Sensing something in Ian’s tone, Thesaya narrowed her eyes.

"Huh?"

Not just Miguel and Elia—even Lily turned their gaze toward Ian. Even Mukapa, riding his pony, glanced over the carriage roof at him.

"Hard to say. I’m thinking about it." Ian replied flatly, not even pausing his hand.

That alone was enough to make Miguel’s face twist. "Please don’t.... I get horribly seasick. I’ve never even gone that far out to sea."

Ignoring him completely, Ian tossed the scroll into his pocket dimension, then finally turned to Elia, who sat across from Thesaya.

"You’ve been busy since morning. Did you get anything?"

"It wasn’t easy. As you know, ever since the Black Wall collapsed, there have been so many missing ships, and the sea routes were blocked for a long time." Elia answered quickly.

Unlike the others, there was a faint spark of excitement in her eyes. "Most of them were busy going back and forth between the south and the mainland. There were just too many people stranded in the south, so—"

"Just the point, Elie. The point." Ian cut her off, extending his left hand toward Thesaya.

Even while narrowing her eyes, Thesaya casually dropped a strip of jerky into his palm.

Nodding, Elia continued, "Right. After asking around, I managed to find two sailors who had gone as far as the outskirts of the Black Sea. Both were fishermen, on different ships, and they left the inner sea at slightly different times. But their accounts were similar."

Thesaya, already pulling out her cigarette case, leaned forward as the carriage climbed a gentle slope. "What’d they say?"

"They said the farther they got from the continent, the darker the sky became—and the calmer the sea. The wind died down too."

"So the Black Sea is basically... what was it called again?"

"Doldrums," Ian muttered, chewing his jerky.

Thesaya snapped her fingers and went on, "Yeah. That thing. So that’s what it’s turned into?"

"We can’t be sure. Both captains turned their ships back immediately and returned to the inner sea."

Elia shrugged, then glanced at Ian.

"But they said it was definitely unnatural. Normally, the Black Sea is rough, with constant winds and waves."

Ian simply nodded as he chewed, recalling he’d heard something similar from Sanford before.

He sorted through his thoughts, taking in the thickening greenery around them.

"It could be the archipelago pulling something to keep outside ships from getting close," said Thesaya.

She lit the cigarette in her mouth with a small flint, exhaling smoke out the window. "Whether they’re hiding something or just trying to defend themselves after their fleet got wrecked, who knows."

"My guess is similar. And there’s only one thing that could affect a sea that large—the ancient god sealed in the deep sea." Elia nodded.

"Damn it... Lu Entre...." Miguel squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a long sigh.

Right then, Thesaya casually rested the hand holding her cigarette outside the window. "There are three smuggling ships coming into the hidden dock, Ian. With the kitties and the pointy-ears combined, we’re over three hundred."

Meeting his gaze, Thesaya flicked the cigarette between her fingers and added, "We could split them up somehow, but it’d be too risky. How about reconsidering the trip to the archipelago?"

"Didn’t you say there’s nothing better for building camaraderie than crossing the line of death together?" Ian asked, taking the cigarette from her as he swallowed the jerky.

Thesaya paused, then scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Well... that’s true. But it only means something if you survive."

"It certainly won’t be easy crossing a sea without waves or wind. And there’s the risk of sea monsters attacking." Elia added, clicking her tongue slightly, though the disappointment in her tone was obvious.

Thesaya nodded toward her. "Exactly. The smuggling captains probably won’t even agree to go there in the first place. They’re all superstitious as hell."

"If you offer enough money, they’ll change their minds," Ian said calmly, exhaling smoke.

As Thesaya and Elia both looked at him, he shrugged. "And if the numbers make rowing difficult, we can just take a smaller group—the most capable ones."

"So you’re going no matter what?" Thesaya muttered, narrowing her eyes.

She idly flicked her fingers outside the window before adding, "Well... if you’re really set on it, there is a safer way."

"You, Lily, and I each escort one ship?" Ian said flatly.

Her fingers froze mid-motion.

As everyone’s attention shifted to her, Thesaya stared at him through the smoke. "Since when did you figure that out?"

