Chapter 29: City of Deindax

The wind in Nevantrax carried the scent of rain and dust—older, heavier than anything on Earth.
Stone roads stretched beneath our boots as we stepped through the shimmering light of the portal.
When it closed behind us, Tokyo was gone.

“So this is Nevantrax…” I whispered.

The sky here gleamed a soft violet, and two moons hung above the horizon like watchful eyes.
Schwartz drew a slow breath.

“The air’s thick with mana. Careful—too much of it can drown a human’s lungs.”

We’d made it. But to survive here, we couldn’t appear as ourselves.

“If word’s already spread that you’re a fugitive,” Erika said, “we need to blend in.”

I nodded.
The dragon mark pulsed faintly as I murmured a spell from the Destiny Grimoire—
my body shimmered, reshaping.

When the light faded, my reflection in a cracked fountain showed a young man with snow-white hair and crimson eyes, dressed in a simple traveler’s cloak.
Someone completely unrecognizable.

“You’re like a different person,” Rio said, half-impressed.
“Now I see why you pull attention everywhere.”

Beside me, Haqua’s ears twitched. A small pair of feline ears now peeked from her hair, and a long tail swayed behind her.
She looked down, flustered.

“I-It’s just a disguise! Don’t stare!”

Rio smirked, his new elf-like ears glinting beneath the sun.

“Relax, cat-girl. At least your tail’s cute.”

“R-Really?!” Haqua’s cheeks went red.
“W-Wait, that’s not a compliment, is it!?”

Erika chuckled quietly behind her hand.

“Let’s keep moving before someone notices the circus we’ve become.”

The capital city of Nevantrax, Deindax, spread before us—a maze of marble spires, hanging banners, and cobblestone streets alive with shouts and laughter.
Merchants barked out prices, children ran between stalls, and shimmering sigils floated over every doorway.

It was… peaceful.
Too peaceful for a world built by mages.

“Mister! Fresh grilled squid! Just off the fire!”
The stall owner waved a skewer dripping with glaze.

Then—growl.

Everyone looked at Haqua.

Her tail froze mid-sway.

“T-That wasn’t me!”

“Haqua, you’re literally drooling,” I said flatly.

Her face went crimson.
Erika smiled and paid the vendor before handing her the skewer.

“Eat before you faint.”

“T-Thank you…” she murmured between mouthfuls, tail flicking happily.

For a moment, laughter filled the air, and for the first time in days, I forgot the weight of being hunted.

By afternoon, Envy guided us to a high hill overlooking the city.
At its peak stood a massive structure of dark stone—the Ancient Library of Deindax, sealed by a dozen glowing runes.

“There,” she said softly.
“That’s where the Grimoire of Fate is kept. But it’s guarded—tight. Soldiers, runic barriers, wards… if they know who you are, Kanata, they’ll never let you near it.”

I folded my arms.

“Then we’ll need a plan.”

“Hoooh, planning to break into that place?”

The voice came from behind us—light, teasing.
A tall woman leaned against a stone pillar, her long blonde hair messy, her clothes travel-worn but clearly tailored once for a noble.
Her sapphire eyes gleamed with mischief.

Schwartz frowned.

“Who are you?”

“Name’s not important,” she said, spinning a dagger between her fingers.
“But if you’re headed to that library, I can help. There’s a secret route under the city—old tunnels from the war era. Trouble is, it’s crawling with ghouls, ogres… and slimes.”

Haqua made a face.

“Ew.”

“Exactly,” the woman grinned. “So here’s the deal. Help me reach a treasure vault that lies along the same route, and I’ll get you inside the library. Fair trade, no?”

Erika crossed her arms.

“That’s your ‘one condition’?”

“Unless you’re scared of a little slime.”

Kanata smirked.

“We’ve fought worse.”

“Good.” The woman winked. “Meet me here tomorrow morning—eight sharp. Oh, and maybe bring a mop.”

She walked off into the crowd before any of us could ask her name.

“Who was that…?” Haqua asked.

“A headache waiting to happen,” Erika muttered.

That night, we found a small inn tucked between two shops.
The smell of roasted meat and cheap ale filled the bar below.
For the first time in weeks, we sat together at a real table.

Schwartz raised a mug.

“To not dying today.”

“Cheers to that,” Rio added, clinking his glass.

Laughter rippled through the group. Even Envy smiled faintly.
The warmth of the fire, the hum of conversation—it almost felt like peace.

Then chaos struck.

The blonde woman from earlier stumbled into a drunk’s shoulder, spilling his drink.
The man slammed his hand on the table.

“Watch where you’re going!”

“Maybe don’t block the aisle, idiot,” she shot back.

Another thug grabbed her arm.

“You’ll regret that, girl—”

“A-Aniki!” the smaller man stammered. “That’s Lady Jeanne!”

The drunk froze. Color drained from his face.

“L-Lady Jeanne of the Golden Cross?! I-I’m so sorry!”

She sighed, shaking free.

“Honestly, I can’t go anywhere without my name starting a panic…”

Then her gaze found ours across the bar.
A sly grin curved her lips.

“See you tomorrow, White-Haired Stranger.”

And with that, she disappeared into the night.

Meanwhile, far across the city, two other travelers arrived through a hidden portal.
Nagisa and Aine—disguised in plain cloaks, their eyes heavy with exhaustion.

Nagisa clutched her chest as they passed through the crowded streets.
The ache from their last battle still lingered—not just in her body, but in her heart.

“We’ll find him,” Aine whispered.
“The innkeeper said he’s staying near the plaza.”

“…I know.”
Nagisa voice trembled.
“I just… want to see him again. Even if he hates me now.”

She looked up at the twin moons above Deindax, their light reflecting in her tear-filled eyes.

“Kanata… I don’t care if you’ve changed your face or your name. You’re still my brother. And I’ll find you—before destiny takes you away from me again.”