Chapter 8 - The Case of Franz Lucina <3>
VI
After about two hours of selling, the last of Orphe's suspicious gadgets had vanished, and every single item was sold out. Sitting beneath the brim of his deeply pulled hat, Franz let out a long, relieved sigh. It had gone well, and his identity had remained uncovered. Their morning market venture had been a success.
He silently handed Anna the slip of paper recording the sum collected. Anna's eyes widened at the amount, far exceeding expectations.
"Whoa…"
She breathed out in awe.
"To think those vegetables I got for free would become such a fortune…"
Looking at the sum sheet as if she'd been tricked—or perhaps dreaming—she examined it over and over again, sizing up the incredible sum. Finally convinced the money was real, Anna turned back to her partner, Ritz.
"Hey, Ritz… if vegetables can sell for this much, why is my village still so poor?"
For Franz, it was the most basic of business principles. But Ritz struggled to simplify the answer for Anna's understanding.
"Well, see… when the veggies leave the village, they cost next to nothing, so the village itself doesn't earn much."
"But we just sold them for so much!"
Listening in, it seemed difficult to explain commerce in a way Anna could easily grasp. Franz remained silent, listening to Ritz fumble through an explanation about transporters' wages, merchants' profits, and toll fees for market access—things Anna would never get.
"First," Ritz began carefully, "the person who transports the goods gets paid, so the price goes up."
"Okay… and then?"
"And the person who sells them gets paid, so it goes up again. Plus, there's the cost of setting up a stall, so the price rises once more."
In other words, the money flowing into Vishnu was only the base cost—the original farming price. Today's profit, set by Franz and Orphe based on general market standards, captured the full markup that usually went to middlemen because they'd brought and sold the produce directly.
"So… because we did all of it ourselves, the vegetables became a huge sum!" Anna exclaimed.
"Yeah… right, Franz?"
Ritz shrugged and passed the baton to Franz. His explanation hadn't been wrong, and Anna seemed satisfied, so Franz simply nodded without a word.
Just then, Orphe—who had disappeared again at some point—reappeared, balancing milk teas for everyone.
"Well, well, you all really worked hard! This one's on me—go ahead, drink up."
In his other hand, he held a paper bag. What was inside didn't take much to guess—another batch of the same junk they'd sold today, no doubt. Franz scowled in silence. Orphe offered an awkward grin, raising his hands placatingly.
"Don't get so mad, Franz. I'll clean it all up myself this time, promise."
He always said that, but Franz had never actually seen him clean anything.
"Here, I got one for you too—go on, drink!"
Orphe forced a cup into Franz's hands despite his cold stare. So that's how it was—he wanted to smooth things over with a drink. It was the same every time Orphe tried to pacify him with something. Franz usually grew angrier, but today, his throat was parched—he decided to let it slide.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he ignored Orphe, who was passing out milk teas, and sat down in the newly emptied space. It was the perfect time to catch his breath before heading back.
"Still, I really owe you, Franz. I don't know what we'd do without you—we couldn't have handled so many customers alone."
Ritz sat beside him, grinning. On his other side, Anna smiled sweetly at Franz. In truth, after the initial rush, Anna and Ritz hadn't participated in any of the financial handling—Franz had done it all himself.
"I didn't know what to expect, but you're actually pretty reliable, you know?"
There was a lightness in Ritz's teasing, but beneath it, a genuine note of trust. For the first time, Franz realized that being trusted could feel good. It wasn't unpleasant at all—more like a warm, comforting sensation. He'd focused on counting the money while quietly trusting Ritz and Anna with everything else. Was that also a form of trust?
It was a new, strangely pleasant emotion. For the first time in his life, Franz felt… happy. If things could stay like this, perhaps he could finally live a little easier.
Still, maybe it was a mistake to remain in this town. Beyond its borders, perhaps there was something—a place where his abilities could find their match. And if that happened, the spirit of fire might finally grant him its power. That would be truly wonderful.
As they sat, basking in a rare sense of peaceful fulfillment, a sudden, brash clatter of footsteps shattered the calm. Glancing over absentmindedly, Franz saw several mercenaries rushing inside through the morning market's entrance.
"Something up?"
Franz whispered, quickly looking down. They were members of the Saradio Guard Corps—a private militia force. Being seen by them was the last thing he wanted. Yet contrary to his silent prayers, the group marched straight toward them.
"...?"
Peering through the gap in his hat, Franz saw that Anna, oblivious, tilted her head in confusion. The apparent leader stepped forward.
"Who is Orphe, the representative?"
Unfazed, Master Orphe casually rose to his feet.
"That would be me."
The bystanders nearby stopped, whispering as they watched the tense scene unfold. Franz clenched his fists slightly, acutely aware of the nervous tension. Orphe, acutely aware of Franz's state, calmly held his ground without a flicker of fear before the intimidating man.
