Nyx and Zyrith stepped out of the weapon shop, their newly acquired weapons firmly in hand. Nyx adjusted the Whispering Edge on his back, the strap snug across his chest, while Zyrith admired her new daggers, rubbing their polished handles with a small smile on her face. For a moment, there was a glimmer of happiness in her eyes, a rare sight given the weight of their recent journey.

Zyrith turned around, her excitement bubbling over. “Where to next?” she asked, eager to explore the town further.

Nyx’s expression remained cold and distant as he walked. “Do you know the area?,” he asked.

Zyrith paused for a moment, her joy dampened slightly by the reminder of her lost home. She hesitated before answering, her voice softer now. “I don’t… know much about the world outside my village. I was able to get a map of surrounding towns from my mother’s hut before I left. Only a few chosen elders were ever allowed to travel to the Elven Territories. They always told us it was for our protection… to keep outsiders from finding us.”

Nyx noticed the shift in her tone, the sudden weight in her words. “Why would the elves hide themselves so thoroughly?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Zyrith’s expression darkened, the smile fading from her face. “We believed it was to protect ourselves from the dangers of the outside world… but it didn’t matter.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “The Crimson Claw found us anyway. They killed my people, destroyed my home…”

Zyrith’s hands clenched tightly around her daggers, her knuckles white as she continued. “We thought we were safe. We thought we could hide, but the world outside was always watching. And now, Eldralis is nothing more than ruins.”

Nyx remained silent for a moment, processing her words. He understood the pain of losing everything—he had lived it himself, in a different way. He glanced at Zyrith but said nothing more, deciding to move on from the conversation.

They wandered through the busy streets of Fujihama until they found a modest bookstore tucked away between two larger shops. “Fuji-Books,” the sign read. The smell of old parchment and ink filled the air as they stepped inside, and for a fleeting moment, Nyx was reminded of the library back on Earth. He had spent countless hours there, burying himself in stories of heroes and distant lands—fantasies that had once offered him solace. Now, they seemed meaningless.

Zyrith immediately began exploring the shop, her earlier melancholy fading as she marveled at the shelves filled with books. She wandered off to browse, leaving Nyx to approach the counter alone.

Behind the counter stood a timid woman with fuzzy ears and oversized glasses, nervously adjusting a stack of books. She looked up as Nyx approached, her hands trembling slightly.

“H-Hello,” she stammered. “How… how can I help you?”

Nyx stared at her coldly, his eyes narrowing. “I’m looking for a map,” he said.

The woman’s eyes widened, and she nodded quickly. “O-Of course! Please, wait here. I’ll get one for you right away!”

She hurried off to the back of the shop, her movements quick and jittery. As Nyx waited, he felt the weight of Zyrith’s presence nearby. She was still distracted by the books, clearly trying to occupy her mind after their conversation. After a moment, she returned with a scroll and carefully spread it out on the counter. Nyx leaned in, examining the detailed map of Elandor as the shopkeeper spoke.

“This map shows the major kingdoms of the land,” she explained, her voice still trembling. “There are five main regions: Lunaris, Hothrean, Republic of Vardil, the Elven Territories, and the Scorched Wastes.”

She pointed to the central region, her finger hovering over the largest kingdom on the map. “This is Lunaris. It’s the wealthiest kingdom in the land, ruled by Princess Seraphine.”

Nyx’s gaze darkened at the mention of Seraphine, memories of their first encounter rushing back to him. His hand instinctively clenched into a fist, but he remained silent as the shopkeeper continued.

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“Lunaris is known for its economic and political power,” she said. “It controls the most valuable resources—gemstones, enchanted items, and trade routes. It’s also home to powerful magic guilds and academies, focusing on ancient and elemental magic. It’s a prosperous kingdom, but…”

Her voice trailed off, and she hesitated before adding, “But not everything is as perfect as it seems. There are whispers of ruthless ambition behind the kingdom’s success.”

Nyx’s expression remained unchanged, though his mind lingered on the name Seraphine. He had seen her ambition firsthand. It had nearly killed him.

The shopkeeper quickly moved on, pointing to a mountainous region to the north. “This is Hothrean, ruled by King Valenstrad. It’s a kingdom known for its military strength and strategic location. The mountains provide a natural barrier, making it difficult to invade. They have the finest warriors and the best weaponry and armor, forged from the rare metals mined from their cliffs.”

