Reunion

The fact that Ethan had become the Archmage was featured prominently in the newspaper.

So neighbors often stopped by our house to offer their congratulations.

“Hello, I’m Lodoz, researching Felrozka magic tools next door. I came because I heard that Ethan has become an Archmage.”

“Oh, please come back another time. Ethan is currently meeting with the Tower Master.”

“I see. But living together with the Archmage—are you Ethan’s wife?”

“I’m Ethan’s younger sister, who’s been living here with him for nine years.”

“Ohh, I see. I’m sorry, I’ve just been so absorbed in my research… By the way, are you interested in Felrozka magic tools?”

“No. But I am interested in a different magic tool. The one Ethan’s been researching all this time. He just succeeded and says he’ll bring it soon.”

Just because Ethan had become the Archmage didn’t mean I could leave immediately.

Theo had to make a magic tool capable of condensing that massive amount of mana. Only by holding that could I move around freely.

So Ethan often made contact with Theo under the pretense of joint magic tool research.

And since their research had been quite successful, today I received word that the tool was finally complete.

“I see. But I’d be grateful if you’d also show some interest in Felrozka magic tools. Shall I explain a bit?”

In other words, the time had finally come for me to leave the Magic Tower and go out into the world.

“Someday I’ll show some interest.”

I grinned while wearing the finest clothes I’d bought at the wizard’s shop.

“But right now would be a bit inconvenient.”

Anyway, since that wizard had absolutely no interest in me either, I didn’t feel the slightest guilt and turned to look in the mirror.

Long silver hair, gently curved green eyes that still looked kind, a soft and cute-looking face.

But clearly, my height and limbs had gotten longer compared to before.

My grandfather had once said that even though I was small as a child because I took after my mother, I’d reach average height when I grew up—and it turned out to be true.

Unlike when I first entered the Magic Tower, I had now grown into a pretty average-height beauty with a cute face.

“It’s just that now, I need to go outside.”

At my words, the wizard opened his eyes wide with genuine curiosity and asked:

“Outside? Why go out to such a dangerous and boring place? The Magic Tower is so comfortable, peaceful, and fun. If you’re bored, shall I explain the principle behind Felrozka magic tools?”

“Hmm…”

I held a copy of this morning’s newspaper in my hand.

A dreamlike fantasy cruise with the Entoho! Sets sail this afternoon!

Below the headline stretched a long article, stating that the four major Duchies, most of the noble families, and even the Empress Dowager would board the ship.

In the list of key attendees printed in the article, I confirmed the names: ‘Ray Lavendal’, ‘Yuta Orgon’, ‘Julian Noart’, and even ‘Zahid Dyfenril’.

“Still, I want to go see the people who are precious to me.”

I smiled softly as I grabbed the boarding pass for the cruise party that the Tower Master had secured for me a few days ago.

Twenty-one years old. I was finally able to go out into the world.

“I also want to be there in case something difficult happens, so I can help.”

Since I had returned at twenty-two, I still knew a bit about the future.

And on top of that, I could use the powers of Water and Grass.

I’d used those powers once at the Imperial Palace, and they were amazing!

Even without a divine oracle, I could understand why the Temple coveted Divine Beasts—their power was just that useful.

I smiled and stretched out my arms.

“Hopefully, I can make it in time.”

If I got the magic tool from Ethan now and left, I’d just barely be able to board that ship.

That ship that my precious people were soon going to board—the Entoho.

* * *

The Entoho set sail amid a storm of attention.

As the massive cruise ship glided out over the sea, colorful fireworks filled the sky in a dizzying display.

“Wow, it really is huge. The four major Duchies are all attending, and even the Empress Dowager is aboard.”

“Even a third-class ticket cost a fortune. It’s insane.”

Caliban did not board the ship. He simply stood at the harbor, watching the Entoho’s silhouette disappear for a long time.

‘I hope they succeed… but it’s going to be really hard.’

To stop the Temple’s schemes, those young ones had boarded that ship, putting their lives on the line.

‘The brat worries me the most. He’s got the most dangerous role.’

Even as an adult, Zahid was always a “brat” in Caliban’s eyes.

