When Aisha saw Rygar, Ghislaine, and Eris approaching, she quickly ran in their direction. Her eyes were wide, her breathing slightly hurried.
"Master!" she said urgently. "Have you heard yet?!"
Rygar nodded calmly.
"Yes, Aiz. We just spoke with Timothy. Unfortunately, Gall Farion has left the Sword Sanctuary."
Aisha's expression grew somewhat sadder, and soon after, Jino and Nina approached the group with strange looks, as if they had not yet fully absorbed the events.
Ghislaine observed them with attentive neutrality and asked directly:
"Nina, he didn't say anything? Not even leave a letter?"
Nina shook her head in denial, her eyes slightly lowered.
"He didn't say anything..."
The atmosphere between them grew heavy. Eris crossed her arms, clearly bothered. Nina seemed confused and hurt, and even Jino, usually easygoing, was somewhat shaken.
Aisha was thoughtful, frowning in silence. Only Ghislaine remained unchanged, keeping her serious expression as if she had expected something like this to happen.
Rygar remained silent for a moment, observing each of them with attentive eyes, until he finally spoke in a firm and serene voice:
"Don't dwell on it too much."
All eyes turned to him.
"Gall Farion is a proud warrior. He lost a battle for the first time in a long while. He needs time to come to terms with it and turn a new page. I believe he will return even stronger."
The words, spoken with conviction, seemed to echo in the group's hearts. Nina relaxed her shoulders a bit. Jino took a deep breath and then said:
"Even without saying goodbye, he left the two remaining swords from his collection with a note. He said that Nina and I could only wield them when we become Sword Kings."
Nina then added, "Uncle Timothy said he wouldn't delay our promotion due to the instability in the Sword God Style, so we should attain the rank in about a year at most. After that, we'll travel to the Great Forest."
Rygar crossed his arms, pondering.
"You two already know how to manage fairly well outside the Sanctuary... but still, traveling is complicated. I suggest you ask one of the Iron Legion members stationed here to accompany you as a guide."
Nina frowned, upset by the suggestion, interpreting it as a lack of trust. But before she could protest, Jino gave a slight smile and said calmly:
"We will."
Rygar took the opportunity to look at the young man and said with a smile, "Don't slack off in your training, Jino... the title of Sword King is just the initial goal..."
The young swordsman was confused at first, but seemed to understand something and nodded seriously.
Eris crossed her arms with a teasing little smile.
"Next time we meet, you'll be eating dust, Nina!"
A vein pulsed on Nina's forehead, and she replied immediately:
"When I get there, I'll wipe the floor with your face!"
The two seemed ready to fight, their gazes intense like fire and storm, but there was something more there. An invisible bond.
A deep rivalry, yes, but one that disguised an even greater friendship. A sisterhood forged in training, sweat, and mutual admiration.
Ghislaine then spoke:
"Nina, remember what I told you."
Nina looked at her, her eyes growing more serious, and nodded firmly.
"I will remember."
No one else seemed to understand what it referred to, but from Ghislaine's expression and Nina's seriousness, it was important.
Rygar looked at everyone seriously and said:
"Alright. Let's go. A battle awaits us in Milis..."
Aisha replied excitedly:
"Yes!"
But right after, Rygar spoke without even turning his head:
"Once again, you will not fight, Aisha."
The girl puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, puffing up her chest as if gathering courage to protest, but in the end she just huffed and followed the group reluctantly.
As the group departed, Nina and Jino stayed behind. Shortly after, the rhythmic sound of wooden swords clashing echoed once again through the corridors of the Sword Sanctuary.
---
Rygar and his group walked through the mountains, their silhouettes contrasting against the open sky as the cold wind blew among the rocks.
Aisha was enthusiastically explaining exactly how she had established a branch of the Legion in the city around the Sword Sanctuary.
Ghislaine asked how she had managed it, and she was happy to explain. She spoke as if moving pieces on a chessboard – a game she had loved since childhood.
Her eyes sparkled as she explained how she had organized supplies, recruitment, and patrol routes; she seemed to find it fun.
Eris and Ghislaine, although they didn't understand half of the terms Aisha used, listened attentively, in awe of the girl's confidence.
Rygar smiled at seeing her so enthusiastic. He had always encouraged her to make decisions on her own ever since he noticed that she already understood everything around her.
He believed that Aisha could achieve great feats if she were given guidance, without imposition.
Restricting her to do only one thing would be wasting her talent.
Of course, he only gave her that autonomy after realizing that she was capable of gauging dangers. When the situation got out of her control, Aisha would call Eris.
Until now, no threat had been a match for a Sword King – but if one ever was, Rygar knew she would call him without hesitation.
As they talked and walked, they finally spotted the colossal figure of Ezkalor.
The immense red dragon, with shiny scales and a piercing gaze, exuded constant heat and maintained its imposing presence even at rest.
Several workers were around him, finalizing adjustments on a cell made of thick monster hide and reinforced metal. The structure looked modular, adapted to the dragon's body.
Skoll, the ebony wolf, watched at his side, alert.
Nigav and some other Legion members were there as well.
He approached and Rygar gave him his final instructions. Nigav and the others would be part of the Sword Sanctuary's branch and would not return to Milis immediately.
In recent months, two other Iron Legion members had achieved the rank of Sword Saint.
Rygar left Erathium to forge new weapons, and he already had the necessary funds gathered to pay blacksmiths, thanks to the branch established by Aisha.
After settling the last details and objectives of their stay there, Nigav and company moved away again.
A blacksmith of human appearance but with slightly pointed ears approached when he saw Rygar arrive.
"Congratulations on your victory, Rygar! I knew you were going to win! Hahahaha!" he said with a loud, contagious laugh.
