The Caravan had reached the halfway point of the journey, stopping at Gran Pinitus - the center of religious worship within the Shurlana Desert. The city was founded in the year 24 by the first and greatest prophet of the Pinus religion, Sion La’rou Pinius. He was said to be a great hero who possessed a scepter blessed by the heavens themselves. It summoned great seas and commanded strong winds.

  “Pinius…that name certainly rings a bell.”

  Ereth stood before a statue of the holy saint, carefully reading from the plaque at the statue’s base. It stirred within him the memories of his father’s tales. Sion La’rou Pinius was once quite acquainted with his father, Zoltin. In fact, he was a personal companion of the Immortal Sword Saint as one of the Four Great Mages.

  This prior knowledge, obtained through word of mouth, made the experience quite surreal. It was as though he had stepped into the pages of the Iliad and greeted Achilles himself.

  The city itself was built upon the Great River, which stretches from Gran Pinitus to the far-eastern end of the Shurlana Desert. While the main artery provided the city with crops and reliable water sources, various channels were constructed, acting as avenues for homes, financial districts, and town centers.

  It was a marvel of environmental innovation and technology, its beauty on par with the hanging gardens of ancient myth.

  “...” Abraxas paused as he observed his environment, his head turning carefully like a watchdog. Though it could not be seen, something was clearly there. Though it could not be grasped, Abraxas felt its harrowing sensations.

  Ereth placed his hand on Abraxas shoulder before asking, “What’s wrong?”

  “I can feel it…there is trash here.”

  “A Shura?”

  “Perhaps, though, I cannot discern the exact nature of its existence.”

  “I see…if that’s the case, then we’ll help you.”

  “No need,” Abraxas turned away, “It is just a hunch, a suspicion. That’s all. It isn’t worth anyone’s time but my own.”

  “Are you really that eager to work alone?”

  “...”

  Abraxas leaped into the air, darting from rooftop to rooftop as a black comet streaking through the clear blue sky. Ereth knew there was little use reasoning with such a stubborn man, yet he could help but ask himself — Is there really nothing I can do to connect with him?

  Understanding the futility of his actions, he turned his attention towards his second compatriot, the Fiery Mage.

  “This place certainly exceeded my expectations,” Adra said, strutting down the sandstone path in a shimmering white dress. Her lips were red and full, skin pale as snow, with an almost ethereal, otherworldly composition.

  A face comprising both the masculine and the feminine, the youthful and the ancient, the wise and the aloof — it was the first time Ereth had known her as a woman.

  “Ereth,” she said with a demanding tone. “What are you staring off for? We have somewhere to be.”

  “Y-Yes, the central district, yes?”

  Though the Drezhin deposits could not be processed for the highest price in Gran Pinitus, there was a secondary objective Adra had been vying for — a certain star. Of course, the reason for her sudden interest was unknown even to Ereth or Abraxas. They didn't have to know at this moment. As of now, it was simply “another step” in a certain plan she had, just as Ereth and the Drezha stone were.

  They made their way to the central district of Gran Pinitus where the Grand Priest of the city resided. Or at least, that is what should have happened. A crowd of concerned townsfolk gathered around the closed-off square, their path guarded by regal knights.

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  A high-ranking knight carried a standard in his right hand with his left hand palming the pummel of his sword. He seemed to be the leader of this military organization, or at least this sect of it.

  “We apologize for the inconvenience,” he said. “An investigation is currently being held at Gran Pinius Cathedral! Religious services will begin shortly. For now, please move away and allow us proper conduct!”

  He spoke with a professional, yet demanding air. His voice, cadence, height, and muscularity gave everyone the standard impression of a man.

  In response to the regal knight’s demands, Ereth inquisitively stroked his chin, as though rummaging through memories.

  The Wandering King? No, he reminds me a bit more of Orlando. He definitely gives off a more western look.

  Subconsciously, Ereth pegged the man as a Frenchman, even though France likely didn’t exist on this planet.

  “Hey! You! Orlando!” Ereth called out, pushing his way through the crowd. “Mind telling me what’s happening here? Why can’t we see the priest guy? What’s the investigation all about?”

  The (supposed) Frenchman met Ereth’s gaze with a tired, almost irritated expression. “Citizens are not privy to such information. Please move along.”

  “Seriously? So I really can’t see this famous guy?”

  “...I will not ask again. Any further inquiry will result in an arrest.”

  “...”

  With no other choice, Ereth disengages, returning to Adra’s side.

  “This is rather troublesome…I was quite eager to meet the man,” said Adra. “Normally we could offer some assistance as Adventurers, but none of us have official licenses. We’re basically nomads.”

  Brute force could not solve this predicament. If Ereth used his strength to overwhelm the guards, they’d quickly cause panic throughout the city. Word of mouth is far too fast to keep up with. Before long, they’d be branded as criminals and lose any rights to obtaining legal Adventurer status.

  Ereth interjected, “Let’s try asking around for information. I don’t think fighting will be necessary here. We’ll help out the city from the sidelines and get what we need. No harm in that, right?”

  “I suppose you’re correct. We’ll split up for now and return to the central district when necessary. Oh, and before you go, take this.”

  Adra handed Ereth a small talisman with grey inscriptions.

  “It’s a communication talisman. If you ever run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

  Ereth nodded before leaving the central district. Though his demeanor seemed cold, it stemmed from confidence. He believed in Adra wholeheartedly. She was not someone so weak as to let anything happen to her.

  His mind was concerned with something else, another occurrence that irked him greatly.

  Where did Abraxas go?

  Even though they were both teacher and rival, leader and warrior, he could not help but worry about the man. Was he concerned for his safety? No, certainly not. Abraxas, after all, was a warrior. A warrior must not cry over every drop of blood or bruised flesh. Rather, he was worried about what the Black Knight would do.

  It was no secret that Abraxas was vulgar, irritable, distasteful, and generally difficult to get along with. He reveled in calamitous darkness, and so, darkness would naturally find itself attracted to him. No matter what he did, nothing would end up well for anyone involved. A calamity would soon occur.

  That was precisely why he had to find Abraxas, no matter what. He needed to protect this city and everyone in it.