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After a few minutes down the bustling street, Jess finally stopped and pointed to a sturdy-looking shop. “There, that’s the blacksmith shop.”
Renn looked up, noting the building’s size. Bigger than the blacksmith shop back in Wendale, but still modest compared to Pelladia’s massive structures like the royal palace and the Alchemist Corp headquarters.
“Let’s go!” he chirped, rushing forward, with Renn close behind, balancing the box of ores in her arms.
Inside, a warm glow filled the room, casting cozy shadows over walls lined with glimmering tools and metalwork. The air was thick with the scent of smelting ore, a surprisingly pleasant blend that Renn found herself enjoying.
At the back of the shop, a stout man—likely in his mid-thirties—hammered a glowing piece of metal. He had short, light brown hair and darker skin, much like Jess, and wore a white tank top, his muscles rippling with each swing of the hammer.
“Dad! I’m back with the ores!” Jess’s voice echoed through the room, pulling the man from his work. He turned, wiping sweat from his brow, a smile breaking across his face.
“Oh, thanks, Jess,” he said warmly. But his blue gaze shifted to Renn, his expression flickering with surprise as he noticed her carrying the box. “And who’s this young miss?”
“She’s the queen of Veledot!” Jess announced proudly, grinning from ear to ear.
His father blinked, taken aback. “T-the queen?!”
Renn chuckled, giving a polite nod while keeping her hold on the box. “Nice to meet you. I’m just helping your son for a bit since he ran into a bit of trouble with a noble.”
The man’s face softened with gratitude as he came forward. “I see… Thank you kindly for that. But, ah, Jess isn’t my son.”
“Eh?” Renn’s eyebrows shot up in confusion as Jess stifled a giggle beside her.
The man carefully took the box from her hands, still smiling. “Jess is actually my daughter.”
Renn’s eyes darted between him and Jess, stunned. “Wait… what?”
Jess’s laughter spilled out. “I’m a girl, Renn!”
“R-really?!” Renn spluttered, trying to process. “But—but your hair! And your clothes!”
The man chuckled, setting the box down on a nearby table. “The clothes are intentional, but as for the hair, she just likes it short. Makes it easier for her to get around. Safer for a boy traveling alone than a girl, right?”
“Oh…” Renn nodded slowly, her shock fading as she absorbed the reasoning. “Yeah, I… I suppose that’s true.”
Jess stepped closer, her eyes bright with mischief. “Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner!”
“No worries.” Renn smiled back, amused. “You had me fooled, though. You’re really convincing as a boy.”
Jess giggled, looking pleased. “Thanks! Hey, can I call you big sis?”
“B-big sis?” Renn’s face flushed slightly at the unexpected request.
Her father intervened with a chuckle, patting Jess’s shoulder. “Now, now, let’s not go overboard with Her Majesty.”
He straightened and turned to Renn, bowing slightly. “Ah, I should introduce myself properly. Name’s Marko. I’m one of the blacksmiths who work with the Alchemist Corp, forging weapons to be infused with Mana.” He gestured to her staff, strapped securely on her back. “In fact, I’m the one who crafted that custom staff you’re carrying before we sent it to headquarters.”
Renn’s eyes widened with excitement, her hands instinctively reaching for her staff. “Wait—you forged Esperanza?!”
Marko’s face lit up, chuckling at her enthusiasm. “So, you named it Esperanza, huh? Not bad. Glad to hear it’s served you well. How’s it holding up?”
“It’s amazing!” Renn exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. “Thanks to it, I managed to save Veledot from a huge monster! Thank you so much!”
“Good to know it’s in capable hands.” Marko’s pride was evident in his smile as he crossed his arms. “I heard about that incident. Quite the accomplishment, wasn’t it?”
Renn’s expression turned thoughtful as an idea sparked. “Speaking of that monster… I sold it to the Alchemist Corp because they wanted to study it. Do you know where they might be keeping it?”
Marko’s smile faded, his gaze growing serious. “That giant creature? I heard it was transported to a lab, but I’m not sure where exactly.”
Renn nodded, pondering. While it wasn’t confirmed that Balehorn was in Pelladia, there was a chance. It might be worth checking in with the Alchemist Corp before she left the kingdom for Grandel—just to make sure.
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Leaving the blacksmith shop, Renn’s gaze drifted toward the Alchemist Corp headquarters. Would I even be able to get inside? she wondered.
“Aren’t you supposed to be heading to Grandel?” a voice asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Startled, she turned to see Arthur leaning casually against the far end of the blacksmith shop, arms crossed, a slight smile on his face.
“I wanted to check on something with Alchemist Corp first,” she replied.
“Let me guess—Balehorn?”
“…Yeah.”
He straightened up and started toward her. “I was curious about the kind of person who took down such a beast. Turns out you’re not so bad. I was cautious at first, but maybe I could tag along with you for a bit while you’re in the east.”
Renn’s eyes widened at his offer. “Are you sure? Don’t you have duties as a prince?”
