- Viscount Hogomori's Residence, Inclira Kingdom –
- Main Dining Hall-
- 0812hrs, local time –
"He… possesses such overwhelming power!?" Mariabel gasped, her voice barely above a whisper, albeit to not cause her [Concealment] skill to deactivate, yet, had a tremble in disbelief for a brief moment. Her delicate, gloved hands instinctively covered her mouth, hiding the sheer horror creeping into her expression. A single man—no, a single power—crushing the Holy Kingdom's strongest knights with ease… Such a thing should be unthinkable. Thinking about the idea itself sent chills down her spine.
She slowly stared deeply in hesitation towards Grey, her voice filled with fear though hidden underneath an unamused sigh. "Grey, if this is some twisted joke… You have gone too far."
The hooded spy exhaled sharply, frustration flashing in his usually controlled tone. "I never joke about matters like this, Bel!" he slightly raised his voice, stepping closer as if the urgency of his words demanded her full attention. "It's worse than you think! He wields a blade that cuts through enchanted weapons like mere paper, and according to eyewitnesses, it matched the Holy Sword's blow for blow in the duel between the two heroes."
Grey's hands curled into fists as he recalled the most disturbing part of the intelligence. "And that's not even the worst of it." His voice dropped lower, like a man speaking of an unspeakable horror. "The surviving Wyvern Knight added outside of the report, it was something beyond comprehension. It wasn't a winged carriage, Mariabel. It was a man-made machine—no, a weapon. One that can strike from distances beyond human sight, hitting with godlike precision, even capable of launching multiple attacks at once."
He swallowed; his breath unsteady. "If anyone else had told me this, I would've dismissed it as the drunken ramblings of an old soldier from the great war." He met her eyes, his expression grim. "But this time… It's real. And it's not just a threat to the Kingdom—it's a threat to the entire world."
Grey gritted his teeth, his frustration barely concealed as he took a deliberate step back. His voice dropped lower, laced with urgency. "And you know as well as I do—he wouldn't be this powerful if he were still green. But no… I told you; he's a soldier. A hardened warrior. My collaborator called him a 'soldier of fortune' based on the second Hero's word... a man forged to fight in war just to earn a fortune by killing; his instincts sharpened to the finest edge, ruthless and efficient. Far more efficient than assassins we know of."
His breath hitched slightly as he hesitated, his hooded gaze locking onto Mariabel's own—searching, desperate. A man who had seen too much, grasping for reassurance. "Bel… is it time we—"
Even with the horror flickering in her eyes, Mariabel held her ground. Her hands, elegant and still, clenched subtly against the fabric of her dress. Her fear was undeniable, but her resolve was stronger. She met his shaken stare with unwavering certainty.
"No, Grey." Her voice was steady, though her chest rose and fell with the weight of her convictions. "My promise to Lady Helene is not yet fulfilled. I have to see Lady Sicily grow into her own before I can even consider leaving."
Grey's lips parted, his voice nearly cracking. "But the demons might have already—"
"I know that very well!" She cut him off sharply, her usually warm eyes flashing with something far colder—a deadly precision, the assassin's stare she had long left behind. "I know that the longer we linger in these cities, the closer we are to being drawn into another fight. But I vowed, Grey! I swore it—at the Lady's deathbed! I will not turn my back on it now!"
The air between them grew heavy, thick with unspoken history. A silence stretched—one not of hesitation, but of understanding.
Grey swallowed hard, his fingers curling into tense fists at his sides. He knew all too well the weight of a promise in Mariabel's hands—once made, never broken. A quiet sigh escaped him, his voice losing its earlier sharpness, softening into something almost regretful.
"…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you this far."
A faint, knowing smile ghosted across Mariabel's lips. The ice in her gaze melted, replaced by that familiar, gentle warmth—one she reserved for so very few. She inhaled slowly, regaining her poise, before stepping closer.
"It's fine… I know you're only worried about my well-being." Her voice carried quiet reassurance. But then, just as the tension threatened to settle, a playful glint flickered in her eyes. Her lips curved slightly, amusement creeping into her tone.
"It's one of the reasons I accepted your proposal, my dear Grey~"
Grey stiffened, his shoulders tensing ever so slightly. He averted his gaze, turning just enough to shield his expression, though the faintest tinge of heat crept along his ears. "…Oh, shut up."
