Afternoon finally rolled around, and Artemest square was packed with people. The square was at the centermost part of the city, right in front of the archon’s palace and the Greatbell. Lilieth and Sibeiya stood at the edge of the crowd, right near the entrance to an alleyway, as they waited for Valery to show up.

  “Why did you follow me here?” Lilieth asked. “You’ve already led me to the Healmage, haven’t you? You don’t have any reason to tag along with me anymore.”

  “Who said I was following you?” Sibeiya scoffed. “I’m just curious about what happened in Zusa. Well, not that it matters to me as long as they don’t cancel the relic festival.”

  Sibeiya was leaning against one side of the alley, and Lilieth on the other. She still seemed grumpy about Lilieth telling Niko about her injuries. Why was she so hung up about that?

  The crowd suddenly began to stir. Lilieth turned to see everyone’s gaze pointed up at the Greatbell tower, which marked the center of Artemest. From this close by, Lilieth could see just how enormous it was. The tower itself was wider than most of the buildings around it, all to host the Greatbell that perched at its top. The crowd was a sea of murmurs as they all waited in anticipation.

  “The Bell of Return is about to ring,” Lilieth said.

  “The bell of what now? Those things have names?” Sibeiya asked.

  Lilieth nodded. “Nobody really knows their origins. The seventeen Greatbells are older than Krysanth itself, and their history has been lost to time. In the past, this land was a bunch of city-states, shrouded in darkness and war. The hero Krysanth went on a journey, going from city to city, uniting each of them under one banner. He would ring the Greatbell in each city, and it’s said that those bells, which were once just ordinary bells, ‘banished the darkness and gave way for unity’.”

  “Banished the darkness? What does that mean?”

  “I’m just repeating what I’ve read in books. No one can really agree on what this ‘darkness’ was, though there are plenty of theories. At any point, the Greatbells are named after Krysanth the hero’s journey, each one signifying a struggle he had to overcome. The Bell of Return represents the moment he had to leave his lover to continue his journey.”

  “That’s depressing. Do all the bells have stories like that?”

  “Most of them.”

  Sibeiya shifted in place, wincing slightly. Even though Niko had used Healing magic on her, she hadn’t fully recovered yet. Niko was level 13. As a First tier Healmage, he couldn’t heal wounds that were too deep inside the body. Apparently, the injuries she received from the wyvern attack was way more severe than even Lilieth had expected, with several broken ribs and whatnot. That earned her quite a scolding from Niko.

  “About sir Niko,” Lilieth said. “Why does he live like that?”

  “What do you mean?” Sibeiya asked.

  “He’s a Healmage. He should be living in a mansion, or have his own estate.”

  The desert girl shrugged. “Probably because of where he set up shop, no? He opened his clinic in the less developed part of the city, closer to the slums than anything. He mainly treats poor folk who couldn’t afford the other places, so he doesn’t charge for much.”

  Lilieth did notice that. When she tried to pay him, she was surprised that he only asked for a few silver vals.

  “He has a good heart,” Lilieth said.

  “Too good, if you ask me. Won’t stop bugging me every time he sees me walking around.”

  “I have a feeling it’s because you get injured a lot. Why didn’t you want to tell sir Niko? I don’t understand it.”

  Sibeiya clicked her tongue. “It’s not like I’m some sort of wuss who’d cry about a scrape or two.”

  “A broken rib isn’t just a ‘scrape’, you know...”

  “I was fine. ‘Sides, it’s nothing compared to the injuries I’d get from Master whenever we train. He’s terrible at holding back...” Sibeiya grimaced as she said that.

  Guillem Spearman. Lilieth’s only met him once, and briefly, too, so she didn’t really know him very well. From the looks of things, though, he didn’t seem like the gentlest teacher.

  It only made Lilieth question why Sibeiya would ever willingly train under a master who, by her own admission, would give her injuries that were apparently worse than a broken rib. What could justify going so far?

  “Is winning the festival that important?” Lilieth asked.

  “Of course it is. If I pass Master’s final test, then I’ll prove that I’ve gotten stronger.”

