Silence fell over the camp the instant Samuel spoke the name.
Gustavo.
For several seconds, nobody said a word.
Yaman, Eyal, and James were the most visibly affected. The three of them stared at Samuel as though he had just uttered the name of someone who belonged to another world.
Yaman was the first to break the silence.
"Wait... You mean the legendary historical pirate?"
His expression hardened.
"Gustavo da Lima?"
Samuel nodded.
"Yes. The very same Gustavo da Lima."
He paused before continuing.
"The pirate who conquered the seas and crossed entire continents."
A bead of sweat slowly ran down Yaman's temple.
"Was he... really real?"
"Yes."
Samuel's answer came without hesitation.
Gildarts, who had been listening quietly, finally raised an eyebrow.
"Hold on."
Everyone looked at him.
"I've heard that name before. Pirates, sailors, even dark mages used to mention him during some of my missions."
He scratched his cheek.
"But wasn't Gustavo supposed to be a legend? I mean, we're talking about a pirate from hundreds of years ago."
Samuel shook his head.
"No. I'm not exaggerating."
His voice became more serious.
"Gustavo was a real historical figure. He lived more than four hundred years ago, during what many historians now consider one of the darkest eras of the seas."
Yaman slowly nodded.
"Yeah..."
His gaze drifted into the distance.
"Gustavo conquered the seas and gathered enormous amounts of treasure. He sailed farther than almost anyone before him."
His expression became darker.
"And according to the stories... he even hunted dragons."
Eyal immediately nodded.
"That's right."
James joined in.
"They say he killed them himself."
"And cut off their heads," Eyal added.
James continued with a grin.
"Then he mounted the heads on the masts of his ships."
Gildarts's eyebrow rose.
"That's one hell of a way to announce your arrival."
"It wasn't just intimidation," Yaman said.
Everyone looked at him.
"He wanted people to know what would happen if they stood against him."
Samuel nodded.
"Exactly."
Yaman continued.
"He was powerful, ruthless, and feared throughout the Southern Ocean. He conquered island after island and built an enormous fleet."
He paused.
"Eventually, his voyages took him beyond the Southern Ocean. He even reached Alakitasia."
Samuel nodded.
"According to the surviving accounts, yes."
His expression was solemn.
"He became one of the most feared figures of his age."
Gildarts looked at Yaman.
"You seem to know an awful lot about him."
Yaman looked at him as though the question were obvious.
"Of course I do."
He shrugged.
"Gustavo is a legend where I'm from."
Eyal suddenly stepped closer.
"Wait."
Yaman glanced at him.
"What?"
Eyal stared at him for a moment.
"Where exactly are you from?"
Yaman frowned.
"Why?"
"Just answer."
Yaman sighed.
"One of the islands in the Southern Ocean."
Eyal's eyes widened.
"So you're from the Southern Ocean too?"
James immediately looked between them.
"Wait... you are?"
Yaman looked at the two boys.
"Yeah."
Eyal stepped forward.
"Which island?"
"Vulcanos."
The moment Yaman said the name, both Eyal and James froze.
"Vulcanos?"
Yaman nodded.
"Yes."
The two boys exchanged a stunned look.
"We're from Redstar," Eyal finally said.
Yaman's expression changed.
He knew the island.
Redstar was one of the islands neighboring Vulcanos.
"So that's why you know it," Yaman muttered.
James smiled.
"Of course we know Vulcanos."
Yaman gave him a look.
"And I know Redstar. It's practically next door."
Eyal laughed.
"Fair enough."
Gildarts looked between the three boys.
"So all three of you are from the Southern Ocean."
"Yes," Eyal and James answered together.
Gildarts scratched his chin.
"And how did you end up here in Fiore?"
James's expression softened.
"We grew up in an orphanage."
Eyal continued.
"Eventually, we were brought into the Rune Knights as part of the alliance between the Southern Ocean Island Federation and the Magic Council."
Yaman nodded slowly.
"That explains it."
Then Eyal looked toward him.
"And you?"
Yaman's expression immediately changed.
For a moment, he said nothing.
The other two already understood.
He simply sighed.
"You know why I'm here."
The mood suddenly became quieter.
Neither Eyal nor James asked anything else.
Gildarts finally stepped in.