"All that aside…" Mariabel murmured, her voice trailing off as she turned her attention back toward the Hero-Princess duo. Her gentle eyes studied them with quiet amusement, knowing full well that neither Kurogane nor Lunamaria were aware of her presence. Thanks to her and Grey's concealment skill, their conversation had remained unheard—an unseen world tucked within another.
She tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Do you think… if the Hero were at his full power, he could…" Her voice held an unspoken question, one tinged with both hope and doubt.
Grey's posture stiffened slightly at the change in topic, his features shifting from wary tension to something more contemplative. His arms crossed over his chest, and he let out a measured breath before responding. "It's a gamble." His words carried the weight of uncertainty but also a quiet determination. "The alliance's preparations will be complete in under five months. If he's part of it… let's just pray the demons haven't obtained or—Goddess forbids—reverse-engineered the Second Hero's technology."
Mariabel nodded in her usual practised grace, yet something else flickered in her gaze. Her lips curled slightly as she watched the Hero and Princess from the shadows—two young souls stumbling over their own emotions, awkward yet endearing in their blooming affection. The way they got flustered, the hesitance in their every move, the subtle blush creeping over their cheeks—it was all so wonderfully pure to her eyes.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement, and she clasped her hands together once like a maiden delighting in a romance short story.
Grey, who had been watching her with a growing sense of dread, finally let out an exhausted sigh. "Geez…" He facepalmed himself, amused. "I'm going to feel bad for our future kids if their mom gets involved in their love lives…"
Mariabel giggled, a teasing smirk curling at the edges of her lips as she slowly turned to him. Her eyes shimmered with amusement and mischief. She leaned in slightly, her voice filled with a playful tone. "Oh? My dear Grey, are you already thinking that far ahead? How bold~"
Grey was caught off guard by the realisation of her words. He snapped his gaze away, a faint flush creeping along the edges of his ears even though they were covered underneath his cloak. "Ugh… you sure love to tease me…"
Back towards the duo, around half an hour later, Florentina and Sicily made their way through the bustling medieval streets, their [dimensional storage] bags hanging on their arms as they approached their final stop—a potion store tucked between larger establishments. The scent of dried herbs and alchemical ingredients wafted through the air, surrounded by the lively chatter of merchants and civilians, along with adventurers looking for supplies as well.
As they walked, Sicily's curiosity increased with every question. She frequently asked about life in the Holy Kingdom, her fascination evident in the way her eyes sparkled at each new detail. As she had never set foot there before, she eagerly asked comparison of their cultures—their differences, their similarities, and the vibrancy of the people. Each revelation led to another question, her curiosity and intrigue pushing the conversation forward.
At one point, she asked what it was like to be the Court Mage of the Holy Kingdom, a title revered across the continent, especially for a nation so profoundly intertwined with religious authority.
Florentina responded with a mix of enthusiasm and exasperation—she spoke of her love for experimenting and researching new magic, of the thrill that came with unlocking new arcane possibilities. Yet, she admitted, with an exaggerated sigh, that she wasn't too fond of the bureaucratic side of things. Paperwork, reports, and endless formalities—tedious, but necessary. Over time, she had grown used to it and overcome such frustration as trivial matters.
However, she had begun mentioning Kurogane somewhere along the conversation without realising it—a lot.
His name was inserted seamlessly into her words—casual, unprompted, and yet undeniable. She spoke of how he was the first to truly see her—not as the Holy Kingdom's most powerful mage, not as an untouchable figure of arcane prestige, but simply as a girl.
Sicily, on the other hand, isn't fond of how much Tina mentions him in every sentence. However, due to that, she became quite curious about how such a prominent figure is deeply invested with the hero as a person, not as a "hero".
"Ahem," Sicily cleared her throat, drawing Tina's attention after a rather lengthy ramble about Kurogane's antics over the past week or so. Florentina stopped with a small squeak, only to realise her company was watching her—slightly amused. She let out an exasperated sigh. "Miss Tina… I understand your admiration for the hero, but we're still in the potion store…"
Those words made Florentina pause and glance around, only to realise the other customers—mostly alchemists and mages—were watching her with faint chuckles at her maidenly expressions as she earnestly spoke of how deeply she admired Kurogane as a person.
