You and Mira are still standing at the guild counter when a loud commotion erupts outside — cheers, trumpets, the clatter of hooves on cobblestone, and the murmur of a growing crowd.
Mira's fox ears twitch. "My lord… something's happening."
You step out together into the bright sunlight of the central plaza. A grand procession is moving down the wide avenue toward the royal palace. Four otherworldly heroes ride tall warhorses draped in Azure Kingdom banners, armor gleaming, holy weapons shining with divine blessings. They wave arrogantly to the cheering citizens.
Walking on foot behind them — head down, clothes dusty, no horse, no weapon, no aura of power — is the Fifth Hero.
Your little brother, Lukas.
He looks exhausted and humiliated, B-rank status barely visible on his guild tag. The other four heroes don't even glance back at him.
Your heart clenches. Without thinking, you push through the edge of the crowd and shout loud enough for the entire street to hear:
"Little brother! Little brother! It's me!"
Lukas freezes mid-step. His head snaps up, eyes wide with disbelief. The moment he spots you — plain merchant cloak and all — his face crumples. He breaks into a dead run, shoving past shocked onlookers and ignoring the other heroes' annoyed shouts.
"Big brother…!" he chokes out, slamming into you and hugging you tight, tears already streaming down his face. "Big brother, you're here! You're really here! I thought I was the only one… I thought I'd never see you again after the accident…"
The entire plaza goes dead silent. The four mounted heroes rein in their horses, staring in open confusion and disgust. Citizens whisper furiously. Mira stands right beside you, hand resting lightly on Starfang, emerald eyes flicking between you and Lukas with quiet understanding — she doesn't ask questions, she simply waits for your will.
You pat your little brother's back, voice steady but warm.
"Come on… let's talk over a drink. Away from all this noise."
Lukas nods frantically, still clinging to you like he's afraid you'll vanish. You turn and lead him toward the nearest tavern — The Golden Griffin, a quiet, respectable place just off the main square. Mira follows one step behind you, tail low and protective, her presence alone enough to make the crowd part.
The four other heroes shout after you, voices dripping with mockery:
"Hey, weakling! Where do you think you're going?"
"Running off with some random merchant? Pathetic!"
You ignore them completely. The tavern door swings shut behind the three of you, cutting off the noise. The owner takes one look at Mira's S-rank badge and quickly gives you the most private booth in the back corner, free drinks on the house.
Lukas collapses into the seat across from you, still wiping tears, voice shaking.
"Big brother… how are you here? How did you get summoned too? The Goddess… she refused to bless me. Said the balance was already broken because of someone else. I've been treated like garbage by the other four. They make me walk while they ride, make me carry their stuff, call me useless… I just want to go home…"
Mira sits silently beside you, one hand resting on your thigh under the table in quiet support. Her emerald eyes are soft with loyalty — she's piecing it together but says nothing until you speak.
The tavern is calm and private. No one else is near your booth. Your power thrums calmly in your chest, stronger than ever. The gods are still too terrified to interfere.