During the journey, Arion began to wonder: where were they actually going?
From the start, Savior had never given a clear answer. They simply kept walking—through valleys, across forests—as if time itself held no meaning. Eventually, Arion's long-suppressed curiosity pushed him to ask.
Savior, walking ahead while lazily swinging his black staff and occasionally striking at tall grass like a child playing in a garden, replied with a light tone that clashed with the weight of their circumstances.
"We're headed to the city of Niagara, to meet a Master Alchemist," he said casually. "But we must hurry… before the city's authorities tighten their watch after hearing about the Prince's miraculous escape from the execution platform."
But before Arion could respond, Savior suddenly froze.
His body stiffened on the narrow path flanked by dense trees.
"Why did you stop?" Arion asked quietly.
Savior didn't answer. He raised one hand and gently pressed it against Arion's lips. "Don't speak," he whispered. "We have company. Hide, Prince."
Without protest, Arion slipped behind a bush. His eyes peered toward Savior, who stood still—calm, almost inviting—like a trap waiting to be sprung.
Silence.
No sound. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Then—WHOOSH!
From above, a veiled woman clad in black swooped down. A massive flaming sword raised high—slashing down toward Savior without mercy.
"Whoa! Easy there, miss!" Savior called out, sidestepping the attack. "You're stronger than you look... especially for a veiled lady."
Strike after strike came like a storm—quick, fierce, and deadly. But within seconds, Savior had read her rhythm. He parried each blow with his black staff—a slender, mysterious weapon that didn't budge an inch.
"What a shame," he muttered, spinning the staff in one hand. "You brought fire... but no reason."
The woman stepped back, eyes gleaming behind her veil. She took a deep breath, then raised her sword high—and at that moment, the red Blessing stone at its base began to glow.
Flames erupted, enveloping the sword completely.
Pyro Blessing—activated.
But Savior only let out a quiet laugh.
"Ahh... finally some heat," he whispered.
From his hiding place, Arion watched in silence. His eyes locked onto the Blessing stone. The glowing Pyro sigil—he recognized it instantly. There was no mistake.
The veiled woman leapt high into the air—her sword crashing downward with full force.