East Coral Island, Zerato Harbor—this was merely Green's habitual name for it.
In truth, the town harbor had long since been renamed after Zerato's passing. None of that meant anything to Green, however, and he continued using its old name.
The town was the same. Though the wizard had passed away, the town plan he had laid down would continue to be passed on.
Green strolled through Zerato Harbor at dusk. In the distance, flocks of seagulls wheeled gracefully through the air. The sea surged with the tide, stretching beyond the blazing clouds at the horizon. Half the setting sun showed above the sea, while more than a hundred ships of all sizes lay moored. The old man on lighthouse duty was struggling to carry whale oil, preparing for tonight's watch.
It was here that Green, Yorkris, Yorklianna, Lafi, and Binhanson had once embarked upon the path of wizardry. Innocent and carefree, they had been filled with fantasies about everything on the Wizard Continent, never knowing what tomorrow would bring or what strange new things might happen.
"Uncle, buy an Amandala Flower."
A little boy carrying a flower basket looked at Green with wide eyes. Zerato Harbor had a temperate maritime climate, and though Green had already crossed nearly half the Wizard Continent, winter's bitter chill had yet to arrive here.
"Amandala Flower?"
Green picked up a bouquet of Amandala Flowers, held it to his nose, closed his eyes, and gently inhaled, as though savoring it immensely.
"The flowers are beautiful. Do you know? You carry the same scent as I do—the hazy feeling of the first spring breeze brushing across one's face. Little fellow, do you want to venture beyond the island and see the ocean roar? At the end of the rainbow, ancient treasures lie buried!"
The little