Zich took a step forward. Everyone’s eyes shot towards him, but Zich ignored their stares and took another step forward. Lyla looked at Zich’s back worriedly, but she didn’t hold him back. Since she had told him many times before, doing more than that would be meddling.

Stomp! Zich stopped his feet in front of Tornium. It looked exactly the same as his memories, especially its black blade, plain guard, handles that were far from glamorous. Memories of wielding it around and fighting against enemies burst into his head. Yet, Zich didn’t move his hand.

“Okay, let’s go look for suspicious spots now,” Zich said after he turned around. He didn’t seem infatuated with the sword, and Lyla felt relieved.

Zich left the room that contained Tornium. There was no hesitancy in his steps, and his companions followed him one by one. Even with the explanation that the Tornium was a magical sword that was on the same level as Estellade, nobody craned their interest towards it. Snoc was the last one to leave the room, and silence filled the room again.

*      *      *

“Then,...