Chương 100: The Next Legendary Sword

Ethan and Agnes sat by the riverbank, their fishing rods resting in the slow-moving current. Felicity approached them carrying a wooden bucket. Inside were three freshly caught fish.

"Did you catch anything?" she asked. Agnes shook her head.

"No. Ethan doesn't know how to fish, Ms. Swordswoman". Felicity frowned.

"Ms. Swordswoman? Seriously?"

"It's not such a bad nickname", Ethan commented.

"I should come up with one for you too, but I can't think of anything…you're unbelievably boring. I'll just keep calling you Ethan", Agnes said with a grin.

"Works for me". Felicity stepped closer and handed the bucket to Agnes.

"Take these to Xia and Leah so they can start cooking them". Agnes nodded and hurried away. Her stomach was growling. She was starving. Left alone, Felicity crossed her arms and looked at Ethan.

"How have you survived all this time without knowing how to fish?"

"By hunting. It's much easier".

"So is fishing. Want me to teach you?" Ethan shook his head.

"No need. It's just a matter of luck, after all". Felicity smiled faintly.

"Luck, huh? We'll see if you still think that in a few hours". She left him alone with his fishing rod. Not long afterward, Ethan felt a sudden tug. He gripped the rod tightly and pulled, but when the hook broke the surface, it was empty. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Damn it…" That evening, Ethan stood watch while the others slept in their tents. He patrolled the perimeter of the small campsite, where they had pitched their tents and tethered the horses. Every sound made him turn. But it was always just small animals rustling through the bushes or trees. When he spotted the river in the distance, he walked toward it. He stopped just short of the shore. During the day, it looked like any ordinary river.

In fact, it had started to annoy him, considering he hadn't managed to catch a single fish. At night, however, it seemed like a completely different place. The moonlight bathed the entire river, making it appear almost unreal. It was a breathtaking sight. As he took a better look at the scenery, he suddenly froze. Xia was standing waist-deep in the water. He immediately realized she was naked, turned around at once, and pretended to continue his patrol as if nothing had happened.

"Ethan, could you bring me my kimono?" Xia asked casually.

"I'd rather not catch a cold". Realizing she had already noticed him, Ethan walked to the riverbank, picked up the light blue kimono lying on the ground and approached while keeping his gaze firmly lowered. He wasn't embarrassed. He did it out of respect. He handed it to her without taking his eyes off the stones at his feet.

"Thank you", Xia replied calmly. She took it and slipped it on without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

"You should take a bath too. I can warm the water for you, if you'd like". Only then did Ethan raise his head.

"Maybe tomorrow", he replied. Xia smiled.

"As you wish. Good night, Ethan".

"Wait…can I ask you something?" She turned around.

"Of course".

"The legendary swords…there are three still missing, right?"

"Exactly".

"I've hesitated to mention it until now because I wasn't sure I'd be staying with you…but I think I know where one of them is". Xia's eyes widened slightly as she stepped closer, intrigued.

"I'm listening".

"When I was Commander of the Golden Knights, I wasn't the only one who possessed a legendary sword. There was another one. It belonged to a knight who was transferred to the frozen regions to defend a castle".

"How can you be sure it was really a legendary sword?"

"I saw it with my own eyes", Ethan replied.

"Its power was to stop time. I think I was the only person he ever entrusted with that secret…we were very close friends". Xia remained silent for a moment before smiling.

"Tomorrow we'll begin our search. Thank you, Ethan. I'm glad you're with us". Ethan nodded, returning her smile. Meanwhile, far away from there, the gnome had led Teresa and her royal guard through the ruins of Aixol. The city had been reduced to ashes, yet something seemed to endure. Teresa walked forward slowly, feeling a strange pressure in her chest. She placed a hand over her heart. This was the very place where Ugly had built his perfect city.

This was the very place where he had ordered the dragon not to kill his executioners, refusing to become what the world had always decided he was. And this was the very place where he had died with a smile on his face. Teresa took another step through the ruins. With every step, she recalled the story told in the book. She closed her eyes and, for a brief moment, imagined Aixol as it had been described. Alive. Peaceful. Then she opened them again. Before her lay nothing but ashes and deafening silence.

And yet, there was no sadness in her eyes. They were filled with ambition. She was ready to uncover whatever remained of Aixol. And above all, she was ready to find the Green Dragon.