Green grass.

  Vibrant.

  The ground trembled.

  A horde of two-meter boars charged forward.

  Destroying entire fields.

  Draconic Magic

  Ice Scythe.

  Frost Slash.

  Two enchantments in sequence.

  The horizon froze.

  The beasts’ path shifted.

  Pikonota

  She advanced.

  Quick steps.

  One boar broke from the herd.

  It charged at her with full force.

  She dodged.

  Counterattacked.

  Ice Scythe.

  Lateral Slash.

  The boar collapsed.

  Incapacitated.

  She ran.

  The Yakana firm in her hands.

  Draconic Magic

  Ice Wall.

  A frozen wall rose.

  The horde’s course shifted south.

  Souta

  He watched.

  — Thanks for clearing the path, Pikonota.

  Swamp Spoon.

  Advanced Dark Magic.

  Distortion of Laments.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  A black wave.

  Swallowed the boars.

  To the last.

  Souta was satisfied.

  The Farmer

  — Thank you so much, young man.

  — These beasts were ruining the crops.

  — I heard they fled from the north… because of a Demon King’s general.

  — I won’t take more of your time.

  — This isn’t much… but it’s all I have.

  He handed over coins.

  Gratitude in his eyes.

  The Weight of the Reward

  Souta gathered the coins as he walked.

  Pikonota approached.

  — So much work… for a pittance.

  Souta kept walking.

  — You used to destroy entire villages.

  Kill people.

  And never earned a single coin.

  Now you complain about getting paid too little?

  — It’s not about the money.

  — I’m analyzing different magical beasts… and their behaviors.

  — And for starters… why am I even paying you?

  Meliora

  Souta looked at the landscape.

  — Come to think of it… Meliora would’ve loved to see those boars.

  — And the view here is amazing too.

  — I wonder how she’s doing now.

  Pikonota crossed her arms.

  Shook her head.

  — That Meliora is such an idiot.

  — Her father was killed… and she pretends everything’s fine.

  — What an idi—

  Souta’s gaze cut her off.

  Serious.

  Firm.

  Pikonota stumbled.

  Fell.

  — Just joking, sir… — bitter smile.

  Souta spoke.

  — If you speak ill of Miss Meliora when she’s not here… I’ll kill you without hesitation.

  She lowered her head.

  Agreed.

  Then stood up.

  The Question

  — Lord Kihara… what’s your relationship with Miss Meliora?

  — Do you desire her?

  Souta stopped.

  Firm.

  Serious.

  — Meliora is my best friend.

  — I see her as the little sister I never had.

  — What’s your problem, girl?

  — She could be my daughter.

  Pikonota stepped closer.

  Souta locked eyes with her.

  — Leave.

  His voice was firm.

  His gaze, piercing.

  — But sir, I—

  — I said leave.

  — I want to be alone.

  — Let’s separate for today.

  Pikonota turned.

  Walked away.

  Slow steps.

  Sad.

  Melancholic.

  The Encounter

  Back in armor.

  It was already night.

  Souta walked.

  A young hooded commoner bumped into him.

  Fell.

  — Watch where you’re going, kid.

  — S-sorry, sir…

  The voice trembled.

  Fear evident.

  Tattered clothes.

  Dirty hands.

  Long white hair spilling from the hood.

  Face hidden in shadow.

  Souta took a deep breath.

  — Take these coins.

  — Buy something to eat.

  He tossed the coins.

  Kept walking.

  Never looked back.

  He walked on.

  Serious.

  Worried.

  Melancholic.

  And then…

  He saw Meliora approaching.