  “And ... who are you going to use that strength against? Is there someone you’re trying to fight?”

  Sibeiya suddenly pointed a finger at Lilieth. “Only weak people think like that. The only person you can rely on is yourself, and I’ll be damned if I’m letting this world push me around.”

  Lilieth was taken aback by Sibeiya’s forcefulness. One look in her eyes, and she saw a flame burning. And yet, there was something familiar in them. Something Lilieth felt she knew intimately. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

  The Bell of Return swayed, and a moment later, a powerful sound erupted from it, shaking the very air. Lilieth had never been this close to a Greatbell as it rung before, and she didn’t expect it to be this loud.

  At that same instant, she felt a wave of power pulsing through her. The moonsilver lamps that decorated the city streets all came alight with a powerful glow, visible even during midday, before slowly dimming themselves.

  “That shit’s loud!” Sibeiya shouted, her voice barely audible.

  When things had calmed down, a figure stepped onto the podium. Right on time, Valery emerged, overlooking the crowd. Of course, the orange-gemmed sword was sheathed on his waist. The people cheered as he waved to them.

  Valery Kastrionis. Level 39, Second tier. The eldest child of Artemest’s current ruling archon, Hektor Kastrionis. Lilieth remembered hearing at some point that Valery was invited by the Salt King to become one of the heroes. The Salt King of Salcaeli offered the position to any promising Blessed, and it came with tons of benefits. Yet Valery Kastrionis never accepted, choosing instead to remain at Artemest. After all, heroes of the Salt Kingdom were obligated to fight in the demonic front, to repel the waves of demons that came from the infernal continent of Feralter. The fact that Valery stayed made him beloved by the people of Artemest.

  He raised a hand to quiet the people down.

  “In these past few days, you may have heard of certain rumors regarding the capital. About how it was attacked by a vicious beast. Those rumors are, unfortunately, true.”

  The crowd stirred.

  “The monster was a slime-hydra, the likes of which has never been seen before. It was more powerful than any beast I’ve ever laid eyes on. But there is no reason for you to turn your gaze downwards, my friends! For the beast has been slain!”

  Cheers erupted. As Valery moved to silence them again, someone in the crowd shouted, “Did you defeat it, my lord?”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  The people were elated at the prospect, but the young lord shook his head. “I wish it were so. But my meager strength wasn’t enough. I almost lost my life, had it not been for Verlaine of the Hundred Accolades.”

  Lilieth twitched.

  “That’s right, Verlaine the hero. He and his party were the ones to first face it, and with their strength combined, they were able to fell the beast! I hope that rumors of this next news have not spread, and I wish to be the first to tell you of this: Verlaine and his party have been chosen by legendary blades of power! And in his endless generosity, he has seen me worthy to bear one of them!”

  Valery unsheathed the longsword and raised it up high. The people roused in awe at the sight of the beautiful blade. As for Lilieth, she didn’t notice that she gripped her own arm too tightly that it begun to bleed.

  That sword didn’t belong to him.

  It didn’t belong to them.

  “However, I do not bring only good news,” Valery spoke, and the crowd hushed. “The beast was slain, but it wasn’t without sacrifice or loss. Though the city was evacuated, it pains me to say that half of the capital was destroyed in the attack. The people of Zusa have lost their homes. Many of them will have to take refuge in the other megalopoleis, Artemest included. In light of this, I’m sorry to say that the 51st Relic Festival will have to be delayed for a month while we prepare to receive those refugees.”

  The tone of the crowd became more somber and melancholic, with more than a few people lowering their heads. Some others began to quietly complain about the festival being delayed. Lilieth had expected Sibeiya to be one of those people, just surprisingly, she kept quiet, her mouth pulling into a thin, uneasy line.

  “The battle was not without sacrifice, either. Many a life were lost in the chaos, both civilians and heroes. Tragically, even Verlaine’s party suffered great losses. The rumors may have already spread, and it brings me no joy to confirm them. The beast has taken the life of the Peregrine, Talgerda la Logia.”