"All right. Can the three of you stop talking for a second?"
He pointed toward Samuel.
"I want to deal with this idiot."
Samuel swallowed.
Gildarts crouched slightly, bringing himself closer to him.
"Judging by the way you're talking about this treasure, it's pretty damn important."
Samuel nodded immediately.
"It is."
His voice trembled.
"Please, sir. You have to believe me. It would be catastrophic if that treasure fell into the wrong hands."
He lowered his head.
"I'll give you money. Whatever you want."
Gildarts said nothing.
Samuel continued desperately.
"I only need your help. And... I'm sorry for what happened before."
He looked toward Yaman.
"The false request. The deception. I know what I did was wrong."
He clenched his hands.
"But I was desperate. I had no other choice."
For a moment, Gildarts simply stared at him.
He didn't like Samuel.
He certainly didn't trust him.
But leaving someone who genuinely needed help was not something Gildarts was capable of doing.
Not when that person was standing in front of him asking for help.
He let out a long sigh.
"You're a damn bastard."
Samuel lowered his head.
"But..."
Gildarts smiled faintly.
"Fine. I'll help you."
Samuel's eyes widened.
"You will?"
"Yeah."
Samuel immediately dropped to his knees.
"Thank you!"
Tears streamed down his face.
"Thank you so much, sir!"
Gildarts waved his hand dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah. Get up."
Before Samuel could even move, Yaman, Eyal, and James were already gathering their equipment.
Yaman looked toward Gildarts.
"So, when are we leaving for the City of Illusion?"
Gildarts stared at him.
"...What?"
Yaman frowned.
"What?"
"Who said you're coming?"
The three froze.
Gildarts pointed toward the path leading back toward the valley's entrance.
"You three are going back."
He pointed toward Yaman.
"You return to your guild."
Then toward Eyal and James.
"And you two return to the Council."
His tone became firm.
"The distance from here to the exit shouldn't be particularly dangerous. I'll take Samuel to the City of Illusion and deal with this myself."
Nobody moved.
Then Yaman stepped forward.
"No."
Gildarts raised an eyebrow.
"This is my mission."
Eyal nodded.
"Same here."
James crossed his arms.
"We're not leaving."
Gildarts closed his eyes and sighed.
"You three really don't know when to quit."
Then he smirked.
"Well, here's something you should know."
His expression became serious.
"The mission has changed."
The boys looked at him.
"It's an S-Class mission now."
Silence.
Gildarts pointed toward the valley's exit.
"So go home, you little brats. Drink some milk before bed and listen to bedtime stories about the great Gustavo."
Yaman's eyebrow twitched.
Eyal looked away, trying not to laugh.
James failed completely.
Yaman picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it aside.
"I'm coming."
Gildarts looked at him.
"What?"
"I said I'm coming."
Yaman stepped forward.
"I accepted this mission. I don't care what classification it has now."
His voice became firm.
"Walking away simply because the situation became dangerous isn't something I'm going to do."
He pointed at himself.
"And I'm not a coward."
Gildarts stared at him for a few seconds.
Then his mouth curled into a grin.
He suddenly mimicked Yaman's voice.
"I'm not a coward. I don't care what I'm facing. I'll burn whatever gets in my way."
Yaman's eye twitched.
Gildarts continued.
"It's my mission, so I'm going!"
Yaman's fist clenched.
"Stop."
Gildarts grinned wider.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you."
Yaman punched him.
THUD!
Gildarts's head jerked to the side.
Eyal immediately covered his mouth.
James turned away, trying not to laugh.
Gildarts slowly turned back.
"...You punched me."
"You deserved it."
Gildarts sighed.
"Why are you so damn determined?"
Yaman's expression became smug.
"Because you can't remove me."
Gildarts frowned.
"Why not?"
"The mission is still active."
Yaman crossed his arms.
"According to the Magic Council's regulations, a mission remains active until it's officially completed."
Gildarts stared at him.
Yaman continued.
"The assigned mage has to submit the completion report, and the client has to sign it."
He pointed toward Samuel.
"And this idiot is still the client."
Samuel blinked.
Yaman smiled.
"So unless you can officially terminate my mission..."
He shrugged.
"...I'm coming."
Gildarts stared at him.
Then sighed.
"You little lawyer."
