Ys V original story draft

Little Paro: "Found Adol! Found Aron! Who is Aron?" This article translated content that has not received an official localization. The content of this article may be changed in the future if an official localization is released.

Shortly after the release of Ys V, fragments of the game's original story draft were made public, revealing that the content of the SNES game differs significantly from the initial concept—including its characters, locations, gameplay, and especially the story. Storyboards included in the booklet of the soundtrack album Music from Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand and planning documents in Ys Material Collection 2 provided glimpses of this original narrative outline.

However, when Falcom released Ys Complete Works: Perfect Data of I–VI in October 2003, the full original scenario draft for Ys V was published on pages 344–369, making it fully available to the public for the first time. This original draft takes the form of a novel approximately 56,000 words in length.

This article presents a complete English translation of that novel, courtesy of Josep.

Ys V RARE MATERIAL Ys V Plot Novel Pre-Story: Shin Yamada | Scenario: Toshikuni Matsumae | Coordinator: Tadashi Hayakawa (from the game’s credits)

From the proposal for Ys V

The existence of the plot scenario for Ys V has already been hinted at multiple times, and parts of it or its outline have been published in materials such as the soundtrack’s booklet. However, the original manuscript has never been published in its entirety. In this book, we have included the complete draft of this elusive scenario. The volume is approximately 56,000 characters. The exploits of Dogi, who does not appear in the main story, and the floating Kefin Castle... Another Ys V is here.

Ys V: The Wandering City of Sand

Even though it’s a draft, it has become a valuable document with many parts that differ from the main game. The existence of Dogi and the gender of Rizze, the appearance of Effey as Dogi’s love interest, and the different age settings for the female characters are just a few of the various points that differ from the game. There are also many minor differences in names, such as the Ibur Family being referred to as the Ibru Family.

It’s undeniable that it conveys a distinctly different impression than the actual game. Please take your time to thoroughly enjoy it as a story in its own right.

Chapter I: A New Adventure

1. The Adventure Begins

Adol stepped into the town of Xandria.

The adventurous journey he had begun at the age of sixteen had already spanned four years. Adol’s many meetings and partings, as well as numerous trials, had caused him to mature greatly, despite his own unawareness.

“We’ve finally arrived. Still, sea voyages are pretty dull, aren’t they?”

It was his traveling companion, Dogi. Having met him in the midst of a grand adventure involving a small remote island, he had now become Adol’s irreplaceable best friend. He was a large, gruff, and rugged man, but a truly dependable person with a heart of gold.

“Well then, I’m off for a little breather. See ya.”

Dogi immediately dashed off. Adol didn’t follow; he had a pretty good idea where Dogi had gone. Until their arrival, the two had been cooped up for weeks on a cramped ship with no entertainment. For the hot-blooded Dogi, this might have been his most trying journey yet. Ever since hearing from a crew member that Xandria boasted a famous entertainment district, Dogi had endured seasickness with that sole pleasure in mind.

He could just go get Dogi when it was time to leave town... Adol made his way into the city streets of Xandria, which he was seeing for the first time.

Afroca is a continent situated on the opposite shore from Europe, across the Medo Sea. Only its coastal regions are known to people; it is said that deep in its interior lies the vast and inhospitable Safar Desert. Xandria, located here in eastern Afroca, was the most prosperous port city in the eastern world. The largest river in Afroca, the Narm River, divides into several tributaries at its mouth.

The city proper, enclosed by the ramparts, is divided into four districts by smaller tributaries that have been channeled into it. Though referred to as “small,” this was only in comparison to the main Narm River; the sight of large ships freely navigating these waterways was spectacular. Along the riverbanks, rows of merchants’ warehouses were built. After crossing a long bridge, Adol entered the city from the port district.

2. The Calamity of Xandria

The district built with the technology of the Romun Empire appeared magnificent at first glance. Yet, a somewhat hollow and dark atmosphere permeated the air.

As was his custom, Adol casually struck up conversations with the townspeople. He soon learned that this seemingly peaceful Xandria was, in fact, currently enveloped in profound unease. The Narm River, which had sustained the region since ancient times, was weakening; crop harvests had dwindled, and fish were no longer being caught. Moreover, the Safar Desert, also known as the desert of death, was expanding. Ferocious beasts, once confined to remote, uninhabited hinterlands, had gone wild and started appearing in all areas. The desert’s encroachment was reportedly intensifying with each passing year, and it was said that if things continued as they were, towns and villages would be engulfed.

As Adol walked along a street, a particularly conspicuous building came into view. It was Xandria’s City Hall. The mayor was an affable man who willingly shared various details with Adol, the traveler. He explained that the town’s anxieties were not solely due to natural phenomena like the desert’s expansion and the Narm River’s decline. A gang of four thieves known as the Ibru Family, who had drifted in from Eastern Orietta, were causing various troubles. Additionally, a secret society called the ‘Apostles of Narm’—described as a fanatical organization aiming to restore an ancient dynasty—had intensified its activities, becoming another major concern.

Walking along a connecting corridor in the City Hall, Adol came to a tower. It had originally been built as an astronomical observatory but was now, according to the mayor, used to watch for hordes of monsters approaching the town. The view of the Afrocan landscape from there was majestic. However, the looming threat of the encroaching desert was also palpable from that vantage point. Green, fertile plains stretched for a distance from the town, but beyond them, red and brown arid earth lay starkly exposed, giving way to a sea of sand in the distance.

In an adjoining library, an official told him about the region’s history. In ancient times, the Narm River basin had been unified under the Narm Dynasty, which boasted a thousand-year legacy, but it had fallen nearly five hundred years earlier. Following a prolonged period of turmoil, the area was now formally considered Romun Empire territory. However, the official explained that with the military and imperial officials having departed, Xandria had, in effect, become an independent and self-governing city.

3. The Wealthy Merchant’s Request

“Well now, by your attire... you’re an adventurer, aren’t you? Have you met Mr. Dorman yet?”

Just as Adol was leaving the City Hall, a man called out to him with these words. It seemed that a man named Dorman, the wealthiest merchant in town, was eagerly anticipating the arrival of an adventurer. Adol felt his heart quicken with the premonition that something new was about to begin. After inquiring about the general location, he hastened towards Dorman’s residence.

Soon, he came upon a district lined with high-class residences. Merely crossing a single bridge from the main urban area revealed an entirely different vista. The streets formed graceful curves, abundantly planted with well-tended palm trees. On either side stood lavish homes, more luxurious than any Adol had seen before, spaced generously apart.

Walking along, his eyes captivated by the beautiful scenery, Adol soon found himself before a grand mansion that dwarfed its neighbors. This was Dorman’s residence. A luxurious private boat was moored at the section of the property that faced the river.

As Adol passed through the gate, he was greeted by a handsome, blond young man with a black cat perched on his shoulder. The young man introduced himself as Rizze, butler to Dorman, the master of the estate. When Adol stated his purpose, Rizze politely bid him to follow and started towards the mansion. Adol followed him through a wide, sprawling garden.

Once escorted inside the mansion, Adol was struck by how limited his own world had been. Its opulence was beyond his wildest imagination. Rizze led him to a door deeper within and gestured for him to enter.

The opened door revealed a reception room. A plush, deep-pile carpet covered the floor, and numerous works of art adorned the walls. A gentleman seated in the center of the room rose to his feet.

“Thank you for coming. My name is Dorman, a merchant who operates in trade from Xandria.”

Dorman looked at Adol as he introduced himself and nodded slowly.

“I can tell you are a true adventurer, one who has overcome countless difficulties.”

At Dorman’s invitation, Adol seated himself in a luxurious chair. Dorman promptly began to speak.

“Have you perchance heard the legend of ‘Kefin, the City of Sand’?”

It was a name Adol was hearing for the first time. Seeing Adol’s eyes light up with curiosity, Dorman began to tell the tale of Kefin.

...In the unforgiving land of Safar, where life struggles to exist, there is a city that wanders like a mirage—Kefin, the City of Sand. Over five hundred years ago, the city-state of Kefin, then situated in a fertile Safar, reached the zenith of prosperity through its highly advanced alchemy. However, the nation’s wealth incited the ambitions of neighboring kings, leading to incessant warfare. Although Kefin was never conquered, its king grew to despise war and resolved to sever all ties with other nations. He commanded his alchemists to gather the best of their techniques and build a new city elsewhere.

Later, when Safar transformed into a deadly desert and the surrounding countries fell one by one, Kefin survived as if untouched. Rumors circulated, but no one could ever ascertain its location, and in time, Kefin came to be known as the ‘Wandering City of Sand.’ It is said that in Kefin, ruled by a king who cherishes peace, justice, and his virtuous people, the highly developed art of alchemy is still practiced today. This art, capable of freely creating any substance, remains in wide use, allowing its inhabitants to live without conflict in a peaceful paradise...

When Dorman finished his tale, he turned to the captivated Adol and began to voice his request.

“Currently, the Narm River basin is in a terrible state. The cause is entirely unknown. However, I believe that, with Kefin’s alchemy, it would be possible to save the populace.

Kefin is said to be located somewhere in the desert, but no one knows its precise location. I want you to find it. To save the people of Narm, please lend us your strength.”

Adol had no reason to refuse. Dorman firmly grasped Adol’s hand, who readily accepted the task.

“Thank you, young Adol,” Dorman said. “Now, Rizze, the item we discussed.”

Rizze returned, carrying a beautifully glittering, iridescent artifact. To Adol, who had experienced countless adventures, it seemed to possess an incredible, latent power.

“This is a treasure called ‘Luminas,’ also known as the “Crystal of Light.” I don’t know much about it, but it seems to be an item originating from Kefin. Please take it. It may prove to be a clue.”

Rizze then escorted Adol to the exit. As Adol was about to depart, Rizze handed him some weapons and a considerable sum of gold.

4. The Incident in the Downtown Area

“Young man, are you planning to venture outside?”

The old man’s eyes widened in astonishment, and for a moment, he was speechless.

“Further ahead, at the edge of the downtown area, the city gate is open, but... no, it’s best you don’t go.”

Apparently, the moment one stepped beyond the ramparts, terrifying monsters swarmed everywhere. However, even after hearing this, Adol could not be deterred. After thanking the old man, Adol set off.

Eventually, the street transitioned into a bustling downtown, redolent with the scents of daily life. The neighborhood was a labyrinthine collection of houses built from sun-dried bricks. Here, donkeys and goats, rather than horses, bore burdens. Additionally, unfamiliar, humped beasts—the likes of which Adol had never seen—were used instead of horses.

The gate leading out of town lay further on. A passerby advised Adol that if he was searching for something, he should consult the fortune-telling girl. Deciding to give it a try, Adol learned that her house supposedly faced a small plaza a short walk down the street.

As he walked on for a while, the clear, pure sound of a flute drifted from an unknown source. Drawn by its beautiful melody, he continued onward and found himself in a small plaza.

Unwilling to interrupt the flute’s tune, Adol paused before a door. At that moment, he heard a noise behind him. A young girl, still retaining a look of youthfulness, darted into the plaza.

Sensing an unusual atmosphere, Adol stepped away from the door and addressed the girl. Although hesitant and clearly terrified, she confessed her predicament. “...Mister, you’re not one of them, are you? Right now, I’m being chased by some scary people... and there’s no one to help me... Ah!”

The girl jumped to her feet, her face a mask of terror, and Adol spun around. Two men stood there, blocking the entrance to the plaza. “Hmph, you really made us go to some trouble,” one sneered. Both appeared young but were powerfully built, large men. One carried an enormous sword, while the other had an axe slung across his back. The girl tried to bolt, but the large man with the sword seized her.

“Nooo! Help me!” she cried.

Adol instinctively reached for his sword. However, the man didn’t miss his movement. He quickly drew his own massive sword and thrust it towards the girl’s throat. “Hold it! Don’t make a move. Don’t you see this?”

“We don't like this either, but it’s orders from the master,” the large man said, glaring at Adol, whose hand still hovered near his sword. After a moment, the man’s keen eyes noticed Adol’s heavily laden wallet.

“Hmm? You look like you’re carrying a hefty sum there. How about it? Hand over all your money, and maybe we’ll let this little chit go.”

“Mister, help me!” the girl pleaded. “If they take me, I...”

Reluctantly, Adol let his hand fall from his sword. The man with the axe approached Adol, snatched his wallet and the crystal, and then proceeded to bind him with a rope.

At that very moment, the unthinkable occurred: the girl calmly stepped away from the large man, and all three erupted in raucous laughter.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha! To think there’s someone out there this easy to fool!”

"Seriously, for a job by the illustrious Ibru Family, that was a bit underwhelming!”

“Hey, blockhead!” the girl jeered. “We were after your gold from the start!”

Surprisingly, these were the three members of the Ibru Family, the thieves the mayor had warned him about. The large man with the sword introduced himself as the eldest son, Grid; the one with the axe was Grib; and the girl was Terra. They had spotted Adol on the street earlier and quickly noticed his wallet, bulging with the gold he had received from Dorman. They had then approached him with the express purpose of tricking him and had staged the entire scene. After a round of jeering at Adol, the trio departed from the plaza.

5. The Fortune-Telling Girl

Adol, now stripped of the crystal ‘Luminas’ that Dorman had entrusted to him and all his gold, was left alone, tied up in the plaza. Just as he was stewing over his own foolishness, a door facing the plaza opened, and a child, even younger than the girl Terra from before, emerged.

“Mister, what are you doing?”

It was Niena, the very fortune-telling girl he had been seeking. Upon learning that Adol had come to visit her, Niena untied his bonds and invited him into her home.

Niena was a mere seven years old. With hair like spun gold and skin so fair it seemed translucent, she didn’t look like a child native to this region.

Adol explained to Niena that he was searching for the place known as Kefin, the City of Sand. Niena, however, replied apologetically that her divinations relied solely on asking the ‘Water God’ for guidance, so she wouldn’t know anything about the desert.

Despite this, Niena was familiar with the ‘City of Sand.’ She mentioned a village called Ramzen located upstream, suggesting that someone there might possess more knowledge. Adol thanked Niena and stepped outside.

Such a young girl, seemingly living all by herself. And she didn’t appear to be a child of this land. What could her story be...? As Adol pondered this, a neighborhood woman he chanced upon in the plaza provided an answer. Niena had arrived in Xandria with her father three years prior. However, her father had ventured off, declaring, “I’m going to search for the City of Sand,” and had never returned, leaving Niena to fend for herself ever since.

How could such a young child manage to live alone...? As if responding to the unspoken question in Adol’s mind, the woman elaborated, “That child... she must be protected by the Water God, who has dwelt in the Narm River since ancient times. Now and then, a mysterious young woman comes to look after her; she must surely be an incarnation of the Water God…”

In any event, Adol’s next destination was set. He made his way to the gate leading out of Xandria. There, he reunited with Dogi, and together, the two of them ventured out of the town.

6. The Meadows and the Hermits’ Settlement

After crossing the gate and moving past the ramparts, Adol and Dogi immediately experienced their first battle.

While inside the city, even when warned of the dangers outside, the reality hadn’t truly sunk in. However, once they ventured out, they quickly understood that the warnings had been no exaggeration. Various monsters lurked everywhere, launching attacks at them. For Adol and Dogi, seasoned by their adventures, these foes were not overwhelmingly formidable. For ordinary citizens, however, they would undoubtedly pose a significant threat.

The “meadows on the west bank of the downstream,” which stretched from Xandria to Ramzen, were not entirely flat and featureless. Small hills, groves of trees, and ponds formed by the river occasionally broke the line of sight. There were also patches where dry, exposed rock was visible. The main road wound its way through this landscape. Originally little more than a dirt path trodden firm by travelers, it was now, in several places, nearly swallowed by the surrounding grasslands.

A series of minor yet earnest skirmishes ensued. Just as fatigue began to set in, the pair discovered a small settlement. It consisted of only a handful of houses, enclosed by a crude fence. Though somewhat wary, Adol and Dogi ventured in.

It was a place inhabited solely by elderly men. They appeared to be hermits, living a life secluded from the clamor of the city. Adol inquired about the object of his search.

“Kefin, you say...” one began. “How many years has it been since I’ve heard that name? We people of the Narm basin, truth be told, owe Kefin a debt so great we shouldn’t even sleep with our feet pointing in its direction.”

The old man’s tale went as follows: More than five hundred years ago, a malevolent dragon appeared in the Narm Kingdom and laid waste to the lands of the river basin. The Narm King of that era shirked his duties as a ruler and fled with his close retainers. It was the king of the neighboring land of Kefin, then only a youth, who saved them from this desperate plight. Unable to ignore the devastation in the Narm basin, the Kefin King arrived with his alchemists and magnificently vanquished the dragon. Then, without demanding any recompense, he returned to his own land...

“Despite having received such help, we offered no gratitude. Worse still, we provoked wars against them time and again. It was a truly impious act. The fall of the Narm Dynasty can only be described as divine retribution.”

Another elder spoke to Adol about alchemy. “...Alchemy,” he explained, “is the study of the underlying order of all creation. Those skilled in it can bring forth any substance. Transmuting iron into gold is but a parlor trick. If mastered, alchemy can create anything—food, water, all of it…”

According to this elder, their small settlement had managed to preserve a minuscule fragment of this art: the technique of ignition. This, he said, was how they managed to live safely even amidst the monster-infested grasslands.

Adol and Dogi thanked the elders and departed from the hamlet. The village of Ramzen, their destination, was reportedly not far off. The two pressed on through the meadows, where monsters roamed freely.

7. The Charming Prince

The winding road eventually emerged by the banks of a river. A little further on lay the village of Ramzen. It was situated at what could be described as the border where the meadows gave way to arid, sandy terrain. Enclosed by a sturdy wooden fence, it appeared to be a small yet well-established village.

As Adol and Dogi passed through Ramzen’s gate, a young woman’s scream suddenly pierced the air. Dogi, reacting instantly, darted off on his own. When Adol caught up, he found Dogi embroiled in a brawl with two powerfully built men. A young woman, trembling nearby, appeared to be the source of the scream. The fight lasted a brief while, but by the time Adol drew near to help, the men had already turned tail and fled.

“That girl over there,” Dogi explained, “was being hassled by those thugs.”

The still-trembling young woman hastily expressed her gratitude to Dogi.

“Um... Th-thank you so much! My name is Effey.”

Effey, with her strikingly clear eyes and brown hair, wasn’t a conventional beauty, but she possessed a natural charm that drew people to her. Though she appeared fragile, there was an undeniable hint of inner strength about her.

“Aw, don’t mention it. No thanks needed,” Dogi said gruffly. “Well, see ya. Be careful now. Alright, Adol, let’s get a move on!”

As they began to walk away, Effey rushed up to them.

“Please wait!” she called out.

Much to Dogi’s surprise, Effey began to speak hesitantly.

She explained that she was from a village called Felte, located further on. She had come to Ramzen in search of a hero to save her village from monsters and the encroaching desertification, only to be nearly abducted by those men. The thugs, she added, appeared to be members of the Apostles of Narm, who had long been coveting her village’s treasure.

“Please,” she implored, “I have nothing to offer as a reward, but I beg you, come to Felte village.”