Suddenly, there was a shift in presence. Ritz, sitting beside Franz, set his cup down soundlessly and rested a hand on the hilt of his massive sword with swift precision.
In that same instant, a gasp escaped Ritz's lips.
"...Ah!"
The leader from the guard corps uttered a similar cry. Their next words defied all expectations.
"You! Jin!"
"...C-Captain!"
The mercenary rushed toward Ritz, who stared back, stunned. Franz couldn't help but look up.
The man called Jin wore a humble, awkward smile, unlike Ritz's composed dignity, yet shared a similar aura. His sword, well-worn and battle-hardened, hinted at real skill.
"Captain! What are you doing here?"
Jin's comrades and Franz's group all looked on in equal shock.
"What are you doing?" Ritz shot back, the tension instantly evaporating from his voice. He adjusted his greatsword on his back and looked Jin over with bemused disbelief.
"I, uh… I'm with this private guard unit now…"
"What are you doing in this kingdom?"
"I was sent to find you, of course!"
Jin said loudly—then stopped himself, glancing around before lowering his voice.
"...Did you get blinded by money again?"
"...Come on, no need to say it like that."
"Isn't it true?"
"...I suppose not…"
Jin let out a sheepish sigh. Apparently, he'd come to search for Ritz but, dazzled by gold, ended up joining the guard corps on a whim. Then again, the guard corps paid handsomely for skilled fighters.
"Yeah… that's just like you…"
Ritz scratched his head with a sigh. Jiin offered an apologetic grin, clearly embarrassed. Franz couldn't shake the impression that his smile reminded him of people who flattered powerful patrons—the kind of obsequiousness he'd grown to despise. Was it just his imagination, or was there a pitiful edge to that smile?
Ritz stared at Jin a moment longer before sighing once more. He was clearly surprised to find his former subordinate here. Anna tugged at his sleeve curiously.
"Ah, this guy's an old subordinate from my mercenary days."
Anna and Orphe exchanged glances. To Franz, the revelation was even more jarring. Ritz was a mercenary? It made sense now—why he carried himself the way he did.
"Reckless, driven by honor and profit—gifted in battle, but utterly devoid of loyalty."
Ritz summed him up bluntly, and Jin let out a strained laugh.
"That's pushing it, Captain…"
"Yet even so, I heard you're one of the top fighters in the Guard Corps, so Lord Ville Lucina spared no expense to recruit you?"
Orphe tilted his head, curious. Franz never knew that—but then again, Orphe seemed to know an unsettling amount about the city. He was always surprisingly well-informed.
Franz stared at Jin—the former subordinate—and wondered what kind of man his former superior truly was.
"I'm not coming back anytime soon. You know I'm always on the move—might wander for years."
"I know. But orders are orders, right?"
"...Who even says that? You're a mercenary too!"
Ritz scratched his head in exasperation. Despite his disgruntled expression, Jin offered a weak smile.
"Hey, I'll probably never go back either…"
"Figures."
It seemed Jin's search mission was just a pretext—he clearly had no intention of dragging Ritz back. No wonder. His current position was likely comfortable, even happy.
"You're playing underhanded games, aren't you…"
"Uhhh…"
Jin gulped.
"Just be careful. You'll only suffer the consequences in the end."
"I get it, I get it…"
He plastered on a cheap grin, but his eyes remained empty. An unsettling man. Not that the other mercenaries had any reason to watch their superiors' private conversation. One of them, growing impatient, shouted out.
"Orphe-san—we're placing you under arrest for abduction!"
"...Huh?"
Ritz and Anna couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
"What do you mean, abduction? Who kidnapped whom?"
As Ritz grabbed Jin by the collar and lifted him into the air, Jin's feet dangled helplessly.
"The son of the Saradio lord!"
Jin gasped, struggling for breath. Franz's eyes snapped wide open. Fury surged, trembling through his body again.
"The son of the Saradio lord? Where the hell is he?"
Before Ritz could react further, Franz had reached his limit. He slowly rose to his feet and hurled his hat violently to the ground.
"I wasn't abducted!"
His roar silenced everyone. Ritz looked at him in shock.
"...You mean Franz?"
He turned to the dangling Jin, who nodded weakly. Ritz released him instantly, and Jin collapsed onto the pavement.
Regaining his composure, Jin cleared his throat, striving for dignity in front of his comrades. He turned to Ritz and spoke with finality.
"He is Lord Ville Lucina's only son, Franz Lucina."
Ⅶ
Having packed up, the group was now surrounded by guards as they stepped into the Lucina family estate. The gate opened to a vast, beautifully maintained garden. The estate grounds held several buildings, the largest at its center, clearly their destination.
Ritz had seen a few mansions of autonomous lords before, but this—Saradio—was among the largest by far. The Lucinas were generations of wealthy merchants; such a colossal estate was to be expected.
