The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 83 - Archer and Scout

"Me? On Vensalor Island?" Panpan repeated Tave’s question with a soft chuckle, bowing her head just slightly. Her voice carried with it a kind of serenity that seemed to blend perfectly with the breeze and the quiet stillness atop the tower.

"I’m one of Lady Elincia’s disciples, Tave... but probably the weakest one," she said with a humble smile. "Still... Lady Elincia is terrifying. Strict, harsh. But she has a soft spot for the people under her wing."

Tave nodded slowly, confirming what he already knew, that was exactly Elincia. Among the five Imperial Knights of the Vensalor Kingdom, she was undoubtedly the most straightforward and blunt.

Elincia didn’t play games. She acted for the kingdom. Always. And when she chose to do something, she never hid her intent. She didn’t manipulate. She didn’t scheme. She simply acted, because it was right, or because it was necessary.

And that made her... surprisingly trustworthy, especially compared to the others.

Tave sighed quietly as he tucked back a strand of his hair, his thoughts drifting.

The rest of the Imperial Knights? He’d written them to be far more complicated.

Especially the strongest among them. The one just beneath the King. That knight was a master of strategy, politics, and manipulation. Dangerous, brilliant, and always several steps ahead of everyone else.

Tave grimaced slightly at the thought.

Unfortunately, the other four all had wildly different goals and loyalties, which made them distrust each other at the core. And that rift, between the very pillars of the kingdom, was the very thing that made Vensalor so fragile in the absence of its king.

Without a unifying force, they fractured.

Tave let out another slow breath.

"I’m... an archer," Panpan continued, her voice soft as always.

Then she glanced toward him. "What about you, Tave?"

"Yes, I figured that much from your outfit," he replied with a light grin. "I’m a swordmaster. Most of my skills revolve around scouting."

They kept talking, the conversation slipping easily from one topic to another. With each word, Tave learned a little more about the girl named Panpan. How she spoke, how she thought, how she viewed the world.

Eventually, they agreed to head down from the tower and continue their small tour around the outskirts of Deadbay.

Fortunately, Tave had designed this city in his writing. Not entirely, but enough to know where certain places were supposed to be. He knew of a wide flower garden, and a quiet area along the cliffs where the sea breeze rolled in unchallenged. There were small hunting grounds, scattered clearings, and even hidden spots tucked away between market lanes.

But seeing it all now, in real life, was something else entirely.

Even the flower garden, perched near a cliffside that overlooked the vast stretch of ocean, looked far more serene than he’d imagined. Rows of colorful wildflowers swayed with the wind, scattered trees offered patches of shade, and the air carried a fresh, salty tang from the sea.

Panpan walked slightly ahead, hands tucked into her sleeves, gaze drifting lazily across the vibrant scenery.

Odd, really.

Vensalor Island, with all its lush, sacred forests and divine landscapes, was undeniably more beautiful. And yet, there was something in her eyes that told him she found joy in the simplicity of this foreign place.

Maybe that was the charm of visiting somewhere unfamiliar. No matter how grand her homeland was... there were small things here that didn’t exist up there.

"I just reached Gaia Guardian," Tave said casually.

"Really?" she turned, eyes wide with interest. "So... what do you usually do around here, Tave? Do you go on Rift Expeditions too?"

"Yes. I just completed my first ever Rift expedition, actually."

The conversation continued, flowing naturally as they walked. Panpan’s hood had slipped down again, and the wind tugged gently at her golden hair, making it lift and dance like threads of light.

Her peaceful expression, the soft glow in her eyes, the way the breeze framed her face. It all felt like something unreal.

If only he could screenshot this moment, freeze it in time. Take a picture and frame it forever.

This. This might’ve been the most breathtaking view he’d ever seen.

Tave spoke again as they stood side by side, the wind still gently sweeping around them.

"Panpan," he began. "I want to join your Tier 4 Rift Expedition."

He gave a small, sheepish smile. "I know that’s a little straightforward... especially since I’m still just a Gaia Guardian. If possible, ah, really, I couldn’t help myself. Sorry if I sound like I’m trying to take advantage of this connection."