Ian smiled slightly. "From the moment you tried to talk me out of going."

"So... from the start. Figures. I can’t fool you. Still, I’m not wrong, am I?"

Clicking her tongue, she shrugged.

"But it’s not a bad idea, is it? With me there, a blue archmage, the odds improve a lot. Just like when we crossed the inner sea."

"That may be true. But what you’re responsible for matters more."

"There are still months before that prophecy comes true. Do you really think clearing out a few island fragments will take that long? We could finish and then sail from there."

"You don’t know what might come up. Worst case, we could be stranded for quite a while."

After a few more firm rebuttals, Thesaya finally puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "I just want to see that infamous archipelago for myself. And what those disgusting pirate bastards are actually doing. Besides, Kitty is going too..."

"I understand how you feel, Thesa," Ian said quietly, almost soothingly, handing the cigarette back to her. "But the job you’ve taken on is something only you can do. You know that."

From the other side of the carriage, Mukapa said, "It concerns not only the Southern Front, but the safety of the orc tribes as well, Elder."

Thesaya froze as she reached for the cigarette.

Mukapa continued, as if making a declaration, "You and I must return to the South."

"Yeah, yeah, stop snorting like that, Snub-Nose."

Clicking her tongue, Thesaya leaned back, crossing one leg again as she put the cigarette in her mouth.

"Well, if it’s something only I can do, guess I don’t have a choice."

"I’ll make sure you have plenty of time to catch up with Charlotte. And time to exercise your authority too," Ian added with a faint smile.

Thesaya took a drag and nodded. "You’d better. And you stay careful too, Snub-Nose. I might just decide not to give you anything at all."

"I’d be fine even if you didn’t," Mukapa replied calmly.

"It’s a dragon relic, you know?"

At that, Mukapa, who had been leaning forward, froze completely.

Then he straightened and said, "I misspoke. I’ll be more careful, Elder."

"Should’ve been from the start." Thesaya scoffed.

Meanwhile, Ian didn’t miss the way Elia’s eyes flickered slightly as she watched them.

She hadn’t said anything—but it was obvious she already knew that the items Thesaya wore were relics from the Platinum Dragon’s nest.

"Honestly... no matter how I think about it, I just can’t wrap my head around it. Sure, I get that this bought us some time, but still...." Miguel’s sigh-laden voice broke the silence.

"Though he dropped his gaze slightly, he continued stubbornly, "The central region is on the brink of civil war, isn’t it? So why go to the archipelago now, risking losses and isolation? It doesn’t seem like anything urgent is about to happen."

"It’s not just the South you saw, is it?" Thesaya cut in before Ian could respond.

Miguel paused, and she shifted the cigarette between her fingers as she added, "I’m talking about your foresight. You said you saw fragments of multiple futures. Sounds like what happens in the archipelago was part of that too."

"... Yeah," Ian answered after a beat, lifting the jerky to his mouth.

Only then did Miguel and Elia turn toward him, eyes widening.

Thesaya smirked, almost smug. "I knew it. The way you kept bringing up sacrifices, it felt off. If we leave things as they are, those things living on those island fragments will get what they want, right?"

Ian shrugged. "Probably. I don’t know exactly when, though."

Thesaya nodded slowly, taking another drag. "So you planned to handle it yourself from the start. Using the duke to warn them... that was just giving them a reason."

"We already know the capital’s going to fall. There’s no way I’d just leave it to them."

At that, Thesaya exhaled a lazy stream of smoke and nodded again.

A quiet gasp slipped from Elia. "So the most reliable option is to deal with it personally... my goodness. The continent really is surrounded by dangers."

"Exactly my point. Damn it... If that’s the case, then we have to do it." Miguel clicked his tongue and glanced awkwardly at Ian. "I spoke without knowing the full picture. My apologies—sincerely."

Ian shook his head. "It’s fine. Anyone would’ve questioned it."

Though the real reason is leveling up...

Experience gains had slowed to a crawl lately, and even quests had noticeably dwindled. There was no way he was going to let an opportunity like the archipelago slip by.