“Well, I mostly keep an eye out for any trouble in Pelladia, like your run-in with that noble. But honestly, any guard can handle that. Feels like I’d run into something interesting traveling with you.” He smiled. “So, what do you say, Your Majesty?”
Renn narrowed her eyes a bit; it was rare for someone to speak so casually with her, even with their shared status. But having a local by her side could be useful.
“Alright,” she replied, shifting her weight. “Maybe you being around will help us get into headquarters.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “I’ve never been inside myself, since it’s off-limits to non-alchemists. But we can try.”
The two made their way toward the towering Alchemist Corp headquarters.
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Two guards in green-tinted uniforms stood at the entrance, and one stepped forward, holding up a hand. “Hold on, Your Highness,” he said, eyeing Arthur, then turning to Renn. “What business do you have here? This place is restricted to alchemists and authorized personnel.”
Arthur glanced at Renn, motioning for her to speak.
Renn stepped forward. “I’m Renn Veledot, the one who sold the giant beast Balehorn to you four months ago. I just wanted to check on its status.”
The guards exchanged looks before one replied, “I’m sorry, but that beast isn’t here. You’ll have to look elsewhere.”
“But where?” she pressed.
He shrugged. “Can’t say. That’s confidential information.”
Renn’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, but she nodded. “I… I see.”
She thought back to the alchemist badge she’d used to get around restricted areas in the past. If only I hadn’t given it back to Velle…
The two left the Alchemist Corp building behind and walked down the dusty street together.
“So, what now?” Arthur asked, watching her as she seemed deep in thought.
Renn glanced over. “Any idea where they could be keeping the lab? Doesn’t have to be exact.”
“A lab big enough to fit a giant monster?” Arthur looked up, pondering. “It’d have to be underground or inside a mountain. Crazy, I know, but I haven’t seen any other massive buildings here in the east, so that’s my best guess.”
“What about on the mountains?”
He shook his head. “Unlikely. The eastern mountains are incredibly tall and steep—some even reach above the clouds. Building something like that up there would be impractical.”
Renn nodded, taking it in. Traveling with someone who knew the area was beginning to feel like a stroke of luck. “Got it.”
“We could start searching the closest mountain ranges, but that would take ages. Why don’t we go to Grandel first?” He gestured toward the mana rail station.
Seeing no better option, Renn agreed, and they boarded the mana train to Grandel. As they traveled, she marveled at the distant mountain ranges, some peaks stretching well beyond the clouds.
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When they arrived at Grandel, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the horizon and the ocean beyond. The city had a different feel from Pelladia, somehow more familiar to her. As her gaze settled on the distant ocean, she felt drawn to it.
Arthur noticed her gaze lingering. “Want to go check out the ocean?”
At his suggestion, she nodded eagerly, hurrying toward the shore. Soon, they reached a bustling port filled with ships of all sizes, and Renn’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Whoa!” She exclaimed, wide-eyed at the sight of the port and the vast blue ocean. She dashed to the edge of the stone platform and crouched down, dipping her hand into the cool water. The sensation sent a delighted shiver up her spine, and she splashed around, laughing.
“You really like the ocean, huh?” Arthur commented, amused as he strolled up beside her.
“It’s amazing! The water’s so cold but feels nice! Are there fish here?”
“Of course, though probably not this close to the shore.”
“Aw…”
Arthur chuckled. “Hard to believe you’re the queen of Veledot.”
“W-what’s wrong with me being excited?”
“Doesn’t the west have port cities too?”
Renn blinked in surprise. “It does?”
“Yeah, I think there’s one in the southwest or something.”
“What?!” Renn felt her jaw drop. She hadn’t even thought to explore the southwest during her four months in the west. The thought of missing out on her own region’s port cities made her groan. “Seriously? I missed my chance to see all this earlier?”
Arthur laughed. “A bit silly for a queen to be so worked up over it, don’t you think?”
“Sh-shut up!”
Their banter carried on for a while, laughter easing the sting of her missed opportunity. Eventually, they remembered the real reason they’d come to Grandel—to visit Malikah the seer.
As they strolled back into the heart of Grandel, Renn and Arthur spotted a small building crowded with people, its entrance draped in purple curtains. Tables outside were filled with patrons, chatting or waiting, lending a lively energy to the area.
“Here we are, Malikah’s place,” Arthur said, eyeing the building. “Looks just as packed as ever.”
Renn glanced around at the bustling crowd. “Are all these people here to see her?”
“Most likely. She’s that good. But it’s already late, so this might be the last batch for today.” He nodded toward a couple of empty seats near the building. “Let’s hang out here and wait.”
Renn agreed, and they spent the next few hours wandering nearby streets, sampling local snacks, and sharing stories. In between bites, Renn mentioned her mission to track down cults attempting to revive ancient beasts.
“Those beasts… yeah, they’re pretty nasty,” Arthur said, leaning back, arms crossed. “I heard the Alchemist Corp was on the hunt for the cults. Didn’t know you were involved.”
