A few months have passed and I’ve settled into a routine.

  I wake up early in the morning and help Kalie clean up. We wash, clean, and get dressed before heading to the guild.

  At the guild, I work with monsters and animals. I grew to love the hounds the most.

  I didn’t know when they were supposed to be sold but I was going to enjoy every moment with them that I had.

  They were such good boys.

  After work, I’d reunite with Kalie and she paid me. We’d then return home where Felix would always stand outside cleaning something new.

  Sometimes it was a sword, other times it was armor. He’d always try to look nonchalant when he did it, but I saw the look in his eyes.

  He wanted Kalie to notice him.

  And honestly, I didn’t think he was a bad guy, clueless maybe but he was alright.

  Anyway when we returned home, Kalie would cook dinner and I’d put my money in a jar.

  Then we’d eat as she taught me demon tongue and trained me.

  After that, I’d study a map of the inner sea.

  And it was longer than it was wide.

  There were the human kingdoms that had access to it from the main continent. The empire, the Equili kingdom, and Kotal.

  Technically Brija also had access to it as they were an island kingdom, but they’d need to sail around the Equili Kingdom and through Kotal’s waters to get access to it.

  And Kotal wasn’t really a big player either, and most of their southern coast was mountainous.

  There was one other nation that had access to the inner sea. And that was the dwarven federation of Tsars.

  A massive land empire nearly triple or even quadruple the size of the Creation empire.

  While they didn't have much of a coastline they were a major threat. To smuggling operations, if a ship didn’t have a flag, and they saw it?

  They often opened fire immediately.

  That was before humans and even elves would often rob the dwarves blind for their technology.

  That's how humans got access to things like Ouro-powered ice boxes and communication crystals.

  I brought them up because if it comes down to it there’s actually a land route that leads from the demon continent through the federation.

  And into the empire through the east.

  So if I can’t save enough money I’ll just take that route. But it’s a long one, really long.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “Still staring at that map huh?” Kalie sat beside me on the floor. I moved closer so she could get a better look.

  “Yep, planning how I’m gonna get home helps me fall asleep, you know?”

  She leaned her head against my shoulder as her calloused finger traced a path from Col-Rava to the federation.

  “It’s certainly cheaper, but dwarves aren’t too keen on humans in their territory. They have machines that would hunt you down for days without stopping for rest. Could you really handle that?”

  I smirked. “Probably, you know I’m practically a walking super weapon.”

  Kalie yawned softly. “A super weapon huh? You’re just as delusional as Felix.” She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  I watched her sleep for a moment, before resting my head against hers.

  I may be delusional, but it’s only because of her that I was still sane enough to be. I closed my eyes with a smile. “Thank you, Kalie.”

  — — —

  The next day I was grooming the war hounds as usual.

  And by grooming, I mean massaging.

  Yes, there was nothing funny going on, you see?

  “Who’s a good boy, who’s a good boy!” I ruffled behind the war hound’s ears. “Yes, you are, Gargon the planet destroyer.”

  Gargon the planet destroyer howled into my chest. His hind leg thumped against the floor.

  Ah, life couldn’t get better than this. Just me and—

  Creeeeak.

  The door to the basement opened.

  I snapped to attention as I picked up the grooming brush and pretended to brush Gargon’s side.

  Gargon turned his head towards the door.

  “Lafayette, I have a mission for you.” Oh thank god, it’s Kalie. I tossed the brush aside and approached her.

  “Hey Kalie, what’s up?”

  “You know the buyer of these hounds? He’s ready for them to be delivered.”

  My heart sank.

  “What? No, these guys are the only thing keeping my sanity from flying off a cliff.”

  Kalie crossed her arms. “Oh? And I suppose I’m just a free meal, hm?” She teased.

  I pouted. “I didn’t say that, you know I love you, but I love Gargon the planet destroyer, more.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe Meridian looked at you and thought to herself, ‘this is prime husband material’.”