It was Ralphere, a lively old man respected in the Land of the Sacred Sword; he had been a blacksmith for three generations of Sword Gods. Mixed-blood, he had devoted his long life to forging and was the master smith for many young apprentices at the Sanctuary.
Rygar smiled and replied:
"I appreciate it, Ralph... Has the payment been delivered?"
"Yes! Every penny!" Ralphere said, patting his belly.
"But I must admit that the experience of building something like this was even better than the payment! Hahahaha!"
Some other blacksmiths, still cautious around Ezkalor, did not seem as enthusiastic as Ralphere.
Eris approached:
"Rygar! How long will it take us to return?"
Ghislaine also showed curiosity.
"Maybe about a year?" Aisha ventured a guess.
Rygar, while inspecting the supplies and crates strapped to the dragon's body, replied:
"We're not going to make many stops. We should arrive in about six months... or less."
"That fast?!" Eris exclaimed, surprised.
Ghislaine raised an eyebrow. It was hard to believe.
Even though they were traveling by land and with wagons, it had still taken three years from the Great Forest to the far north of the Central Continent.
Six months seemed impossible.
Rygar just smiled:
"I believe that time can be reduced with practice..."
Then, with an agile movement, he leaped onto Ezkalor. Skoll followed quickly, and Rygar secured him with the reinforced straps custom-made for the wolf.
Eris, without ceremony, scooped Aisha into her arms and leaped as well. Shortly after, Ghislaine jumped, landing softly on the cell.
The blacksmiths instinctively began to step away from the area. The heat around Ezkalor intensified with each beat of his wings.
Rygar then spoke, his voice firm:
"Come on, Ezkalor. Fly steadily."
And in a whisper, he added:
"The journey will be long now..."
Ezkalor then beat his wings forcefully, and the dry, heavy sound cut through the air as if there were thunder in the surroundings.
The impact of the wind swept across the stone platform and rattled hair, cloaks, and tools around.
The blacksmiths retreated in awe, many keeping their gaze fixed on the majestic creature, admiring the imposing sight of the immense red dragon taking flight.
As he gained altitude, Ezkalor released a deep, thunderous roar, a reverberation that echoed throughout the Sacred Sword region.
It was a farewell roar, and the mountains returned the call with lingering echoes.
Eris held Aisha in her arms, and both were enjoying it. The wind cut across their faces, their hair danced wildly, but their excitement was visible.
Riding a dragon never lost its charm. Rygar had to agree.
Ghislaine, on the other hand, remained further back, leaning beside Rygar on the reinforced cell.
Her eyes, one with a red iris and the other with a green iris, were fixed on the Sanctuary that was now receding slowly.
She watched it in silence, with a calm expression, yet heavy with nostalgia.
That place had been her home during her youth, her refuge, and the place where she honed her skills and found herself. Now, it was even more than that.
Rygar simply looked forward. His gaze was steady, determined. Seated with a calm yet vigilant posture, seeing only the path ahead.
Everyone there had changed. Everyone knew it would probably be a long time before they returned to that place, if they ever did.
Aisha, once just an intelligent and precocious girl, had begun to show the traits of a leader and an exceptional mage.
She had learned to fight in real battles and had made new friends. Her passion for knowledge and magic was now a sharp weapon against anyone who opposed her.
Eris had become a true warrior. Not only strong, but also focused and disciplined.
She matured as a swordswoman and as a woman. Her impulsiveness still existed, but it was now guided by a more solid sense of purpose and responsibility.
Ghislaine, who had stagnated for years, finally began to move forward again. The confidence that had been broken was rebuilt with each step and led her to surpass the other two Sword Emperors.
But it was Rygar who changed the most.
The swordsmanship he commanded was now on another level. Under the teachings of the world's greatest masters, he not only refined his technique, he surpassed them all, becoming the Sixth World Power.
But beyond that, he had become more serene. Sharper. More mature.
He learned more and more to observe, to think, and to act at the right moment. Many truths in this new world, once nebulous, now presented themselves clearly.
He had evolved not only in strength, but in understanding. He was more self-assured, and his determination to follow the path he chose had been forged by the fire of hardships.
He lost Eidar, a long-time friend. He had been ambushed by Milis, and by assassins hired by them, like Larax.
He made allies. He made enemies. All of it shaped who he was now. A warrior not only in strength, but in conviction.
This world didn't wait for you to be ready. You needed to be strong. You needed to be clever. And above all, you needed to be fast. The world changed too quickly for those who hesitated.
Currently, there were three stones in his path.
The Religion of Milis, which was at war with the Great Forest — his homeland and the home of his people.
The Dragon God Orsted, who killed Eidar in cold blood and still carried mysteries that needed to be revealed.
And finally, the Human God, Hitogami.
Badigadi had told him, albeit vaguely, how he had been manipulated by Hitogami to kill his own beloved.
Since then, Rygar's suspicion that he was also behind the war in Milis had only grown. It was only a suspicion. But Rygar wanted to confirm.
For now, he would just enjoy the journey.
Beside his two beautiful wives and his cute disciple, flying above the clouds, crossing the continent on the back of the fierce red dragon. Ezkalor tore through the skies, leaving a trail of wind and heat behind him.
Fatigue finally overtook him.
As the mountains became nothing more than distant specks and the sky his temporary home, Rygar rested his head on Ghislaine's lap.
The warmth of her body, the constant sound of Ezkalor's wings, Aisha's laughter in the background... They were probably his last moments of peace before arriving in Milis.
But then, he woke up.
To his annoyance, he was in a place he knew well.
An infinite white void stretched before his vision.
-----
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