220: The harder it gets, the more important a smile becomes

The mage Eva was remembering the past.

(Our upbringing in the "Hermit's Garden." A hidden village that gathered orphaned children with magical talent and raised them. I showed promise there, but never became a hermit—was banished to the outside world.)

While Craft and the others debated fiercely, she remained silent, lost in thought.

(I thought I’d been exiled—but the last thing I heard was, “Find the world’s secret, and return home.”)

She pushed her thoughts further.

(But if I was put to sleep and sent out, I wouldn’t know the village’s location.)

Eva wondered if the world’s secret the Hermit’s Garden sought wasn’t the World Tree after all.

(…So that’s it. If we’re chasing the world’s secret, we’ve gotta be able to get back to the Hermit’s Garden as easily as breathing. The test isn’t finding the secret—it’s realizing it and returning to the village!)

It might not be the right answer, but that’s what the instinct of a mage whispers.

All the chatter from Craft and the others just circles in place. At least with the Hermit’s Garden, it wouldn’t be strange to find info on the World Tree.

Eva steeled herself and stood up.

◆

To bring Kyle back, we need a leaf from the World Tree—but we don’t know how to find one.

We’re shouting back and forth, arguing like mad. Talking about how to search for a World Tree that might not even exist? Pointless.

After sitting in silence this whole time, Eva stood.

“One possibility.”

Everyone froze for a second, then turned to look at her.

Was it the mark of the Sage whispering something to me?

"Back when I was younger, I lived in a hidden village where mages dwelled. They called it the Hermit's Garden."

This time, Master Javir shot to his feet.

"What? A hidden village of mages? …Ugh, so the legends were true—there really is a hidden village for alchemists and mages."

"I don't know about the alchemists' village. But the mage's village does exist."

"Hmm. A shocking truth."

Come to think of it, I’ve heard rumors about a hidden alchemist village. But a mage village too?

"Eva. So if we go there, we can get info on the World Tree?"

"No proof. Just… I think there’s something hidden there. Something worth knowing."

If it's a hidden village, it's not exactly hiding information, is it?

"But honestly, right now, there's not a single clue. Please, guide us!"

If there's even a chance, I'll try everything in sight!

"That's the thing... I don't know where the village is."

"...Huh?"

"I'll skip the details, but I woke up in a town inn, asleep. Same when I entered the village."

"Even secrets have limits..."

"From here on out, it's just my guess—but I think the real test is returning to the village on your own. That’s how you prove you’re worthy of the elders' knowledge."

No hesitation in Eva’s face. She’s sure about this.

A village full of mages—there’s gotta be some info hidden in there.

Stuck in a dead end. Can’t think of any other option.

I’d be happy to take that offer. Right now, looking for the World Tree blindly seems harder than finding an actual village full of mages.

A few people nodded. Eva scowled.

“You’re saying that yourself? You really think I’ll believe you?”

“Of course. You’re a trustworthy ally, aren’t you?”

She turned her head away and muttered, “Is that so?” But her profile was flushed, just a little. She wasn’t used to this kind of trust. Not when she first met us—she didn’t trust people easily. Maybe I should ease her mind a bit more.

“Yeah. I trust you completely.”

“W-what!? Hey! That’s going too far! Are you mocking me!?”

“Ah. Sorry. Didn’t mean it like that.”

I quickly apologized, flustered by Eva’s sudden red face and anger.

Nuh. Backfired, huh...

"Anyway! If we're looking for the hidden village, I'm all in!"

"O-oh. Good to hear."

I glance around.

"I'm in on this, but what about the rest of you?"

Jabir was the first to reply.

"I agree. There's nothing else we can do right now. And I'm curious about the hidden village of mages."

"Wait—do you really mean to come along, teacher!?"

"Indeed. This time, I can't stay behind. Who knows what you'd get yourself into on your own."

"But teacher, you're terrible at fighting."

"True. I'll be a burden, but I'm not worried as long as I'm with you all."

Then Leifan nodded firmly.

"True. With you around, Craft can't go off the rails."

"What?! What's that supposed to mean!?"

Am I really being looked at like that!?

"Craft... you should really start having a little more awareness."

The ones not in Mizuho's group all nodded along, yeah, yeah.

Van smiled, rubbing his chin.

"Fine. We'll go with the plan to find that hidden village or whatever. Craft and Javir are on the scouting team. As for the rest of the group, bring Jitarou along."

"Wait? I mean, if you ask him, he'll probably follow, but—"

"Of course I'll come!"

"...Well, as you can see, why'd you pick me?"

I shot a glance at Van, who just turned his mouth into a frown.

"That face. How long are you planning to keep that grimace?"

"Huh?"

I frantically touched my own cheek, wondering if I really looked that tense.

"Your strength is always finding joy, no matter what. Take Jitarou with you. Get that smile back."

"Am I really that tense?"

"Yeah, I can't watch this. Got a lot on my mind, but just enjoy yourself."

Easy enough to yell, "How the hell am I supposed to enjoy myself when Kyle’s on the verge of dying?!" But as Van said, scowling won’t fix anything. If anything, it’ll only make it worse.

"...Yeah. If I just mope around blaming myself, Kyle wouldn’t be happy. And besides, Kyle’s sealed away. Better to take it slow and steady than to panic."

"Exactly."

Van nodded hard, then went on.

"Still, I’ve got something else for Raidock. Can’t have him in the scouting group."

"Wha—?!"

"Guarding the envoy to the Empire. Hardly anyone from my Holy Knights can be spared for long. Raidock’s the one for this. Eva’s already decided to join the scouting group, so I’ll leave the rest of the party assignments to you."

The force I’d been counting on. Still, honestly, who else could handle guarding an envoy all the way to the Empire? I turned to Raidock. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Your Majesty. I’ll assign the Casper sisters to Craft. Myself and Solar will guard the envoy. But I ask permission to bring along a trusted party."

"Granted."

"Thank you."

"Raidock. Who do you plan to take with you?"

"Who else? Bep and Bardack and Moda’s party, obviously."

"Ah. Then I’m at ease."

Raidock’s old party members—now all elite warriors with heraldic marks. They’re reliable in every way.

“Some from my Holy Knight squad’ll come too. Should be enough manpower. Too many, and movement gets awkward.”

Smart of Van. He knows the risks of pushing into uncharted lands.

“About the rest of the team—”

Maina cut in before Van could finish.

“I’m going too!”

Adventure? Fired! ⑦ Hype at full blast!

6/7, Comic version of “Fired Alchemy” Vol. 5 hits shelves!