Their footsteps blended with the whisper of the wind and the rustle of leaves. After the fierce battle with the orcs, Lucifer and Arthur walked down a rocky path through thick forest, heading toward an uncertain civilization. The sun was beginning to tilt westward, casting a golden sheen on Arthur's red hair, while Lucifer, with a slightly torn black cloak, followed beside him.
Lucifer turned to break the silence. "So… Arthur, you said Eryndor is at war? War with who?"
Arthur sighed, his eyes narrowing as he stared ahead. "With monsters, Lucifer. And orcs. They've been appearing more often lately, attacking villages, kidnapping children, burning crops…"
Lucifer gulped. "Sounds like a world badly in need of a patch update."
Arthur gave a faint smile but didn't comment on the joke.
Lucifer nodded slowly. "I'm new to this world… obviously. But I feel like… there's something bigger going on. Something I don't understand yet."
He looked at Arthur. "Ever heard of the Ten Infinite Rings? Or the Seven Guardian Dragons?"
Arthur stopped walking. "Ten rings… what?"
Lucifer raised his right hand, showing the ring he took from Velgarion. "Like this. I was given this ring by an old dragon before he vanished. He mentioned something about other dragons and rings with great power."
Arthur stared at the ring in confusion. "Never heard of them. Maybe… it's some old forgotten legend?"
Lucifer sighed. "Or maybe I was meant to be the hero, and the world forgot to give me the instructions."
They continued walking. The trees began to thin, replaced by vast green meadows stretching as far as the eye could see. A breeze brushed their faces, carrying the scent of wildflowers and damp earth. A deer darted across the distance, startling Lucifer.
"Wow," he murmured. "I could get used to views like this."
A clear river flowed not far from them, reflecting the blue sky and the faint clouds turning colors as dusk approached. Arthur stopped near the bank.
"We'll camp here. It's safe, and there's water."
Lucifer looked around. "You sure this is safe? I was just chased by orcs yesterday."
Arthur had already begun collecting branches. "Safer than the dense forest. Here, we can see trouble coming."
Lucifer helped, though awkwardly. Arthur showed him how to arrange the wood, light a fire, and pitch a small tent using worn fabric and tied ropes.
"And then?" asked Lucifer, watching the fire sparks begin to dance. "Are we going to hunt wild boars or… buy food at the nearest tavern?"
Arthur smiled. "If we're lucky, food will come to us."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "That… sounds way too easy."
A heavy sound rustled from the bushes. Branches shook violently. Then emerged a massive tiger, its body as large as a buffalo, eyes glowing in the dark.
Lucifer instantly leapt behind a rock. "Okay, I take that back!"
Arthur stood firm, staring at the beast calmly.
"Like I said," he said, drawing his sword. "Dinner's here."
The battle was swift. The tiger leapt, clawed, lunged, but Arthur dodged and struck with precision. From behind the rock, Lucifer could only watch, wide-eyed.
It didn't take long before the tiger collapsed, its breath heavy, then silent. Arthur wiped his blade clean and looked toward the rock.
"It's safe now."
Lucifer slowly emerged, standing upright. "You know? I'd rather eat bread."
Arthur chuckled. "You'll get used to it."
Night fell. Under the moonlight and the gentle sound of the river, they sat around the campfire, chewing on roasted meat. Lucifer was no longer stiff—he had begun to enjoy the companionship, even as his body ached and his mind overflowed with questions.
"You always live like this?" he asked, chewing slowly.
Arthur stared into the fire. His eyes lost their light for a moment.
"No. I once had a home. A wife. A little daughter."
Lucifer looked at him, slowly placing his meat down.
"What happened?"
Arthur was silent. The firelight flickered in his eyes, as if burning old wounds.
"My village was attacked by orcs… I was too late. My wife was killed. My daughter… vanished."
There was no reply. Only the sound of the fire, the wind, and the river spoke. The world seemed peaceful on the surface, but every story underneath held sorrow.
Lucifer finally said softly, "I lost everything too… But maybe, if we help each other, we can get it back. Or at least… understand why all this happened."
Arthur turned and smiled faintly. "Maybe."
They lay in silence, beneath a sky full of stars. The night breeze blew gently. And for the first time since Lucifer arrived in this world, he felt… not alone.