Extra 7 - The Path Leading to Starlight

No matter how hard they tried, the people of the North had always been burdened by the discriminatory gazes of others. 

To many, they were faithless souls who did not believe in God, or a vile race with the blood of barbarians coursing through their veins. 

For years, this was the prevailing perception of northerners. 

"Congratulations on becoming the new head of the family, Lord Rutiger Bayezid." 

However, in front of the gates of Castle Sturma, it seemed that this discrimination was fading into the past. 

Nobles from across the continent lined up to offer their congratulations. 

Not just northern nobles, but representatives of families from the far south had also attended the event. 

Flags bearing unfamiliar emblems fluttered in the wind, and even the reserved inhabitants of Sturma lifted their heads to catch a glimpse. 

"Hmm?" 

Rutiger, not yet officially the head of the family but already sitting in the leader's seat, welcomed the guests one by one. 

At that moment, he noticed an unfamiliar flag approaching. 

"That's the emblem of the House of Baron Dalmacia. It seems they recently redesigned it," Dorothea explained from his side. 

Rutiger nodded at her explanation, but the surprise was still evident on his face. 

He knew he shouldn't show such an expression in front of a guest, but anyone would have reacted the same way upon seeing Dalmacia's new emblem. 

"Congratulations, Lord Rutiger." 

"Thank you for coming from so far. The Bayezid family welcomes you." 

The territory of Dobrechi, located in the northern part of the central region, had been too impoverished to participate in high society. 

However, they used Rutiger's succession ceremony as an opportunity to proudly display their flag. 

"…If I may, I have a question." 

"Yes?" 

Rutiger, breaking formal protocol, spoke after exchanging the customary greetings with Dalmacia's envoy. 

Even after the usual pleasantries were exchanged, Rutiger still held the envoy back. 

The exception drew the attention of all the nobles in the hall, who immediately directed their gazes toward Rutiger and the envoy. 

"The emblem on your flag… could it be?" 

"Ah, this! You mean this, right?" 

Dalmacia's envoy, uncomfortable under the unfamiliar attention, straightened his back with pride and unfurled the flag. 

Though his reaction was not particularly elegant, it elicited smiles from those present. 

"It's a great source of pride for our territory. This design is based on a sacred beast approved by the Orthodox Church." 

"The Orthodox Church?" 

The words "approved by the Orthodox Church" brought a hush to the hall. 

Worshipping idols other than God was considered heretical, so the Church was known for its strict standards when approving symbols. 

"So, that creature…?" 

"Yes, that's correct. It's a mole." 

While other noble houses adorned their flags with walls, spears, or other prestigious symbols, the House of Baron Dalmacia had chosen something entirely different. 

"It represents the spirit of the earth, which brings prosperity." 

The flag depicted a small, adorable mole with a friendly expression, giving a thumbs-up. It was impossible not to smile at such an emblem. 

Kyu-! 

From Ausurin to Deirmar, the mole had dug paths that connected the east, center, and north. 

This creature, which had once worked alongside the Swordmaster and earned the blessing of the Orthodox Church, was now revered with great devotion in its homeland of Dobrechi. 

** 

"There was a rumor spreading throughout the town."

"…" 

"Shame on you, really, of all the things you could do, you get to play marbles with kids?"

On the docks of Soara, where the summer breeze was growing stronger, Zemina repeatedly poked Vlad in the side with her finger, her eyes narrowed in disapproval. 

"Didn't you get to play as a child? Is this your idea of making up for lost time?" 

"That's not it." 

"Well, it would've been less embarrassing if you'd gotten drunk and caused a scene. Isn't this just childish?" 

Zemina murmured in a low voice, likely aware of the crowd around them, ensuring only Vlad could hear her. 

From a distance, anyone watching might have assumed the two were closer than they actually were. 

"…That's not it. Nibelun said he needed it." 

They say life, from afar, is a comedy, but up close, it's a tragedy. 

Perhaps anyone who got close enough would have noticed Vlad's slightly worn expression. 

"Nibelun needed children's marbles? Why would a cat need that?" 

"Well… it's magic, okay?" 

Magic is something you can't believe unless you see it, nor understand unless you experience it. 

Explaining it to someone like Zemina, who had never encountered anything mystical, was almost impossible for Vlad. 

"Even until the last moment, they're bickering as always." 

Watching the pair, a man descended from the dock. 

It was Captain Harven, who had become an admired figure among the children of the alleyways. 

He walked, followed by a diverse group of robust men, including beastmen and dwarves. 

Harven, now an object of envy for the children in the alleys, approached the two bickering figures. 