  “-—Urgh!”

  Lilieth dropped to her knees, covering her mouth as bile threatened to climb up her throat. In that very instant, the moment she heard her name, that memory resurfaced. She hadn’t braced herself for it, so the details returned to her. Dark pools of red. The sound of ripping flesh. The metallic scent of death.

  Stop! Don’t remember!

  “Huh? W-what’s going on with you?”

  She heard Sibeiya’s voice, and admittedly, it helped her ground herself back into the present.

  Calm yourself. Focus on her voice. You’re here, not there.

  Don’t remember.

  Lilieth took a deep breath, and after making sure she was no longer shaking, she stood back up to see a concerned Sibeiya staring at her.

  “I’m fine,” Lilieth assured her. “I just ... ate too much earlier.”

  “...Alright, then.” Sibeiya didn’t seem convinced, but she turned back to the podium.

  “It is a dark day for us all, friends,” Valery said. “But remember that it is her sacrifice that saved us all. Had she not given her life to hold back the beast, Zusa might have lost all its people. Do not cry, everyone. Hold your head high!” Valery raised the sword above him, pointing it to the sky. “In honor of her, I hold this blade! Its name shall be Peregrine, and may it defend this nation for all time!”

  The crowd roared with cheer, a sound so powerful it almost rivalled the Greatbell’s ring. Lilieth did not join, because that declaration was based on lies.

  Olivier Verlaine had lied to everyone. She gave her life to hold back the beast? That creature took her life? What a joke. Lilieth imagined what face Verlaine made as he told Valery that. Surely, he would have worn a face of regret and lamentation, though for the wrong reasons. A fa?ade that said, “I wish I could have saved her”.

  And who wouldn’t sympathize with such a gentle heart? Lilieth herself has done so many times. She knew Verlaine was someone who always put too much on his own shoulders. Whenever tragedy struck, he always had that sort of expression on his face. Like he was on the verge of tears, frustrated at his own inadequacy.

  Were those lies too? How long has he been lying to her? To everyone?

  And now, he gets praised. Exonerated as a glorious hero that saved the day. A humble hero who lamented his own powerlessness at saving his own comrade. With no one being the wiser.

  Valery’s speech continued on as he talked about the city’s plans moving forward, and how the refugees from Zusa were to be handled. Lilieth Lasvenn was not even mentioned once. Of course. If she had been mentioned, the crowd would have simply tilted their heads, wondering who Valery was talking about. Maybe Verlaine never told Valery about her. Maybe she was never worth mentioning to begin with.

  The only person you can rely on is yourself, and I’ll be damned if I’m letting this world push me around.

  Sibeiya had said so. And she was right. Things were like this because Lilieth had become too comfortable relying on others. And because of that, they had betrayed her. Because of that, Lilieth couldn’t do anything but watch as they butchered that person.

  And Lilieth had to be fine with that?

  She looked down at her waist, seeing the bag of coins Spearman had given her. She would go back home to Hesperus and use that fortune to help the village. That was her plan.

  And while she lived a quiet life, those heroes would continue on their adventures. Fighting demons, saving the day. The masses would continue to sing their praises, until one day, they’ll reach the Fourth tier and be worshipped as demigods walking upon the earth. Heroes among heroes, showered with adoration and warmth.

  “...No.”

  She couldn’t let that stand.

  The ones who killed Talgerda could not be allowed to have that life. She won’t let that come to pass, ever.

  Lilieth Lasvenn turned and walked away from the assembly. Sibeiya watched her leave, but didn’t stop her. She was unfamiliar with the layout of the city, but she remembered the way back to that place just fine.

  She passed by the gate, where the guards thankfully let her through, having recognized her from that morning. She walked deep into the forest, retracing her every step exactly, until she finally reached that humble house in the woods.

  Guillem Spearman stood in front of his garden, where he grew all sorts of vegetables. A pail in hand, he was watering his crops with a listless expression.

  “Told you to mind your own business, neskatxo,” Spearman said without even bothering to turn his head.

