It's been nearly six months since I started living alone in this village. By now, I've become familiar with almost everyone here. I've grown especially close to Mr. Rober. After closing the bar at night, we often sit and talk until midnight. He frequently shares stories of his past. I've learned that Mr. Rober once had a wife and two children. His son went missing, and the younger one died when the village was struck during the invasion of the Dark Destroyer.
I've heard bits and pieces about the "Era of Mist," when the Dark Destroyer reigned. It was a dark and grim time, and Mr. Rober's family was among those affected. He also told me about his son who disappeared after joining the Great War against the Dark Destroyer—a war they called The War for Enlightenment.
I've learned a little about this land through stories from the villagers, most of whom are farmers now but were once soldiers who survived the War for Enlightenment. That's why this village is mostly inhabited by elderly people and women.
Every evening after helping the farmers in their fields, I'm trained by the villagers in combat—sword fighting, archery, axe throwing, and even using the kerambit, a traditional weapon of the village. I've become quite skilled with the kerambit due to the intense and frequent training.
These six months have brought me a sense of peace, and I've even lost the urge to search for my origins. Many nights I lie on the hill under the stars, wondering whether I should leave this village or not. I've asked nearly everyone here about the Elangmada soldiers, but no one has seen them in the past five years. I have no idea where to start looking.
One day, while helping Mr. Rober at the bar, a customer mentioned a soldier from the southern kingdom who was wounded and recovering in one of the villagers' homes. I felt a spark of hope—perhaps this soldier could be a clue leading me to the Elangmada. But my excitement quickly faded. I thought to myself, What would happen to Mr. Rober if I leave? What about this village? If it gets attacked by bandits or mercenaries, will they be strong enough without me?
I kept working and buried that desire deep within me. After a long day at the bar, I sat down with a cup of coffee. Soon, Mr. Rober joined me, sipping his wine.
"What's on your mind, Snekers?" he asked.
"Nothing, sir," I replied.
"Are you still thinking about what you heard this afternoon?"
"How did you know?"
"I've been watching you since then."
"I don't know, sir. I'm just confused about what I should do with my life right now."
"Confused how?"
"I'm thinking about starting the search for the Elangmada soldiers, but I've grown so comfortable here. I don't want to leave this village. What if it's attacked and I'm not here to protect it?"
"So that's what's been weighing on you. Then let me ask you this—what do you want right now?"
I paused. His question echoed in my mind. What do I want right now?
"I don't know, sir. But what I do know is that I want to see the world. I want to witness the beauty of this land, and maybe even beyond. That's what I truly want."
"Then there's no reason for you to stay here any longer."
"But what about you, and the village?"
"Don't worry about us. We're old, and our time is running out. You're still young, and there are so many things waiting for you out there. Live your life to the fullest. And one more thing—this village has a tradition: if someone leaves, they must return during the summer harvest festival to share their adventure on the night of the fireworks."
I smiled, "Alright."
The next morning, I went to meet the soldier from the southern kingdom. He was already recovering and able to walk. I introduced myself and asked if he knew anything about the Elangmada soldiers or the symbol tattooed on my left arm. After a long conversation, he said he didn't know anything about the Elangmada or the symbol. But he mentioned that a wizard in his kingdom might know. Unfortunately, he couldn't return until he completed his mission: to find a flower with nine petals, each of a different color.
I decided to join him on his quest to find the flower, partly out of curiosity and partly because I wanted to see Mount Merverland, where the flower was said to grow—three days' journey from the village.
I stayed with him for about five more days until he fully recovered. His name was John Hair, a 42-year-old combat medic whose duty was to protect and assist the medical corps on the battlefield. This time, he had been tasked by the princess herself to retrieve the flower for a special experiment.
The day I had been waiting for finally came. John Hair was healthy again and could wield his sword. That morning, we stood at the village gate, ready to depart. The villagers gave us plenty of supplies. Mr. Rober handed me a kerambit—his own old one that he no longer used. Before I left, I hugged him.
He said, "This feels just like the day I sent my son off to war."