East Road Quest

Chapter 90: Farewell

For the first time since Sage’s arrival at the five peaks, all five of them sat down together for a meal during lunchtime. Yesterday, Sapphire had slept all day, and this morning, Sage was busy making clothes while Merald was preparing for the journey, so they couldn’t join.

“Even if you don’t feel like eating, make sure to eat well. Strength is recovered through food, after all.”

Sage ladled out steaming soup for everyone with her own hands.

Jade, still feverish and tired, couldn’t taste much. Her arm was nearly healed but not yet free enough to wield a spoon at will. Considering that normally one would wear a splint for about a month, her recovery was nothing short of miraculous.

Watching Jade force down her food as advised, Merald commented,

“Your mouth must feel rough, making everything tasteless, right? Don’t worry, it’s not that the food is actually tasteless.”

“If you’re going to eat like that, better not to eat at all. It’s good for you!”

Sage snapped, serving the last of the soup to Ruby.

Ruby, shackled, rattled noisily as she gulped down the soup in one go and pushed her empty bowl towards Sage.

“Give me something tasty, not just healthy! Anyway, give me more.”

“Can’t you at least take that off while eating?”

Sage asked.

“I’m getting used to it. It feels awkward without it.”

Ruby refused.

Merald inquired,

“Where did you get that? I’ve never seen such material before.”

“It looks pretty good, doesn’t it? Not giving it to you.”

“I didn’t ask for it!”

“Umparuton. It’s the metal of angels.”

“Metal of angels? Who made it?”

“Probably the dwarves.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. They can make anything.”

Merald nodded, and Jade suddenly asked,

“Do the dwarves live in Elforest?”

“I’m not sure if ‘living in Elforest’ is the right expression.”

“Why?”

Merald pointed downwards with his finger.

“Technically, it’s Elforest, but they live underground. I’ve heard their numbers have dwindled. I don’t know the details; I don’t interact with them.”

“Merald is mostly indifferent to anything not related to the Dark Forest.”

Sage teased.

Sapphire asked,

“So, besides elves and dwarves, are there other races living in Elforest?”

“It’s mostly just those two. Humans like you occasionally pass through the Dark Forest, but that’s just passing through, not residing.”

“There are orcs too. You.”

Ruby sharply pointed out an odd detail.

Suddenly, silence fell over the table. Jade had wanted to ask about that too but felt it wasn’t the right atmosphere and had been unable to ask until now.

Ruby, sensing the mood, asked,

“Did I ask something I shouldn’t have? Or do you mean it’s not ‘a race’ living there because it’s just one person? Just give me more soup.”

The tension eased as Sage ladled out more soup.

Sapphire asked,

“So, we might meet the dwarves someday?”

Merald replied,

“It wouldn’t be difficult. Just go to the city of Meimmeira. If we continue eastward, we should stop by, so I’ll draw you a map later.”

“That’s good, Ruby. If we meet a dwarf craftsman, we can get your neck shackle removed.”

At Sapphire’s words, Jade was momentarily startled.

‘I had forgotten. The shackle around the neck is always concealed…’

As Ruby, on her third loaf of bread, chewed noisily, she asked Merald,

“What? You’re just going to draw a map? You’re not coming with us?”

“I’ll accompany you as far as the Swamp Ruins. That’s already agreed upon with Jade.”

Merald spoke firmly.

Jade had discussed the upcoming journey with Merald that morning.

Merald and Jade had agreed to go to the Swamp Ruins to fight against Cauking together and to join forces to eliminate the Hellgate.

Jade said,

“I’m sorry for deciding on my own. I was going to tell you after the meal…”

Ruby, munching on bread, asked,

“You mean to get rid of Cauking with Merald? I knew that was the plan, so it’s fine. So, what’s next?”

Merald, also chewing on bread, tilted his head.

“What’s next?”

“Aren’t you going to the eastern kingdom with us to search for the Holy Grail?”

Ruby blurted out.