"I– I'll be waiting outside!" she shouted in a high-pitched voice, storming out of the store in embarrassment. The shopkeeper at the counter chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.
"It's lovely to be young, isn't it?~" she remarked in a gentle yet time-worn tone, catching Sicily's attention.
"With that said, my lady, are you planning to find your life partner soon? We're quite concerned about your future as well… having someone to share your life with isn't such a terrible idea," she added, a soft smile forming as her eyes fell to the ring on her finger, her expression turning wistful and full of quiet longing.
Sicily didn't say much, replying with a forced yet lonely smile. "I'll think about it." She then paid for the potions she'd purchased and stepped out of the store, rejoining Florentina—who was still waiting outside, her face as red as a tomato.
Their walk back to the carriage was rather awkward as neither of them said much. That moment in the potion store had stirred something in the young noble lady, prompting her to revisit thoughts she'd long cast aside in her pursuit to prove herself by conquering the Endless Forest. She was reminded that, perhaps, she could have chosen the path her father and mother once wished for her—to bring happiness to their people as their lord.
Although already an exceptional elf marksman for her age—even as a half-elf—Sicily couldn't help but recall the elder elf's praise for her skill and his steady guidance during her visits to the nearby elven village. It served as a reminder of her mission: to stop more deadly monsters from spawning from the very dungeon that bordered the village her mother had once defended… and died for.
Moments passed, and they found themselves walking down the hallway of the Lord's mansion. Florentina's sudden scream beside her abruptly shattered Sicily's inner conflict—
There, before them, was Kurogane, being spoon-fed what appeared to be a rather misshapen cake—something Sicily could only assume the princess had clumsily attempted to make for him. "AHHH! Your Highness!" the court mage shouted, dashing towards them and kicking off the trio's usual antics of a mood swing Court Mage scolding a naïve yet promising hero that's having a romance with his heroine of the story, prompting the noble lady to let out a weary sigh.
"I swear these three…"
- The next day, Viscount Hogomori's Residence, Inclira Kingdom –
- Main Foyer-
- 1030hrs, local time –
It was another calm morning before noon. The sky was dotted with scattered clouds, none of which appeared to be on the verge of becoming rain clouds. The gentle breeze, carrying the essence of Eastern culture, made the front of the mansion feel incredibly relaxing. Yet, despite this serene atmosphere, the team was quite excited, including the Court Mage of the renowned Holy Kingdom, as it was their first real expedition into a dungeon, except for Sicily, who was already quite experienced on the outer layers of the [Endless Forest]. The four of them chatted eagerly about their plans and strategies, but Florentina kept reminding them of their true purpose—levelling up and gaining combat experience.
"And it is NOT a field trip! Do you hear me?!" the twin-tailed, red-haired mage exclaimed; her expression was unusually serious with this sentence.
"Your Highness, Sir Hero, you both remember when we were attacked on our way here, don't you?" Florentina said, her tone sharp. "It wasn't just those [Evil Wolves] we need to be wary of, but the demons as well." She paused, turning to look Kurogane directly in the eyes.
"And we don't know what might happen if we let our guard down. So stay cautious while we're there!" Her voice was firm, emphasising the gravity of her words, which made Kurogane nod with a smile. "Of course, master! And I'll protect all of you as well as the hero and save you no matter what!".
"We hope you don't. Having you injured on the first day isn't a good sign for you as a hero, sir Kurogane," Sicily added with a sharp tone, slightly serious. "We don't want the beacon of humanity unable to fight the demon lord just because he tried to protect his companions in a simple exploring quest"
"I know, I know… jeez, it's not like I want to die protecting you all, you know?" Kurogane replied with a carefree grin, scratching the back of his head. Despite the serious warning, his tone remained light-hearted, attempting to lighten the mood. "Besides, if we have worries carried within us, wouldn't this adventure feel bit too tense?"
Florentina rolled her eyes. "Ugh… this boy…" she muttered, stepping into the carriage that had just pulled up, followed by Lunamaria, who let out a soft, melodic chuckle at their usual banter. The other two followed suit, sitting across the mage and the princess.
And once they were all set, Kurogane suddenly raised his voice with an energetic grin. "Alright! Luminous Virtue, time to venture into the Endless Forest!"