《The Rising of The Summoner Hero》


 Chapter 01

    Niel Niverna is one of the Heroes'' party members. He is the Summoner, capable of summoning any kind of monster he sees, even legendary ones. As long as he meets them, he can summon them immediately. The only problem with his power is that when he summons a new monster, he needs to fight them first before they obey him. It''s not necessarily until he defeats them; he just needs to be strong enough to gain their approval.


    After that, he can summon them as much as he wants. Even after the summoned monster dies, he can summon them again and again. The limitations on how often he can summon a monster depend on how strong the monster is¡ªthe stronger the monster, the fewer he can summon them. As one of the Heroes himself, Niel can summon up to five legendary monsters at once.


    But for Niel, his legendary monster is not that strong compared to his party. Even Niel himself could defeat them by himself. Right now, his summon is only used as a convenient luggage carrier and as a mount. The best they can do is keep the enemies at bay or act as a meat shield. His summon can''t even hold a candle against their recent enemies; they can''t even scratch the enemies with their powerful attacks.


    After their failed conquest on the Hakaga Continent, Niel''s party is coming back to the Oracle, Reignfable Capital City.


    Like always, the first thing they do when they arrive is to go to meet with The Oracle. Usually, all the party members are present at this meeting. But this time, Niel is not allowed to go to the meeting. At first, Niel tries to object, but since the Oracle themselves forbid him, Niel can''t do anything. While his party has a meeting with the Oracle, Niel needs to wait in one of the rooms. He doesn''t know why he''s the only one left behind.


    "*Sigh... Why am I the only one that needs to wait here?"


    As Niel reclined on the couch, he attempted to engage in conversation with the small dragon nestled on his belly. Although the slumbering dragon, named Villy, remained unresponsive, Niel merely smiled and gently stroked her. It was only when Niel caressed her head that Villy stirred from her slumber. She fixed her round, light blue eyes upon Niel''s face and briefly surveyed her surroundings. Finding nothing of interest, she let out a big yawn and resumed her peaceful slumber.


    "You''re having it easy, huh?"


    "..."


    "Or maybe not..."


    After their last battle, Villy is the one that helped them run from the enemies. It''s really almost a one-sided battle. Niel doesn''t remember how many times one of his party members almost died.


    While Niel''s summon is weak, Villy is not a summoned monster and far stronger than all Niel''s combined summon monsters. Instead of a pet, Villy is more like one of the party members despite being a dragon. Villy is actually allowed to go to the meeting with the Oracle, but she inclined to stay with Niel.


    Niel continued to gently stroke Villy''s exquisite blue scales. It wasn''t long before he heard footsteps approaching, and shortly after that, the door swung open.


    A resplendent woman clad in pristine white armor with beautiful amethyst gem on it, her graceful silhouette retained even beneath the protective layers. Her silver locks cascaded gently over her shoulders, lending an ethereal quality to her presence. Yet, it was her luminous, amethyst eyes that spoke volumes, revealing a steadfast determination that rivaled the gleam of her armor.


    "So why am I being left out, Remilia?"


    Even without glancing, Niel already knew who stood at the door as he continued to stroke Villy without breaking his rhythm. He engaged in conversation with her without ever turning his gaze.


    Remilia, Hero of the light, on the other hand, remained fixated on Niel. She let out a sigh and sat on a nearby chair.


    "Niel."


    As Niel was called, he shifted his gaze to Remilia, sensing that she wanted to say something but was hesitant to do so.


    "What is it? Did something happen?"


    Niel has known Remilia since they were little, and they''ve spent more than half of their lives together. He noticed that she was acting differently, which was surprising to him. Remilia was always a straightforward person who would say whatever was on her mind, so seeing her like this left Niel astonished.


    "Did the Oracle say something?"


    Niel, who had been reclining on the couch, sat up with Villy in his lap. The small dragon had just woken up and was attempting to make sense of the situation.


    "Niel, can you try to summon any monster?"


    "Summon a monster? Like, right now?"


    "Yes."


    "Why?"


    "Just do it."


    Niel found himself puzzled by Remilia''s sudden request, his mind racing with numerous questions he wished to ask. Despite his curiosity, he refrained from voicing his inquiries and obediently carried out her instructions.


    A red scroll appears floating in front of Niel, and the scroll opened itself. Remilia was surprised when she sees the scroll, which made Niel even more confused. Remilia already knows how Niel Summoner''s power work, so this is not something new for her. Why is she so surprised about this? Niel thought.


    "So, what shou-"


    "Just summon anything!"


    While inside the room, Niel attempted to summon Red Crown, a bird-like monster of modest size, fitting for the confined space. As he uttered the incantation inside his head and reached for the scroll, an unsettling silence filled the room. To his dismay, nothing happened, and the scroll fell to the ground with a thud. The sudden turn of events left Remilia, who had been visibly excited moments ago, gasping in disbelief, her expression now reflecting deep disappointment.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Wh-!!!"


    And that''s how Niel found himself losing his Summoners power.


    ***


    Niel was truly at a loss for words when he found out he couldn''t summon the monster. Villy, who was on Niel''s lap, looked at him with worry.


    Another red scroll appeared in front of Niel, and he immediately tried to summon another monster. Just like before, the scroll fell to the ground.


    "What happened?! Why can''t I suddenly feel it anymore!?"


    Usually, when he summoned a monster, he could feel the creature answering his call. But now, he felt nothing, as if his call didn''t reach the monster.


    Niel kept trying over and over again, attempting various monsters. The floor around Niel was covered with scrolls of different colors.


    Remilia looked dejected, clenching her fist and biting her lips while trying to accept the reality of Niel''s inability to summon any monster. However, her disappointment stemmed from something else.


    "Niel..."


    "..."


    "The Oracle told me that-"


    As Remilia started to talk, Niel just sat with an empty look on his face. Remilia''s voice sounded like a breeze in his ears, drowned out by questions about why these things were happening.


    "Niel!"


    When Niel snapped back from his thoughts, he saw Remilia in front of him, holding his shoulders. Her beautiful amethyst eyes reflected his face, making him realize how terrible he looked.


    "S-sorry..."


    Without uttering a word, Remilia suddenly embraced him. Despite the coldness of her armor, Niel felt a comforting warmth. His mind settled, but he noticed Remilia''s entire body trembling.


    "Lia..."


    Niel tried to ask her what happened but held back. Instead, he embraced Remilia back, trying to hold her gently. This was the first time Remilia acted like this. She was always calm and composed, never showing her own weakness or crying.


    But right now, Niel could feel it. She was holding back tears.


    "Niel."


    Remilia pulled away from Niel, back to her usual self, as if nothing happened.


    "From now on, you are not part of our party anymore."


    "!!"


    "Pyui!!"


    Though Niel expected this, hearing it directly from Remilia shocked him. Villy, who had been watching, also seemed surprised and launched herself at Remilia. Remilia caught Villy before she could hit her head.


    "Pyui! Pyui pyui pyui kyui!"


    Even if Remilia and Niel didn''t understand what Villy said, they knew she wanted to reason with Remilia. But Remilia just stared at her.


    "Villy, you will go with us. We still need you."


    "Pyuuuuiiii!! Pyuii! Pyuuii!!"


    Villy tried to break free from Remilia''s clutch, but with Remilia''s monstrous strength, she couldn''t budge her.


    "Well then, farewell, Niel."


    Remilia walked toward the door with Villy still struggling in her hand. Before Remilia could reach the door, Villy released her breath, and blocks of ice immediately formed to block the door.


    "Villy. You will give people in this place a lot of trouble."


    "Pyui!! Pyuuuuiiii!!"


    Despite the blocks of ice in front of her, Remilia walked casually toward it. Instead of breaking, the ice crumbled into small pieces of square blocks, as if she was ruining perfectly made building blocks.


    After watching her easily crumble the ice, Villy tried to transform into her true form, her body emitting blue light. But before she could complete the transformation, Remilia knocked her out.


    "I''m sorry, Villy. I can''t let you destroy this place."


    Remilia start walked out the room leaving Niel alone. Niel just sat on the couch, trying to calm himself. He can''t say anything to her. He want to say something to her, but words couldn''t comes out of his mouth.


    "Guess I''ll go back to Noel''s place."


    There is no one he could talk to, but he said it out loud just to tell himself what he needs to do next.


    ***


    The city of Oracle buzzes with life on a bustling day. Cobblestone streets wind through the vibrant marketplace, where merchants peddle exotic spices, shimmering fabrics, and magical trinkets. The air is filled with the aroma of sizzling meats from street vendors, and the distant melodies of minstrels echo through the crowded alleys. Towering stone structures adorned with intricate carvings line the streets, while colorful banners flutter in the breeze. Knights in armor march alongside peasants haggling over goods, creating a lively tapestry of diversity in this enchanting city.


    But in the middle of it, there are two persons that really catch everyone''s eyes. A stunning woman adorned with cascading, fiery-red hair that drapes down her back. Her emerald eyes exude a gentle allure, framed by a light brown high-waisted jacket paired with a dark red crop top that bares her midriff. Completing her ensemble are sleek black shorts, knee-high light brown boots, and a pendant featuring a sizable red gem. Suspended from her waist, two daggers add a touch of intrigue to her formidable presence. She is one of the heroes'' party members, known as Selia The Crimson Archer. Even though she''s an archer, she''s also capable of detecting traps and enemies, scouting, and the cook of the party. She also takes care of managing their expenses and belongings. Taking their laundry when they''re traveling, and always make sure all the party members are well-fed. Pretty much she''s handling almost all of their daily life necessities.


    Beside her there is a man. He exudes an air of striking handsomeness, with his lustrous blonde hair and blue eyes that radiate warmth. His stature was impressive, standing at around 180 centimeters. He wears a red robe adorned with sleek black lines, black long pants, and brown shoes. Tristan Tilecrow, The Grand Sorcerer. He is also one of the heroes'' party members. He is able to use any kind of magic; he is the crowd control of the party, able to sweep hundreds of weak monsters in an instant, intervene enemies'' attack to make sure Remilia can focus on the toughest enemy, and dealing with monsters'' corpses.


    Right now, the two of them are exploring the marketplace to buy some necessities for their next journey. With how beautiful and handsome these two are, they look like a perfect couple. No matter where they go, people always look at them with awe. People that know who these two are will admire them, and people that don''t know who they are will be captivated by their charms. But the thing that makes those two stand out the most is bags of groceries and some other traveling items that are floating above them. Those things are not something that happens every day, constantly using magic without looking to where you are using it while keeping the output stable is really a feat to be achieved, not to mention doing it while moving around. But since those two are mastering wind magic beyond its limit, it''s just like moving around their hands for them. But for normal people that was a sight to see.


    "I guess this is all we need."


    Selia says as she looks around while thinking if she missed something. And Tristan busily browses the stalls looking if there''s something he wants to buy. They just keep ignoring everyone that is staring at them, since they always stand out no matter what they do. It''s just a common occurrence for them when they''re in the crowd.


    "Oh yeah! While I remember, I should buy that for-"


    Before Selia completes her sentence, she stops herself and looks dejected.


    "I wonder if Remilia is able to tell him properly."


    "Hm? What?"


    Tristan who is busy looking around, heard Selia said something.


    "Nothing. Just thinking if Niel will be alright."


    "Oh, Niel? Don''t worry, I already send a letter to Noelle to take care of him."


    "Send her a letter? Did you tell her to go here to take Niel back to Tilecrow?"


    "No way I let her go here by herself. I already told Remilia to tell Niel to go back to my house."


    "Well, if that''s the case..."


    Noelle is Tristan''s wife and also Niel''s big sister. He is also acting as The Lord of Tilecrow, which makes him a noble, but he can''t just stay there doing desk job since he''s part of the heroes'' party member. While Tristan is doing his job as Heroes'' party member, Noelle is taking his position to manage their territory. Tristan also has his motives to send Niel to his house. For him, sending Niel to Tilecrow is beneficial to his territory and his feelings. While Niel is a Summoner, his strong point is not his summon monsters. Niel is the second strongest member in their party in terms of physical strength, even stronger than Greg. And because Remilia always gives him brutal training, he is also a master in swordsmanship, just second to Remilia. Placing him under Noelle''s care will give Tristan peace of mind since he can also act as Noelle and his son''s bodyguard. It will also give Noelle fewer things to worry about, as she''s always concerned about Niel.


    "Wait. Doesn''t that mean he needs to go there by himself?! Tilecrow is pretty far from here! What if he ends up in a monster''s den?!"


    Selia panicked when she realized that Niel needs to go to Tilecrow by himself. She knows well how bad Niel''s sense of direction is, and despite his strength, he is really clumsy.


    "Don''t worry about it. I already handled it."


    "That''s good news, then."


    Selia immediately calmed down after hearing it. Tristan is a capable guy, and if he said he already handled it, then everything should be alright. Since it''s about Niel, his brother-in-law and childhood friend, he will do his best to help him. Selia knows how much Tristan adores Niel.


    "But still... I hope nothing bad will happen."


    "Please stop being pessimistic. You make me worry about him now."


    "Well, you cannot really blame me. His clumsiness almost killed him before."


    "Stop throwing dead wood into the fire."


    With how much Selia worries about Niel, Tristan lets out a long sigh. He doesn''t want to leave him alone here; if possible, he wants to send Niel to Tilecrow himself. However, the Oracle told them to leave him alone immediately and not to meet or communicate with him afterward.


    "At least let me say goodbye."


    Tristan said it out loud without realizing it. Selia, who heard it, just looks at him in silence. She also feels the same way. There are a lot of things she wants to say to Niel.


    "Let''s go back to everyone. I think we have all the things that we need."


    "Huh? Oh yeah. Let''s go back."


    Trying to distract herself, Selia decides to go back to their lodgings. Tristan, who starts spacing out, snaps back. As they go back to their lodgings, they walk past two women at one of the stalls. A beautiful woman with long golden hair, wearing a beautiful white dress, and the other one is a woman with dark short hair wearing dark blue armor with a sword hanging on her waist. Selia notices them, and somehow one of them feels familiar. But she brushes it off and continues walking.

 Chapter 02

    After what happened yesterday, Niel found himself finding it hard to get up from his bed. He feels like his world has taken an unexpected turn. Alone in his room, he''s trying to find some motivation to get up, but his body feels sluggish. He feels his skin burning from the bright sunlight coming through the window, alerting him that the sun is already up in the sky.


    ''I can''t continue like this.''


    He didn''t expect he would lose all of his motivation when he woke up. He actually doesn''t care that much about his lost summoner power. For him, they don''t do that much for the party anyway; just convenient tools to carry their things... or not. The whole time, his party members were always trying to find a way to make sure his summon power contributes to the party. They have many ways to carry their luggage, but they always make excuses about preserving their power for battles instead of using it to carry their things. Niel just accepted it at that time, even though deep inside he knows they just pity him. The fact that they still accept him, even though he is left behind in terms of power, and readily help him anytime, is something he is really grateful for. His summon power doesn''t matter to him; he doesn''t care if it''s useful or not, he just wants to be with them.


    ''Is it because of this I lost my power?''


    Because he doesn''t care about it? Maybe the Oracle realized this, then told his friends to leave him alone. And he can''t go with them because he''s not worthy anymore to be with them. He was given that power from the God. When it''s useful to him, he''s proud of it without giving his power any credit. When he can''t depend on it, he throws it away like it doesn''t have anything to do with him. The God told the Oracle how he disrespects his given power, and that''s why they forbid him from the meeting. At least that''s what Niel believed.


    ''Looks like I finally got my karma for being so selfish.''


    It sounds simple.


    Just want to be with them.


    But it''s really selfish of him to take advantage of their kindness and put his summon power behind, just so that he can stay in his little world.


    Niel raises his hand while he''s still lying on the bed. He looks at his stretched hand for a few seconds; after that, a glowing white scroll appears above him. Niel tries to focus on the scroll, but nothing happens, and the scroll just falls on his face. Niel drops his hand and lets out a sigh while the scroll is still on his face. He doesn''t even bother moving it away, just staring at the ceiling without any thoughts.


    "So useless..."


    He didn''t talk about his power. Those words are for himself. With those words, he finds himself losing more and more will to do anything. So he decides to close his eyes and try to sleep. As he closes his eyes, he remembers what happened yesterday when Remilia hugged him. He still remembers her warmth at that time, and that warmth slowly drifts into a dream.


    ***


    The black clouds cover the sky, preventing the sunlight from reaching the ground. The invisible fires that always burn this barren land, even though there is nothing to burn, make it hard for them to breathe. But they just ignore it since it''s not the most threatening thing here. What they fear the most is the creature in front of them.


    The Black Jet Dragon, its size is really formidable, reaching 30 meters tall. On its body, there are purple lines that glow eerily. Its red eyes are burning, emitting literal fires. Its big claws emit a dark aura. It spreads its wings, covering the sky to show its domination to them.


    Niel sees Remilia heavily breathing; she looks so ragged. This is the first time he has seen her struggle this much. Usually, she overwhelms all of her enemies and slices them into pieces with her light magic. Behind her is Greg. He raises his shield to protect the three people behind him: Tristan, Chelisa, and Selia. Greg also looks beaten up; there are some holes in his armor, and blood is coming out from his eyes and mouth. Even so, he still stands up unfazed. Tristan points his staff at the dragon, ready to fire his magic at any moment. Chelisa stands behind him while holding her staff, ready to heal everyone when they get injured. And Selia holds her astral fire bow, five astral arrows on her bow ready to be fired. While Niel himself is up in the sky riding a wyvern, one of his summon monsters, monitoring his friends; behind him, there are two big birds flying, holding their luggage. Niel summons some monsters to attack the Dragon, but they immediately die from a single sweep of its tail. Remilia launches herself immediately after Niel''s summons die and shoots her light magic at the Dragon''s eyes. The Dragon reacts to the magic and evades it, then blocks Remilia''s sword with its claw from reaching its neck. Seeing some opening, the Dragon slashes its other claw at Remilia. Its claw is so fast that Niel almost cannot see it, but Remilia evades it without much trouble by flying to the side.


