Chapter 192 – Freedom
Chapter 192
Freedom
Date : Day 3 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The rumbling continued growing louder.
Each passing second made the deep roar more pronounced, reverberating across the vast Greyveil Marsh.
Hyoren kept his eyes fixed on the approaching silhouette.
Ina's explanation had completely changed how he viewed the mysterious creature.
His expression gradually shifted from confusion to surprise.
"Salvation and freedom?"
Ina nodded before raising a hand toward the sky.
"Yes."
She smiled softly.
"A symbol of salvation and freedom. An Apex Bird named… Aetovacus..."
Hyoren quietly repeated the unfamiliar name.
"Aetovacus..."
His gaze never left the sky.
The silhouette continued growing larger. Little by little—its outline became clearer.
The creature possessed the proud silhouette of an eagle. Its broad chest, powerful body, and majestic posture all reminded Hyoren of the king of birds from Earth.
However, everything about it existed on an entirely different scale.
Its gigantic body was covered in jet-black feathers that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. A massive, sharply curved beak projected from its head like a hooked blade, while its talons, though still too distant to see clearly, looked large enough to seize enormous prey with ease. Around its colossal form, thin wisps of dark mist continuously drifted through the air, refusing to disperse despite its incredible speed.
Then—something else caught Hyoren's attention.
His eyes narrowed.
"Wait… It isn't flapping its wings."
The gigantic bird had spread its wings to their full span. Yet they remained almost completely still. Rigid. Steady. As though they were carved from obsidian rather than flesh and feathers.
Instead of beating its wings—Aetovacus simply glided through the sky. Smoothly. Effortlessly. Despite its tremendous speed.
Behind the colossal bird, several faint rings of dark mist formed one after another before slowly fading into the winter sky.
The sight instantly reminded Hyoren of the condensation trails left behind by high-speed aircraft back on Earth.
"Is it flying with magic…?"
Ina nodded.
"That's what many people believe. Aetovacus possesses extraordinary mastery over Dark Magic."
She continued watching the apex monster soar across the heavens.
"When it attacks… It releases a beam of darkness from its beak. A beam capable of annihilating everything in its path into the void."
Even Hyoren couldn't hide his surprise.
"Into the void..."
Ina nodded once.
"And as for its flight… Many believe it uses a variation of Gravity Magic."
She pointed toward the faint rings of dark mist trailing behind the apex bird.
"Those traces of Dark Aethell are believed to be evidence. Although..."
She smiled wryly.
"No one has ever been close enough to confirm it."
Hyoren silently watched Aetovacus continue its silent migration across the winter sky.
The tremendous roar still echoed overhead.
Yet despite the overwhelming presence of the apex monster—there was something strangely majestic about it. It neither hunted. Nor threatened. It simply continued soaring northward, as if nothing in the world could ever bind its wings.
Hyoren understood why countless people throughout Kresneger had come to see it not as a calamity—but as the embodiment of salvation and freedom.
***
For a long while—Hyoren, Elise, and Ina simply watched the sky.
The colossal silhouette of Aetovacus continued gliding above the Greyveil Marsh. Then—without any warning—a deafening sonic boom erupted across the skies.
The black bird suddenly accelerated.
The already tremendous speed increased even further. Its rigid wings never moved. It simply surged forward, as though the sky itself had been pulled beneath it. A series of faint rings formed behind its body increased the faster the bird flew.
The thunderous roar swept across the marshlands.
The water below rippled. Even the mist drifting above the wetlands trembled before settling once more.
For several moments—everyone aboard The Sailer remained silent.
Jackey and Arianna had long since stopped their conversation. The two simply stood at the bow, quietly watching the apex monster continue its migration.
Even Holley, who had been steering the ship all this time, briefly lifted his gaze. His weathered face carried an expression of quiet reverence. Like many people throughout Kresneger, he silently watched the Symbol of Salvation and Freedom pass overhead.
Gradually, the overwhelming roar began to fade.
Aetovacus became smaller and smaller as it flew farther toward the northern horizon.
Soon, it was nothing more than a tiny black silhouette once again. Then—it disappeared completely beyond the distant sky. Only several fading rings of dark mist remained for a few brief moments before they too dissolved into the cold winter air.
Silence returned to the Akela River.
Only the steady sound of flowing water and the gentle wind accompanied The Sailer once more.
Hyoren finally found his voice. His eyes still lingered upon the empty sky where Aetovacus had disappeared.