Dogi, flustered, stammered, “...H-hey, wait a second! I’m not exactly hero material, you know.”

“Oh... so you won't help?” Effey’s eyes began to glisten with tears.

Seeing this, Dogi, completely disarmed, reluctantly replied, “Hey, hey, don’t cry now. Alright, fine, I’ll go.”

“Oh, really?!” Effey exclaimed, her face lighting up, and she immediately started to lead the way.

Dogi turned to Adol with a shrug. “Sorry about this, Adol. But thinking about it, I can’t just let her go off on her own, can I? I’ll just take her to her village for now. Come check up on us later, alright?”

Urged on by Effey, Dogi then departed with her. And so, for the time being, Adol’s journey continued alone.

Chapter Ⅱ: The Power of the Great Stone

1. The Enigmatic Beauty

Upon exploring, Ramzen proved to be a fairly large village. Along the riverbank was a boat landing, and its main street was lined with shops, inns, and taverns. Moreover, the village had gates opening in three directions: one leading to the meadows from which Adol had come, another heading towards the rocky mountains upstream, and a third opening onto the desert.

While stopping by a tavern, Adol learned of a young lady named Massea who resided on the outskirts of the village. She was reputed for her extensive knowledge and for employing various arts to assist the villagers. He believed he could learn something by visiting her.

He found a small house at the location described. As he stood before the door, a voice called out from within. Surprised, Adol entered Massea’s home.

Massea was a beautiful woman. Yet, it wasn’t mere beauty; she projected a powerful intellect and a distinct sense of pride. She appeared to be somewhat older than Adol, perhaps in her mid-twenties. And though she offered a gentle smile, Adol, facing her, sensed an enigmatic aura about her, along with something like a subtle, dark shadow.

When Adol stated his wish to go to Kefin, Massea regarded him with a surprised expression. Then, after observing him for a moment, she said,

“...So, you are searching for the City of Sand. That is quite an endeavor... There is not much I can tell you at this time. However, I can reveal the significance of the crystal you lost. Do you wish to know?”

Massea began her explanation. “...All creation is composed of five elements: Water, Earth, Fire, Light, and Darkness. Long ago in Kefin, artifacts were made that sealed the pure power of these elements. By some twist of fate, these now also exist in the surface world, where they are known as “crystals.” If one were to gather all of them, one could freely command the power of alchemy. With them, even reaching Kefin would become possible..."

So, the crystal he had lost was indeed of immense importance. And by collecting all five, he could reach Kefin.

Massea appeared to possess further knowledge, but she declined to answer any more of Adol’s questions.

“Truth,” she stated, “is not something one learns from others. It is something one must discover for oneself.”

Reluctantly, Adol departed from Massea’s home.

Near her house, a young man from the village was loitering about. Upon speaking with him, Adol gathered that the youth was utterly smitten with Massea and was currently agonizing over whether to confess his feelings. According to him, Massea had arrived in the village alone, coming from the direction of the desert, nearly three years ago. He also mentioned that she was occasionally absent from her home.

2. Felte, the Desert Village

After leaving Massea, Adol headed towards the gate that opened to the west. The gatekeeper, seeing Adol about to pass, advised him against it. He warned that the region ahead was an arid wasteland, a harsh territory roamed by powerful monsters, and beyond Felte, the village situated at its edge, lay an even more unforgiving desert. This was the Safar Desert, a place so severe, it was said, that merely walking through it could deplete one’s strength to the point of death.

Nevertheless, driven partly by the desire to see Dogi, Adol decided to proceed. After exiting the gate and traveling for some time, he entered the wasteland the gatekeeper had described. Intense sunlight and an unforgiving wind had carved into the land, forming a labyrinth. Dead trees stood everywhere, blocking Adol’s way.

Having progressed a considerable distance, the wasteland finally gave way to sandy terrain. Then, the village of Felte, where Dogi was staying, came into view.

Dogi was found patrolling the outskirts of the village, weapon in hand. Not many days had passed since his arrival, and it appeared many of the villagers still regarded him with a measure of suspicion.

Beyond this village, just as he had been told in Ramzen, lay the life-repelling desert of death. Yet, it was said that beyond this deadly expanse lived a desert people known as the Bewin Tribe. Although the villagers’ accounts piqued Adol’s curiosity, he was not yet at a stage where he could venture further.

Adol returned to Ramzen once again.

3. The Ibru Family Returns

The region upstream from Ramzen was a rugged, rocky canyon. Bizarrely shaped boulders lay piled upon each other like geological strata. Any semblance of a path had vanished entirely, and it seemed the only way forward was to clamber over these colossal rocks. After scaling several of the jagged giants, a deafening roar suddenly reached him from an unknown direction. Soon, Adol discovered its source: an immense waterfall had come into view. The billowing spray rose to form a faint cloud just above the cascade, dense enough to obscure the opposite bank in mist. Here, the Narm River, which flowed so placidly downstream, now displayed its overwhelming might.

Looking more closely, Adol noticed a path leading downwards. Near the waterfall stood a small hut. He carefully made his way down the boulders and approached it. Inside, he found a middle-aged man. The man explained that this spot had once been a bustling transportation nexus, frequented by many travelers. He added that a natural cave lay behind the waterfall, offering a passage on foot to the opposite bank of the Narm River.

Suspecting that one of the altars enshrining a crystal might be located here, Adol questioned the man. The man tilted his head thoughtfully before replying, “...That cave has numerous branching tunnels, and one of them, indeed, has a strangely shaped door…”

After leaving the hut, Adol made his way towards the cave.

As the man had said, it was a natural cave. Through gaps in the overlapping rock walls that formed elegant curves, Adol could glimpse clear water cascading down. The sight was beautiful. In such a setting, the grim reality of battling the monsters that appeared felt strangely incongruous.

After advancing a little further, he encountered a stout woman.

“Oh, you’re a swordsman, dearie! Please, help me! My precious treasure was stolen just moments ago!”

The moment she laid eyes on Adol, the woman latched onto him. She explained that her valuable treasure had just been snatched by a trio of thieves. Judging by their methods, Adol was certain it was the Ibru Family, the very ones who had robbed him of his gold in Xandria. Taking a torch from the woman, Adol headed down one of the branching tunnels.

4. Adol the Sucker

Beyond the labyrinthine cave, Adol found a door. As he stepped inside, a massive monster lunged at him. Just as he managed to defeat it, another, strangely shaped door materialized deeper within. Opening it revealed a small rock chamber containing a simple altar, upon which rested a crystal. It looked very similar to the one he had received from Dorman in Xandria.

As Adol picked up the crystal and turned to leave the chamber, the stout woman from before came in through the entrance. She then took the crystal from Adol’s hand.

"Ah, this is it, this is it! There's no mistake. What? You say there weren’t any big men? That’s strange... Oh! Just now, something moved behind that rock! It must be one of those scoundrels!”

Hearing this, Adol went further in to investigate. But there was no sign of anyone.

“No one there, you say? Well, of course,” she cackled. "Ah-ha-ha-ha! You really are easily deceived, just like my children said! For us of the Ibru Family, this is almost too easy!

Thanks, dearie. We knew one of the crystals was here, but the monsters were too tough for us to get near. That’s right; this little trinket you handed me is 'Byui,' the Water Crystal! Just three more to go, and we can make it to the City of Sand. You’ve been a big help. Bye-bye now!”

By the time Adol snapped back to reality, it was too late. The door was shut tight, and it wouldn’t budge an inch, as if a boulder had been rolled against it from the other side. Adol was utterly stumped.

Deceived yet again. He paced the chamber, but it seemed the only way in or out was now sealed. Cursing his own stupidity, Adol slumped down in a fit of pique. The torch he held was still burning, casting its light throughout the small chamber. Its flame swayed back and forth, making the shadows dance. It was then that Adol had a realization:

If the flame was flickering, it meant a draft was coming from somewhere! Using the direction of the swaying flame as his guide, Adol began to meticulously inspect the chamber walls. At last, he discovered a hidden passage. Adol made his way out.

He emerged onto the face of a dizzying cliff, a sheer vertical rock wall. From this point, descending to the ground below seemed impossible. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed various protrusions and crevices that could serve as handholds to climb upwards. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a cleverly concealed path.

In reality, it was a route constructed long ago by merchants who ventured upstream. They had fashioned it to remain unnoticed by their rivals, thereby monopolizing trade. Adol scrambled up the cliff face and emerged at the top of the waterfall. He found himself in a dense jungle, a stark contrast to the arid landscapes of the lower Narm River basin and beyond anything he could have imagined from down there.

5. The Inhabitants of the Jungle

The path led deeper into the jungle. Though hesitant, Adol pressed forward. Here too, as he had come to expect, monsters made their appearance. Adol continued further in.

After navigating the labyrinth of trees for some time, a village suddenly materialized before him. Peering in from the entrance, Adol was taken aback. Strange, carved wooden statues were erected throughout the village. The dwellings were rudimentary thatched huts, and in the central plaza sat a cauldron so large it looked capable of boiling a person whole. The villagers themselves were nearly naked, clad only in simple loincloths, their skin a deep brown. Vivid, primary-colored nose rings and necklaces enhanced their unsettling appearance.

Hesitantly, Adol approached and spoke to one of the villagers. To his surprise, they were exceedingly friendly. Villagers quickly began to gather around him, remarking amiably, “We’ve heard stories from long ago, but this is our first time seeing a white-skinned person!” They mentioned that, in the distant past, their village had also engaged in trade with the people downstream.

Adol was guided to the village elder, to whom he explained his reasons for coming. When Adol spoke of the Narm River’s decline, the elder nodded with great solemnity.

“Long ago,” the elder began in broken speech, “many fish, we caught. Now, fish... hard to catch. Crocodiles rage. Dangerous beasts we never see before, many now come. Life has become difficult. Difficult things, I do not understand. But, when balance is lost, bad things happen. Surely, in the land of the gods, some balance has been lost. That is what I believe. White-skinned one, the treasure you went to such trouble to find was stolen by wicked men. Only wicked men have treasure, while good people have none. This is not balanced. Therefore, I shall give you a treasure in its place. Deep within our village, if you cross the jungle and go far, there is a door. A treasure lies there. You should take it.”

Following the elder’s directions, Adol ventured into an even denser and more challenging part of the jungle. After traversing it, he came upon a door identical in shape to the one he had seen by the waterfall. Inside, he found a crystal.

Unexpectedly, Adol discovered ‘Terr,’ the Crystal of Earth. While returning through the jungle, Adol expressed his gratitude to the jungle inhabitants and then made his way back toward the hidden path he had used earlier.

6. Remnants of an Ancient Dynasty

Adol bid farewell to the jungle and retraced his steps. Upon reaching the cliff face, he discovered another hidden path branching off, which allowed him to descend directly to the area opposite the waterfall cave. At last, Adol had set foot on the other bank of the Narm River.

As he continued downstream, the terrain grew harsher. In contrast to the rugged, rocky mountains of the west bank, this side was a plain strewn with sharp, jutting stones. Monsters began to appear once more, and Adol fought his way onward. Eventually, the rocky plain gave way to the meadows. After crossing these, around the area opposite Ramzen, he emerged into an open space. Steep mountains loomed quite near. Glancing around, Adol realized he was standing in the ruins of an ancient city. Though heavily weathered by time, it was clear that a city of magnificent scale had once stood here. On a section of elevated ground, he spotted a solitary house.

An elderly couple resided in the solitary house. The old man, a researcher of ancient history, began to tell Adol about the ancient civilization that had once flourished in this land.

“...The ruins on the mountain behind this house,” the old man began, “are the mausoleum of the Narm Dynasty, which flourished here about five hundred years ago. In that dynasty, the king ruled as a veritable god, wielding absolute power. This land was inherently fertile, so the dynasty achieved a degree of prosperity. However, the king was avaricious. Coveting the riches of Kefin, the city-state of the plains, he repeatedly waged futile wars against them. As a result, this kingdom gradually weakened.

Then, one day, Kefin abruptly vanished. The Narm King was overjoyed and promptly invaded the fertile lands of Safar. However, shortly thereafter, the land began to lose its vitality, and the desert of death started to expand. All desperate efforts to halt its spread proved futile.

The common people were conscripted into desperate labor to prevent the land from turning into desert and subjected to such harsh toil that they perished one after another. Eventually, the dynasty itself collapsed. Had they simply contented themselves with protecting their original lands from the start, they might have endured in peace. But it was the king’s ambition that ultimately led to their ruin.”

“More recently,” the old man continued, “a fanatical group known as the Apostles of Narm has appeared in this region. These zealots proclaim they will restore the ancient dynasty, resorting to any means necessary. It seems they also frequently attack the small villages nearby. However, times have changed. Attempting to reverse the flow of history is as foolish an endeavor as trying to make the waters of the Narm River flow from its mouth back to its source…”

Perhaps this old man knew something about the crystals. Adol recounted what he had learned from the hermits on the plains and posed his question.

“Ho,” the old man exclaimed, “so you are familiar with that tale. Indeed, it is true. Five hundred and fifty years ago, the alchemist Jabir, who accompanied the then-boy king of Kefin on his visit to Narm, constructed magic circles in five locations. By these, he sealed the movements of an evil dragon and aided the young king. The sites of these magic circles were thereafter revered as holy ground by the people of Narm, and the five crystals were enshrined there with great ceremony.”

“However,” he continued, “those sacred sites later suffered severe persecution under a Narm king. Some of the alchemical treasures left behind by Jabir were also plundered. The remainder were hidden throughout the land by the common folk. As for where they are now? Alas, that much I do not know.”

Adol expressed his gratitude and departed from the solitary house.

7. To Dorman’s Mansion

Leaving the solitary house, Adol made his way towards the Ruins of Zeibe, which the old man had mentioned. From a spot where a palace was said to have once stood, he began to walk toward the mountain behind it. The path was largely overgrown and reclaimed by nature, but it was unmistakably the remnants of a ceremonial approach. At the top of the ascent, a stone gate came into view. However, its doors were firmly sealed, and try as he might, Adol could not get inside.

Resigned, Adol returned to the Narm River and tried to continue downstream. However, after a short distance, the path vanished completely, and he could go no further. As he emerged onto the riverbank once more, he saw a lone boat on the Narm, heading towards the shore where he stood. The boat’s captain called out Adol’s name. It was a vessel dispatched by Dorman; having heard that Adol had apparently discovered a crucial clue, Dorman had sent the boat to fetch him. Adol boarded and set off for Dorman’s mansion in Xandria.

Adol presented Dorman with the crystal he had found and began his report. He explained that the five crystals were tools left behind by Jabir, the alchemist who had fought alongside the King of Kefin against the evil dragon, and that these were treasures imbued with alchemical power. He relayed that possessing all five would grant passage to Kefin, and that the thieves known as the Ibru Family were, for some unknown reason, also seeking to reach Kefin and had already acquired two of the crystals. Adol recounted everything he had discovered.

“I see,” Dorman mused. “So those crystals were of such immense importance... Indeed, this is a task that only you could undertake. I was right to entrust it to you.”

Adol apologized for having had the other crystals stolen, but Dorman seemed unconcerned. Instead, he offered advice regarding Adol’s next destination.

“It seems you will have to brave the desert after all,” Dorman said. “Perhaps the fourth crystal might even be found there.”

Dorman advised Adol to undertake the desert crossing and saw him off. Rizze presented Adol with a piece of equipment: a cloak fashioned from special materials designed for desert travel. It was said that this single garment could significantly mitigate both the harsh daytime sun and the freezing nighttime cold. With the cloak in hand, Adol departed from Dorman’s mansion.

8. The Ibru Family’s Threat

To reach the desert of death, Adol had to take the route from Ramzen to the village of Felte. While passing through the downtown district of Xandria, he decided to stop by Niena’s house. Niena, seemingly unaware of his presence, was engrossed in playing her flute. Hearing the same clear, pure notes as before, Adol quietly slipped away.

This was Adol’s second journey to Ramzen. Although he traveled alone this time, for Adol, whose abilities had grown, it was not a particularly arduous trip. The distance to the village even seemed shorter than before. Soon, he arrived at the now-familiar village of Ramzen.

Adol casually walked through the village gate. As he did, a child approached him. Upon closer inspection, it was, to his surprise, Terra—the very girl who had tricked him out of the crystal and his gold in Xandria.

“Long time no see, handsome,” she chirped. “My mama’s got a little somethin’ to discuss with ya. She wants ya to meet her ‘round back of the village tavern. Hey now, go on and try somethin’ if you’ve got the guts. But don’t blame me for what happens to ya!”

Angered by her insolent demeanor, Adol started towards Terra. At that exact moment, Terra let out an exaggerated, pitiful shriek.

“Aaaah! Somebody, anybody, help me!”

In an instant, the cheeky little brat transformed herself into the very picture of a distressed, innocent maiden. Hearing her cries, well-meaning villagers rushed to the scene.

“Wh-what happened, little girl?!”

“Th-this man,” Terra sobbed, “he just... he attacked me!”

“He what?!" one villager roared. “You scum! Attacking a little girl like this... Are you even human?!”

No one doubted the trembling, tearful girl. Adol was promptly beaten soundly by the villagers and unceremoniously thrown out of the village. As Adol lay sprawling on the outskirts, Terra sauntered up to him, a triumphant smirk on her face.

“Aah, see? Told ya so, didn’t I? Heh heh heh. We’ll be waiting behind the tavern, got it?”

Though Adol felt his strength nearly desert him, he knew he couldn’t give up now. Reluctantly, he made his way to the back of the tavern as instructed.

There, he found four familiar faces: the formidable brothers, Grid and Grib; the girl, Terra, who had just orchestrated his painful humiliation; and the stout, middle-aged woman who had deceived him in the waterfall cave. This last one, Adol surmised, had to be Terra’s “Mama.”

“Well now, fancy meeting you here,” the woman began. “It seems you’ve become Dorman of Xandria’s little pawn, constantly meddling in our affairs. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but we’re dead serious. I’d appreciate it if you’d butt out.”

She continued, “Me? Let’s just say I was asked by a certain party—an obligation of the underworld, you might call it. Besides, rumor has it that the secret to immortality can be found there. In any case, your constant meddling is quite a pain.”

Grib chimed in with a goofy grin, “Heh heh, and that’s not all! If we get to the City of Sand, we can eat all we want, anytime!”

“Silence!” Mama snapped, swatting Grib aside before turning back to Adol.

“However, for this one time, I’ll let you proceed. Frankly, we can’t make it across that desert on our own. So, you scurry along and fetch ‘Agni,’ the Crystal of Fire. Once you have it, we’ll relieve you of it. And rest assured, we’ll be taking ‘Terr’ from you as well—mark my words.”

With that parting threat, the Ibru Family departed.

Adol felt thoroughly disgusted by the encounter; however, determined to shake off those feelings, he focused his mind on the desert ahead. After purchasing new weapons and armor and stocking up on medicinal herbs, an idea struck him, and he decided to visit Massea’s home.

To his surprise, Massea welcomed him warmly; indeed, she seemed to have been eagerly anticipating his return.

“So, you are heading to the desert,” she said. “I wish you the best of luck. If you return safely, there is something I wish to give you, so please be sure to visit me then.”