  Lilieth took a deep breath as she stood in front of him. “Sir Spearman ... no, Master Spearman. I’d like to you train me to fight.”

  Spearman moved just his eyes to look at her. “Denied. Leave.”

  “I’ll give you back your platinum vals. And I’ll pay back the amount I’ve already used.”

  “I don’t have a need for money, and I would not accept even if you offered me all of Krysanth. Leave.”

  Lilieth glared at his dismissive tone. “Why?”

  “My reasons are mine, and mine alone. They are none of your business.”

  “What would I need to do to get you to train me?”

  “Nothing. Leave.”

  “There has to be something. You trained Sibeiya, and other students too. There’s a reason you’re doing it.”

  Spearman breathed out an exasperated sigh. “Why are you bothering me right now? I was sure I made it clear that we are to never have anything to do with each other.”

  “There’s people I need to kill,” Lilieth replied. “Heroes. I’m not strong enough to fight them yet. I need you to make me strong.”

  Spearman finally turned his head to her, eyeing her up and down with an inscrutable gaze. After a moment, he set down the watering pail and crossed his arms.

  He scoffed. “Like I said, you’re an idiot. Getting involved in other people’s shit.”

  “I’m already involved. It’s my business.”

  “Doesn’t matter. The single, smartest option anyone can ever take is to stay away from everything else. By not walking away, you continue to prove yourself an idiot.”

  Lilieth ground her own teeth. She’s never felt this frustrated at someone before. She had spent her whole life being so meek and afraid that it was honestly refreshing.

  “Then, I’ll come back tomorrow,” Lilieth said. “And I’ll ask you again.”

  “My answer will still be the same.”

  “Good,” Lilieth grinned. “Then the day after that, I’ll return. Every time you say no, I’ll walk up right to your door, and begin banging as loudly as I can, all to ask you the same question.”

  Spearman glared at her. “I will skewer you with a fence gate if you ever do that.”

  “Well, unfortunately, it seems I can’t really die.”

  “You’ll tire of it eventually.”

  “I was a priestess, sir. I used to spend my mornings and evening praying for hours on end. I know how to be patient.”

  Lilieth kept her eye contact strong, trying to make sure he knew she wasn’t kidding around. No matter what, she was going to get stronger and learn how to fight.

  Then, suddenly, Spearman grinned. “Fine. But on one condition.”

  “What is it?”

  “I will agree to train you, but if, and only if, you defeat one of my students in a duel.”

  Lilieth’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “It will be a proper duel officiated by me,” Spearman continued. “You are allowed to use spells so long as they aren’t used to directly attack your opponent, and you must fight with a weapon in hand. The goal is to touch your opponent five times with your weapon. The first to reach five wins the duel. Is that clear?”

  A duel. But, wait. She didn’t know how to fight. She came here to learn how to fight. And she was supposed to somehow beat one of his students in a duel?

  “This deal seems unfair,” Lilieth said.

  “It will be the only deal I’ll ever make,” Spearman said resolutely, and Lilieth felt that he was not joking.

  But Lilieth did have a chance. The goal wasn’t to defeat the opponent, but to touch them with her weapon five times. She should be able to do that much, right?

  “Fine, I accept those conditions,” Lilieth said. “Where and when will the duel take place?”

  “Here. Now.”

  Lilieth heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Sibeiya, a harsh look on her face. In one hand was a wooden spear, and in the other, a wooden sword.

  “I was wondering where you went off to,” she said. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this. You’ve got guts, girl.”

  “Miss Sibeiya?” Lilieth said.

  Sibeiya threw the wooden sword at her, which she caught clumsily with both arms rather than her hands.

  “Five times, right, Master?” Sibeiya readied her spear, a battle-hungry smile on her face. Just from that alone, Lilieth was sure that there was no way she was going easy on her.

  Lilieth held the wooden sword unsteadily in her hands. All of a sudden, her muscles felt stiff. She had never used a sword in her life, and she was facing a Shebauno nomad.

  Wonderful.

  Spearman snapped his fingers.

  “Begin.”