"This could fit the entire Church Hill…"
Anna whispered, her wide eyes shimmering with disbelief. Yet it was true—such a place could probably relocate the entire hillside church and still spare land. The Lucina family's wealth was instantly apparent from the sheer size of this residence overlooking the main street.
Glancing at Franz beside him, Ritz saw him silent and rigid, his blue eyes burning with anger. By now, Orphe's horse and their rickety cart had been taken away somewhere.
They passed through the center of the garden and, as expected, were escorted into the great central manor, then together into a reception hall. Inside the mansion, guards and servants immediately attempted to take Franz to a separate room—only for the attempt to be derailed by Franz's forceful resistance.
Four of them sat alone in the reception room, but an odd, stifling silence hung in the air. At its core was Franz, burning with so much anger that approaching him now seemed like suicide.
With no choice, Ritz leaned back on the sofa, letting out a heavy sigh as he looked around. Despite the room being seemingly empty, a magnificent chandelier cast a flickering, red glow across the walls.
A heavy wooden chest stood against the wall, displaying a large, vibrantly colored vase that clearly didn't originate in the Yuresla Kingdom. The exotic flowers inside were equally foreign to this northern region—and no doubt extremely valuable.
The floor was covered in a plush, deep red carpet. A heavy, ornate sofa set occupied the center of the room. The centerpiece table, made of solid natural wood without patches or joins, had a crystal inlaid at its center—an item rarely seen in the kingdom.
"Unbelievable…"
Ritz muttered the only words he could manage. The opulence was overwhelming. It made him uneasy, not particularly envious.
"Haa…"
Anna gaped, looking around wide-eyed. Though she couldn't name the items, the flashy room seemed to leave her unimpressed—her soft whisper confirmed it.
"I don't like this place much…"
Ritz agreed. He preferred old, familiar tools with character over gilded, showy craftsmanship.
After a while, a stout man entered, half-dragging a beautiful woman beside him, flanked by Jin. His face, slick with grease, appeared unnaturally aged and grotesque.
"Welcome home, Franz. I've been so worried."
Franz's face twisted in disgust at the overly sweet tone. This was Lord Ville Lucina, the merchant-overlord of Saradio.
Anna just stared, mouth open. To her, he was an entirely new species. To Ritz, the man was instantly repellent. Exactly the kind he'd want nothing to do with.
The overpriced commerce rights along the main road, the pervasive sense that money is all that matters—it all seemed to radiate from this man. His grotesque body looked like it was chiseled from the misappropriated wealth of others.
His smile was pure facade, pure deceit. If he were just a commoner, he'd simply be an annoyance. But as a lord, his presence became a burden.
The people of Saradio Autonomous District must suffer. And to be his son? That was true misery. Franz, who seemed so cleanly principled, deserved Ritz's deepest sympathy.
As if gagging, Franz's face contorted grotesquely. Ville, either oblivious or uncaring, let out a croaking, froglike laugh.
"I'm so glad you're finally back, Franz!"
Franz winced again. He tried to stay expressionless, but his resentment seeped through. Watching them blankly, Ritz couldn't help but think, How the heck did such a handsome kid come from this ugly man? Franz clearly took after his mother.
Noticing Ritz's narrowed gaze, Ville sneered.
"So you fought in the same mercenary group as Jin, yes? I've heard tales of your terrifying battle prowess. How many men have you slain with that greatsword?"
Ville's face gleamed with a cruel, prurient interest. What a shallow man, Ritz thought. Only a moron would ask a mercenary to recount his kills. And any mercenary who tried to boast would be laughed off the battlefield.
"Search me. I'll leave that to your imagination."
He slumped into the sofa, brushing Ville off. From beside him, he felt Anna inch slightly away. He glanced over to see fear flicker in her eyes. His own expression must have turned cold, the kind man he usually was vanishing.
This was the face of a mercenary—but to Anna, it was terrifying.
Ritz subtly adjusted his posture, turning his back to Ville and facing Anna. To her anxious stare, he flashed a bright wink.
He pretended it was a joke to cover his grim expression. But the small gesture was enough—Anna relaxed and smiled. Ritz let out a quiet sigh inside. When he was with Anna, it seemed he'd have to bury the mercenary within himself.
He'd just have to let her believe that attitude was just a role he put on with unpleasant people. The truth was, being a good person wasn't enough to survive the world—especially not the mercenary world.
Ville's voice carried on, undeterred by Ritz's silence.
"They say you were a top-tier mercenary. Your experience far surpasses even Jin's. Tell me, why not take command of the Saradio Guard Corps? The pay, of course, would be as much as you desire."
Ritz coolly dismissed the slimy tone and gaze.
"I decline."
"Why?"
"Because I don't take jobs I dislike. It's my creed."
"An unprofitable man."
With a sneer, Ville turned to Jin.
"Go on—drag him out."
