After a day's rest and recuperation, Ardan was back to her usual self, and it meant the group didn't need to stay put any longer.
Honestly, a tree hollow was never going to be all that comfortable.
Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe weren't exactly close with Ardan, the newest addition to the team, at first. But faced with her gentle demeanor, they eventually warmed up and started having fun together.
A group of eight—that was more than enough, especially since they were all Uma Musume. The climbing route was tough, but there weren't any major obstacles.
After the second rest area, the scenery along the way began to shift toward the bizarre.
The unpredictable weather was nothing, but the sheer strangeness of the terrain was downright unbelievable.
Like that mountain peak, straight and squared-off like a sword; a spring half-boiling, half-frozen; vast forests of ancient trees that seemed to have human faces…
It was truly eye-opening. A mountain bearing the name of a goddess certainly lived up to its reputation.
Amidst the constant astonishment and wonder of this journey, Nearl felt her bond with this world growing deeper by the day.
Today, they finally reached the base of the third rest area. Now, the only thing blocking their path was an absurdly tall, hook-shaped cliff. The only way up was via the thick curtain of vines hanging down its face.
"Is everyone holding on tight? Be careful! Even with the safety ropes below, if you actually fall, that sudden jolt won't be pleasant."
Godolphin, leading the climb, called out loudly to those following behind.
Everyone responded cautiously, and in the end, they all made it up safely.
What, why didn't any vines snap? Come on, this isn't a movie.
The fresh green vines of spring were moist inside, incredibly flexible, and you're grabbing several at a time while climbing—how could they possibly break?
But the physical exhaustion was no joke. Ardan, the weakest among them, was already breathing heavily.
Yet at that moment, aside from Nearl who came over carefully to support her, even the doctor and her assistant failed to notice at first.
"So beautiful…"
Manhattan Cafe's eyes went wide, the words of praise slipping out unconsciously. Beside her, Tachyon, though holding up better, was equally entranced.
"The Sea of Vows… so this is why it's called a sea?"
Nearl, helping Ardan forward, also seemed a bit dizzy. The lake before them was nothing short of a miracle crafted by the gods, a unique wonder in this world.
The third rest area itself was a highland right by the lake's edge. What made it famous was the adjacent lake—a gigantic one.
This lake sat right at the mountain's edge, with an open vista where distant mountain ranges only appeared far on the horizon.
The water surface was as calm as a mirror, its edges seeming to merge with the vast blue sky outside, the heavens perfectly reflected within it.
Sky and light became one; sea and sky blended into a single whole.
It might sound exaggerated, but only these words could capture that sense of boundless openness.
And did you think that was it? No, there was another reason this place was called the Sea of Vows.
It was the flowers blooming across the lakebed—clusters upon clusters, gorgeous beyond words.
Purple, gold, red, green, vast expanses of flowers carpeting the entire lake bottom. Coupled with the reflections on the water's surface, it was like a sea of blossoms blooming in the sky.
The spectacle, the exquisite beauty, the sheer awe, the loveliness—all reached the pinnacle of aesthetic wonder.
The Sea of Vows: it referred both to the lake and sky merging like a vast sea, and to the flowers in the lake surging like an ocean.
Ardan's earlier desire to choose this place was now crystal clear. There was no better spot for a confession.
"Everyone, enjoy the view to your heart's content. If you don't take it in and imprint this beauty in your mind, this trip would be wasted."
"Yeah!"
With that, the group dispersed, each expressing their excitement in their own way.
Ardan, in particular, brought out simple tools to sketch the scene. Though her materials were basic, she poured her heart into it. It was bound to be a masterpiece capturing joy.
This was the endpoint of Nearl's journey to Celestial Peak. She had no more time to spare.
It had taken five days to get here, six days to climb, plus the return trip—the holiday had passed in the blink of an eye.
But Nearl was happy, satisfied. She had gained immensely from this journey. The understanding of measuring the world with her own steps was a treasure she would keep deep in her heart.
Time passed, and soon the fun was over. Everyone gathered for a final check.
"Is all the trash packed up?"
"All packed."
"Any small items left behind?"
"None."
"Are the parachutes checked?"
"All set."
Yes, this was their secret to a quick return. Ever wonder why the rest areas were so strictly designated? There were plenty of places to camp out, even caves that could shelter from wind and rain.
One decisive factor was that each rest area was located at the edge of the mountain range, with no obstructions around, allowing a straight drop to the flatlands below—after all, it was an inverted cone-shaped mountain.
This method was the fastest. Otherwise, some parts of the descent would be far more difficult than the climb up.
"Nearl, have you parachuted before?"
Beside her, Ardan asked, concerned, as Nearl kept adjusting her parachute pack.
"It's fine. Don't forget, the mountain climbing permit exam included a parachute jump. No problem."
"You must stay calm. I'll go ahead."
With these words of care, Ardan followed the doctor and her assistant to the cliff's edge.
A gentle breeze brushed past—perfect conditions for the jump.
"Nearl, see you below."
With that, Ardan smiled and leaped outward. The thrill of the descent drew an involuntary cry from her, despite her usually impeccable composure.
Whoosh!
Three sounds, and three cloud-like parachutes bloomed in the sky.
"Let's go too." "Assistant, hurry up and follow!"
Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe went right after. Now, only Nearl and her two older sisters remained at the cliff's edge.
"Little Nearl, next time, travel with others again."
"Mhm."
Pushing off with her feet, she threw herself into the blue sky. Ahead was the vast, boundless heavens; below, the vividly colorful earth. In that moment, Nearl felt truly relaxed.
'It's like strolling through the sky.'
Nearl understood herself and the world more deeply. She had leveled up!
--+--
"Is that so? It seems you gained a lot from this trip. Your spirit and presence seem even better now."
In the student council room, Nearl and Symboli Rudolf sat facing each other, talking in a harmonious atmosphere.
"In that case, the outcome is probably already decided, isn't it? The Japanese Derby."
"Yes. Though it might sound arrogant, I will achieve the Undefeated Triple Crown."
"I'll be waiting. Waiting for the day you accomplish that great feat, Nearl. Go seize victory."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.