Morning arrived gently.
The sunlight filtered through the old church windows one last time as Kael and his group made their preparations.
Their equipment had been adjusted.
Lyra had purchased simple daily necessities from the village — dried food, cloth wraps, small utility tools, spare candles. Nothing extravagant, but enough to survive the road ahead.
Nyx, on the other hand, had stayed up late.
Several small glass vials now rested carefully inside a leather pouch attached to her belt.
"Emergency potions," she said proudly. "Use only if you're about to die."
"…That's reassuring," Kael muttered.
And then—
They left.
The church doors closed behind them.
For the first time since everything had begun, they were truly abandoning the place they had called home.
Lyra slowed her steps slightly, glancing back.
She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes.
"The villagers will take care of it," she whispered to herself.
Kael noticed — but said nothing.
After a long stretch of road, surrounded by fields and distant tree lines, silence settled over the group.
Until Kael finally broke it.
"Nyx… tell me more about the knights. And the guild."
Nyx placed her hands behind her head as she walked.
"The Royal Cavalry — the knights — are led by a single commander," she began. "A woman recognized for her overwhelming mastery with the sword."
Her tone grew serious.
"Her power is said to be capable of slaying a dragon."
Kael raised a brow.
"'Said to be'?"
Nyx leaned slightly closer to him as they continued walking, watching his expression carefully.
"Killing a dragon in one strike? Impossible. Even for her. It would require four… maybe five direct blows."
She straightened again.
"But the Guild is different. Anyone can enter. Anyone can leave. It's the place where those who desire strength gather to be tested."
Lyra, walking quietly on Kael's other side, gathered her courage to join the conversation.
"I heard they use a ranking system," she said softly. "How exactly does that work?"
Nyx's posture changed instantly.
Her chest lifted proudly as she raised a finger dramatically.
"The ranks are: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SR, SS, SSR, and SSS."
She gestured with her finger with each letter as if presenting something sacred.
"Unfortunately," she continued, "the strongest adventurer in the Guild currently resides in the capital."
Her tone shifted again — this time filled with a strange mix of admiration and irritation.
"He once faced the Captain of the Royal Knights… and survived her strongest attack."
Kael's expression sharpened.
Nyx's eyes gleamed slightly as she described the scene.
"White armor detailed with gold. A massive greatsword of pure steel, shining like silver under the sun. And a crimson cape that displays her noble lineage."
Even Lyra seemed captivated.
But then—
Nyx suddenly stopped walking.
Her hair fell forward, covering her face.
Kael and Lyra exchanged worried looks.
"…Nyx?"
Her shoulders trembled.
"But why are we even talking about this…?" she muttered darkly. "We… we should be… resting…"
She slowly crouched down.
"…RESTING!!"
She puffed her cheeks and dramatically grabbed the back of Kael's shirt, dragging herself forward.
"I'm tired! My feet hurt! I demand a break!"
Lyra burst into laughter.
She gently held Kael's arm.
"I think resting is a good idea…"
Kael sighed.
"…Fine."
Nearby, the forest opened slightly into a beautiful clearing.
A large river flowed peacefully, its water clear and inviting beneath the morning light.
Kael summoned Fufuin, allowing the wolf to take a larger form and stretch freely.
The creature shook his fur proudly before trotting toward the riverbank.
Lyra and Nyx quickly approached the water as well.
Though proper swimwear did not exist in that world, they made sure to keep themselves properly covered when necessary, adjusting their garments carefully before stepping into the river.
Their laughter echoed softly through the trees.
Water splashed.
Sunlight reflected off the surface.
For a brief moment…
They were just young people enjoying the day.
Kael laid back on the grass, folding his arms behind his head.
He closed his eyes.
Fufuin lay beside him.
"You know, Fufuin…" Kael murmured. "I'm starting to like this."
The wolf tilted his head slightly.
"These girls… they make me feel wanted."
There was honesty in his voice.
"I hope that one day… I achieve my greatest goal from my previous world."
Fufuin's four eyes blinked.
"And what kind of goal would that be, my master?"
Kael opened one eye dramatically.
"My goal of getting a girlfriend!"
He sat up slightly, pointing at the sky as if declaring something heroic.
"You have no idea how much I long to simply live my life supported by someone who wants to take care of me! That is a blessing sent from the heavens!"
Silence.
Fufuin stared at him.
Then—
The ancient wolf let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief.
"…For a moment, I feared it was something dangerous."
Kael dropped back into the grass.
"Love is dangerous."
Fufuin huffed — a sound that almost resembled laughter.
Near the river, Lyra splashed water toward Nyx.
Nyx retaliated immediately.
And under the open sky, with a kingdom preparing heroes and a sacred sword waiting in the capital…
Their journey had only just begun.