She glanced at Nyx, her eyes flicking to the sword on his back. “Hothrean’s people are tough—warriors, miners, smiths. They value strength and honor above all else. It’s a cold, harsh place, but they thrive in those conditions.”

Nyx studied the region carefully. Hothrean sounded like the kind of place that bred powerful warriors—people who thrived in battle.

The shopkeeper moved her finger east, pointing to a heavily forested area. “And this… is the Elven Territories. It’s divided into different cities, most of which are hidden deep within the forests.”

She paused, her gaze shifting toward Zyrith, who had reappeared from the shelves. “The elves are ancient beings, guardians of old magic and forgotten knowledge. They live in harmony with nature, crafting enchanted items and potions from the rare herbs and resources found in the forest. But… as of recently...the dark elves…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked away uncomfortably.

Zyrith, her expression unreadable, remained silent as the shopkeeper continued. “Eldralis was once a great dark elf village, but… it’s now in ruins.”

Nyx glanced at Zyrith, noting the way her eyes darkened at the mention of her home. He turned back to the map, his expression unreadable.

The shopkeeper quickly moved on, eager to avoid lingering on the subject. She pointed to a coastal region to the west. “This is the Republic of Vardil, a bustling maritime nation ruled by a council of merchants and sea captains. They control the western seas and major ports, making them the central hub for trade and commerce.”

Nyx examined the coastal region carefully, noting its proximity to Lunaris. “What are they known for?” he asked, his voice low.

“Sea trade, shipbuilding, and navigation,” the shopkeeper replied. “Vardil produces the finest ships and sailors. They have a democratic government, where the merchants and captains hold power. It’s a place of free markets and innovation, full of exotic goods from far-off lands.”

She pointed to the southern region, a vast expanse of desert. “And this… this is the Scorched Wastes. No single ruler controls it—it’s governed by warlords and nomadic tribes.”

She hesitated before continuing. “The desert is dangerous—treacherous terrain, shifting sands, and ancient ruins hidden beneath the dunes. The tribes that live there are skilled survivalists, traders, and warriors. They know how to navigate the harsh landscape, but outsiders… well, they rarely make it out alive.”

She traced a finger along the southern border of the map, her expression serious. “There are stories of lost cities buried beneath the sand—cities that hold magical artifacts and forgotten knowledge. But they’re guarded by powerful monsters, and the desert’s unforgiving climate makes exploration almost impossible.”

She pointed to a darkened area on the map, her expression becoming more serious. “And this is the Dark Empire of Valdara. Not much is known about it, but some say a king rules from atop a throne of shadow. No one has ever returned from that place. The monsters there are… unnatural. Their power is beyond anything we’ve seen.”

Nyx studied the area she pointed to, his thoughts drifting back to when he was first summoned to this world. Princess Seraphine had mentioned a malevolent force threatening Elandor. Perhaps this Dark Empire was what she had been referring to

As he continued to examine the map, something caught his eye—a symbol of ruins, etched into a middle part of the land. He pointed to it, his voice calm but curious. “What’s this?”

The shopkeeper hesitated, her brow furrowing as she studied the map. “That… no one really knows. It’s said to be the remnants of a lost city, but its name has been forgotten. The entire area is covered in dense mana, making it nearly impossible to enter. The monsters there are… strong, stronger than anywhere else.”

As Nyx focused on the area, he felt a strange sensation—Whispering Edge began to pulse rhythmically on his back, as if responding to the map. Whatever was there, it was connected to him… or rather, to his sword.

He knew now where he needed to go.

Finally, he asked where they were currently located. The shopkeeper pointed to a small dot near the edge of the map. “This is Fujihama,” she explained. “You’re just outside the borders of Lunaris.”

As Nyx and the shopkeeper negotiated the price, Zyrith, who had been quietly listening, sneakily slid her chosen book onto the counter next to the map. Nyx noticed her small act of mischief, but rather than chastise her, he sighed and said, “This book as well.”

Zyrith’s face lit up, her earlier sadness forgotten as she clapped her hands together and jumped with excitement.

Nyx allowed himself a brief smile. For now, they would continue their journey together.