He reached into his pocket.
"Fine. We'll change the mission classification officially."
He searched one pocket.
Nothing.
Then another.
Still nothing.
Gildarts frowned.
"...Where's my pen?"
He checked again.
Nothing.
He sighed.
"I lost it."
Yaman stared at him.
"Seriously?"
Gildarts ignored him.
"Samuel. You have the original mission form, right?"
Samuel nodded.
"Yes."
He reached into his bag and pulled out the document.
Gildarts immediately took it.
"Good."
He placed it in front of Samuel.
"Sign here."
Samuel looked at the document.
"All right."
Gildarts held out his hand.
"Pen."
Yaman blinked.
"...I don't have one."
Gildarts's eye twitched.
He turned toward Eyal and James.
"You two."
They shook their heads.
"No."
Gildarts stared at them.
"You're Rune Knights."
"We don't carry pens around all day."
Gildarts's expression became increasingly annoyed.
He slowly turned toward Samuel.
"Fine."
He pointed at him.
"You must have one."
Samuel immediately began searching through his bag.
Nothing.
His pockets.
Nothing.
Another pocket.
Still nothing.
He stopped.
Then gave an embarrassed smile.
"...I don't have one either."
Silence.
Yaman's lips slowly curled into a victorious grin.
Then he laughed.
"Looks like you don't have a choice."
Gildarts stared at him.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Finally, he let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine."
He pointed toward the three boys.
"You're coming."
Eyal immediately smiled.
"Yes!"
James grinned.
Yaman simply crossed his arms with a satisfied expression.
Gildarts raised a finger.
"But don't get in my way."
He looked directly at Yaman.
"And don't become a burden."
Yaman smirked.
"Just make sure you don't slow us down."
Gildarts groaned.
"I already regret this."
The three began gathering their belongings.
Within a few minutes, the camp was packed and ready to be abandoned.
Samuel struggled to get himself moving.
Gildarts walked behind him and gave him a light kick.
"Come on."
Samuel stumbled forward.
"Ow!"
"You're leading."
Samuel rubbed the back of his leg and reluctantly began walking.
Yaman followed behind him, wearing a faint, satisfied smile.
Eyal and James walked beside him, both quietly laughing at the sight.
Gildarts shook his head.
"You three are going to be the death of me."
Ahead of them, the dark path disappeared into the mist of the Valley of Illusion.
Gildarts looked toward it.
His expression finally became serious.
"All right."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Let's find out what the hell is waiting for us in the City of Illusion."
And with Samuel leading the way, the four mages disappeared into the fog.
Meanwhile in illusion City
One of the grand suites of Garo's magnificent palace was unusually quiet that night.
Heavy rain battered the tall windows, while flashes of lightning occasionally illuminated the luxurious room.
Lior was sprawled comfortably on one of the sofas, dressed in light clothes as he carefully polished a dagger.
It was an exceptionally beautiful weapon.
The blade was made of polished silver, reflecting the warm light of the room, while the crimson handle was decorated with intricate patterns and several small gemstones. It was obvious that the weapon had been crafted by a master smith.
Lior smiled as he admired it.
He had taken the dagger from one of his victims.
And he had liked it immediately.
"Beautiful..."
He slowly ran his thumb along the handle before channeling his magic into the blade.
The dagger began to glow.
Lior's grin widened.
Then his expression changed.
His magical reserves suddenly began dropping at an alarming rate.
"...What?"
He stared at the weapon.
"Damn. You're hungry."
He gritted his teeth and pushed more magic into it.
The silver blade shone brightly.
Then Lior swung it.
SLASH!
A powerful magical arc tore across the room, cutting through several objects in its path.
Lior immediately released the dagger.
It struck the floor with a metallic clang.
He bent forward, breathing heavily, sweat running down his forehead.
"Damn..."
He wiped his face.
"I need to control it better."
He picked up the dagger and returned it to its sheath.
Despite everything, he smiled.
"Still worth it."
Suddenly—
His eyes flashed red.
Lior slowly turned toward the bathroom.
Steam drifted through the doorway.
He sighed.
"...Here we go."
He moved to another sofa and sat down.
Five seconds passed.
Then—
BOOM!
The bathroom door exploded outward.
A massive cleaver flew through the air and slammed into the opposite wall.