    Unfortunately, the Dragon waits for this opportunity to happen. The Dragon immediately releases its breath at Greg and the others when Remilia is not in front of them. Greg raises his shield even higher and uses his magic. His shield is big, but he cannot cover three people at the same time. By using this magic, he can increase his shield defenses and widen the area he can protect. Even when Greg is able to protect the other three, the Dragon''s breath is so enormous that it covers them entirely. Remilia raises her sword up to the sky, and it starts glowing brightly. Not long after that, a pillar of light shoots at the dragon from the sky, but those lights don''t hit the ground; they just hit the entire Dragon body like they have their own mind. Some of the Dragon''s hard scales start to peel, but its breath doesn''t stop barraging Greg and the others. Remilia launches herself again and slashes at its neck as hard as she could. She manages to hit its neck, but the cut is just too shallow. Even though she already attacked it with all her might, its scales are still able to absorb her strongest attack. After she attacks the Dragon several times, the Dragon finally stops its breath attack. Even after it stops, Remilia keeps attacking its neck at the place she just cut. The Dragon tries to block her but is unable to move because the Dragon is already holding its body against Remilia''s Judgment Lights.


    Tristan and Selia are preparing their strongest attacks as they wait for Remilia''s magic to run out. Chelisa is focusing on healing Greg''s wounds from the Dragon''s breath; even after he blocked its breath, his skin still got burned. And Niel is just watching the battles from the sky, unable to do anything. He doesn''t have any ultimate attack like the others. Even Greg and Chelisa have their own ultimate attacks. They don''t use them because they prefer to focus on their roles. This makes him feel pathetic. Even if he tried to attack the Dragon with his sword, he would just end up standing in Remilia''s way or getting sliced by its claw. Not to mention, if Remilia barely managed to cut through its neck even after putting all her might, then it''s impossible for Niel to even give it a scratch.


    "Lisa, please strengthen Tristan and Selia. If Remilia''s Judgment Lights barely managed to break its scales, I don''t think those two can scratch it."


    "But..."


    "You''ve already healed me enough. After we defeat that dragon, you can heal me again later."


    Chelisa just nods her head and reluctantly stops treating Greg. She uses her boost magic on Tristan and Selia, and both of their bodies start to glow. As Chelisa keeps using her magic again and again, Tristan''s and Selia''s bodies glow more brightly. They only focus on the Dragon in silence, waiting for Remilia''s magic to stop. For them, this sight is really terrifying if you know how Judgment Lights work.


    In the past, there was a kingdom that got destroyed by millions of monsters. All the people that lived there were killed by the monsters; not a single person survived. After they were done with the kingdom, they moved to the next place trying to destroy another kingdom. Fortunately, Remilia and her party were already there waiting for the monsters. When they saw millions of monsters covering the ground marching towards them, they thought it would take days for them to wipe the monsters out. But Remilia, without uttering a single word, flew to the sky and raised her sword. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared in a split second, like when thunder emits light when it hits the earth. And not long after that, all the monsters fell to the ground like their souls left their bodies. Not a single drop of blood left their bodies, and not even a single wound was visible on their bodies. For normal people, it looked like Remilia just raised her sword, some light appeared, and monsters died. But for her party members who saw through it, it was something incredible and terrifying at the same time.


    At that time, Remilia only released a light beam as big as a pinky finger; the beam spread into strings of lights shooting towards millions of monsters and killed all the monsters with it. But now, she releases her Judgement Lights as big as a twenty-meter diameter. That means countless strings of lights are focused, shooting at the Dragon right now, and she''s able to hold it for more than five minutes while attacking its neck over and over again.


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    After witnessing Remilia''s full power Judgement Lights, Tristan and Selia are not so sure if they can hurt the Dragon with their powerful attacks. But still, they need to do their best and try it. Maybe with the help of Chelisa''s magic, they might be able to hurt the Dragon.


    "Now!"


    Remilia shouts at them, signaling her magic is about to run out. Tristan immediately releases his ultimate magic, and Selia shoots her astral arrows up to the sky. Up in the sky, there is a big magic circle made from a combination of five magic circles, and it starts rotating faster and faster. On the ground, Selia shoots five astral arrows with different colors at once. They beautifully launch into the sky, and when they''re up in the sky, the arrows clash with each other and explode into beautiful fireworks. The dark gloomy sky turns into a beautiful spectacular fireworks show. Niel, who is up in the sky, is left speechless by the beautiful view in front of him. After more than seven minutes, Remilia''s Judgment Lights finally vanish into thin air, revealing the Dragon''s burned flesh. Its scales are completely gone, its wings are just remains of bones, and the burning smell of its flesh covers the area. Seeing a split second of opportunity, the Dragon tries to run away. It swings its claw and thrusts its tail towards Remilia, pushing her away from its neck. Before the Dragon can run away, a dark circle appears below it and pulls it to the ground, making it unable to move. It''s one of Greg''s strongest magic; he didn''t use it before because the Dragon could resist it. Now that the Dragon is weakened, he is able to hold the Dragon down.


    Tristan immediately starts shooting his magic; the magic circle that is rotating in the sky shoots a spiral light and dark beam from the middle magic circle, followed by the outer layer of the magic circle, a spiral red, blue, green, and brown beam shoots out covering the spiral light and dark beam. Tristan''s magic engulfs the entire front part of the Dragon. Following Tristan''s attack, Selia''s fireworks sparks turn into thousands of colorful shooting stars; they beautifully descend from the sky towards the Dragon. When they touch the Dragon, they explode with another beautiful array of colors.


    Both Tristan and Selia are barraging the Dragon with their powerful attacks. Remilia readies herself to attack the Dragon again after Tristan''s and Selia''s attacks stop. Greg is still holding the Dragon with his magic. Chelisa goes back to healing Greg again. And Niel loses both of his legs up to his knee.


    "Aaaahh!"


    Hearing his scream, the others look at him. Beside him, there is another Dragon that swung its claw, turning Niel''s wyvern into pieces and cutting off his legs. Thanks to his bird summon behind him, they manage to grab Niel''s collar and pull him away from complete demise. But the Dragon doesn''t stop there; it immediately swings its claw again towards Niel. Remilia, without thinking, flies towards Niel at full speed. Unfortunately for Remilia, she doesn''t manage to reach Niel in time. The Dragon slashes through Niel''s bird summon, and at the last milliseconds, another of Niel''s bird summon pushes him away and manages to dodge the claw by a hair''s breadth. But his summon and his left arm get slashed by the Dragon''s claw.


    Remilia manages to catch Niel as he falls from the sky. Instead of attacking them, the Dragon flies towards Greg and the others. At this time, Tristan''s and Selia''s attacks have already stopped, Greg cancels his magic and protects the others from the incoming Dragon. But instead of attacking them, the Dragon flies towards the weakened Dragon. It bites its neck and releases its breath. The body of the weakened Dragon is engulfed by the breath. After the breath disappears, it reveals a terrifying sight.


    "No way!"


    "Impossible!!"


    "Are you kidding me?!"


    Greg, Selia, and Tristan are surprised at the sight they''re seeing. Somehow, the weakened Dragon is completely healed, even its wings have grown back. Witnessing the Dragon recovered completely from its wound, Remilia begins to panic.


    "Retreat!!"


    Greg immediately picks up Tristan and Chelisa in his arms and starts running away, with Selia following them from behind. But the Dragons aren''t going to let them go; the recovered Dragon fires its breath at Greg and the others. Before its breath hits them, a big wall of ice forms to protect them.


    "Villy!"


    Villy, an Azure Dragon in her true form, descends in front of them while keeping the wall of ice from being destroyed by the Dragons. Finding an opportunity, Remilia immediately flies towards Greg and the others.


    "Lisa, please heal Niel first. He lost too much blood. And Niel, after you''re feeling better, summon one of your monsters and get out of here with the others. Me and Villy will hold the enemies for a while. After that, we will follow you."


    Chelisa immediately starts to heal Niel and stops him from bleeding. Remilia stands beside Villy, leaving Niel in Chelisa''s care, waiting for the Dragons to destroy Villy''s ice. Her white armor is stained with Niel''s blood. Behind her, Greg, Tristan, and Selia will protect Chelisa so that she can focus on healing Niel.


    Villy stops reinforcing her ice, and not long after that, the ice gets destroyed. Remilia immediately launches an attack, trying to take the Dragon by surprise. Villy flies towards the other Dragon and swings her claw targeting its neck.


    Remilia starts her clash with the Dragon. Instead of attacking, Remilia focuses on evading and defending. She will attack the Dragon''s mouth whenever it starts to open, trying to prevent them from firing their breath. The Dragon attacks Remilia with its claws and tail. Their attacks are really fast but not fast enough to hit Remilia.


    Meanwhile, Villy is already fighting in the sky, clashing each other''s claws and creating sparks in the sky. When one of them fires their breath attack, the other one will counter it. They fly so fast in the sky that they leave their trails behind.


    Tristan and Selia try to distract the Dragon by firing his magic and shooting her arrows. Greg, on the other hand, is ready to receive any surprise attack.


    "I''m sorry... I''m giving you guys so much trouble..."


    "That''s not right, Nii-nii. You never give us any trouble."


    "That''s a lie... I always get lost... and you are the one who always finds me first."


    "Now that you mention it."


    Chelisa giggles when she remembers their first meeting. But she also starts to cry.


    "Why are you crying? It''s not like... I''m about to die..."


    "Nii... nii..."


    When Niel realizes it, there is something on Chelisa''s chest, a single drop of blood falls to his cheek. She drops her staff and starts floating¡ªno, something is pulling her up. When Niel looks back, he finds another Dragon piercing Chelisa''s back through her chest using its tail. Niel sees the Dragon throw her body away like a ragdoll. As she lays on the ground, blood gushes out from her chest, with her last strength, she stretches her arm trying her best to reach Niel.


    "Nii..."


    Niel sees her golden eyes slowly losing their light as she finally stops moving.


    "LISAAAAAAA!!!"


    Niel uses all his might to crawl towards her with only his right hand. As he gets closer and closer, the Dragon steps on her body, turning her body into a chunk of meat.


    "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"


    Remilia, who is still fighting with the second Dragon, is shocked when she realizes what happened behind her. The Dragon sees an opportunity and bites her body up to her waist. Remilia struggles to break free from its mouth. It tries to bite Remilia''s body as hard as it can but Remilia''s armor is too hard for it. The Dragon releases its breath while Remilia is inside its mouth as long as it can. When the Dragon finally stops its breath, it spits Remilia out from its mouth and drop her to the ground. Her body becomes charred, and her armor is melting. She can''t be recognized anymore. Her hand still moving for a while, but not long after that, she completely stopped moving.


    Tristan, Selia, and Greg are shocked and can''t move their bodies when they saw Remilia''s body. The third Dragon flies towards them and pierces Tristan''s body with its claw, then slams it to the ground and swings its other claw to Selia, cutting her into pieces. Greg, who still freezes from shock, looks at Tristan and Selia''s lifeless bodies. Without hesitation the third Dragon fires its breath at Greg''s defenseless body. After it''s breath gone, Greg''s armor stuck to his charred body, and his body fells down.


    ''What?''


    ''What is happening?''


    One after another, his friends got killed right in front of his eyes.


    "Lia..."


    He looked at Remilia''s charred body lying on the ground. His strength started leaving his body, and he fell to the ground.


    ''Please don''t leave me alone...''


    All of his party members are strong and really dependable. They''re pretty much the strongest party in the world and always able to handle any kind of situation, no matter how bad it looks. So, this scene happening in front of his eyes feels surreal.


    Tristan is an incredible man, always gentle, very reliable, and smart. Every time everyone struggles with something, he will always help them find a solution. He also masters all elemental magic to the highest tiers. He is the best magician Niel has ever known. Even if his physical strength is the weakest among the other party members, he is still far above average.


    Selia is always kind and caring about the other members'' well-being. Her food is also really tasty. She''s also really good at cleaning and doing laundry. Niel always tells her that he wants a wife like her one day. Without her, he can''t imagine what would happen to this party; maybe they''ll be chewing on grass all the time on their journey. She''s also really good at detecting traps and enemies. She can also use high-tier fire and wind magic. She can fly and use an astral bow that always appears out of thin air, shooting arrows that also appear out of thin air.


    Greg, though his face might look terrifying, is actually really gentle. He always asks everyone if they''ve had enough water today. He always protects everyone from danger and will literally jump into a monster''s mouth to save them. Everyone feels safe when they stand beside him. He also scolds them when they fight each other, making sure that nobody gets hurt. He can take any kind of attack and still stand like nothing happened, even when he gets hurt. Even though he doesn''t have any weapons, he can crush his enemies with his shield alone.


    Chelisa is an adorable and sweet girl who always cares about everyone. When someone gets hurt, she will heal them immediately. But every time she heals someone, her face always looks so sad. Everyone in the party knows that she hates it when she needs to heal someone. It''s not that she doesn''t want to heal people; she just doesn''t like it when people get hurt. Even though she is small, she is actually stronger than Tristan when it comes to physical strength.


    "Vi..lly..."


    Somehow, Niel got some of his strength back. He uses all his strength to sit, so he can breathe and avoid the ground from burning his face. When he looks up to the sky, he sees Villy fighting against the three dragons. She is struggling to defend herself as they bombard her with their attacks.


    Niel raises his right arm towards Villy.


    ''Please! I beg you! Please work!''


    A white glowing scroll floats in front of him. He tries to summon his monster, but the scroll just falls to the ground.


    "Why..."


    Niel slowly lowered his hand down, keeping his eyes on Villy, who is barely able to fly. Her wounds worsen as the dragons keep attacking her. His heart hurts when he sees Villy''s helplessness.


    "Please..."


    Niel tries to stand up. He doesn''t care about the pain in his legs. He pushes the ground with his hand, trying to balance himself, and shouts as hard as possible to the sky.


    "SAVE HER!!"


    Suddenly, Villy''s body starts emitting a blue light, and she explodes in the sky with a loud sound that shakes the ground.


    The sky and the ground immediately turn into ice, the three dragons fall from the sky as they turn into ice. Their bodies scatter into pieces of ice when they touch the ground.


    Niel still looks up to the sky, but his eyes look at the place where Villy exploded. Snows starts fall to the ground. Niel sight follow a single snow slowly falling down, as the snow almost reach the ground. Niel find someone in a distance, standing looking at him. Somehow he find some familiar feeling toward that person. As that person start to walk toward him. The ground starts to shakes and the world began crumbling. And Niel finds himself inside the darkness.

 Chapter 03

    Niel feels like his chest quite heavy, but somehow he doesn''t mind it. It''s actually comforting him. When he opens his eyes, he finds the day already passes and changed into the night, with only moonlight illuminating the room through window. He looks at his chest, and finds small dragon with beautiful light blue scales sleeping on his chest. The warm feeling on his chest gives him some strength that he loses. He reaches his left hand to pet it.


    "Villy..."


    Niel said with low voice. He continues petting Villy''s scales. And then he realizes his body is covered in blanket. He remembers he puts the blanket away from him when he woke up this day.


    "Thanks."


    Niel gives his thanks to Villy. After that Niel hears loud grumbling noises. Villy who is peacefully sleeping on his chest wakes up. When she finds Niel already awake, she immediately rubs her head against his cheek.


    "Pyuii!"


    "Yeah. Glad to meet you again, Villy. Even though it''s only been a day."


    Niel smiles at Villy who is sticking herself to Niel''s cheek happily. He picks her up, sits on the bed and puts her on his lap.


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy let out a big smiles on her face as Niel strokes her.


    "If you''re here, I believe Remilia is okay with this, right?"


    "Pyuii!"


    She gives him a nod.


    "That''s good then."


    Niel wonders why Remilia is okay with Villy go to him. He definitely heard her said that she needs Villy.


    "You''re not running away, right?"


    "Pyuii! Pyuii! Pyuii!"


    Niel a little bit suspicious of Villy. But she denied it by shaking her head vigorously. He looks at her with worries on his face. He was concerned about whether it was okay for her accompany him. But his worries are distracted by loud grumbling noises.


    "Sorry. I didn''t eat anything today."


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy flies to the table near the bed. She fires her breath at the candle on the table and lights it, revealing foods on the table.


    "Where did you get it?"


    "Pyuii. Pyuii!"


    Villy trying to explain it to Niel. She makes a gesture of someone knocking the door, after that she opens the door with her little claws from the other side. Next the person who''s knocked the door surprised, after she explain what happened they gives her foods and pointing at him. It''s a little bit to hard for him to understand, but he still gets it.


    "So, someone coming and give me some foods?"


    "Pyuii! Pyuii!"


    Villy nods her head with big smiles on her face.


    " Do you know who brings me this food?"


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy nods again and pointing to the ground around.


    "Someone from downstairs, huh?"


    "Pyuii!"


    "Thank you, Villy."


    Niel pets her head and sits at the chair near the table.


    "Do you want some?"


    Niel asks Villy if she wants some of the food. She shakes her head and taps her belly, telling him she is already ate.


    "Well. I will eat all of the food then."


    "Pyuii!"


    Niel starts craving the food. Villy just looks at him with her adorable smiles while sitting on the bed.


    "It''s not as good as Selia''s. But it''s still good nonetheless."


    After Niel done. He feels more alive. He is still hungry, but he still feels better than before.


    "Now, what should we do next? There is nothing much to do in the middle of the night. And I don''t think I can sleep again after sleeping for a whole day."


    After sleeping all day and had some food, Niel feels he has some energy to spare.


    "I guess I will go take a walk outside."


    "Pyuii!"


    "No. You don''t have to go with me. It''s still midnight, if you still sleepy you can wait and sleep here."


    "PYUII! PYUII!"


    "Don''t scream, Villy. It''s still midnight. People in the other room is still sleeping."


    "pyuii. pyuii. pyuii."


    Villy immediately holds her mouth with her hands when Niel reminds her. But she immediately open her mouth again and speaks with a low voice.


    Niel understands what Villy is trying to say to him. He already expects this to happen.


    "I know I will probably get lost, but I believe you can just find me later. And it''s not like I''m leaving this city."