"Let’s drop it here," said Ian.

He shifted his gaze to the now thickening greenery around them, chewing as he added, "Looks like our guides are here."

Only then did Miguel glance around, startled. Thesaya leaned her head out the window, cigarette still in her mouth.

"Yeah. They’re quicker than I expected...." A faint smile tugged at her lips as she settled back in.

She’d clearly already heard the sound of fairies moving swiftly through the undergrowth.

Miguel shrugged. "I’ll finally get to meet Lucy’s friend."

Ian looked at him and let out a chuckle. "She was curious about you too. I’ll introduce you right away, so don’t worry."

"Then I’ll keep quiet. Heh."

"Are you going to tell them about the archipelago once the kitties arrive, Ian?" Thesaya asked casually, though the anticipation in her smile was anything but subtle.

Ian pulled the cigarette toward himself with the Willful Grasp and nodded. "Of course."

She leaned back into her seat, satisfied. "I can’t wait to see their faces. It’ll hit them just as hard as becoming a ‘shared fate’ with the kitties."

Ian raised the cigarette to his lips, scanning their surroundings. "Well, we’ll see."

The sound of fairies cutting through the reeds, like wind rippling across a field, was drawing closer.

***

The smuggling dock, tucked beside a small strip of sandy shore, was hidden like a folding screen within a winding canyon of jagged rock.

It had taken them half a day of leaving the main road and cutting south through the valley under Diana’s guidance just to find it. From above, sharp stone outcroppings jutted up in every direction. Without knowing the path in, no one would even realize such a place existed.

Clack... clack...

The fairy wardens and scouts set up camp in a corner at the base of the canyon. They had been moving nonstop since arriving, and now, utterly drained, they gathered around the campfire to eat in silence.

Of course, the quiet wasn’t just from exhaustion.

Every so often, their gazes drifted toward the lone carriage parked near the shore and the group gathered around the fire behind it.

Of course, Ian’s group paid them no mind.

"I like it here. It has a certain charm," Elia murmured, sipping wine by the fire.

Despite having finished her meal and nearly a full bottle, her voice carried no trace of drunkenness.

"Hidden places are always beautiful," Miguel replied lazily, half-reclined against the carriage wheel. The redness on his face wasn’t from the firelight alone.

Swoosh...

Lily stared expressionlessly out at the waves rolling in under the night sky.

"I’m the one who has to walk back out of here with Snub-Nose, though," Thesaya added flatly as she brushed Lily’s hair.

From atop the carriage, Mukapa said, "I can offer you my mount, Elder."

Ian, lying across the roof, ignored him and took another drink. He meant to savor this brief moment of rest. Like always, it wouldn’t be long before he found himself missing it.

Of course, not everyone felt the same.

"It’s already past midnight, isn’t it? When are they getting here?" Thesaya clicked her tongue, repeating a complaint she’d made at least ten times.

It was obvious she was anxiously waiting for Charlotte.

"Have a little patience. Sailors never had much sense of time, you know." Miguel snickered.

Elia added gently, "You can’t control the wind or the waves, after all."

"Useless, all of you in times like—oh?" Thesaya suddenly cut herself off.

A heartbeat later, she sprang to her feet. "Finally!"

She’d heard Diana running back from the dock.

Ian clicked his tongue and pushed himself halfway upright. Behind him, the glow of the fairies’ camp flickered faintly, while ahead stretched the black, heaving sea.

"Are they here?"

Diana skidded to a stop near the carriage. "Yes."

Thesaya broke into a run toward the rickety dock in the distance. "Come on. Follow me."

"Me too? ...Understood." With a weary sigh, Diana trudged after her.

Whoosh—

However, Ian, seated on the carriage roof, didn’t even glance their way. His eyes were fixed on the dark sea beyond.

Even without a single torch lit, he could clearly make out the incoming smuggling ships cutting through the night.

"Huh." A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Not just because he’d spotted the ships, but because one of them looked very familiar.

"Didn’t expect to see that one again."

It was unmistakably the smuggling ship of Sanford Plum, the very one he had taken when crossing the inner sea.