CRASH!
The impact damaged the wall and knocked an expensive painting from its place.
A moment later, Gabriel stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
He was clearly furious.
His eyes moved from the destroyed door...
to the damaged wall...
to the painting...
and finally to Lior.
"Lior."
Lior looked up innocently.
"Yes?"
Gabriel pointed toward the destruction.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Lior glanced at the cleaver embedded in the wall.
Then at the painting.
Then back at Gabriel.
"...Training?"
Gabriel stared at him.
"Didn't I tell you not to destroy the suite?"
"I didn't destroy the entire suite."
Gabriel's eye twitched.
"You destroyed enough of it."
He walked over and pulled the cleaver from the wall.
"Don't destroy anything else."
He pointed toward the beds.
"Go to sleep. Tomorrow we're dealing with that idiot Garo."
Lior shrugged.
"Fine."
Not long afterward, the lights were extinguished.
Each of them went to his own bed, and the suite gradually fell silent.
---
Garo's Palace
Elsewhere in the palace, Garo sat alone in the reception room.
He was still staring miserably at the broken Time Lacrima.
"My Lacrima..."
He looked genuinely devastated.
A servant cautiously approached.
"Your Majesty?"
Garo immediately raised his head.
"Where is Gareth?"
The servant hesitated.
"He's with Ultear-sama."
Garo's expression changed.
"Where?"
"In the storage room below the palace."
Garo's eye twitched.
"Go and get him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The servant hurried away.
Garo picked up a small lighter from the table and threw it onto the floor.
"Damn you, Gareth..."
He clenched his fists.
"Why did you tell her about the carriage?!"
---
The Storage Room
Meanwhile, Gareth was still trying to convince Ultear to leave.
"Ultear-sama, it's getting late."
Ultear was sitting inside the carriage, surrounded by Time Lacrima.
She had absolutely no intention of leaving.
"I don't want to go."
Gareth forced a smile.
"But you need to sleep."
"I can sleep here."
"That isn't exactly a bedroom."
"I don't care."
Gareth's smile twitched.
He had already spent far too long trying to persuade her.
Eventually, Ultear yawned.
"Fine."
Gareth's eyes immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She climbed out of the carriage.
"But make me some tea before I go to sleep. I'll read for a while."
"Of course!"
Gareth practically celebrated internally.
They climbed the stairs and left the storage room, entering the palace corridors.
As they walked toward the library, Ultear suddenly spoke.
"Gareth."
"Yes, Ultear-sama?"
"Is there something wrong with Garo?"
Gareth nearly stumbled.
"W-What?"
"He's been acting strangely."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Why does he keep pretending to be responsible when he's an idiot?"
Gareth laughed nervously.
"It's not like that. Garo-sama has simply been extremely busy lately."
Ultear scoffed.
"He's an idiot pretending to be important."
Gareth's smile became strained.
"Ultear-sama..."
"If it weren't for us, that idiot wouldn't even be king."
Gareth laughed awkwardly.
"Yes, but Garo-sama is still the king."
Ultear stopped and gave him a sharp look.
"Are you telling me what I can say?"
Gareth immediately shook his head.
"No! Of course not!"
"Good."
She continued walking.
"You and he are both idiots playing a game of king and minister."
Gareth's face twitched.
"There is absolutely no benefit to either of you."
Ultear sighed and placed a hand against her forehead.
"Why does Master Hades still trust you two despite all my warnings?"
Gareth could only laugh nervously.
They eventually reached the library.
Gareth opened the door and pulled out a chair for her.
"Here we are."
Ultear sat down.
"I'll go prepare your tea."
"Wait."
Gareth froze.
Ultear looked at him.
"Gareth."
"Yes?"
"Bring me a book."
Gareth's face went pale.
"A book?"
"Yes."
She leaned back.
"And if I don't like it..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You know what happens."
Gareth immediately began sweating.
"Ultear-sama, you're extremely well-read. You have very specific tastes, and I'm hardly qualified to choose something for you."
Ultear stared at him.
"Choose."
Gareth sighed internally.
She just wants an excuse to punish me.
He reluctantly walked toward the shelves.
After searching for several minutes, he finally returned with a book.
He placed it carefully on the table.
"There."
Ultear picked it up.