    Niel gets up from the chair and walks to the door. Villy flies towards him and nests herself on Niel''s shoulder. Both of them stares at each other for a few seconds.


    "*Sigh... Okay. You can go too."


    "Pyuii!"


    Niel sighs in defeat and Villy shows her excitement. They go outside from the bedroom. After they''re downstairs, they see some people still here eating and drinking, and behind the bar, there is a slightly burly man sitting crossing his hands. When he sees them, he keeps staring at Villy.


    "Oh. You''re the guy with the dragon. I heard you didn''t come out from your room for the whole day."


    "Sorry about that. I didn''t know I was that tired and slept the whole day. Also thank you for brought me the food."


    "Don''t worry about it. As long as you didn''t end up dead in our room, then it''s okay. And the one that brought your food is my wife, she is really worried when you didn''t come out from your room and decided to bring you some food."


    "Ahaha... I-i''m really sorry. Please give my thanks to your wife."


    Stolen story; please report.


    Niel awkwardly laugh and lowered his head a little bit.


    "Yeah, yeah. I accept your apology and received your thanks. Now if you don''t have any business here, you can go."


    "Oh! How much is the food?"


    The man, owner of the inn, points at a board with menus of food and prices written on it. Neil stares at it for a while, but he doesn''t know which one he ate before.


    "Umm. Which one is the food your wife brought me?"


    "Dunno."


    Niel shuts in silence when he heard the short answer.


    "Well, I will pay the food later in the morning then."


    "What are you talking about, kid?"


    "What?"


    Niel looks at the owner with confusion about what he is asks him about too.


    "I want to pay the food your wife brought me."


    The owner lets out a sigh like he''s done with this.


    "Thought you''re gonna order some food or something. If you''re worried about your bill, forget about it. Your friend already paid us enough for you to stay here for years. And you don''t need to worry about paying for your food. You can eat here for free, anytime you want."


    Niel a little bit surprised when he hears his friend already paid for him, for years. He smiles wryly, when he realizes who the payer is.


    ''Probably Tristan''s doing.''


    Tristan is not a big spender, but when it comes to Niel or Noelle, he always overdoes it. Selia always scolds him for this, but he never changes. Niel knows that Tristan thinks of him as his little brother, but he''s always been spoils him too much.


    ''Selia will furious if she found out about this.''


    Niel smiles a little when he imagines Tristan getting scolded by Selia. But his smile fades when he thinks about how he can''t go together with them anymore. Villy, who sees his sad face, she looks at him with concern, then pets him with her little hand trying to comfort him. The owner looks at them in silence with a straight face.


    "Pyuii..."


    "Ah! Sorry about that. Looks like I''m spacing out a little bit."


    Realizing he makes Villy worried, Niel smiles at her and pets her head.


    "By the way, do you want to eat something before we go?"


    "Pyuii!"


    "Alright then."


    Even though she said she already ate before, Villy didn''t reject Niel''s offers. Niel sits on a chair in front of the bar''s counter.


    "Can you bring us your best foods, sir?"


    "Two ember roasts then. What about drink?"


    "Belbo''s juice and warm milk."


    "Alright. Selia! Two ember roasts, one Belbo''s juice and warm milk."


    "Okay!"


    Niel and Villy flinches when they hear familiar name. They look at each other and trying to brush it off, since her voices different.


    While waiting for their food. Niel tries to make some conversation with the owner.


    "By the way, sir."


    "Don''t talk to formal, kid. Just call me, Hal."


    "Okay. Do you know any places we can go to pass some time in this hour?"


    "There''s only some taverns or inns that open at this hour. There''s also adventurer guild that open twenty four hours."


    ''Adventurer guild...''


    In the past, Niel never had any chances to go there; everyone in his party members, except for Niel, had already been there before. Remilia and Tristan often went there to find out if there was something the guild couldn''t handle. Greg had a lot of acquaintances in the guild, most of them were guild masters or other important individuals. Selia always went there first whenever they arrived in the city to sell their loot. Chelisa helped the guild heal any adventurer with grave injuries and also assisted civilians in need. Meanwhile, Niel trained his sword skills with his summoned monster and Villy. His party always encouraged him to wait, or train himself, and not wander around the city.


    "And brothels."


    "!!"


    Niel flinches when he heard the word Brothel, he remembers about it in the past, the memories that''s leaving lasting effects on him and Lisa. One day, while strolling around the town with Chelisa, he overheard two men talking about going there at night. He asked Chelisa, but she didn''t know either. When he approached Tristan, he simply warned.


    "Don''t go there. It''s not a good place to hang around."


    When he asks Selia. With a terrifying smile, held his shoulders and said.


    "Never go near that place, Niel. That''s place is bad for you."


    When he asks Greg, he just dismissed it and said.


    "There is nothing to see there. And I didn''t see you drinking any water today."


    Remilia, however, had a different response.


    "Alright. Prepare yourself, we will go. And call Lisa, she will go with us too."


    Niel felt a little bit excited at that time. He was wondering what kind of place Brothel is, and run to fetches Chelisa.


    Niel remembers the mixed emotions he felt that day¡ªan experience he can and cannot forget.


    "I assume you understand what it means. Lisa please take care of him. I will go take a bath. And I''m sorry for making you go through this, Lisa."


    "I-it''s okay. *Hick"


    Niel lying on the bed, he finds his body can''t move anymore. He never knew it will turned out like that.


    To this day, Niel still don''t understand why Remilia needs to beat him repeatedly. She also makes Chelisa traumatized with the word Brothel. By beating him until he almost die, Remilia instructs Chelisa to heal him. Chelisa who cannot handle looking at Niel getting hurt, holding her tears the whole time. She also begs to her several times to stop, but she just said it''s an important training for him.


    Niel thought the reason Remilia beats him was to tell him that the place is too dangerous for him, and she wanted to show him he wasn''t strong enough to go there yet. But he also thoughts that is not the case.


    "I think I will go check the adventurer guild first. What do you think, Villy?"


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy nods her head happily, agreeing with Niel''s suggestion.


    "Is the food not ready yet, sir?"


    "What do you think? Is there any food in front of you? And I told you already, just call me Hal."


    "Yes, sir."


    "Are you playing with me, kid?"


    "No, sir."


    The owner, Hal, gets irritated at Niel, a vein visible on his forehead.


    "So, you''re mocking me, huh?"


    "I don''t have any intention to mock you, sir. It''s just that my sister always told me to respect the elders."


    Hal immediately calms down after Niel explains it to him.


    "You could''ve just said so from the start."


    "I''m sorry."


    "Whatever, just call me whatever you want."


    "Yes, sir!"


    "*Sigh... You''re too stiff, kid."


    Hal sighs in defeat. Villy watches their interaction with a smile on her face. Niel rarely talks to others aside from his former party members. It''s not that he is shy; he just doesn''t have many chances to talk. Even when he attended the academy, not many people had the courage to approach him since he was always with Remilia, who is a hero.


    "Is the food not ready yet, sir?"


    "Patience, kid. It''s not even five minutes yet."


    While waiting for their food, Niel and Villy play rock, paper, scissors. When they get bored, Niel teaches Villy some simple calculations. After twenty minutes, a woman comes out from the kitchen, holding a tray with food and drinks. She''s dressed in a brown maid outfit with a white apron, her brown hair neatly tied with red bandana.


    "Uncle. Where should I bring-"


    When she sees Villy, she immediately gets excited, leaving the tray on the counter and running towards her, causing Villy to flinch.


    "Pyu-pyuii!"


    "Whoaah! So cute! C-can I hold it?"


    "Selia. The food."


    "Sorry, uncle."


    Selia takes the tray back, starts to walk away, but shortly after, she stops. Then she looks at Hal with a bright smile.


    "Where should I bring this?"


    Hal taps the counter in front of him while closing his eyes. When Selia realizes where she needs to bring the food, she gets excited again and runs towards Villy.


    "Are you the one who''s gonna eat this, little dragon?"


    "Pyuii!"


    "So-so cute!!"


    Villy raises her hand with a big smile, enchanting Selia with her cuteness.


    "Please! Let me hug her¡ªno, let me pet¡ªno no, let me just touch her! I will pay for your food!"


    "Well, I''m not the one you should ask."


    Selia begs Niel to let her touch Villy, but he tells her to ask Villy directly.


    "Selia, leave the food here and go back to the kitchen."


    "But uncle! It''s a¡ª"


    Hal and Selia are about to start an argument but stop when they hear grumbling noises. They look to the source of the sounds and find Niel smiling at them while feeling embarrassed.


    "Sorry about that. Looks like I''m still hungry, even though I already ate before."


    ***


    "So your name is Villy. That''s really cute name."


    Selia takes a seat beside Villy, watching her chomp her food on the table. She also tries to touch her tail a few times.


    "Hmm. Not too bad. I think it''s a little bit better than the other one I ate before."


    "What?"


    "?"


    Selia''s attention immediately shifts to Niel when he comments on her food while eating, and Hal looks at him a little surprised.


    "Looks like you''re quite hard to please, kid."


    "What do you mean ''not too bad''? That is literally the best food in this city!"


    Hal looks at Niel with an amusing look on his face, while on the other hand, Selia looks upset.


    "The best, huh?"


    Niel scans his surroundings; there are only two tables occupied.


    "Hey! It''s in the middle of the night! It can''t be helped."


    "Well. It''s always easier to make excuses."


    "Y-you-"


    "Pyuii."


    A vein pops out on Selia''s forehead, and she''s ready to jump at Niel at any moment. Villy shakes her head as if she''s used to this kind of scene. Niel never has any problems like this when talking to the elderly; when it comes to someone close to his age, he is always blunt. However, if he''s in the wrong, he will admit it.


    "I know someone who is better at cooking and never makes excuses when she is doing bad."


    "Why don''t you just eat her cooking then?!"


    "Of course, huh. Not only are you good at making excuses, but you also like to throw your responsibility at others."


    Unable to handle Niel anymore, Selia jumps at him. Hal and Villy sigh in exasperation at the same time.


    "If you think my food is that bad! Why don''t you try making one yourself?!"


    Selia seizes Niel''s collar, vigorously shaking him.


    "I never said your food is bad, lady. And there''s a genuine excuse why I''m ordering food instead of making it myself."


    After Niel says that with a calm tone, Selia stops shaking him and releases his collar.


    "You."


    "Yes?"


    "You''re supposed to tell me your name after that!"


    "Just ask then."


    Selia gets annoyed again at Niel, but she takes a deep breath and calms herself.


    "Whatever. Just remember this, next time you come here, you will find better food."


    "Yeah. Do your best."


    ***


    After Niel and Villy finished their meal, they prepared to head to the adventurer guild.


    "We will take our leave now, sir. Thank you for the delicious food."


    "Be cautious out there, and don''t forget your weapon. Even though this city is safe, you never know what might be lurking in the shadows at this hour."


    "Don''t worry, I have her with me. She''s much stronger than you think."


    "Pyuii!"


    In the midnight, the city lay calm and still. Dimly lit magic lanterns cast a soft glow on the cobblestone streets and surrounding buildings. The bright night sky revealed countless stars surrounding the moon. In this quiet night, only Niel walked the streets with Villy on his shoulder.


    "Good thing you know where the guild is."


    "Pyuii!"


    Niel felt relieved bringing Villy along; he would get lost without her. Reignfable is a vast country, and its capital city, Oracle, is enormous.


    After navigating a few turns, Niel and Villy stood in front of the Adventurer Guild.


    "It''s closer than I thought."


    The imposing structure loomed over Niel, its entrance adorned with a sign depicting a shield and sword. Light comes out from the windows, and muffled sounds emanated from within.


    Niel entered the bustling guild hall, where various adventurers, warriors, mages, and rangers went about their business. Some glanced at him, while others remained absorbed in their tasks.


    ''Now that it comes to my mind. What should I do here?''


    Being unfamiliar with the place, Niel pondered his next steps. He couldn''t simply leave after entering the guild.


    ''If I''m not wrong, people make requests here and let the adventurers handle them.''


    His eyes caught sight of a large board covered in papers on the side of the room. People scanned the notices pinned there, and Niel felt compelled to investigate.


    ''Maybe I should ask that lady behind the counter first before I check that board.''


    As Niel approached the receptionist desk, more eyes turned toward him, many of them fixating on Villy.


    "Do you need something, sir?"


    ''Now that I''m already here. What should I say?''


    Uncertain, Niel glanced at Villy, who innocently tilted her head.


    ''Screw you, Villy. Why do you have to be this cute at this time?!''


    "Do you want to register your monster?"


    "N-no. She''s already registered."


    Niel recalled Remilia mentioning Villy''s prior registration, but it didn''t offer much help in his current predicament. Desperate for a reason to be in the guild, Niel struggled to come up with a purpose for his visit. But suddenly something comes up in his mind.


    "I want to register myself."


    "Do you have any ID you can show us?"


    Niel has a special ID card given to him as a member of the heroes'' party. He heard from his friends that with this card, he could enter any place he wanted. However, he rarely brings it with him as he always loses it somewhere. His friends reassure him that it''s okay if he loses it, since no one except him can use it, and they can just request another one. Despite their reassurance, he doesn''t want to trouble them every single time. Currently, he doesn''t have it with him and left it at the inn.


    "I''m sorry. I left my ID at my lodging. Should I go take it first?"


    "Your ID is not an absolute requirement for registration. However, having it would expedite the process. If you prefer to take your ID beforehand, please feel free to do so."


    "I will register now, then."


    "Please complete the registration form. It is important to note that any falsification of information may result in consequences or penalties as outlined in our policies."


    The receptionist lady gives Niel the registration form. He fills it without any problem but pauses at a certain point.


    ''Class? What kind of class is this about? Should I write civilian? Wait, is it middle class? No, I already received my nobility peerages. Upper class, then? Better ask first.''


    "Excuse me. What should I write here?"


    "Oh, class? Please write your role in the party. Like swordman, mage, or healer."


    "Oh. Okay."


    Niel about to write summoner, but he stops himself. He decides to write swordman instead.


    After completing the form, he hands it to the receptionist. As she checks the form, she immediately focuses on the name and realizes he has a second name. In this world, having a second name means you are a noble. This surprises her, but what astonishes her the most is his names.


    "M-my Lord. C-can you please wait for a while?"


    "Huh? Umm. Sure."


    "Please excuse me!"


    The receptionist lady bows at Niel and rushes upstairs. The other staff looks at her with a confused face. After she is gone, their attention shifts to him. Not just the staff, but the adventurers around also look at him. Niel just smiles awkwardly at them, and Villy looks around with confusion.

 Chapter 04

    In the dark, where the stench of blood lingered, monsters, barely visible to normal human eyes, crawled on the ceiling, stealthily tracking a group of people. Despite the absence of light, these individuals moved confidently as if they could see in the darkness. Leading the way was a woman in a white armor adorned with a beautiful sword at her waist. Behind her, a handsome man dressed as a mage in a red robe gripped a staff with a red sphere, accompanied by a petite, beautiful girl standing at 152cm. With silver hair cascading down to her waist and captivating golden eyes, she wore a white robe embellished with golden embroidery, holding a golden staff with a green sphere. They comprised the heroes'' party¡ªRemilia Reignford, the Hero of Light; Tristan Tilecrow, the Grand Sorcerer; and Chelisa Breigan, the Radiant Healer.


    "Should I blast those monsters?"


    "No need."


    While Tristan suggested obliterating the pursuing monsters, Remilia swiftly dismissed the idea. However, Chelisa interjected with a rationale to justify eliminating the creatures.


    "But, Lia, what if the secret entrance is above us?"


    "That''s... There''s a possibility."


    Following Remilia''s acknowledgment, all the monsters clinging to the ceiling falls to the ground like a sudden rain. Subsequently, Remilia fixed her gaze on Tristan, silent yet conveying a clear message. Tristan, understanding her unspoken directive, responded.


    "Alright, I''ll handle the disposal of the corpses."


    "I''ll check the ceiling. Look after Lisa while I''m away."


    Following Tristan''s response, Remilia flies, maintaining proximity to the ceiling as she searchs the secret entrance and gone into the darkness.


    "Lisa, stand behind me."


    Chelisa nodded and swiftly positioned herself behind Tristan. As she took cover, he raised his staff, causing the ground in front of him to sink, forming a sizable square-shaped pitfall. A powerful wind ensued, propelling the monster corpses toward the pit. Once the creatures were engulfed in the pit, Tristan utilized his fire magic to incinerate them, illuminating the surroundings. Returning the ground to its normal state, only ashes and numerous small black spheres remained, which he deftly collected into a pouch with his wind magic.


    The black spheres are monster magic stones, forming within them. Their size varies, depending on the creature''s lifespan, the number of kills, and how much they''ve ate. Once the magic stone reaches sufficient size, it evolves into a stronger form. Notably, these magic stones are nearly indestructible.


    Examining the gathered magic stones, he remarked,


    "It''s not much in terms of money, but leaving it here would be a waste."


    Upon completing the collection, the ground beneath them began to glow, revealing a magic circle.


    "Tch!"


    Tristan clicked his tongue, attempting to evade and pull Chelisa away, but before he could react, they found themselves in a different location surrounded by a giant wall. The ceiling is a lot more higher than the last place, despite being no light source, the place is decently lit.


    "Lisa, are you okay?"


    "Ye- Aargh!"


    Before Tristan could reach Chelisa, her chest was suddenly struck by something, causing her to be forcefully pushed several meters and crash into the wall. Despite her robe showing no visible holes, blood began to seep through from her chest.


    "Lisa!"


    Tristan immediately rushed towards her, using his wind magic. He promptly employed his healing magic on her and created an earth barrier to cover them. Fortunately, her wound didn''t reach her heart.


    "Thank you, Stan. But I-i can heal myself."


    "I''m sorry."


    "It''s okay, Stan. I-it''s not like I''m in any danger right now."


    Chelisa gave Tristan a smile to reassure him that she is okay.


    "Yeah. You''re right."