But Jin hesitated, drenched in cold sweat, shaking his head fiercely. A weasel, driven by profit, switching sides at will. And Ritz had disciplined him for it before. Jin knew—he was no match for Ritz, not even with fists.
"I… I can't."
Seeing his life threatened, Jin fumbled and fled the room. No surprise—he was a coward who valued survival over all. He'd never question an order while his own skin was safe.
"Useless."
Ville spat the word like trash—exactly how he'd treat Jin, Ritz thought.
"You couldn't control him. But I did."
Ritz muttered quietly. Whether through sheer will or something deeper, the master-servant dynamic was clearly visible. Yet Ville, already distracted, turned his attention to Orphe.
"Orphe-sensei, I've heard the story. You've been deceiving Franz by making him slave away at the morning market."
Orphe tilted his head, puzzled. How did that story even start? Ville quickly answered.
"The greengrocer told me. You're conspiring with this outsider to exploit Franz, aren't you? We have evidence!"
Greengrocer… He had an idea of who that might be. Probably the merchant they'd asked to sell the vegetables yesterday, muttering and later tattling to the lord. Great.
Ritz sighed and rubbed his temple. High-priced trading rights, soulless pursuit of coin. What a damn nuisance. Truly, a leading commercial city left him speechless.
"Haaa... Is that so?"
Orphe, unfazed, calmly rubbed his chin. His nonchalance only irritated Ville.
"Are you even listening?!"
Ville slammed the table violently. Yet only his female companion flinched. Ritz, battle-hardened, didn't blink. Orphe simply chuckled. Even naive Anna remained composed.
These men weren't merchants begging at Ville's feet. They had no reason to fear losing his favor.
To Ville, who'd made countless traders tremble with just a gesture, their indifference was infuriating.
"Franz. Come back. You are a Lucina. You can bring prosperity to Saradio and untold profits. We have no others with spirit power. Spirit magic is pointless—forgo it."
Giving up on the others, Ville now focused on convincing his son. But his words only wounded Franz, who'd long struggled to control his elemental abilities.
Franz bit his lip, fighting not to respond. To Ritz, it was painful. Franz had locked away his emotions too tightly, until he could no longer express them. Ville, who only sought control and obedience, had no awareness of his son's pain.
He couldn't tolerate defiance. That was the core of his ignorance. A foolish man. When a father-son bond breaks, they become more distant than strangers.
Suddenly, Orphe looked up sharply. Ritz followed his gaze. Orphe was staring at the ornate chandelier. Ritz looked at it too—and felt a flicker of unease. The flames seemed to have grown, and the room felt hotter.
Must be imagination?
"Let's be honest—you're being deceived. You're being led by some unknown spirit user, used however they please. Return to me. I'll give you wealth and glory beyond imagining!"
Ville's relentless words poured oil on Franz's smoldering anger. Franz's hands trembled, clenched tightly on his knees.
Then, the chandelier's flames crackled—"snap, snap"—audibly growing. The heat in the room undeniably rose. Now, even Anne and Orphe looked up.
"Ritz… do you hear it?"
She whispered.
"Hear what?"
"That voice—'Rage… destroy… burn it all!' It's so angry."
Ritz couldn't hear it—but Anna could. It was a spirit's voice. He looked back at the chandelier—the flames now undeniably larger.
"Then now you're associating with nothing but trash—a washed-up mercenary and a child! Look what you've stooped to!"
"Trash…?"
Franz growled, barely above a whisper. The chandelier's glass cracked as the flames swelled violently, and a fissure split the central crystal. Anna covered her ears.
"Ritz… the voice is getting louder…"
"That's… Ah!"
Orphe and Anna both cried out in unison. Enraged at being interrupted, Ville screamed back louder.
"I'm the one speaking here! Silence, fake spirit master!"
Dozens of glass bulbs in the luxurious chandelier shattered at once under the surging pressure of the fire within, spraying down like glowing rain over Ville. Ritz reacted instantly, pulling Anna into his arms. Orphe crouched for cover.
"W-what…?"
Stunned, Ville stared, bleeding from fragmented glass.
"The fire spirit… it's angry. So angry…"
In Ritz's arms, Anna whispered, her eyes darting fearfully to Franz, her hands gripping his clothes tightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Franz… he's being taken over!"
"What?"
Ritz couldn't see spirits—but he could see Franz's transformation. Franz stood, draped in fury, glaring at his father with an inhuman intensity.
"Anna, what do you see?"
"The fire spirit… it's spiraling around Franz, driven by pure destruction!"
Even as she spoke, the small chandeliers on the walls shattered. The room grew hotter by the second. It was no longer a cool season—yet it felt like midsummer.
Ritz clicked his tongue, eyes fixed on Franz. The air buzzed with abnormal energy. Franz didn't flinch from falling glass. His blue eyes—burning with hatred and disgust—shone like blue flames.
In the chaos, Franz's voice sliced through, chillingly calm.
"Be silent."
