In the desolate expanse of wilderness where only rocks, wind, and an endless sky stretched to the horizon, stood the city of Ella Amo.
Ahead on the path, an oasis of trees and ochre-colored buildings came into view—a quintessential sight in the arid regions.
According to my research, the outskirts of Ella Amo were home to a massive crater. Its diameter was said to be so large that it could engulf the entire city of Ella Amo with room to spare. The crater’s basin had transformed into an expansive forest, and the city’s survival relied on extracting its abundant resources and water.
And now, this massive crater was the designated venue for the Explorers’ Ranger Exam.
The city’s entrance featured a moat and a bridge, along with a modest checkpoint.
Seated lazily in the checkpoint’s booth was a burly man. I presented him with the certificate issued by Branch Director Sigurd, which I had received during our previous dealings.
The man took the document, raised an eyebrow, and scrutinized it carefully.
My heartbeat quickened slightly. I had heard that this would suffice in Ella Amo, but…
“You from Wigarlus?”
The burly man leaned forward, his intimidating face close to mine. Striving to remain composed, I answered, “Yes.”
The man’s expression abruptly softened.
“Well, you’ve come a long way! And this here? This is a certificate personally signed by Sigurd Lony himself! You’re quite something for someone so young!”
He slapped me heartily on the shoulder.
Apparently, an endorsement from the Guild Alliance leader of the metropolitan Wigarlus carried considerable weight here.
Moreover, it seemed word of us had spread via the grapevine. The man at the checkpoint treated me with unexpected warmth and respect. He even recommended an inn where I could stable my steed, Redelia.
Considering I had almost no familiarity with the area, his guidance was immensely helpful.
Once we reached the inn and unloaded our belongings, I prepared to head out.
“Isto-san! Where are you going?”
“To the guild branch in Ella Amo. I want to confirm a few things about the exam and other matters.”
“I’m coming with you!”
“I’ll be fine on my own. See you later.”
Leaving behind Fiole, who puffed up her cheeks in a pout, I exited the inn.
Following the directions given by the innkeeper, I made my way to the guild branch.
The main street exuded a distinctly different vibe from Wigarlus.
Lined with brown stone buildings and tents, the bustling marketplace teemed with life.
Perhaps due to the surrounding harsh environment, the locals all had robust, sun-tanned appearances.
Just walking through this lively town filled me with energy.
As I strolled down the sandy road in good spirits, I suddenly came to a halt—or rather, my feet stopped moving on their own.
I couldn’t explain why, but I felt a powerful, inexplicable tug on my intuition.
It was akin to the reaction Redelia had when drawn to monsters or Gifted Skills. Could it be that becoming Redelia’s master had sharpened my senses? No, that’s absurd.
Even as I thought this, my eyes were drawn to a narrow alley nearby.
I began walking toward it.
Ella Amo’s sunlight was intense. The shadows cast by buildings formed stark, sharp outlines.
Walking through the shade, I emerged into a small square surrounded by houses.
The sunlight filtering through the gaps in the buildings illuminated the space, making it the sole bright spot in the otherwise shadowy alley.
In the corner of the square, a lone girl sat huddled.
At a glance, it was clear she was not from around here.
Her hair, tied in a ponytail, was pure white. Her skin was a dusky brown, distinct from a sunburnt complexion, and her limbs were slender.
Her hair and skin color were likely natural. Even during my long tenure as a guild worker in Wigarlus, I had rarely encountered someone with such features.
She wore a simple tunic, its fabric frayed in places, giving it a shabby appearance.
Yet she exuded an innate dignity and nobility.
The aura she projected fit eerily well with the luminous space deep in the alley.
“…Ah.”
Both the girl and I voiced the sound simultaneously.
Her brilliant eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she stared intently at me.
She seemed a little older than Fiole—her face lay somewhere between a child’s innocence and a fully realized beauty.
Her eyes were enchanting, and my intuition told me she had a pure personality.
Still, what could a girl like her be doing in a back alley of Ella Amo?
The girl, meanwhile, stared fixedly at me, as if turned to stone.
She didn’t even blink, and her unrelenting gaze began to make me anxious.
As I took a step forward to check on her—
“Hey, you!”
A sharp voice rang out from behind me.
Turning around, I saw another girl standing there, a large sack slung over her back.
She was carrying the heavy bag all by herself—wait, what?!
I couldn’t help but glance between the two girls.
Their hair color, skin tone, attire, and even facial features were identical. The only differences were their hairstyles and expressions.
The short-haired girl with the sack continued in a sharp tone.
“Don’t you dare go near my dear sister, you—nyah!?”
…Nyah?
Did she just… stumble over her words?
“…Don’t go near my sister!”
Blushing furiously, the second girl corrected herself, glaring at me fiercely.