    ''She said that, but that is a pretty dangerous situation to me. What if the one who attacked her is a little bit stronger? If that attack reaches her heart... But what concerns me is the fact that the attack is able to hurt her. Does that mean the one attacking her is a corrupted monster? But it''s impossible for corrupted monsters to end up here; Hakaga Continent is literally on the opposite side of the world. And what exactly is that hurting her? I thought it was wind magic, but her clothes are completely okay; it''s like it just passed through them. And the fact that we are surrounded by walls-''


    "Stan... Are you okay?"


    "Yeah, I''m just thinking if that attack-"


    Suddenly, Tristan felt something hard hit him at his forehead, and send him flying break through his earth barrier.


    ''What? What happened?''


    "Stan!"


    After crashing to the ground, Tristan immediately got up and looked at Chelisa, trying to see if she is okay. Thankfully, nothing happened to her.


    ''So it''s really going through inanimate objects.''


    Thanks to his protective barrier applied to himself, he managed to escape unscathed. This protective barrier can shield him once from any fatal attack. The only downside is he can only activate it once every hour, and it cannot be stacked.


    "Stan! Behind you!"


    "!!"


    Before Tristan could react to Chelisa''s warning, he found himself getting impaled by a giant claw.


    "Damn!"


    A burst of fire erupts from Tristan''s back, burning the monster behind him. However, the monster suddenly disappears, as if it never existed.


    Tristan falls to the ground, pain evident on his face. Despite the holes in his body, he manages to stand with the help of his staff. Chelisa rushes towards him and immediately starts healing him. The holes slowly close as she works her magic.


    "Stan!"


    "Stay *Cough* close to me, Lisa. I will blow this place."


    Tristan taps his staff to the ground, a crimson magic circle appear below them, the magic circle start to glowing brightly. A massive explosion ripped through the enormous room, demolishing walls and sending debris flying in all directions. The air filled with the echoes of destruction as the once-solid barriers crumbled under the force of the blast.


    After his magic is done, Tristan falls to his knees, looking tired. Chelisa heals him in silence while trying to hold back her tears. She was genuinely terrified when Tristan got impaled by that monster, fearing he might not survive.


    "Sorry for making you worried."


    Feeling a bit better, Tristan, looking at Chelisa''s face, starts apologizing without realizing it. Chelisa gives him a smile, assuring him that she is okay.


    Suddenly, a beam of light appears beside them, surprising them even though it makes no sound. Looking up, they see Remilia flying towards them, bringing a sense of relief. However, their confusion deepens when they notice Remilia flying upside down.


    Their confusion ends when Remilia lands in front of them with her hair pulled up in the air, realizing they have the opposite gravitational force.


    "Sorry, Remilia. Did you get hit by my magic?"


    "..."


    Remilia speaks to them, but they cannot hear her. Realizing the communication barrier, Remilia uses sign language.


    ''Can you hear me?''


    ***


    The Fallthas Dungeon is located near the city of Dersighl. There''s also a similar dungeon that appears in Jartessta, a city west of Dersighl, called Valthaus Dungeon. Both dungeons have similar interiors and consist of ten floors that very similar on each floor. Even the monsters inside every floor in the dungeons are the same, making these two dungeons known as Twin Dungeons.


    In the deepest floor of Fallthas Dungeon, Selia and Greg found the second magic circle. Unlike the Theticta Dungeons near Cleressa city, where only a single magic circle is needed to activate the secret entrance, in this dungeon, they need to activate two magic circles to unlock it.


    "I will activate the one near the stairs."


    "Leave this one to me."


    Selia flies away leaving Greg in the middle of the darkness. Greg is one of the heroes party member, acting as a shield for everyone except Remilia, since she is almost as tough as him. Greg, in stark contrast, was clad in formidable black armor etched with intricate red carvings. Even beneath the armor''s formidable facade, the bulging muscles of his massive, two-meter-tall frame were apparent. A colossal shield covered his back, and his visage bore the unmistakable aura of a battle-hardened warrior. His sharp, penetrating black eyes instilled an air of intimidation, while his brushed-back black hair revealed the tips of his ears.


    Greg starts pouring his magic onto the ground, revealing a dimly glowing magic circle that hidden from plain eyes. This magic circle is almost impossible to detect, but Selia don''t have any troubles when she found it. She even finds the magic circle that hidden on the ceiling right in front of stairs immediately.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    While waiting for Selia to activate the magic circle on the other side, a monster emerges from the dark shadows and attacks Greg from behind. The monster is the same as the monsters that like to crawl on the ceiling, but it''s three times much bigger. Before its claw could reach Greg, he catches its arm with his left hand and slams the monster to the ground. Then he crushes its head with his right hand. After the monster stops moving, he throws it to the side, his right hand holding a pretty big black sphere.


    ''It''s almost fully evolve. Good thing I killed it, if not, the adventurers will not be able to fought it and will ended up dead.''


    Greg poured his magic back onto the magic circle once again. This time, the circle glowed brightly, temporarily blinding his eyes. When he opened them, he found himself in a different place.


    Surveying his surroundings, Greg noticed the area was shrouded in darkness. Despite using his night vision magic, visibility remained challenging. He found himself enclosed by towering walls, and as he looked up, darkness prevailed, with no discernible ceiling in sight.


    ''This one is different from before. Thought it will open the secret entrance, instead of teleport us to it. Wonder if Selia is also ended up here.''


    Greg walks toward the wall and touches it. He finds nothing strange; it''s just an ordinary wall, and he can break it anytime he wants. After checking the wall, he returns to the magic circle and pours his magic onto it, but nothing happens.


    ''Looks like it doesn''t trigger the magic circle or activate any trap. Or maybe it''s just like before, where we need to activate both at the same time to activate it.''


    Suddenly, Greg hears a huge explosion, and the ground starts shaking. Not long after that, the place he is in becomes brighter as a fire blast destroys the wall from above, coming directly at him. He uses his arm to protect his face.


    ''Wait! This is Tristan''s magic! Why he''s here?!''


    Even after the fire blast hits Greg directly, he stands there unfazed. Thanks to the blast revealing the ceiling, he sees it''s very high above him. With all the walls turned to ashes, he can see the surrounding flat land, with distant walls.


    ''Looks like he blew everything here. Good thing the ground is hard enough to handle that magic. But... what made him do this?''


    Greg starts running to find Tristan''s whereabouts, moving so fast that he blurs. For him, moving at such speed is necessary as he''s responsible for protecting his friends, training his feet to move as fast as possible. When he is running, there is a flash of light appears just a split second, he tries to find where it comes from, but can''t find anything. And he starts running again.


    After a few minutes, Greg covers the entire area but can''t find Tristan or Selia. He doesn''t even encounter a single monster.


    ''I''m pretty sure that was his magic.''


    A bright light illuminates the area from above. He spots Selia standing upside down on the ceiling, with a big wolf-like monster behind her, ready to jump.


    "Selia!"


    Greg shouts, trying to catch her attention. Before he sees what happens next, darkness engulfs the ceiling, and he loses sight of Selia. As Greg is about to run towards Selia, he is suddenly engulfed by flame. A red dragon appears behind him, attempting to burn him with its fire breath.


    Greg jumps out from the fire, punches the dragon''s chin hard, sending it flying. Its head is beheaded by a dark shield Greg throws, which then turns into a shadow and flies back towards him, appearing as a shield again on Greg''s back.


    ''Where is this dragon coming from? I can''t even sense it approaching. It felt like this dragon just coming out of thin air.''


    After a while, the dragon corpses start to glow, and then they shatter into particles of light, leaving behind a small red shard. Greg walks towards it and takes it.


    ''Another red shard. I guess that means this is also the monster that we are looking for.''


    Before venturing into this dungeon, Remilia and her party revisited the Theticta Dungeons near Cleressa to find the monster residing in the secret room and defeat it. It only took them fifteen minutes to locate the secret entrance and overcome the monster. Following the victory, Remilia suggested splitting into two groups since the monster wasn''t particularly tough.


    Remilia, Tristan, and Chelisa went to the Valthaus Dungeon near Jartessta, while Greg and Selia headed to the Fallthas Dungeon near Dersighl. After defeating the monsters inside the secret rooms, they planned to regroup in Dersighl for some rest before proceeding to the next dungeons.


    "Greg!"


    Greg hears someone calling for him from above. Though he can''t see anything due to the dark ceiling, he recognizes the voice and knows who it is.


    "Cover yourself!"


    Suddenly, an explosion happens on the ceiling with louder sounds from before.


    ***


    Remilia flies near the ceiling, exterminating monsters along the way as she searches for the secret entrance. Finally reaching the stairs to the upper floor, she thinks.


    ''


    Turning back to return to Tristan and Chelisa, she hesitates and decides to fly to the ceiling above the stairs.


    ''I guess I will try it before coming back.''


    Remilia pours her magic onto the ceiling, revealing a glowing magic circle. Excitement fills her as she finds the secret entrance, but when she looks around, she realizes she is surrounded by walls.


    Remilia looks around, trying to find the monster, but there''s nothing in sight.


    "Where is the monster?"


    Suddenly, she feels something behind her, sensing an intense killing intent. Instead of turning around, she stands there, waiting for the attack.


    The monster bites her upper body, but Remilia remains calm, even inside the monster''s mouth.


    "I didn''t expect this."


    The monster attempts to bite her in half with all its strength but fails. It then uses its blue fire breath to burn her while she''s inside its mouth. Despite this, Remilia stays calm.


    "Okay. That''s too much."


    After saying that, she cuts the monster into pieces with her light magic. Emerging from its mouth, she observes the huge dark blue dog-like monster, now in pieces, strangely lacking any blood.


    "Another monster that I''ve never seen..."


    Remilia looks saddened by the sight. The monster turns into particles of light, leaving behind a small black shard. She takes and examines it.


    "Different from before."


    The monster they defeated at Theticta Dungeons left a small red shard. It was a creature they had never encountered¡ªa huge crimson snake leaving a fire trail wherever it touched. However, they had no trouble defeating it, treating it like any other normal monster, with only difference it''s large body.


    ''Is this already over? How do I get out of here?''


    Suddenly, the ground shakes, and the walls around Remilia are destroyed by a fire blast. She hears the sounds of crumbling walls turning to ashes but no explosion or fire sounds. When the blast passes her, she feels nothing, not even a warm breeze.


    "What is this?"


    When Remilia looks at the source of the fire, she finds Chelisa treating Tristan''s wound upside down on the ceiling. Nearby, a big humanoid monster with mannequin heads, burly bodies, huge claws, and goat legs stands, seemingly unnoticed by Tristan and Chelisa.


    The monster raises its claw, but before it can attack, Remilia obliterates it with her laser beam light magic.


    Tristan and Chelisa are surprised by Remilia''s display of light magic. Their initial relief turns into confusion upon seeing her.


    Remilia flies towards them, landing upside down on the ceiling to face them more easily.


    "Lisa! Tristan! Are you okay?!"


    "..."


    Tristan open his mouths, but no voices reach Remilia. Both of them realized that they can''t heard each other. So Remilia resorts to sign language.


    "''Can you hear me?''"


    Tristan and Chelisa respond by shaking their heads. But suddenly Remilia hears an explosion coming from a far. When she looks at the explosion, she finds Selia with wounds on her back while standing upside down like Tristan and Chelisa.


    ***


    ''I will go there.''


    Remilia signals to Tristan and Chelisa using sign language, pointing in at something as she flies towards it. Following Remilia''s indication, Tristan and Chelisa notice a big wolf-like monster. When Tristan notices Selia, and the monster tries to attack her, without hesitation, he employs his wind magic, launching it at the monster with incredible speed. Remilia however, surprised when she sees Tristan''s magic.


    Tristan''s wind magic passes through the monster and slashes it''s body into two right in the middle. However, Tristan after that realize, his magic doesn''t stop there and continues flying towards Selia.


    Tristan''s magic heads straight to Selia and slashes through her. Yet, nothing happens. It somehow passes through her without causing any harm. Relief washes over Remilia, Tristan, and Chelisa. And Remilia immediately rushes towards Selia.


    "Selia!"


    Selia turns to Remilia''s call, smiling despite the pain evident on her face. Remilia is shocked to see the slash wounds on her back.


    "How did this happen to you?!"


    "A monster caught me by surprise from behind. And when I attacked it, it just disappeared."


    Remilia is surprised to hear that Selia was caught off guard. It''s quite a feat to catch someone as skilled as Selia by surprise. The fact that the monster was able to wound her like this is also alarming.


    ''That monster that attacked me also caught me by surprise. It''s like they appear out of nowhere behind me.''


    "Anyway, we need to heal you first. Let''s head to Lisa. Can you move by yourself?"


    Meanwhile, Tristan and Chelisa can''t believe their eyes at the absurd scene before them. Remilia''s body seems to clip through the monster''s corpse as if it''s not there.


    "Looks like Remilia and Selia can''t see that monster. And..."


    Tristan looks to where Remilia used her light magic and notices a small green shard. Chelisa rushes to it, takes the shard, and shows it to Tristan.


    "Stan, this is..."


    "Yes, that''s the shard we''re looking for. But..."


    Where is this coming from? Tristan wants to ask, but somehow he understands where it''s coming from. He turned to look at Chelisa, she also seems to figured something too.


    Remilia and Selia fly slowly towards Tristan and Chelisa. However, halfway there, Selia drops to the ground, but Remilia catches her just in time before she hits the ground, or from Remilia''s perspective, hits the ceiling.


    "Are you okay?!"


    "Looks like I''m poisoned."


    Selia''s face becomes much paler than before. Seeing this, Remilia immediately rushes towards Chelisa. As they get closer, Chelisa and Tristan become aware of their presence. Chelisa looks at Selia and immediately runs towards her, casting her healing magic. However, Remilia quickly realizes that Chelisa''s healing magic isn''t working at all.


    "It really didn''t work."


    After seeing how Tristan''s magic didn''t harm Selia, Remilia already expected that Chelisa would not be able to heal her. As Remilia slowly puts Selia down, Chelisa tries to help by holding her. But something bizarre happens¡ªher hand just passes through Selia.


    Chelisa start to cry, when she realized she can''t help Selia. Remilia know she is crying while apologizing, even when she can''t hear her. Tristan only standing behind her while clenching his hand, didn''t know what to do, he also still regretting his action on before. It''s true that his magic didn''t harm Selia, but it happened because they''re on abnormal situations, he don''t want to know what would happen if it happens under normal circumstances, it probably gonna haunt him forever.


    Suddenly, Chelisa stops crying, wipes her tears using her sleeves, and looks at Tristan. She says something to him, but Remilia can''t hear her. However, she senses that Chelisa has something on her mind. Without questioning her, Tristan takes a pouch from his robe and gives it to Chelisa. She takes the contents inside the pouch¡ªa small black sphere, a magic stone. Holding it with her fingers, Chelisa concentrates on the magic stone, and not long after, its color changes to light green. She makes a happy face at the change, but there''s a hint of disappointment on her face.


    ''Can you take the magic stone in my hand?''


    Chelisa communicates using sign language. She stretches her hand towards Remilia, the green magic stone resting on her palm, signaling for Remilia to take it. Just before Remilia reaches for the magic stone, she senses something appearing out of nowhere from behind. Without hesitation, she uses her light magic, attempting to strike it down. Unfortunately, she makes a mistake and misses her target slightly, and it''s presence disappears into thin air.


    Suddenly, Tristan raises his staff immediately upon seeing a monster appear floating behind Remilia and Selia. The bipedal monster is large and imposing, covered in a mix of scales and fur. Its muscular build suggests strength and agility. Adorning its head are sharp horns, and its mouth brims with razor-sharp teeth. It carries a sleek, ebony bow made from bone. Despite its size, it floats in the air effortlessly.


    As Tristan catches sight of the monster, his instincts kick in, and without hesitation, he unleashes a barrage of wind magic upon the creature. Swift and relentless, his spells slice through the air with precision. However, the creature effortlessly dodges each attack with uncanny agility, evading his spells with ease. With a swift and calculated movement, the monster draws its bone bow. Tristan watches as the monster pulls the bowstring, but there is no arrow to be seen.


    Remilia looks behind her, witnessing Tristan''s magic shooting through the empty air, understanding the situation unfolding. She focuses on protecting Selia.


    The monster points its bow at Chelisa. Tristan immediately realizes the monster''s target and pulls Chelisa behind him, shielding her. Remilia can only watch them struggle, seeing the seriousness on Tristan''s face, knowing they''re in grave danger. Suddenly, Tristan and Chelisa are blown away. Remilia wants to run towards them, but she can''t leave Selia''s side. Glancing at Selia, she notices she''s holding a small green sphere in her hand, and it begins to glow.


    A little bit of color begins to return to Selia''s face as her wounds start to close slightly. After the magic stone loses its color, it turns into glass, falls to the ground passing through Selia''s hand, and shatters into pieces. Suddenly, a bright light emanates from Tristan and Chelisa''s direction.


    As Tristan gets blown away and crashes against Chelisa, he feels his right shoulder being pierced by something passing through him. Meanwhile, Chelisa feels something stab her neck, but thanks to Tristan covering her, her neck isn''t injured. Reacting reflexively, Chelisa uses her healing magic to heal both of them as they crash to the ground, with Tristan ending up on top of Chelisa''s body.


    "I''m sorry, Lisa. And thank you."


    Tristan gets up from Chelisa and helps her up. He scans his surroundings to find the monster, but it''s nowhere to be found. He also looks at Remilia and Selia to see if the monster is on their side, since both of them can perceive presences. However, they don''t react or attack. Making him realize the monster is still on his side, and can become invisible. Tristan taps his staff to the ground, causing multiple glowing crimson magic circles to appear below him.


    "Lisa. Stay close to me."


    Chelisa nods her head, holding onto Tristan''s robe tightly. Before activating his magic, Tristan looks towards Remilia and Selia, believing he cannot hurt or even touch them. He realizes this place operates in a way they can''t fully explain but somehow understand.


    Then, something comes to his mind when he looks at Selia. He immediately uses his magic to amplify his voice.


    "Greg! Cover yourself!"


