Part 2
After walking for a good stretch, Rina identified a peaceful clearing, free of enemies and traps. With a serious look, she pointed to the spot.
"Here. Safe place," she said with conviction.
Haruto nodded and began setting up a makeshift camp while Seraphina rested, sitting with one hand over her injured leg.
"By the way, Sera… what were you doing in this area? You mentioned something about slavers earlier," Haruto asked while preparing the campfire.
"That's right. I escaped from a slaver caravan," she replied, pointing to the collar still hanging from her neck. "We silver wolves aren't particularly special, but the Empire doesn't care. They just want cheap labor," she added, staring at her hands with quiet sadness.
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"They must've captured at least ten more wolves…"
Haruto clenched his fists tightly, his gaze hardening at Seraphina's words.
"Bastards… Do you know where they were headed?" he asked, trying to stay calm.
"I'm not completely sure, but I overheard them talking about heading toward the sea. They mentioned the Great Cliff… it shouldn't be far from here," Seraphina said, her tone resigned.
Haruto sat down for a moment, letting his thoughts swirl. His sense of justice pushed him to act, but his survival instinct warned him not to get involved in something so big.
"…What would Yuna do in a situation like this?" he murmured to himself, eyes lost in the firelight.
Kizuna, who had been floating nearby, crossed her arms and planted herself in front of Haruto.
"Haruto-kyun, you know what's right. If it were Yuna in that caravan, would you hesitate?" she said seriously—something rare for her.
Kizuna's words hit Haruto hard. He knew she was right. He wasn't someone who could just stand by.
Maybe he hadn't given much thought to his role in this new world, but some things simply couldn't be ignored.
His gaze shifted to the collar around Seraphina's neck. Suddenly, everything became clear.
"Sera, would you let me try something?" he asked, pointing to the collar.
Seraphina looked at him with a spark of hope in her eyes.
"This collar's made of Nulite… it suppresses my powers. The keys are with the caravan," she explained, her tone laced with frustration and resignation.
"Is there any risk if you try to remove it?" Haruto asked, analyzing the object.
"Not that I know of. It doesn't have security spells. Nulite itself is already one of the most durable metals in the world," she answered.
Haruto closed his eyes for a moment, searching his memory for something useful.
He recalled the manga he'd found in the mines of Molgaroth.
He took a deep breath and raised his hand toward the collar.
"Unleash the chains of the oppressed… Dispel!" he shouted.
The collar around Seraphina's neck began to glow softly.
Tiny cracks formed along its surface, and within seconds, the object shattered into a thousand pieces, falling to the ground with a metallic clink.
Seraphina touched her neck, her eyes full of disbelief and emotion.
"I'm… free," she whispered, as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Haruto lowered his hand, offering Seraphina a gentle smile meant to soothe.
"Now that you're free, you don't have to worry about them anymore. But… I have to go after that caravan," he said, his voice firm with resolve.
Seraphina looked at him in disbelief.
"I appreciate your help and your good intentions, but… while I'm grateful for what you've done, you really shouldn't go up against them. It's dangerous," she warned, though her tone carried more concern than doubt.
Haruto shrugged with a soft grin as he materialized his red and blue pistols, which appeared in his hands with a magical flash.
"Don't worry… these two are always ready in case things get rough," he said, lifting the guns.
"This one's Aka, and this one's Ao."
"Though honestly, I'd rather avoid using them," he added with a light tone, hoping to ease Seraphina's worries.
Rina, who had been listening closely, stepped forward, her expression filled with determination.
"Rina go too… want to help," she said, her tone revealing her sincere desire not to let Haruto go alone.
Haruto shook his head, his gaze firm but also laced with concern.
"It's too dangerous. I need you to stay here and look after Sera. If something happens to me… I want you both to head to the Aeris tribe," he said, his voice softening at the end.
Rina lowered her eyes to the ground, her shoulders sinking slightly.
"Rina understands… Haruto be careful," she whispered, though her tone betrayed a faint trace of sadness.
Haruto placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her.
"I'm glad you understand. Don't worry. When I get back, we'll cook something tasty to celebrate, okay?" he said with a smile, trying to ease her worries.
