Finally, after what felt like an endless but eventful journey, Thale arrived at the gates of the city of Mozam.
An imperial convoy greeted them there.
The old man from the Vessel shouted, "How have we not found them yet?"
"We've searched the trail a dozen times, sir!" another soldier replied, frustration in his voice.
The old man rubbed his eyes, exasperated. "We'll do it again! Ready another search. We must find the missing people—Yukki and the noble lady Nyla!"
"There's no need for that!" Yukki called as he ran over to the convoy. "It's good to see you all made it!"
The soldiers fell silent, stunned.
"Y-Yukki!?" a young male soldier exclaimed. "You actually made it back safe! And you don't even look hungry or hurt!" He hugged Yukki tightly.
The other soldiers crowded around him, lifting him into the air, calling him a mad lad for his efforts.
They turned their attention to Nyla. "It's great to see you're back safe too, but you should really go greet your father, ma'am," another soldier suggested.
Nyla paused, glancing back at Yukki. "Is it okay if Yukki comes along? I'd like for him to meet my father."
The young soldier shook his head. "No can do, ma'am. We've gotta get him back to school. I apologize for any inconvenience."
Nyla nodded. "This young man, Kaito, also aided us. Without him, I'm sure we wouldn't have made it."
The old soldier extended his hand. "If you're as brave as she says, you should enroll in Yukki's school. The empire could use brave soldiers like you."
Kaito waved him off. "Not interested in being a soldier."
The old man looked disappointed. "Then get your ass down to the Adventurer's Guild and register if you're serious," he barked.
Nyla tapped Kaito's arm. "You should accompany me to meet my father. I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet you."
Kaito nodded. "Sure. I'm not really doing anything else."
They approached Yukki, who was getting ready to climb back into the Vessel.
Yukki nodded at Kaito. "Thanks for everything, Kaito."
Nyla smiled at Yukki. "I had a lot of fun. Thank you for allowing that adventure."
Yukki chuckled. "I didn't really allow it; Kaito just kind of showed up and did as he pleased."
Kaito laughed along. Yukki then turned serious. "Next time we meet, though, I want to see what kind of person you've turned into. You're weird but impressive."
Kaito beamed. "I know how you feel, Yukki. Your magic is crazy!"
Yukki smiled as he climbed onto his ship. "Who knows? Next time, I might have to arrest you."
"Where are you going, anyway?" Kaito asked.
"I'm going back to my school, Elysian," Yukki replied.
Kaito grinned. "I'll be sure to visit."
Yukki laughed but then straightened. "Please don't. You're going to cause trouble," he warned.
With that, Yukki left with the soldiers.
Kaito and Nyla began walking through the town together. Kaito looked around, astonished by the towering buildings surrounding him.
Mozam was a city unlike anything he had seen before. Somehow, the lights illuminated the streets without fire, and vehicles drove by, blowing his mind.
Kaito's wonder was interrupted when Nyla spoke. "May I ask what you plan on doing after this?"
"I'm going to hear what your dad has to say about the treasure, then continue my adventure," he answered, still captivated by the sights.
Nyla sighed. "That's a shame. I've rather enjoyed your company."
Kaito smiled. "I enjoyed your company too, Nyla."
Nyla laughed. "That's wonderful news!"
"Would you be interested in being a guard by any chance? You'd make an amazing one," she offered.
"Not really interested in that," Kaito replied.
Nyla chuckled softly. "I had a feeling you would say that."
"This is it," she said as they arrived at a grand location.
Kaito looked at the manor in awe, his jaw dropping. "This is a house!?"
Nyla lived in a manor of immaculate size that blew Kaito's mind.
"I know, right? It's one of the smaller ones we use," she said, walking toward the front door.
Kaito followed, bewildered. "How is this small?!"
Nyla knocked, and a tired man opened the door, looking as if he hadn't slept in days.
"Go away! If you don't have news of my daughter, I don't want to hear it," he said without glancing at them.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and finally looked down to see Nyla.
The man fell to his knees and pulled her close. "NYLA!" he shouted, tears streaming down his face. "Thank the gods you're safe! I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost you!"
Nyla cried too. "It's good to see you too, Father. My journey was scary, but I'm safe."
He smiled broadly, pulling away to get another look at her. "Where are those imperial chums? I'm going to give them a piece of my mind!"
Nyla laughed. "It's fine. Yukki, the young man tasked with serving me, did wonderfully," she reassured her father.
He sighed in relief.
Nyla stepped aside to introduce Kaito. "This young man also helped."
Kaito waved kindly.
Her father looked at him sharply. "His name is Kaito. He has a question regarding—"
Nyla was snatched by her father mid-sentence.
"What is he doing here?!" he shouted defensively, confusing Nyla.
Kaito felt bewildered but held his hand out in peace. "It's nice to meet you," he said, waiting for a handshake.
Nyla's father relaxed slightly. "It appears you are not that man," he said, easing Nyla and Kaito's tension.
"You must be that sick man's child!" he yelled.
Kaito stepped back, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Perhaps you have him confused with someone else?" Nyla suggested.
Her father positioned himself protectively in front of her. "Save your excuses!" He stared Kaito down.
He then yanked Nyla back. "What are you doing with a Kaya?!" he shouted.
Kaito's heart slammed against his chest as realization hit. He opened his mouth to speak but froze when Nyla said, "No, Father, you're wrong! Kaito couldn't be one of those people."
Kaito looked at her, shocked. "Those people?"
Nyla grabbed Kaito's arm. "Those people are disgusting! There's no way you're one of them, right?" She held his hand tightly.
Her father pulled her back again. "Look at him! His white hair, red eyes, dark skin—he's the spitting image of that man, Sun!"
Hearing his father's name only deepened Kaito's confusion.
Nyla lightly shoved him. "Say something back, Kaito! Please clear this confusion!"
Kaito shook his head softly. "I'll see you around," he said, stepping back.
Nyla ran after him but was stopped by her father. "Come back! Kaito! You're not one of them!"
She recalled her adventure with him and Yukki, the fun they'd had together. "There's no way you're one of them!" she shouted.
She broke free from her father's grasp, but when she turned to look for Kaito, he was gone.