Her expression immediately changed.
The title was written in large, colorful letters:
THE ADVENTURES OF GUSTAVO AT SEA
The cover depicted a young boy standing proudly on the deck of a tiny wooden ship.
He wore an oversized pirate hat and an eyepatch.
Beside him was his colorful companion, Adam, perched confidently on the mast.
Ultear slowly lowered the book.
Then looked at Gareth.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No!"
Gareth immediately stepped backward.
"I swear I'm not!"
Ultear threw the book at him.
"Then why did you bring me a children's story?"
"Because it's my favorite!"
Ultear stopped.
Gareth cautiously lowered his hands.
"It's also Garo-sama's favorite."
She stared at him.
"We've loved this story since we were children."
Gareth gave her a nervous smile.
"So I thought... maybe you'd like it."
Ultear stared at him for several seconds.
Then sighed.
"You really are pathetic."
She picked up the book again.
She normally spent her time reading about magic theory, temporal phenomena, ancient civilizations, forbidden spells, and complex magical research.
Children's adventure stories had never interested her.
But perhaps...
A change of atmosphere wouldn't hurt.
She opened the book.
Gareth smiled.
"Really?"
"Don't get excited."
She pointed the book at him.
"If I don't like it, I'll hit you."
Gareth immediately nodded.
"And Garo."
"...Of course."
"Now go make my tea."
"Yes, Ultear-sama!"
Gareth hurried out and shut the door behind him.
Ultear stared at the closed door.
"Idiot."
She sat down and looked at the book again.
After a moment, she opened it to the first page.
---
The Adventures of Gustavo at Sea
Chapter One — The Boy Who Chased the Horizon
«Long ago, in a Island surrounded by the endless blue sea, there lived a boy who dreamed of seeing what lay beyond the horizon.
His name was Gustavo.
He had no great ship.
No legendary weapon.
No treasure.
Only a little wooden boat, an old compass...
and his closest companion, Adam.
Adam was always beside Gustavo, whether perched upon his shoulder, sitting upon the mast, or flying above the little boat as it sailed across the sea.
"Gustavo! You're going to sink us!" Adam cried.
Gustavo laughed.
"We're not going to sink."
"That's what you said yesterday!"
"And we didn't sink yesterday."
Adam flapped his wings indignantly.
"Because I saved you!"
Gustavo grinned.
"Then you'll save me again."
Adam stared at him for a moment before letting out an exhausted squawk.
Gustavo laughed and pushed the little boat farther into the water.
That was how their first adventure began.
Every morning, Gustavo stood upon the shore and stared at the endless ocean.
The villagers laughed at him.
They told him the sea was dangerous.
They told him monsters lived beyond the known waters.
They told him that no ordinary boy could ever become a great captain.
Gustavo simply smiled.
"Then I'll become the first."
He pointed toward the distant horizon.
"One day, I'll see everything."
Every island.
Every sea.
Every city.
Every place nobody has ever seen.
Adam tilted his head.
"And what will you do when you've seen it all?"
Gustavo smiled.
"I'll find somewhere else to go."
And so, on the morning of his twelfth birthday, Gustavo pushed his little boat into the sea.
Adam flew down and landed upon the mast.
The Island slowly disappeared behind them.
Ahead lay nothing but the endless ocean.
Gustavo tightened his grip on the old compass and smiled.
He did not know what waited beyond the horizon.
He did not know what dangers he would face.
He did not know how far the sea would take him.
But he knew one thing.
He would never stop sailing.
And so, with the wind filling his little sail and Adam beside him, Gustavo began the greatest adventure of his life.»
Ultear remained silent for a moment.
She stared at the illustration beneath the final paragraph.
The young Gustavo stood at the bow of his tiny boat, smiling toward the endless ocean.
She turned the page.
Then another.
And, despite herself, she kept reading.
The story was childish.
Simple.
Almost ridiculously cheerful.
Yet there was something strangely captivating about it.
Perhaps it was the innocence of the boy on those pages.
Perhaps it was the idea of someone looking at an endless world and simply deciding to discover it.
Whatever the reason, Ultear continued reading.
She had no idea that the name Gustavo would one day be remembered very differently.
For now, he was simply a boy with a little boat...
a dream...
and a long journey ahead of him.