Saphira

Arneria is a world of swords and magic where humans, elves, beastfolk, and dwarves live.
If you stray from the main roads, monsters appear, ancient forests are home to spirits, and in the mountains lie long-abandoned ruins.
Magic is not particularly rare, but not everyone can use it freely. Most of those who can systematically handle magic study at the Academy or private schools in the scholarly city of Selidia.
Some can use simple magic like lighting a fire, healing a small wound, or creating a breeze, while others live their whole lives without ever encountering magic.
The lives of the people are centered around agriculture and trade, and for many, stories of demon lords and heroes are just distant tales from faraway lands.
Adventurer guilds exist in cities and towns across the land.
Adventurer ranks start from the lowest F rank, and rise through E, D, C, B, A, up to the highest rank, S.
Once a rank reaches A, they are entrusted with dangerous subjugations or the protection of important figures, and they rarely have trouble finding work.
S rank adventurers are so few in number that only a handful can be counted throughout the continent. The hero is one of them.
However, most of the requests adventurers receive are rooted in people's daily lives, such as gathering medicinal herbs, escorting goods, searching for lost livestock, or hunting down monsters appearing along the roads.

World Situation:
In the northern part of the continent, the battle between the demon lord's army and human nations has continued for several years now.
It is said that a group of heroes selected from each nation has headed north to defeat the demon lord.
Tales of the heroes' exploits are told in taverns, and bards sing their songs.
Nevertheless, for the ordinary people living in the south and west, the war feels like a distant tale.
What troubles them are this year’s wheat harvest, wolves spotted on the roads, broken bridges, missing travelers, and the price of carts to the neighboring town.
While the heroes are trying to save the world, the nameless people are working to live through today.
On the roads leading north, soldiers and supply carts are in constant motion, yet south of the royal capital, life continues relatively peacefully.
The main stage of the story is set in the region from central Arneria, lying south-west of the royal capital Elgran.

Key Cities and Towns
‘Royal Capital Elgran’
The kingdom's capital, located slightly north of central Arneria.
It is also the starting point for the roads leading to the front lines against the northern nations and the demon lord’s army, with supplies gathered from southern towns being sent north.
White stone walls and reddish-brown roofs spread out, and a magnificent royal castle stands atop a hill overlooking the city.
The city is divided into several districts by a huge outer wall and inner wall, housing the royal castle, noble districts, commercial areas, artisan streets, and residential areas.
It is a glamorous city where knights, nobles, and merchants gather, but there are also old taverns, poor neighborhoods, dubious stalls handling stolen goods in the back alleys, and a vibrant entertainment district that lights up in red at night.
In the main square, a statue of the hero who set off to vanquish the demon lord has been erected.
Additionally, there is a memorial stone inscribed with the names of soldiers and adventurers who lost their lives in the northern war, and flowers and candles are never lacking there.
However, for the protagonists, issues like inn fees, crowding, and job hunting feel more immediate than the fate of the world.
Just east of the royal capital lies the scholarly city of Selidia, frequently visited by wizards, scholars, and students.
As a result, the general populace also has a relatively deep understanding of magic, and it is not uncommon to find shops dealing in everyday magic and workshops for repairing magical tools.
The road heading south from the royal capital leads to the lodging town of Ratona, while the pilgrimage road heading southwest continues to the shrine city of Milesia.

‘Scholarly City Selidia’
Located just east of the royal capital Elgran, this city developed around an ancient magical academy and a large library.
A well-paved ‘Scholarly Road’ runs between the royal capital and the city.
The distance is half a day to a day on foot, with students, researchers, merchants, and supply carts always on the move between the two.
Stone-built structures and slender towers line the streets, home to many students, wizards, scholars, and alchemists.
It is not a flamboyant place focused solely on studying powerful magic, but research that benefits everyday life, such as herbology, monster studies, ancient scripts, everyday magic, and the crafting of magical tools, is thriving here.
The exchange and trade with the royal capital is deep, with Selidia providing knowledge, magical tools, and potions in exchange for fresh produce and daily necessities from the capital and surrounding villages.
After graduating from the academy, some move to live in the royal capital and become magical troops of the knightly orders or court magicians and healers.
The city is symbolized by a golden star ring floating above an open book.
Robes embroidered in blue and navy with gold are widely used, sometimes leading travelers in similar outfits to be mistaken for coming from Selidia.
Proceeding further southeast from Selidia leads to the eastern mountains and the mining city of Gradbel.

‘Lodging Town Ratona’
Located two days south of the royal capital Elgran, this lodging town is where several roads intersect.
It is not a large city but accommodates inns, stables, blacksmiths, eateries, and a small branch of the adventurer guild.
While it doesn’t have any special local products, many people pass through, including soldiers and merchants from the north, adventurers heading south, and pilgrims traveling east and west.
If you proceed north, you reach the royal capital Elgran.
Going south leads to the waterway city of Ryunel.
Head southeast to reach the forest town of Filne.
Heading west brings you to the shrine city of Milesia.
People stay for short periods, resulting in a daily cycle of meetings and farewells.
The guild's bulletin board located in the square is filled with requests for beginner adventurers, such as escorting goods, searching for lost livestock, and hunting down monsters along the road.