  She chuckled dryly. “Jokes aside, there’s a reason I’m telling you this. I’ve talked to a party of mercenaries I trust and they’ve agreed to deliver the hounds.”

  “Okay.”

  “But they’ve also agreed to take you with them. Which means you’ll get a cut of the payment.”

  My eyes widened. “Ooh, how much are we talking about?”

  “Five silver.”

  “Five silver?! That’s like, a whole week of payment, and then some.” I paused, “But wait a minute, you said mercenaries? Like Jax?”

  Kalie shook her head.

  “No, nothing like Jax. These people are hardworking and they owe me a favor. Besides, I haven't seen Jax or Eric since that incident.”

  I frowned. “You aren’t worried? What if they went and told someone about my core?”

  “Even if they did, I doubt anything would happen. They can’t attack you on guild ground, nor while you’re on a guild mission. If they did, I’d know and the city would be forced to arrest them.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if they let anyone get away with attacking guild personnel it could easily set a precedent. Which would cause fewer people to associate with the guild.”

  I nodded. “You know, you’re really smart, Kalie.”

  “It’s common sense, now come on so you can meet the crew.”

  I turned to Gargon and gave him a quick scratch behind the ear before following Kalie upstairs.

  “Be a good boy.”

  Once we were upstairs Kalie led me to a table in the far back where three people sat.

  A human man who looked around 30-ish, but if Katie was anything to go by he was probably 20.

  A human girl who was draped in a black cloak with deep, blood-red eyes. She looked around 13.

  And an elven woman. She had long black hair, blue, glowing eyes, and a tattoo on her left cheek. I wasn’t even gonna try to guess her age.

  Kalie stood at the table and gestured a hand towards me. “This is Lafayette, he’s the one who’s been feeding and maintaining the Hounds and he’ll continue to do so until they’re delivered.”

  I placed a hand on my chest and bowed. “My name is Lafayette, it’s nice to meet you.”

  The man reclined in his seat and massaged his stubble. “Lafayette huh? Cute name, what do you think, Louise?”

  The girl with the red eyes looked up with panic across her face. “O-oh well, w-why would you ask me t-that? U-uhm, he’s a boy I suppose, so yes?”

  O…k

  The man chuckled deviously as he stapled his fingers together. “Hehehe, I got a feeling I’m gonna enjoy this trip.”

  The elven woman slapped him in the back of the head. “Cut it out, Daniel. The last thing we need on this trip is your shenanigans.”

  “Ow!”

  Daniel massaged the back of his head. “Don’t act all high and mighty now, not after last night.”

  My jaw dropped.

  The woman rolled her eyes with a grin and Louise's face turned a deep crimson. “H-how could you be so shameless, Daniel?”

  “I’m not shameless, I’m a man, and I have a duty.”

  Kalie gripped the bridge of her nose. “Duty aside, I'm trusting you all to keep Lafayette safe. There could be people after him too, so don’t let him out of your eyesight.”

  The elven woman sighed. “Let me guess, another noble?”

  Kalie nodded.

  The elven woman frowned. “I thought we were taking a simple delivery mission, now you’re throwing this on our lap as well?”

  Kalie didn’t blink. “You keep Louise protected, you can handle another one.”

  Is Louise a noble too?

  From where I wonder?

  Daniel nodded in agreement with Kalie. “Yeah, she’s right, besides If the kid is a noble then that’s just more firepower. Blood magic and…”

  He pointed a finger at me, giving me an expectant look.

  “…wate—“

  “Water magic!” Daniel grinned, “These hounds are gonna be the most protected creatures on the continent. You can count on that, Kalie.”

  He gave her a wink.

  “Good.” She replied.

  Daniel held her gaze. “Hey, if you wanna get dinner sometime I know this great—“

  Kalie turned to leave. “I’ll have the hounds prepared by tomorrow, for now, get to know Lafayette.”

  Daniel slumped in his seat. “Shit, so close.”

  He turned his gaze on me. “Tell me something kid, what kind of woman is your type?”