Caliban sighed and stared out at the Entoho as it sailed into the sea.

Even after nine years, Caliban was still healthy—if anything, his anger and passion had grown stronger, making him seem more alive.

‘Still, it’s true that things are better than they were nine years ago. Everyone worked so hard, saying they didn’t want to be ashamed when Rosie returns.’

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Caliban had never forgotten that day. The day they, lacking the power to protect her, had sent little Rosie away to the Magic Tower like a fugitive…

‘Until the High Priest dies safely and our Rosie is safe, I will keep walking forward—no matter how slow my steps—without ever stopping.’

Caliban clenched his teeth as he gazed at the massive ship.

* * *

The Entoho’s cabins were divided into four types.

Special class, First class, Second class, and Third class.

In terms of floor levels: Third class was on the first floor, Second class on the second, First class on the third, and Special class occupied the top—fourth—floor.

The Special class cabin was the only one on the fourth floor, prepared for the Empress Dowager.

High-ranking nobles stayed in First class, the rest of the nobles in Second class, and common passengers in Third class.

‘Hmm…’

I looked up from the Third class deck and thought to myself.

‘They really spent a lot of money on this.’

First and Second class cabins were limited to nobles only. That meant you had to reveal your name, which made sneaking in unfeasible.

In the end, the Tower Master had borrowed the name of a commoner wizard and got me a Third class ticket.

‘Still, just being able to move around freely like this is already something.’

I gently touched the ring on my index finger.

‘Seriously, thank goodness.’

This plain-looking ring, the product of Theo and Ethan’s collaboration, was a magic tool that could conceal most of my divine power. As long as I wore it, I didn’t have to worry about my identity being exposed.

“Rosie’s divine power is really amazing right now.”

“How amazing?”

“If you injected it with full force, you could probably shut down every magic tool on the Entoho.”

“Wow, my divine power really is impressive.”

“My mana, which can conceal that incredible divine power, is also really impressive.”

That was how Ethan and I ended our last conversation—with mutual praise for ourselves.

Since the magic tool had been completed just before the Entoho departed, there hadn’t been any time to contact the others in advance.

‘The incident will happen on the fourth day after departure.’

That day also happened to be… my birthday.

I stood on the Third class deck, looking out at the sea, lost in thought.

‘I wonder if everyone’s doing okay up there.’

From the ticket prices to the cabin assignments, everything was divided by status. People in Third class couldn’t even see those in Second or First class.

After boarding, I had slipped a gold coin to one of the crew members and made a request.

“Please deliver this letter to Duke Zahid ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Dyfenril.”

But the crew member startled and refused immediately.

“According to policy, there is absolutely no interaction between cabins. And we’re also not allowed to accept personal items like this.”

“How incredible. The Entoho crew must have received extremely thorough anti-bribery training. Impressive.”

Though we were technically on the same ship, they’d divided us strictly by class.

“Hmm… but if you delivered this, the Duke might give you a great reward.”

“I’m sorry. The greatest reward in my life is the massive salary I receive from the Entoho.”

“Wow, resisting momentary temptation and staying true to your duties—you’ll go far in life. Whatever you do from now on, I hope you never lose that pure spirit.”

“…Thank you?”

Typical of the Entoho, where money had been poured into every corner.

Just the fact that every passenger and crew member had been given a floating life bracelet showed the sheer scale of the operation.

So I decided not to bother the diligent workers unnecessarily.

‘It’s also impossible to contact through the Divine Beasts.’

According to the newspaper article, Yuta and Julian were boarding at the next stop, the Port of Bellot.

Which meant Yuta and Liri hadn’t boarded the Entoho yet.

‘Ray probably didn’t bring his Divine Beast for this mission. And I’m not Fire’s master yet…’

In the end, even though I was the owner of two Divine Beasts, there was nothing I could do for now.

‘But this operation is too difficult, and the potential casualties are high. Especially Zahid—he’s someone I absolutely must help.’

But I’m the type of person who doesn’t act rashly unless I’m confident. So I decided to stay still for now.

However—on the third day—

An unexpected opportunity came to me.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep