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Volume 1 officially ended Chapter 54 and Bordeaux finally manifests in the Cardinal World. And is about to meet Veldora the Storm Dragon đ
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Shizue lingered where Bordeaux had vanished, her gaze fixed on the empty air.
A small smile slowly formed on her lips.
She reached for her mask, fingers curling around it, ready to put it back on but then she stopped.
Something felt⊠strange.
Ilfrit wasn't pushing back.
There was no pressure in her chest, no raging heat clawing at her consciousness. For the first time she could remember, her body felt light. Free. Almost fragile in a way she had never experienced before.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"âŠWhat's happening?" she murmured.
Bordeaux's words surfaced in her mind.
You won't understand until a few minutes later, but you can thank me with a kiss when I get a physical body.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
"You might have been joking, Bordeaux-san," she said quietly. "But⊠I promise. When I see you again, I'll give you a firm kiss."
Her face turned even redder.
"âŠBut will I even have the courage?" she added softly.
Almost unconsciously, her hands rose to her cheeks as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"I don't knowâŠ"
Suddenly, she straightened, stiffening.
"What am I doing?" she muttered.
The realization hit her all at once.
She had never allowed herself moments like this. Born into a war-torn era, happiness had never been something she could afford. And after Ilfrit had been forced into her body, she had suppressed what little emotion she had left because any fluctuation risked losing control.
But nowâŠ
Ilfrit wasn't fighting her anymore.
And there was no doubt in her mind that Bordeaux had something to do with it.
"Did Bordeaux negotiate with Ilfrit⊠so I could be free?" she wondered.
The thought lingered until she finally took a proper look around her.
Her breath caught.
The ground before her was scorched black, the earth cracked and broken. A massive crater stretched out ahead, the land carved away as if something catastrophic had struck it head-on.
It looked as though Veldora himself had unleashed his blast breath upon the forest.
"âŠWhat kind of battle occured here?" she whispered.
Her eyes traced the devastation.
"Is this what a normal battle between a demon and a spirit looks like�"
She swallowed.
"Unbelievable."
---
Three days later.
In the Kingdom of Blumund, a firm knock echoed against the door of the guildmaster's office.
"Come in," Fuze called.
The door opened, and a short, blond adventurer stepped inside. He gave a polite nod.
"Excuse my intrusion, Guildmaster."
Fuze looked up and smiled faintly. "I welcome an intrusion from one of our A-Rank adventurers anytime, Summer."
The man named Summer returned the smile thinly. "In that case, I won't be kind."
Fuze straightened slightly. "I see. So, what brings you here today? You almost never come to see me, so it must be important."
"It is," Summer replied seriously. "About three days ago, I was completing a request near the Jura Forest. That's when I heard it."
Fuze's brows knit together. "Heard what?"
"Battle," Summer said. "I thought about getting closer but my instincts screamed at me not to. So I listened."
He paused.
"A few moments later, there was an explosion. One that covered most of that area of the Jura Forest."
Fuze broke into a sweat. "That massive?"
"Not just massive," Summer said. "Dangerous. I've never witnessed the Ancient Dragon Veldora's blast breath myself, but⊠I don't think it would be far off from what I felt."
Fuze's thoughts spiraled.
"Did you find the source?" he asked quickly.
Summer shook his head. "No. I waited until the sounds stopped, just to be sure it was safe. When I finally went inâŠ"
He hesitated.
"âŠThere was nothing. No trace of the combatants. Just utter devastation."
Summer continued, his tone steady but serious. "I wanted to continue the investigation myself. But judging by the terrain alone, the monsters that were battling there were anything but ordinary. I decided it was better to return immediately, make a report, and wait for further instructions from you."
Fuze leaned back slightly, fingers pressing against his temple. "Is there any chance it could've been Veldora?"
Summer shook his head without hesitation. "I doubt it, Guildmaster. If Veldora had broken free from his seal, it would've become public knowledge the moment it happened."
"I know," Fuze muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "That was just me reaching." He exhaled slowly. "Honestly, it would've been better if it was Veldora. Even if we couldn't do anything about it, at least we'd know the cause." His eyes hardened. "I absolutely despise the unknown."
Summer nodded. "Then what are the next steps, Guildmaster?"
Fuze straightened. "Summer, I'm putting you in charge of this operation. Assemble your own team and launch a full investigation." He paused, then added, "Make it clear to anyone you recruit that this is official guild business. I don't want rumors or exaggerated stories spreading."
"Yes, Guildmaster," Summer said as he rose from his seat.
"Summer," Fuze added before he could leave.
Summer turned back.
"Be careful out there," Fuze said firmly. "If the threat proves too great, or if poking your nose becomes too risky, retreat. Your lives are more important than any mission."
Summer gave a sharp nod. "Understood."
He exited the office, the door closing softly behind him.
Fuze slumped back into his chair, staring up at the ceiling. "âŠIt's just one thing after another with this world."
He reached for a caller and dialed.
After a brief pause, the call connected.
"Fuze," a voice said. "Why are you calling me?"
"King Drum," Fuze replied. "We need to meet. It's important."
There was a short silence on the other end. "Come to the castle," King Drum finally said.
"Alright," Fuze replied, ending the call.
He stood, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door, leaving the office behind.
---
Elsewhere, within an elegant castle, Zonda cautiously made his way toward Violet's wine cellar. Strange sounds had reached his ears, and he already had a suspicion he didn't like.
He peeked inside.
"âŠI knew it."
"BORDEAUX!" Zonda shouted. "You're trying to steal Violet-sama's wine again!"
Bordeaux glanced over casually, one hand already hovering over a rack of bottles. "Chef, steal is a very strong word," he said calmly. "I'm merely borrowing."
Zonda's eye twitched. "When you borrow something, you bring it back! And according to my knowledge, you've never once returned any of the wine you take!"
Bordeaux continued trailing his fingers along the bottles, unfazed. "Relax. Violet is my sister. She understands."
"No, she doesn't!" Zonda snapped. "She literally fumes every time you do this!"
Bordeaux waved him off. "That's just her personality."
"No, it's not," Zonda shot back. "You barely even know her."