    Right before Tristan activates his magic, the monster suddenly appears in front of him, already drawing its bow and aiming at his heart. Despite facing imminent danger, Tristan smiles confidently and speaks with low voices.


    "I will make sure you pay for what you did."


    Tristan activates his magic at the same time as the monster releases its string. A deafening explosion ensues, accompanied by a blinding light and the heat on his chest as the monster''s invisible arrow pierces his heart. Using his wind magic, Tristan ensures he doesn''t get blown away and crash against Chelisa. Then, he loses consciousness.


    ***


    Remilia and Selia watch the silent explosion unfold before them, feeling the ground shake violently as it begins to crumble under the force of the blast. Suddenly, Remilia senses the presence of the monster she had attacked earlier within the explosion. Without hesitation, she fires her light magic at the creature, confident that she has defeated it.


    As the ground (or ceiling) starts to crumble due to Tristan''s magic and the explosion, revealing the night sky beneath, Remilia and Selia find themselves floating amidst countless stars, surrounded by space. Remilia also senses three familiar presences.


    "!!"


    Scanning her surroundings, she sees Tristan and Chelisa, both conscious now, with Chelisa holding onto Tristan while shedding tears. Remilia flies towards them, holding Selia in her arms.


    "Tristan! Lisa!"


    "Lia!"


    Remilia is surprised to hear Chelisa''s voice, but she feels relieved at the same time. She asks Chelisa about Tristan''s condition.


    "He''s okay. Just unconscious. I''ve already healed him."


    "Can you heal Selia now?"


    "I-I''m already healing her. Unlike the burns from the dragon in the Dead Land, her poisoning isn''t that difficult to heal."


    Remilia looks at Selia, noting that the color has returned to her face. Selia sighs in relief as she fully recovers.


    "That was an unpleasant experience. Lia, you should go get Greg."


    Seeing Selia back to normal, Remilia smiles at her and flies towards Greg''s presence. She finds him drifting quite far from them.


    Remilia rushes towards Greg, who is floating in space, trying to orient himself but only ending up spinning uncontrollably.


    "Greg!"


    "Remilia!"


    Greg responds, still struggling to stabilize himself.


    "What about the others?"


    "They''re okay."


    Remilia offers her hand to Greg, and as he takes it, he gains control over his body.


    "What is this place?"


    "I don''t know. It seems like we''re somewhere in space."


    "Space?"


    Unlike Remilia, who attended an academy. Greg, being a former adventurer, is unfamiliar with the concept of space.


    "I''ll explain later. Let''s go to the others."


    Suddenly, Remilia and Greg feel their bodies being pulled by something.


    "What''s happening?!"


    "I don''t know."


    Remilia tries to stay calm as she searches for the source of the pull. She spots a dark portal blending with the void of space, swirling with an ominous energy. Nearby, she sees Selia trying to pull the unconscious Tristan while Chelisa holds onto her, all of them slowly being drawn towards the portal. Remilia immediately pulls Greg with her, speeding towards them.


    As they approach, a ringing noise fills Remilia''s ears, and the portal''s pull intensifies. Greg''s body becomes heavier, and eventually, Remilia has to exert all her strength to pull him. Greg tries to speak, but the ringing noise drowns out his words. When Remilia looks back towards Selia and the others, they''ve disappeared into the portal''s depths. With no other options, Remilia reluctantly lets them be pulled away.

 Chapter 05

    One day in a far east continent, a traveling merchant, on their way to the Rakaru City, one of the city in the Sakazu Empire which located at the most eastern part of the world, they found bizarre phenomena. As the traveling merchant passes the familiar road, the landscape began to change. At first, it was subtle¡ªa few withered patches of grass, the occasional gnarled tree with sparse leaves¡ªbut as they drew nearer to the city, the transformation became undeniable.


    The vibrant hues of green and gold that had painted the countryside gave way to a desolate panorama of cracked earth and barren soil. The once-lush fields were now nothing but a wasteland, devoid of life. The air hung heavy with silence. The merchant''s heart sank as they gazed upon the scene before them. This was not the thriving city they had known about; it was a desolate shell of its former self. The sun beat down mercilessly, casting harsh shadows over the lifeless landscape.


    As the traveling merchant made the decision to turn back from the desolate landscape, their path intersected with a group of adventurers who wants to go to the Rakaru City. The traveling merchant recognized the group of adventurers, they are pretty well-known group from the Rakaru City.


    The merchant earnestly recounted the eerie transformation of the once-lush countryside into a lifeless expanse, cautioning the adventurers about the potential dangers that lay ahead. Knowing how trustworthy the traveling merchant is, the adventurers listening to them with worries in their face. But still, the adventurers decided to check the city, since its their birthplaces. While the traveling merchant will reports it to the knights and the guilds.


    Days after the traveling merchant reported the incident, the adventurers who were checking the area never returned. Some adventurers and merchants attempted to go there, with some returning to tell the same story while others went missing entirely.


    The adventurers'' guild already sent a group of renowned adventurers to Rakaru City, but they returned after just one day. They reported that it was impossible to proceed further because they felt as though their feet were being burned when they stepped on the land. They also tried throwing a twig to the ground, which slowly turned into charcoal and, shortly after, burned into ashes, giving them the idea that the ground was actually burning, even though there was no visible fire.


    As time passed, they realized that Rakaru City wasn''t the only place erased into barren land. Other surrounding countries sharing their borders with the Sakazu Empire also reported similar occurrences. They also realized that the barren land was slowly spreading. They also found out that the monsters around the barren land were stronger and smarter than normal. Not to mention, they were able to walk on the barren land without any problems. Even though appearance-wise, they''re not changing.


    At first, they just ignored those monsters as they didn''t attack unless people got close to them, focusing solely on how to stop the spread. But after a few months, thousands of monsters from the barren land began attacking the nearby country simultaneously at night. Accompanied by a single black jet dragon each, they burned the people and the land with their breath, turning it into complete chaos.


    In a single night, those monsters were able to trample four countries simultaneously, turning them into barren land. Fortunately, there were some survivors who managed to escape to tell the story.


    One of the survivors, Esshal from Ama''aru Kingdom, one of the destroyed countries and the only survivor from his kingdom, recounted how he initially fled with a dozen people, including his friends. Miraculously, he was the only one to survive the monsters'' attack as they fled. He vividly remembers the sight of his friends and the others being slaughtered one by one as they attempted to escape the dragon''s flames.


    After experiencing the horror of what happened, Esshal decided to leave the Hakaga continent and head west. Many other people who heard the survivors'' stories also attempted to flee their countries, fearing another attack by the monsters. However, most of them chose to remain on the Hakaga continent. Esshal, on the other hand, departed for the far-western continent, Krashielle.


    Thanks to his experience as an adventurer, Esshal was able to pass through the Ferissa Continent without much difficulty after a few months. As he continued his journey to Krashielle, he grew significantly stronger than before. Upon his arrival in Krashielle, he quickly made a name for himself in one of the countries, the Noten Kingdom. Within a year, he was able to raise his rank to 3 stars by himself. He was also known as the Lone Wind because he was not in any party and rarely talked, but always completed his jobs quickly.


    After feeling like there weren''t many opportunities left for him in the Noten Kingdom, he decided to move to the biggest country, Reignfable, and immediately headed to the largest city, Oracle. Unlike before, in this country, he was able to make a lot of friends and he realized the stark difference between this country and the others he had visited before. The city was much cleaner, crime was a rare occurrence, the soldiers and knights were friendly, and all the people he met treated him with kindness.


    Even so he still decided to go by himself, and politely reject his friends that invited him to join their party but sometimes he wouldn''t mind doing some joint quest with his friends. Within six months, he was able to raises to the highest 5 stars rank.


    After 2 years of achieving the 5-star rank as an adventurer, Esshal found himself a wife and decided to retire from adventuring. Fortunately for him, as soon as he quit adventuring, the guildmaster offered him a job as the Vice-guildmaster. With this opportunity, he no longer needed to worry about job security. Additionally, he was able to purchase a house not far from the adventurer guild using the money he had saved during his adventuring days.


    With how smoothly his life was going, Esshal also found out about what happened after he left his birth land. The monsters never attacked any other countries after that, but the barren land kept spreading like wildfires, slowly destroying the countries. By the time he became Vice-guildmaster, only the Atate Empire still stood. However, it was predicted that the entire empire would also turn into barren land within four to five years and seal the fate of Hakaga Continent.


    ***


    It had been five years since Esshal became the vice-guildmaster, and during that time, he learned a great deal about the country. Reignfable wasn''t just the largest kingdom in the world; it also boasted the greatest military. Additionally, it was a deeply religious nation, with its people praying to a God every morning.


    The reason for this devoutness stemmed from the Oracle. Despite being ruled by a king, Reignfable''s true authority lay with the Oracle. If the Oracle instructed the king to do something, it was done without question. This tradition dated back two thousand years when Reignfable was still a small nation.


    The Oracle possessed the power of divination, guiding the king toward the best possible future. This power didn''t involve foreseeing the future; rather, the Oracle could advise the king on actions to take or avoid. With the Oracle''s guidance, Reignfable flourished and expanded rapidly. Every word from the Oracle proved true, making them the most significant figure in the kingdom. As a result, the king decided to construct a Holy Sanctuary dedicated to the Oracle.


    From then on, the Oracle began living in the Holy Sanctuary and never emerged again. Whenever the Oracle wished to offer guidance, they would simply send a letter to the king through the designated messenger. And so, for two thousand years, the Oracle continued to assist the country, even during the great war where humans, elves, and dwarves battled against the demon race, resulting in the complete eradication of the demons.


    Presently, nobody knows the true identity of the Oracle¡ªwhether they are a man or a woman¡ªsince the Oracle never speaks. Not even the current king of the country is privy to the Oracle''s identity. Some people speculate that the Oracle is immortal and cannot be killed, while others believe they are reincarnated repeatedly. Some even theorize that the Oracle is a high elf, while the most popular belief is that the Oracle is a divine being sent by God. According to the accounts of past kings when the Oracle first appeared, the Oracle was indeed a man, but no one can confirm it except probably the Heroes and her party members.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    One thousand years ago, the Oracle also wrote a book that further solidified the kingdom''s religious devotion. This book covered a wide array of topics, including guidance on daily conduct, building harmonious families, the creation of the world and humanity, the purpose of life, and even the existence of beings beyond this world. It served as a comprehensive guide for believers.


    Currently, all believers who follow the Oracle in the kingdom possess at least one copy of that book in their homes, while the original is housed within the Holy Sanctuary. Esshal himself also has a copy in his house, as his wife is also a devotee. He had read the book during his time as an adventurer, often wondering why the Oracle didn''t warn the people of the Hakaga Continent about the impending disaster, even though the Oracle had the power to potentially warn the people there. Initially, he didn''t dwell on it too much and attributed it to the belief that the Oracle''s power only worked within their kingdom. However, he later discovered the truth after becoming the vice-guildmaster.


    Apparently, long before the disaster happened, the Oracle had already sent a messenger to warn the Sakazu Empire to cease any suspicious activities they were undertaking. Moreover, the Oracle had also urged neighboring countries to take action against the Sakazu Empire. Unfortunately, the details of the empire''s activities were not disclosed. Nevertheless, the Oracle had already prepared countermeasures for the impending disaster: the Heroes.


    Two days ago, the Heroes party returned from their first conquest in the Hakaga continent. Esshal had already read all the information the guildmaster could compile when Greg the Dark Knight was here. Firstly, the ground was completely impossible for normal humans to step on; it could burn anything up to a little above the ankle, including armor, and water would immediately evaporate upon touching the ground. Next were the monsters; they were extremely dangerous. Even to defeat the weakest monsters on that land, you needed to be at least a 1-star rank adventurer. However, this was only effective when facing a single monster. Unfortunately, the weakest monsters in that land always appeared in groups, and they were much smarter than normal monsters. These monsters are called Corrupted Monsters by the heroes. Their appearance doesn''t differ much from normal monsters; the only noticeable distinction is that the part of their body where their magic stone is located becomes cracked, emitting a faint dark purple light that glows through the cracks. Additionally, there were many other dangers present, such as the air becoming more toxic as one ventured deeper, the strict warning against touching any liquid from that land, and healing magic much less effective.


    After reading all the information, Esshal couldn''t comprehend how the Heroes and their party members were able to venture to that land and return without losing anyone. He had never actually met all of them directly, as they were always busy and never stayed for more than two days. He often wondered about their true strength after hearing numerous rumors that seemed impossible to believe. One such rumor claimed that the Hero of the Light, Remilia, could exterminate millions of monsters in less than five seconds.


    Esshal had heard the story of how the dwarven country was destroyed four years ago by millions of monsters, and then the Hero exterminated them. If that were true, then the black dragon he saw when he fled was far more dangerous than he had thought. According to the information, the Hero and her party members were able to reach Ama''aru Kingdom, where they fought against the dragon and almost defeated it. However, another dragon arrived and severely injured one of the party members, prompting their retreat.


    Reading this report made Esshal realize how blessed his life was here. It also reminded him of how fortunate he was and how ignorant he had been about the crisis unfolding in the world. Lost in deep thought, he was interrupted by a knock on the door.


    "Excuse me, Sir!"


    "Come in."


    When Esshal looked at the receptionist''s face, he could see she was a little bit panicked.


    "Did something happen?"


    "T-there is a noble who wants to become an adventurer!"


    ''At this time?''


    It was still midnight, and Esshal couldn''t believe that a noble would come at this hour just to register.


    "Are they in the guest room now?"


    As Esshal said it, he rose from his chair. The receptionist began panicking after realizing that she had left the noble waiting in front of the receptionist desk. Judging from her expression, Esshal knew what had really happened.


    "Don''t worry. Just bring me to them."


    "Y-yes..."


    "By the way. That''s paper on your hands..."


    "Ah! Yes! This!"


    The receptionist handed the registration form to Esshal with her hands shaking. He quickly glanced at the form as he walked.


    ''Niel Niverna? Isn''t he one of the heroes'' party member?''


    Niverna is one of the kingdoms that shares a border to the west with Esshal''s kingdom. Esshal was pretty sure that Niverna didn''t have a prince, but he knew for a fact that the three party members of the Heroes hailed from there. He recalled them vividly: the first one was the hero herself, Remilia Reignford, who later gained noble status in Reignfable. The second was the Grand Sorcerer, Tristan Tilecrow, who lived with his mother in Niverna Kingdom. Esshal discovered that Tristan was actually the illegitimate child of the Tilecrow''s lord and later took over the territory when his father passed away without any other sons. And the last one was the Summoner, Niel Niverna, who was childhood friends with the Hero and the Grand Sorcerer. After his mother''s death during childbirth, Tristan''s mother decided to care for him and his sister. After graduating from the academy and announcing the existence of the Heroes, the King of Niverna requested that either Tristan or Niel, both hailing from Niverna, become the future king and marry the princess. Since it was later revealed that Tristan was a noble from another country, the position fell to Niel.


    ''No one is insane enough to impersonate one of the Heroes'' party members, especially in this country.''


    The heroes is already departed barely two days ago, but it''s not impossible for them to comes back immediately. And even if they are indeed comes back, they don''t have any reason to register one of them to the adventurer guild.


    ''A swordsman...''


    From his understanding of the heroes and their party members, Niel supposed he might have the power to summon monsters. However, Esshal stopped himself from dwelling on it too much and instead decided to meet the person directly rather than making assumptions.


    ***


    As Niel waited for the receptionist lady to return, he took a moment to glance at the request board. Various jobs were posted, ranging from escort missions to martial arts instruction, bodyguarding, finding missing pets, and even some cleaning gigs. However, Niel''s attention was drawn to a particular posting on the far right of the board. It wasn''t a typical request; rather, it seemed more like a warning.


    [There''s a Platinum Thunder Dragon on Biretten Mountain. Please be careful!]


    Niel recognized this dragon. He had summoned it numerous times in the past due to its swift flying abilities and ample size, which allowed it to transport all the party members. Sometimes he forgot that it was a legendary monster because of how frequently he summoned it. Despite its legendary status, its strength paled in comparison to that of mid-level corrupted monsters, even Niel felt confident enough to defeat it in a matter of minutes.


    ''Maybe Lia told them not to bother it.''


    Since Niel only needed to see the dragon once to summon it, he had never actually engaged in combat with the real creature. Remilia also made a point of avoiding the killing of legendary or ancient monsters, as they were often unique and irreplaceable. Whenever they were attacked by one, she always demonstrated how overwhelmed they were against her.


    "Pyuii."


    As Niel continues scanning the request board, Villy pokes his cheek with her claw and he finds her looking behind. When Niel follows her sight, there''s a man standing behind him and he realizes that everyone is looking at him.


    "Good evening, sir. My name is Esshal. I''m the vice-guildmaster of the Oracle Adventurer Guild."


    Esshal is a good-looking man with brown medium-length hair, standing at around 178cm tall. Even though he is slender, he exudes an air of intimidation. He is wearing a uniform similar to the other staff members.


    "Hello. I''m Niel. And this is Villy."


    Niel introduces himself and Villy with a short and simple introduction. He can see Esshal scanning him from head to toe, making him realize that he is still in his sleepwear this entire time. There''s actually nothing wrong with his sleepwear; it''s just plain tunic clothes that a lot of people wear in their daily life. This clothes just make him look like an ordinary person. But still, it''s makes him uncomfortable when he realized that he was walking around with his sleepware.


    "Pleased to make your acquaintance."


    Esshal bows slightly to Niel while smiling at him.


    "Before your registration, sir, there''s something I want to talk to you about. But before that, let''s go to a more comfortable place to talk."


    Niel looks at Villy, trying to see her reaction. But she only stares back at him with a question mark above her head when she realized Niel is looking at her.


    "Sure."


    "Please follow me."


    Esshal guides Niel upstairs and into one of the rooms. Inside, he finds a big flag of their country hanging on the wall. In the middle of the room, there''s a large square table with a big map on it, surrounded by fancy chairs. There''s also a bookshelf in the corner is filled with books.