Feeling somewhat captivated by her mature allure, Adol set off towards the desert.

9. Reuniting with Dogi

Having crossed the wasteland for a second time without any trouble, Adol arrived in Felte.

This was still only his second visit to the village. However, its surroundings had noticeably deteriorated; where sparse grass had grown during his previous visit, the land was now utterly parched. Just inside the village entrance, Adol managed to find Dogi. But Dogi, busy working with the village’s young men on constructing defensive barriers, merely said, “If you want to talk, it’ll have to be later. I'm a bit tied up right now.”

In stark contrast to the desolate surroundings, the villagers’ faces shone with hope. The sense of despair that had been palpable during Adol’s last visit was gone, replaced by a strong, palpable determination to protect their home.

Meeting with the village chief, Adol heard accounts of Dogi’s heroic deeds. It seemed the village had recently been attacked by the “Apostles of Narm,” who had been attempting to plunder its treasures, but Dogi’s intervention successfully repelled them. Furthermore, according to Effey, Dogi’s contributions extended beyond that single battle. He had been working tirelessly to protect the village in every way possible, from constructing fortifications to digging wells. Inspired by Dogi’s dedication, the villagers found renewed hope.

Adol had originally come to Felte seeking Dogi’s help for the desert crossing. However, upon hearing about everything Dogi was doing for the village, he was on the verge of leaving without even asking for assistance. Just then, Dogi entered and, upon learning of Adol’s quest, promised to lend his strength.

The village chief then lent Dogi a village treasure: an essential item for traversing the desert—a compass that could point the way to the oasis.

The two companions departed from the village. Dogi handed the compass to Adol, deferring to him as the leader for their expedition.

10. Safar, the Desert of Death

Despite having grown considerably stronger, the desert of death proved to be an unforgiving place. Although the compass indicated their direction, it did not change the reality that they were journeying through a land where death was an ever-present neighbor. Furthermore, in the deeper reaches of the desert, monstrous scorpions and venomous serpent-like creatures lurked in various places. Adol and Dogi pressed onward, conserving their energy whenever they found shade behind the occasional sand dune.

After a long and arduous trek, a verdant oasis suddenly materialized before them. At this point, the nature of the terrain also shifted; the desert of death gave way to what appeared to be an ordinary desert. Adol and Dogi had successfully made the crossing.

Within the oasis lay a village constructed of simple tents. This was the settlement of the Bewin Tribe, the people of the desert. The villagers, acknowledging Adol and Dogi as capable individuals for having braved the desert, welcomed them warmly. Soon after, the pair were brought before the tribe’s elder.

After listening to Adol, the elder began to speak. “...There are two kinds of deserts,” he explained. “One is a desert where, although harsh, the cycles of nature continue. The other is the desert of death, where naught stirs save for monsters. And this desert of death... it is gradually expanding...”

As Adol was preparing to depart from the village, the elder addressed him once more.

“You mentioned you were searching for Kefin, the City of Sand. If that is the case, then it would be best for you to witness it with your own eyes.”

The elder then led Adol and Dogi to the outskirts of the village.

“Further from here, amidst the sands, there is a place where a peculiar tower juts out. That is Kefin. If you venture inside, you may find what you seek. However, a particularly dangerous monster is said to lurk nearby. According to those who have glimpsed it, it is a fearsome, dog-like creature.”

Urged on by Dogi, Adol set out towards the indicated location.

11. Strange Friends

After crossing several sand dunes, a tall tower came into view. It jutted up abruptly from amidst the dunes. Adol scanned the surroundings, but there was no discernible entrance.

Then, a short distance away, he spotted what appeared to be the remnants of a severely twisted building. He and Dogi went to investigate.

Inside, they found a narrow, room-like space that descended through several levels. The bottom opened into an area constructed like an entrance hall. When they stepped out from there, they found themselves in what was unmistakably the layout of a town. It appeared to be the ruins of an ancient city. Though largely buried in sand and heavily weathered, traces of a long-vanished civilization were evident everywhere.

After advancing a little further, Adol and Dogi heard a yelping cry, almost like a dog's whimper. Rushing towards the sound, they stumbled upon a surprising scene. Near a freshly collapsed section of the floor, a single young Kobold was on the verge of being engulfed by shifting sands.

Though it was a monster, they found themselves inexplicably hesitant to leave it to its fate. The two hurried to the Kobold’s side and grabbed its paw. At that moment, something astonishing occurred: the Kobold spoke in the human tongue.

“Th-thank you…” it stammered. “You... are you humans? Really humans?

You just... you saved me. Will you... be my friends?

Me, Koro. I’m a Kobold. Born here, in Kefin. This is the first time I’ve seen humans. But... my dad told me. Us Kobolds... we always want human friends. I... I made human friends! I’m so happy! I want you to meet my dad!”

Wagging his tail furiously, Koro led the somewhat bewildered Adol and Dogi deeper into what seemed to be their dwelling place. Upon entering a large plaza that had likely once been a center of human activity, the two were overwhelmed by the scene: an innumerable host of Kobolds was gathered there.

Koro's father, to whom they were soon introduced, bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving my son,” he said, his speech also simple. “This is Kefin, a city built by humans. Long, long ago, I heard there were many humans here. But then, suddenly, they abandoned our ancestors and went away somewhere. Many hundreds of years have passed since that time.

We Kobolds... we are friends to humans. It has been decided since ancient times. But now... there are no humans here anymore. That is why we have always longed for human friends. We have always waited for humans to come, and for them to become our friends.

Yet, the few humans who occasionally wander in call us monsters. This has always made us very sad.

Three years ago, I made a human friend for the first time. I still remember the joy I felt then. And now, you have saved my son’s life. You have become his friends. There is no greater happiness! My tail... it feels like it might wag right off!”

12. Discovery of the Monument

Advancing deeper, Adol and Dogi discovered what appeared to be a stone slab in a plaza.

Inscribed upon it was the history of Kefin. It seemed to have been created as a monument when the people of Kefin abandoned this city. ...In the city-state of Kefin, advanced alchemy had flourished. Its king, weary of incessant wars and yearning for eternal peace, commanded the alchemist Jabir to construct a magnificent new capital. “Now,” it read, “Kefin is poised to depart from this world of ceaseless conflict to another realm…” Dogi pointed out to Adol that the date inscribed on the slab, which so proudly depicted this radiant future, was from five hundred years ago.

The people of Kefin had forsaken this city and moved on to a new location. But it was not only the city that had been left behind. The Kobolds who now inhabited this place had also been abandoned. Adol surmised they had perhaps been left behind as dogs and subsequently transformed into monsters due to some imbalance or distortion in the natural order. Despite this, they had never forgotten humans. And for five hundred long years, they had earnestly, unceasingly wished to be friends with them. A pang of sorrow gripped Adol and Dogi’s hearts.

Beyond the plaza lay a door. However, the Kobolds present would not allow them to pass. They explained that further on, creatures of a different kind—unlike themselves—dwelt. These beings, for reasons unknown, bore a profound hatred towards humans and would invariably attack them on sight.

As they turned back, Koro approached them.

“Dad said humans are friends with us Kobolds. Said it’s been that way since long, long ago. I’m so, so happy to be friends with you!

But... there’s something I don’t get. If we’re friends, why were we abandoned so long ago? Why weren’t we taken with them? Can you tell me? Is it because... because we’re not cute? Or because we’re weak and no good for anything?”

Eventually, they came to another door. Adol and Dogi intended to proceed further, reasoning that if there was an ascent to the tower, it must lie beyond. However, the Kobolds present stopped them, warning of the danger. Monsters harboring a deep resentment for humans, they said, had taken up residence past that point. One Kobold elaborated,

“Three years ago, a human came here, searching for what they called the City of Sand. Koro’s father became friends with him. But... that friend is gone now. He went through this door and never returned. Even now, Koro’s father waits for his friend to come back, visiting this spot every day.”

Promising to meet again, Adol and Dogi bid farewell to the Kobolds. As they departed, Koro’s father presented them with a treasure. It was ‘Agni,’ the Crystal of Fire.

The ones who had abandoned them had long forgotten the past, likely living a life of ease in some desert paradise. Yet those who had been abandoned, even now, after scores of generations, continued to wait for the return of those who had left them behind. Even after they returned to the harsh glare of the desert sun, an unbearable ache lingered in the hearts of Adol and Dogi.

13. A Gift from Massea

The journey back was also arduous, but Adol managed to return safely. Dogi decided to remain in the village of Felte; Adol returned the compass to him, and they parted ways. Adol then made his way back to Ramzen alone.

Keeping the promise he had made before setting out, Adol paid a visit to Massea’s home. Massea presented him with a staff. It was imbued with the art of ignition, enabling him to launch fireballs at foes in battle. While Adol couldn’t help but wish he’d received it before his desert trek, it appeared that his safe return from the sands had served as some sort of “qualification test.”

After Adol had walked a short distance, Rizze intercepted him. Rizze informed him that Dorman was currently at a nearby riverbank, having arrived by boat to meet Adol. Following Rizze, Adol headed towards the landing.

A luxurious boat was moored at the landing. As soon as Adol stepped aboard, the vessel pushed off from the shore. Dorman awaited him in a cabin below deck.

Adol relayed all he had learned and handed ‘Agni,’ the Crystal of Fire, to Dorman. After praising Adol’s bravery, Dorman began to discuss a matter of great importance. He announced that he had pinpointed the location of the final crystal: ‘Nox,’ the Crystal of Darkness. It was, he revealed, located within the Ruins of Zeibe.

Presently, the boat crossed the Narm River and arrived at the opposite bank. There, Dorman said to Adol, “It appears the Ibru Family has already infiltrated the ruins. You must secure the final crystal before they do. I will accompany you.”

14. The Ruins of Zeibe

The boat came ashore at the same spot as before. Dorman took the lead, followed by Adol and four of Dorman’s men: two burly warriors introduced on the boat, the butler Rizze, and a young apprentice sailor. Rizze, by all appearances, seemed a rather delicate and unreliable fellow, but Dorman asserted he was quite skilled. The sailor, in contrast, was a visibly good-natured young man, anxiously admitting this would be his first real battle.

Upon reaching the Ruins of Zeibe, they found the main door already ajar.

“Hmm, it seems we’ve been beaten here,” Dorman muttered. “Quickly now, young Adol, make haste! We will follow as soon as our preparations are complete.”

Prompted by Dorman’s words, Adol passed through the gateway.

These ruins, believed to be the mausoleum of an ancient dynasty, were, just as Adol had anticipated, an exceedingly gloomy place. Monsters assaulted them one after another, and in addition, various traps had been set throughout.

After proceeding a considerable distance, they came upon a wide, dry moat. Its bottom was so far down it couldn't be seen; a fall would undoubtedly be fatal. Just then, Dorman and his companions finally caught up.

“Ah, apologies for the delay,” Dorman said. “This is truly a perilous place. However, if we can cross this one bridge, the remainder of the way should be short.”

“We did it! Our destination is right over there!” the young sailor exclaimed, and then,

“Hey, wait! Don’t go!” Dorman shouted, trying to stop the sailor who had bolted straight for the bridge.

But it was too late. The distinct sound of a trap springing echoed through the dark ruins, and simultaneously, the sailor vanished from sight. An instant later, a scream, followed by the sickening thud of a fall, resonated ominously. He had plunged into a pitfall trap concealed just before the bridge.

“...To think he’d fall for such a simple trap…” Dorman muttered, rushing to the edge and peering down, his voice laced with frustration. “This is a tomb of the ancient Narm Dynasty. Countless traps were laid to protect the royal burial chambers from grave robbers. The lad carelessly fell prey to one of them.”

Dorman and his men resolved to split off and attempt to rescue the fallen sailor. Adol, once more on his own, pressed deeper into the ruins.

15. Discovery of the Final Crystal

After navigating a labyrinthine section, another bridge came into view. As Adol crossed it, he heard a commotion coming from somewhere nearby. Listening intently, it sounded like the voices of the Ibru Family. It seemed they had encountered a powerful foe and were engaged in a difficult fight. Adol hastened in the direction of the sounds.

Upon stepping into a chamber, he found the four members of the Ibru Family sprawled unconscious before a doorway. It was said that the royal tombs housed a guardian beast that would eternally assail any intruders. Evidently, they had struggled fiercely against this guardian and had only just managed to escape with their lives.

Gripping his sword firmly, Adol advanced into the room where the guardian beast lay in wait.

Once engaged in battle, Adol quickly understood why the Ibru Family had struggled; indeed, the beast was so powerful that their ability to have contended with it at all was commendable. Nevertheless, Adol managed to defeat it. As he did, a new passage opened up in the room.

Passing through the newly opened doorway, Adol found himself in a scene entirely different from what he had encountered before. It was a long, narrow chamber resembling a corridor, lined with rows upon rows of stone coffins.

Just as he was about to advance, a voice yelled from behind, “Wait up!” Terra, having regained consciousness, was pursuing him, almost crawling in her haste. But Adol had no desire to engage with her further. He shook her off and pressed on.

Adol continued on, passing countless coffins. Terra desperately tried to keep up. But Adol did not stop; he hurried on. Upon reaching the far end of the corridor, he at last discovered another chamber. Stepping inside, Adol finally obtained the last of the crystals: ‘Nox,’ the Crystal of Darkness.

16. The Five Crystals Assembled

Returning to the chamber lined with coffins, Adol found that Dorman and his party had caught up. Terra, still unconscious, was being held captive by two soldiers.

“Well done, young Adol,” Dorman said. “Now, hand over the crystal.”

As instructed, Adol presented ‘Nox,’ the Crystal of Darkness, which Dorman promptly pocketed. He then explained how they had arrived:

“While searching for a path to rescue the sailor who fell into the trap, we chanced upon a secret passage that led directly here. And what’s more, we found something quite useful in the process—this little wench. She’ll prove to be of use.”

At that moment, voices came from behind them. The remaining three members of the Ibru Family had arrived. Rizze stepped forward.

“Welcome, esteemed members of the Ibru Family,” he said smoothly. “It has been some time, hasn’t it?”

“Y-you…” one of them stammered. “What are you doing here? ...Wait, you’re Dorman!”

“I find it rather distasteful to be addressed so familiarly by pesky thieves,” Dorman retorted. “Now then, as it happens, I have just acquired the final crystal. But first, perhaps you should take a look at this.”

Dorman took the still-unconscious Terra from his soldiers, handling her roughly. The jarring movement caused Terra to regain her consciousness.

“Huh...? Where am I...? Ah!!”

Terra struggled to break free, but Dorman held her fast, not moving an inch.

“Mama! Help me!!”

Mama Ibru, who had instinctively started forward, froze in her tracks. Dorman pulled out a knife and was now pointing it at Terra’s throat.

“As you can plainly see, I have your daughter,” Dorman stated coolly. “Now, why don’t you hand over those two crystals you’re holding?”

“D-don’t be absurd!” Mama Ibru spat. “Like hell I’d give them to scum like you...!”

“Oh? Is that any way to talk, I wonder?” The knife in Dorman’s hand glinted menacingly, and Terra let out a sharp scream.

“Kyaah!”

“Damn it, you bastard!”

“I hardly think you’re in a position to call me names,” Dorman replied. “Now, what’s your decision?”

Reluctantly, Mama Ibru took out the crystals and tossed them onto the floor. Rizze swiftly moved in and bound the three remaining Ibru family members.

With that, all five crystals were now in Dorman’s possession. Suddenly, Dorman threw back his head and began to laugh, a wild, uproarious cackle that bordered on madness.

17. The Schemer’s True Colors

Dorman’s laughter reverberated through the dark stone chamber. A sense of unease that had been nagging at Adol’s mind for some time now suddenly swelled.

Finally stifling his laughter, Dorman turned to face Adol.

“You have performed splendidly, young Adol. I never imagined things would proceed this smoothly. Thanks to you, all the crystals are now in my possession. This means I am now able to launch an assault on Kefin, leading the elite forces of the ‘Apostles of Narm,’ whom I have personally nurtured!”

Unbelievably, Dorman’s true objective had never been the salvation of the people. As Adol stared in shock, two soldiers pressed their swords to his throat, immobilizing him. Dorman continued his monologue.

“You truly are a naive man, aren’t you?” Dorman sneered. “To be so easily deceived by talk of ‘saving the people.’ What becomes of those foolish insects should hardly concern you.

These ruins, you see, are actually the tombs of my ancestors. That’s right—I am a descendant of the ancient Narm Dynasty! My sole desire is the restoration of that dynasty. And then, to seize the alchemy of Kefin, establish a formidable new kingdom, and ultimately overthrow the Romun Empire! That is my true purpose!

I shall now return to Xandria and forthwith declare the restoration of the Narm Dynasty! All who dare oppose me shall be put to death. My loyal ‘Apostles of Narm’ will ensure my will is fulfilled.”

Beneath the veneer of a gentleman, the true, wicked face of a ruthless schemer had emerged. Rizze then stepped towards the bound members of the Ibru Family.

“You all served your purpose well, didn't you?” he said with a smirk. “Your steadfast adherence to your ‘obligations’ has proven to be your undoing. A valuable lesson, I’d say. Though, I suppose it matters little to those about to die."

So, the “certain party” Mama Ibru had referred to was Rizze himself. Years ago, when the Ibru Family had been pursued by authorities and found themselves in a desperate plight, Rizze had extended a hand, arranging their escape to Xandria. In return for this aid, he had tasked them with finding “the five treasures required to reach Kefin.”

Rizze’s actions, it was now clear, had all been orchestrated by Dorman. In essence, Dorman had been manipulating Adol on one front while simultaneously using Rizze to direct the Ibru Family on another, effectively pitting them against each other in a race to collect the five crystals.

Dorman shot a dismissive glance at the Ibru Family, who were grinding their teeth in rage.

“I won’t kill you outright. After all, I too have had my share of valuable treasures stolen from my trading houses in the East by your kind. Yes... perhaps I’ll have you serve as live bait for the crocodiles I keep.”

He then turned to Adol. “And now, young Adol, your usefulness has ended. May you sleep eternally in this grand tomb of royalty. Ah, but you might be lonely all by yourself. I shall give you a... charming companion.”

With that, Dorman violently shoved Terra toward Adol. Almost simultaneously with Mama Ibru’s anguished scream, a trap sprang, and the floor beneath Adol and Terra vanished. The two plummeted into a dark abyss.

Chapter Ⅲ: Dorman’s Ambition

1. Escape from the Underground Labyrinth

Adol became aware that he was lying on cold stone. His body felt as heavy as lead. After a moment, the recent events slowly began to resurface in his memory: he had been thoroughly deceived by Dorman, used as a pawn for his ambitions, and then cast aside.

He tried to raise himself, but a heavy weight pressed down on him, preventing movement. Reaching out, he felt something soft and warm. Realizing it was Terra who had fallen with him, Adol was momentarily flustered. However, upon seeing she was still unconscious, a strange sense of relief washed over him.

After some time, his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, and he could begin to discern his surroundings, however dimly lit. The ruins were astonishingly cold, almost unnaturally so. Adol gently lifted Terra, retrieved the cloak he had used during his desert journey from his pack, wrapped it around her, and then carefully laid her back down on the stone floor. Then, he rose and surveyed the area.

