As Dilhaze continued walking beneath the morning sun, they followed a quiet dirt path flanked by trees and golden grass. Birds chirped in the distance. Suddenly—
Silvia's sharp eyes narrowed. "Lizardmen."
Up ahead, the ground was littered with fallen bodies—guards, mangled and lifeless. A carriage lay toppled, its wooden doors battered and half-splintered. Several lizardmen snarled as they tore into the supplies.
Raizo's eyes hardened. "Silvia, fire an arrow—now!"
Silvia didn't hesitate. She nocked and loosed an arrow in one fluid motion.
Thwip!
It struck one of the lizardmen in the shoulder. The others turned, snarling, and charged straight at them.
"Let's move!" Raizo shouted, drawing Voidbringer.
Fenra dropped to a low stance, her claws ready. "With pleasure."
She chanted:
> "Strong spirit, my might, power arise—victory remain!"
Fighting Magic: Strengthening!
Her body surged with power. Raizo followed, casting:
> "Fulmen's speed, electric tide, strike and flash—dash with pride!"
Lightning Magic: Lightning Dash!
He blitzed forward, his blade trailing sparks. One lizardman spat poison breath, but Raizo leapt over it, slicing its chest open mid-air.
> Gluttony Ability Activated...
Stats updated:
ATK: 470
DEF: 400
STA: 450
MANA: 570
New Abilities: Shed Skin, Harden Scale
Meanwhile, Fenra slammed another into the dirt with her claws, then slashed two more cleanly. Behind them, Silvia had already cast:
> "Double strike, twin fangs pierce—fatal sight!"
Wind Magic: Twin Fang Arrow!
Two arrows flew side-by-side, striking their targets and knocking the beasts down.
Fenra smirked. "Is that all, pointy-ear?"
Silvia scoffed. "Not even close."
Suddenly, a lizardman lunged from behind Fenra.
"Behind you!" Silvia didn't shout—she fired.
The arrow flew past Fenra's ear, hitting the lizardman square in the throat. Fenra flinched, eyes wide.
"Geez, warn me next time!"
Silvia shrugged. "You've got good ears. I figured you didn't need a warning, mutt."
Fenra scowled—then grinned. "Heh... thanks, pointy-ear."
Silvia turned away with a small, smug smile.
As the last lizardman fell, the carriage door creaked open. A girl stepped out—blonde hair, curled neatly in twin tails, with a pink dress. Her blue eyes sparkled with noble grace. Beside her stood an older man in a butler uniform.
"I am Julie Asteria," she said proudly. "Daughter of King Marcellus Asteria of the Asteria Kingdom. This is my butler, Arthur."
Hearing this, Fenra and Silvia immediately knelt.
Raizo blinked. "Uh…?"
Fenra nudged him. "Raizo, kneel. She's royalty!"
Raizo rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, uh…"
Silvia interjected. "He doesn't need to kneel, mutt. He's the son of the former hero, remember?"
Julie's eyes lit up. "Wait… are you really the son of Lay Hayagashi?"
Raizo nodded. "Yeah, I am."
Julie stepped closer. "I've heard of you. My father told me the former hero had two sons. So… are you the new Hero?"
Raizo shook his head. "No. That title belongs to my brother, Lucas Hayagashi."
Julie looked at Fenra and Silvia. "You may stand."
They obeyed.
Raizo asked, "So… what are you doing in this forest, Julie?"
Julie waved off the formal tone. "Please, just call me Julie."
Fenra frowned. "No way, Princess."
Silvia added, "We can't just drop your title."
Julie raised her hand. "That's an order."
Fenra and Silvia both stood straight and saluted. "Yes, Julie," they said in unison.
Julie giggled. "Much better."
She continued, "I was visiting my cousin with my guards. On our return trip, we entered this forest and were ambushed by those lizardmen. I have a request."
Raizo tilted his head. "What is it?"
Julie beamed. "Let me hire you to escort me back to Asteria. I'll make sure my father rewards you. We're staying in Brunhild tonight anyway."
Fenra whispered to Raizo, "We're going to Brunhild too. Might as well."
Raizo nodded. "Alright. We accept."
Julie smiled brightly. "Perfect. Let's go!"
The sun dipped below the horizon as they reached Brunhild.
Julie turned to them. "Where are you staying?"
Raizo replied, "The Brunch Inn."
Julie clapped her hands. "Then let's head there right away!"
After safely escorting her, the Dilhaze party headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild.
The receptionist waved. "Oh, you're back!"
Raizo handed over the quest report.
The receptionist's eyes widened. "You defeated the flaming salamander?! Wait… THREE salamanders?! Fire, Earth, and Water?!"
Raizo shrugged calmly. "With teamwork, anything's possible."
The receptionist smiled, stunned. "With this feat, your rank will increase. You're close to achieving B-rank."
Dilhaze exchanged excited looks. Fenra beamed. "We're almost there!"
Silvia nodded. "Let's keep going."
At the Brunch Inn, Fenra opened the door. Lia, the innkeeper, greeted them warmly while stirring dinner.
"Welcome back! How was the quest?"
Fenra smirked. "It was... explosive."
Silvia nodded. "We ran into a few surprises."
From across the room, Julie waved enthusiastically. "Raizo! Fenra! Silvia! Over here!"
As the girls walked over, Lia stopped Raizo. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Raizo blinked. "Sure."
While the others went to Julie, Lia whispered, "How do you know the Princess of Asteria?"
Raizo explained briefly how they saved Julie from a group of lizardmen and agreed to escort her here.
Lia sighed in relief. "I see. So… are you leaving the city?"
Raizo nodded. "Probably tomorrow."
Lia looked around at the other customers, then shouted:
> "Alright, everyone—drinks on me tonight!"
The whole inn cheered.
Lia grinned. "If you're leaving, Raizo, then you're not going without a proper farewell party!"
Raizo chuckled softly
And as laughter filled the inn, the Dilhaze party sat together once more—stronger, closer, and with new bonds forming, both royal and heartfelt.
The morning sunlight filtered through the inn's window, gently waking Raizo from his slumber. He stretched—but then froze.
"Huh? Why can't I move my arms…?"
Raizo's eyes slowly fluttered open—and immediately widened in shock.
On his right arm, Fenra was curled up, sleeping soundly with her fluffy tail wrapped around her legs. On his left, Silvia lay just as peacefully, her silver-blonde hair slightly tousled, hand resting over his chest.
Raizo's face turned bright red. "W-What the…?!"
They were both hugging him in their sleep.
Before he could even say another word—knock knock.
The door opened slightly, revealing Lia.
She peeked in—and smirked. "Oh my my~ sorry for interrupting your morning harem moment, Raizo~"
"W-Wait! It's not what it looks like!" Raizo stammered, turning even redder.
Lia slowly closed the door, giggling. "Sure, sure~"
Raizo sighed and leaned his head back. In my past life… I never even slept next to a girl… and now this? So this is what it feels like... warm… soft—NO! Focus, Raizo!
As the embarrassment settled in, Fenra slowly stirred, rubbing her purple eyes. Silvia blinked next, her green eyes drowsy but alert.
"Raizo…?" Fenra mumbled, blinking. "Wait—why are we—?"
Raizo cleared his throat, still flustered. "I… I remember falling asleep alone. Did you two sneak in!?"
Both girls immediately looked away, whistling innocently, cheeks red as apples.
Fenra muttered, "Must've been cold or something…"
Silvia added, "Yeah, maybe we got lost in our sleep."
Raizo groaned, covering his face. "Let's just get ready. Julie's probably already waiting for us."