Branches snapped behind them.

  Heavy footsteps shook the forest.

  The Orc General was still chasing.

  Kaito ran beside Serena, Renna unconscious in his arms. His breathing had grown rough, mana reserves nearly empty after the catastrophic battle.

  Serena glanced back, eyes widening.

  “It’s still coming…!”

  The trees behind them split apart as the giant figure burst through the forest, rage burning in its crimson eyes.

  Kaito slowed his steps.

  “We have no choice… we fight.”

  Serena shook her head instantly.

  “We must stop it before we reach the town.”

  Kaito nodded. His gaze hardened.

  “Then I’ll take it down myself.”

  “No!” Serena grabbed his arm. “That’s an A-rank monster! You can’t—”

  He smiled gently.

  “Then we fight together.”

  Serena hesitated… then nodded.

  “I’ll buy you time.”

  Serena slammed her staff forward.

  “Ice Chain!”

  Eight massive chains of enchanted ice erupted from the ground and wrapped around the Orc General ’s limbs and torso.

  The monster roared in fury as the chains tightened.

  Kaito sprinted away with Renna and found a sturdy tree near a rocky slope.

  He gently leaned her against the trunk.

  “Rest… just a little longer.”

  He slammed his hand into the ground.

  “Earth Wall!”

  Thick stone walls rose around her like a fortress.

  “Stay safe.”

  He turned—and dashed back toward the battlefield.

  Serena was already dodging attacks when Kaito arrived.

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  The Orc General tore through the ice chains like paper.

  Kaito raised his hand to the sky.

  “Meteor Fall!”

  The clouds twisted violently.

  A gigantic meteor tore through the sky, blazing with destructive fire.

  The Orc General looked up.

  Then roared.

  With a monstrous swing, it slashed upward—

  —and split the meteor in half.

  The burning fragments crashed around the battlefield like falling stars.

  Kaito froze.

  “…What the…?”

  The Orc General walked forward through the flames.

  Unharmed.

  Serena whispered, shaken,

  “We can’t fight it head-on…”

  Kaito closed his eyes.

  “Then I’ll use the magic you told me about… in Mistveil Forest.”

  Serena’s heart dropped.

  “If you use that— if you fail— we’ll all die!”

  He smiled weakly.

  “I won’t collapse. Trust me.”

  She stared at him for a long moment.

  “…I’ll hold it off. Make it quick.”

  Serena thrust her staff forward.

  “Frost Dominion!”

  Blizzard winds roared across the battlefield, freezing the Orc General in place.

  Kaito retreated twenty meters behind her.

  He raised his right hand.

  Closed his eyes.

  The world fell silent.

  Then—

  A violent crimson aura exploded from his body.

  The ground cracked beneath his feet.

  A colossal Flame Dragon manifested behind him, roaring silently.

  A deadly two-meter fire lance formed in his hand.

  He opened his glowing eyes.

  “Crimson Lance Judgement.”

  The Orc General shattered the ice Chain instantly and charged.

  Serena leapt away using Wind Dash, clearing the battlefield.

  Kaito walking few step forward then stop.

  And threw the lance.

  The lance became a blazing comet.

  The Flame Dragon roared and surged behind Lance.

  The Orc General swung its sword.

  The blade shattered into half

  The lance pierced straight through the monster’s chest.

  The dragon followed into the orc general body.

  For one silent heartbeat…

  Cracks of fire spread across the Orc General’s body.

  Then—

  Explosion.

  A pillar of fire devoured the battlefield.

  “Mountain Wall!” Kaito shouted.

  Stone barriers rose to shield him and Serena.

  The explosion shook the forest.

  When the flames faded…

  Silence remained.

  The Orc General was gone.

  Kaito walked forward slowly and picked up the broken halves of the sword.

  “…Proof of victory.”

  He placed them into his item box.

  His vision blurred.

  His legs trembled.

  He nearly collapsed—

  —but Serena caught his hand.

  “You really did it… Kaito-kun.”

  He smiled faintly.

  “We did it… together.”

  The sun was already setting.

  Serena looked at the sky.

  “We can’t head to the town right now, let find a place to camp to night.”

  Kaito nodded weakly.

  “Then let’s camp… near by the lake we walking pass from this way.”

  They carried Renna back to the lakeside.

  The familiar river flowed quietly under the orange sunset.

  Kaito set up the tent while Serena prepared the cooking tools.

  Soon the warm scent of stew and grilled fish filled the air.

  Just as they finished—

  The tent rustled.

  “Where… am I?”

  Renna stepped out sleepily.

  Then froze.

  “AH! You started dinner without me?!”

  Kaito laughed.

  “You looked peaceful. I Didn’t want to wake you.”

  Serena waved.

  “Come eat.”

  The three sat together beneath the stars, enjoying a peaceful meal after the war.

  After dinner, Serena crossed her arms.

  “Kaito. You are sleeping tonight. No arguments.”

  Renna nodded firmly.

  “We’ll keep watch.”

  Kaito didn’t even protest.

  “…Good night.”

  Midnight Moment

  The night wind whispered softly.

  River water flowed gently.

  Kaito woke in the middle of the night.

  Something felt heavy.

  He opened his eyes.

  Serena slept on one arm.

  Renna slept on the other.

  Their hands rested gently on his chest.

  Kaito blush and chuckled quietly.

  “…They look so cute.”

  He closed his eyes and sleep.

  Warm.

  Safe.

  Satisfied.

  And drifted back to sleep.