What Does the Thorned Flower Seek?
The distance I thought I had closed between us stretched farther than ever.
She at least used to reply whenever I struck up a conversation, although begrudgingly...
...Hmph.
But ever since that day she stormed off, she's been scoffing at me like she saw something disgusting.
Haydee.
...
I can't even say hi, let alone chew the fat.
As soon as training ends, she vanishes without a word.
Where did I go wrong...?
Getting to know me?
What do you even know about me?
I don't even know myself. But you think you do?
...Don't overstep.
Even if you were to reborn a thousand times...
You could never understand me.
She doesn't even know herself...?
What did she mean by that?
Lost in thought as I walked, I caught a familiar silhouette at the edge of my vision.
Haydee glanced around warily and slipped into an alley.
Moments later, a hooded, suspicious figure tailed her in.
...A stalker?
Haydee stopped before a shabby tavern in the alley.
At the same time, her pursuer quickened his pace.
Tch, Someone's following me...?!
She spun and thrust her spear.
The sharp tip ran the pursuer through and pinned him.
But he didn't stop.
The hood fell back, but there was no sign of pain on his face at all.
From the wound billowed black smoke instead of blood as he charged Haydee.
What...?
For an instant, panic flashed in her eyes.
I lunged without a second thought.
Duck!
My slash cleaved him in two and his body unraveled into black mist, dispersing.
How did you...?!
...That was close.
*...Sigh* Hey.
You're hurt.
I'm fine. It's just a scratch.
Why would you risk an injury—
...No. Why did you follow me here?
What? You were worried...?
*...Sigh* I really don't get you.
Take a hint when people give you the cold shoulder...
More importantly, what was that...?
That monster must have noticed our pursuit.
Maybe I rushed things... Even when I knew it would come to this...
Monster...?
*Sigh...* You really don't get it.
Idiot. Stubborn. Moron.
I warned you, and now you're caught up in this mess.
...Hey.
Are you sure you won't regret this?
Choose carefully. Once you regret it, it'll be too late.
If it's your secret...
Share it with me. I can handle it.
...And here you are saying something so embarrassing with a straight face, again. I'm speechless.
...Seriously. Are you dumb? You're asking for trouble.
*Sigh* Come in.
This isn't talk for outside.
She entered the dingy bar and tugged a bottle on the shelf.
The wall slid aside to reveal a secret room.
Vice President, what was that commotion...?
I had a tail.
We killed the rat, but assume our info leaked.
The other branches are probably hit already.
What should we do...?
Send only the core intel to HQ and burn the rest.
...Understood.
What is all this...?
The Morrel Ocean Traders has only been around for ten years.
Yet it's grown so big, people call it Apocalypse of maritime trade.
How do you think we grew so fast?
Through information.
We built a clandestine network that gathers, analyzes, and shares every piece of news and rumor across Lavistar.
Thanks to that, we know exactly what to buy and sell, when and where.
But the real reason we collect information isn't money.
Then what?
It's revenge.
...Revenge?
Yes. Revenge.
Revenge against Morcerf.
Morcerf? Who's that?
The Warlord of the Marches, Count Morcerf.
Sage of the Kingdom, Fernet Mondego. The Bard of Ruin, Jerelyn de Villefort...
A monster with countless names and faces, mocking humanity through eons.
...And.
The one who took everything from me.
Everything...?
It's exactly what it sounds like.
I have almost nothing left.
I woke up in the ruins of some ancient site.
Cristelle woke me while hunting Morcerf.
And when she asked who I was...
I couldn't answer. Not one thing.
Why I was in deep slumber, how I survived, who I had been...
I've been trying to recall, but it's too blurry.
I only remember one thing for sure.
Sage Fernet.
I have to take revenge on her.
What did she do?
...Toppled a kingdom and snuffed out all life.
...!
...Cristelle told me she was also after that monster.
So we swore. That we'll find that monster and kill her together, even if it costs us everything.
You've probably guessed by now, but the Morrel Ocean Traders is just a facade.
A means to and end that Cristelle and I made to exact our revenge.
I'm sorry to tell you this, but joining the Journey was the same idea.
We got intel that Morcerf might be hiding in NOA.
And what better status for free movement in NOA than a Journey member?
...Hmph. Don't get the wrong idea.
It's not because I trust you or anything.
I'm telling you because... I'm asking for your cooperation.
Cooperation?
Hmph. Don't jump to conclusions.
I'm not going to ask you to go neck-deep. Especially when it's none of your business. But...
Today proved that she noticed we're on her.
That was a warning, probably.
We need to lie low until we rebuild the network...
So I figured I'd play the role of an unassuming Journey member for a while.
I only told you that so I could ask for your cooperation.
And for the record, the only option you have is to cooperate.
What if I refuse?
Then I'd have to kill you.
At least pretend you have other options...!
Until I pierce her heart...
We can't afford to let anything get in our way.
I... won't hesitate.
The murderous intent in Haydee's voice stirred a question inside my head.
...Huh?
...No. I don't care.
For me, only revenge has a meaning in this world.
Once I have it, there will be nothing left that—
Mm... I think I understand.
...You're about to talk nonsense again.
So, you understand what?
Hey, were you even listening?
Now I think I'm finally beginning to understand...
What Haydee lacks...
And what's making her so precarious.