“The Holy Grail?”

Merald turned his gaze to Jade.

Jade turned her gaze to Ruby.

Ruby glanced back at Sage and then turned her attention back to Jade.

For a long while, Jade and Ruby simply blinked at each other in silence.

Ruby was the first to break the silence.

“Was it a secret? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I had no intention of hiding it now, but it wasn’t something to be discussed in such a setting either,” Jade replied.

At Jade’s words, Merald shook his head.

“I may not know what the Holy Grail is, but I am the guardian of the Dark Forest. I will not get involved in such matters, nor will I leave the Dark Forest.”

As he finished speaking, a brief silence hovered over the dining table.

Just then, the sound of Campion’s footsteps approached from the direction of the cabin.

“We have a guest. Continue with your meal,” Sage announced as he stepped outside the cabin.

Seizing the moment, Jade quickly resumed the conversation.

“Merald, about what I was going to say earlier. The truth is, we were planning to eliminate Cauking with or without your help. And you would have fought Cauking whether we helped you or not. So, neither side needs to ask or trade favors for that.”

“That’s true. It’s like a sort of alliance, isn’t it? So, what now?”

“If all goes well with this task, I have a favor to ask.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Would you guide us to a port that can take us to the eastern kingdom? Not just draw us a map, but lead us there in person.”

Merald appeared to ponder for a moment before responding.

“Passing through the Swamp Ruins and beyond Meimmei, you’ll come upon Sunrise Valley. Cross the Giant Vine Forest from there, and you’ll reach the western coast, which is the Mediterranean you speak of. The busiest port with ships departing for the eastern continent is Time Harbor.”

Merald paused, and Jade waited for him to continue.

“I will guide you that far.”

Relieved, Jade brushed a hand over his chest.

“Thank you.”

“As you assume, ‘if we safely conclude this matter,’ it’s really not much of a task.”

Merald nodded slightly.

Sage returned to the table and spoke.

“It’s a messenger from Taimon. Lord Orogland of Taimondora has invited us to a party. Of course, you, Merald, are not invited.”

“I wouldn’t go even if I were invited.”

Merald replied, unbothered.

“And you?”

Sage asked, looking at Jade.

“We are already prepared to embark on our journey.”

Jade answered, and Saph agreed.

Surprisingly, Ruby, who was thought to have no interest, expressed a desire to go.

“The food there must be better than this soup.”

Jade asked with a glare.

“So, you’re saying you’ll go even if it’s just by yourself?”

“If I decide to go, will you let me?”

“If I tell you not to go, will you stay?”

“I won’t go.”

“Then don’t go.”

“Then I won’t.”

“If that was your plan all along…” Jade concluded and then addressed Sage again.

“We will not attend.”

“I knew it, so I declined,” Sage said with a laugh as he sat down at the table.

Merald grumbled.

“Why ask if that’s what you were going to do?”

“Just to tease you.”

“Huh?”

Merald looked puzzled, but Sage changed the subject.

“There’s good news, though. The Komoras we captured yesterday died on their own. When I asked about the time, it coincided with the disappearance of Buffalord.”

Sage looked at Jade with a broad smile.

“Jade. You saved Taimon.”

Jade feigned happiness and smiled along. However, there was still something nagging at him, preventing him from being fully joyful.

‘It seemed like the soul entity was absorbed by Merald’s dagger, but it appears to have vanished anyway. That should be fine, right?’

Jade glanced at Merald. It seemed Merald hadn’t mentioned the dagger to Sage.

That evening, Jade, Ruby, Saph, and Merald left the cabin together.

Sage came out only as far as the edge of the cabin to see them off.

“I could join you to make things easier, but I need to fix up the house here.”

“Leave it, old woman. I’ll be back soon to fix it myself,” Merald said.

“I’m not too old to fix my own home, Merald. You do your job. Take care. The fight with the lords of hell won’t be as easy as facing a Buffalord. Oh, and take this. Honey candy.”

