Chapter 10
The city does not sleep.
Even late at night, voices echo through the streets of the capital. Torches burn, soldiers patrol, and behind closed doors, decisions are being made.
Shin stands at the window of the inn, staring down at the city below.
"Ray," he says quietly. "No matter what happens… Historia will always come first."
Ray looks up from his seat.
"Without equality," Shin continues, his voice firm, "there will never be true peace. And if we want to save her, we need information. Curses strong enough to shorten a person's lifespan don't come from nowhere."
Ray nods slowly.
"Then we need knowledge. Old knowledge."
He pauses for a moment.
"There's an ancient library in the western district. Hardly anyone goes there anymore."
Shin turns toward him.
"…Good idea."
The library stands apart from the rest of the city.
Its stone walls are cracked, its windows covered in dust. Time itself seems to avoid the place.
They push the heavy door open.
Inside, the air is stale and quiet. Endless shelves stretch into the darkness.
An old woman stands behind the counter. Her eyes are sharp despite her age.
"Visitors," she says calmly. "It's been a while."
They bow politely and move deeper into the library.
Hours pass.
They search through countless shelves until they finally find it.
The Curse Section.
Books filled with forbidden symbols and dangerous knowledge surround them. One title catches Shin's eye.
Strengthening Curses.
They sit down and begin to read.
Time loses meaning.
Finally, Shin stops.
"…This is it."
Ray leans closer.
The book describes a rare type of curse one that attacks both the spiritual and physical body at the same time. A curse designed not to kill instantly, but to slowly shorten a person's lifespan.
Shin's jaw tightens.
"That's Historia's curse."
Ray continues reading.
"To break such a curse… a powerful Spirit Stone must be created."
A silence falls between them.
"…So there is a way," Ray says quietly.
Shin nods.
"But we need the method."
They return to the counter.
The old woman listens carefully, then nods once.
"A Spirit Stone of that level," she says, "can only be found or created within the Spirit Garden."
Ray's eyes widen slightly.
"The Spirit Garden… That's on the Nature Continent."
Shin clenches his fist.
"How long would it take to get there?"
"By ship," the woman replies, "one month."
Ray exhales.
"And with the current situation between the continents?"
The woman's gaze sharpens.
"You would need to take a detour. The direct route is closed."
Shin bows deeply.
"Thank you."
They leave the library in silence.
Outside, Ray finally speaks.
"We have to go," he says. "If there's even a chance…"
He hesitates, then adds quietly,
"…I might also find information about my sister there."
Shin looks at him and nods.
"Then it's decided."
The following days are spent preparing.
Weapons are repaired. Supplies gathered. Maps studied. Every detail matters.
This is not just a journey it is a gamble.
Late that night, Shin returns to the inn. Ray is already asleep.
Shin sits on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands.
A way exists, he thinks. No matter how dangerous it is… I'll take it.
A knock interrupts his thoughts.
Knock. Knock.
Shin freezes.
Slowly, he stands and opens the door.
Arthur stands in the hallway, his expression serious, his presence heavy.
"…We need to talk," Arthur says.
What do Arthur wants?