Duchy of Sidius, Raging Tide City

Oren slowly lifted his gaze to the sky. Thick, black clouds pressed down, swallowing the moon’s faint glow. They hung so low they seemed ready to crash, smothering the world in eerie silence. A biting wind swept fiercely through the air, making Oren slowly button up his coat.

Looks like rain’s coming.

He silently confirmed his greatsword was secure in its sheath on his back. Then he slowly walked toward a nearby inn. The moment he pushed open the door, a wave of fishy stench and burnt wood smell hit his nose.

Inside, the inn’s grimy stained-glass windows glowed softly. Laughter and chatter spilled out the windows. Oil lamps hung from tree branches, lighting the winding staircase. Though the autumn night was chilly, the warmth of companionship here made travelers forget their road-worn fatigue.

The inn was bustling tonight. Oren kept stepping aside for passing men, women, and children. He noticed the residents eyeing him with suspicion. Some at tables whispered while staring at the greatsword on his back.

But Oren was used to this. Back in the Ancient Epoch, humans had united to defeat all non-human races—Elvenfolk, dwarves, even Dragons—erasing them from the world. After losing their common enemy, humans couldn’t stay united. Now, though the nominal human union—the Alliance of Free Cities—still existed, several city-states had broken away. The Duchy of Sidius was one such nation. With his foreign features, Oren couldn’t expect fair treatment here.

Lost in thought, he slowly sat on a stool at the bar. Soon, a burly man in a sleeveless vest approached, asking in a gruff voice,

“What’ll you have?”

“Just some bread and beer.”

The man scowled. Then he said slowly, “You’re from the west, ain’t ya?”

“Hah… Yeah, that’s right.”

The man snorted, pointing across the room. “Figures. People under Elvis’s twisted emperors have no spirit. We only serve real food here. Go hungry if you don’t like it.”

Following his gesture, Oren saw a group boisterously drinking and singing. A huge raw fish lay across a platter before them. They forked chunks of flesh, dipped them in strange sauce, and ate.

After a long pause, Oren smiled at the man. “Thanks for the offer, but we New Capital folks don’t eat raw meat.”

“Tch. Figured as much.”

Grumbling, the man slammed a beer bottle on the counter. After Oren took a sip, the man pulled up a stool opposite him, still eyeing him. “So what brings a westerner to Raging Tide City? Don’t tell me it’s for sightseeing.”

“Ah, about that…” Sipping his beer, Oren pulled a portrait from his pouch and handed it over. The man saw a stunningly beautiful silver-haired girl drawn on the paper. As he stared, Oren continued, “Have you seen this woman? I’ve chased her from New Capital all the way here. Her name’s Dysaia. Sometimes she calls herself Princess Silver Dragon. And…” He paused. “This might sound odd, but she carries a fresh rain scent.”

The man stared at Oren for a long moment, then handed back the portrait. Thoughtfully, he said, “I haven’t seen her myself. But two days ago, a guest mentioned a silver-haired girl. She did call herself Princess Silver Dragon. I heard she asked for directions to Raging Tide City’s Magic Academy.”

Magic Academy?

Oren murmured inwardly, tucking the portrait away. He downed his beer and looked at the man. “Thank you. This helps a lot.”

He placed several silver coins on the table—the extra for the information. The man pocketed them without hesitation. “But who is that girl to you? She’s about your age, right?”

Oren chuckled bitterly. “She’s… someone very important to me. Two years ago, she suddenly left the castle we lived in. Now I’m searching for her.”

“Hoh! So she’s your fiancée?” the man blurted.

Oren sighed, half-amused. “Well… I guess you could say that.”

After a deep breath, he looked at the man. “Anyway, do you have any spare rooms? It looks like rain outside. I’ll stay the night.”

“Hah~ Let me check.” The man pulled out a large ledger, flipped through it, and said, “Sorry, all rooms are full.”

“Full?”

The man shrugged at Oren’s surprised look. “Can’t help it. It’s Magic Academy enrollment season. People from all over the duchy swarm here like flies.” He checked the ledger again. “But there’s one double room with only one occupant. You could ask if he’ll share.” He added, “And he’s from New Capital too, like you.”

“Hoh…” Oren was slightly surprised; few came from New Capital to Raging Tide City. But he slowly stood up. “Thanks. I’ll ask him.”

“Alright. Pay for one room; split it between you two. It’s the leftmost room down the hall.”

“Got it. I’ll pay you in the morning.”

Oren took the key, then slowly walked to the side staircase and climbed to the second floor.

Magic Academy enrollment season… Did she come here on purpose at this time?

Lost in thought, he reached the room door and sighed heavily. Anyway, I’ll check the Magic Academy tomorrow. I’ll find some clues there.

With that thought, he quickly unlocked the door. Pushing it open, he smiled. “Hello, I’m Oren. I heard this room has only one occupant, so…”

But before he could finish, he saw the scene before him.

A black-haired girl stood facing him, lifting her shirt high. Clothes were strewn across the bed beside her. But that wasn’t important. What mattered was the teenage girl’s bare chest, fully exposed in the dim moonlight—crystal clear to Oren.

“Oh dear…” Oren murmured, seeing her flushed face. “Miss, you should drink more milk. Yours are smaller than a six-year-old’s…”

Before he could finish, the girl yanked her shirt down. The next second, tears welled in her eyes as she raised her arm.

“Pervert!”

Boom!

Before Oren could react, a pillar of fire erupted with searing heat, slamming into his face.