Chapter 9: The item under repair

Klonoa reached out her hand to sense the surrounding magic energy.

However, the situation did not seem promising.

“Mo-mo! Just a bit longer, let’s see if we can find something!” 

Her kind consideration.

After exploring the area around the statue of the Water Goddess for a few minutes, Klonoa didn’t utter a word that suggested the situation had improved.

Ren also picked up debris and searched for relics of the Water Goddess, similar to the sacred artifacts of the goddess when Roses Caitas was sealed.

…But, it’s unlikely, isn’t it?

That was the conclusion.

Upon further thought, Roses Caitas was under investigation by the Elven Church, so it was unlikely that such precious items would be left behind.

The rubble from the statue of the goddess shouldn’t be treated lightly.

As Klonoa gracefully walked along the remaining platforms to observe the situation during their break, her robe lightly billowed.

Ren’s gaze surveyed the surroundings and was directed towards the gaping hole near her.

The moment when he settled the score with the Sword demon, falling from there into the depths below.

Now, having become a Sword Saint and able to use the Sword demon’s techniques, many things crossed his mind. During this break, Ren stopped to look into the crystal on his bracelet.

—

Ren Ashton

[Job] Ashton Family – Eldest Son

[Skills] ・Sword Summoning (Level 1: 0/0)

• Sword Summoning Art (Level 6: 5112/6500)

   Level 1: Can summon 【one】 sword.

   Level 2: Gain the effect of 【Body Enhancement (Small)】 while summoning the bracelet.

   Level 3: Can summon 【two】 swords.

   Level 4: Gain the effect of 【Body Enhancement (Medium)】 while summoning the bracelet.

   Level 5: Unlock the evolution of the swords.

   Level 6: Gain the effect of 【Body Enhancement (Large)】 while summoning the bracelet.

   Level 7: Can summon 【three】 swords.

   Level 8: ********************.

[Acquired Swords]

Sword of the Great Tree (Level 5: 2864/5000)

• Enables attacks of medium-level nature magic.
• The range of attack effectiveness increases with level.

   Mithril Sword (Level 5: 289/8500)

• Sharpness increases with level.

   Thief’s Sword (Level 1: 0/3)

• Randomly steals items from the target with a certain probability.

   Shield Sword (Level 2: 0/5)

• Creates a magical barrier. The effect can be strengthened with level increases. 
• The range of effect can be expanded.

Flame Sword (Level 1: 1/1)

• Its flames are the embodiment of dragon rage and the essence of power.

Water Sword (Level 1: 1/1)

• It contains the power dropped by the Water Goddess.

—

Ren wondered if the last time he looked at the bracelet’s crystal was before he became a Sword Saint.

 There was a memory of casually looking at it while searching for the trigger to become a Sword Saint.

The notable changes would be his repeated outdoor training sessions with Estelle during the winter and, above all, the increase in proficiency due to defeating two of the Divine Beast’s messengers, Wadatsumi.

Also, the presence of the Water Sword.

As Ren gazed at the bracelet’s crystal, he naturally recalled the events of that winter.

—

A scene from a winter shortly after the battle with the Divine Beast’s messenger, Wadatsumi.

Licia had suddenly changed her plans to return to Clausel and, upon hearing about the Divine Beast’s messenger Wadatsumi, had come to Eupheim. In total, there were three people: Licia, who had come to Eupheim to visit Fiona, who was staying there, and Ren, who had come to Eupheim due to changes in the weather.

It was a day when they went to check the condition of the coastline shortly after that battle.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Incredible… It looks like a jewel.”

The two girls unintentionally commented on the beauty of the Water Sword Ren had summoned.

The Water Sword resembled the sky and had a majestic appearance that resembled a jewel with a pale sea-colored hue. It exuded a beauty reminiscent of the key that Ragna had shown Ren the other day.

In appearance, it would correspond to a longsword.

It had the appearance of a polished gem.

The summoned Water Sword floated in front of Ren. When Ren grasped the hilt, he felt that the azure blade shone even brighter.

However, perhaps because it was his first time experiencing this, Ren couldn’t fully control the power of the Water Sword. Even when he swung it toward the sea, he could only manipulate the waves to a small extent. At that time, he still couldn’t utilize powers like water magic.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Once more, there was the existence of martial skills that wouldn’t surface in the crystal ball.

When Ren became a Sword Saint, he utilized two martial skills. The first was “Sword of Authority,” and the other was a martial skill he had learned after battling the Sword Demon.

