We crossed over a hill lined with strange stone statues, passed the moss-covered bones of a dragon, and then pushed deeper into the ruins swallowed by the forest. Finally, we came out into a barren wasteland. There weren’t many signs of life anywhere—a desolate stretch of earth. Every time the wind blew, dry sand swept into my mouth, leaving a constant gritty, dusty taste.
“Looks like we’ll finally be able to sleep somewhere soft tonight,” I said.
From our high vantage point, a large city sprawled out ahead.
I jumped down from the crumbling, ancient golem and headed back to my companions.
Both of them were still sitting near those thorny plants we’d spotted earlier—plants covered in countless prickly needles.
“Here, water. Drink up,” Kaede said, handing me a canteen.
“Thanks,” I said, taking a long drink and wetting my dry throat.
The water was warm—really warm. But honestly, I was just glad to have it. Cold water out here was pure luxury.
The sky above remained clear—no clouds—and the sun blazed fiercely. Its rays pierced down like needles. Maybe they actually were needles. My skin stung under the sunlight.
Standing still made sweat break out all over, and my head started to feel dizzy.
“Gaaah, it’s so hot!” Frau groaned.
“Ugh... I’m melting,” Panta moaned, looking completely drained.
They were both wrapped in hooded cloaks to shield themselves from the sun, so at least that helped a little bit. But it was still unbearably hot.
I wasn’t handling this heat much better myself.
“Kaede—make it cooler, please!”
“Well, I guess I have no choice,” Kaede replied.
With a wave of her magic, she cooled Frau and the others down.
“Ahhh, this feels amazing—I’m alive again!”
“Cut the slack, we’re moving.”
“The master sure handles this heat well. And Kaede too. Honestly, I think you two are the only ones staying cool with those artifacts.”
“Why don’t you guys just crawl inside my cloak?”
“Yay!”
“Come on!”
I left just enough of a gap for Frau and Panta to dive right in, clearly thrilled.
Now, welcome to hell. There’s no such thing as heaven out here.
“Whoa, it’s so hot!”
“Ow, let me out!”
They burst out almost crying the moment they stepped inside.
Finally, they get it. There’s no comfort to be found there.
Kaede and I are just gritting our teeth through this heat like everyone else.
Alright, let’s go. The city’s just up ahead.
“Don’t leave me behind—I can’t move!”
“Panta, wait!”
Kaede and I kept walking ahead at a steady pace.
“I’m melting…”
“Panta’s barely hanging on.”
…These two really need looking after.
We turned back and picked them up—one person and one dog.