“Seems they’re trying to bring the beasts back, so… yeah, we have to stop them.”
“Maybe Malikah could help with that too,” he suggested casually.
“You think she’d know? I mean…” Renn hesitated, unsure how to phrase her doubt without sounding rude. “I just don’t get how fortune-telling works.”
Arthur grinned knowingly. “Hey, no worries. I’m not entirely sold on it either. But I can’t ignore that nearly 90% of what she’s predicted has come true.”
Just then, the final customer exited through the purple curtains, leaving Renn and Arthur alone outside.
Moments later, a hooded woman emerged, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she approached. “Ah, long time no see, Your Highness,” she greeted, pulling back her hood to reveal striking features.
Arthur stood and nodded. “Still as popular as ever, I see.”
Renn followed suit, eyeing Malikah’s elegant, oracle-like attire with curiosity.
The seer inclined her head toward Renn. “And you’ve brought another notable guest. Welcome, Your Majesty.” She gave a slight bow, acknowledging Renn’s title with respect.
Renn blinked, momentarily surprised, though she reminded herself that her reputation had spread far by now.
Arthur got straight to the point. “Still accepting visitors this late?”
“Technically, I’m closed for the day,” Malikah replied, “but for you two, it would be my honor. Come inside.”
She led them through the purple curtains and into what looked like a simple, cozy home. No strange trinkets, no skulls, and no candles. Just a humble room with a table and a few chairs, plain and welcoming.
Malikah settled at the far end of the table and gestured for them to sit. “Now, how may I assist you both?”
Renn took her seat, then leaned forward, meeting Malikah’s gaze. “I’m looking for the descendants of the legendary heroes. They’re somewhere in this region—do you know where they could be?”
Malikah intertwined her fingers, her expression calm and focused. “Descendants of the heroes, hmm? You’re searching for individuals as rare as they come.”
“Yeah… we think they either don’t know they’re descendants or just don’t want to accept their ancestors’ Mana.”
“Yet, you need them for your purpose,” Malikah finished, her words eerily accurate.
Renn’s breath caught, surprised at how directly she’d touched on their mission. “Y-yeah, exactly.”
Malikah chuckled softly, noticing Renn’s reaction. “Let’s see what I can reveal,” she murmured, closing her eyes. A hush fell over the room, filling it with an almost tangible anticipation.
Arthur waited calmly, while Renn shifted, glancing between him and Malikah with a blend of curiosity and skepticism.
Finally, Malikah spoke, eyes still closed. “One descendant wanders the land, a traveler crossing borders. Finding them will not be a simple task.”
Renn leaned forward, surprised by the specificity of Malikah’s vision. “Really? What about the other?”
Malikah opened her eyes, fixing her gaze on Renn. “The other is a master craftsman, renowned for their remarkable work.”
Arthur’s eyebrows lifted, and even he seemed a bit taken aback by how precise her reading was.
“Wow… that actually helps a lot,” Renn mumbled, still in awe.
“I get that reaction a lot.” Malikah laughed lightly. “But while I’m honored to help, I only have time for one more reading.”
Renn’s face fell. “Just one?”
“Ask about the cults,” Arthur suggested, glancing at Renn as Malikah waited with a serene smile.
Renn hesitated. There were so many important questions, each weighing on her mind. “Could I come back tomorrow for another reading?”
Malikah shook her head gently. “For my visions to stay clear, I need time before another reading.”
Renn glanced down, deep in thought. Arthur nudged her. “Come on, we need to find the cult hideouts, right?”
After a moment, Renn looked back at Malikah. “Can you tell me where the giant monster, Balehorn, is?”
Arthur’s jaw dropped. “How is that more important than finding the cults?!”
“Because we don’t know how much time we have to stop them from reviving the ancient beasts,” Renn replied quietly. “But I’ve already seen Balehorn kill people once… I won’t let that happen again.”
Arthur looked at her, surprised by her conviction. “You…”
Malikah’s voice cut through, gentle but firm. “Very well. Let’s see where this creature lies.”
Closing her eyes again, Malikah went silent, her expression serene. “The beast is being held by humans somewhere… unharmed.”
Renn leaned closer. “But where?”
Opening her eyes, Malikah offered a faint smile. “Travel north, through the mountains, and you may find what you seek.”
Once more, her answer felt eerily precise. Grateful, Renn gave her a deep nod. “Thank you, Malikah.”
Malikah’s expression softened as she inclined her head. “It is simply my craft, Your Majesty. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be closing for the night.”
Arthur stood and offered a respectful nod. “Thanks for everything. About the payment—”
“No need.” Malikah interrupted with a small smile, her gaze shifting to Renn. “Consider it a free trial for a first-time customer.”
Grateful for her generosity, Arthur and Renn thanked her once more before stepping out of the house, heading toward the nearby inn where they planned to spend the night and prepare for the journey north back to Pelladia in pursuit of Balehorn.
After they disappeared from sight, Malikah’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Tread carefully, descendant of the Beastknight.”
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