It was a dark and somber place. Skeletal remains lay scattered everywhere. They appeared to be the corpses of tomb raiders who had dared to enter these ruins, only to fall prey to their traps and perish. Among them, Adol even recognized the remains of the young sailor who had accompanied Dorman’s party into the ruins earlier. Their survival, it seemed, was nothing short of miraculous.

Just then, a small cry broke the silence. Terra had woken up.

“...Huh?! Wha—where am I...?” she mumbled, pushing herself up.

She casually reached out and picked up an object lying near her. But when she realized it was a human skull, she shrieked, flung it away, and, in a fit of terror, cried out,

“Aaaaaah!! Mama! Brothers! Help meeeee!!”

Adol managed to calm the hysterical Terra and told her to stay behind him. However, Terra vehemently refused to accompany him, spewing insults.

“Y-you gotta be nuts!! Like I’d go anywhere with you!! I’ll get out of this place on my own! And don’t you dare follow me!”

With that, Terra stormed off by herself. But a moment later, she shot back as if propelled, latching onto Adol from behind.

“J-just now! That skeleton over there... it moved!”

Adol looked but saw nothing out of the ordinary. As he prepared to move on, Terra, whose eyes were surprisingly sharp, cried out again. The instant Adol shifted, several skeletons rose and lunged at them.

“Kyaaah! No, no, get away!!”

The skeletons seized Terra and began to drag her off. Adol quickly gave chase and dispatched the bony assailants. Terra, who had been tossed aside, defiantly brushed off Adol’s offered hand and scrambled to her feet.

“Hmph! Don’t think I’m gonna thank you!” she declared, then tried to take the lead. However, she almost immediately blundered into the very next trap. Adol caught up and rescued her yet again. This time, Terra, now weeping, clung to him desperately.

“Waaah, it’s scary! So, so scary! Hey, please don’t leave me by myself! Take me with you, please!”

Adol told her to follow, and Terra, still sniffling, nodded in agreement.

They found themselves in a sprawling, unfamiliar underground labyrinth. It was so vast that Adol had no idea where they were. Gradually, the biting cold began to seep deep into his bones.

Terra noticed Adol shivering.

“You’re shaking. Are you cold? Wait a sec, why am I wearing this cloak anyway...? Then, does that mean you...?”

Terra stepped in front of Adol, looked him directly in the eyes, and asked,

“Why are you so... kind? I’ve tricked you time and again; I even locked you in that cave! I don’t think twice about stealing or deceiving people! I’m a bad kid, you know!”

A silence fell between them. After a moment, Terra spoke again, her voice softer.

“Hey... um... is it okay if I... call you Adol...?”

A different air now hung between them as the two continued their way through the monster-infested ruins.

2. The Phantom Underground City

At length, the passage ended, and they emerged into a new section. Adol had navigated through numerous terrifying monsters and traps, all the while shielding Terra. Though he had once considered her a detestable foe, he was beginning to see that, at her core, she was a surprisingly guileless girl. They soon reached an area devoid of monsters. With a moment to spare, the two paused to catch their breath.

Looking around more carefully, they noticed numerous signs hinting at the daily life of a civilization from the remote past. It appeared that this place had originally been a city inhabited by people, only to be repurposed as a tomb at a later time.

After a short while, Adol discovered a waterway. Could it be that this channel led to the outside...? Hopeful, he and Terra followed the flow of the water.

However, their path did not end at an exit but rather at a large reservoir into which the water flowed. Terra, disheartened, slumped to the ground, but Adol encouraged her and then calmly surveyed their surroundings. Countless pieces of timber and large stones lay scattered about. The far side of the reservoir was a sheer cliff face.

Suddenly, Adol’s gaze fixed on something: a protrusion on the cliff wall. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be some sort of switch. Inspiration struck Adol. He got to his feet and began gathering pieces of timber. Terra, observing his actions, quickly understood his intention. Together, they started to build a raft.

Soon, their crude raft was complete. They launched it onto the water and climbed aboard. However, the switch was positioned too high above the current water level; they couldn’t reach it. Discouragement set in once more, but then Terra had an idea. She had Adol paddle the raft back to the edge, disembark, and begin tossing stones into the reservoir. Adol, instantly understanding her plan, also got off the raft and joined in the effort. Gradually, the water level rose until the switch was within reach. The two boarded the raft again, paddled across, and activated the switch.

The instant they did, the distinct sound of a large mechanism engaging filled the air. Then, the water in the reservoir began to churn, forming a powerful vortex. Adol and Terra struggled against it, but they were no match for the current’s might. Raft and all, they were sucked into the massive whirlpool.

The contraption they had set in motion was a mechanism built when these ruins were an inhabited city, long before it became a tomb. The city’s denizens had utilized groundwater seeping from the rock, but they also needed to store it for emergencies. To prevent the reservoir from overflowing, they had ingeniously designed a drainage system: a switch connected to a float would automatically release water when the level reached its maximum. Over the long centuries, the wooden float had rotted away, but the mechanism itself remained functional. And now, true to the switch they had flipped, it began to discharge the reservoir's contents.

However, Adol and Terra, caught in the surging current, had no time to contemplate such ancient engineering. Clasping hands, they were inexorably drawn down into the swirling vortex.

3. The Solitary House in the Ruins

When Adol opened his eyes, he saw a wooden ceiling. He realized he was lying in a bed. It was the solitary house within the Ruins of Zeibe, where he had received help before. Beside him stood the old man and Terra, who was watching over him intently.

Noticing Adol was awake, the old man spoke in a soft voice.

“Oh, so you’re finally awake, are you? I went down to the riverbank and found the two of you washed ashore. Gave me quite a start. Were you out playing on a raft, perhaps?”

The old man’s wife also entered, carrying a bowl of warm soup.

“Well, now, just being alive is a blessing in itself. You two must be favored by the god of the Narm River. Oh, that’s right; we mended your raft and left it by the riverbank for you. Now, you two siblings get along and head on home, alright?”

Adol offered his thanks, and Terra, too, bowed her head meekly. Then, they stepped outside.

Just outside the solitary house, Terra stopped short. Adol, pausing in turn, looked at her as she began to speak, her voice hesitant.

“Um... look... We, I mean, my family... We’ve tricked you so many times, Adol. We stole your money and even locked you deep in that cave. So... even if you refuse... I... I wouldn’t blame you, Adol…”

Terra then stood squarely before him, her gaze earnest.

“Listen, Adol! I want to rescue my Mama and my brothers! I’m begging you, please! Lend me your strength!”

Any lingering ill will Adol might have felt towards the Ibru Family had vanished from his heart. As he nodded without hesitation, Terra threw her arms around him in a hug.

“Thank you, Adol!”

At the riverbank, they found their raft, now quite impressively repaired. On the opposite shore lay the village of Ramzen. The two boarded the raft and began to cross the Narm River. The current was gentle, and they made their way across the wide expanse of the Narm without being carried downstream.

4. Disturbance in Ramzen

The river crossing had been almost unnaturally tranquil; however, a dire situation awaited them on the opposite bank in Ramzen.

As Adol and Terra reached the boat landing, a young man from the village ran up to them. He frantically explained that just moments before, armed members of the Apostles of Narm had stormed the village in large numbers. They proclaimed the restoration of the Narm Dynasty with Dorman as its king and demanded the villagers’ allegiance. And now, he added, these same cultists were in the process of abducting Massea. Adol immediately sprinted toward Massea’s house.

Hooded, armed men were indeed present in the village—members of the Apostles of Narm. Their numbers here were not overwhelming. Adol swiftly dispatched them and hurried towards the center of the village.

He arrived just as Massea was about to be dragged away. Two men from the Apostles of Narm had her gripped firmly on either side.

“Nothing personal, lady,” one of them said. “Our orders from Lord Dorman are to capture anyone who knows alchemy.”

“Alchemy...?” Massea questioned. “Whatever are you talking about?”

“Hmph, playing innocent won’t do you any good. Lord Dorman sees everything.”

At that moment, the two apostles spotted Adol. Before they could even cry out a challenge, they were cut down by his sword.

Massea thanked Adol for his help. She then requested that he escort her to Xandria, explaining that she had someone very important to her there. Considering he also had the objective of rescuing the Ibru Family, Adol readily agreed. And so, the three of them—Adol, Terra, and Massea—set off for Xandria.

5. Xandria Occupied

The town of Xandria had fallen completely under the control of the Apostles of Narm. All who resisted had been captured, and valuables were being plundered from the citizens under the guise of taxation. Even the small hamlets they had passed on the way were now deserted.

Shortly after they entered the town, Massea quickened her pace, taking the lead. Her destination was Niena’s house. It appeared that Niena was the “important person” Massea had spoken of.

Fortunately, Niena was unharmed. Upon seeing Adol and the others, Niena’s face lit up.

“Big Sis Massea!” she exclaimed. “Oh, and the mister from the other day is with you! Hey, and the lady with you... haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” she added, looking at Terra.

Massea explained to Niena that Adol and his companions needed to meet the “Water God.” To a doubtful Adol, Massea clarified, “...It’s impossible to enter Dorman’s mansion through the main entrance. The only viable route is through Xandria’s underground waterways…”

Niena pondered for a moment before speaking.

“The Water God told me about a special place I could go if I were ever in real trouble. If we go there, I’m sure the Water God will agree to meet us.”

She continued, “...There’s a marshland outside of town. A secret entrance is located there. It’s designed with a trick so adults can’t find it, so if Terra leads the way, she should be able to locate it...”

Massea announced she would remain at Niena’s house to look after her. Adol, accompanied by Terra, set off towards the marshland.

6. The Water God’s True Identity

In the heart of the marshland, there was an area shrouded in drifting fog. This, they discovered, was the entrance to the domain of the Water God.

Venturing deeper, Terra and Adol finally came face-to-face with this deity—or rather, deities. To their astonishment, the “Water God” was actually a community of half-fishmen who had inhabited the Narm River since time immemorial.

As Adol stepped forward, a younger-looking half-fishman pointed accusingly.

“That guy, he’s one of Dorman’s cronies, gyo. Unforgivable, gyo.” [TL Note: They speak with the verbal tic "gyo" (ギョ) at the end of their sentences. It comes from the word "gyojin" (魚人/fishmen).]

Dorman, it turned out, had been dumping poisonous effluent into the underground waterways, earning him the Fishmen's utter disdain. However, a merman who appeared to be their leader quieted the accuser and addressed Adol.

“We know of you from Niena’s letter, gyo. Your motives are pure; you can be trusted, gyo. We too are troubled, for the Narm River is weakening, gyo. We shall lend you our strength, gyo.”

The merman leader opened a door, explaining that it led to Xandria’s subterranean waterways. Adol and Terra passed through and followed their guide along a cave path at the river’s bottom. After a while, the natural cavern transitioned into an artificial underground channel. One of the Fishmen standing guard there spoke up.

“Using these waterways, we have watched over little Niena for a long time, gyo. Three years ago, when she was but four, her father, an explorer, brought her to this town, gyo. But her father went off in search of the ‘City of Sand,’ as he called it, and never came back, gyo. Niena was left all alone, gyo. We couldn’t bear to ignore her plight, gyo. So, we’ve been giving her tasty fish and sending her letters, gyo.”

The young merman who had initially been suspicious spoke again, his face contorted in anger.

“That father of hers, he’s a terrible fellow, gyo. A desert, with no water, it’s no fun at all, gyo. To go to such a place and never return... It's unbelievable, gyo. Poor little Niena, gyo.”

Adol and Terra continued onward. After navigating a winding passage, they reached a section where the underground water abruptly turned foul. Another merman was stationed there.

“Straight on from here is Dorman’s mansion, gyo,” it informed them. “As you can see, poisonous water flows from this point, gyo. We Fishmen cannot proceed any further, gyo. From here, you must go on your own, gyo.”

Following its directions, they found the way to be quite intricate. Nevertheless, after some searching, Adol and Terra managed to find the correct path and emerged inside Dorman’s mansion. The passage, it turned out, connected to the kitchen.

7. Rescuing the Ibru Family

Adol had been inside this mansion a couple of times before, so he had a fair idea of its layout. Next to the kitchen, they found a storeroom. However, it appeared the crystals had already been transported elsewhere; no weapons were left either. Terra opened a treasure chest. Inside, among many cloaks, was a compass identical to the one from Felte village—one Adol hadn't been given when he'd previously crossed the desert. It seemed Dorman had been deliberately holding back.

Up the stairs from there was the reception room. Adol advanced, relying on his memory of the mansion’s interior. Just then, he heard voices. Slipping behind a curtain, he peered out cautiously and saw Dorman.

Dorman and Rizze were leisurely drinking wine, evidently in the midst of a premature celebration. Adol and Terra listened intently to their conversation, holding their breath.

“Lord Dorman, your execution was magnificent,” Rizze said. “That young upstart, Adol, didn’t seem to suspect a thing, did he?”

“You played your part admirably as well, Rizze,” Dorman replied. “After all, the initial proposal to gather all of Kefin's treasures was yours. With these, I can at last seize the power of Kefin's alchemy. And soon after, the world itself will be within my grasp!”

Just then, a messenger burst into the room, kneeling before Dorman to deliver his report.

“Lord Dorman, all the crystals have been safely transported to the ‘Apostles of Narm’ headquarters.”

“Excellent work,” Dorman responded. “And the men are assembled?”

“Yes, my lord. All members, save for those currently occupying the city, are gathered at headquarters. We are ready to depart at your command.”

“Very well then,” Dorman declared. “It is time to begin. Prepare the ship. We shall first proceed to the Apostles of Narm Headquarters to finalize our preparations, and then we will launch our assault on Kefin.”

The messenger hurried away, and shortly thereafter, Dorman and Rizze also exited the room.

Adol and Terra quickly crossed the reception area and made their way towards a part of the mansion they hadn't explored.

Near the backyard, they encountered a guard, whom they dispatched with ease. Beyond, they found the Ibru Family tied to a pillar. With tears streaming down her face, Terra rushed to them and quickly set them free.

Mama Ibru bowed her head low to Adol.

“Thanks a bunch, Adol,” she said. “Looks like we owe you a big one. We might not seem like much, but what do you say? How about we team up?”

Adol was genuinely taken aback by the offer. Mama continued,

“It’s clear that your goals are different from ours. As for me, as long as I can achieve what I set out to do, that’s all that matters. And believe it or not, we can actually be quite useful.”

Adol readily accepted her proposal. Mama Ibru clapped her hands together decisively.

“Alright, it’s a deal! First things first, we’ve gotta take that scoundrel Dorman down. We’ll get our gear and catch up with you as soon as we can, so you go on ahead. Okay, gang, let’s move out!”

The brothers let out a cheer and followed Mama as she strode towards the gate. Terra, however, lingered behind for a moment. She suddenly trotted over to Adol, called out his name softly, but then said nothing more. Turning quickly, she ran off to rejoin her family.

Adol passed through the now unguarded gate and stepped out into the streets of Xandria.

8. To the Secret Society’s Headquarters

As Adol exited the gate, Massea was waiting for him. She explained that a letter from the "Water God," addressed to Adol, had just arrived at Niena’s. Upon reading it, Adol learned that Dorman's ship had set course for a small island offshore. To reach it, they would need to borrow a boat from the mayor, but he was currently imprisoned in the City Hall by the Apostles of Narm. Massea offered to accompany him, and the two charged into the City Hall.

The mayor was being held in the tower. After Adol defeated the cultists guarding him and set him free, the grateful mayor guided Adol and Massea to a boat located within the City Hall complex. As they descended from the tower, Adol noticed the landscape outside had changed drastically since his previous visit: the desert had expanded considerably. The City Hall had its own boat landing with direct access to the sea. Adol and Massea boarded the vessel and set course for the small island.

On the islet stood an enormous edifice of a curiously archaic design. This, Adol was sure, had to be the headquarters of the Apostles of Narm. He and Massea entered.

Inside, they encountered both monsters and armed cultists. It appeared Dorman had monsters under his command as well. These combatants were far more formidable than the rank-and-file members they had faced in Ramzen and Xandria.

After fighting their way considerably deeper, Adol and Massea came upon a room containing a peculiar device. Massea stopped.

“This mechanism…” she mused. “It’s possible alchemy is involved here. I think I need to investigate this. Adol, you go ahead.”

Leaving Massea to her examination, Adol pressed on, soon finding a staircase, which he ascended quickly. Beyond a door at the top lay a large hall. There, positioned on a high platform, was the same servile-looking little man Adol had encountered previously at Dorman’s mansion. The man spat a volley of curses at Adol before manipulating a control panel at his side.

From an adjacent chamber, an enormous golem emerged. It was a combat automaton, controlled by the little man. Adol engaged it in battle but found himself struggling immensely. The little man gloated from his perch above. Just then, a voice sounded from behind Adol. Mama Ibru had entered, accompanied by her sons.

“Hmph! And what difference will two more overgrown oafs make, you old hag!” the little man sneered at Mama.

“There’s one more of us, you know!” a voice cried out.

It was Terra, who had managed to sneak up behind the little man. As he spun around in alarm, Terra kicked him squarely in the back, sending him tumbling to the floor below. Instantly, the golem’s movements became sluggish. Seizing the opportunity, Adol defeated the automaton. The little man, meanwhile, was thoroughly pummeled by the Ibru brothers and lay unconscious.

The brothers formed a human ladder, enabling Terra to climb down to the main floor. Mama Ibru then turned to Adol.

“Yeah, sorry for the delay. Right after we left Dorman’s place, we ran smack into some officials. Took us a while to give ‘em the slip.”

Grib chimed in with a chuckle, “Heh heh, truth is, we thought, ‘Hey, while we’re at it, might as well help ourselves to some more loot!’ So we ducked back into Dorman’s mansion for a bit!”

“That’s enough out of you!” Mama snapped. “Come on, let’s get going!”

The corridors began to narrow as they ascended, indicating that they had climbed quite high within the structure. Rushing up another flight of stairs and throwing open a door, they found a large number of cultists lying in wait.

“We’ll handle these guys!” one of the Ibru brothers yelled. “You get going, Adol, hurry!”

Leaving the rear guard to the brothers, Adol pressed on deeper into the headquarters.

9. Showdown with Dorman

The stairs led up to Dorman’s private chambers. At the far end of the room, which was filled with luxurious furnishings, an array of enigmatic experimental equipment was arranged. Among them, Adol spotted the five crystals. Recognizing Adol, Dorman rose to his feet.

“To not only survive those ruins but to make it all the way here... It seems I underestimated you. In that case, I have no choice but to confront you using my own unique alchemy.”

Unbelievably, Dorman had been conducting his own research into alchemy. To the astonished Adol, Dorman continued,

“That’s right. I have been studying alchemy on my own. I even created various catalysts myself. However, the most crucial component, the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ I could never manage to create. Without it, I cannot obtain the overwhelming power necessary to defeat the Romun Empire. It was to obtain the Philosopher’s Stone that I sought Kefin.