His cold, icy tone made Ville tremble. He seemed to realize it now—the person before him wasn't his beloved Franz Lucina.
The flames had already begun to surge violently around Franz. So he was a spirit user? Franz had never once used elemental magic in front of Ritz or Anna, and Orphe had said nothing. No wonder he hadn't known.
"All this time, only my master ever truly understood me. I don't want to be understood by you. You're just a filthy, gold-soaked pig. A bloated, repulsive swine stained with filth has no right to mock my mentor!"
"Khhh!"
Ville shrank back, shaking. Franz rose slowly, raising a finger to point at him.
"Just… vanish."
The voice wasn't Franz's. Yet it clearly came from his mouth.
Ritz stared in shock—Franz's eyes were utterly empty. Just burning blue. This was familiar to Ritz, a veteran mercenary who'd fought beside spirit users.
The spirit is taking him over.
Spirits had no physical form. They cloaked themselves in nature. But when a spirit user's emotions aligned with the spirit's will—and opened their body as a vessel—chaos began. Their body, offering limitless power, was irresistibly tempting.
Franz raised his hands calmly before his chest, hands meeting.
"O flame of death and rebirth, that consumes all, grant me your power!"
"No, Franz—stop!"
Ritz lunged, trying to pin Franz from behind before the incantation completed—but he was too late.
"He's in a trance!" Orphe cried, shaking him. But it was over—the fire spread. Flames slithered across the floor with eerie smoothness.
"Franz, snap out of it! Don't let the spirit control you! Can you hear me, Franz?!"
Orphe's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears. Ville, utterly lost, sat frozen on the sofa. His back had broken.
The woman beside him had run off long ago. No one in this room cared about Ville anymore.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Ritz shouted the question into the swirling flames.
"Until now, he sealed his emotions so tightly that he suppressed his very ability to control spirits. That's why, despite his incredible talent, he could never wield the fire spirit. But now, the seal has broken. His pent-up feelings have exploded—and so has his power."
As if the explanation helped. He didn't care—he needed to know how to stop it.
"Then how do we stop it?!"
Orphe's answer was bleak.
"There's nothing we can do. Only Franz, by overcoming his inner rage, can suppress the flames."
"Nonsense…"
"Franz's true nature is a fire spirit user. Among all spirits, fire is the fiercest. To be chosen by it means Franz's true self is one of intense emotion."
"Come on. That's a joke."
Ritz looked at Franz—standing still, face emotionless, yet a cruel smile playing on his lips. The fire swirling around him seemed to revel in destruction.
The fiery vortex began to take shape—until it transformed into a massive fire dragon.
"Fire Dragon…"
Orphe whispered in shock. Ritz could only gape. The spirit Franz had suppressed was the highest-ranking fire spirit—the fire dragon itself.
His suppressed rage must have been powerful beyond measure.
Slowly, the fire dragon turned, as if surveying the room. Where it passed, flames surged wildly. Trapped in the inferno, Ritz suddenly remembered Anna's power.
"Anna—call the water dragon! Summon it—now!"
"Eh?! Here?!"
"There's no choice!"
"R-Right!"
As Ritz shouted instructions, he drew his greatsword. Ville's reaction was predictable.
"You're going to cut Franz?!"
Disgusted by Ville's stupidity, Ritz raised his sword directly at him.
"Slicing you might calm him down!"
"Kyaaa!"
"Besides, you're the one who pushed him this far!"
Ville curled into the tightest ball his fat allowed. Parent? Could you at least try to fix your son's mess? Though, if you were any kind of decent father, things wouldn't have gotten to this point.
"I've no intention of dying pointlessly, so I'll blast a way out—with this sword."
Ignoring the cowering Ville, Ritz scanned the room. The flames grew steadily. Anna darted around, nearly panicking.
"Calm down, Anna!"
"But! But!"
"What?"
"I can't summon the water dragon without water!"
Anna started stomping her feet right there. Her journey from a sleepy village to direct combat—no wonder she was overwhelmed. But they needed her now. There was no escape without her help. Even a momentary weakening of the fire could create an opening.
Ritz scanned the room quickly.
"Pull the flowers out of that vase—there's water inside!"
With a yank, Anna tore the bouquet free and peered inside.
"Well?"
"Plenty!"
"Can you do it?"
"Wait a sec!"
She dragged the vase across the carpet, rolling it to the bare floor, and tipped it over. Water spilled into a wide puddle.
"Got it!"
"Good! Do it!"
Almost as Ritz finished speaking, Anna began her incantation.
"O water spirit, lifegiver of the earth, grant me your power! Water Dragon—appear!"
From the puddle, a massive water dragon surged forth. Water dragons used water as their gate—so even this small amount could summon one.
But in these flames? Its power would be half.
"Water Dragon, please! Put out the fire!"