Rina nodded slowly, though deep inside, a thought tormented her.
"If something goes wrong… I'll be alone again." The idea made her clench her hands tightly, trying to contain her anxiety.
Before Haruto could leave, Seraphina raised a hand to stop him.
"Before you go, let me warn you," she said in a serious tone.
Haruto turned to her, listening intently.
"Everyone in that caravan is human. There's a slaver who seemed to be an archer… and four bandits. They're not your average group," she said, her gaze sharp as she recalled her time in captivity.
Haruto nodded, processing the information as he turned toward the forest, holding Aka and Ao firmly in his hands.
"Thanks for the heads-up. That'll help me plan better," he said with a sigh, casting one last glance toward Rina and Seraphina before advancing in the direction where trouble awaited him.
He followed Sera's directions.
Although he didn't know the forest in detail, thanks to Cherri's blessing, the place seemed to guide him—just as Yuna had said. It was as if the forest was breathing with him, clearing the path and showing him subtle clues.
He ran swiftly, his breathing steady. Compared to the harsh training and thin air of the Molgaroth Mountains, this almost felt like a weekend stroll.
"There they are," he murmured, stopping behind some bushes. From his position, he could see the caravan at a halt. A group of armed men stood guard while a cart remained stationary.
"How the hell did they get that cart up here? From what I understand, the cliff by the sea is so steep it's impossible to climb…" he muttered, frowning as he analyzed the scene.
"You've found them, but… what will you do now?" Kizuna asked, floating near his shoulder with a curious look.
Haruto let out a sigh, watching the men.
"I can't wait for backup… but I don't want to kill them if I can avoid it," he said, frustration in his voice. "I'm not exactly a sharpshooter. I could lower the power of my wind bullets, but there's no guarantee that'll be enough…"
As Haruto weighed his options, Olivia floated nearby, her giant pillow in her arms, yawning slightly.
"Option!" she announced in her usual neutral tone. "I could create a new spell using the link you have with Melodía," she suggested while opening a holographic panel in front of Haruto.
"A link with Melodía? Since when?" Haruto asked, leaning closer to the panel, clearly surprised.
"Answer! Yes, look," Olivia replied as she flipped to the next page. A list appeared with names and bond levels:
Yuna – Level 2Melodía – Level 1Rina – Level 1Simmone – Level 3
Haruto blinked a few times, pointing to Rina's name on the list.
"Wait, I have a link with Melodía, Simmone and Rina?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Explanation! As for Rina… it might be because you've recently formed an emotional connection with her," Olivia explained, her eyes flickering as if analyzing more data.
"Alright… if the link with Melodía can help me create a new spell, what exactly do you have in mind?" Haruto murmured, clenching his fists as his eyes remained fixed on the caravan.
"Answer!" Olivia interjected, her voice neutral and precise. "I can create a new light-based spell for Ao—something like a flare. It'll emit an area flash. Do you want me to proceed?"
Haruto nodded, his mind already spinning with tactical possibilities.
"Yes. Make it. I can use it as a distraction. Is there anything else we can pull from Melodía abilities?"
"Answer! The rest of her abilities require a wand or instrument as a channel. They can't be adapted to your pistols," Olivia replied, scanning through her holographic panel.
Haruto let out a sigh.
"Alright, enough talking. Go ahead and create the new skill," he said, his voice a mix of impatience and resolve.
Olivia nodded, her expression calm as always while she processed the command.
"Understood. Creating new ability via Kizuna link. Adapting light-element magic… configuring as projectile form…" she announced as lines of glowing code lit up in the air.
Haruto watched the process with a mix of curiosity and nervous energy. Olivia lifted her head, a faint gleam in her eyes.
"One moment… Confirmed. New skill successfully created. 'Blinding Bullet' is ready to use!" she declared, with a tone that almost sounded proud—though her face remained as blank as ever.
Haruto raised Ao, staring at the weapon like he was seeing it for the first time.
"That's it… Thank you, Olivia. This is exactly what I needed," he said, a faint smile forming on his lips.
Like a spark of hope, guided by the bond with Melodía, Haruto began to shape his strategy one that would free the silver wolves.