"Yes, this is what one calls a homely scene." 

"Is everything ready?" 

Harven, whose gait reflected his experience, wore a new captain's hat Zemina had prepared for him. 

To any observer, he was the perfect archetype of a seasoned sailor. 

"Everything's ready. I even modified the cargo hold for the expedition and stocked the ship with enough liquor to keep the crew happy." 

With a grin, Harven winked at Vlad. 

"It seems someone pulled a few strings. Even in peak season, the shipyard prioritized us." 

This journey was entirely dependent on the season when the northern glaciers began to melt. 

Without luck, they could've lost an entire year, but thanks to Vlad, everything was ready for departure. 

"Perhaps, around this time next year, we'll already be in Ausurin. I'll write to you then."

"Agreed."

The goal of this expedition was to discover a new maritime route through the Arctic.

For that reason, Harven's final destination was to circumnavigate half the continent and reach the elven city of Ausurin.

"Well, you all have things to do too, so we'll depart now."

In front of Harven, who bid farewell with a smile, Goethe yawned indifferently.

The captain would head out to sea, while the knight journeyed north.

Dragging along even a carriage for emphasis, Goethe seemed to be saying, "It's time for us to leave as well."

"Take care."

"You too."

With a simple bump of their shoulders, the two parted ways.

They knew there was no need for elaborate goodbyes.

Both now grown men understood that farewells were easier when kept natural.

"Sniff… hic."

As Harven climbed back onto the ship following his brief words of farewell, Vlad silently watched him.

Suddenly, a sob echoed beside him.

"Sniff. That Harven… sniff. Look at how he doesn't even glance back. Hic."

"…"

The day was radiant, and the wind, brushing through their hair, blew briskly.

It was, without a doubt, the perfect day to set sail.

However, Zemina, her eyes filled with tears, didn't seem to share the excitement.

"That cold-hearted bastard."

"Let's go now."

"…You're all so heartless."

With an order echoing across the dock, the ropes anchoring the ship were released.

Following the river's current, Harven's ship, the Zemina of Red Hair, drifted away slowly.

"He said he'd write to you next year. You'll see him then."

The people of Soara waved vigorously at the ship receding into the distance.

Harven, who had been born in the humblest corners of an alley, was now heading to the farthest reaches of the world.

They weren't bidding him farewell because he was off to make a living—they were sending him off because he was chasing a dream.

"…"

While everyone waved at the ship, Vlad's gaze was fixed in a completely different direction.

He was looking toward an old building by the dock, one that had once served as Captain Hoover's refuge.

"Feeling better now that you're out of there?"

From the carriage, Vlad directed his final farewell to the Harven he once found trapped in a dark, suffocating room, his face pale.

***

"Raise the sails! Set them halfway up!"

"Confirm our position! Explorers, check the constellations!"

The salty scent of the sea was beginning to overpower the metallic tang of the river water.

As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, Harven's ship sailed northward.

While the crew moved quickly to prepare for the night, one figure stood still beside the captain.

"What are you doing here?"

Nibelun, standing next to Harven at the helm—a spot reserved only for the captain—seemed entirely unaware of the rules. 

He stared intently at the twilight sky, indifferent to the inquisitive glances of the passing sailors or their awkward throat-clearing.

"If you don't have anything to do, I can find something for you."

"I'm not here because I've nothing to do."

To the left, the sea reflected a red sunset that had yet to meet the horizon.

However, Nibelun seemed to already be gazing at stars in the night sky, holding a small magical sphere to his eye.

"…There."

After a long while, he finally found the star he was searching for.

It was the North Star, the guide for all sailors navigating the night sea.

"What's going on?"

"I just saw it."

"…What?"

Harven continued to ask questions, as though still unaccustomed to speaking with a mage.

But over time, Harven would learn, just as Vlad had.

Mysteries cannot be explained—they must be experienced.

"The North Star. It's seen us."

The glow of a star in the sky reflected its light onto the sphere Nibelun held, which contained the sparkles collected from the children.

"I knew this sphere would attract the stars' attention."

Two lights connected, one in the sky and one at sea, tracing a path northward.

From the ocean to the night sky, toward some place in the north where they were headed.

"…What is this line?"

There would always be someone—a child like Vlad or Nibelun—who looked upward to find the way.

The light of the two connected stars seemed to split the sea, carving out a line.

As if to lead them, as if to ensure no one got lost.

"Looks like we won't be needing a compass, will we?"

And so, following the path marked by the stars, Harven's ship continued its course toward the world's edge, beyond the boundaries of known seas.