In response, the water dragon roared—and wherever it flew, the fire died. But the source—the fire dragon—reignited it instantly. What was the point? Like pouring water on a burning stone.
"Ritz, it's no good! As long as the fire dragon keeps attacking, I can't stop it!"
Tears welled in Anna's eyes. The water dragon fought valiantly—but the fire dragon was simply too powerful. The room steamed up rapidly. At this rate, the water dragon wouldn't last.
And neither would the humans.
"Damn it!"
Franz—master of the fire dragon—still stood in a trance, gently swaying, eyes blank.
"What do we do… what can we do?!"
Ritz's scream was swallowed by roaring flames. They would all be ash soon. His mind spiraled. Unconsciously, his hand brushed the blue orb in his pocket.
Just then, for a moment, he thought—If only my mother, Ciela, were here—she could coax the fire spirit. But it was pointless to think on such things now.
Yet strangely, Ritz recalled a moment from his father, Karl—when a mischievous spirit blocked the water pipe from the lake. Karl had tapped the pipe at a forty-five degree angle.
Then he'd grinned at Ritz.
"Ritz, the trick is tapping it at an angle."
"Eh? But it's a spirit…"
"Exactly. There's an old saying—if you don't know what's inside, hit it at forty-five degrees."
"Oh…"
Why… Ritz thought. Why now?
But it made sense. The spirit within Franz was no different from that pipe. Perhaps a shock could break him free.
"Damn it! When all else fails—this is it!"
Ritz rushed to Franz and stood directly in front. Without hesitation, he slapped Franz across the face. The crack echoed through the room, louder than the fire. Another slap—harder. A punch would knock him out. This was the limit.
Franz flinched—slightly. Ritz didn't miss it.
"He risked his life to protect you—and you're burning him alive?"
Franz's eyes flickered.
"You'd kill me? Anna? We just worked together, had fun… and you'd burn us alive with your own hands? Are you happy now?"
Emotion flooded back into Franz's hollow eyes.
"...I—"
"You're awake. Good. Now, call back the fire dragon!"
"I can't…"
"Can't?"
"I don't know how!"
"...Ah. Right. You're still an apprentice, aren't you."
So was it truly over?
"Everyone… run. I can't stop this…"
Franz spoke calmly, but his face twisted in agony. He was blaming himself.
Huh. So he's actually a good guy after all.
After all, he'd risked everything to help Ritz and Anna. Despite appearances, he was a softie who just hadn't realized it.
Ritz knew he was far from a good man. Because of that, he couldn't bear to see someone so young lose himself and die. There was no doubt—these kids carried a future far brighter than his.
Both Franz and Anna.
He couldn't let them die—not when they possessed the future he never would.
Ritz took a deep breath. Then, no matter the danger, he would escape—carrying Franz with him.
"Idiot—think I'd run and leave my friends behind? Right, Anna?"
He turned with a fearless grin. Anna met his gaze and nodded, smiling.
"Yeah! We worked hard together. We're partners now. We'll make it out—together!"
Ⅷ
To Franz, it felt like a single drop of water had landed in a storm of rage.
Gradually, the anger controlling his heart began to subside.
He closed his eyes gently, reluctant to lose that warmth—the warmth in their smiles.
Is this… what trusting someone feels like?
No calculations. No hidden meanings. No logic. Just believing someone's words, completely—even when facing mortal danger.
Ritz and Anna both believed he could control the flames, holding back the fire dragon for him. Giving up now would mean betraying that trust.
The fire dragon's rage started to ebb. He couldn't miss this chance. Determination flared as Franz opened his eyes again. Ritz was shouting instructions.
"Keep pressuring it! Wear it down!"
Anna, breathless, looked up and nodded.
"I'll try! Water Dragon, please!"
The water dragon coiled around the fire dragon. The fire dragon roared in pain.
"Franz! You can't do this alone! That's why we're here! Now, do it—control the fire dragon!"
As Franz stepped forward, his legs buckled—until a hand caught him.
"Okay, Franz?"
It was Orphe. His face—worried, unlike anything Franz had ever seen.
Then it hit Franz. Orphe had always supported him. Without complaint, for five years, through his silent, emotionless facade.
And yet… Franz had sometimes resented him. Had blamed him for not finding better ways to control the spirits.
Why couldn't his master teach him faster? Why couldn't he do it after years of learning? Could it be Orphe just wanted a convenient servant?
Franz had thought those things—deep inside.
But that wasn't it. That wasn't true at all.
He'd failed to see the support offered to him. He'd drawn into a shell, pretending not to see the hands reaching out.
The spirits had kept their distance—because Franz had never tried to reach back. All he'd done was demand obedience. And so, he'd locked his heart tighter.
But not Orphe. Orphe never ordered or suppressed him. There had to be something missing, and Orphe had known it all along.
"Franz?"
"I'm all right."
"Really? Need any help?"
"No. I'm fine. I'll control it."
