Chapter 48: I, Mashang (Part 1), Am Leaving Crescent Town!

Six days had passed since the great battle ended. That afternoon, I accompanied the Old Mage—now recovered from grief and illness—to Crescent Lake to see the statue the townsfolk had carved for the Sacred Beast.

To conceal certain truths and avoid breeding unnecessary resentment or fear, the Old Mage and I framed the Beast Tide as a catastrophic natural disaster. We portrayed Ster as a heroic guardian who sacrificed himself to save the town.

Grateful for the great Sacred Beast’s protection, the townspeople erected a stone statue by the lake for future generations to honor. Through collective effort, they’d roughly completed it in just six days.

“So Ster was actually a rhino?” I stared at the life-sized statue, barely connecting it to the rhinos from my past life.

“Ster’s true form was a long-extinct magical beast—the Blackwater Moonrhino. Sigh… Given the short time, the townsfolk did admirably. None had seen Ster’s real form; they sculpted this based solely on my descriptions. Their hearts were in it.”

“What exactly was Ster’s connection to the Elven Race?” I pulled out my necklace, examining the Lunar Essence Stone.

“I’m not entirely sure. I saved Ster during an adventure years ago, but he rarely spoke of his past. I only know he was once a warbeast raised by the Elven Race and survived the war between humans and elves a millennium ago. Even his possession of the Key to the Unknowable Land was news to me until recently.”

“He was quite the storied beast.”

“Remember your promise: fulfill his dream. Find the Elven Race. Guide them back to the mainland.”

“Easier said than done. A thousand years is too short to mend racial hatred… But Ster saved my life. I’ll try.” I touched the necklace, gazing at the statue. “Rest easy, old man.”

“What are your plans now, boy?” The Old Mage wiped his eyes.

“I’m heading to the Imperial Capital. I made a promise to Komor three days ago when she left.”

“I wish you’d come with me to the Mage Tower in the Realm of Truth. There, endless arcane knowledge and master mages await. As the world’s savior, you must grow stronger swiftly.”

“Nah.” I pulled a red plush toy from my coat—a chubby, winged, horned piglet.

“Ugh! This sunlight’s blinding! Put me back! I haven’t finished napping!” it squeaked.

“You sassy Dragon Princess! Your eyes are just for show, aren’t they? And it’s broad daylight—what’s there to nap about?!”

“Hail the Dragon Princess!” The Old Mage bowed deeply to the plush toy.

“Hmm, polite little one! Brat, take notes and apologize properly!”

I stuffed the toy back into my coat. “With this walking library and smart search engine, I doubt I’ll need your Mage Tower.”

“You’re set on the Imperial Capital?”

“I have debts to collect.”

“But… Nana…” The Old Mage’s face tightened.

“…She can choose. If she wishes to join you in the Realm of Truth, I won’t stop her. I’ll visit after settling matters in the capital.”

“Is this your compromise?”

“Nope. I’ve got my own solid reasons to crush those bastards now. No need to borrow Nana’s. Self-reliance, you know?”

“…Thank you.”

“I’ve thought long and hard. Revenge might feel satisfying, but not everyone wants old wounds ripped open. I’m stuck with this rotten personality. But Nana… I want her to live as herself.”

“Let’s head back. Dinner time.” The Old Mage turned toward the manor.

“Ahem! Wait, Master! Nana helped cook today!”

“……………… Should we… take another stroll?” He froze mid-step.

“Absolutely! Since I’m leaving soon, I ought to savor Crescent Town’s beauty one last time!”

***

The tranquil town buzzed with busy residents. I exchanged greetings with the Old Mage and passersby. Occasionally, villagers from the mountain山寨 called out cheerfully, “Strategist!”

The Beast Tide crisis had swiftly bridged the gap between Crescent Town and the山寨 villagers. From strangers to neighbors—it flowed naturally. Both were simple, kind-hearted folk. Martin’s father, the town mayor, had invited the山寨 residents to move downhill. But after discussion, they declined: the mountains were harsh, yet every brick and beam held their sweat and memories.

With the山寨 stabilized, Cindira finally relaxed. Her smiles grew frequent—though she still sneaked into my room nightly……

Just thinking of Helle’s icy glare while cleaning my room made me shiver.

“What’s wrong? Got the shakes?” The Old Mage frowned.

“Can’t you wish me well for once? I was just missing little Bobo…”

“She’s a child of the sea. Returning to her mother, the Sea Empress, is a thousand times better than life in this manor.”

“But she cried so hard… I worry it’ll scar her.”