"Aetovacus..."
He smiled faintly.
"It is... majestic."
Elise and Ina quietly nodded. Neither of them disagreed.
Hyoren remained looking toward the horizon.
"The Symbol of Salvation… And Freedom..."
A small chuckle escaped him.
"Freedom..."
He rested both hands upon the railing.
"I want us to become as free as that bird someday."
His voice became quieter.
"Standing at the apex. With nothing left to fear. And whenever people need help… I want Freedom Party to be able to answer that call."
Elise turned toward him. A warm smile naturally appeared on her face.
"Fufufu. So you've found another figure to admire."
Ina giggled beside them.
"Nyahaha. I knew you'd say something like that."
She flicked one of her cat ears.
"The moment I heard that distinctive sound.
I already guessed this would happen.”
Hyoren laughed softly.
His gaze still hadn't left the northern sky. But, his thoughts were no longer following the departing bird.
Instead, they had begun drifting elsewhere.
A symbol of freedom… Freedom Party...
Something surfaced within his memory.
A weapon laid dormant in his storage bag—Étendard Sacré du Lys.
The enchanted spear was capable of strengthening his companions when wielded together with a banner.
A banner...
His eyes slowly widened.
A symbol...
A symbol that everyone could rally behind.
A symbol of freedom...
A gentle smile spread across his face. He finally turned toward the two women beside him.
"Elise. Ina. I've decided.”
Elise turned toward him.
"Hmm? Decided what, Hyoren?"
Beside her, Ina's brown cat ears perked up. Her tail immediately began swaying with curiosity.
"What is it? What is it?"
Hyoren smiled. He turned around before casually leaning his back against the wooden railing.
"The symbol of Freedom Party. Our party still doesn't have a crest."
He glanced toward his storage bag.
"And now we have a weapon that requires a banner."
He smiled wryly.
"A banner won't mean much if it doesn't have a recognizable crest. I've been thinking about what kind of symbol should represent our party."
His eyes wandered toward the river as his thoughts returned to the ideas he had considered since he got that spear.
At first—when he thought about freedom—the image of a bald eagle had immediately come to mind. It was one of the greatest symbols of freedom back on Earth.
But, he wasn't even sure eagles existed in Kresneger. Even if they did, the symbol would hold little meaning to the people of this world.
Then he had considered a broken chain. Freedom from restraint. Freedom from oppression.
Yet—that didn't feel right either.
Freedom Party had never been imprisoned. They weren't fighting against shackles. They simply wished to live freely.
After that, he thought about using a compass.
A symbol of travel. Of wandering wherever one's heart desired. It matched his dream of journeying across Kresneger.
But, it still felt incomplete. Freedom Party wasn't merely a group of travelers.
Then, today, Aetovacus appeared.
The colossal black bird soaring freely across the endless sky.
It traveled wherever it wished. No kingdom could command it. No nation could claim it. No one possessed the strength to bind its wings.
Yet, it wasn't a creature that ignored the world around it.
Hyoren still didn't know why it had once intervened during the Battle of Benign Fort. Whether it had simply been hunting. Or whether it had truly intended to save people. No one knew.
But one fact remained unchanged—it had helped.
And somehow, that resonated deeply with him. It perfectly reflected what he wanted Freedom Party to become.
A group that helped others. Not because someone ordered them to. Not because it was an obligation. Not because they sought fame. Or rewards. Or recognition.
But simply because—helping people felt like the right thing to do. To lend a hand of their own free will. No strings attached.
Hyoren smiled faintly.
"That's why I think Aetovacus fits."
Ina's expression softened.
"I see… You want to use Aetovacus as Freedom Party's crest."
Hyoren nodded.
"I do."
Elise smiled warmly.
"I think it's wonderful. It suits us."
Hyoren scratched his cheek.
"I'm still a little worried, though."
He looked toward Ina.
"Do any major organizations… Or perhaps a noble family… Already use Aetovacus as their crest?"
Ina tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm… As far as I know… No."
She smiled apologetically.
"But Arianna would probably know much better than I do. After all, she should learn about them in her education.”
Hyoren nodded.
"True."
His gaze naturally shifted toward the bow of The Sailer, where Arianna and Jackey were still happily talking together.
"I suppose she's the right person to ask."
Pushing himself away from the railing, Hyoren smiled at the two women.
"Let's go."
The three of them crossed the wooden deck together, making their way toward the chatting noble mage and the dual-axe warrior.