But now that things have come to this, I can hesitate no longer. To defeat you, I must use the catalysts I created to draw out the power of the crystals.”

An eerie light enveloped Dorman’s body. Then, the five crystals began to pulse with a vibrant luminescence. At that precise moment, Massea burst into the room.

“No, don’t! That art, without the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, it will—”

But Massea's words were drowned out by an explosion of light and sound; energy from the crystals surged into Dorman's body.

“Ha-ha-ha! Too late, it seems!” Dorman roared. “Now, I possess the greatest power on earth—ugh?!”

The radiance abruptly ceased, and Dorman’s movements froze. A faint darkness began to permeate the room, gradually coalescing around Dorman’s figure.

“Guaaaah!!”

With a blood-curdling scream, a hideous dark miasma engulfed Dorman. When it dispersed with a deafening blast, a grotesque and horrifying monster stood in his place.

The battle was long and fierce. It was clear that the creature before Adol was no longer Dorman. When Adol’s sword finally pierced its vital spot, the monster collapsed, smoke rising from its body. Even as it lay fallen on the ground, its wretched, mangled form was a horrific sight.

Stepping away from the corpse of the monster that had once been Dorman, Adol, his face pale, sheathed his sword. Massea moved to his side.

“Advanced alchemy requires a catalyst,” she explained softly. “Without one, nothing happens. But if any catalyst is present, a reaction will occur.

With the catalyst that man used, the power of the five elements flows into the practitioner without limit. It then destroys the practitioner from within, transforming them into something else entirely...”

The corpse still smoldered. The two of them stood before it in solemn silence.

Just then, the door behind them opened. The Ibru Family had caught up. Terra, who was the first to rush in, saw Massea standing close to Adol and immediately launched into a tirade.

“Hey, you! You’re a really irritating woman, you know that?! Stop clinging to Adol like that! Besides—”

Terra’s gaze then casually drifted to the corpse on the floor. Her eyes widened, and she fainted dead away. Mama Ibru, her face also pale, looked at Dorman’s remains.

“He was a detestable scoundrel, but... to end up like this... it’s rather pitiful, isn’t it?”

A heavy silence filled the room. As if to break it, Mama Ibru clapped her hands together.

“Alright everyone, snap out of it! Kefin is right before us, isn’t it? Come on, Adol, take those crystals.”

10. Rizze the Betrayer

However, just as Adol was about to approach the crystals, a figure suddenly appeared. It was none other than Rizze.

Standing before the corpse of Dorman, his former master, Rizze uttered words that were utterly unexpected.

“Hmph. To think Dorman would die so easily... Well, no matter. In fact, this is rather convenient for me...”

The black cat leaped from his shoulder, darted swiftly across the floor, and then sprang back onto Rizze’s shoulder. By the time Adol realized what was happening, all five crystals were already in Rizze’s possession.

Rizze stroked the black cat’s back; then, ignoring Adol and the others, he proceeded up the stairs.

The sudden turn of events left Adol and his companions staring in stunned silence, too bewildered to react. Snapping back to their senses, they hastily scrambled up the stairs, only to be confronted by a bizarre spectacle.

On the rooftop, a magic circle in the shape of a pentagram had been drawn. At each of its five points lay a crystal emitting an eerie glow, and in the center stood Rizze.

“Adol, and you lot from the Ibru Family,” Rizze declared. “This is the true way to use the crystals you so desperately sought.”

The entire magic circle began to shine, and Rizze’s body levitated into the air. Simultaneously, the five crystals also rose.

“By the power of the crystals, I shall be guided to Kefin. We will likely never meet again. Furthermore, all knowledge of alchemy shall vanish from this world. It would be best for you to forget Kefin ever existed. And so, farewell.”

With a final, intense flash of light, Rizze’s form vanished as if it had been erased. The crystals then followed him, disappearing one by one. After a moment, an unnerving silence fell over the rooftop, as if nothing had occurred.

“The crystals... they’re gone…”

Grid sank to his knees in despair. Adol, too, hung his head, a wave of powerlessness washing over him. A heavy silence descended.

“There is but one way,” a voice cut through the quiet.

It was Massea. As everyone watched, holding their breath, Massea began to recount an ancient legend concerning Kefin.

“Old Kefin and New Kefin,

To bind these two, a tower was built.

Ye who know the five powers, ascend.

He who opens the high door shall be led to Utopia.

Passage between the two Kefins shall be granted.”

“...This legend,” Massea continued, “is said to be inscribed on a stone slab located somewhere in the ruins of Old Kefin. And at the site of this slab, a colossal tower stands. If one can ascend that tower, it should be possible to reach Kefin...”

A memory sparked in Adol's mind. When he and Dogi had visited that place, there was a section where the Kobolds had stopped them, forcing them to abandon their advance.

Mama Ibru clapped her hands together with renewed vigor.

“Alright then, if that’s the plan, let’s get a move on! We’ll head on over to the Bewin Tribe’s village first!”

With that, the Ibru Family departed.

Chapter Ⅳ: To Kefin

1. The Vanished Explorer

Adol and Massea descended together.

The headquarters was already deserted. It seemed all the surviving cultists had fled. The two returned to Xandria by boat.

The city of Xandria, liberated from the ‘Apostles of Narm,’ was beaming with joy. However, a certain emptiness still lingered. Although the fanatics who had unjustly occupied the town were gone, other sources of anxiety and concern remained unchanged.

Once they reached the downtown district, urged by Massea, Adol went to Niena’s house. Massea herself, however, did not attempt to go inside. Niena greeted Adol with the same innocent, carefree smile as before.

“Wow, you met the god, huh? That’s great, mister!” she said.

“Huh? The Water God was talking about my Papa? ...Yes, that’s right. Papa went out and just... never came back. The lady next door says he’s dead.

But you know, my Papa is definitely alive. I just know it. Call it... a ‘girl’s intuition.’ Big Sis Massea says so too.

You're going to the City of Sand too, right, mister? Will you please look for my Papa for me? His name is Stein.

Thank you, mister! I’ll give you this. This is the flute Papa gave me. He instructed me to play it if I ever got lost; but for him to become lost himself... isn’t he a peculiar Papa…?

...Huh? That’s odd... tears are coming out... Mister, I’m sure you’ll find him. It’s a promise, right?”

“...Oh, it’s nothing,” Massea said, seemingly to herself as Adol rejoined her. "Come on, let’s go!"

2. Dogi Crestfallen

What had begun as a journey fueled by curiosity had, at some point, transformed into a quest to “save the people.” And now, a new objective had been added: to find Stein, the missing father Niena had been awaiting for so many years.

Adol departed from Xandria and headed towards Ramzen. However, in that village, he encountered an unexpected figure: Dogi, who should have been in Felte. Dogi was found thoroughly inebriated in a tavern.

The village of Felte, despite Dogi’s best efforts, had ultimately been swallowed by the desert. All his desperate attempts to hold back the encroaching sands—digging wells, constructing sand-retention fences—had proven futile against a sudden, fierce sandstorm. When it was all over, the village was almost entirely buried, and more than half of its inhabitants were unaccounted for. Effey, the young woman who had first found Dogi in Ramzen, was among those whose whereabouts remained unknown.

Having failed to protect either the village or Effey, Dogi was utterly dejected. But Adol fiercely admonished his despairing friend. “...Why have you given up?” he challenged. “It’s not as if the missing villagers are confirmed dead. They might have been scattered by the sandstorm and could be out there right now, somewhere in the desert, waiting for you to rescue them…” Adol’s words struck a chord. Dogi’s spirit rekindled, and he resolved to cross the desert of death with Adol once more.

The party, now numbering three with Massea, entered the desert. The site where Felte had once stood was now unrecognizable. Massea offered a prayer with flowers she had gathered before their departure. Then, the three ventured into the desert of death. For Adol, who had grown even stronger, it was no longer the life-threateningly harsh place it had once been. Although the journey was by no means short, relying on the compass Dogi possessed, Adol and his companions successfully crossed the desert and reached the oasis.

However, the Bewin Tribe was gone. Faced with the unexpectedly rapid advance of desertification, they had fled, taking only what they could carry. Amidst the half-buried remains of their village, the four members of the Ibru Family waited, looking forlorn.

Joining forces with them, the party, now seven strong, headed towards the ruins of Old Kefin, which lay beyond the dunes.

3. The Way to the Tower

Upon entering the ruins, the party was greeted by the Kobolds. The Ibru Family, encountering them for the first time, were initially taken aback but soon warmed up to them.

“If they’re friends of Adol, then they’re friends of mine too,” Mama declared, a sentiment that greatly pleased the Kobolds.

Adol and his companions proceeded deeper and arrived at the plaza with the stone slab. According to Massea, the entrance to the tower lay beyond this point. Steeling their resolve, they stepped forward.

Just as the Kobolds had warned, it was a perilous area. Various monsters attacked them. Adol felt a pang of anguish each time he had to cut one down. Yet, he also understood clearly that his current duty was to break the curse afflicting them—to restore the natural order of this land with the aid of Kefin's alchemy.

After navigating a labyrinth and defeating formidable foes, Adol and his party finally reached the entrance to the tower. There, they found another stone slab, apparently created at the same time as the one in the plaza. It read: “...To bind Old Kefin and New Kefin, this tower was built. He who reaches this place and attains its summit shall be able to pass freely between the two Kefins…” These were the same words Massea had recited. Unmistakably, this was now the only remaining path to Kefin.

Just as they were about to open the door, Dogi bid them farewell. “There’s still something I have to do,” he said, and Adol understood his friend’s resolve well. Finding the people of Felte village who had vanished in the sandstorm—that was Dogi’s most important task now.

Massea took Dogi's hand and made a request of him: “...If we don’t make it back, please look after Niena, who lives in the downtown of Xandria…” Dogi accepted her plea and then departed.

4. The Flight to Kefin

At the top of the tower’s many flights of stairs, a door appeared. Adol had finally reached the place that was now the sole remaining means of getting to Kefin.

Beyond the door was a small room with a window. In the center of the room, there was something resembling a switch. Adol pressed it.

At that moment, a sound could be heard from somewhere. The faint sound gradually grew louder, and then, as if in pursuit, the same sound began to echo it. The entire room seemed to resonate. The pitch of the sound steadily rose, and simultaneously, the entire floor began to glow with an eerie light. The five distinct sounds gradually blended, merging into a single tone. When it reached its zenith, the entire room began to shake violently with a deafening roar.

“Kyaaaaaah! I can’t stand being shaken!” Mama let out a scream, clinging onto Adol.

“Stop it, Mama! Get away from him!” Terra yelled, hastily trying to intervene.

“Hey, everyone! This is bad!” Grid, who was near the window, shouted as he looked outside.

“This room—it’s flying!”

The room, carrying Adol, Massea, and the Ibru Family, was indeed soaring through the air, gliding just above the desert floor. A landscape of nothing but sand streamed past. This room was a shuttle, connecting Kefin and the surface world.

After a long time, the shuttle eventually began to slow down. With a premonition that something was about to happen, the five of them, excluding Massea, gathered by the window. Outside, the vast horizon of the desert stretched before them. But the monotonous scenery changed in an instant. With a dazzling flash of light, the sky itself seemed to tear open, and a mirage-like landscape materialized. Emerging majestically from the rift in the sky was the form of a magnificent city. Kefin, the Wandering City of Sand, had finally appeared before them.

5. Arrival in Kefin

Adol watched from a distance as the Ibru Family crowded around the window, gazing at the scenery of Kefin. Just then, Massea spoke to him.

“Soon, you will come to know Kefin. Life as a citizen here will likely be the paradise spoken of on the surface. However, whether you see the truth is up to you. Adol, I believe your eyes will turn towards that truth.”

At that moment, Terra called out to Adol. The shuttle was finally about to land on Kefin’s artificial terrain. Looking out the window, Adol could see a plaza where they were about to touch down, and several people waiting there.

Eventually, with a dull thud, the shuttle came to a halt. When Adol turned to disembark, Massea, for some reason, was no longer there.

Adol took the lead, and they cautiously stepped out. A slender, middle-aged man stood at the center of a group of people waiting for them. The man stepped forward and offered Adol his hand.

“Welcome to Kefin, the City of Sand. We welcome you, our new citizens.”

He introduced himself as Kefin’s civil administrator and announced that he was welcoming them on behalf of the king. He then guided them to their lodgings. The place they were taken to was opulent. The five of them were immediately ushered to a dining area. Grib let out a whoop of joy and rushed towards the table. Adol could understand his sentiment; the table was laden with such an abundance of delicacies, the likes of which he had never seen before.

The welcoming feast continued late into the night. Weary from their journey, the five of them eventually retired to bed.

In the dead of night, Adol suddenly awoke. He noticed the door was ajar. Stepping outside, he found Mama Ibru sitting in a chair, leisurely puffing on a cigarette. Noticing Adol, she gestured for him to sit and began to speak, sharing her thoughts.

“So, we finally made it, huh? To the City of Sand. Feels like a dream, somehow. What are you planning to do from tomorrow, Adol? As for us, we’re gonna try and find a way to settle down here in Kefin. We’re done with the thieving business, for good.

Ever heard of a place called Orietta? It’s a country way out east. My husband, he was a low-ranking official there. He goofed up badly, and the king had his head chopped off. Our daughter had just been born around then. We were thrown out of our home and didn’t know what to do. Family of a criminal, you see. Relatives cut ties; no one would hire us. Next thing we knew, we were in the thieving trade.

Well, a person’s gotta live, right? I didn’t have any qualms about teaching my kids to steal and deceive. My sons, well, they’re blockheads, as you’ve seen. But my daughter, she’s a smart one. Picked up everything I taught her, and before I knew it, she started knowing things even we didn’t.

But you know, when she’s asleep, her face... It’s just the cutest thing. Every time I saw it, I always thought, ‘I gotta get her out of this life while she’s still a kid.’ Once you’re dyed in villainy, there’s no going back. Like me.

It was around then that I heard about the City of Sand from that bastard Rizze. Owed him one, see, for getting us out of a tight spot with the authorities. He asked me to find out how to get to the City of Sand.

A request is a request, but I truly yearned for Kefin. A place where no one knows us. Where we could throw away our old lives and start over from scratch. Get back to a decent life, as decent people.

Immortality? Couldn’t give two rats about that. Just living a normal life and dying a normal death—that’s more than enough. But even a tiny wish like that... once your gears get misaligned, even that becomes impossible. You’re still young, Adol, so you probably wouldn’t understand.”

Hearing Mama Ibru open up about her true sentiments for the first time was unexpected. Adol returned to his bed.

6. The Mysterious Ceremony

The next morning, Adol and the others received another visit from the civil administrator. He informed them there was a ceremony to formally recognize them as citizens. Adol, along with the four members of the Ibru Family, followed him.

They were led to a strangely shaped building within what appeared to be the royal castle grounds. Upon reaching the entrance, the civil administrator instructed them to enter the building one by one.

Inside, Adol found himself in a surprisingly spacious room. Several soldiers and officials were present, and in the center stood a machine resembling a large set of scales. An official instructed Adol to step onto it. When he did, the scale, for some reason, tipped sharply upwards.

Stepping off the platform, Adol looked to the opposite side, where two doors stood side by side. The official told Adol to exit through the left door and wait outside. He did as instructed and found himself in a small room furnished with soft chairs.

However, even after waiting outside for some time, the Ibru Family did not emerge. After a while, the civil administrator appeared and told Adol to follow him, stating that the king would now grant him an audience. Adol, flustered, asked about his companions.

But the civil administrator’s reply was curt.

“They are in a different location. Please do not concern yourself with them any longer.”

He offered no further explanation and began to walk away. With no other choice, Adol followed.

The royal castle was a magnificent place. They navigated intricate passageways and ascended a long flight of stairs. After crossing a section that resembled a drawbridge, they arrived before an even more imposing set of doors. This was the entrance to the king’s throne room.

“You have done well to come,” a voice declared. "I am the king who rules this Kefin. From this day forward, you are recognized as a citizen of Kefin.”

Adol explained the plight of the people in the Narm River basin and implored the king for his aid. However, the king’s response was cold.

“Hmm, I understand your sentiment, but you need no longer concern yourself with such matters. You are now a person of Kefin.

It is vital that you forget the outside world and quickly accustom yourself to life here. For today marks the beginning of a new life for you. Now, you may withdraw.”

The audience was over. Adol was escorted out.

7. The Truth of the “Judgment”

In front of the Royal Castle was a plaza, from which city blocks extended in four directions. Many citizens strolled about leisurely; Adol began to speak to them one by one.

“The king has ruled this kingdom for five hundred years. Soon, we’ll have the Birth Festival. It’s a festival held once every hundred years to celebrate the king’s birthday.”

“Oh, you’re from the outside, are you? Life here is the best.”

“The Royal Castle, you see, has lots of amazing mechanisms. No one is allowed inside unless they have the king’s permission.”

All of these stories were intriguing, but one particular piece of information caught Adol’s attention even more.

“You're a new face, aren’t you? Have you already undergone the Judgment?”

This unsettling remark prompted Adol to press for more details.

“What, you don’t know? Here in Kefin, anyone who comes from the outside world is placed on a scale that measures the weight of their sins. Only those deemed to be ‘good people’ are welcomed as new citizens. That’s right; Kefin is a city exclusively for the chosen.

What happens to those judged as ‘wicked’? Well, that I don’t know.”

It just dawned on Adol: it seemed the four members of the Ibru Family had been judged as ‘wicked’ in that room.

8. The Mausoleum of the Great Alchemist

Adol tried returning to the Royal Castle, but the entrance was now firmly locked.

He then noticed a statue standing beside the entrance. As he looked at it, a nearby citizen offered an explanation.

“That, sir, is a statue of the great alchemist Jabir. He was the magnificent individual who created this Kefin. Is he alive, you ask? Heavens, no. That was five hundred years ago. Only His Majesty the King employs the art of immortality. Just down that street, there is a chapel dedicated to Master Jabir.”

Adol had heard the name of the alchemist Jabir several times on the surface world. He headed in the direction the citizen had indicated.

Adjacent to the district containing the Royal Castle was a wide, tree-lined area. Deep within it stood a small, shrine-like structure.

The name Jabir made Adol suddenly curious about alchemy, the very technology upon which Kefin was founded. He asked a passing citizen about it.

“Alchemists? Ah, yes, apparently there were many of them long ago. But there are none left now. Kefin manages to get by because the things they created still remain.”

Another citizen added, “It is said that the alchemists passed down their techniques from generation to generation, constantly advancing them. However, about three years ago, the last successor to that knowledge apparently died of an illness. He was still quite young, I hear.”

Adol entered the chapel, which bore the name ‘Jabir’s Mausoleum.’ From the outside, it had appeared to be a very small shrine, but upon entering, he understood why. It was actually a staircase leading downwards; the main chapel was located quite deep underground. After descending many flights of stairs, Adol entered the chapel proper. An old man was there, so Adol struck up a conversation.

“Visiting at such a young age is commendable,” remarked the elderly man. “I visit this place daily. Simply by being present, you realize there is a distinct strength rising within. This location is tied to the heart of Kefin. To put it another way, this is where the power of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ resides.

