“My name is Yumi Karash,” said Luiz’s fan proudly. “From the Karash clan, branch of the winds.”

  Lukas blinked, curious.

  “Sorry for asking, but… half what? I’ve never seen a demi-human like you. We’re extremely rare.”

  Yumi, practically glued to Luiz and marking her territory, paused for a moment.

  “Half maned wolf,” she answered, with a shy smile. “A lot of people think I’m ugly because I have too many teeth… they’re all canines.” She made a quick gesture, showing them. “But they’re perfectly aligned and firm… no gaps or crooked ones.”

  Lukas raised an eyebrow.

  “I think that’s impressive…”

  “Really?” she blushed lightly, surprised not to hear a prejudiced comment.

  Beside them, Aika Inari — the same one with the scarf — almost shrank, shy, fox ears trembling. Luiz, with that Copas grin, placed Lukas’s arm over her shoulders.

  “Since you’re shorter, the skinny one escorts you,” he said, laughing.

  Aika turned so red she nearly fainted.

  “I-I…” she murmured, avoiding Lukas’s eyes.

  The group headed to the Moon Pavilion, one of the finest restaurants of the festival. Luiz, full of himself, opened the door.

  “Of course I reserved a table.” He winked at Lukas. “Plenty of people want to see you… and ask where those strategies came from, the ones that led the Tenth House to victory. Even as a mixed group, you fought as if you were one.”

  As they entered, several people were already there, waiting to interview the skinny one Luiz called invincible.

  “He falls, but always gets back up again. And again. It’s annoying, really,” Luiz told the journalists. “Since the festival began, he doesn’t give up. I even stopped training him — he wouldn’t give up even on taking a beating.”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  In Lukas’s mind, Caesar spoke pompously:

  “Lukas… give them a speech of mine.”

  “No.” Lukas refused.

  “Please, partner,” Caesar insisted. “This is for history!”

  Lukas sighed.

  “Fine… but quick.”

  And so it came: Caesar, through Lukas, delivering a speech about unity, discipline, glory, and honor, with metaphors from ancient wars.

  “In today’s arena, it wasn’t just strength being measured… but the soul itself!” he proclaimed. “When the enemy surrounded us, we formed the Eternal Ring. When the weight fell upon us, we raised the Testudo of Perseverance. And when the tide advanced, we broke the waves like immortal rocks.”

  The crowd listened, enthralled.

  “This is how the Invincible Skinny fights: not only with firm arms, but with the mind of a general and the heart of an eternal legionary!”

  Everyone wrote it down. Even the spies of the Pigeon Guild, recognizable by the golden pigeon insignia.

  Aika, trying not to stare directly at Lukas, peeked at him through her fingers, leaving a small gap to spy. Luiz leaned in and whispered in her ear:

  “Don’t get that red, Aika.”

  “I… I’m not…”

  “Just don’t faint or claw a piece off the skinny guy, alright?”

  That’s when Leli appeared, biting into a candied strawberry with a suspicious smile.

  “Lukas… oh, you’re in trouble. What’s going on here?”

  “It’s a double date,” Luiz replied before Lukas could open his mouth. “The skinny one wants a wife, I’m giving him a push.”

  Leli nearly choked laughing and walked off, eating strawberries, already eager to spread the news.

  In his mind, Morgana whispered, all amused:

  “Caesar… activate the holy paladin shields, a thousand divine layers, zero libido, chastity protected.”

  “You’ll need more shields than that, soldier boy,” she added, laughing.

  “Shut up… this is your fault, witch,” Lukas retorted.

  “Blame your pretty brother Luiz, not me.”

  Pause.

  “And no, chocolatinho, he’s not hotter than you. I love your skin tone too.”

  “…I didn’t even ask anything,” Lukas said.

  “But I’m already answering,” Morgana shot back.

  “Lukas…” Caesar intervened. “Don’t listen to her. Look forward, ignore. Pretend you don’t even know her.”

  End of Chapter 24