Zola’s face was strikingly beautiful, yet it lacked any sign of life, like a mask worn by something other than a human. She stared directly at Parker with an unnerving gaze.

Parker felt a shiver run down his spine, an instinctive fear that seemed almost ingrained. Yet, he was no longer the timid street rogue or an annoying, greasy scoundrel—he was a man with a dream to become a mage.

He had already resolved to change himself, and this was his chance.

Clearing his throat, Parker looked back at Zola without flinching.

"…"

“Mr. Parker, there’s no need to worry. I have my own ways of handling things.” Zola’s lips parted in a precise, almost rehearsed smile, her voice gentle but slow—noticeably slower than the usual rhythm, which gave her speech a slightly affected tone.

“Alright, stay safe.” Parker replied, returning her smile naturally.

Thus, three people had entered the eerie forest, and four came out.

After a while of boldly traversing the forest, Aino decided it was time to stop for a rest. They found a flat, dry spot to sit, with Alea reclining on Aino’s lap to relax, Parker off to the side studying magic, and Zola and Aino seated nearby with nothing to occupy them.

"Zola, is there any place you’d like to go?"

Aino softly asked as she looked down at Alea’s peaceful face, speaking in a gentle tone, as if afraid to disturb her.

Zola took a moment to ponder.

"I would like… to visit the North Abyss."

Legends spoke of a vast ocean at the northern edge of the world, called the North Abyss, where the water was as dark as ink, murky and nearly impenetrable to light. The sea there was infamous for its constant storms, a place where life seemed all but impossible.

Aside from the native creatures, most of the marine life there was colossal and terrifyingly strange. For most, the North Abyss was a place associated with fear, though it was undeniably majestic.

“Do you just want to see it, or do you have some specific purpose?” Alea was already asleep on Aino’s lap, her long lashes fluttering softly, a few stray golden strands of hair falling across her face.

“I just want to see it…” Zola replied, her gaze also resting on Alea.

“This human girl seems a bit… different,” Zola remarked quietly.

“She once dabbled in forbidden magic, but her powers were stripped away.”

“Humans call people like her ‘witches.’”

Aino left Alea’s hair as it was, letting the strands brush against her face with each quiet breath, finding a bit of amusement in the sight.

“People enjoy all kinds of scenery. I understand that you’d be interested in the North Abyss, but as for me, I’ve never really cared for so-called natural beauty.”

Aino glanced at Alea on her lap, then at Zola sitting beside her, and finally over at Parker, who was practicing nearby.

“To my eyes, those natural scenes aren’t half as interesting as these companions.” She nodded toward Alea’s head resting on her lap.

"And the North Abyss might not even be as captivating as your eyes." She glanced at Zola’s deep green eyes, devoid of light yet strangely beautiful.

Zola blinked, taking a moment before responding.

"So… does that mean you don’t want to go with me to the North Abyss…?"

“No, quite the opposite. Going to the North Abyss with you would let me see so many things I find fascinating.”

"…"

The two fell silent, simply sitting there quietly together.

And so, the group gained a goal—to head toward the North Abyss.

“My father once told me tales of the North Abyss,” Alea said in surprise, clearly excited. “They say there’s a fish there so big it’s beyond imagination. Is it true that the sea is as dark as ink?”

“There’s more than just that fish; all creatures in the North Abyss are enormous, veritable giants,” Parker added.

Seeing Alea and Parker’s clear interest, Zola’s face showed a faint, almost unnoticeable smile.

Aino felt a wave of relief, pleased that everyone was on board with the journey to the North Abyss. As the leader, she’d feel conflicted if any of them weren’t willing to go.

“So, which way do we go?” Aino asked, revealing her poor sense of direction.

Parker pointed northward. “That way is north.”

“I can guide us through the forest. Once we’re out, though… I don’t know the way,” Zola offered. She was familiar with this forest and knew paths that would allow them to avoid difficult terrain, making the journey easier.

Following Zola’s route, they soon reached an area where Aino abruptly stopped, alert to something off the path. She looked toward a downward slope leading to an endless plain below, where some distant community resided.

"In my memory, this is the territory of dwarves… They are strong and highly united."

The group stood on a high point on the slope, with no trees to block the strong wind blowing their hair—except for Parker, whose head was shaved.

Aino’s gaze remained on the distant plains, sensing a formidable presence far stronger than anyone she’d encountered before.

“The dwarves’ king is extremely powerful, entirely unlike the rest of his kind,” Zola continued.

“The Dwarf King?” Alea raised her brows in surprise. “Could it be the legendary Dwarf King Solgor?”

“I wouldn’t know… I only have a vague sense of his existence…”

Aino turned to her companions, noting their thin, travel-worn clothes and lack of any proper supplies—certainly not the image of a prepared adventure party.

“It’s about time we stocked up on supplies. The northern weather is much colder, so we’ll need warmer clothing. We should also start gathering essentials for the journey.”

The dwarves were a widely known and highly sociable race. Unlike the reclusive elves who lived deep in the forests, the dwarves established thriving communities that often became bustling marketplaces and meeting grounds for various species.

“Oh, absolutely—I’ve been wanting to change out of these clothes,” Alea grumbled, tugging at her collar and tapping her foot. “I’ve never worn a pair of socks for this long!”

An idea struck Aino as she thought aloud, “We should also consider weapons. Dwarves are famed for their blacksmithing. We could find some reliable weapons.”

Parker raised his hand with a practical question. “But we don’t have any money.”

“Everyone arrives in dwarf territory without their currency. We can earn what we need there and trade fairly.”

With no objections, the four of them soon descended onto the plains. Walking further, they spotted a city—far more elaborate and grand than Dante, the human city they had passed through.

“By the way, Master, Miss Zola, do you both speak Dwarvish? It might be tough if we don’t understand the language,” Parker asked, squinting at the inscriptions on the city gate that he, as a human, couldn’t read.

“I know Dwarvish, and Zola has the innate ability to understand all languages,” Aino replied as she strolled ahead, observing the surroundings.

Zola followed Parker’s gaze, looking up at the weathered gate and the words inscribed upon it.

“Grantham.”

This was Grantham, the renowned city of the dwarves.