    "Please feel free to take any seat you want,"


    Niel grabs the nearest chair and sits down. Esshal takes a seat opposite him, while Villy flies onto the table to examine the maps. Since Esshal doesn''t say anything further, Niel lets her be.


    "First things first, let me welcome you to the Oracle Adventurer Guild. It''s truly an honor for me to meet one of the heroes,"


    "You already know me?"


    "Well, of course. You''re the mysterious and famous wild card of the Heroes party members, The Summoner Hero, capable of summoning legendary and ancient monsters."


    ''Wait, what? Mysterious? A wild card?''


    Niel isn''t sure why he''s being called that. It''s true that most people in the country don''t know what he looks like, as they always arrive and leave early in the morning. Niel rarely goes outside and usually stays in their lodging whenever they''re in a city. But there are times when he explores the city out of boredom.


    "And the famous mascot of the Heroes party, the cyan dragon cub."


    "Pyuii?!"


    Villy, who had been busy examining the maps, immediately jerks her head at Esshal''s words. Sensing she might transform, Niel quickly holds her in his arms.


    "Villy! Don''t transform inside a building!"


    "Pyuii! Pyuii! Pyuii!"


    "I know you''re not a kid. Just calm yourself."


    Niel tries to soothe Villy by petting her head. Although she stops struggling, Niel can see she is still upset. Meanwhile, Esshal looks on with a surprised expression.


    "Sorry about that. She hates it when people call her ''that''."


    "No need to apologize. It''s my ignorance that caused this. I''m really sorry, Ms. Villy."


    Esshal bows his head in apology. Villy, who was upset just moments ago, nods her head to accept his apology before climbing onto Niel''s shoulder.


    "Ehem. About your registration. Can you tell me your reason why you want to register as an adventurer? As a hero, I don''t think you need to do so. But of course, if you can''t say your reason, I will not ask anymore."


    Esshal is genuinely curious about Niel''s motivations for wanting to become an adventurer. There''s also a possibility that it''s part of the Oracle''s guidance, and Niel may not be able to disclose it.


    "Well... Actually, I only came here because I didn''t have anything else to do. And as for why I want to become an adventurer, it''s because-"


    Niel pauses, stopping himself before saying ''because I only said it in the spur of the moment.'' Something triggers a memory, causing him to rethink his answer.


    "Because I''m not a hero anymore."

 Chapter 06

    Remilia opened her eyes and found herself lying on the ground, facing the sky. Above her stretched a dark expanse devoid of stars, but in a split second, parts of the sky flickered, revealing glimpses of stars before disappearing again. This phenomenon repeated sporadically, with stars appearing and vanishing in different parts of the sky, sometimes lingering longer than others.


    As she got up, Remilia realized she was surrounded by a strange scenery. A boulder seemed to teleport back and forth, its color shifting between reddish and bluish hues, and sometimes vanishing altogether for a split second before reappearing in a different location. This strange behavior wasn''t limited to the boulder; lumps of crystals, unfamiliar plants, and exotic flowers exhibited similar erratic movements, adding to the surreal atmosphere.


    The ground beneath Remilia''s feet flickered incessantly, revealing glimpses of its true barren nature in one moment before transforming into a pool of boiling blood, only to vanish and be replaced by landscape filled with strange grass-shaped plants and crystal-like rocks. At times, multiple layers of ground appeared simultaneously, overlapping and clipping through each other, creating a disorienting sight. And then, there were moments when the ground disappeared entirely, leaving nothing but darkness beneath her. The ever-changing landscape, the flickering skies, this unknown place is something Remilia couldn''t comprehend. But there''s something more important that she needs to think about.


    "Where is... everyone?"


    Remilia''s voice trembled as she forged ahead, following her instincts without heed to her surroundings.


    ''Please...''


    Anxiety and fear gripped her mind, each step feeling heavier than the last, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. With each stride, her body seemed to sink deeper, burdened by an unseen weight.


    "I need to find every-!!"


    But her resolve was interrupted as she stumbled and crashed to the ground.


    "Ugh... My body..."


    As she struggled to rise, an oppressive force seemed to crush her, pressing her down until she could only manage to kneel, every movement she made is a battle against unseen forces.


    "I..."


    Her strength waning, Remilia finds herself getting harder to breathe in the desolate expanse. Consciousness slipped away, her eyelids fighting to close as her body trembled uncontrollably. Amidst the searing pain within, she felt cold sweat drenching her skin, a cruel juxtaposition of sensations. Even so, she persisted in trying to keep herself from collapsing, determined to maintain her consciousness amidst the overwhelming agony. As Remilia struggled to maintain consciousness, a boy with black hair, around five years old, emerged from the darkness and ran towards her. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as he drew closer.


    "Lia!"


    "Niel!"


    Confused about how he ended up there, Remilia felt a pang of frustration upon realizing that he was following her. She also had a nagging feeling that she had forgotten something important, but she decided to let it be for the moment.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Niel paused to catch his breath after catching up with her. Remilia already knew why Niel was there, and she anticipated what he would say next.


    "Your father already told us not to go-"


    "I know! You don''t need to tell me every single time."


    "But..."


    Remilia turned away and ventured into the forest, paying no heed to Niel. She navigated carefully, scanning her surroundings in search of potential prey.


    "Why are you following me?"


    "It''s dangerous out here."


    Remilia anticipated that Niel would return to the village and inform her father again. However, to her surprise, he followed her into the forest this time.


    "I have my dagger with me. So there''s nothing to worry about."


    She proudly showed him the dagger nestled in its sheath hanging from her waist. It was a birthday gift from her father from two weeks ago, and since then, she carried it with her wherever she went. However Niel didn''t impressed at all, he just looking at her with worries.


    Realizing Niel didn''t react as she expected, Remilia turned away and continued searching for prey. Occasionally, she glanced back and noticed Niel silently following her while cautiously scanned their surroundings.


    A faint smile appeared on her face. Remilia felt delighted to be able to go hunting with Niel. Ever since she received her dagger, she had wanted to hunt with him, but instead of hunting with her, he always tried to prevent her from going. However, things were different now, and she didn''t care why he was suddenly following her. She was just glad to have him with her.


    "Lia. We are too far inside the forest."


    "Shh. Be quiet."


    "..."


    Remilia spotted a Volipe, an animal with grey fur and a round body, about the height of an adult human''s knees. Its face was also round with a slightly elongated nose, and it was currently busy eating berries from a bush.


    Remilia walked slowly, trying not to alert the Volipe, and hid behind a tree. Niel followed her from behind and concealed himself in a nearby bush. Remilia pulled her dagger from its sheath and prepared to attack. Currently, the Volipe was four meters away from her. She slowly approached it while it was busy eating. As she got closer, suddenly there was a thud noise coming from the bush the Volipe was eating at, startling it and causing it to blindly run towards Remilia. With reflexes, Remilia jammed her dagger into the Volipe''s neck as it charged towards her. The creature tried to break free, flailing around wildly, but Remilia held onto it tightly, refusing to let go. Despite the struggle, she maintained her grip until the Volipe eventually began to weaken and stopped moving altogether.


    "That''s startled me!"


    Sitting on the ground, Remilia took a moment to catch her breath and calm her racing heart after the sudden rush of adrenaline. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of her breathing, letting the tension slowly drain away from her body.


    "Are you okay, Lia?!"


    Niel rushed towards her, his face filled with visible concern, while Remilia, with an excited expression, greeted him with a big smile.


    "Look at this! I got my first pray!"


    Knowing that Niel was there when she caught her first prey made her genuinely happy.


    "Hey! Let''s go back and show this to everyone!"


    "But how we bring this back with us? This one is really big."


    The Volipe that Remilia killed was actually larger than its usual size.


    "Don''t worry! I will drain it''s blood first to make it lighter."


    "Is that how it works?"


    "Dunno! But my father always drained their blood."


    "Okay... Do you know how to do it?"


    "Leave it to me!"


    As Remilia about to drain its blood, something comes out from behind.


    "Lia."


    As the tiger-like monster approached, its towering stature loomed over Remilia and Niel. Its dark red fur swayed majestically with each step, and the muscles on its forelimbs were clearly defined. Somehow, it didn''t immediately pounce towards them. Instead, it walked slowly, its gaze fixed intently on Remilia and Niel. Intimidated by its presence, Remilia couldn''t move her body and just froze on the spot. She was overwhelmed by something she had never felt before. As she struggled with the feeling of helplessness, Remilia suddenly felt something grip her hand and pull her away. It was Niel, already in front of her, trying to protect her. She could see his body trembling with fear as he shielded her from the monster.


    The looming presence of the approaching monster sent Remilia''s heart racing with fear, and as it drew nearer, she could see just how massive it truly was. However, to her surprise, the monster simply walked past them, paying them no attention, and took the dead Volipe into its mouth. Afterward, it calmly walked into the deep forest without so much as a glance back at them. After the monster disappeared from view, their legs lost all their strength, causing them to collapse to the ground.


    "Are you okay, Lia?"


    Niel looked at her, noticing that she was still trembling.


    "Let''s go back to the village."


    "Y-yes."


    When Remilia attempted to get up, she found it difficult to balance herself. Before she could fall, Niel caught her. Without a word, he placed her on his back and began to carry her. After a few steps, however, he stopped abruptly.


    "I forgot, the way to the village."


    "I will tell you the direction."


    As Remilia led the way to the village, Niel carried her without any complaint and showing no signs of exhaustion. They moved smoothly through the forest until Niel abruptly stopped in his tracks upon spotting a monster ahead. Before them stood a wolf-like creature with silver fur, its eyes gleaming red and sharp fangs protruding from its mouth. Known as a silver wolf, these creatures were notorious for hunting in packs and possessing bodies as tough as steel, making them among the most dangerous monsters to encounter. Encountering one in this area was exceptionally rare, given that they typically inhabited the depths of the forest and never leave their group.


    Niel stood perfectly still, hoping that the silver wolf would pass by without noticing their presence, careful not to make any sudden movements or noises that might draw its attention. Remilia, clinging tightly to Niel''s back, felt a surge of panic as the silver wolf''s gaze fell upon them. Without hesitation, Niel broke into a sprint, carrying Remilia with him. As they ran, Remilia shut her eyes tightly, praying that they would escape the monster''s notice. However, her sense of weightlessness abruptly interrupted her thoughts, and she realized with dread that they were falling from a cliff.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Lia!"


    Remilia remembers vividly how Niel had held her tightly as they fell from the cliff just before she lost consciousness.


    ***


    Remilia opened her eyes and found herself lying on the ground, facing the earth. As she rose, a dull ache pulsed through her head, but it quickly dissipated with a shake. Glancing around, she realized the scenery had shifted; no longer were there teleporting or clipping objects, and the stars twinkled in the sky as they should.


    The boulder she had seen earlier no longer disappears and reappears. Now, she can clearly discern its fragrant reddish-brown color against the backdrop. The ground is carpeted with a pale green grass, slightly transparent. Colorful crystals emerge from the earth, casting vibrant hues that illuminate the surroundings. Exotic flowers, unseen before, dot the landscape with their varied colors, while small flickering lights dance around them.


    "What is this place?"


    Unlike before, she no longer feels anything abnormal about her body. Instead, she senses a lightness within herself, and her eyesight has become remarkably clearer.


    ''I lost my sword.''


    As she reaches for her sword at her waist, she realizes it''s missing, along with its sheath. The sword that she use is a legendary one, once wielded by the hero who defeated the demon lord a thousand years ago. Presented to her by the king upon her graduation from the academy, it symbolizes her role as the new hero. But she couldn''t care more about it; right now, she is more worried about her friends.


    Remilia starts walking cautiously, attempting to sense any presence around her. However, she finds herself unable to detect anything; instead, it feels as though she''s submerged in a sea of mana, surrounded by pure magical energy. With her ability to feel presences stripped away, she moves forward as if navigating through a dense mist.


    With the ability to walk and see normally restored, Remilia begins to feel as though everything that happened before was just a bad dream, now fading into a faint memory. Though she can''t comprehend what transpired, she''s certain it wasn''t an illusion or a hallucination.


    Remilia realizes that she''s in an entirely unfamiliar world as she explores in search of her friends. Everything around her is unlike anything she''s ever seen before. As Remilia ascends into the sky to gain a better vantage point, she beholds a vast and unfamiliar landscape spread out beneath her. In the distance, she spots creatures unlike any she''s encountered before, their forms strange and fantastical. Some appear to be gracefully floating and dancing through the air.


    "I cannot find them."


    Perched high above the unfamiliar terrain, Remilia scans the surroundings in search of her friends, but they remain elusive. The strangeness of this place only adds to her growing sense of unease, leaving her with an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty about their whereabouts and well-being. Despite her efforts, the vast and mysterious landscape offers no clues, leaving Remilia to grapple with her worry and apprehension as she continues her search.


    "Argh!!"


    As she soared through the sky, Remilia''s senses were abruptly assaulted by an overwhelming force that seemed to crush her body, the overwhelming sensation causes her to lose control, and she collapses to the ground. With lightning reflexes, she managed to regain control just in time, guiding her descent to a safe landing. Despite the shock of the sudden impact, she quickly composed herself, her heart racing as she scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger.


    "W-what- Urgh!!"


    Once more, Remilia feels her body crushed with even greater force this time. Blood spills from her mouth, nose, eyes, and ears as she struggles to comprehend her dire situation. Before she can fully grasp what''s happening, darkness envelops her consciousness, and she begins to lose awareness of her surroundings.


    ***


    Tristan awakens to find himself in the heart of a dense forest, where sunlight struggles to pierce through the thick foliage of towering trees. Surrounding him are unfamiliar flora and fauna, each bearing a resemblance to those he knows, yet displaying unique characteristics that mark them as distinctly different.


    ''What happened? Where''s everyone? And where is this?''


    Examining his tattered robes and clothes, Tristan recalls the moment before he lost consciousness, realizing that he was attacked by a monster when he unleashed his magic. Feeling no pain, he deduces that he has been healed, but his friends are nowhere to be found. It''s unlikely they would have left him alone while unconscious, leading him to believe that something must have happened to them during his state of unconsciousness.


    Tristan felt the rush of wind against his skin as he summoned his wind magic, propelling himself upward into the sky. He weaved effortlessly through the intricate patterns of leaves, the lush canopy of the forest passing beneath him in a blur of green.


    Emerging from the forest''s embrace, Tristan''s gaze swept across the vast expanse of the sky, his senses alive with the sights and sounds of the world around him. And then, he beheld it ¨C a sight so extraordinary that it seemed to defy his common sense.


    In the distance, rising above the sea of trees, stood a colossal tree of such grandeur that it seemed to touch the very heavens themselves. Its towering trunk stretched skyward, its branches reaching out in all directions, adorned with leaves that glimmered with a radiant golden hue. Even from this distance, Tristan could feel the palpable energy emanating from the tree, a mystical aura that seemed to permeate the air around him.


    For a moment, Tristan was transfixed by the sheer magnificence of the sight before him. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such a spectacle ¨C a tree of such immense size and beauty, nestled amidst the verdant embrace of the forest below. As he hovered in the air, suspended between earth and sky, Tristan couldn''t help but feel a sense of wonder and awe wash over him.


    And yet, even as he marveled at the sight before him, Tristan knew that he could not linger here for long. His friends were out there somewhere, and he could not rest until he had found them.


    "Wait. Maybe they''re over there. For Remilia and Selia, that place is pretty easy to spot after all. If I am able to meet either one of them, then finding the other will be much easier."


    Tristan acknowledges that he might be making excuses to venture towards the tree, but he also considers the small chance of finding his friends there. Driven by curiosity, he resolves to approach the tree. Before setting off, he conjures a thick dark cloud using his magic and shapes it into an arrow pointing towards the enormous tree. He hopes one of his friends will notice it before it dissipates.


    Tristan surveys his surroundings from the sky once more, scouring for any clue about his friends for the last time. Finding nothing, he utilizes his wind magic to propel himself towards the enormous tree. Unlike Remilia and Selia, Tristan lacks the ability to fly at will. While they can fly using their innate abilities, Tristan relies solely on his mastery of wind magic for flight.


    After soaring through the sky for more than half an hour, Tristan felt a warm breeze enveloping his body as he drew nearer to the magnificent tree. Though he couldn''t help but notice the comforting touch of the breeze, his focus remained fixed on his destination. With determination driving him forward, he pressed on toward the tree, each beat of his wings propelling him closer.


    As he approached, the true scale of the tree became apparent, dwarfing everything in its vicinity with its grandeur. Its massive trunk rose majestically toward the heavens, its branches spreading out in a sprawling canopy that seemed to stretch on for eternity. The leaves, aglow with a radiant golden light, danced in the gentle breeze, casting shimmering patterns of light and shadow upon the forest floor below. Tristan''s heart swelled with awe and wonder as he beheld the tree in all its splendor. Never before had he seen anything so magnificent, so utterly breathtaking.


    As he floated beneath the tree''s canopy, Tristan couldn''t shake the feeling that now wasn''t the ideal moment to satisfy his curiosity. Choosing one of the smallest branches, he alighted gracefully, perching himself with a view of the expansive horizon before him. It dawned on him then, the sheer expanse of his surroundings¡ªa vast sea of trees stretching endlessly in every direction, with only the distant silhouette of mountain ranges breaking the monotony of the horizon.


    ''What is this place?''


    Tristan, who had traversed nearly every corner of the world alongside his friends, found himself in awe of the vastness of the forest before him. The sheer scale of the landscape prompted him to question his whereabouts. Lost in contemplation, he cast his gaze once more upon the towering tree in the distance.


    ''There is no way we missed the tree this big. And I never heard of this tree, even before Hakaga''s destruction.''


    It''s also unlikely he never heard about a tree this majestic. There''s also a fact about this seems like endless of forest, there''s no way nobody knows about this forest existences. The only location he knows with dense forests is the elven island, but even its vastness doesn''t compare to the expanse he''s currently traversing.


    ''Looks like they''re not here.''


    Tristan concluded that his friends were probably also teleported somewhere far from him, just like how he ended up in this unknown place. He didn''t know what happened to them after he lost consciousness, but at least he was certain that something did indeed happen. However, he couldn''t shake off his worry for them.