Regarding the former martial skill, it was said that its effectiveness, vibrations, and even the color of the magic waves it produced varied depending on the user.

The latter martial skill allowed him to manipulate space with dense magic, similar to how the Sword Demon had used it, and release its destructive power. Anything destroyed by the power of these waves floated in mid-air, imbued with magic energy like purple lightning.

If Ren could thrust his sword into the ground as the Sword Demon did and destroy the terrain, he could also release it directly at his opponent, as he had done with the Divine Beast’s messenger, Wadatsumi.

There was something that bothered him, though. 

Ren still wasn’t sure about the special powers of Sword of Authority. The technique was known not only for its attack power as a martial skill but also for its diverse effects depending on the user. What was clear was that Ren’s magic, which had grown, seemed to be influenced by Licia and Fiona, strangely enough. That much was evident from the sight of him using Sword of Authority.

“What should I call that martial skill the Sword Demon used?”

Hearing Ren’s muttered words, realizing only now that the martial skill didn’t have a name, Klonoa asked. 

“Ren-kun? Did you say something?”

“No, it’s just that I thought the footing was a bit precarious,” 

Ren replied, trying to divert the conversation.

“Haha! Even if you fell, I’d gently float you back up, Ren-kun!”

“…As expected of you, Klonoa-san.”

Even though he knew he’d be fine in the water if he fell, Ren had initially tried to deceive her, but then he reconsidered.

“Klonoa-san, may I ask something?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Klonoa answered as she continued to explore the area.

“Since I’ve become a Sword Saint, I can use the martial skill the Sword Demon used after our battle… I mean, it’s a bit strange to keep calling it the Sword Demon’s technique. So, if you know what that technique is, could you please tell me?”

“Is that so?” 

The Academy Principal stopped in her tracks, turned to face Ren, and blinked in surprise.

“That’s strange. I feel like I’m hearing about this for the first time,”

“I’m sorry. I forgot to share that information.”

“I see, I see. You just forgot, huh?” 

He thought she would let him off the hook, but Klonoa came up to Ren and poked his nose with her index finger, saying “We must talk about it properly, you know?”

When Ren said, “I’m sorry,” once again, she smiled.

“I’ll forgive you. So, what about the Sword Demon’s technique?”

“That’s it. I’ve been using it ever since I fought the Sword Demon. It’s just that it feels awkward to keep calling it that, so if you know what it is, I’d like you to tell me.”

“I see. What kind of power was it?”

As Ren recounted the scenes from when the Sword Demon had used the technique and his own experiences using it, Klonoa, with keen interest, crossed her arms. There was a certain charm in the way she brought her fingers to her lips.

Information about the Sword Demon was limited, but Klonoa diligently searched her knowledge in her head and said, 

“Sanctuary Destroyer… maybe.”

It wasn’t named that just because Klonoa didn’t have a favorable impression of the Sanctuary; nor was it because the Sword Demon had destroyed Roses Caitas. In fact, there was a solid reason behind her choice of words.

“Bard Mudi sang about it. he saw the Sanctuary on the Martell Continent being completely destroyed by the Sword Demon in the past, and she called it the ‘Sanctuary Destroyer.'”

“That’s quite an ominous name, but having a name settled is reassuring.”

As Ren had expected, they didn’t find any items imbued with the Water Goddess’s power. However, Ren thought that might be for the best. Even if they had found something, he couldn’t take it out without the Elven Church knowing about it.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Ren returned to Elendil at a time when he would normally have already finished dinner. It was past seven in the evening, and outside was pitch dark.

Breathing out white mist, Ren returned to the mansion, took a bath, finished dinner, and then sat at his desk, still studying. He was looking at the map of the Leomel Empire.

Windea, the place where the power of water and wind slumbered.

It was the stage of players first adventure since the beginning of the Seven Heroes’ Legend II.

Ren ran his pen over the map, checking the distances between various places. From the Imperial Capital to Windea, it would take approximately two hours by magic ship. Even without staying overnight, it was a reachable distance. It was certainly longer than the time Ren spent commuting to school, but it didn’t seem like an impossible plan.

But what concerned him more was what to do in Windea. Ideally, he should head straight to the upper temple and check out the spring, but there was a reason he couldn’t do that. Due to this reason, he would have to stay for a few days. 

Additionally,

“Ah.”