‘Waterway City Ryunel’
Located further south from Ratona, this trading city lies along the Netoriko River.
The Netoriko River originates from the eastern mountains, crossing west through central Arneria, flowing into the sea near the port town of Belhaven.
Having been built at the crossroads of land and water routes, Ryunel is particularly active in trade within southern Arneria.
Several waterways that draw from the Netoriko River crisscross the town, with small boats and ferries constantly passing through.
It features stone bridges, marketplaces, water mills, and riverside taverns.
In the morning, a morning market selling vegetables, fruits, fish, cloth, and pottery is held, and at night, lights illuminate riverside eateries and taverns.
Crafts from the royal capital, ores from Gradbel, timber and herbs from Filne, and exotic items from Belhaven all gather here.
Due to the presence of many travelers and merchants, rumors from various regions easily circulate, and new stories about the heroes often reach here before they do to the royal capital.
By traveling west along the Netoriko River by boat, one can reach the port town of Belhaven.

‘Forest Town Filne’
Located southeast of Ratona, on the eastern side of Ryunel, this small town lies at the entrance of a deep forest.
Many hunters, lumberjacks, herbalists, and charcoal burners reside here.
The houses are wooden, with moss growing on the roofs and a centuries-old giant tree standing at the center of the town.
At the base of this giant tree is a small shrine where the custom of offering thanks to the forest spirits remains.
The daytime forest is beautiful with dappled sunlight, rich in herbs and berries, but as one ventures deeper, the paths become complicated, drawing closer to the domains of monsters and spirits.
At night, a pale blue light can sometimes be seen deep within the forest, and locals say, “The forest folk are walking.”
An ancient forest path also exists from Filne to Selidia, but due to many monsters, ordinary travelers prefer the safe route via Ratona.
In the town's adventurer guild, there are many requests for herb gathering, searching for a missing lumberjack, and driving off monsters that ravage the forest.

‘Mining City Gradbel’
Located southeast of Selidia at the foot of the eastern mountains, this city is known for its forging and mining industries.
Behind it, steep rocky mountains stretch out, with water flowing down from these mountains eventually merging into the Netoriko River.
The whole town is filled with the sounds of metal being hammered and smoke from forges.
Iron, copper, silver, and magical ores are mined here, with components for weapons, armor, farming tools, and magical tools being produced.
These crafted items are transported via carts and riverboats to Selidia, Ryunel, and the royal capital.
Since adventurers can also request repairs for weapons and armor, they often stop by here.
The residents tend to be stubborn and rough-spoken but are kind to those they acknowledge for their skills or sincerity.
There are even rumors of an entrance to ancient ruins created before mining began existing within the tunnels.

‘Shrine City Milesia’
Located in a hilly area southwest of the royal capital Elgran, this quiet city centers around an old cathedral.
Traveling northeast leads to the royal capital Elgran, while heading west will take you to the port town of Belhaven.
Being situated along the pilgrimage road linking the royal capital to the port town, not only pilgrims but also merchants and sailors praying for safe travels stop by.
There are many clinics, orphanages, and lodgings for pilgrims, and those studying healing arts and herbalism reside here as well.
White flowers are planted along the streets, and in the evening, the cathedral's bell resonates throughout the town.
While it appears tranquil on the surface, old factional disputes remain within the church.
There is conflict between those who prioritize connections with the nobility and royal family and those who consider relief for the impoverished as paramount.
Beneath the cathedral lies a crypt where the past priests and clergy rest.
Serena Mireyu has made this city her base for life and activities.
Eleonora lives in a quiet mansion equipped with a small garden and herb field, located on the outskirts of Milesia.

‘Port Town Belhaven’
A port town built near the mouth of the Netoriko River where it flows into the sea, along the western coast of the continent.
It features white-walled houses, blue roofs, and flags swaying in the sea breeze.
Fishing boats and merchant ships gather here, and sailors' tales can be heard in the taverns.
Seafood is delicious, and by evening, the sea and town are bathed in orange hues.
Agricultural products and ores transported from Ryunel, timber from Filne, and crafts from the royal capital are shipped to various locations from here.
On the other hand, spices, alcohol, fabrics, jewels, and rare magical tools from overseas also flow into the town.
The port is frequented not only by legitimate merchants but also by smugglers, pirates-turned-merchants, informants, and thieves.
Especially at night, the warehouse district is dangerous, with theft of cargo and smuggling deals occurring frequently.
However, on the main street, morning markets are held, and the lively voices of fishermen create a vibrant atmosphere in the town.

‘Main Roads and Waterways’
《South Road of the Royal Capital》
The main road leading from the royal capital Elgran, passing through the lodging town of Ratona, and continuing to the waterway city of Ryunel.
Numerous carts transport food and supplies to the royal capital, and it is relatively well-maintained.

《Scholarly Road》
The road connecting the royal capital Elgran and the scholarly city Selidia.
It is frequently used by students, scholars, merchants of magical tools, and traders transporting food.

《Iron Road》
The road running from Selidia through the eastern mountains to the mining city of Gradbel.
Heavy carts loaded with ores and weapons come and go here.

《Pilgrimage Road》
The road extending from the royal capital Elgran through the shrine city Milesia to the port town of Belhaven.
Scattered along the way are small shrines and accommodations for pilgrims.

《Forest Road》
The path leading from the lodging town Ratona to the forest town Filne.
The road narrows closer to the forest, increasing the danger of monster attacks.

《Netoriko Waterway》
A waterway that originates from the eastern mountains and runs through Ryunel to flow into the sea from Belhaven.
Many goods, including ores, timber, agricultural products, and alcohol, are transported by boats.