“This is it. Pack up, bring whatever you need for the trip, and we’ll head out.”
Vina clapped her small hand, and the matter was settled.
But Ella noticed the Grand Sage’s expression hadn’t relaxed—instead, it grew even heavier.
This seriousness hadn’t been there before they returned.
It was as if what troubled him wasn’t the issue with the out-of-control mage.
“That, Ella,” he beckoned the girl over.
“Come here.”
“Oh, okay.”
A good girl doesn’t ignore her elders’ words.
She followed the Grand Sage outside, watching him take a deep breath.
“Ella, I know the place you’re going.”
“Huh?”
Ella thought there was some secret.
But the Grand Sage’s next words surprised her.
“She knows too.”
Who—Vina herself?
“It was a winter night a few years ago. At the time, Little Vina had already mastered her studies. We went on official business, so we brought her along.”
The Grand Sage walked to the window, gazing toward the north city gate.
“She was still a normal child back then.”
Ella blinked.
“The place you went for business—is that the same place we’re heading now?”
“That’s right. Ella is really smart.”
“…..”
Being praised felt nice, but why did it feel like being treated as a child?
“The place you’re going is the same as back then, called Herli Town. Everyone in that circle knows it.”
“Herli is a Count of the Kingdom. Going back several generations, his family is related to the current King, which is why he has land so close to the Royal City.”
“There are less than a thousand residents there, but the Count of Herli has nearly a hundred of his own soldiers. Even so, they have problems they can’t handle, so they asked us for help.”
The Grand Sage tilted his head slightly, nostalgia flickering in his eyes.
“It was a minor magic issue, nothing too big. We took care of it while stretching our legs after too long in the Royal City—so we brought Little Vina along.”
It was unclear whether he was nostalgic for the little witch whose morals were still intact back then, or for his own healthier, more energetic self.
“Everything went smoothly. We stayed there a few days, resolved the matter at a leisurely pace.”
“But something happened—or rather, something Little Vina saw in that town. After we returned, she became the person you know today.”
An unexpected trip destroyed the old men’s dreams of raising a model girl in the Magic Court.
The Grand Sage could empathize with that passerby who was burned to death by accident this morning.
Back then, they too had done nothing wrong, yet accidents just happen, suddenly and without warning.
“That’s how it is.”
Ella wanted to ask what exactly had happened, but seeing he didn’t want to talk, she could only reply softly, keeping up her good girl persona.
“My condolences.”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
The Grand Sage choked on her words.
“It’s not that serious. I just wanted to say—this time, since you’re returning to that place, help me watch over her a little.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Ella smiled sweetly.
“We’re companions.”
***
“What is a companion?”
The former Kingdom Chief Sword Saint pulled out a kitchen knife from home and shaved his beard with swift strokes.
He suddenly looked a bit like the man who once conquered the world with a single sword.
“A companion is a complicated yet simple relationship.”
“Why? Because in this world, there are only two fundamental emotions: love and hate.”
“If you love but not that deeply, then terms like friend, companion, or confidant appear.”
“Liking, mutual understanding, goodwill—they’re just different ways of saying not-so-deep love.”
Celes sat upright to one side.
For a moment, she felt like she was back in childhood, listening to Master’s lectures.
Back then, his teachings were always profound, like ‘the sword reflects the heart, the person is like the sword.’
Now the content was just as deep, but somehow odd.
Yet she kept listening because she felt a sense of familiarity.
To put it simply, when she was feeling suppressed, these were the kinds of thoughts she also had.
“Feelings are more or less like that.”
The former Chief Sword Saint sat down, picked up a palm fan and fanned himself, shivering as the winter wind chilled him.
“Got the coffee. You tell me, why did you come to my place?”
Celes suddenly remembered her purpose.
“My sword broke.”
“That’s why, you young people—can’t even figure out love and already break your sword.”
He stood up and walked toward the attic.
“Come on, I’ll find you one to use for now.”
***
The Dragon Hawk soared across the sky, covering dozens of kilometers in no time.
The two Dragon Hawks landed on the outskirts of the town.
Soon, a squad of soldiers surrounded them.
Ella glanced around.
There was nothing wrong with this small town.
Even on the outskirts, the streets and houses were fairly clean.
Many people were sweeping along the street, not even glancing up as visitors descended from the sky—just mechanically keeping their heads down and working.
Among the soldiers, the leading squad captain stepped forward and cupped his fist.
“Miss Vina of the Magic Court, welcome once again to Herli Town. The Count has prepared a banquet at the mansion…”
“No need.”
Vina cut him off coldly before he could finish.
“We’re just looking for a place to stay. Pretend we don’t exist.”
“But…”
The captain wanted to say more, but saw her pull out a large travel bag, then lay out a small blanket, towel, pillow, and a big pack of rations.
“Enough for two days.”
Vina looked at Ella as she spoke.
Her attitude was clear.
The captain was embarrassed to stay any longer.
He could only leave behind, “If you change your mind, the Count is always happy to welcome you,” and led his men away.
Before leaving, he seemed to say something to the people cleaning the street.
Soon after, they came over and cleaned around the abandoned hut thoroughly.
“Thank you,” Ella said softly.
“But it’s unnecessary. We’re just—”
“No need for that. It’s pointless and meaningless.”
Vina spread her blanket, then asked,
“What did the old man tell you? Was it about my past here years ago?”
“Ah, well, he said…that…”
“He probably didn’t say anything important. He doesn’t know what I saw, nor does he understand my thoughts. So whatever he said doesn’t matter.”
The little witch finished setting her blanket, sat down, and began enjoying her snacks.
Ella tentatively moved closer.
“Then…what’s the real reason? Can you tell me?”
“That’s obviously a secret.”
Vina narrowed her peach blossom eyes.
“But if you tell me one of your secrets, maybe I’ll trade with you.”