***
As Hyoren, Elise, and Ina walked toward the bow of The Sailer, they gradually began hearing the conversation between Jackey and Arianna.
Jackey was still enthusiastically telling one of his stories.
"...And that's when we finally fought the guardian!"
He spread both arms as wide as he could.
"It was HUGE!"
His tabby cat tail stood proudly behind him.
"And you know what the first thing it did was?"
He didn't even wait for Arianna to answer.
"It cast a gigantic water ball right at me!"
He slapped his own chest dramatically.
"BOOM! I got blasted backward more than ten meters! I rolled across the floor over and over before smashing into the wall!"
He threw his head back and laughed.
"HAHAHA!"
Arianna gracefully covered her mouth with the back of one hand.
"Ohoho… That certainly sounds dangerous..."
She tried her best to suppress her laughter.
"But… I'm terribly sorry. I simply can't help imagining the scene. Ohohoho..."
Jackey folded both arms across his chest with an exaggerated pout.
"See?! Everyone laughed at me back then too! They were all heartless!"
Despite his complaint, a grin quickly returned to his face.
"But… They patched me up afterward. So I guess they weren't that heartless."
That only made Arianna laugh again.
"Ohohoho..."
Just then, the two of them noticed Hyoren's group approaching.
Jackey immediately waved.
"Oh! Big Bro!"
He flashed his usual carefree smile.
"Enjoying the journey, aren't you?"
Hyoren nodded.
"Very much."
Before anything else could be said—Ina stepped forward. She narrowed her eyes on her younger brother.
"Hey. You stupid little brother. I hope you weren't bothering Arianna."
Jackey's tabby cat ears immediately stood upright.
"What?! No, Big Sis!"
He pointed toward Arianna.
"I was just telling Miss Purple about my dungeon adventure! I swear!"
Arianna gently adjusted the loose braid resting over her left shoulder before smiling politely.
"Please don't worry, Lady Ina. Sir Jackey hasn't been rude to me at all."
She glanced toward the beastkin beside her.
"On the contrary… His stories have been wonderfully entertaining. He has experienced many interesting adventures."
Jackey scratched the back of his head with a proud grin.
"Hehe..."
Ina still looked slightly unconvinced. She studied the two of them for another moment before finally sighing.
"Very well. I'm glad to hear that."
Hyoren smiled at Ina
"See Ina, there is no need to worry. From the looks of it, everyone seems to enjoy the journey."
His gaze then shifted toward Arianna.
"By the way… Arianna. I'd like to ask you something."
The young noblewoman tilted her head slightly.
"What is it, Leader?"
Hyoren briefly looked toward the northern sky where Aetovacus had disappeared moments ago.
Then he looked back at her.
"I'd like to know… Is there any noble house… Or perhaps a major organization… That already uses Aetovacus as its crest?"
Arianna's light blue eyes blinked once.
"Aetovacus…?"
She fell silent.
One finger lightly touched her chin as she searched through the knowledge taught by her academy instructors and private tutors. Several moments passed before she slowly shook her head.
"As far as I can recall… No. At least… None of the noble houses or major organizations that I have studied bear Aetovacus as their crest."
She smiled apologetically.
"If it is a smaller … Or perhaps an adventurer party… I'm afraid I cannot say with certainty."
Her answer made Hyoren quietly smile.
But Arianna was not finished.
"To tell you the truth… Aetovacus has always been regarded as the Symbol of Freedom."
She smiled faintly.
"And that is precisely why I don't believe any major noble house or organization would choose Aetovacus for their crest."
Elise, who wasn't particularly familiar with noble customs, tilted her head.
"Huh? Why, Arianna?"
Hyoren nodded as well. That had been the exact question on his mind.
Arianna gently gestured with one hand as she began explaining.
"Aetovacus symbolizes freedom above all else. But for the nobility..."
She paused briefly.
"They exist within a strict hierarchy. A noble house has duties, obligations, and rules that must be followed. If a noble family openly chose the Symbol of Freedom as its crest… it could easily be interpreted as wishing to free itself from those rules."
Her light blue eyes softened.
"Or worse… as a declaration of rebellion."
Understanding dawned on Elise's face.
"I see..."
Arianna nodded.
"That is why noble crests usually depict symbols of authority and strength."
She placed a hand lightly against her chest.
"A wolf... like House Akela."
She gestured with her fingers.
