As I walked silently toward the Den, guards rushed past me, looking like they were worried about something urgent. Could it be an invasion? A bad feeling hit me, and the only thing on my mind was finding Axel.


    I took off running. The guards bumped into me as they passed, but I didn’t have time to apologize or anything—I just kept moving, shoving aside anyone in my way.


    When I got to the bar, I pushed the door open with a loud bang and shouted:


    — AXEL! Where are you?! — Some people looked at me with confused expressions, but my friend was nowhere to be seen.


    — What’s going on, Dante? — Sofia asked, sounding nervous.


    — Have you seen Axel? I think we’re in the middle of an invasion! — I blurted out, making her eyes widen in shock. Around us, the bar filled with anxious whispers.


    — H-he went to the library, like always. He’s probably still there. Do you think he’s in danger…? — she asked, her voice trembling.


    — He better not be… Stay here with your parents. I’ll go find him. — My expression was serious. If something happened to Axel, I didn’t even know what I’d do.


    <hr>


    A little farther away, in the Adventurers’ Guild, Miku was working at the reception desk.


    — Here’s your reward, Rebecca! — I handed a small pouch full of silver coins to Reb—


    — BANG — The guild doors swung open violently.


    Everyone inside turned to look at the person who had just burst in. A red-haired man in a blue cloak—one of the most important people in the kingdom, a member of the Royal Guard.


    — They told me I’d find her here. Which one of you is Miku? — The guard asked, urgency in his voice.


    — I-I am, sir. What exactly does the officer need from me? — Anxiety crept into my voice. I had always followed the law and done my job as best as I could. Had I done something wrong? Did an adventurer complain about me?


    — I need to talk to you about what happened to your hometown, Felicia Village…


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, Dante was speeding through the city alongside the guards. Most of them were much slower than him, so he weaved through their ranks with ease.


    The more I followed them, the more I realized they were heading straight for the library. That made me even more anxious, so I pushed myself to run faster, leaving everyone else behind.


    Loud noises echoed through the streets—deep, powerful thuds. It didn’t sound like clashing swords or anything like that. It was rougher, heavier. Screams rang out, full of both fear and frustration.


    As I neared the library, the scene in front of me completely took me by surprise.


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    Axel wasn’t in danger—at least that was good to know. But the problem was that he was the cause of all the chaos.


    Right beside the library, in an open space to its left, Axel was floating in the air, using his magic to raise a massive stone tower, easily over ten meters tall. The booming sounds came from the giant rocks slamming into place as he built the structure. He had a huge grin on his face, while all the officers around him shouted furiously.


    //YOU ARE VIOLATING THE WIZARD CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH STRICTLY PROHIBITS THE USE OF MAGIC WITHIN CITY WALLS. IF YOU DO NOT CEASE IMMEDIATELY, WE WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE ACTION.// The commanding officer bellowed up at him.


    Axel looked annoyed and shouted back:


    — Don’t give me that nonsense! Just leave me alone. I’m in the middle of something important. — Then, he simply went back to building his tower.


    The officer signaled to the surrounding archers. They raised their bows, arrows aimed straight at Axel, waiting for the order.


    I gripped my sword tightly, my blood boiling at the sight. If they dared to shoot, I’d kill every last one of them, even if it meant making the entire city our enemy.


    //STOP! DO NOT FIRE! DO NOT FIRE!// — A person in a black cloak pushed through the growing crowd and whispered something to the captain.


    The officer, who had been furious just moments ago, suddenly looked pale and shaken. Whatever that cloaked figure had said, it was enough to make him lower his hand.


    — But sir, we have him in our sights… — one of the archers protested.


    — Shut up. Don’t piss him off… ALL UNITS, FALL BACK! —


    Despite their reluctance, the soldiers and adventurers withdrew. Most of them shot Axel dirty looks, unable to understand why he had been let off the hook. I didn’t get it either. The only person who wasn’t glaring at him—besides me—was the officer, who still looked deeply disturbed as he walked away.


    The cloaked figure tried to slip away quickly, but as they passed me, I caught a glimpse of their face for just a second. Was that… the guild receptionist?


    Why was she here? And what had she told the officer? The mysteries kept piling up.


    But first, I focused on my bro. After the guards left, I sheathed my sword and approached the tower.


    — Hey, bro!


    — Dante, you’re back already? — Axel’s voice was bright and cheerful. I was glad to see he was in a good mood, but honestly, he needed to be more careful in this world.


    — What are you even doing? You remember what the Saint said, right? — I asked. Axel made a slightly annoyed face, but it was clear he didn’t actually care about what the Sword Saint or anyone else thought.


    — Oh, come on. Like you’re gonna listen to him? — Axel had a point. I didn’t care about the Saint or the guards either—I had almost killed them just a moment ago. Lately, death had been hanging around me way too much. We had chosen to be revolutionaries. We couldn’t let something like this stop us.


    I sighed, feeling a wave of melancholy wash over me. Seeing my face, Axel clapped his hands on my shoulders and grinned.


    — Come on, let’s go inside! I gotta show you something! — His excitement never faded. He undid a seal on the door, and we stepped inside. The place was massive.


    — Hope you don’t mind, but I filled the first two floors with experiments and books I found in the library and some ruins. But don’t worry—I made a whole floor just for you! And if you want more, I can build them. —


    Axel was unbelievable. This tower was insane, like something straight out of a real RPG.


    — Bro, you still haven’t answered my question… why did you build this tower? — I asked again.


    — Don’t you think we should have a place of our own? I mean, don’t get me wrong, Max’s Bar is awesome, and the fries are great. But if people like that adventurer and the Sword Saint get their own places, then we deserve one too! —


    He wasn’t wrong. Arrogant people always seemed to have easy access to places like this in this world.


    Axel floated upward with magic as I climbed the stairs he had made to the upper floors. On the third floor, I lay down on the ground, completely exhausted.


    No matter how much I tried to shake it, I couldn’t stop thinking about that devastated village. And then there was the receptionist’s face—why had she looked so terrified? Because of Axel?


    — Hey, bro, let’s go get some fries at the bar. I need to refuel. —


    There was no way that fear in her eyes had been directed at Axel.


    As Axel opened the door, still floating, I pulled my hood up and jumped toward the exit. We were heading to the bar.