Oh, so you arrived from the outside... I see. Now that I reflect on it, another person like you came here beforehand. It has been approximately three years since then. I haven't encountered him since, which has made me somewhat concerned. His name, I believe, was Stein, or something along those lines.”

Unexpectedly, the name Stein came up. He had indeed come to Kefin. However, it seemed he had vanished shortly after arriving. The old man knew nothing more. Adol went back outside.

After leaving Jabir’s Mausoleum, Adol began asking the townspeople about the explorer, Stein. Surprisingly, several people remembered him, but all their accounts were from three years prior. It seemed that Stein, after arriving in Kefin and investigating various things, had suddenly disappeared.

Chapter Ⅴ: The True Kefin

1. Contact with a Mysterious Man

Further investigation near Jabir’s Mausoleum yielded no new information. Adol returned once more to the plaza before the Royal Castle and then walked down the main street.

Although he had reached Kefin, Adol’s journey had come to a standstill. His plea to save the people of the Narm River basin had been rejected by the king. He had been separated from the Ibru Family, who had become his allies, and their whereabouts were unknown. Furthermore, he was unable to find any clues regarding Stein.

On a corner of the street, Adol noticed a house with its door ajar. Inside, a husband and wife were weeping inconsolably. Adol tried to inquire about their distress, but they would not speak of it.

Shoulders slumped, Adol walked down the street.

After a while, Adol sensed he was being watched. Someone had been following him for some time. When Adol turned into a narrow side street, the man quickly glanced around, then approached him. In a low voice, he spoke to the bewildered Adol:

“Are you the one searching for the explorer, Stein? If you wish to know the truth about Kefin, come to the Lion Statue on Flamel Street tonight.”

Just then, the voice of an official sounded from behind them. The mysterious man fled, and the official gave chase.

Left alone, Adol returned to the main street. People walked by calmly, yet he felt a suspicious aura emanating from the entire city. After proceeding a short distance, Adol was stopped by the civil administrator.

“Mr. Adol,” the administrator began, “you seem quite concerned about the companions who arrived with you. However, please forget about them. They are in a different place now—they are no longer of any concern to you.

Furthermore, I must ask you to refrain from meeting with suspicious individuals or investigating matters related to people from the surface world. You are now a citizen of Kefin; therefore, I expect you to forget the world below and abide by the laws of Kefin.”

Adol’s intuition was beginning to sense something dangerous about Kefin. He had already resolved to go to the location the mysterious man had indicated. There was still a good deal of time until nightfall. Adol decided to walk around the city, partly for reconnaissance.

Having explored the city and confirmed the meeting place, Adol headed back toward the plaza in front of the Royal Castle to return to his lodgings. There, he noticed something that hadn’t been there that morning: piles of lumber and metal, with several craftsmen working to assemble them. Upon inquiring, he learned it was a stage being built for the upcoming Birth Festival. The king, he was told, would ascend onto the stage, and all the citizens would gather in the plaza to celebrate.

Upon closer inspection, it certainly did look like the building of a stage. One end was connected to a straight staircase leading up to the Royal Castle’s highest point. During the festival, it appeared that the king would enter the stage from that location.

2. Rescuing Stein

Adol returned to his lodgings, gave vague replies to the people there, and went to bed early, as he planned to act in the dead of night. When the night was well advanced, Adol awoke and quietly slipped out.

He had already reconnoitered the designated meeting place the previous day. Evading the notice of patrols, Adol made his way there. The mysterious man from the day before was waiting for him.

“You came. We’ll talk details later. Follow me.”

A series of narrow, winding alleys led to a discreetly hidden passage.

“Stein is just up ahead. I’m counting on you.”

Adol ducked into the passage and proceeded down a dimly lit corridor. It was a gloomy place, a stark contrast to the opulence of the city above. It was also riddled with numerous traps and guarded by many monsters. Though it had been a while since his last real fight, these foes were not particularly strong, so Adol pressed onward.

Beyond a long corridor, he found himself in an ancient-looking prison. It appeared to have been neglected for decades; some of the walls were crumbling. After passing several empty cells, he found a cell in a corner with a figure curled up inside. It had to be Stein. However, when Adol called out, there was no response.

The cell was locked. Adol scanned his surroundings. He then noticed that the door to the adjacent, empty cell was open. A thought struck him. He entered the empty cell and threw his weight against the wall. As he had suspected, the wall crumbled, granting him access to Stein’s cell.

Adol gently shook Stein’s shoulder, but Stein did not react coherently.

His long imprisonment had clearly taken its toll, leaving him in a dazed state. Remembering Ninea, Adol took the flute from his pouch. Its clear, distinctive notes echoed through the small cell. Stein slowly lifted his head.

“That sound... I’ve heard it somewhere before... Yes, it’s the flute I gave to my daughter... Oh, how is Niena doing now, I wonder? I left her behind in Xandria... Hmm...? Who are you? And why do you have that flute?!

I see... Has it really been three years already? What a terrible father I’ve been...

Your name is Adol, you say? Thank you. We don’t have much time to talk now. For now, let’s just get out of here.”

As Adol started to walk, Stein followed with unsteady steps. After they had gone a short distance, someone approached. It was a mysterious man accompanied by a woman. That woman turned out to be Massea, much to their surprise.

Upon spotting Adol and Stein, Massea rushed forward. Her directness was so unexpected that Adol was momentarily taken aback. However, his unspoken anticipation was for naught. Massea hurried past Adol and threw her arms around Stein.

“...Massea, is it really you? You’re safe! Thank goodness...” Stein murmured.

“Stein... I've missed you so much!” Massea cried.

They embraced tightly. After a moment, as if suddenly remembering, Massea looked at Stein’s emaciated form.

“Oh, you've become so thin... We must get you to the hideout and tend to you immediately.”

The mysterious man nodded. Then, supporting Stein, he led him out of the prison. Massea turned back to the stunned Adol and expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you truly, Adol. But it’s not just that you saved Stein that makes me happy—it’s that your eyes turned towards the truth. That, more than anything, brings me joy.

In any case, let’s get out of this place. There’s a hideout on the other side of Flamel Street, beyond the city center. There’s a hidden door behind the fountain. Please come and visit.”

Massea then also departed from the prison. Adol, too, made his way out.

3. The Hideout

The designated location was in a deserted part of the city. Just as she had said, there was a hidden door. Upon entering, Massea greeted him.

“Stein is in the back. Listen to what he has to say.”

It was a reasonably spacious room, with several men and women present. In the back, Stein lay on a bed. After thanking Adol, Stein began to speak.

“Adol, thank you. You’ve come from the surface world too, haven’t you? You must have been surprised by what you found here in Kefin. When I first arrived, I too was captivated by the wonderful life in this country. But I soon sensed that something was amiss. As I investigated further, I met Massea, and through her, I came to learn the deeper truths about Kefin.

My greatest doubts were about the nature of the ‘Judgment.’ I tried to warn people that if things continued as they were, something terrible would happen, but I was captured by the king.

There’s still so much that I, myself, don’t fully understand. Adol, I believe you must see the truth of Kefin with your own eyes…”

Stein then drifted off to sleep. Massea continued.

“You’ve already realized it, haven’t you? I was born and raised here in Kefin. And I am the last alchemist, the one whom the world believes died of illness. I’m sorry for keeping this from you until now.”

Massea had finally revealed her true identity.

“Adol, when you first arrived in Kefin, you underwent the ‘Judgment’ in the east wing of the Royal Castle, didn’t you? The truth is, it’s not just those from the outside world who are subjected to it; citizens must undergo it as well. The first time is when they turn ten. After that, they are placed on the scales once every ten years. Those who are deemed ‘wicked’ at that time are stripped of all their rights as citizens and taken away somewhere.

We were always told that Kefin must be a city exclusively for chosen, virtuous citizens. I believed that too... until three years ago, when my best friend, who had just turned twenty, was judged ‘wicked’ and vanished.

She was an artist. She had created so many wonderful works. From an ordinary person’s perspective, she might have seemed eccentric, but she was by no means a bad person. Nevertheless, the scales mercilessly branded her as wicked, and Kefin erased her.

It was then that Stein appeared, and he made us realize just how sinful a nation Kefin truly is. I believed Stein’s words and resolved to follow him.”

However, another concern weighed on Adol’s mind: the Ibru Family, who had come to Kefin with him.

“Yes,” Massea said, “we must rescue them.”

According to Massea, the only way to reach them was by passing through the Chamber of Judgment.

4. To the Chamber of Judgment

Morning came. Massea was unable to leave Stein’s side as she was nursing him, so Adol walked through the city alone. His destination was the Chamber of Judgment, the same place he had been taken the day before.

Along the way, a man stopped Adol.

“Ah, I have been expecting you. Please forgive my behavior yesterday; I had not yet made up my mind. Please, come to my house.”

It was the husband from the grieving couple Adol had tried to speak with the previous day. He was led to their home, where his wife was present. Wiping away her tears, she began to speak.

“We have a son who is ten years old. He’s a mischievous little rascal, and he certainly kept us on our toes. But he is our precious, beloved son. And then…”

The wife broke down crying, unable to continue. Her husband took over.

“Our son... he was judged as ‘wicked’ at the Judgment and was taken away. We will never see him again, but... we cannot give up hope. Even if we can’t live together, we wish to see his face just once more.

The northern district of Kefin is under the king’s direct control. It’s said that those judged as wicked are interned there... We know this is an unreasonable request, but please, Sir Swordsman! Please, allow us to see our son, just once!”

A queue had formed in front of the Chamber of Judgment. Adol managed to blend into the line, but he knew that if he proceeded as before, he would simply be judged ‘good’ again and released. However, Adol had a plan. He possessed an item he had found back on the surface world: the ‘Mask of Malice.’ Wearing it was said to draw out one’s evil nature.

Just as before, Adol was ushered into the room and placed on the scales. This time, however, contrary to his previous experience, the scales tipped heavily downwards. An alarm blared, and guards immediately surrounded him. Adol was then forcibly dragged towards the right-hand exit, the one designated for the ‘wicked.’

Adol was handled very roughly and thrown into a cell. The lower floor of the Chamber of Judgment, it turned out, was a prison.

Gradually, his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He then noticed what appeared to be three figures huddled in the back of a nearby cell—they looked like the Ibru Family. Adol approached, only to be astonished: they were merely straw dummies.

Looking closer, he saw that the lock on the door of their cell was already open. They had evidently escaped from the prison on their own.

Evading the guards’ notice, Adol slipped out into the corridor. Heading in the opposite direction, he discovered a large hole in one of the walls. Passing through it, he emerged into a new district. Adol had set foot in the area under the king’s direct jurisdiction.

5. The Truth of Kefin

It was a vast garden. Several buildings were scattered throughout a wide area thick with trees. However, upon closer inspection, inconspicuous walls and moats had been constructed in various places, seemingly to guard against intruders. This area, too, appeared to be a labyrinth.

Evading the notice of the guards, the first place Adol entered was a treasury. There, he found items such as a potion of invisibility.

After leaving the treasury and searching for a passage to the next area, Adol spotted a familiar face: the civil administrator. Using the invisibility potion to conceal himself, Adol stealthily followed him.

Eventually, the administrator entered a building. He had been on his way to attend a council meeting with high officials.

Adol had not stepped into that meeting with any momentous resolve. Yet, what he gleaned there was unexpectedly significant. From the discussions among the high officials, Adol finally learned the truth about Kefin.

Kefin’s highly advanced alchemy had created a city that floated above the desert, sustaining the lives of its people. Alchemy was the art of freely manipulating the combination of the five elements to create all matter and power. It could produce water and food, and even generate the force to keep a city aloft. However, this came at a terrible price.

Something cannot be created from nothing; this held true even for the most advanced alchemy. As Kefin was built and continued to prosper, the vital energy of the land below was steadily depleted. In other words, Kefin operated by siphoning life force from the surface world.

The once-fertile lands of Safar gradually withered and transformed into desert. Kefin had turned the meadows into an arid wasteland and then further into a desert of death. It was no coincidence that Kefin was known as the City of Sand; Kefin itself had created the desert.

And the land had not only been deprived of its life force; the very order governing nature had been thrown into disarray. The appearance of malevolent monsters on the surface was also a consequence of this.

Now, at this very council meeting, Kefin’s high officials were discussing the fact that Safar had lost nearly all of its vital energy. And they had already decided on a change of course: Kefin’s new target for exploitation was none other than the Narm River basin.

6. To the Prison

Just as Adol exited the council chamber, the effects of the invisibility potion wore off. Reverting to his normal appearance, Adol fought his way through the expansive royal grounds.

While searching for the captured individuals, he happened upon a building where he learned that a key to the Royal Castle was hidden somewhere within these royal domains.

Eventually, he reached the most crucial area—a section at the rear of the Royal Castle. He was certain that the captured people and the key to the castle itself would be found there.

The building was divided into three sections. Battling his way through traps and guards in the first section, Adol eventually arrived at an area where ordinary citizens were imprisoned.

From their hushed whispers, he learned that after being held here for some time, prisoners were taken away one by one to an unknown location. He also noted that only adults were imprisoned there. He wanted to free them, but the locks were formidable, and there was nothing he could do. Reluctantly, Adol pressed onward.

The second section was also heavily guarded. After navigating several passages, he sensed an enemy lying in wait for him around a bend in the corridor. The shadow of a large man brandishing an axe flickered on the wall. Advancing slowly and cautiously, Adol paused just before the corner. At that precise moment, a net suddenly dropped from the ceiling, ensnaring him.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha! You fell for it, you miserable lackey! ...Huh? Adol! Is that you, Adol?!”

It turned out to be none other than the three remaining members of the Ibru Family. Having escaped the prison on their own, they had been wandering this area, unable to find a way out.

Mama Ibru ordered her sons to release Adol from the net and then spoke to him.

“Well, sorry about that. We honestly thought you were one of Dorman’s men chasing us. But to run into you again... Ah, we’ve been through the wringer, I tell ya.

How did we get out, you ask? Hmph! A prison built five hundred years ago is child’s play for professionals like us. The locks in this place are practically antiques!

By the way, have you seen my daughter? She’s just a kid, so they must have put her somewhere else.”

As expected, Terra had indeed been separated from them. It seemed certain that the children were being held in a different place.

The Ibru Family decided to rest for a while, and Adol proceeded alone into the third section.

7. Rizze’s True Identity

After navigating the labyrinth, Adol stepped into the third section. Advancing a short way, a magnificent door appeared. From what he had overheard from the guards, this had to be the location of the key to the Royal Castle. Adol opened the door.

At that moment, an entirely unexpected figure appeared before Adol. It was Rizze, who had vanished with the crystals after Dorman’s death.

“To think you would make it this far... Indeed, I am a man of Kefin. And a loyal servant to His Majesty, the great king of Kefin. To realize His Majesty’s ideals, there is nothing I would not do.”

Rizze turned out to originate from Kefin. To the astonished Adol, he revealed the truth of the matter.

“You are already aware, no doubt, that His Majesty vanquished an evil dragon in the Narm River basin some five hundred and fifty years ago. At that time, Master Jabir left behind sources of alchemical power in the surface world. I descended to the surface to collect them. Concealing my true identity, I approached Dorman and skillfully played upon his ambitions, manipulating him into gathering those scattered sources of power. Of course, once they were all collected, my intention was to kill Dorman, seize everything, and return to Kefin.”

He had originally been a direct attendant to the king. Upon realizing that sources of alchemical power remained on the surface, he personally descended to retrieve and dispose of them.

“I cannot allow His Majesty’s mind to be troubled while he is busy with preparations for the important Birth Festival. You will die here.”

As the cat on his shoulder leaped to the ground, Rizze’s form vanished as if erased. The cat then transformed into a gigantic monster and lunged at Adol.

The black cat-monster harried Adol with swift attacks. After a desperate struggle, Adol finally defeated it. Upon its defeat, another door materialized. Adol had at last obtained the key to the Royal Castle.

8. Escape from the Royal Domain

When Adol emerged, the Ibru Family was there. Massea was with them as well; Stein had recovered somewhat, so she had followed Adol here.

Adol intended to go to the second section to free the imprisoned people. However, Massea stopped him. “...Even if you rescue them now,” she reasoned, “there is nowhere to hide them. More importantly, there is something else of greater significance. What you must do now, Adol, is not for the people here, but for all the people of Kefin and the surface world...” Mama Ibru agreed with Massea’s words. Adol suppressed his emotions and heeded Massea’s advice.

With Massea’s guidance, Adol and the others made their way to the East Corridor. From there, they proceeded to the east wing of the Royal Castle. They then opened a hidden door from the inside, successfully making their escape.

Many citizens had already gathered in the Royal Castle plaza. The stage was fully prepared, and the Birth Festival was on the verge of beginning.

Massea and the Ibru Family headed directly for the hideout. Adol, however, had a stop to make along the way.

“I see... so my son is no longer there,” the man said, his voice heavy. “No, please, do not be disheartened. You have done exceptionally well.”

It was the couple who had pleaded with Adol to let them see their son. Though he had been unsuccessful this time, Adol promised them he would definitely rescue their son later, and then he continued towards the hideout.

9. The Secret of the Birth Festival

Returning to the hideout, Adol found Stein looking considerably better; he was awake and sitting up in bed. Grid and Grib were at a nearby table, satisfying their hearty appetites. Massea and Mama Ibru were seated near Stein.

Adol recounted everything he had seen and heard to Stein.

“...So, it was true after all,” Stein murmured. “This makes it clear... Adol, listen carefully. This is of grave importance.”

Stein then began to explain the horrifying reason why the children were being kept separate.

“Before I was captured, I did some research into how the king maintains his immortality. What I discovered was that the king seems to regain his youth after each decennial Birth Festival. Something cannot be created from nothing; this holds true even for life itself. It is certain that an art for immortality is employed during the Birth Festival. If that’s the case, could it be that the children are being gathered to harvest their youthful life force?”

“...You’re spoutin’ some pretty complicated stuff there,” Mama Ibru interjected. “So what—the children are being gathered so that the king can keep himself alive, meaning he’s sucking the life out of Terra and the other kids...?! Is that what you're saying?!”

Mama leaped to her feet, overturning the table in her agitation.

“How can such a horrible thing be true, huh?!”

Completely distraught, Mama grabbed Stein by the collar and shook him. Adol and Massea quickly intervened, pulling Mama away and trying to calm her down. Mama then clung to Adol, pleading.

“Oh, Adol, please! You have to save my daughter!”

Massea, while tending to Stein, began to speak.

“The children are most likely somewhere within the Royal Castle. However, unless we defeat the king, the same thing will continue to happen. Adol, the king is kept alive by an art of immortality—there must be something related to that art hidden somewhere in the Royal Castle.”

Chapter Ⅵ: Infiltrating the Royal Castle

1. Charging into the Royal Castle

Preparations were complete. Adol, accompanied by the three members of the Ibru Family, headed for the Royal Castle. Massea said she would follow later with Stein and their Kefin allies and thus remained at the hideout.

The plaza was already so crowded that there was hardly room to stand. The Birth Festival had reached a point where only the king’s appearance was awaited. Very little time remained. Unlocking the entrance to the west wing of the Royal Castle, the party slipped inside.