    He was aware of their strength and believed they could handle any situation on their own. Yet, with him stranded in this unfamiliar place, he couldn''t dismiss the possibility of them also finding themselves in perilous, uncharted territories.


    "..."


    Tristan reclined on the branch, his head resting on both of his hands as he gazed up at the tree towering above him. No matter how long he stared, its majestic presence never failed to captivate him.


    ''What should I do?''


    He knows his friends are not around here, and he really wants to find them as soon as possible. But he feels like if he goes now, he will lose the opportunity to examine this tree.


    "Alright!"


    He raises his body and sits on the tree branch. He decides to stay here for a couple of days and inspect this tree.


    ''I believe in them... They will be okay...''


    He convinces himself that everything will be alright, and he doesn''t need to worry about his friends. With that resolve, he starts to study the tree.


    ''I wonder how''s Niel is doing right now?''


    ***


    "Damn it! Where did that kid go?!"


    A man in rough clothing runs through the forest, his face contorted with anger as he looks around. Despite only being in the forest for about ten minutes, he''s deeply irritated that a single kid has led him on this chase.


    "If I find her, I''ll make sure she can''t walk anymore!"


    With bloodlust in his eyes, he continues searching like a madman. The longer he''s here, the more he feels like burning the whole forest down just to catch the kid. Unable to contain himself any longer, he spots a silhouette below a tree in the distance. Excitedly, he widens his smile, thinking he''s found his prey. He slowly approaches.


    But as he gets closer, he realizes it''s not the girl he was chasing. Instead, he''s stunned by her beauty. Unlike the raggedly dressed, scrawny girl he expected, this one has beautiful silver hair flowing down to her waist and captivating golden eyes. She wears a finely embroidered white robe, though it appears slightly dirty.


    As she notices him, she gives him a bright smile and run towards him, causing him to flush slightly.


    ''Who are this girl? Is she lost?''


    "????? ??. ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??? ???????????"


    She starts talking to him, but he cannot understand her.


    ''Is she from another country? From her appearance, she looks like a noble. Could her group have been attacked or something?''


    It''s not uncommon for nobles to be attacked while traveling, often due to power struggles or other troubles. He''s heard such stories many times from his companions. There''s a possibility she''s in a similar situation, but he''s unsure of what to do. He''s never encountered this kind of situation before.


    He wonders if it''s alright to bring her with him. He doesn''t know how his friends will react to him bringing someone who might be a noble. He doesn''t want to bring trouble upon himself. However, there''s also a chance that his leader knows how to handle such situations.


    As he ponders what to do, he realizes that the girl is looking at him with a confused expression. Looking at her, he senses that she probably has never encountered a bad person before. A rough-looking man like him usually causes people to either look away or avoid him entirely upon seeing him.


    "You. Where are you coming from?"


    The girl looks surprised upon hearing him. He wonders if it''s because of his rough voice or because she doesn''t understand the language he''s speaking, considering she herself is speaking in a language he doesn''t know. However, given their location far from the border, she should have expected him to speak this country''s language.


    ''I will just bring her with me. If she ended up as a trouble, we can just kill her and leave her body here. I might get something if she turns out to be valuable.''


    He decided to drag her along with him, grabbing her wrist and pulling her forcefully.


    "Whatever, just go with-!"


    When he tried to pull her, she didn''t budge from her spot. Despite her small frame, he was surprised by her strength. However, on his second attempt, she moved along with him.


    As he dragged her, suddenly a kid jumped towards him from the bushes. The kid grabbed his hand, which was holding the girl''s wrist, and bit down hard.


    "Aaargh!!"


    He released the girl and tried to push away and kick the kid biting his hand. But the kid clung tightly, refusing to let go.


    "You little-!!"


    With his strength, he raised his hand with the kid still biting him and slammed the kid to the ground as hard as he could. But before the kid hit the ground, the girl caught her.


    When the kid realized someone had caught her, she opened her eyes. But upon seeing the girl with silver hair, she began to panic. She let go of the man''s arm and tried to push the girl away, but her efforts were futile against the girl''s strength.


    "Damn kid! I will rip your hands off!!"


    With his hand now free, he attempted to grab the kid, but the girl grabbed his wrist.


    "Wh-what?!"


    He tried to pull his hand away, but her grip was stronger than he expected, and he couldn''t budge her hand an inch. Desperate, he attempted to punch her face with his free hand, but before his fist reached her, she pushed him first. In


    that moment, he realized he shouldn''t have messed with the girl. He never expected her to have such strength, to the point where he feels as if he had been rammed by a tree trunk.


    "Urgh!"


    After being pushed several meters away, he collided with a tree and lost consciousness.

 Chapter 07

    Since he was a child, Niel never imagined he would be called a hero. The thought of people looking up to him, placing their hopes on his shoulders, and relying on him to save the world had never crossed his mind. He had always believed his life would revolve around the quiet simplicity of his village, where happiness was found in the warmth of the people he cared about. Playing freely without a care in the world felt like all he would ever need.


    Niel didn¡¯t know what his parents looked like¡ªhe had no memories of them¡ªbut he had his sister, who was his everything. She was always there to care for him, a constant presence in his life. And when she faced troubles too big for her to handle alone, Tristan would step in. Tristan was like an older brother to Niel, someone strong, dependable, and kind. Niel admired him deeply, drawing comfort from the fact that Tristan was always there for them.


    But then, everything changed. One day, men in shining armor, carrying swords at their waists and riding powerful horses, arrived in the village. Without warning, they took Tristan away. Niel didn¡¯t know who these men were or why they had come, but their actions shattered the fragile happiness he shared with his sister. Watching Tristan disappear over the horizon, taken by strangers, tore a piece of their lives apart. In that moment, Niel realized the world was far bigger¡ªand far crueler¡ªthan the tiny village he called home.


    He never aspired to be a hero. He didn¡¯t dream of fame or glory. But if the people he loved were in danger, he wanted to protect them. If someone was in trouble, he couldn¡¯t stand by and do nothing. For Niel, being a hero wasn¡¯t about the title¡ªit was about ensuring that the fragile joy he once knew could be preserved for others.


    "Because I am not a hero anymore."


    "Pardon me?"


    Esshal blinked, confused by Niel¡¯s words. "Not a hero anymore"? What could he possibly mean by that?


    Niel let out a small sigh, his expression softening.


    "I don¡¯t know why, but I¡¯ve lost my power to summon monsters."


    There was a fleeting sadness in his eyes as he admitted it. But almost immediately, he forced a smile, as if brushing away the weight of his own words, and began to explain.


    "Because of that, the others decided to leave me here. They said it would be too dangerous for me to follow them without my powers. And, honestly, I agree with them. I know just how dangerous that place can be."


    Niel¡¯s gaze shifted briefly to Villy, the small creature perched on his shoulder. The memory of the event where he had nearly lost his life flashed in his mind¡ªa vivid reminder of his vulnerability.


    "So, instead of sitting around idly without any purpose, I decided to become an adventurer."


    He said it with a confident smile, his voice steady and resolute. Esshal couldn¡¯t help but notice the spark of determination in his eyes. It was as though Niel had found a new purpose, a clear path forward.


    ¡®If I can¡¯t use my summoning powers to help my dearest friends anymore, then maybe I can help others with the skills I¡¯ve gained on this journey. Maybe, just maybe, I can lighten their burden, even if only a little.¡¯


    "Even though I¡¯ve lost my powers as a summoner," Niel continued, his voice unwavering,


    "I can still swing a sword, and I¡¯m pretty confident in my abilities. And more importantly..."


    He glanced at Villy, who was sitting proudly on his shoulder, exuding an aura of loyalty and strength.


    "I have my trustworthy and strong companion by my side," he declared with conviction.


    Esshal looked at the pair before him, observing the bond they shared. It was undeniable¡ªhe could see it in their eyes, in the way they carried themselves. Niel and Villy trusted each other completely. That kind of connection didn¡¯t happen overnight. It was forged through trials, hardships, and unwavering loyalty. It was clear to Esshal that these two had faced more than their fair share of challenges together.


    And yet, Esshal couldn¡¯t shake his confusion. How was it possible for someone to lose their unique power? Such a phenomenon was unheard of. Normally, people awakened to their abilities, discovering latent talents within themselves. Losing them? That defied everything he knew.


    Still, he chose not to voice his doubts. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, offering Niel a warm, understanding smile. "I see," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.


    "It will be an honor for our guild to accept someone like you as a member."


    With that, Esshal stood up from his chair, his movements deliberate and calm. He crossed the short distance between them and extended his hand to Niel.


    There was no hesitation on Niel¡¯s part. He reached out and clasped Esshal¡¯s hand firmly. Their handshake carried a quiet sense of determination, a silent agreement between two men who understood the weight of perseverance.


    "Welcome to the guild, Niel," Esshal said with sincerity, his voice filled with respect.


    Niel nodded, a small but genuine smile playing on his lips.


    "I¡¯ll do my best to live up to your trust."


    "Before we can issue your guild card, we¡¯ll need to assess your strength first. It¡¯s standard procedure for all new members," Esshal explained, his tone calm but professional. "Do you mind?"


    Niel shook his head. "I¡¯m okay with that. Do I need to take the test now?"


    Esshal let out a soft chuckle, glancing at the dim light filtering through the window. "Not necessarily. You can take the assessment whenever you¡¯re ready. But since it¡¯s still the middle of the night, I¡¯d recommend waiting until morning, when the day is a little brighter. The arena will be better lit, and the staff will be more alert."


    Niel nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. So, what do I need to do?"


    "I¡¯ll notify the staff about your arrival," Esshal continued, his tone reassuring. "Once you¡¯re ready, just head to the training grounds and let them know. They¡¯ll handle your rank assessment from there. It¡¯s nothing too complicated¡ªjust a few tasks to gauge your combat skills, endurance, and general abilities. For someone like you, I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be straightforward."


    "Understood," Niel replied.


    ***


    "What should we do next, Villy?" Niel asked, his voice soft in the stillness of the night.


    "Pyuii?"


    Villy tilted her tiny head in response, perched comfortably atop Niel''s head. The two walked down the quiet cobblestone streets, the faint glow of lanterns casting long shadows around them. The adventurer¡¯s guild was now behind them, and they were headed toward the inn. Yet, with the night still young, Niel found himself unsure of how to pass the time.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Hmm..." He gazed up at the crescent moon hanging high in the star-speckled sky. "I¡¯d love to camp outside the city, but we don¡¯t have a tent or the gear for it."


    He sighed wistfully, the idea of being under the open sky tempting him despite its impracticality.


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy suddenly fluttered into the air, hovering in front of Niel. She made an exaggerated gesture, miming the act of holding something and taking a big bite. To most people, it would look like the little creature was simply hungry. But Niel knew better. After all, he understood Villy better than anyone.


    "The Limevol Fruit?" Niel guessed with a grin, his eyes lighting up. "That¡¯s what you want, right?"


    Villy chirped in excitement, nodding enthusiastically.


    "Alright," Niel said, stretching his arms over his head. "Let¡¯s make it a little adventure. We¡¯ll hunt a few monsters for their meat, and we¡¯ll ask the innkeeper where we can find Limevol Fruit. How¡¯s that sound?"


    "Pyuii!"


    Villy twirled in the air, her wings fluttering with excitement as she zipped back and forth in front of Niel. It was clear she was eager to begin.


    After reaching the inn, Niel spotted Hal behind the counter, sitting with his arms crossed, just as he had been when they first arrived.


    ¡°We¡¯re back,¡± Niel announced.


    ¡°Pyuii!¡± chirped Villy from her perch atop Niel¡¯s head.


    Hal stared at them for a moment, his gaze lingering as if sizing them up. Finally, he gave a curt nod. ¡°Welcome back.¡±


    Without hesitation, Niel walked straight up to the counter, Villy balanced on his head. Hal raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by the boy¡¯s directness.


    ¡°Need something, kid?¡± Hal asked, his tone flat but curious.


    ¡°Do you know where we can find Limevol Fruit?¡±


    ¡°Pyuii!¡± Villy added enthusiastically, flapping her tiny wings.


    Hal¡¯s expression shifted into one of mild annoyance. ¡°Limevol? Forget it, kid. You wouldn¡¯t be able to find a single one nearby.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Niel exclaimed, leaning forward on the counter. ¡°There¡¯s no Limevol Fruit growing around here?¡±


    Limevol was a common fruit, one that could grow in almost any season and was easy to find in most areas. Its tangy, salty flavor made it a popular choice for enhancing grilled meat. But the fruit had its downsides: it spoiled quickly after being picked, and the juice couldn¡¯t be preserved for later use. Worse, it only grew in the wild, meaning no one could cultivate it.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that it doesn¡¯t grow here,¡± Hal explained in an uninterested tone. ¡°People snatch up every last one if they find it near the city. If you want any, you¡¯ll have to go deep into the forest where fewer people bother looking.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. Thanks for the information, sir.¡± Niel gave a small bow. ¡°Come on, Villy. Let¡¯s head upstairs.¡±


    Niel turned and started walking toward the stairs, leaving Hal to watch him with narrowed eyes. There was a subtle frown on the innkeeper¡¯s face, his curiosity piqued by what the boy might be planning.


    Once upstairs, Niel walked toward his room and reached for the door handle. But when he tried to open it¡ª


    ¡°It¡¯s locked...!!¡± he said in surprise.


    ¡°Pyuii!!¡± Villy chirped, suddenly tugging at his hair.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong, Villy?¡± Niel asked, startled by her urgency.


    ¡°Pyuii, pyuii!¡± she chirped again, pointing one tiny finger at the room next door.


    Niel blinked and finally realized his mistake. ¡°Ah, sorry about that. I got a little excited and stopped at the wrong room.¡±


    ¡°Pyuii...¡± Villy sighed, clearly exasperated.


    Once inside the room, Niel wasted no time. He immediately began changing out of his casual clothes, pulling on a sleek black long-sleeve shirt and a pair of white long pants. These served as the base for his armor, ensuring comfort and flexibility beneath the protective layers.


    Next, he reached for his custom-made armor set. First came the pristine white chest plate, which extended into a high collar for added neck protection and included elegantly designed shoulder guards. The material was a combination of refined cloth and lightweight alloys, offering both style and practicality.


    He then slipped on his matching white gauntlets, securing them snugly on both arms. These weren¡¯t just for show¡ªthey were expertly crafted to enhance his grip and protect against both cuts and crushing force. After that, he fastened his knee guards, which blended seamlessly with his outfit, and finally stepped into his white adamantite boots. The boots were reinforced for durability and designed to withstand all kinds of terrain, from scorching deserts to frozen tundras.


    This armor set was special, tailor-made for Niel to provide optimal mobility while still offering exceptional protection. Resistant to both extreme cold and intense heat, it had saved his life more than once during past adventures. Despite its elegant appearance, it was incredibly durable, built to endure the harshest conditions.


    With his armor secured, Niel turned his attention to his weapon¡ªa beautifully crafted sword resting inside a white sheath. The sheath was adorned with intricate engravings, and the platinum handle gleamed faintly under the light. It was a blade both practical and majestic.


    He slid the sword into place on his right waist, its placement aligning perfectly with his white armor.


    "Are you ready, Villy?" Niel asked as he strapped his sword securely to his waist.


    "Pyuii!" Villy chirped, though she was currently rummaging through his bag, her small body practically disappearing into it.


    "What are you looking for?" Niel tilted his head curiously.


    Moments later, Villy popped out with a triumphant smile on her face, holding a shiny golden card that glinted in the dim light. The card bore the emblem of a legendary sword and was unmistakably special¡ªit was a hero''s party member ID card.


    "Pyuii!" Villy exclaimed, holding it up like a trophy.


    "Oh, yeah," Niel said with a sheepish laugh.


    "My ID card. Good thinking, Villy. We¡¯ll definitely need it if we want to leave the city at this hour. You hold onto it, okay?"


    "Pyuii!" Villy saluted him with an exaggerated gesture, as if promising to guard the card with her life.


    After descending the stairs, they found Hal behind the counter, his expression shifting to one of mild disbelief as he noticed Niel fully armored and ready to go.


    "You¡¯re really planning to head into the forest? And at this time of night?" Hal asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "I can¡¯t decide if you¡¯re just foolish or completely ignorant."


    "Don¡¯t worry, sir," Niel replied confidently, glancing at Villy, who was flying beside him with the golden card clutched tightly in her tiny hands.


    "I¡¯ve got her with me."


    "Pyuii!" Villy added, nodding emphatically with a bright smile as if to reassure Hal.


    Hal let out a long sigh, shaking his head.


    "Well, it¡¯s not like I can stop you. Just¡­ be careful out there."


    "We will," Niel promised.


    "We¡¯ll make sure to be back by morning."


    "Yeah, yeah," Hal muttered, waving him off like he was already regretting his concern.


    As Niel took a step toward the door, he suddenly stopped, a thought crossing his mind.


    "What now, kid? Did you forget something?" Hal asked, his tone tinged with impatience.


    "Actually... could I buy some ingredients for a Barbeque?" Niel asked, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile.


    Hal groaned, rubbing his temples.


    "Sure. What do you even need?"


    "Uh¡­ just whatever people usually buy for a Barbeque?" Niel admitted sheepishly, his awkward grin deepening.


    Without another word, Hal disappeared into the kitchen, muttering under his breath about troublesome customers.


    A few minutes later, he returned with a small sack filled with fresh ingredients. He plopped it onto the counter with a heavy thud.


    "Here. Just take it. No charge," Hal said, his tone dismissive.


    "But¡ª" Niel began.


    "Just take it," Hal repeated firmly, cutting him off.


    "Thank you very much, sir," Niel said with a deep bow.


    "Pyuii!" Villy chirped in gratitude, twirling in the air.


    Selia, who had been eavesdropping from the kitchen, finally stepped out, curiosity shining in her eyes.


    "I was wondering who¡¯d be crazy enough to buy Barbeque ingredients at this time of night. Figures it¡¯d be you."


