The adventurer who had insisted Hubert was up to no good suddenly stepped forward. The cloaked adventurer took a step back to dodge his punch, but one of the man's companions grabbed him roughly by the hood. "What are you so pleased about? Don't provoke us!"
The moment he was grabbed, the adventurer reacted. He heard the threat, but didn't stop moving. Grinning, he responded in a way no one would expect from someone being threatened: he slammed backward, driving his shoulder into the man's chest, then kicked him in the knee before he could react. The adventurer snatched his cloak back and unceremoniously hurled the man away. The other adventurer, who was about his height, crashed flat on his back onto a table that was already old and rickety. It toppled at once, breaking into several pieces.
The onlookers fell silent, keenly aware of the adventurer's strength. Fatenai was the most surprised of all, because the adventurer's hood had been pulled off, revealing a weathered face beneath it.
"Wickel?!" The adventurer who had been wearing the hood looked exactly like Wickel. Fatenai was so shocked that the name escaped her.
But that was all she said. After letting her surprise get the better of her, she quickly changed her mind. Ever suspicious, she noticed that this adventurer lacked Wickel's trademark taciturn nature. In fact, he seemed downright warm toward others, the complete opposite of Wickel.
Besides, Wickel was already dead.
"Huh, you know me?" This "Wickel" looked at Fatenai in surprise, leaving her unable to think straight—not even enough to convince herself otherwise.
The adventurers exchanged glances. Helise and Hubert also looked bewildered, unsure what was going on.
"Wickel? Auston?" Fatenai hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively.
"Huh, so you really do know me?" In the Kingdom of Luther, plenty of people had the same first name. When it wasn't clear whether someone was the person you knew, people distinguished them by their surname. Fatenai had only meant to "clear up the misunderstanding," but now it seemed to be growing worse by the moment.
What was going on? Fatenai stood there, unsure what to say.
She clearly remembered burying Wickel's body near the Stone Platform...
"What are you people even focused on right now...? Damn it, Wickel Auston?!" The adventurer who had picked the fight broke the deadlock with a yelp.
Wickel turned his gaze back to the adventurer, a trace of disdain on his face. Grinning, he planted a foot on the chair in front of him. "That's right. It's me. Don't believe it?"
After what had just happened, no one would believe this Wickel was who he claimed to be.
"Wickel of Willondon? He's here in Helurando at a time like this..."
"Willondon? The hometown of heroes? That's a surprise."
"This is a big deal for Helurando..."
Wickel was more famous than Fatenai had imagined, but she had no time to dwell on his reputation. She kept her eyes fixed on him, trying to read his face.
Wickel Auston. That was indeed the name of the Forest Hunter who had died saving her. Yet now another man was using it. He had a completely different personality, but the same appearance—and he didn't seem to know Fatenai.
"No, no, I believe it completely now. Are you with them?" the adventurer asked, still unwilling to give up.
"Of course he's with us." Another voice rang out. It belonged to an old man, whose appearance came into view as the adventurers parted to make way. He had long white hair and wore a gray robe with silver patterns embroidered on the collar. The wooden staff in his hand drew the most attention. "I believe these young people wouldn't do anything to cause trouble."
He was a mage.
"Mr. Forresten!" Helise exclaimed delightedly.
Fatenai didn't know the mage, but thought he might be the reason the two young mages had wanted to come here. Hubert's expression had visibly relaxed, too, which clearly meant he trusted Forresten.
"Forresten of Willondon... Good heavens, what day is it?!"
"He's Forresten of the Starry Radiance now. I haven't seen him in years."
"Two adventurers from Willondon. Looks like Monbach is in for a rough time today..."
"Forresten is famous for his kindness..."
"Hey, Forresten." Wickel was just as delighted to see him. He walked up to Forresten, and the two stood face-to-face. "Your gray robe is still as ugly as ever. You look like a gray otter from the Eisole Forest."
"Are you really planning to take that old cloak to your grave?" Forresten said, reaching out slightly and tapping Wickel on the shoulder with his staff.
The two stared at each other as everyone around them fell silent.
A few seconds later, they both burst out laughing and clapped each other on the shoulders.