As expected, the interior of the Royal Castle was a relentless series of traps. Moreover, there was an overwhelming number of enemies. The three members of the Ibru Family proved to be quite dependable warriors. Following Mama’s directions, the brothers moved with precision, taking down foes. Eventually, however, they decided to split up. Parting ways with the Ibru Family, Adol proceeded deeper into the Royal Castle alone.

The main structure of the Royal Castle consisted of three tiers. The staircase leading to the Birth Festival stage extended from the uppermost level. Adol advanced from the west wing to the middle tier, but he could find no route leading upwards from there.

After navigating numerous labyrinths, Adol finally reached the first, lowermost floor. From here, another staircase should lead to the throne room, which, he reasoned, must surely connect to the upper levels.

The scene on the first floor was bizarre. In a wide hall, there were objects resembling giant versions of the five elemental crystals, all connected to a central section. This central section was located directly beneath the throne room.

The area, enclosed by iron bars, had one entire wall encrusted with jewels that emitted a radiant light. There was also something resembling a compass, apparently indicating Kefin’s current position. And at the very center, a luminous jewel pulsed with light.

Adol tried to reach for it, but the area was locked, and he could not enter. Unable to do anything further there, Adol headed for the throne room, proceeding upwards. As he reached the top of a staircase, someone called his name. It was the Ibru Family, from whom he had been separated. Mama asked Adol how to get to where he was, but it wasn’t a simple answer.

“Aargh, this is so frustrating!” Mama exclaimed. “Alright, I’ll just jump across!”

Mama took a running leap. However, she fell short of reaching Adol’s side.

“Kyaaaaaah!” she shrieked as she plummeted downwards.

The brothers rushed to the edge, peered down, and called out to her. It seemed Mama was unharmed.

“Mama, you gotta consider your own weight!” one of them yelled.

“Welp, guess we’ve got no other choice; we’re going too!” the other said.

The brothers also leaped. “Uwaaaaaah!” They followed after their mother, falling down below.

Worried, Adol looked down. He then saw Mama rubbing her waist and waving up at him.

“Hey, Adol! Can you hear me?! We just found something amazing down here! It’s those giant crystal things, just sitting here!

Huh? You passed through here earlier too? Yeah, this has gotta be that contraption Massea was talking about, the one related to the art of immortality. Call it a professional’s hunch. A thief, you know, can tell the value of a treasure at a single glance. No doubt about it, this thing is incredible!

I’m gonna check this place out. We’ll catch up later, so you go on ahead!”

Urged on by her, Adol hurried onward. There wasn’t much time left.

2. To the Central Core

This was the second time Adol had entered the throne room. As he reached for the door, he heard the sound of bells. The Birth Festival had already begun. With a surge of strength, Adol pushed the door open.

However, someone was waiting for him inside. It was the civil administrator, whom he had met several times. He was a slender, middle-aged man with the distinct air of a bureaucrat. Yet the way he now stood, barring Adol’s path, was subtly different from how Adol had seen him before.

“You have done something truly outrageous during this important birthday celebration. If His Majesty finds out about this, it will mean the end of my life.

Did you come to rescue that child? However, she is the daughter of a wicked person, one who thinks nothing of stealing or deceiving—a child already thoroughly corrupted by evil. What do you hope to achieve by saving her? Will it not merely increase the number of villains who will harm society in the future?

Hmph, to think you still don’t understand even after all this. Very well, there is no longer any need to recognize you as a citizen. I shall dispose of you myself.”

As the civil administrator finished speaking, an eerie light enveloped his body. Then, he transformed into a gigantic monster.

“Ha-ha-ha! You underestimated me, thinking I was just some weak official, didn’t you? Unfortunately for you, the alchemy of Kefin far surpasses your imagination. And we officials embody its arts within our very beings, just like His Majesty! Now, you shall know the might of justice!”

The battle was long, but Adol somehow managed to achieve victory. He then passed through the door that had been behind the civil administrator.

Beyond that single door, the scenery changed entirely. The interiors, which until then had been adorned with polished marble and dazzling gold, now transformed into something strangely organic, visceral, and unsettling.

It was a tall, open space, like a shaft. Uncanny, rope-like tendrils, reminiscent of animal entrails, clung to the walls like ivy. In the center, a spiral staircase coiled around a towering, conical pillar. Before Adol’s very eyes, the tendrils on the walls began to pulsate. Their movement gradually quickened. At that very moment, the life force of the children was beginning to be drained. Adol desperately raced up the spiral staircase.

3. The Man Seeking for the Ideal

Having finally reached the upper part of the Royal Castle, Adol kicked down the door and burst inside. However, someone was waiting for him there as well. It was none other than Rizze.

Rizze’s demeanor was surprisingly calm; there was no trace of hatred or aggression in his bearing. To the bewildered Adol, Rizze began to speak, his voice measured.

“I had a feeling we would meet again. I won’t comment on your defeat of Gigi. Let me be frank: I do not wish for a man like you to die.”

Adol was taken aback by these words. Rizze continued.

“Allow me to ask just one thing: Why do you deny Kefin’s ideals? Whatever fate befalls wicked men is merely their just deserts. You yourself struck down Dorman, did you not? To punish evil and bring forth justice—that is the ideal. Surely, you share this sentiment.”

Adol could find no words to reply. Rizze pressed on.

“In the surface world, men like Dorman live in luxury, while good, innocent people struggle with their daily lives. Where is the justice in that? Kefin is different. Here, the wicked can never prosper. Here, good people need not live in fear of the shadow of evil. And there are no ugly conflicts here. It is a place where those with virtuous hearts can live as they were meant to. Adol, you are a man who, by rights, should be working alongside me here in Kefin towards the realization of the king’s ideals.”

Adol still could not find the words to refute him. Yet, he knew with certainty that there was something fundamentally wrong with Rizze’s way of thinking. Adol raised his sword—that was his answer to Rizze’s proposition.

“Even after all I’ve said, do you still not understand?” Rizze sighed. “Then there is nothing more to be said. It is most regrettable, but it seems I have no choice but to see you die.”

The battle began. Rizze was far stronger than Adol could have ever imagined. But after a long and arduous struggle, Adol ultimately defeated Rizze.

4. The Altar of Living Sacrifice

Adol raced up the stairs and finally reached the room where the children were being held captive. The scene within was horrific. Numerous children were bound to the walls. The same eerie, tendril-like ropes he had seen in the spiral staircase room were wrapped around their bodies multiple times, then bundled together and connected to the floor below. Adol rushed to sever the main bundle of ropes and then hurried to the children. However, several of them were already breathless.

In the farthest corner, Adol saw Terra hanging limply. He quickly cut the ropes binding her and lifted her into his arms. Terra's eyes fluttered open.

“Adol...? Is it really you, Adol? You came to save me! It feels like... like a dream. I’m a bad kid, so I thought... I thought you definitely wouldn’t come for me. Oh, Adol...”

Terra clung to Adol and continued to weep. After a short while, she suddenly looked up, as if startled. Then, taking Adol’s hand, she pulled him towards a child lying listlessly beside where she had been.

“This child... this child is going to die! Please, Adol, help him! Save this child... sob sob...”

Stein caught up with them at that moment. He rushed to the fallen child and gently cradled them.

“What a terrible thing they’ve done... Adol, the king is on the stage of the Birth Festival! I’ll take care of these children. You must go and defeat the king!”

A surge of rage coursed through Adol. Gripping his sword tightly, he began to move.

5. The Stage of the Birth Festival

The staircase leading from the uppermost floor of the Royal Castle directly to the plaza was the final path to the stage of the Birth Festival. The king was seated on an ornate throne in the center of the stage, acknowledging the cheers of the citizens. However, the unexpected appearance of a figure on the stage caused a stir among the crowd. The king noticed the intruder.

Instantly, armed guards rushed forward, but they were no match for Adol. All the guards were cut down with a single stroke, and nothing now stood between Adol and the king.

The king slowly rose to his feet.

“To think you would make it this far. I was aware of your intrusion, but I am surprised you managed to reach this point. As you can see, we are in the midst of our important Birth Festival. I have little time to spare for you. You will die shortly, but before that, allow me to ask you one thing.

Why do you seek to deny Kefin? For the sake of the common people? Foolish! Whether it be those dwelling by the Narm River or others, it’d suffice to simply accept the virtuous among them as citizens of Kefin. And the wicked are used to sustain the good—this way of Kefin is precisely what justice is!

My continued existence is also for the sake of maintaining a stable kingdom. Since ancient times, nations have fallen into chaos when their king died. Disputes among high officials over succession escalate into conflicts that engulf the entire country. To achieve eternal peace, not dying is also a duty of the king of Kefin.

Adol, or whatever your name is. You are an enemy of justice—you side with evil and oppose good. For that crime, you shall atone with your death!

At that moment, a new figure leaped onto the stage: Terra. The sight of the young girl, still bearing the marks of her ordeal, caused a fresh wave of commotion among the citizens. Terra, appealing to the crowd, explained how she and the other children had nearly had their lives stolen for the king's art of immortality and finally broke down in tears.

The king yelled.

“What nonsense does a thief’s whelp speak! Good punishes evil! That is the justice of Kefin!”

“There is no such thing as a person who possesses only good! Nor is there anyone who is purely evil!”

That was the voice of Stein, who had appeared next, cradling a listless child in his arms. Stein turned to the citizens.

“Everyone, look at this child! They are already on the verge of death, their life force taken by the king! Perhaps they were a bit mischievous or prone to mood swings. But they are just a child who has lived for only ten short years! To brand them as wicked, tear them from their parents and friends, imprison them, and then steal their very lives—is this justice?! Is life in Kefin so precious that it must be protected at such a cost?!”

A renewed murmur swept through the citizens. They all began to look at each other, their unease growing. Enraged by this, the king shouted.

“You wretched commoners from the outside world! How dare you all turn your blades against the order of this Kefin! Very well, I shall make a bloody example of you first!”

6. Decisive Battle with the King of Kefin

The king cast off his cloak and transformed.

“First, I shall receive your attacks. Come now, no need to hold back. Attack me from wherever you wish!”

Adol, suppressing his trepidation, lunged at the king. However, the king’s massive form did not even flinch. He attacked repeatedly, but all his efforts ended in futility. With one final, desperate strike, Adol’s sword was knocked from his grasp.

“Bwahahaha! Is that all you have? And with that, you intended to defeat me, who has lived for five hundred years? You shall learn the meaning of foolishness through the pain of your own flesh!”

The king, triumphant, stepped towards Adol.

At that moment, new figures emerged from the Royal Castle: the three members of the Ibru Family.

“Hey, you monster king! Do you have any idea what this is?”

Grid pointed to an iridescent jewel clutched in Mama’s hand.

“I wonder what would happen if this were to break? Oh, I’m quite looking forward to finding out!” Mama taunted.

“Y-you fools! Stop this at once!”

The king was visibly agitated. Mama raised the jewel high above her head.

“Ha-ha-ha! Don’t you underestimate us villains!”

With all her might, she smashed the jewel onto the stage. The shattered fragments slowly drifted upward into the air. Simultaneously, a change came over the king. He clutched his head and began to writhe in agony. Gradually, a smoke-like substance started to rise from his body.

As everyone present watched with bated breath, the king’s true form was slowly being revealed. His once formidable physique rotted away like smoke, his skin shriveled, and, in stark contrast, his hair grew long and wild.

When the transformation ended, what stood upon the stage was a hideous, animated corpse clad in the king’s attire.

Stein shouted to the citizens.

“Everyone, look! This is the true form of the king who has lived for five hundred years! The art of immortality is a sham! Ultimately, humans cannot continue to defy the natural order. This walking corpse is the king’s true appearance! And it is also a symbol of this Kefin, a nation that has relied entirely on alchemy!”

The king, though now a mere corpse, did not cease his movements. Uttering a grotesque, bloodcurdling shriek, he lunged towards Adol.

But unexpected help arrived. From the crowd surrounding the stage, a stone came flying. A moment later, a volley of countless stones rained down upon the king.

“Hang in there!”

“Defeat that monster!”

“Do your best!”

The citizens cheered for Adol in unison. Everyone present had realized the sinfulness of Kefin.

Stein shouted as he glanced sideways at the king faltering.

“Now, Adol! This is your moment! Listen to the voices of these people! They are all cheering for you with all their hearts! As the representative of all citizens, you will defeat the king!”

Retrieving his weapon, Adol confronted the king.

Though his flesh had decayed, the king’s power had by no means diminished. But Adol’s body was surging with strength; he had received the hopes and wishes of everyone surrounding the stage. A finishing blow struck the king’s vital point. The king crumbled and turned to ash.

Cheers filled the plaza before the Royal Castle. The people who had been on the stage gathered around Adol. The cheers of the citizens flooded the area.

Several citizens rushed onto the stage. Among them was the couple who had asked Adol to help them see their child. The child Stein had been cradling was their son.

The citizens who had rushed onto the stage began to lift Adol up in celebration.

Chapter Ⅶ: The Last Alchemist

1. The Mastermind Appears

“It's not over yet!”

A voice cut through the crowd, silencing everyone. Massea appeared on the stage, seemingly from nowhere.

“The king was nothing more than a puppet. The true enemy still lives within this Kefin—the great alchemist, Jabir!”

A murmur rippled through the people. Jabir was the one who had created this artificial city five hundred years ago; he was, for all intents and purposes, a figure from history.

“Jabir is alive,” Massea declared. “He simply doesn’t show himself in public. Even at this very moment, he is watching us.”

Her words were so startling that even Adol and his companions found them difficult to believe. However, a low, elderly voice echoing from an unseen source dispelled their doubts.

“Mwahahaha... Impressive. It seems you have discerned the entirety of the situation. Even if you are but a fledgling alchemist, little girl, you are not to be underestimated.”

The plaza fell as silent as if water had been poured over it. Jabir’s low, eerie voice reverberated across the hushed square before the Royal Castle. The citizens who had been on the dais fled, leaving only Adol and his companions on the stage.

“Massea, was it? You, of all people, should understand what must be done to meet me and what will happen if you defeat me. Even so, do you still intend to come to me?”

Massea wordlessly approached Adol and took his hand. Adol nodded firmly and looked around at his companions. There was no hesitation on anyone’s face. His friends were all filled with the resolve to follow him.

Seeing this, Jabir’s voice echoed once more.

“Oh, really...? Then come. I shall open the gate for you...”

Suddenly, the staircase section of the castle began to crumble, splitting in two. When the commotion subsided, a passage leading down into the earth appeared.

2. Jabir’s Taunt

Adol and the others stepped into the passage that Jabir had opened. Massea spoke to Adol.

“My family has been alchemists for generations. There were other such families, but their numbers gradually dwindled. Now, the only alchemists left in Kefin are myself and Jabir.

When I met Stein, I awakened to the sinfulness of Kefin and its alchemy. Together, Stein and I sought to gather comrades, but the king found out about our plans; Stein was captured, and I fled to the surface world. Three years have passed since then.

The people on the surface were kind; they welcomed me warmly, a stranger whose origins they did not know. That only made it more painful, for, as Stein had said, Kefin was causing suffering on the surface.

Not a day went by that I didn’t think of Kefin. How many times had I considered returning... But I held back. If I returned, I would only be captured, unable to save anyone. I waited, for so long, for a courageous person who would face the truth. The first time you came to me, Adol, I knew at once: the one I had been waiting for had finally appeared.

As they proceeded down the bleak passage, the scenery suddenly changed. They found themselves in a bizarrely constructed place, surrounded by cold, metallic textures. Massea raised her voice.

“Everyone, this is now the central core of Kefin! We are in Jabir's domain. Stay alert!”

“Indeed. This is now my dwelling, and in a sense, it could be said to be within myself.”

As the group turned, the figure of an old man slowly materialized before them. It was Jabir, revealing himself for the first time.

“Killing you all would be a simple matter. But let us save that for later. To tell the truth, I have become rather interested. Why have you come this far? And what will you do now?

I have seen your strength when you work together. Now, let us see your strength when you are scattered.”

As his words ended, seven holes suddenly opened beneath the feet of the seven companions. Adol, too, was powerless to resist and slid down into a pitch-black abyss.

When he came to, Adol was alone in a large hall. As he looked around, Jabir’s voice echoed in his ears.

“Adol, was it? Right now, your companions are isolated, one by one. And the monsters I created for my amusement are heading towards each of them. Behold!”

A section of the wall transformed, becoming like crystal. And there, images of his companions fighting were displayed.

“Now, if you don't hurry and rescue them, your friends will be done for. Mwahaha...”

Remaining here would achieve nothing. Adol bolted from the room.

3. Rescuing Companions

Outside the room was a complex, winding labyrinth. After fighting his way through powerful monsters, Adol found a staircase.

Eventually, a door appeared, and beyond it was a gigantic monster. After a difficult battle, he managed to defeat it. Upon opening the door on the opposite side, he found Terra.

“Adol! I was so scared...”

Terra threw her arms around Adol, her expression more honest and vulnerable than he had ever seen.

“Mama and the others will be fine. The boys are as tough as they look, and Mama has her own special killer move, you know.”

Adol, with Terra in tow, headed onward. Terra, as if a thought had just struck her, peered into Adol’s face.

“Oh, right! Adol, you got dumped by that Massea woman, didn’t you? Cheer up, you’ve still got me!”

Proceeding further, they found Stein. Adol asked him if he knew a way to defeat Jabir. But it seemed even Stein didn’t know.

“I don’t know either. Massea didn’t tell me everything. But one thing is certain: just like the central core in the Royal Castle that sustained the king’s immortality, this place is the central core that sustains Kefin itself. And there must be the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ somewhere.”

“Then, we just have to find it and break it, right?” Terra chimed in.

Stein shook his head at Terra’s words.

“No, if we do that, Kefin will likely collapse instantly, just as the king turned into a corpse. And it's not just us here; there are many citizens. Honestly, I don’t know what we should do.”

Adol, now with Stein and Terra, pressed further on.

The monster-filled labyrinth continued unabated. After some time, they came upon a place that resembled a prison. This was the final destination for those judged ‘wicked’ at the Judgment. Reading the words scrawled on the walls in despair, Stein cried out in a loud voice.

“Jabir! There’s one thing I want to ask! Why are you so obsessed with alchemy? And why do you use it only for your own research instead of for the happiness of the people? Or is alchemy nothing more than a tool for your ambition?!”

After a pause, a reply came.

“Foolish. The desire to master an art needs no reason! Stein, was it? Even for you, there is likely no reason for your desire to see unknown lands. Being an explorer, that says it all. I am an alchemist. To further advance my art, and to eliminate anything that hinders my research—these are matters of course. How the fruits of my research are used is something I have never even considered.”

“That’s not true!” Massea’s voice cut in. She had appeared, opening a door on the opposite side. “Alchemy holds no value whatsoever if it does not contribute to people’s happiness!”

Jabir's voice answered, reverberating through the chamber.

“Hmph, such naive sentimentality... It is because of such talk that your clan declined. If only you had dedicated yourselves to research; instead, by mingling with the common citizens, you allowed your precious arts to rust, and finally, you yourselves dissolved into their ranks. Now, are you not the only one left who knows the arts?

