Part 2
The group was gathered in Cherri's grand auditorium, ready to depart. The air was heavy with anticipation, and soft sakura petals drifted gently around them—as if Mythara itself were bidding them farewell.
At the front stood Yuna, radiating her usual warmth. Her smile, as always, was a beacon of calm.
"Yuna, dear daughter of the forest, still as radiant as ever," Cherri said softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I wish you all the best. I know you'll guide them with wisdom."
Yuna gave a respectful bow.
"I'll do my best. I hope I can live up to your expectations."
Cherri smiled tenderly.
"I know you will. If your mother were here, she'd be proud of the woman you've become."
"Don't let them intimidate you in Astralith. Stand firm—just like Ayumi would."
The mention of her mother softened Yuna's expression. She placed a hand over her heart and nodded firmly.
Then, Cherri turned to Haruto.
"Haruto Kibou," she addressed him with solemnity, "I hope the words you spoke in the forest weren't just empty promises."
Haruto held her gaze and gave a respectful nod.
"I'm not anyone special. But if there's one thing I can offer with certainty… it's my word."
Cherri watched him in silence for a moment before nodding.
"Time will tell. I hope you continue to carry that humility."
At last, the dryad stepped toward Rina, her expression a blend of curiosity and affection.
"I know we haven't spoken much, but I've spent so long hoping to meet you… that in a way, I already see you as a daughter of this forest."
"You have my blessing. You'll always be welcome here."
Rina remained quiet, as if processing her words. Then, with an uncharacteristically deep and solemn bow, she replied:
"Rina thankful for words… Rina feel forest take care of Rina… so Rina always be grateful."
Cherri smiled gently.
"I wish you a safe journey. Give my regards to your companions when you see them again."
Just as they were about to leave, she raised her hand once more.
"And one last thing…" she added, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"The light elves are… peculiar."
"Their so-called nobility has caused more trouble than it's solved. Don't let them intimidate you."
A faint shiver ran down Haruto's spine. He had a feeling that warning wasn't just a formality.
Each of them activated their ignisite-embedded bracelets. The teleportation circle beneath their feet lit up, and a flash of light engulfed them, their silhouettes vanishing into a flurry of magical sparks.
Silence returned to the forest.
Cherri remained at her altar, gazing at the empty space they had left behind. The petals continued to float around her, as if the forest itself felt their absence.
"Take care, my children…" she whispered wistfully.
The glow of the teleportation circle faded, leaving only a tingling trace in the air.
The warm light of Mythara was gone—replaced by the dim glow of a large room lit by the crackle of fire.
Haruto, Yuna, and Rina reappeared on the stone floor of Thalindra's forge. Tiny embers drifted like fireflies in the thick heat of the workshop.
"Thalindra, we're back," Haruto said, adjusting his coat.
The dwarf, eyes still fixed on her work, replied dryly:
"Yeah, I figured it was you after that teleport flash… nearly blinded me."
"Still hard at work, I see," Yuna commented.
"I hate breaking habits. Besides, Simmone and Eliza went out to explore the city," Thalindra replied, never missing a beat with her hammer.
"Alright. Once they return, we'll head for Velmyra," Yuna announced with resolve.
Thalindra finally stopped her work, wiping the sweat from her brow with a rag.
"Velmyra? I thought we were going straight to Astralith," she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yuna pulled out a pouch, and the metallic clinking immediately caught Rina's attention. She tilted her head curiously.
"What's that bag? It makes shiny sound…" she asked, leaning closer to peek inside.
"Melodia gave me this—filled with Gold Yues."
"She said something like, 'I don't want you showing up underdressed for the occasion,'" Yuna explained, taking out a coin and twirling it between her fingers.
"These coins are called Yue. They're used to trade for goods, services, food… it's the main currency of the continent," she added, showing it to Rina.
The velociraptor girl took it carefully and examined it for a moment before nodding in approval.
"Shiny thing used for trading… understood."
"Speaking of shiny things… shouldn't we get Rina her own status plate? Just like we did for Eliza?" Haruto asked, looking at Yuna.
"You're right. Though it might be trickier with Eliza. Rina's already going to draw attention just by being an extinct species…"
"No worry. Rina hide status same as hide tail," she replied matter-of-factly, before bringing up her status panel in front of them.
Haruto blinked, stunned.
"When did you learn how to do that?"