"Old friend, you're back from Borelet. I've been waiting ages for you. Rose Month has been such a hassle without you." Forresten and Wickel walked side by side toward a corner, paying no heed to the adventurers around them.
Fatenai stood to one side and watched them head for the corner. She pulled her hood a little lower. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Monbach and his friends hurrying away. Soon they disappeared through the door.
Willondon. She had heard the name not long ago, but had never heard of the place. Now it seemed to mean a great deal to adventurers.
Still... Fatenai quietly moved to a spot in the corner where she would be hard to notice, watching the adventurers' every move. Her brown eyes were lively, but lacked the clear innocence of a child. They tried to take in everything around her.
But in truth, she was thinking about Wickel. Without realizing it, her eyes gradually lost focus, as if she had fallen deep into thought.
"Hello, young lady." Fatenai was lost in thought when someone suddenly called to her. She came to with a start and turned hazily to see Forresten looking at her. Wrinkles covered the old man's face, and he made no effort to hide the kindness in his eyes.
Fatenai glanced at the others, too. Helise seemed to have a hint of anticipation on her face, while Wickel looked curious.
"Hello," Fatenai replied. She wasn't especially warm, but her tone was polite.
"The children told me you live alone in the Eisole Forest. That's hard to imagine," Forresten said. "Are you a Forest Hunter, too?"
Fatenai certainly didn't believe Helise and Hubert were Forresten's own young relatives. Along with the whispers from the adventurers who had been watching earlier, it made her think he might be a highly respected teacher at a school. That was indeed the case. The Eye of Connection showed no strong signs of mana gathering around the mage, but the mana around him moved with his gestures.
"Technically, yes. I heard Mr. Wickel is a Forest Hunter, too?" Fatenai looked up at Wickel.
"Huh? That's right." Wickel hadn't expected Fatenai to suddenly turn her attention to him, so he answered.
"Then where's your cabin? Is it in the Eisole Forest?" Fatenai asked.
"I don't have a fixed cabin. I travel around the Carmel area a lot, so you could call me a wanderer. I go back to the Eisole Forest during Rose Month to help Forresten," Wickel answered.
"You really don't live in the Eisole Forest?" Fatenai couldn't help asking.
"I really don't." Wickel smiled warmly, his expression open and hearty. It softened his weathered face considerably. If he really were the Wickel Fatenai knew, she would have found it impossible to believe. "You seem to have a friend who looks a lot like me?"
Fatenai abandoned her earlier idea and replied, "No. I mistook you for someone else. It has nothing to do with you."
"How cold." Wickel smiled, not the least bit offended. He turned to Forresten and remarked, "Still, it's rare to see a Forest Hunter so young. I thought she'd be a mage."
The two adventurers readily accepted how young Fatenai was. Even though no one could tell how she looked beneath her hood, they didn't care that her identity seemed full of inconsistencies.
Forresten didn't seem bothered at being left out, either. "A young Forest Hunter is truly astonishing. If she were a mage, I doubt the school would let her slip by."
So they could tell I couldn't use mana... Fatenai felt a little helpless. As the two men resumed their conversation, she decided there was nothing more for her to do here.
She couldn't join in when the topic was magic, even though the one who had summoned her was a powerful mage...
Only then did she realize Merlin was gone. The tavern had returned to its original "calm," and the noise was as loud as before.
"Arthur, I'm outside." Just then, Fatenai heard Merlin's voice. It sounded right beside her ear, but no one else could hear it.
"What are you doing outside?" Fatenai glanced around. She considered asking, but in the end held back, speaking in a hushed voice instead.
"Looking for a potion that will let you use mana," Merlin replied.
The answer surprised Fatenai.
"I don't think you need to do that." Fatenai thought it over. In the end, she didn't argue with him by bringing up Arthur. In the tales of King Arthur, Merlin had always been the only powerful mage. The knights were merely warriors who wielded swords.
"Until you can draw the Sword in the Stone, training is necessary," Merlin said. "And this is the path you chose. I think I should offer you some help."
Fatenai fell silent, then suddenly noticed what Forresten was saying.
"Since you're here, why don't you come investigate with us? We still have enough time." Forresten said this as he looked at Helise and Hubert, and Fatenai felt that his words included her as well.
Before you continue