Sage extended a jar of candies.

Merald asked, “I thought you ran out?”

“There was one jar left.”

“So it was a lie.”

“Did I save it by lying just to give it away now?”

Despite his words, Merald carefully took the jar with both hands.

“It’s not given lightly. I’m giving it to you after much thought. So share it. Don’t eat it alone.”

“What are you saying? Am I a child?”

“When it comes to candy, yes.”

Then Sage turned to Ruby and advised, “Be careful not to get poisoned again. Your body is strong, but not invincible.”

“Hmph, I won’t suffer the same fate twice.”

Ruby expressed strong confidence.

Sage looked at her fondly but spoke harshly, “Didn’t you get trapped five hundred years ago because of such arrogance?”

“Who told you that? Jade?”

“What need is there? I know everything.”

Ruby’s face turned red, but she couldn’t retort.

“Merald, I won’t say much since you’ll do well, but be as cautious as a wizard.”

Merald asked seriously, “Are you mentioning this because Cauking has a formidable wizard under him? After all, it was magic that created the Heldra.”

“It’s not the wizard who made Heldra that worries me. According to a messenger from Torosimo, there’s a wizard who uses natural magic more powerful than mine.”

“More than you? Ah! That wizard?”

Merald seemed to recall something but simply replied, “I’ll be careful. But shouldn’t we consult the dragons about this situation? If it’s you, they might respond.”

“I’ve tried, but there was no answer. As usual, they’re busy with their own affairs.”

Sage said sarcastically.

“Dragons? You can contact dragons?”

Jade asked in surprise.

“Yes. Although we’re not on good terms… Given the gravity of the situation, I tried. No response. So consider it as if they don’t exist. Even if we could contact them, they’re not the kind to help, so don’t expect anything.”

Sage took Jade’s hand and with the other, he held Saph’s.

“We don’t need the power of dragons, nor mine. You can achieve greater things by relying on each other’s strength. Ruby was there before, and now Merald is with you.”

Sage smiled gently and sent everyone off.

“Take care. Until we meet again.”

“Take care until we see each other again.”

Jade also said goodbye and left.

The cabin had been a brief stay, but leaving felt like leaving a beloved hometown. And Sage’s farewell seemed as warm as a grandmother’s, yet also lonely.

♦

Merald walked a little with Jade’s group, then turned back, remembering something he left behind.

He strode angrily back to Sage. She seemed to have expected his return, walking slowly back to the cabin.

“What do you mean?”

Merald followed and asked.

“Hm? What did I do?”

Sage feigned ignorance.

“Your words were strange just now. The fight with the ‘lords of hell’ won’t be easy? You should have said the fight with Cauking won’t be easy! Because when Antebas was destroyed, he said there was only one lord of hell in Elforest, Cauking!”

When Sage remained silent, Merald pressed, “Was it a slip of the tongue, or do you want me to follow Jade’s journey?”

“I won’t say anything.”

“Why did you give me the candy? The whole jar!”

Merald thrust the jar in front of Sage’s face.

“Don’t read too much into it. It’s just candy. Saph seemed particularly sad to leave it.”

“Fine. I’ll be back soon. So don’t touch the cabin for a few days.”

Merald shouted irritably and turned away.

“I won’t say goodbye. Because I’ll be back soon.”

“Then bring back some Meimmei candy. Cinnamon flavor.”

“How many jars?”

“Two.”

“I’ll bring three!”

Merald glanced back at Sage one last time before disappearing into the shadows of the trees.

Sage watched him go with a smile until the end, then quickly turned away as tears welled up.

Sage wiped her tears and took a deep breath, steadying her heart. “I was so close to crying in front of you. I’m glad I could hold it back.”

She murmured to herself as she looked at the cabin with its broken wall. “The wall repair will have to start tomorrow. It’s too late tonight. Honestly, I’m better at fixing it than you are, Emerald.”

“So take your time coming back. I can wait years, even decades, just come back alive.”