Panpan turned her head, looking at him with those calm, unreadable eyes.

"Uhm... I think Gaia Guardians can still join Tier 4 expeditions, Tave?" she replied thoughtfully. "But I’m not sure. I’ll talk to Lady Elincia about it."

That’s it?

Just like that?

Tave blinked. Was this girl always this... accommodating? Or was she really that unaware of how generous she sounded?

"Yes, I’ll try to mention it," she continued, completely unfazed. "And you said you’re a scout, right? I think Gaia Guardians are still valid for that role."

"Really?" he asked, almost confused by how easy it all sounded.

"Yes," she replied again, with a gentle nod and that same ever-calm expression.

They looked at each other for a quiet moment, until a hint of curiosity flickered across Panpan’s face.

"And, Tave..." she said softly.

"Yes?"

"In your shadow..." she murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"My shadow?"

Ah, he thought, she’s an archer. Of course her senses are sharp.

"That’s my tamed beast."

Tave took a step back, giving space as the shadow beneath him shifted and moved. Stretching, warping, and then rising into form.

Fang emerged silently, the black silhouette of a Shadow Wolf taking shape, sitting upright beside him in his usual calm, watchful posture.

Panpan’s gaze shifted immediately, focused and wide-eyed. She crouched slowly in front of the wolf, her robe fluttering around her ankles.

"His name is Fang," Tave said.

"Hi..." Panpan said gently, lowering her voice even more. "My name is Panpan..."

Woof woof.

Panpan smiled. "You’re so quiet... but not scary at all. You remind me of the night forest back home. Peaceful, but always watching."

Woof woof.

Tave blinked.

He watched as Fang responded immediately, tail giving a subtle thump, ears perked. The wolf rarely reacted that quickly to strangers. In fact, the only person Tave had ever seen him engage with this easily was... Lily.

Tave tilted his head, observing the scene more closely.

He’d always suspected that the Shadow Wolf chose who he acknowledged. But this was different. He wasn’t just acknowledging Panpan. He was interacting with her.

Tave chuckled under his breath. "Seems like he likes you," he said.

Panpan looked up, smiling with a kind warmth.

"He usually acts cold to everyone," Tave added, smirking. "You might be one of his favorite people now."

"Then I’m honored." She reached out slowly, and Fang didn’t move away.

What is it about her, that even Fang just... accepts her so easily?

Maybe it was her presence. That quiet, soft-spoken calm. Maybe some people didn’t need to try hard to be trusted.

And just like that... a few hours had passed. Tave had spent them guiding a forest elf through a slice of Deadbay City, walking, talking, laughing, sharing little pieces of their two very different worlds.

But now... it felt like time to head back. Better to return before Imperial Knight Elincia started wondering where he’d gone off to. That woman didn’t ask twice, and if she came looking, it wouldn’t be a pleasant encounter.

They walked side by side once again, with Fang padding silently behind them.

"Thanks for the quick tour, Tave. You’re very kind to us outsiders," Panpan said with a soft laugh, her tone playful.

"I’m sure anyone would do their best if given the same task," he replied, almost without thinking.

And he meant it. Because really. Who in their right mind would waste a chance to escort someone like her?

A forest elf girl as remarkable as Panpan? It wasn’t just a duty, it was a privilege.

Tave couldn’t help but notice the glances thrown their way. Curious eyes, envious stares. Yeah, he could practically feel the silent wish floating in the air: If only I were the one showing her around.

He chuckled under his breath.

The moment was peaceful. Unspoken.

Tave felt it, deep in his chest. This fleeting calm, this gentle walk under the open sky...

He wished it could last longer.

Forever, even.

A world this beautiful. It was worth fighting for.

But the warmth in his chest twisted slightly as his thoughts drifted toward the future. Toward what he knew was coming.

His brow furrowed.

He couldn’t relax here. He couldn’t afford to linger.

Time was slipping. And he had to move. Fast!