On the previous night, Ida packed her belongings to bring with her to the capital. She took a few essentials, including the diary in which she recorded the important events in this world which she read from the book. She was initially worried that the village would be in danger since the spirit mage was still determined to get his revenge, but Ida already knew where he would appear next.

That bastard’s mission isn’t just the village. It’s the entire Grenyth Empire.

There’s no doubt he is saving the best for the last, which is this village.

Ida would put an end to the spirit mage in the capital with the help from the three people around her. From thereon, she’ll be able to wash herself off the matters of this world. Rael, Auriana and Nikulas would be able to continue their journey on their own. A journey she had no desire to be a part of.

“My little one!”

June hovered around her excitement, her aqua-coloured eyes sparkling in delight. Ida laid down on the bed, letting out a sigh and closing her eyes.

“We'll only be setting off tomorrow, June.” Ida told June, her arm resting on her forehead.

“We can go now, my little one! Now, now! I can use my fae dust to fly there!” June pouted, her tone full of impatience. “I’m bored!”

“We can’t go now.”

“Bored!”

“We can’t.”

June flitted her way to Ida’s face, rubbing and snuggling her tiny fae body against her cheek. Even with her cheeks squished, Ida remained motionless on the bed. Seeing no response from her little one, June pouted and sat down on her stomach, huffing in frustration. She glared at Ida as if she were stabbing multiple daggers into Ida’s body, but Ida kept her eyes closed.

“...”

Ida’s breathing deepened, and it was a sign she had fallen asleep.

“...”

Eventually, a wave of sleepiness overcame June and she yawned, laying flat on Ida and started to snore away. Just like that, the two of them finally received a good night’s sleep after the past few hectic days.

***

It was a simple farewell breakfast with her parents along with Rael, Nikulas and Auriana. Ida assumed Rael would consume the food out of politeness, but seeing him swallow down the food as if he genuinely enjoyed it made her raise an eyebrow. She had vague memories of uptight nobles visiting the borders out of necessity, but they scoffed at the food. Some even called the food here measly grub.

Ida observed Rael, Nikulas and Auriana recalling their memories with smiles on their faces. They were clearly enjoying their time here.

They said they rescued Rael from the Wastelands after he was chased by his enemies.

The Crown Prince of Grenyth Empire, Rael Grenyth Liant. I wonder what kind of life he has led.

Ida lowered her eyes, taking another spoonful of food.

“Ida! Join us!” Auriana called out. “Your parents as well!”

“What?” Ida blinked.

“Rael brought a magic tool from the capital.”

Ida observed the tool in Rael’s hand in silence, tilting her head in confusion. It seemed like a glass orb.

“I met a spirit mage with peculiar spiritual powers. A mage whose powers don’t harm people, but captures images with his mana.” Rael explained, an amused smile playing on his lips. “With my help, he is going to open a store unlike any other and this was sent to me as a gift.”

“Capture images with mana…”

Auriana didn’t give Ida or her parents any time to contemplate on those words, dragging them over. Her parents glanced over to Ida, helpless and she only shrugged at them in return. In an instant, they were standing before the glass orb which began to hover in the air. After spending a few weeks here, Auriana and Ida had grown close and even had conversations about their daily lives.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I’m glad you are coming with us to the capital, Ida!”

“Why? I don’t see how me coming along with all of you changes anything.”

“I heard from the bakery owner that they sell pretty clothes there! I want to hear your thoughts!”

Auriana hugged Ida’s arm, leaning in and smiling at the glass orb. Meanwhile, Ida looked at the glass orb with a calm smile on her face, her other free arm slung across her mother’s shoulder. Her father stuck closely to her mother’s side, extremely happy.

“I’m so…happy…that everyone is enjoying my cooking and their time here.”

“Dear, there’s no need to be so emotional.”

Rael showed a rare mischievous grin, putting Nikulas in a chokehold and Nikulas merely jabbed his elbow at Rael.

“You’ve grown taller. You grumpy brat.”

“You are only three years older than me!”

The image was captured and preserved in a glass portrait that was specially made to preserve mana in its desired form. Rael decided to leave the photograph here as a thank-you gift, and just like that, the four of them set off towards the capital in the carriage.

