlock your awakening. So please—wait until you can fully handle its potential."

Sakura stood still as the wind gently tugged at her hair, brushing it across her cheeks.

“But you never told me…” she whispered. “Was the dark energy that consumed me... my true awakening?”

Her mind drifted back—to the chaos at the Umbral Foundry, to the farmland incident. The moments where control slipped from her fingers.

She closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze wash over her skin.

“The High Greeds are no longer near the borderlines.”

Sakura opened her eyes—

Kaziel had appeared beside her, calm and steady as always. His arms were crossed, his gaze following the same view. She took a quiet glance at the horizon ahead.

No more fog.
No twisted roots.
No lurking shadows.

After speaking with Grandpa Whisker, everything became clear—

Beyond those fogged skies, the High Greeds had gathered near the borderline.
Every trace, every sign… had pointed to the same cause.

And now, with that darkness defeated, they were gone.

Beyond the border… There was nothing.

Only a clear path.

And a world full of beauty.

Kaziel spoke gently, “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Sakura’s gaze flickered.

She nodded slowly.

“So this is what the world is supposed to look like…”

Kaziel watched her for a moment, quietly smiling. It was her first time seeing the world this way—

Unbound. Peaceful.

The border finally freed from its suffering grasp.

“And that means~” he added with a light tone, “we can cross the border with ease.”

“Now you’re talking about it,” Sakura replied, smiling softly.

She kept her eyes on the scenery, as if trying to etch it into her memory.

Kaziel’s voice lowered, filled with quiet reverence.

“May Isla… and the man she loved… rest peacefully.”

As silence settled between them,

Sakura’s mind drifted to the past—the memories she could never forget.

The day she first met them.

The strange world she had stepped into.

Isla, who once wore sadness like a veil, now finally at peace.
Ethan, who had suffered in silence, smiling one last time as she saw the couple standing at the edge of the horizon.

Those moments... they had etched themselves into her heart.

And yet, beneath the warmth of remembrance, there was a bitter ache.

Bitter—because the world had treated them cruelly. Because peace only came after they had disappeared into sorrow.

Like her other friends…

The ones she couldn’t save.

The ones whose voices had faded before she ever got the chance to say goodbye.

A sting of regret settled deep within her.

Why didn’t I do more?

Why didn’t I find them in time?

Why couldn’t I meet them one last time—in a world where their pain could finally end?

A tear slipped down her cheek. Kaziel turned to her, slightly startled.

For the first time… he saw Sakura cry.

The tears streamed silently, her eyes narrowing under the weight of emotion. She sniffed, trying to hold herself together.

“I should’ve done the same for my old friends…”

Her voice trembled, cracking with guilt.

“They… deserved happiness too. A future of their own. But I— destroyed them before they ever had the chance…”

Her heart ached as her mind returned to the battlefield at the farmland—

To the Greeds she struck down.

To Etsuko… whose core she shattered without ever seeing her face, without a single goodbye.

Maybe they found peace, free from despair at last—

But Sakura would’ve given anything just to see them one last time. Her friends. Her only friends in this strange, broken world.

Kaziel remained silent beside her.

He didn’t try to comfort her with empty words—

Because he understood.

And it hurt him too, to hear her carry so much pain.

“The world…” Sakura whispered, voice barely holding together, “It’s so beautiful… And yet, we’ve suffered so much to reach this place.”

She closed her eyes.

“It’s not fair…”

Suddenly, she felt his hand rest gently on her head.

Sakura’s eyes widened in surprise.

“The world wouldn’t feel this beautiful… if we hadn’t endured the path to get here,” Kaziel said softly.

His smile was warm—steady—and when Sakura turned to look up at him, he was already gazing toward the coastline.

There, under the moonlight, the ocean shimmered. The town’s lights glowed gently in the distance, casting reflections across the waves. The night wrapped the world in quiet wonder.

He was right.

They had made it this far. They had made the world stand beautiful again.

“And that’s how beauty is meant to be born,” he continued. “Not handed to us… but shaped by every scar, every step, and every soul who dared to believe in something better.”

The words struck something deep within her.

She had no idea what else lay ahead—how many more might still be suffering, how many they wouldn’t be able to save.

But if she ever crossed paths with someone who needed help…

She wouldn’t hesitate.

There was still so much in this world she didn’t know. And she wanted to learn it.

Even with the pain she carried—of those she lost, of the sorrow that lingered—with Kaziel, Anna and Helion beside her, she felt… at peace.

Relieved.

And ready.

She would walk this world.

To seek hope—

just as it was always meant to be.