“Or other symbols… Such as… Sword. Shields. Dragons. Griffins. Or other majestic creatures that symbolize power, courage, or sovereignty."
She drew a slow breath.
"In the end… A noble crest is a symbol of power. So naturally… It reflects power."
Hyoren folded his arms.
"I see… That actually makes perfect sense."
He chuckled quietly.
"Using the Symbol of Freedom would indeed be politically dangerous for a noble family."
Elise nodded.
"So that's why..."
Hyoren looked back toward Arianna.
"Then… Why don't organizations use Aetovacus either?"
Arianna tucked a loose strand of red hair back into her braid before answering.
"Because organizations are different. Their crests usually represent what they exist to do. A trading company may use coins or a balance scale because it deals in commerce. A sword school may choose crossed swords because it teaches swordsmanship. An alchemist association may use a flask. A charity often bears the holy symbol of Goddess Luminara, or clasped hands in prayer, because they represent compassion, comfort, and faith."
She smiled gently.
"But freedom… is not something an organization provides. It is not a craft. It is not a profession. It is not a commodity. No guild trades in freedom. No academy teaches freedom as a discipline. No charity distributes freedom."
She looked toward the empty sky where Aetovacus had disappeared.
"A crest should tell others what an organization exists for. But freedom… It exists for no purpose beyond itself. It simply… is."
Silence followed.
Hyoren slowly nodded.
"I see… Your explanation makes perfect sense."
Her reasoning was sound. It truly did.
His thoughts drifted back to Earth.
Come to think of it… Symbols of freedom were surprisingly rare on earth too..
He searched through the memories of his previous life.
The first image that came to mind was the bald eagle.
A national symbol associated with freedom. United States of America.
Then his mind drifted again.
The French Tricolour. Liberty. Equality. Fraternity.
He quietly reflected on the similarities.
Both nations had embraced freedom as part of their identity only after breaking free from the powers that had ruled over them.
Beyond that, he couldn't recall many organizations that openly adopted freedom itself as their symbol. Usually, only movements that fought for freedom did.
That realization made the image of Aetovacus feel even more fitting.
Not because it represented power. Nor wealth. Nor authority.
But because—it represented the very ideal Freedom Party wished to pursue.
***
Then Hyoren looked at Ina.
"Then… Maybe many adventurer parties use freedom as their symbol?"
Ina smiled wryly. Her cat ears twitched once while her tail slowly swayed behind her.
"I believe… There aren't any either, Hyoren."
Hyoren blinked. His dark eyes widened slightly.
He had honestly expected the opposite.
"Huh? Why? I always thought adventurers symbolized freedom. And... I thought most adventurers sought freedom."
Ina let out a soft laugh.
"Nyahaha. Why would you think that, Hyoren?"
The Vice Guild Master's playful smile gradually faded.
She straightened her posture, and the experienced guild staff who had spent decades watching countless adventurers quietly emerged.
"First of all… Adventurer is a profession. They work hard to reduce the threat of monsters. They gather monster materials. They retrieve magic stones. And those resources become part of the foundation that keeps civilization running."
Her gaze drifted toward Arianna for a brief moment. The young noblewoman, whose dream was to freely explore the world.
"Someone like Arianna… is actually quite rare."
Her amber eyes softened.
"Most people become adventurers because they need work. They may have the spirit of adventure. They may dream of exploring the world. But… Their livelihood always comes first."
She folded her hands together.
"I've worked at the Adventurer Guild for more than twenty years. And not once… have I seen an adventurer party use Aetovacus… or any other symbol of freedom… as their crest."
Hyoren quietly listened.
Ina continued.
"Adventurers aren't that different from nobles or organizations in this regard. They choose a symbol that represents their party… or a symbol that projects strength."
She began counting with her fingers.
"Jigor's Unbreakable Will uses a mountain. It represents resilience. Hilde's Merry Go Round uses musical instruments. After all, their leader is a bard. And Ronald's party uses a sturdy shield. Because they specialize in escorting merchant caravans."
She leaned forward slightly before smiling.
"So… The goal of Freedom Party… is actually rather unusual."
A playful grin returned to her face. Her cat ears perked up once more.
"Nyahaha."
Hyoren slowly nodded.
"I see..."
Before he could say anything else...
Jackey, who had been quietly listening beside Arianna the entire time, finally joined the conversation.
"Yeah, Big Bro!"
He pumped a fist into the air.
