The townsfolk of Libertas are in complete panic due to the incident in the bar hours ago. With certain doom approaching their home, they have no choice but to prepare for the worst possible event. Usually, travelers who arrive in the region tend to be merchants with either mercenaries or private bodyguards. Those who can't afford to protect or be protected try to stay clear from any unfortunate encounters. Even with the help from vim meam volunteers, the highest class of fighters around are only at intermediate which normally would be enough except this time they are facing a number they cannot handle. Thus the outpost lack of capable reinforcements represented the difficulty of quelling the bandits.

Despite this, it's obvious that a group the size of the Praedam bandits is to be considered a serious threat to not just for their well being, but also out of consideration for the locals who has to deal with them long term. The matter is much dire for Mr Kesh and Maria. Kite had agreed to go with the man earlier. However, no matter how amazing he is at dealing with the situation, going against an overwhelming group is nothing but reckless.

Soon, two figures appeared within range. It is the masked man and Kite. Mr Kesh, Maria and several locals who are close to Kite rushed forward to greet him.

"Are you hurt Kite!? Kesh and I have been worried sick!"

"Aye boy! Glad you decide to turn back."

" Ummm, actually everyone..."

"What is it, lad?"

"The bandits are all killed. Not a single one of them escaped..."

"!!!"

"Come on, Kite. Just because you don't want us to worry doesn't mean that you can say anything impossible."

"But it's true. All of the bandits, including their base, got destroyed. The bandits won't be appearing around here ever again."

Everyone is speechless when they heard Kite saying it more seriously. Those present during the commotion in the bar have a vague understanding of his description, but those who only heard of it still find it unbelievable. The man before them claims to have an idea to eliminate all those bandits and is serious about it. There were no signs of the bandits for a few hours more, thus making Kite's claim even more plausible.

"What exactly happened?"

"Well, when we followed those guys back to their base, he ..."

As Kite tried to explain further, the wanderer places his arm on top of Kite's head, as if it were a table. Then he does the explanation instead, interrupting Kite halfway.

"Their base collapsed into a giant sinkhole, so I used some special bait to lure some local wildlife into that hole and make sure they don't get to climb back up. It was fun calling for the animals to get their meal."

"That's ..."

Before Kite can finish retorting to the superficial lie, he felt a heavy pressure pressing onto his head. Kite got silenced again while the wanderer continues speaking.

"All I did is used some of the helping hands around us. It's that simple. Hence why everyone doesn't have to worry about them anymore."

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"The solution is just that simple?"

"Exactly. So the next thing we did was..."

Everyone starts to relax after the explanation and combine with Kite's testimony, makes it an incredibly believable story. As for Kite, he is confused by the lie, which sounds like a toned-down version of the actual event. With how the town's atmosphere changed suddenly, he can't say the truth anymore because it would be less likely for anyone to believe him. Kite looks at the wanderer again. He can tell that behind that mask hides a sly smirk on that unknown face as he poses his finger in the quiet figure, uttering a silent 'shhh'.

Back within Criken Bar. Kite is now together with Mr. Kesh and Maria. The wanderer had told Kite that he will be waiting for him until sunset. Otherwise, he will take his leave. Kite first explains the truth about the bandit incident before explaining his plans to travel with that man. Maria grew concerned while Kesh is in deep thought.

"Kite, you do know that going with him will be even more dangerous? That man..."

"Let's just let him go Maria."

"But Kesh."

"It's fine. He will choose to leave eventually. Just didn't expect it to be this early."

"..."

Kite understands their concern for him. Kite did not expect that Kesh already anticipated this long before meeting the wanderer. If the reason for leaving is to expand his skills as a chef, it won't be this dramatic. However, the journey could potentially make them all become eternally apart from each other. Maria hands Kite a small wooden box. When Kite opens it up, within it is a small necklace where the centerpiece is a figure of the firebird of Etenaru. Behind the flat side, there are two words etched into it. Kite Griffin. Kite now understands the reason for their expectations, he didn't give a single thought over it, but this may be a chance of a lifetime to find the answer to his origin.

The three of them spent one last meal with each other before Kite starts to leave. As he approaches the meeting spot, he notices that a group of people is standing there. He recognizes them as people he is familiar with during his entire career at the bar. People on friendly terms with him gathered around and wished him the best of luck for his long journey out of the desert.

After the ordeal the bandits caused, the outpost should be much safer now that the kingdom of Abstauben can reinforce the region to avoid any more like-minded groups trying to take advantage of the geography of the outpost. The occasion now changed to a subtle event as they celebrate and bid farewell to the young boy.

They spend the entire day together until Kite realized something. The sun is already setting. Remembering his appointment now of all times made him panic. Everyone around laughs at him while Maria hands him everything he would need in a sachel. Kite and Maria hugged one last time before grabbing his stuff and rushing towards the meeting point. As Kite sprints forward, he sees within the distance that the wanderer is just leaving.

"WAIT FOR ME!"

"Hmmm?"

*pant* *pant* "I haven't..." *pant*

"Well, I thought you would stay back home since you haven't shown up."

"I'm just late!"

*chuckles* "Sure whatever you say."

"..."

Kite was stunned by that reaction. He might lose his life if he isn't careful, especially when the man isn't around him as previously mentioned by him. Kite needs to best prepare for any form of nonsense that comes while traveling. The more Kite thought of it, the more uneasy he feels about his decision. However, he already steeled himself for this. Thus he has to go through with it. Kite isn't sure what training the wanderer will issue him but considering his way of thinking and personality, it would not be on martial arts, at least not yet for the time being. Kite did remember something important.

"Say, mister?"

"Yes?"

"I know it's weird but I haven't asked for your name yet."

"Well, names are mostly for friends or irritating people. Of course, I didn't say my name, Kite Griffin."

"You probably got my name before you got to Libertas."

"I do like a good meal after all."

"Wait, before we got sidetracked, you haven't mentioned your name."

"Sure, sure."

As they walked toward the sunset, the wanderer turns around to look at Kite while walking. Kite hears a soft sliding noise. That was the sound of the mask that the wandered had been wearing. Seeing his face in full view, Kite can't believe that behind that mask lies a young man's face. The unique cyan ring in his eyes that looks like a fire is swirling around his iris making him look like a figure from mythology just came to life. The man thus utters four words while Kite was baffled.

"It is Glacier Skyheaven."