A gray‑blue glow sat on the streets of Radiance when the Strongest Guild climbed into the long‑distance coach. Inside the carriage Shunjiro, Itsuki, Yoshinori, Tetsuo, Aiko, and Ryuji settled on padded seats still cold from the night. Sunrise followed them out of Radiance. The coach rattled past wheat flats bathed in gold. By late morning they reached the broad Aria River. A timber bridge stretched over shining water that carried the fresh snowmelt of early spring. On the far bank, cottages spotted a gentle hill, Shunjiro’s village of Suncrest. Itsuki caught his wistful look. “You could visit,” she said gently. Shunjiro shook his head. “Not without Takeshi. The next time I step in that door, he will be beside me.” Aiko, sitting across, gave a short nod. “Home tastes better after a big victory anyway.” Ryuji tapped the window. “We’ll bring him home. Promise.” The bridge narrowed, Suncrest faded into green haze, and the coach rolled on toward taller hills. After noon the land opened into a wide, treeless valley. Long grass waved like a sea, hiding cave mouths that dotted the hillsides. Dozens of tents formed bright specks around those dark holes. This was Dungeon Valley. Adventurers cooked over fires or checked gear near the entrances. The coach slowed on a dirt road. Tetsuo pressed his head to the glass. “Why all the camps?” Aiko shaded her eyes. “They’re waiting to run the dungeons when their full teams arrive.” Ryuji asked, “How did all these caves get here, anyway?” Yoshinori leaned forward. “No one knows for sure. Some scholars say they’re old lava tubes, others think a giant beast clawed them out. My father believed the monsters inside aren’t natural at all, someone or something put them there and then sealed the exits with an unbreakable barrier that the monsters somehow can’t pass through but normal people can.” Itsuki looked uneasy. “What if the barriers fail?” “Then every monster down there spills onto the grasslands,” Yoshinori said. “That’s why the guilds keep training here, so they’re ready.” The coach rolled past supply stalls selling torches, rope, and dried meat. From the window they watched an A ranked squad practice as the wind bent the grass around them. Aiko snapped a quick salute out the window; one of them waved back. The road climbed the western rim. Soon Dungeon Valley lay behind, a quilt of green hills and black cave dots. They had covered half the distance to the Coastal Kingdom. Mid‑afternoon, Ryuji opened a paper sack. “Trail nuts?” he asked. Tetsuo grabbed a handful. “Still think turtle‑bean jerky beats anything.” Aiko made a face. “Jerky tastes like shoe leather. Give me honey puffs.” She took two and passed the bag to Itsuki. Later, when the others dozed, Aiko watched the clouds. “You know,” she said softly, “I didn’t learn ale making from my parents. They hated drink…and they hated peasants even more.” She smiled at the memory. “I used to sneak off to the south wall. An old brewer named Tom let me wash barrels for copper coins and taught me every mash trick he knew. Tom was more father than my own ever tried to be.” Shunjiro listened. “Where is he now?” “Gone four years.” Aiko took a small sip from her flask. “Every new brew I taste, I picture Tom at the counter, telling me what spices he’d change.” Itsuki placed a hand over Aiko’s. “We’ll toast him at the coast.” Aiko’s grin returned. “With the finest we can find.” The coach bumped over rough stones. Tetsuo woke and cracked his neck. “When we reach the coast, is there anyone here who can out‑drink Aiko?” Instant laughter filled the carriage. “Personally, I can drown her under the table,” Tetsuo boasted, folding arms the size of kegs. Ryuji snorted. “I’ve seen this play out, hope you like floorboards, big guy.” Itsuki waved both hands. “One sip and spinning, so no thanks.” Shunjiro flipped a coin in the air. “My money’s on Tetsuo!” He elbowed Yoshinori. “You?” “I do not gamble,” Yoshinori said, then, after a thoughtful pause, added, “but if I did, it would be on Aiko.” Aiko lounged against the window, smirking at her imaginary trophy. “Wise choice, scholar. Better start saving, boys.” Itsuki leaned out of the window. “Hey, Aiko, do you think we’ll need swimsuits for the ocean?” Aiko’s smile curled slyly. “Nervous about swimsuits, Itsuki?” “N‑no! I was just asking!” “Practicality matters,” Aiko teased. “Unless you plan to skinny‑dip.” Itsuki groaned. “I knew I shouldn’t have-” Tetsuo vaulted the banter. “Forget swimsuits! Shunjiro, I bet I’ll swim faster than you.” Shunjiro gasped in mock outrage. “Prepare to lose!” Ryuji folded arms, grin wolfish. “Personally, I can’t wait to see Aiko and Itsuki in swimsuits.” “Ryuji!” Itsuki squeaked, face crimson. The sun slid toward evening when the land leveled into marsh flats. A salty wind carried faint cries of seagulls. As the road crested a last dune, a silver line met the sky. “Look!” Itsuki pressed her face to the window. The ocean spread out, endless and bright like melted glass under the sinking sun. White breakers rolled in slow breaths along a distant sand arc. Everyone fell quiet. “Whoa,” Shunjiro whispered. “It really goes on forever.” The coach rattled across a long wooden bridge over tidal channels and rolled beneath a stone arch: Welcome to the Coastal Kingdom carved across it. Lanterns flickered to life along the harbor road just as the sun’s red rim dipped into water. The driver pulled up near a wide plaza. “End of the line!” They stepped down, sea wind tugging cloaks and hair. Behind them, the coach turned, hooves echoing off dock planks, and rolled back toward Radiance. Six friends stood shoulder to shoulder, looking out over rows of masts, fish‑smoke chimneys, and waving festival flags. Each face held a different spark: Shunjiro’s hope of finding Takeshi, Aiko’s hunger for new brews, Yoshinori’s drive for knowledge, Itsuki’s quiet wonder, Tetsuo’s challenge fire, Ryuji’s excited grin. Shunjiro clenched a fist. “All right, Strongest Guild, let’s make this trip count.” Lamp‑light glowed on determined eyes as the sea wind rose, carrying the scent of salt, spices, and the first hint of coming adventure.