As Orphe stepped back, Franz stood alone, facing the fire dragon.
"Please…" "Trust…"
He remembered Anna's words when she commanded the water dragon. He stared directly at the fire dragon.
It was okay. He felt more composed than ever. No anger, no frustration—just calm.
Maybe this was an illusion born of crisis. But now, there was something he wanted to believe in—someone he could believe in.
Maybe now, he could truly command the flames.
"Fire Dragon, heed my call! Return—return to me!"
The fire dragon shrieked sharply, then erupted in blinding light.
"Franz!"
Ritz and Anna shouted—but Franz couldn't respond. He stood there, anchoring himself against the radiance, until it surged back into his body.
"Ugh!"
His body burned as if from within. Pain seared up his nerves. His teeth clenched—yet through the screams, his will remained stronger.
He wouldn't give up. He didn't feel fear—only a need to reclaim the fire dragon.
For the people who trusted him.
When the light faded, a single, small orb of light hovered in his hand. Instinctively, he closed his fingers around it.
For the first time in his life, Franz had controlled fire.
He offered a faint, reassuring smile to the three worried faces before him—then his consciousness slipped away.
"Break through—we're getting out!"
The last things he heard were Ritz's shout, and the arms of Orphe and Anna—holding him up.
Ⅷ
"Wow, now that was a proper burn."
Ritz whistled, impressed. The garden and the side buildings remained, but the main mansion was reduced to blackened rubble.
"I thought we were done for… I'm so glad we made it!"
Anna exhaled, releasing her relief. She looked up at the mansion during the desperate escape—the fire had towered into the night sky, horrifyingly beautiful.
There were minor injuries, but no deaths despite the scale. If this had happened at Vishnu's church… the thought chilled her.
Crowds bustled around the distant land, already working on demolition. With the main house gone, Ville had several guest buildings to stay in. And according to Orphe, there was more than enough hidden wealth to rebuild the main house in no time.
No need for broke souls like Ritz and Anna to worry.
Suddenly, a heavy but warm hand landed gently on Anna's head.
"Well, no one's hurt—so things worked out."
"Yeah… I'm really relieved."
Ritz's hand softly patted her head again, then gently stroked her hair. Looking up, she saw his usual cheerful grin. At that, Anna felt utterly, completely safe.
Ritz gave her a strange sense of peace. Despite being raised caring for others, Anna had never before had someone she could truly rely on—someone she didn't have to pretend to be strong for.
Being with Ritz was simply a relief. And because of that, she trusted everything he said.
"Alright then—let's go."
"Okay!"
Having rested at Orphe's house after the incident, Ritz and Anna had spent the morning shopping—replacing Anna's travel gear, stocking up on rations. From here on, their journey would be sleeping out on the roads.
Even with the mansion burned, Saradio bustled as usual. The local economy hadn't stopped. Anna found it curiously impressive.
They wandered the market, picking up essentials Ritz suggested, stuffing them into their bags. The weight was no longer just physical—it carried Anna's emotions. Leaving Vishnu had been a journey in itself, but now, outfitting herself properly, she felt it deeply—this was the true beginning of her journey. The weight on her shoulders matched her resolve.
What lay ahead? Who were her parents, whom she searched for? Excitement and anxiety swirled in her chest.
"Time to go?"
Ritz smiled, hoisting his pack and giving Anna's head one more pat. Just like that, her worries eased.
No point in fearing what hadn't begun.
"Okay!"
Anna adjusted her bag and smiled back. The vegetables sold for way more than expected—warm clothes, winter gear, even decent rations. Not delicious by any stretch—yet sufficient. Now, Saradio was finally behind them.
Anna glanced back toward the charred remains. What would happen to Franz?
When they'd left Orphe's place, Franz was still unconscious with exhaustion. They'd left without a word. Orphe had told them—mentally and physically drained. Part of Anna felt guilty—but perhaps it was better this way.
Franz would become a great spirit user. If he could command such a powerful spirit even in anger…
Don't lose, Franz!
Anna cheered silently in her heart.
Then, Ritz stopped. They stood at a crossroads near Saradio's center—where the east-west traveler's road intersected with the narrow path south to the kingdom. To the north, Anna's hometown, Vishnu.
Ritz crouched, looking up at her with his usual cheerful ease.
"Well, Anna—who decides where we go next?"
Amid the bustling road, Anna froze, looking at the tall Ritz.
"Eh? I… can choose?"
Ritz just grinned, scratching the back of his head. A long lock of hair bounced playfully.
"I've been everywhere. Got no real preference. You pick where we go."
"Really?"
"Sure. We don't even have a destination yet."
Anna hesitated. Places she wanted to see… But geography wasn't her strong suit.
Then, suddenly, a vast, endless blue world flooded her mind—the kind only seen in picture books.
"I want to see the sea! I've only ever seen mountains!"