Well, no matter. For Massea to join them thus, you all are quite resourceful. Then, as a reward, I shall show you something interesting.”

Suddenly, a wall split open, revealing a new passage. Adol and the others, though hesitant, stepped inside.

4. The Horrifying Laboratory

The passage opened into a long, narrow room. After advancing a short distance, Terra screamed and clung to Adol. Grotesque objects, neither clearly alive nor inanimate, lined both sides of the room, frozen in place.

When they reached the center of the room, Jabir’s voice echoed.

“I, who created Kefin, became interested in the art of immortality. I completed a version of it and promptly applied it to the king. He was a convenient man with a weakness for alchemy, and it wouldn’t do for him to die. When I told him it was ‘for the peace of the kingdom,’ he readily agreed. However, that art was imperfect; it required a replenishment of life force once every ten years. It was not an art that could satisfy me. Now, open the next door.”

Opening the door, they found a gigantic monster. The battle was fierce, but they managed to defeat it by a hair’s breadth. Then, Jabir’s voice sounded.

“What you just saw was the result of the next experiment. I removed the physical body from a human and fused it with a living beast. The monster you just defeated was neither human nor beast; it was an entirely new creature.”

A new door appeared. Adol pushed it open.

The next room was constructed almost identically to the previous one. But instead of grotesque objects, pillars of multi-colored crystal lined the chamber. Terra, captivated by their beautiful radiance, instinctively stepped closer. But she quickly recoiled as if shocked.

“No! These crystals... they’re alive…”

Looking closely, human shadows could be seen flickering within the crystals, appearing and disappearing. As they approached, the crystals changed their luminescence, as if trying to communicate something. To Adol, it felt as if they were pleading for salvation.

Jabir’s voice resonated.

“This is the result of further advanced research. I fused extracted human souls with stone. Yes, these beings are both human and stone. Well, since the stone itself is merely a powerless crystal, they can do nothing. They will simply remain as stone for all eternity.”

“That’s horrible...” Terra instinctively covered her eyes. Massea stood silently, her expression grim.

At the end of the room, there was another door. Beyond it lay a labyrinth. Numerous powerful monsters attacked them suddenly. Fighting their way through, they reached a door of the same type as before. Pushing it open, they found a rail cart. When Adol and the others climbed aboard, the cart began to move.

5. The Chamber of the Philosopher’s Stone

The cart swayed gently as it moved through a vast, open shaft. Jabir’s voice echoed around them.

“By fusing with stone, humans no longer age. However, the power they can wield is dictated by the strength of the stone. That being the case, it was inevitable that I would turn my attention to the stone possessing ultimate power, the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ I conducted countless experiments and perfected the method. The humans deemed ‘wicked’ by the king served as excellent test subjects.”

The cart came to a halt with a clatter. Before them stood a door. It had a solemn construction, unlike any they had seen before. Adol stepped off the cart and pushed the door open.

As he had thought, this was the most vital part of Kefin’s central core. Within the room, encased in cold metal, were five even larger crystals. And, like entrails, tendril-like ropes ran crisscross, all connecting to a massive, iridescent, crystal-like stone at the front of the chamber.

A humanoid form materialized from within that stone, passing through it to appear before Adol and his companions. With long white hair and sharp, upturned eyes, this old man was Jabir himself.

“Yes, as of now, I am the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ I myself have fused with the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’

Currently, I am human. But simultaneously, I am also the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ I can be human when I wish, and I can also exist as the very central core of Kefin itself, as the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ As long as I do not leave this place, Kefin will continue to function. That is why I do not show myself on the surface. If I were to leave this central core, Kefin would instantly collapse.

Do you understand the implications? As long as I am in human form, you may have the chance to kill me. However, to end my life would equate to obliterating the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ Indeed, the supreme energy concentrated in this Kefin would fade, and in that instant, Kefin would dissolve, leaving numerous individuals still aboard.

Well, Adol, what do you say? Will you still take my life? It would not be the killing of just one man; it would mean killing yourself and every single person currently in Kefin.

At that moment, Massea stepped forward.

“Jabir, do not underestimate me so. I know!”

After a pause, a look of astonishment crossed Jabir’s face.

“...What? You—don’t tell me you know that art...?!”

“Adol, trust me. I will not let the citizens be caught in this. Now, defeat Jabir!”

“Curse you! Even if you know the art, it means nothing if you cannot kill me! Come, I shall be your opponent! Adol, this is your final battle!”

Jabir transformed. Adol gripped his sword and charged towards Jabir.

6. The Ultimate Secret Art

After a long battle, Adol’s sword found Jabir’s vital point, and Jabir collapsed to the floor. The radiance of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ behind him began to dim.

Then, something entirely unexpected happened: Massea leaped toward Jabir’s body. The corpse shattered like pottery. Simultaneously, Massea’s form also vanished. As the three remaining companions stood stunned, the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ though unstable, regained its luminescence. And within the translucent stone, Massea’s silhouette could be seen. Adol rushed toward the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ From within, Massea spoke in a weak voice.

“...Adol, thank you... But... this is goodbye...

I aimed for the instant between life and death and switched places with Jabir. With this, for a short time, I can maintain the power of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ I can bring Kefin down safely.

Yes, there is no more time. The ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ will soon perish. That fate can no longer be altered. I have also inherited Jabir’s destiny to die with the stone.

Stein rushed to her side.

“Massea!”

“Stein, this is how it ends... Jabir is already dead, and I will soon be gone too. All of Kefin’s alchemy will end shortly…”

“What are you saying...?! I can’t live without you...!!”

“No, Stein. You have someone important... Niena is waiting for you in Xandria, believing in the day you will return…”

“Damn it... I’m so... powerless...”

Stein knelt before the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ where Massea’s shadow was gradually fading, and wept. Adol felt the same despair. Terra, too, sank to the floor.

Just then, Adol noticed a noise. A closed door to the side was rattling. Adol approached to open it and placed his hand on the door. In that instant, the door burst open inward, sending Adol flying.

It was the Ibru Family, bursting in from outside.

Mama, getting to her feet, noticed the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’

“Well, well, finally caught up... Hey, isn’t that Massea! So, that scoundrel Jabir caught you and locked you up in that crystal prison, didn't he?! Alright, just you wait, I’m gonna bust you out right now! Grid, Grib, we’re gonna smash it with a body blow!”

“Yeah! Mama’s special killer move!”

“Seriously, it’s been two years since we last saw it!”

“Quiet, you lot! Here I go!”

Mama, having jumped to her own conclusions, charged at the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ with her two sons.

The destructive power of Mama’s special move was considerable. However, it wasn’t enough to destroy the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ and the three of them were sent flying back.

“Owowowow... That thing sure is tough.”

“...A crack has formed...?” Stein uttered in disbelief.

Remarkably, the three of them had managed to put a crack in the Philosopher’s Stone.

“Adol, perhaps... No, it’s no good. We can’t risk the lives of Kefin’s citizens on such a dangerous gamble... Damn!”

Stein writhed in intense inner conflict. Adol, too, could not bring himself to reach for his sword.

At that moment, Terra looked Adol straight in the eyes, her own gaze clear and steady. Then, enunciating each word carefully, she said, “Adol, I think... if you let Massea die now, you’ll definitely regret it. Maybe everyone will die, but... I think that’s definitely better than just watching Massea die alone.”

Terra’s words solidified Adol's resolve. Drawing his sword, he gripped it tightly and rushed towards the ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’

7. The End of the Battle

Adol’s strike shattered his sword. Simultaneously, the crack in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ spread across its entire surface. There was a sound like treading on ice. Then, the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ after flaring with a greatly intensified brilliance, shattered into fine fragments. Instantly, a mist-like cloud of particles filled the space where the stone had been. And when the mist cleared, Massea lay collapsed on the floor.

“Massea!”

Stein rushed to Massea and cradled her. Massea slowly opened her eyes.

“...Stein...? What... what happened...?”

“Yay, Adol! Massea... Massea’s saved!”

Terra leaped onto Adol. Mama, too, shook with laughter.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha! This is all thanks to my brilliant judgment!”

“What are you talking about, Mama? You weren’t thinking at all!”

“Shut it!” Mama smacked Grid.

At that moment, the luminescence of the crystals changed. Then, the scattered fragments, after a momentary twinkle, vanished one by one. Mama voiced her unease.

“Oh boy... This doesn’t look good. Everyone, let’s just get the heck outta here!”

Behind the place where the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ had stood, a large hole had opened. Passing through it, they found themselves at the chapel of Jabir’s Mausoleum.

Hurrying up the stairs, the seven of them emerged outside.

Chapter Ⅷ: The Collapse of the City of Sand

1. Kefin’s Final Moments

Just as everyone had made it out, the man they had met at the hideout rushed towards them.

“Mr. Stein, and Ms. Massea too! Thank goodness, you’re safe! It seems... This Kefin is about to meet its end. Right now, our comrades who entered the Royal Castle are struggling to bring it down for a safe landing.”

The ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’ granted a fleeting extension of life by Massea’s selfless act, was now nearing its end. The fragments of the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ were disappearing one by one. When all of them were gone, Kefin too would cease to exist.

With a deafening roar, the sky fractured. Kefin had returned to its original world. Intense sunlight beat down upon the people. Kefin was now drifting above the Safar, the desert of death.

Its altitude gradually decreased. The artificial city, threatening to fall at any moment, barely managed to stay airborne. After a series of such jolting ascents and descents, the ground below drew alarmingly close. Kefin, using the last vestiges of the ‘Philosopher's Stone’s’ power, was now attempting a slow descent to the surface.

The artificial ground lurched violently. Mama shrieked and threw her arms around Adol. Terra, hastily trying to intervene, yelled.

“Mama, you really don’t think at all, do you?!”

“Quiet, you! What else am I supposed to do... Kyaaaaaaaah!”

It landed precisely on the site of Old Kefin. The Wandering City of Sand, crushing the towering ancient structure beneath it, came to rest in the exact same location where the city-state of Kefin had once stood.

The artificial ground gave one final, tremendous shudder, and then a sudden silence enveloped Kefin. Adol looked around. Everyone had been thrown to the ground by the impact, but they all seemed to be unharmed.

Just as a few people were getting to their feet and congratulating each other on their survival, a sound like flowing sand could be heard from somewhere. The people, standing frozen and wondering what was happening, soon had their answer. The city was turning into sand. The well-ordered city blocks, the magnificent Royal Castle—everything was transforming into sand. And once it had all turned to sand, it began to crumble from the edges. The people, unable to resist the flowing sand, slid down the slopes of the suddenly formed dunes.

2. The Many Reunions

Adol, too, was swept away by the sand. He was carried to the edge of a sand dune before finally coming to a stop. He sat there, stunned. Just then, a man on a camel rode up to him. The man dismounted and approached Adol. It was none other than Dogi.

“Adol! Looks like you've been through a lot again. I’ll get the full story from you later. First, we’ve gotta rescue the people who are getting buried in the sand!”

Dogi turned and called out. A large group of people approached.

“It’s the Bewin Tribe and everyone from Felte village! Alright, I’m counting on you all!”

They passed by Adol and the others, hurrying towards the sand dunes. A little later, a young woman appeared and tended to Adol. It was Effey, the village girl from Felte who had been missing. Knowing Dogi, he probably wouldn’t say much about it, but Adol figured he must have had some grand adventures in the desert.

Eventually, a group of energetic people emerged from the direction of the sand dunes. The first to appear were Stein and Massea. Stein, although still frail, was firmly supporting Massea by her side.

“It seems everyone is safe. Still, to think all of Kefin would return to sand...” Stein mused.

“When Kefin collapsed, perhaps it returned all the life force it had absorbed from the land back to the desert,” Massea pondered. “If so, the desert of death might be restored to fertile land. That’s what I want to believe.”

Dogi cleared his throat lightly and spoke to the two of them.

“So you’re Mr. Stein, huh? There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Dogi turned and beckoned. A little girl jumped down from a camel and ran straight towards them.

“Papa!”

It was Niena, who had been waiting for Stein’s return in Xandria. Stumbling in the loose sand, Niena rushed to Stein.

“...Niena? Is that really you, Niena?! Oh, you’ve grown so much... I made you wait for so long... Niena, please forgive your Papa. I'll never leave you alone again.”

“No, Papa. I wasn’t alone. Big Sis Massea, and the Water God, they both helped Niena. And Big Brother Adol and Uncle Dogi too!”

Dogi winced at Niena’s innocent, age-based distinction. Massea couldn’t help but chuckle. It was the first time Adol had seen her smile without a trace of shadow.

The Ibru Family also gathered around.

“Well, well, that was quite an ordeal. All our treasure buried in the sand, huh? If any of it was left, it could’ve funded our fresh start...” Mama sighed.

At her words, Grid laughed and pulled out a golden statue.

“Heh heh heh, Mama, looky here! I’ve still got this little souvenir I picked up from Dorman’s mansion!”

“Well, I’ll be! You actually do something useful once in a while, don’t ya!”

“And with this, we can get set up for more thieving, right?” Grib asked cheerfully. Mama smacked him.

“Don’t be an idiot! The Ibru Family of thieves is finished! We’re all going to some faraway land and going straight! Any objections?!”

“Hmm, as long as I can eat lots of food, I'm good with that,” Grib replied.

Terra responded with a bright expression.

“A straight life, huh... Teehee, I’ve actually always dreamed of that. But I didn’t want to make Mama sad, so I kept quiet about it.”

Mama stared at Terra for a long moment, then, with tears welling in her eyes, she silently embraced her.

Dogi spoke to Adol.

“After that, I wandered the desert looking for the villagers. I couldn’t find everyone, but I managed to rescue a lot of them. The Bewin Tribe helped out.”

Just then, a dog came running up to Dogi, wagging its tail. Looking closely, Adol saw it was Koro, the Kobold.

“Yeah, I know, I know,” Dogi said, patting him. “You guys helped out a lot too. You and I will always be friends. It’s a bit sad we can’t talk anymore, but this is how it should be.”

Koro wagged his tail happily and nuzzled against Dogi. With Kefin’s collapse, the natural order had been restored. The Kobolds had returned to their original forms as dogs.

At that moment, someone who had climbed a sand dune shouted, calling everyone over. Adol and the others ascended the crumbling sand dune. And from its summit, they looked out over Safar.

A miracle was happening before the eyes of everyone present. Before they knew it, the desert was transforming into a lush, green meadow.

Chapter Ⅸ: Epilogue

The City of Sand, Kefin, had literally returned to sand and collapsed. Safar was reborn as a verdant, fertile plain, and vitality returned to the Narm River. Xandria welcomed the people of Kefin, and a new era was about to begin.

Having finally reunited with his daughter Niena, the explorer Stein decided to return to his homeland to put an end to his decade-long wanderings. Massea resolved to accompany him on his journey. Adol, too, decided to board the same ship and head toward a different land.

On the day of departure, in a corner of the lower town, Dogi bid Adol farewell. Effey was by his side.

“Sorry, Adol,” Dogi said. “I’m staying here. I don’t want to leave until I’ve seen the ruined village of Felte rebuilt.”

Though he hadn’t stormed Kefin, Dogi had experienced his own adventures, and he had things he risked his life to protect. The time had come for Adol to part with Dogi, who had been like an older brother to him. Adol realized that a trial he must overcome to become a man in his own right had arrived.

At that moment, Effey, who was standing nearby, murmured.

“Is that all, Mr. Dogi?”

“Huh?!...”

“Once the village is rebuilt, will you just say goodbye?”

Effey gazed intently at Dogi, her eyes brimming with tears.

“...Hmm, well, first things first, rebuilding the village! What comes after, well, I’ll think about that then!”

Feeling somewhat awkward, Adol made to leave. Dogi rushed over and whispered to him.

“We're both wanderers, Adol. We’ll meet again. Until then, stay well.”

With Dogi and Effey seeing him off, Adol began to walk through the town of Xandria.

Strolling down the streets brimming with memories, Adol eventually arrived at the neighborhood where Niena had lived. He unexpectedly spotted a woman in the plaza, engrossed in carving a stone statue.

“Hey, don’t talk to me right now! I’m busy... What am I doing? This? This is a statue of the great Sir Adol, the one who defeated Kefin’s mad monster king and the evil sorcerer! Hehe, Sir Adol, you see, is a friend of my best friend, Massea. It’s thanks to him that I was able to get out of prison. Huh? ... Wait a minute... C-could you be... Sir Adol?!”

The people Adol had found in the northern part of the Royal Castle had been freed by Massea’s allies. However, most of those who had been captured earlier had already perished, either used as a power source for Kefin or in Jabir’s biological experiments. But a very small number had been rescued. The cheerfulness of the woman before him, Massea’s best friend, provided at least a small measure of comfort.

Adol entered Niena’s house. Naturally, it was empty. As he was about to leave, he heard a sound from the back. Investigating, he found a puddle of water on the kitchen floor, and beside it, a letter and a fish.

“Thank you truly, gyo. Thanks to you, the Narm River has also been saved, gyo.”

Adol picked up the delicious-looking fish and left Niena’s house.

After walking a short distance, Stein, Niena, and Massea were waiting for Adol.

“Ah, there you are! We’ve been looking all over for you,” Stein said.

Niena ran up and took Adol’s hand.

“Big Brother Adol, thank you! Papa came back, and I got a new Mama too!”

“Wh-what are you saying, you silly girl!” Stein stammered, flustered.

Ignoring Stein’s embarrassment, Massea knelt and looked into Niena’s innocent face.

“...Hey, Niena dear. Will you... call me Mama...?

"Q-Quick, let’s hurry! The ship back to Europe will be leaving soon!” Stein said hastily, taking Niena’s hand and starting to walk ahead."

Massea, left behind for a moment, looked into Adol’s eyes and spoke.

“Adol, thank you, truly. After learning about the sinfulness of alchemy, I always thought I should just end everything by taking Jabir down with me. I wanted to deny myself along with alchemy. But I was wrong. Just denying everything... That was really just an easy way out, wasn’t it?

The courage to face things without running away—you taught me the most important lesson. Since it’s the alchemy I’ve learned, I’ll do my best, in my own way, to use it for the happiness of others from now on.”

The enigmatic atmosphere and dark shadow that had surrounded her when they first met were completely gone. Massea’s smile, beautifully radiant with overflowing intellect and hope for the future, was almost dazzling to Adol.

Stein returned and urged Adol and Massea to hurry.

Eventually, they arrived at the harbor. In an inconspicuous spot, some people were waiting for Adol: the Ibru Family. Stein and the others boarded the ship first.

Mama spoke to Adol.

“You said you were from the north, didn’t you? Must be a fine place, to produce a great man like yourself. Maybe we could make a fresh start there too.”

The brothers also expressed their thanks in their own ways. Terra, however, remained silent, saying nothing.

At last, it was time for departure. Urged by a sailor, Adol stepped onto the gangplank. At that moment, Terra rushed up to him.

“Adol, wait five years for me! I swear, I’ll become a great woman!”

The ship pulled away from the quay. A new life was about to begin for everyone.

The End

External Links

• Original translation document