Ren suddenly realized that he had forgotten to arrange for a magic ship to move around in the vicinity of Windea. 

He collapsed onto his desk, sighing, “Ahh…” at the amount of things he needed to think about.

He felt like he needed to cool his head, so he left his room and headed to the garden at night. However, what he was thinking about wasn’t something he could solve by doing this.

“I’m sure Ragna-san will be able to handle it somehow.”

A woman who had a side job as a wandering traveler like Klonoa should have no trouble preparing a magic ship for transportation. Accommodation could be arranged within the magic ship as well.

Ren sighed again, this time in self-mockery, realizing something else.

“…… Is it necessary to go with Vane and the others?”

That was the true meaning of his muttered words.

It was certain that Vane had used a special power, which was the power of the Hero. In spring, the descendants of the Seven Heroes would head to Windea to test Vane’s power, or rather, to strengthen the power of the Hero he carried.

Accompanying them would be too convenient, and he couldn’t impose on Ulysses. It would be better to simply ask Ulysses if he could borrow a magic ship when the destination was the same; there was no need to act together.

Ren had a different goal from Vane and the others, in part because he needed to find the Water Goddess’s ring. Furthermore, Ren remembered how to obtain it, even though it required a few troublesome steps.

“Well, whatever.”

He would figure out the magic ship situation, but Ren needed to act independently.

Someone responded to his thoughts summarized in that muttered statement.

“Ren? What are you planning?”

“I don’t really know, but can you keep it a secret for me?”

“No, it’s more like, can you keep it a secret from Vane?”

“Uh, Licia?”

Ren, who had been talking to Licia, suddenly noticed her presence in the garden. They were so close that their shoulders could touch. It seemed she had just finished bathing, as her skin had a slight flush. Ren, who had been looking somewhat unreliable with his coat on, covered her shoulders with his own coat.

“Th-thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Since there was no need to talk outside, they went back to the mansion together and Ren was planning to walk her to her room. However,

“That talk just now, are you planning something again?”

“Again? It’s not like I’m always secretly plotting things.”

“I didn’t say that, but Ren has a history… well, let’s just say you have that side of you.”

“Come here,” 

Licia said, taking Ren’s hand and changing direction on the way. She headed to the kitchen and prepared a warm drink for herself before turning to Ren again.

“Could it be that you’ve already received a Crested Emblem?”

“Wow, how did you know? Did you use some magic to find out?”

“It’s just that kind of thing.”

As usual, she said it like it was normal, and Ren accepted it without much thought.

He immediately told her about the Crested Emblem he had accepted.

“I’m helping Ragna-san find something.” 

“Isn’t he from the Mystery Agency?” 

“Actually, it was just a coincidence that Ragna-san had placed a request. So, when spring comes around, we’re planning to go to Windea. Just to be clear, I intended to talk to you about it too.”

There was no need to hide anything and he wanted to discuss the content in more details.

The existence of the key found at the Geno orphanage, which Licia also visited, and the need to repair it. There’s also the possibility that information about the Ashton family might be left in the bard Mudi’s hideout.

Licia also knew about Cecil Ashton and the Eroding Princess. It was clear from the paintings hanging in Ren’s room that the man and woman depicted were them.

“I plan to have Ragna-san prepare a magic ship, or I might borrow one from Ulysses-sama.”

But at times like these, he couldn’t help but wish that the Clausel family had their own magic ship.

While both of them were silently thinking the same thing, a maid arrived. It seemed she had come to prepare a light meal and a warm drink for the busy Lessard.

As she was leaving, she mentioned something she had remembered.

“Milady, Ren-sama, there is a letter for both of you.”

“”Huh?””

Ren and Licia’s voices overlapped.

“Could it be an invitation this time of year?”

“This letter is from Verlich-sama. He also contacted the head of the house. It seems he wants to perform a test flight somewhere…”

“”A test flight?””

Once again, Ren and Licia’s voices overlapped.

The maid smiled, amused by the timing of their reactions.

“Do you remember the item that was being repaired in the Sky Garden’s dock?”

And then, once more,

“”Ah.””

Their voices overlapped.

The magic ship Lemuria. It looked similar to the beautiful sailing ship Ren had seen before.

The magic ship created by Verlich, made using materials from Asval, which had been under repair for several years, was about to take flight into the sky once more.

At the perfect timing, Ren and Licia’s voices overlapped, and then they both smiled wryly.

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