"Adventurers are supposed to look STRONG!"
He proudly puffed out his chest.
"They gotta show everyone how awesome they are!"
He furrowed his brows in exaggerated confusion.
"And what even is freedom anyway? Breaking free from something?"
He scratched his head.
"Most adventurers only care about magic stones… and loot! HAHAHA!"
His surprisingly straightforward conclusion instantly broke the serious atmosphere.
"Pfft."
Elise was the first to laugh.
Arianna covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Ohohoho..."
Even Ina couldn't hold it in.
"Nyahaha!"
Hyoren himself chuckled before shaking his head. He wiped away the tiny tear forming at the corner of one eye.
"I see..."
He laughed once more.
"That… actually makes perfect sense.”
***
Hyoren fell into thought.
In the end—here in Kresneger—Adventurers were unlike the romantic heroes depicted in the novels and stories he had read back on Earth.
Here, Adventurer was a profession. A proper institution. An indispensable workforce that ventured into dangerous places to gather monster materials and, more importantly, magic stones—the very fuel that sustained a civilization built upon magic.
In that sense, it wasn't all that different from workers on an offshore oil rig extracting crude oil. Or miners descending deep into coal mines to retrieve the fuel that powered an industrial society.
Of course, the comparison wasn't perfect.
Adventurers still fought monsters. They protected villages. They rescued people in danger. Their work carried risks far beyond those of ordinary laborers.
Yet at its core, the philosophy wasn't so different.
Most became adventurers to earn Kres. To support themselves. To make a living. Not to pursue freedom.
Not like Freedom Party. Not like the dream he wished to build.
Hyoren slowly nodded to himself.
"I see… So that's how it is."
He looked around at everyone gathered on the deck.
"Then… I have a proposal."
The others turned their attention toward him.
Hyoren briefly explained the idea he had already shared with Elise and Ina.
"Jackey. Arianna. After seeing Aetovacus today… And after learning why it became the Symbol of Salvation and Freedom… I want to make it the symbol of Freedom Party."
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Our party still doesn't have a proper crest. And now that we possess the Étendard Sacré du Lys… We'll need one before we can raise our banner."
Arianna simply nodded. A graceful smile adorned her face.
"I think that is a wonderful idea, Leader. It perfectly reflects the philosophy of Freedom Party. And as we discussed… No noble house or organization appears to have claimed it as their own."
She glanced toward the distant sky where the Apex Bird had disappeared.
"And… As an Apex Monster… It is also a symbol worthy of representing our strength. Ohoho."
Jackey immediately thrust a fist into the air.
"YES! Freedom Party is strong! So we need a STRONG symbol too! WOHOO!"
His wonderfully simple reasoning made everyone burst into laughter once again.
Hyoren chuckled before looking around at each of them.
"Then… Does everyone agree? Should Aetovacus become the symbol of Freedom Party?"
He looked toward Elise first. She smiled gently.
"Yes, Hyoren."
He turned to Ina. Her cat ears twitched once before she smiled.
"I think it's a good decision."
Next, he looked at Arianna. She gracefully inclined her head.
"A perfect decision, Leader."
Finally, he turned toward Jackey. The beastkin gave him a vigorous thumbs-up.
"Strong is good, Big Bro!"
Hyoren laughed.
Then his expression gradually became serious once more.
He looked at each of his companions. One by one. The people who had chosen to walk beside him. A warm smile slowly spread across his face.
"Then… It's decided."
He looked toward the endless blue sky.
"From this day onward… Freedom Party shall borrow the image of the Apex Bird… Aetovacus… as our symbol."
He raised his right fist before him.
"A symbol of our desire to someday stand at the apex. A symbol of our wish to help those in need. A symbol that reminds us never to be chained by power, wealth, or authority. And a symbol of our dream… To freely journey across this world."
He smiled.
"To freedom."
For a brief moment, silence filled the deck. Then, as if by unspoken agreement—Everyone raised their fist together—and shouted at the same time.
"To freedom!"
Their cheers echoed across the broad waters of the Akela River, carried downstream by the cold winter wind toward an endless horizon.
***
Ina looked around at everyone at the deck.
"So..."
She smiled.
"Can any of you draw?"
Everyone instinctively looked at one another. Each of them quietly shook their heads.
Hyoren scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.
"Actually… No."
He chuckled.
"Should we commission an artist to design one instead?"
Arianna nodded.