***

In the carriage, the joyous atmosphere in the house from earlier had long dissipated, there was an inexplicable melancholic air lingering around them. Rael observed Nikulas and Auriana a moment longer before he sighed, furrowing his eyebrows.

“The two of you being here means nothing good,” Rael said and glanced towards Ida, pausing for a moment before continuing his words. “...you remember the words I said if you needed to find me, right?”

“It’s a predicament.” Nikulas nodded.

Rael looked at Ida again and Ida glanced out the carriage window. She pretended not to listen to the conversation that had nothing to do with her.

“It’s fine, Ida can listen to this.” Auriana assured.

“...if that’s what you want.” Rael agreed, leaning forward as he wore a troubled expression. “What happened?”

“The clan…” Auriana responded, squeezing her eyes close as she clenched her fists. “It’s all gone. Everyone. They were all killed and we watched everything burn to the ground.”

Rael inhaled sharply, his eyes growing wide and the carriage rocked gently. “What? How?”

Nikulas glowered at the empty space before him as the scene from that day replayed before his eyes. The anger and sadness radiated off him, making Auriana lift her head up as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“In all of Grenyth Empire, your clan possess the strongest humans I know, spiritual powers or not. How…” Rael trailed off, his tone full of disbelief. “How is this possible?”

“We fought against the monsters of the Wastelands our entire life. They were our only archenemy, but it turns out we had another enemy.” Nikulas spat out, the anger unbridled in his coffee-coloured eyes. “They hid themselves in the shadows and set a trap for us.”

“There was no one else we could have provoked. The monsters in the Wastelands aren’t sentient beings.” Auriana shook her head, looking at Rael. “We can only turn to you for help, Rael. We need a clue to find the culprit.”

“I don’t know if I can provide the clue you need.” Rael hesitated.

“It doesn’t matter! No matter what it is, I am not going to let our clan be buried down just like that!” Auriana exclaimed, her breathing becoming heavier as she finally lost her composure. “I won’t stop searching for that bastard! I’ll tear them apart from limb to limb!”

“I’ll gouge their eyes out and rip out their spine.” Nikulas hissed.

Ida felt a chill run down her spine as she heard Auriana and Nikulas utter those words. The life they led in the Wastelands was unlike any other humans. Against monsters who were twice or thrice their size, there was no doubt they had to resort to any method to win against them. Even becoming a monster themselves.

“Now that my useless father has passed on, Grenyth Empire is in ruins,” Rael explained, sighing as he placed his hand on his forehead. “Our regent is equally useless like my father. It is no surprise since he is my uncle. Other than him, I have to look out for my siblings as well.”

“...are they after your life again?” Auriana asked, her voice still held lingering anger.

“Ever since my father died, yes. Every single day, without fail.” Rael admitted, a guilty look in his eyes as he faced Auriana and Nikulas. “I am sorry, in this current situation, I’m afraid I cannot be of much help to you.”

Ida gave Rael a look. Even in such a dangerous situation, he still dragged her to the capital along with him. However, it couldn’t be helped. He didn’t trust Ida to keep his secret about the truth behind his spiritual powers.

“We’ll help you first, Rael.” Nikulas offered with a grim smile on his face. “We didn’t come to find you just to ask for your help.”

“...thank you, but there’s no need. In fact, if you need information, it’s better if you consult with our minister.”

“Minister?” Auriana repeated. “Is it the kind old man you spoke about before?”

“Yes. He has stood by my father’s side ever since I was born, and he has great knowledge about Vriafenia. If it weren't for him, the people of Grenyth Empire would have suffered even more,” Rael answered her with a nod. “If it is him, he can provide you with the clues you need.”

“Where is he now?”

“The dungeon.”

Ida furrowed her eyebrows upon hearing those words. The security around the dungeon was extremely tight since it held the most heinous criminals of the Grenyth Empire. Even as a royalty, they could be denied access. The warden of the dungeon was an unusually uptight man who couldn’t be bribed or swayed.

“I’m sorry, but if it’s the dungeons. You’ll have to find a way to sneak in. I cannot allow you access unless the warden–”

There was a muffled noise coming from the coachman and the horse neighed loudly. The carriage became unstable and Rael widened his eyes, looking out the carriage window.

“How did they find–”

In an instant, the carriage was engulfed in flames.