She'd never thought the sea would be within reach. Too far from Vishnu. Too far from anything familiar.
But if she could…
"Just once. I want to see it with my own eyes."
"Settled! Let's go to the sea!"
Ritz said with a bright laugh, adjusting his pack.
"Really?!"
"Of course. Get excited!"
"Okay!"
It felt like a dream. Light-footed, Anna skipped ahead as if dancing. Ritz followed at a relaxed pace—yet because of their height difference, their speed matched perfectly. For some reason, that seemed delightful.
"Great weather, huh?"
Anna took a deep breath of the pure morning air—the freshest and sweetest of the day.
"Yeah. Perfect day to begin a journey."
As the cheerful pair approached the city's edge, a scarred man in bandages stood with luggage at his feet.
"Ah! Franz!"
Anna cried, dashing over instantly.
"Ritz, come!"
Ritz smiled and walked over slowly. Both stood before Franz, who gave them his usual sour look.
"Where are you going?"
Trying to play it cool, Franz asked casually. Ritz, pretending not to notice the luggage, replied.
"Wherever we feel like. Isn't it obvious?"
Franz reached into his pocket and pulled out a small orb—the same as the ones Ritz and Anna carried.
"My master said to show you this. 'They'll understand once they see it.'"
Ritz and Anna looked at each other—then pulled out their own orbs.
Exactly the same.
How had Orphe known? He'd never seen them before.
Orphe was a mystery—a man whose age and piercing gaze suggested he saw more than he let on.
"This was given to me when the fire dragon returned. He said I'd understand its meaning only if I traveled with you."
Ritz listened with a smile—then grinned sharply at Franz.
"Aha. So you do want to come with us, don't you?"
Anna looked up at Franz, eyes shining with hope.
Franz remained silent, glancing between the two. Finally, he sighed faintly, lifting his head. His blue eyes, half-hidden by bangs, locked on theirs.
"It's only natural to worry about two people who can't handle money on their own."
Ritz reached into his coat.
"Fine. You're in charge."
He placed the entire sum of money they'd earned from Anna's vegetables into Franz's palm—entrusting it to him. Anna had no objections. That weight was proof Ritz and Anna trusted him.
For a fleeting instant, Franz's eyes narrowed.
"Did you… just smile? Anna, did you see it?"
"Yeah! I saw it! He definitely smiled!"
"...I don't think so… But…"
His face was expressionless again. Yet he looked back and forth between them.
"...I'm… a little happy."
Anna knew he was happy—even without a smile. It was strange. Franz had almost no expressions—but his eyes spoke volumes.
Maybe, even if he never smiled, she could learn to read him. Not overnight. But with time.
"Then," Ritz said, leisurely, "shall we be off?"
Anna answered brightly. Franz nodded, silently.
Not a cloud marred the brilliant blue sky.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
"Franz—this is your first time outside the city, right?"
After walking for a while, Ritz asked suddenly. Franz, gazing up at Ritz, gave a small nod.
"Yes."
"I see. Then, if it feels too tough, you can have Anna take care of you."
Then Ritz shifted his pack and walked ahead a few paces.
"...Huh?"
"Yeah! Don't be shy—ask me anytime!"
Anna beamed at Franz, oddly cheerful.
But—wait. She's clearly younger. How could he need her help?
Franz stared, but Anna just kept smiling.
"Really! I'm great with that kind of thing!"
He frowned, confused. Anna puffed up proudly.
"Besides, I'm the older sister here!"
"...Eh?"
Speechless, Franz leaned back.
"Because I'm thirty."
"...I'm... almost eighteen."
Seventeen, really. His birthday was less than ten days away—practically eighteen.
"I see… So young."
Anna nodded appreciatively.
"So… you're not human?"
"Well… that sounded kind of rude. But kind of, yeah. Maybe I have the same blood as Ritz."
"You mean, spirit race blood?"
"Maybe. But honestly—I don't even know my true nature."
A bombshell statement—yet Anna laughed, delighted. Franz could only stare.
"...Huh."
"Yeah. That's who I am."
He groaned softly, pressing his forehead.
"...So the only human I've ever known… is someone like this?"
Ritz, up ahead, turned.
"Hmm? Say something?"
"Nothing."
Franz looked up at the sky. Right before he left, Orphe had said:
"Franz, you'll learn many things by traveling with them. That knowledge will become your strength. Go. You can catch up now. You'll carve your own future. Understand?"
He didn't know why—but he felt he understood, just a little.
"Franz—you're slow!"
"Hurry up!"
Only then did he realize he'd stopped. Franz wordlessly nodded—and hurried to catch up to their backs.
The Carefree Travelers!
This concludes Volume 1.
Did you enjoy it?
Volume 2 is coming soon. It'll be a single, long-form story.
A tale of how, just as the trio finally begins their journey…
things take an unexpected turn.
Just like Volume 1, updates will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—if all goes well.
Stay tuned!