"I could ask my esteemed parents where they usually commission family crests and official emblems, Leader."
Hyoren smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Arianna."
The young noblewoman gracefully inclined her head.
"It would be my pleasure."
Ina stepped forward.
"I can draw!"
She quickly raised both hands before adding with an embarrassed laugh,
"Well… It won't be perfect. But I can at least sketch the concept. If everyone likes it… We can send it to a heraldry artisan to turn it into a proper crest."
Hyoren's eyes brightened.
"You can?"
He smiled.
"Then please."
Ina nodded confidently.
"Leave it to me."
She opened her storage bag before taking out several sheets of paper, a pencil, and a small eraser.
Walking toward the table inside the cabin, she carefully spread one sheet flat across its surface. The others naturally gathered around her.
Ina lowered her pencil.
"Let's see..."
The pencil began dancing across the paper. An outline slowly appeared. The head. Then the hooked beak. The broad wings.
After several minutes, Ina put down her pencil.
"How about this?"
Everyone leaned closer.
Hyoren was the first to speak.
"I think the beak should curve more. It looked sharper when we saw it."
Ina nodded.
"Got it."
She lightly erased the beak before redrawing it.
Elise pointed toward the wings.
"I think… The wings should be wider. When it glided… It looked like they stretched across the entire sky."
Ina immediately adjusted the proportions.
"I see… Like this?"
Arianna observed the drawing thoughtfully.
"I believe… You should emphasize the Dark Aethell surrounding it. Otherwise… It may simply resemble an ordinary bird."
She traced a gentle circle around the sketch without touching the paper.
"The aura was one of its most distinctive features."
Ina nodded once more.
"I'll add that."
Jackey crossed both arms. He stared at the drawing with unusually serious eyes.
"It doesn't look strong enough."
Everyone looked at him. Jackey pointed at the bird.
"It needs more..."
He struggled to find the right word.
"...OOMPH!"
He thrust both hands outward dramatically.
"It should make people think… WOAH! THAT'S STRONG!'
The entire cabin burst into laughter.
Hyoren wiped the corner of one eye before speaking.
"Hahaha… I actually understand what you mean."
He pointed toward the back of the bird.
"And don't forget the dark rings. We saw several of them trailing behind Aetovacus. Maybe draw two or three."
Ina quickly made another note.
"Right. The rings..."
She erased part of the sketch before beginning again.
Time quietly passed inside the cabin. One sketch became two. Then three. Then four.
Sometimes Hyoren would comment that the posture didn't quite resemble Aetovacus. Sometimes Elise suggested adjusting the proportions of the wings. Arianna occasionally reminded Ina how a heraldic crest should remain recognizable even from a distance.
Meanwhile, Jackey's advice never changed.
"More strength! Still not enough! Bigger! Haha!"
Eventually, Ina placed her pencil on the table.
She took a small breath before lifting the finished drawing for everyone to see.
"How about this?”
Everyone leaned in. Silence filled the cabin.
The drawing depicted Aetovacus soaring proudly toward the skies.
Its sharply curved beak projected forward with unmistakable authority, looking powerful enough to tear through even the toughest prey. Although its talons were folded beneath its body during flight, they still looked razor-sharp, hinting at the terrifying strength hidden within them.
Its wings stretched wide. Rigid. Majestic. It was drawn with clean, angular lines, giving the impression that the wings had been carved from polished obsidian.
Surrounding the bird was a faint veil of dark aura. It didn't feel sinister. Nor did it appear ominous. Instead—it radiated an overwhelming sense of majesty.
A silent reminder that this creature stood at the very apex of the world's skies.
Behind its tail, two hazy rings of dark mist trailed through the air. Just like the phenomenon they had witnessed when Aetovacus accelerated across the skies.
The entire drawing perfectly captured the memory that had been engraved into their minds only moments ago.
Hyoren found himself staring at it.
“It looks… perfect."
Elise nodded in agreement.
"It truly captures the majesty of Aetovacus. The beak… The wings… And even the folded talons."
Arianna smiled softly.
"And the dark aura..."
She pointed toward the faint haze surrounding the bird.
"Together with the two rings of dark mist… I believe anyone familiar with Aetovacus would recognize it immediately, even from afar."
Jackey thrust a fist into the air.
"YES! It look STRONG! Just like Freedom Party! WOHOO!"
Hyoren looked back at Ina. He smiled sincerely.
"Yes, Ina. It looks perfect."
Ina smiled with visible relief.