"Watched Thalindra. Learned. Then searched how to camouflage status," she said plainly, as if it were obvious.
In an instant, her tail vanished, and her status panel now listed her race as "Human."
Thalindra narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
"That's… impressive. I didn't know you could manually change that."
Haruto nodded.
"She's really smart. Her only problem is she gets distracted easily…"
Oblivious to the comment, Rina spun in place, patting her back in a panic.
"Tail… where tail go?" she asked, genuinely distressed, as if she'd lost something precious.
Thalindra covered her face with a hand and let out a sigh.
"I take it back… she's a fool."
Meanwhile, at the Dreamy Kitsune Café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the air with comforting warmth.
On the ground floor, several fox-eared waitresses in elegant maid outfits attended to the many customers that packed the cozy establishment.
But on the second floor, in a VIP room tucked away from the bustle, the atmosphere was far more private.
Eliza and Simmone sat at a table across from a kitsune unlike the others—her fur was a soft, pastel pink.
Eliza set her cup down and eyed the stranger seriously.
"So… what exactly do you want from us?"
The kitsune smiled faintly and placed a thick, illustrated book on the table.
"I have information you might find interesting," she said, sliding it toward them.
Simmone looked at the book with disinterest.
"You mentioned something about the healer's trail…"
The kitsune nodded, but instead of answering, she flipped the book open and turned it toward them.
The displayed page held a stunningly detailed illustration—Haruto, Yuna, and Simmone (in her crow form) arriving at Molgaroth.
Eliza raised an eyebrow and leaned closer.
"Nice drawing… but what exactly are we looking at?"
Simmone examined it carefully, a faint gleam in her eyes.
"…That's our arrival in Molgaroth. A few months ago," she murmured.
The kitsune gave a calm nod.
"That's right. I painted that image weeks before you ever arrived… I dreamed you'd show up on that exact day."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Eliza crossed her arms, tilting her head with mild interest.
"Let's say, just for a moment, that we believe you… How do we know this isn't just a trick? Can you tell me what I'll do next?"
The kitsune gently shook her head.
"It doesn't work like that." She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them with a pensive air.
"I only catch glimpses of the future… fragments from my dreams."
"When I wake, I draw them, or write them down—so I won't forget."
Simmone placed one hand on the table, calmly intertwining her fingers.
"Interesting… Then tell me."
Her tone remained cold, but a spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes. She hadn't taken them off the drawing for even a second.
"What did you dream this time?"
The kitsune flipped through several pages before stopping. With a delicate touch, she ran her finger across one of the illustrations.
"The healer destined to join your group is in Estelaris. According to my vision, his fate will intertwine with that of the brown-haired human who travels with you."
Eliza rested her elbow on the table, wearing a playful smile. Her face showed amusement—but her eyes were analyzing every word with precision.
"How convenient. So… why share this with us?"
"Because, just like the one you're searching for… my fate is also tied to his."
She turned another page and slid the book toward them.
Both women stared silently at the next illustration: the same pink-furred kitsune, standing beside Haruto's group. The details were so sharp, it looked more like a photograph than a drawing.
Eliza narrowed her eyes. Simmone ran a finger along the edge of the drawing without saying a word.
"But… it's not my time yet," the kitsune added quietly.
"What do you mean by that?" Simmone asked, still not looking up.
Tomoe closed her eyes, as if carefully selecting her words.
"There are still things I must take care of. But when the time comes… I will guide you to Estelaris."
Another silence settled over the room.
Eliza leaned her cheek into her hand with a light tone.
"Hm… still way too mysterious for my taste."
Simmone, however, stared at her with sharp intensity.
"Now that I think about it… you never told us your name."
The kitsune smiled, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Oh, that's right… how careless of me."
She lifted her head just a little, and declared with quiet resolve:
"My name is Tomoe. Tomoe Satori."
Eliza and Simmone exchanged a glance.
"And once… I was Japanese. Just like Haruto."
Eliza raised an eyebrow.
"Well now. That I wasn't expecting."
But Tomoe wasn't done yet.
"And I know from my visions," she said, locking eyes with Simmone, her pink irises unwavering and full of certainty, "that you two… are also from our homeland."
The air grew heavy. Almost oppressive.
Eliza let out a low whistle, clearly entertained by the sudden tension.
Simmone didn't move. She remained perfectly still.
A deep silence fell over the room—so still it felt as though time itself had paused in the wake of that revelation.