Chapter 17
Shin wakes up.
Bright light blinds him for a moment. When his eyes adjust, he realizes they are still in the air. The wind brushes coldly against his face.
"Reinzahn," he says calmly, "how long until we arrive?"
"Not even twenty minutes," the dragon replies.
Shin lets out a relieved breath.
At the same time, in the palace.
Historia stands in the throne hall, her hands trembling slightly.
"Where is Shin?" she asks.
Arthur lowers his gaze and explains everything.
Historia presses her lips together. Tears gather in her eyes.
"Why… why did you let him go?"
Arthur answers quietly, "There was nothing I could do."
Historia clenches her fists.
"Yes, there was. You could have done something. He is your friend."
Arthur says nothing more. He turns and leaves the room.
Historia remains behind crying.
Back in the air.
Reinzahn tilts his head slightly.
"Do you think anything can still change?"
Shin shakes his head.
"No. They neglect the weak. My decision is final. I will not forgive them. I will save these people."
Reinzahn nods in satisfaction.
"Then we are landing now."
Three minutes later.
They reach the ground. Dust rises as Reinzahn lands.
Shin looks around and freezes.
About twenty figures stand before him: humans and beastmen. Thin. Weak. Some can barely stand.
"They haven't eaten for weeks…," Shin thinks in shock.
"That they're still alive…"
He makes a decision.
"Reinzahn, guard them. I'm going to search for food."
Before the dragon can respond, Shin is already gone.
Two hours pass.
Nothing.
Four more hours.
The sun begins to set.
Shin grits his teeth.
"I won't give up."
Then he sees it.
A massive wild boar emerges from the shadows. Its presence is heavy, oppressive.
A hellish creature.
Shin knows it and still draws his Sun Sword.
He pauses for a moment.
For the first time in a long while, he truly looks at the blade.
"When did I stop seeing how special you are…?" he thinks.
He pushes the thought aside.
The wild boar charges.
Shin heats the sword, envelops his body in water magic, accelerating. At the decisive moment, he compresses all the water at the tip of the blade.
A thrust.
The sword pierces the creature's skull and strikes its brain directly.
The wild boar collapses dead.
Shin drops to his knees.
His head throbs. Too many calculations. Too much mana.
He rests for twenty minutes.
Then he rises, lifts the massive body using wind magic the mana cost is enormous and returns.
"How are they?" Shin asks when he arrives.
"They are stable," Reinzahn replies.
Shin smiles in relief.
Suddenly, they hear footsteps.
A girl emerges from the ruins, visibly frightened.
"W-what are you doing here…?"
Shin calmly explains everything and asks her to help with cooking.
After hesitating, she nods.
"I… my name is Mina."
Together they fetch tables, pots, and dishes. Shin lights a fire. Mina helps where she can.
As the meat cooks, Mina explains,
"This place used to be a city. After a war, everything was destroyed. Only nature returned… we didn't."
Shin listens carefully.
They cook until no meat remains on the bones.
Mina wakes the others they were put into an artificial sleep to survive.
The people awaken, distrust written across their faces. Hunger burns in their eyes.
Mina explains everything.
"Please… eat."
Slowly, they sit down.
While they eat, Shin speaks:
"I will help you rebuild this city."
Disbelieving looks meet his words.
"That's impossible…," someone whispers.
Shin shakes his head.
"You take care of the lake. I'll take care of the town hall."
Silence.
Then they nod.
After the meal, their bodies feel strong for the first time in ages. Wounds are healed. Exhaustion fades.
"You defeated that monster…?" someone asks in disbelief.
Shin doesn't answer. He only smiles faintly.
That night, they all fall asleep full, safe,
and with hope.