“Don’t fret. The Sea Emperor’s bloodline isn’t fragile. Why did you hide the Azure Heart back then?”

“You know why. That artifact can’t fall into Seafolk hands. Not yet.”

“Just admit you’re stingy! I won’t judge!” The Old Mage rolled his eyes.

“You’re one to talk!” I shot back. “I promised that ‘Inferno Cerberus’ staff to Komor! Why did you confiscate it?”

“That staff holds immense research value! Your magic-simplification theory is far more accessible to the masses than your Rune Programming. My purpose at the Mage Tower is to rally old colleagues. We’ll use your theory to refine mana cannons. This will be a revolution!”

“So you’re gathering folks to study *How to Shoot Cannons Higher, Farther, and Harder*?”

“Why must you twist noble magical research into something absurd, you brat?!”

“…Habit. Filth springs from the heart.”

“Master~ Klars Masha! Dinner’s ready!” Helle’s voice called from behind.

“H-Helle?! How’d you find me?” My voice cracked. Dinner? No thanks!

“Heh. Forgot already, Klars Masha? This morning, when I found more purple hairs in your room, you gave me this magic tracker.” She waved a Rune Engraving Tool shaped like a Dragon Ball radar.

“Klars Masha! You’ve doomed me!” The Old Mage groaned.

That little gadget—meant to distract Helle this morning—was already mastered. This wasn’t shooting myself in the foot. It was dropping a boulder on my head.

***

I lay on the rooftop, watching storm clouds gather while calming the tempest in my stomach. Time flew. I’d lived in this beautiful world so long now, it still felt unreal.

*Creak.* The window beside me opened. Monaluna crawled out.

“Wandering in pajamas on a pitch-black night? Trying to catch a cold? Can’t you see the storm coming?” I glanced at her thin sleepwear. Why so flimsy in late autumn? I tilted my head skyward at a 45-degree angle.

“Y-you’re leaving for the Imperial Capital?” Monaluna hugged her knees, voice trembling.

“Yeah. You know me—I can’t let grudges slide. They messed with me. Now they pay. Or I’ll have nightmares.” I sat up.

“Can… can I come with you?” Nana gathered her courage.

“No. You should go to the Mage Tower with your grandfather.” I avoided her eyes. One look, and I’d cave.

“But… I want to return to the Imperial Capital. To where my parents lived. I still don’t know how to face their killers… but I want to go home. I want… to go home…”

“…Home. Lucky you even have one to return to… Fine. If the Master agrees, I’ll take you. I’ll take you home.”

“Thank you, Mashang.”

“But you must obey me.” I unclipped a half-red, half-white orb from my belt. “A reward for brave Nana, facing life head-on.”

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Behold—the Spirit Ball!” I tapped my nose.

“Spirit Ball? What does it do?”

“To catch Pocket Monsters, of course~”

“Catch what?!” Nana tilted her head, puzzled.

“Ahem. Actually, it holds one of Blackrock Mountains’ mightiest Beast Kings. Since we’re leaving Crescent Town soon, those monsters are too dangerous to leave behind. I was in a foul mood the other day, so I beat them into submission one by one. Now they’re packed in Spirit Balls for the journey.”

“Wow! How’d you make something so amazing?!” Stars sparkled in Nana’s eyes.

“Heh. Remember that idiot Raven Lord I blew up in the spatial tunnel? After researching, I found spatial crystal storage can’t hold living things—but spatial tunnels can. So I built an infinite loop tunnel inside each Spirit Ball. Voilà: live storage!”

“I didn’t understand most of that… but it’s incredible!”

“Ahaha, it’s nothing really…”

Suddenly, a figure leaped from below, landing smoothly on the windowsill. She pushed the window open, slipping inside with practiced ease. Same agile form. Same flimsy sleepwear. Who else but Cindira, clocking in for her nightly “shift”?

“Huh? You’re outside? Trying a new trick? I’m a bit shy about doing it outdoors…”

“We’ve never ‘tried tricks’ together! We’ve never done anything!”

“Klars!” Monaluna’s icy voice cut through the dark. “Explain. Now.”

“Nana? You’re here too? Too dark to see you~” Cindira chirped, waving. Seriously? Be friendly at a time like this?!

“Sister Cindira, please go inside first. I need to speak with Mister Mashang. Alone.”

“Sure thing! I’ll nap first.” Cindira vanished into the room.

Wait! Don’t leave me alone!

“Nana, let me explain! I can explain!”

“CHAOTIC SLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“AAAAHHH!!!”

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