An Zhengâs skin drifted across the surface of the sea.
The sky was filled with brilliant colors formed from pure elemental energy.
That thin, human skin slowly opened its mouth.
"...You... really are... the strongest mage... of this era."
Iz: "Mm."
"...I... underestimated you."
Iz: "I never lied to you."
An Zheng: "If only... I could be like you... Heh... there I go, fantasizing again."
Iz: "Youâre about to die. Think whatever you want."
"After all... magic itself is born from imagination."
As Izâs calm words fell, the floating skin upon the sea went completely silent.
Iz raised his hand and retrieved An Zhengâs storage pouch.
There wasnât anything particularly valuable inside.
Justâ
A large number of images and photographs from An Zhengâs younger days.
...Hugging different women in various pictures.
He really had been quite the romantic mage back then.
Hm...
There were also many letters of gratitude, along with medals and banners symbolizing honor.
It seemed An Zheng had traveled to many places, accomplishing deeds worthy of recognition.
There was even an adventurerâs guild emblem, along with a group photo.
These must have been his companions from long ago.
He had once been an adventurer.
Photos with his wife.
A map marking his daughterâs grave.
Commendations from the White Tower.
Letters from old acquaintances...
Every single item spoke of his past.
An Zheng...
He was just a mage.
He had failed on the path toward the Origin.
Attempting to pry into it had been his final hope.
He simply wanted to walk that road to its very end.
That was all.
It was hard to call him truly evil...
"...What a shame. The Secret Sand Archipelago has already been destroyed."
"Thereâs no way to bury you properly right now."
Iz collected the skin and placed it into a separate storage pouch.
Crimson sheathed his greatsword onto his back and walked over.
"Whatâs next?"
Iz replied:
"We wait. Just for a bit."
"Iâm actually curious to meet the two who were supposed to help An Zheng on March 31."
"One of them is an Executor from the Church of Death. Might as well deal with him while weâre at it."
Iz glanced toward Kumira.
Since they were already hereâ
They might as well help her eliminate a major problem.
"Moonsea â Loren Continent"
After being teleported to the Moonsea, the first thing Kanzaki Rei did was gather information about his surroundings.
Even though he planned to live a secluded lifeâ
Even if he traveled toward the Moonlit Point as nothing more than an ordinary touristâ
If he didnât understand the environment, danger could still find him.
After using three simulations, Kanzaki Rei gained a general understanding of the region.
To the west of the Loren Continent lay a massive landmassâfar larger than Loren itself.
Its name:
"Misrishia."
It was populated mostly by beastfolk, though humans made up a comparable proportion.
To the south was the Reflecting Moon Continent.
It was governed primarily by a church known as the Moon Prayer Church.
Its reputation in surrounding regions was relatively neutral.
Neither righteous nor evil.
They seemed to worship the moon, seeking power through it.
They performed different rituals depending on the moonâs phasesâ
But these rituals were normal prayers.
Not like cults that required killing or skinning people.
To the southeast lay a long, narrow island continent.
Rumor had it this place was a pirate stronghold, densely packed with pirates.
It was even said that the Pirate King there was Level 6.
...Level 6?
Isnât that a bit weak?
Shouldnât a Pirate King be at least Level 9?
That was Kanzaki Reiâs honest thought after hearing the intel.
Stillâ
It was worth marking.
The more dangerous a place seemed, the safer it often was.
Level 6 pirates?
Not a threat to him at all.
To the north lay the familiar regions of the Secret Sand Archipelago.
As for the Moonlit Point, it required traveling west from Misrishiaâ
Across an unknown distance.
To get there, one had to board a special vessel that sailed the Moonsea:
"Moonsea Ship."
...A rather plain name.
Nothing special at first glance.
But in realityâ
During its voyage, space itself would fold.
From an outside perspective, the ship would appear to stretch forward across vast distances in an instant.
Its speed far exceeded most forms of flight.
Further west beyond Misrishia...
There was said to be a ruined continent.
A land destroyed long ago, filled with ancient ruins.
But even without going that farâ
Misrishia itself was already a treasure trove of mysteries and ruins.
"...What a pity."
"I have zero interest in ruins."
Ruins could hold treasures.
Lost ancient inheritances.
Or even relics left behind by Yakaktikto.
Exploring ruins was the dream of most adventurers.
But for Kanzaki Rei?
"Rei."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A soft knock came from outside the door.
Kanzaki Rei turned his head toward it.
His perception passed through the barrierâ
It was Yuna.
"Yuna?"
Swishâ
With a single thought, Kanzaki Rei teleported her directly onto his bed.
"Youâre still here!"
"What is it?"
"If youâre going traveling... can you take me with you?!"
Yuna asked with bright, determined eyes.
Kanzaki Rei: "...Uh."
"Youâre going to the Moonlit Point to meet up with them, right?"
"If thatâs the case, youâll definitely be leaving Loren!"
That was true.
He was heading to the Moonlit Point.
It was the agreed meeting place.
But...
He had no idea what dangers lay ahead.
Bringing someone like Yunaâwho had no combat abilityâ
Would make it harder for him to protect her.
And worseâ
She could become a weakness.
Sometimes, the reason a strong person loses...
Isnât because theyâre weak.
Itâs because someone seized their vulnerability.
Yuna wasnât quite that level of weakness to himâ
But the fact remained:
She needed protection.
"Yuna..."
Kanzaki Rei began to speakâ
But then he saw her expression.
Firm.
Resolute.
There was no brushing this off.
"Yuna, traveling with me will be dangerous."
"I canât guarantee your safety."
"If you encounter Eltimi... Iâd have no choice but to watch as youâre skinned alive."
He continued:
"And I already promised KumiraâIâd ensure the safety of both you and Reina."