"I'm glad. Then… We'll use this design."
She paused for a moment.
"Wait a minute…"
Reaching into her storage bag once more, Ina retrieved a neatly folded piece of white cloth along with a special drawing pen.
She carefully spread the cloth across the table.
Using the completed sketch as a reference, she patiently redrew every line onto the fabric.
Once the ink had settled, she threaded a needle. Her fingers moved with practiced precision as she sewed a connector fabric to tie it to the flag bearer.
Several minutes later, she cut the final thread. The simple piece of cloth had become a proper flag.
Ina proudly held it up.
"Here. How is it?"
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"It looks wonderful. It really became a banner. So this is our crest..."
One after another, they praised her work.
Ina smiled proudly before turning toward Hyoren.
"Hyoren, take out the flag bearer."
Hyoren nodded. He took the pure white mithril spear—Étendard Sacré du Lys—from his storage bag. Its flawless surface reflected the sunlight entering through the cabin windows.
Ina carefully tied the flag onto the small fastening point on the upper shaft of the spear. Just below the spear blade.
After tightening the knot, she handed it back.
"There. It's finished."
Hyoren accepted the spear with both hands. He stepped outside onto the deck.
The others quietly followed behind him.
Standing beneath the winter sky—he slowly raised the Étendard Sacré du Lys.
The white banner immediately fluttered under the winter breeze.
The black silhouette of Aetovacus proudly spread its wings against the pure white cloth. Its faint dark aura and the two trailing rings danced gently as the banner waved above them.
For a moment, everyone simply watched.
After a while, Hyoren couldn't help smiling.
"Our party's own banner..."
Elise gazed at it with quiet admiration.
"It's still simple..."
She smiled warmly.
"But… It already looks wonderful."
Arianna gracefully nodded.
"A fitting banner for Freedom Party, Leader."
Jackey folded his arms. He bobbed his head repeatedly with complete satisfaction.
"Strong."
Under the clear early winter sky, Freedom Party’s banner bearing the image of Aetovacus fluttered proudly for the very first time.
***
The white banner continued fluttering proudly in the cold winter breeze.
Everyone quietly admired it.
Even after all the brainstorming—seeing the crest truly flying above Freedom Party felt completely different. It was real now.
For the first time, their party had a symbol. A symbol they could proudly carry wherever their journey led.
The Sailer rounded a bend where the river cut between two dense groves of aquatic trees, their broad roots crowding close to the water on both sides.
The moment the passage opened again—Holley's voice suddenly echoed from the helm.
"Everyone..."
His tone was unusually serious.
"I don't mean to ruin the festive atmosphere… But… You all need to look at that."
The smiles on everyone's faces gradually faded.
Almost instinctively, they turned toward the veteran ferryman.
Holley wasn't looking at them. His weathered face remained fixed straight ahead.
One hand firmly gripped the ship's steering wheel. The other slowly pointed toward the river before them.
Everyone followed his finger.
Hyoren slowly lowered the spear. The banner continued fluttering beside him.
His eyes narrowed.
"What… Is that..."
Beside him, even Elise found herself speechless. Her emerald eyes widened as she stared ahead.
Ina's brown cat ears flattened against her head. The excitement from only moments ago vanished without a trace.
"We're supposed to arrive at Riverville Town soon..."
Her voice became quieter.
"But..."
Arianna's elegant expression hardened. Her eyebrows furrowed.
"That is definitely not natural…"
Jackey's striped tail became perfectly straight. Even its usual swaying stopped.
"It looks sinister..."
Hyoren swallowed hard. Stretching before them was a wall of fog.
The Greyveil Marsh had been covered by a thin layer of mist throughout the journey. That was perfectly normal.
But this fog was something entirely different.
A few hundred meters ahead of The Sailer, an enormous bank of white fog towered above the wetlands like a silent wall.
It was unnaturally dense. Impossible to see through. And somehow, simply looking at it filled the air with an indescribable sense of unease.
What disturbed Hyoren even more was how localized it was.
To the left, the marshlands remained covered only by their usual light mist. To the right, nothing looked unusual either.
Only the area directly ahead—where Riverville Town should have stood—had been completely swallowed.
For several long seconds, no one spoke. Even the gentle sound of the river suddenly felt distant.
Finally, Ina found her voice. Her ears remained pressed flat.
"Riverville Town..."
She stared into the towering white fog.
"has been swallowed by fog?”