Pick
Campfire.
As stories flowed alongside the sizzling of BBQ over open flame, it was hardly inappropriate for Rafinya to learn about the Shadows they had encountered in Snowhaven—and about the assassination attempt that day.
After the UNITED NATIONS assembly concluded, the public had learned of the Shadow tribe’s existence through an official announcement.
For someone of Rafinya’s generation—who had never seen one with her own eyes—
“Do they look like the descriptions in the books?” she asked Nora.
“They feel like cotton,” Nora replied.
“But they’re not beyond what humans can handle.”
If Nora could fight them—
Then for Rafinya, it likely wouldn’t be difficult.
“How did Luminus react to the news?” Dan asked Rafinya.
She paused to think, then met his gaze.
“My father and older brother were summoned to a military conference. I don’t know the details, but it was quite tense, Mr.Fury.”
“I was summoned too.”
Everyone turned toward Casca.
“You as well, Casca?”
“That’s why I disappeared for a week.”
“But you retired, didn’t you?”
“Retired or not, everyone connected to the Shadows had to attend. This is bigger than internal politics.”
“A closed meeting?”
“The public doesn’t know.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was classified national security. I can’t betray my country. You know our rules.”
True enough.
“So what does Luminus intend to do?”
“Acknowledge it and monitor with maximum caution. In any case, Luminus is the last place the Shadows would think to attack—you know that.”
Because of holy magic.
“Ran into her father as well, just so you know. News travels wide, been asked thousands of times about sponsoring you.”
But Casca hadn’t wanted to remain in Luminus long, given the unresolved tension she still had with the Pope.
Dan made a quiet “Hm… is that so?” expression.
“Where will you go next?” Nora asked.
“If I remember correctly, you still have an agreement with Snowhaven regarding the Shadows.”
Dan nodded.
“I’ll leave before dawn.”
“So soon, Mr.Fury?”
“The sooner this ends, the better. I’m going to Mathema.”
Such unwavering resolve.
“May I ask where exactly, Mr.Fury?”
“Tampa Bay.”
Both Nora and Rafinya’s eyes widened.
“What… Tampa Bay?”
They clearly knew its reputation.
“My intelligence says they’re moving there. I’ll verify it myself. Don’t worry—I’m going with Casca.”
“You’re going too, Casca?”
She nodded at Nora.
“I can’t take you with me. If someone sees you in Tampa Bay, that would be disastrous, wouldn’t it?”
“…Yes.”
Dan never once said, “This is an adult matter. Stay out of it.” Not even slightly.
He respected Nora enough to let her follow him elsewhere.
But Tampa Bay was a place where she absolutely could not be seen. Otherwise, it would trigger severe political consequences and damage the reputation of the Ophilis royal family.
Dan Burn paused when his gaze shifted to Rafinya.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The two girls exchanged uncertain glances.
Then—
He pointed at Rafinya.
“But you… can come with me.”
Rafinya froze.
“You want me to go?”
“In the future, you’ll likely become a general like Casca. I think you should come. You need to see certain things there. It will teach you.”
“Fury… isn’t it too dangerous?” Casca asked.
“I think she can survive there.”
“Wait… why can Rafinya go?” Nora’s displeasure surfaced.
“She’s a noble too. If someone sees her, it’s just as bad as me.”
“Concealing identity isn’t difficult. And Rafinya is far less recognizable than a princess like you.”
“I can disguise myself. I’ve shown you before.”
“I won’t take that risk. Stay here, Nora.”
“Mr.Fury! Please let me go with you!”
“Nora… listen.”
Dan stepped closer, placing an arm gently around her shoulder and guiding her aside to speak privately.
He could see it clearly—she was upset. She wanted to go. She wanted to follow him. And she felt hurt that he hadn’t chosen her.
“Nora… the reason I’m not taking you this time is because you don’t need to learn anything there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rafinya may be blunt and troublesome at times, but you’ve seen it too—there’s a certain rigidity in her thinking.”
“….”
Nora glanced back at Rafinya.
She understood.
Rafinya was difficult. But her virtue was purity—she refused compromise.
“For someone destined to be a general… that is something I cannot ignore.”
In war and in life—
You cannot remain rigid forever.
Sometimes you must bend.
Sometimes you must stain yourself.
Sometimes you must do wrong.
Sometimes you must become the villain.
Unlike Nora, who had already learned and accepted that truth, Rafinya still had not.
As a mentor in Fury’s style—
He did not need to teach Nora this lesson.
It was a class she did not need.
But Rafinya did.
“Mr.Fury… what you’re saying is true… but…”
“…Princess.”
“!”
Nora stilled when Dan placed his hand atop her head and gently patted it.
“I’m not a resource you need to compete over. My experience is the same. When I pass it on, I give it equally.”
And we still have our promise.
Though she still resisted inwardly, something—perhaps the quiet magic of Fury himself—softened her in the end.
“…Very well.”
She yielded.
“And I’ll wait for you here…”
“Thank you, Nora… for understanding.”
Afterward, Nora returned to the dormitory.
An hour later, once Rafinya had finished reviewing the time, location, and required conduct for the next day—
It was time for her to leave.
Dan walked her back.
“Mr.Fury… why did you suddenly decide to let me go?”
Rafinya Saint Pauli asked anxiously as they headed toward Artheris.
“So you can understand what kind of mentor I am.”
“……”
“What? Is your family against it? Your father gives you plenty of freedom.”
“That’s not it…”
“Conflicting with Instructor Foden’s training? Cancel it if so.”
“No… I was just wondering why you changed your mind so quickly.”
“I think this is a good opportunity to demonstrate through operation.”
“Your operation…?”
“Can you fight bandits?”
“…What?”
“When you went to Snowhaven with Nora, she wiped out the rebels. And you defeated her. So fighting real opponents shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“No.”
“Good. That’s reassuring.”
They continued walking.
“Have you ever killed?”
“If they deserved to die… I wouldn’t hesitate, Mr.Fury.”
“As expected.”
From a military family, Rafinya was no stranger to ending lives—no different from Nora.
They stopped at the entrance of Artheris. Dan would escort her no further.
“See you at the appointed time.”
He waved lightly, then turned back toward Anfield.
On his way back—
A young man emerged from the shadows beneath the moonlight.
Roma.
“Your Highness.”
“Roma.”
“I’ve come as ordered. What are your commands?”
“While I’m away, send this directive to all Diablo forces—land and air units.”
“How urgent?”
“The faster, the better.”
Roma nodded, ready with paper and pen.
“What is the order, Your Highness?”
“Find every location referred to as ‘coastal terraces.’ Then report how many ‘wave-striation marks’ exist across our island. I want complete and precise positions. Identify every delta and every Himalayan-type mountainous region. Do not rely solely on maps—verify with your own eyes. Then send all data back to me.”
“This concerns what you discussed with Thomasin, correct?”
“You read me well.”