    "Now you know," Niel replied flatly as he hefted the sack, clearly uninterested in engaging her further.


    "Wait." Selia¡¯s voice turned sharper as her gaze settled on Niel¡¯s attire. Her eyes widened in genuine surprise.


    "What¡¯s with that armor?!"


    Niel¡¯s white armor gleamed even in the dim light, and the aura he exuded was commanding, almost knightly. Gone was the carefree boy she had seen earlier. He now looked like a seasoned warrior, someone who belonged on a battlefield rather than a quiet village street.


    "I¡¯m heading outside the city to make some Barbeque," Niel said casually, as if describing a simple picnic.


    "Monsters are more active and vicious at night, so it¡¯ll be more exciting."


    Selia blinked, stunned by his nonchalance.


    "Are you serious? I know you have a dragon companion, and you look tough, but the forest around here isn¡¯t friendly. Especially at night."


    Hal crossed his arms, nodding in agreement.


    "She¡¯s right, kid. Even experienced adventurers think twice before heading into those woods after dark."


    Niel simply smiled, adjusting the sack on his shoulder.


    "Thanks for the concern, but we¡¯ll be fine. Villy and I can handle it."


    "Pyuii!" Villy chirped confidently, clutching the golden card as she hovered beside him.


    Hal sighed again, his frustration mixing with begrudging admiration.


    "Well, don¡¯t come crying to me if you get in over your head."


    ¡°If something happens, I can always ride on Villy¡¯s back,¡± Niel said casually as he adjusted his armor.


    At his words, both Hal and Selia froze, their imaginations instantly conjuring the image of Niel awkwardly perched on the tiny dragon, who was barely larger than a loaf of bread. The mental picture was so absurd that they couldn¡¯t hide their expressions of disbelief.


    ¡°What are you guys imagining?¡± Niel asked, noticing their looks.


    ¡°She can transform to be as big as this inn if she wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Pyuii!¡± Villy chirped, puffing out her chest proudly.


    Selia¡¯s jaw dropped, her eyes lighting up with amazement.


    ¡°Wait, she can transform?¡± she asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and excitement.


    ¡°Pyuii,¡± Villy confirmed with a confident nod, clearly enjoying the attention.


    ¡°She can,¡± Niel said matter-of-factly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.


    Before Selia could bombard him with more questions, Niel gave a small bow to Hal. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll be going now. Thanks again for the ingredients, sir.¡±


    As Niel took a step toward the door, Selia suddenly shouted,


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Her outburst startled Hal, who raised an eyebrow, and Niel, who let out an exasperated sigh.


    ¡°What now?¡± he asked.


    Selia hesitated for a moment, her cheeks reddening slightly as she gathered her courage. Then, with a pleading look in her eyes, she said,


    ¡°C-Can I go with you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Niel¡¯s response was immediate and firm.


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    Hal sighed deeply, clearly used to his niece¡¯s antics.


    ¡°Please,¡± Selia begged, her eyes growing watery as she clasped her hands together.


    Niel raised an eyebrow, unmoved by her display.


    ¡°I said no.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to make barbecue, right?¡± she pressed.


    ¡°I can help you! You¡¯ll need me!¡±


    The truth was, Niel¡¯s decision to make barbecue had been on a whim. It seemed like a fun idea, even if he had no idea what he was doing. He¡¯d never cooked anything in his life, let alone prepared a proper barbecue. His plan had been to imitate what he¡¯d seen Selia do during their journeys. Even if he failed, he still wanted to try grilling the meat with the Limevol Fruit for the experience.


    However, having Selia around would guarantee the food turned out delicious.


    Niel glanced at Hal, silently asking for his input. Hal shrugged, surprising him with an unexpected response.


    ¡°It¡¯s your call.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle!¡± Selia exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement as she clapped her hands.


    Niel sighed again, running a hand through his hair.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°But if things get dangerous, you¡¯re sticking close to me and Villy. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡± Selia said, practically bouncing on her toes in excitement.


    Villy gave a small cheer as well, her wings fluttering happily.


    ¡°Pyuii!¡±


    With that, Niel found himself with an unexpected companion for the night¡¯s adventure. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he¡¯d made the right decision¡ªor if this was going to turn into more trouble than it was worth.

 Chapter 008

    The Kingdom of Niverna is neither particularly large nor exceptionally small. However, it often appears smaller due to its massive neighbor, the Kingdom of Reignfable, which overshadows it in both size and influence. Niverna is not a poor nation, but it is not particularly wealthy either. Its main economic strength lies in agriculture, with cotton being its most significant export, bringing in the bulk of the country¡¯s income.


    In recent years, however, Niverna has seen notable improvements, catching the attention of other nations. Much of this newfound prosperity and recognition can be attributed to the fact that three out of the six legendary heroes were born in this very land. As a result, Niverna has proudly earned the title of "The Land of Heroes," a moniker that has brought both prestige and an influx of visitors from around the world.


    While most of the people in Niverna basked in the kingdom¡¯s newfound prosperity, not everyone shared their joy. For some, this sudden fame and growth brought only frustration and obstacles.


    "Who would have thought that just because three people were born in this kingdom, all the preparations we¡¯ve made over the last eight years would be for nothing?"


    The voice belonged to a middle-aged man with stark white hair, dressed in opulent clothing. He sat alone in the dimly lit room, the soft flicker of a single candle on the table casting shadows across his stern face.


    Across from him stood a younger man, similarly dressed in finery. Though his expression was desperate, there was a fire of determination in his eyes.


    "Can¡¯t we just continue with the plan? After all the effort we¡¯ve put in, I¡¯m certain there¡¯s a high chance we¡¯ll succeed," the young man urged, leaning forward.


    The older man raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.


    "If we proceed and stick to the plan now, we will succeed," he said, his tone calm yet firm.


    The young man¡¯s face brightened, but before he could speak, the older man raised a hand to cut him off.


    "But¡­"


    The single word sent a chill through the younger man.


    "The real problem isn¡¯t seizing the throne," the older man continued. He leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together as his gaze turned calculating.


    "The real problem will come after we succeed."


    The young man¡¯s brow furrowed.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Even if we manage to take the throne, public opinion will turn against us if we don¡¯t provide a convincing justification. Unfortunately for us, the economic growth of the past few years has contradicted all the evidence we so carefully fabricated to support our coup. The people are content¡ªthriving, even. To move now would not only erode their trust but also destroy our credibility on the international stage."


    The younger man clenched his fists.


    "But surely, with enough force¡ª"


    The older man shook his head, silencing him with a stern glare.


    "Even if we force our way through, the kingdom¡¯s reputation will be in tatters. Other nations will see our instability as an opportunity, and they¡¯ll manufacture excuses to invade us while we¡¯re still recovering from the upheaval. Do you think our weakened military would stand a chance?"


    The room fell silent, the weight of the older man¡¯s words settling heavily on the younger man.


    Adding to their predicament was the hero¡¯s party¡ªa group currently journeying across the world to save it from impending destruction. Among their ranks were three of Niverna¡¯s own heroes, their fame spreading far and wide with each act of valor. This fame, in turn, brought greater attention to Niverna itself. Curious travelers, merchants, and dignitaries from other nations were flocking to the kingdom, drawn by the legends of its heroes.


    Niverna¡¯s newfound prestige had become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it bolstered the economy and strengthened international ties. On the other, it made any move against the crown far riskier. A coup against the "Land of Heroes" would not only anger the people but also invite scrutiny and potential retaliation from powerful foreign allies.


    "Even heroes bring complications," the older man muttered, his voice heavy with disdain.


    It wasn¡¯t just the kingdom¡¯s economic growth or international fame that caused trouble for their plans. A more pressing issue was the shifting political landscape within Niverna.


    More and more nobles who had once aligned themselves with their faction were now moving toward the royal faction. The king¡¯s growing popularity, coupled with the newfound prosperity of the kingdom, made it increasingly difficult to maintain their influence. To make matters worse, smaller, independent factions that had previously acted as neutral forces began merging with the royal faction as well.


    The final blow came with the king¡¯s recent announcement: the engagement of Princess Elisia to one of the heroes himself. It was a masterstroke of political strategy. By tying the royal family directly to the hero¡¯s party, the king had solidified his position both domestically and internationally. The people celebrated the union as a symbol of hope and unity, while the nobility viewed it as a sign of stability and strength.


    For the conspirators, it was a nightmare.


    "The king played his cards well," the younger man muttered bitterly, pacing the room.


    "With that engagement, he¡¯s bound the heroes to his side. Anyone who opposes him now risks being labeled a traitor not just to the crown, but to the heroes who are saving the world."


    The older man clenched his jaw, his hands tightening around the armrests of his chair.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "It was a calculated move," he said, his tone laced with grudging admiration.


    "By connecting the royal family to the hero¡¯s party, the king has ensured that even the commoners, who might otherwise stay indifferent, will rally to his side. The heroes are untouchable in the eyes of the people. And as long as the princess is engaged to one of them, so is the royal family."


    The younger man stopped pacing and turned to face his mentor.


    "What do we do now? Do we abandon everything?"


    The older man¡¯s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at the flickering candlelight.


    "No. We wait," he said, his voice steady and deliberate, carrying the weight of years spent planning in the shadows.


    "The tides of power are always shifting, and even the most carefully laid plans can unravel with time. The hero¡¯s party is not invincible, and neither is the king. There will be a moment of weakness¡ªwhen the people grow restless, when the heroes falter, or when this alliance shows its cracks. When that moment comes," he paused, his voice dropping to a near-whisper,


    "we¡¯ll strike."


    The young man leaned forward eagerly, a sly smile spreading across his face. The flickering candlelight illuminated the hunger in his eyes, the unrelenting ambition that burned brighter with every word.


    ¡°I understand,¡± he said, his tone brimming with anticipation.


    "When the moment comes, we¡¯ll be ready to take everything we¡¯ve worked for."


    But just as his confidence began to rise, the older man¡¯s next words took him by surprise.


    "Fortunately," the older man continued, his tone sharpening as a wry smile crept onto his lips.


    "One of those moments has already come to us."


    The young man¡¯s smile froze, his expression shifting to one of confusion and intrigue.


    "Already?" he asked, his voice low and cautious. The unexpected revelation sent a chill through the air, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint crackling of the candle.


    The older man¡¯s smile grew wider, but there was no warmth in it¡ªonly a calculating edge.


    "Yes," he said, his voice laced with quiet triumph. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling as the candlelight cast ominous shadows across his face.


    ***


    On a dirt road winding through the heart of a dense forest, the soft clatter of hooves echoed amidst the rustling leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures. At the center of this small procession was a grandiose carriage, its polished wood glinting faintly under the moonlight filtering through the canopy. Ornately crafted, its silver accents and embroidered crest spoke of wealth and nobility. Two sturdy horses, their manes shimmering like satin, pulled the carriage with a steady rhythm, expertly guided by the coachman perched on the driver''s seat.


    Surrounding the carriage on all sides were four knights, each mounted on powerful steeds, their armor gleaming faintly under the sparse light. Their helmets obscured their faces, leaving only their disciplined posture and alert movements to communicate their readiness. The knights¡¯ eyes constantly scanned the surrounding trees, their hands never straying far from the hilts of their swords.


    Leading the procession was a man whose presence commanded immediate attention. Unlike the other knights, he did not wear a helmet, his brown short hair ruffled slightly by the cool forest breeze. His piercing dark red eyes scanned the path ahead with practiced vigilance, betraying a man accustomed to danger. His armor, heavier and more elaborate than that of the others, seemed almost to glow faintly, hinting at both craftsmanship and enchantment. It was a testament to his rank and prowess, molded to fit his massive frame perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and imposing stature.


    Strapped securely across his back was a black greatsword, its handle jutting out just enough to reveal its intimidating size. Despite its weight, the man carried it with ease, a testament to his strength. The steed he rode was no ordinary horse but a massive warhorse, its muscles rippling beneath its sleek black coat. The beast moved with a controlled power, its steps firm and confident, as though it understood the importance of the figure astride it.


    Every movement of the man and his steed exuded authority and preparedness. He was clearly no ordinary knight but a leader, a seasoned warrior who had seen countless battles and emerged victorious. His mere presence seemed to lend an air of invincibility to the group, as though nothing in the forest could dare challenge them. Yet, the forest was vast and unpredictable, and even the strongest could not ignore the possibility of unseen threats lurking in the shadows.


    The man scanned his surroundings with a sharp, practiced gaze, taking in every detail of the forest around him. Then, he tilted his head toward the sky, now streaked with shades of crimson as the sun began to set. The transition from day to night was upon them. After a moment of contemplation, he raised his right hand in a firm gesture. The signal was clear, and the entire procession came to an immediate halt, their movements precise and synchronized.


    With deliberate movements, the man gave a series of hand signals. Two of the knights instantly broke formation, guiding their horses into the dense forest on either side of the road. Silence settled over the group as they waited, the rustling of leaves and distant chirps of birds the only sounds in the air. The man remained still, his dark red eyes focused and patient, his imposing presence radiating calm authority.


    Minutes later, the two knights emerged from the trees, their armor faintly dusted with leaves. They approached the man and gave a respectful nod, confirming that the area was secure. Satisfied, the man dismounted his massive warhorse with a practiced ease, the ground beneath him crunching faintly under his weight. He walked toward the ornate carriage at the center of the procession, each step deliberate and steady.


    Stopping just in front of the carriage door, the man bowed slightly before speaking.


    "Your Highness, I request permission to set up camp here," he said, his voice gravelly yet composed, carrying the weight of a seasoned warrior.


    From inside the carriage came a soft, melodic voice, delicate yet filled with quiet authority.


    "Permission granted," the woman replied. Her tone was calm, as if she were accustomed to giving commands that carried great significance.


    At her approval, the knights sprang into action. They dismounted from their horses, guiding the animals toward the side of the road where the foliage was thick, ensuring they could feed and rest. The knights moved efficiently, their actions revealing a well-rehearsed routine honed over years of service.


    The warhorse, without needing a single word or nudge, strode purposefully to the edge of the clearing, its imposing figure blending into the surroundings with an almost regal air. The carriage, too, was carefully maneuvered to a safer spot off the dirt road, its polished wood gleaming faintly in the twilight.


    As the knights began preparing the camp, their leader lingered near the carriage door, his posture unwavering as if ready to face any threat that might arise. The forest around them seemed calm, but his instincts told him never to let his guard down.


    ***


    "The reason you''re born is for this kingdom. The way you live is for this kingdom. And¡ª"


    Those words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of her purpose. When she woke each morning, the first thought that crossed her mind was the same.


    ''How can I be useful to the kingdom?''


    Every action she took, every battle she fought, every sacrifice she made¡ªit was all for the kingdom. Her smiles, so warm and genuine to others, were practiced and calculated, meant to inspire and reassure. Her life had been molded by relentless training and teachings, shaping her into a perfect symbol of the kingdom¡¯s ideals.


    She was taught to be intelligent, to strategize and plan for the good of the nation. She was taught compassion, so she could connect with the people and earn their trust. She was taught bravery, so she would never waver in the face of danger. She was taught kindness, so her presence would soothe and inspire hope. She was even taught to be beautiful, her appearance carefully curated to embody the kingdom¡¯s pride.


    But none of it was for herself. Not her intelligence, her compassion, her bravery, her kindness, or even her beauty. It was all for the kingdom¡ªa life devoted to its prosperity and survival.


    Her very existence was not her own. It was a carefully crafted tool, a shield for the people, a sword for the throne, and a beacon for all who looked to the kingdom for strength. Yet, beneath the surface, beneath the weight of expectation, she sometimes wondered.


    ''Who am I beyond this role?''


    That thought lingered in the corners of her mind, faint and fleeting, buried beneath years of conditioning. It was a question she dared not voice, for even her doubts had no place in a life dedicated to the kingdom.


    "Princess, the preparation is complete."


    Coming into her room, is a girl with light green hair and green eyes, she wears a maid outfit that looks glittering, and looks quite fancy for a maid outfit. She bowed at the girl inside the room.


    She stands at 159 cm, her figure lithe and graceful, befitting her royal heritage. Her long, golden-platinum hair cascades down her back like silken threads of sunlight, catching the light with an ethereal glow. Her bright blue eyes shimmer like clear summer skies, exuding intelligence and warmth.


    For her attire, she dons a fitted, high-waisted tunic dress that falls just above her knees, crafted from a soft, flowing fabric that sways elegantly with her movements. The dress is accented with subtle gold embroidery along the edges, giving it a touch of regal refinement. A lightweight, asymmetrical capelet drapes over her shoulders, secured with a brooch bearing the crest of her kingdom. She pairs this with fitted leggings and short leather boots, perfect for ease of movement without sacrificing style.


    "Alright. Thanks for your hard work, Piola," said Princess Elisia of Niverna, her warm smile radiating genuine kindness.


    With graceful movements, she picked up the sword with its golden sheath and strode confidently out of the room. Piola, her loyal maid, quickly fell into step beside her, walking slightly behind, as was customary.


    As Elisia walked through the castle¡¯s grand hallway, she greeted every person she encountered with her signature warm smile. Guards, maids, and noblemen alike responded with bows or curtsies, their faces lighting up in her presence. She was a beacon of hope and elegance, the embodiment of the kingdom¡¯s ideals.


    Once outside, a luxurious carriage awaited her. Four knights stood at attention, lining the pathway to the open carriage door, their polished armor gleaming in the sunlight. One knight stood apart from the others, helmetless, his weathered face exuding authority.


    "Greetings, Your Highness. I will be the one escorting you on your journey to the Oracle City," said General Biron, bowing his head respectfully.


    "Thank you very much, General Biron. I will be in your care," Elisia replied with her warm, practiced smile that seemed to put everyone at ease.


    With an elegant nod, she stepped into the carriage, her movements as fluid and composed as a queen¡¯s. Piola, ever the dutiful maid, followed closely behind her, taking her place beside the princess inside.


    The door closed gently, and the knights resumed their positions. As the carriage began its journey, the rhythmic sound of hooves against the cobblestone path echoed through the air.