"Well, I guess we have to hurry—the others are almost done, and I don’t want to be the one explaining to your wife, Lisa, what the two of us were doing alone."
Logan nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting to the young, shy girl who had once dropped her tiara when they first arrived—and how much she had changed since.
[That... you should forget that ever happened. I’ve grown. I was just young and naive back then!]
Logan finally smirked.
So there is a weakness there somewhere, huh?
"Well, let’s get back on topic, then. I’m sure you had Brian in the castle a few times. What is he doing now—and how dangerous is he? You should know we’re at odds."
Logan shifted his tone. He genuinely wanted to understand the boy who might become a threat in the future—and whether or not it was best to deal with him now.
"Ah, yes. Well, if we’re talking about the Champion of Fire... he should be fine for now. He was angry about Lisa being taken by you—he still holds that against you—but at the moment, he’s more focused on mourning the loss of his friends. I haven’t checked on him since the recent fight, but I doubt much has changed—if anything, it’s probably worse."
She paused, then lowered her voice.
"I overheard the truth about the fallen heroes... I know they didn’t mean much to you, but still, they were once pillars of our strength. Please... put them properly to rest, or help them, if possible, Hero Logan."
Myrea suddenly bowed as she made her request.
[Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t like them either—but I read their minds, their memories, back when I was in the castle. You could say I got to know them, even if we barely spoke. Sometimes... playing shy does wonders—especially when they tried to hit on me.]
Logan squinted, already imagining the scene—and the fools.
"Don’t tell me you’re just flipping through everyone’s memories like a book?"
He asked, suddenly self-conscious about his own past.
[Sure. How about it? Do you want this power as well? It’s easy for you to get... but are you truly willing to understand everyone in a way that will change you—more than you already have?]
Logan shook his head. He didn’t want to deal with things like that—he already struggled with understanding the affections of the girls around him. The last thing he needed was to pry deeper and end up with no secrets left between them.
[Well... about your question, it wasn’t exactly voluntary. They tried speaking to my sister more than a few times—I was just there to check their intentions. Luckily, she’s forbidden from marrying a hero until after the war. My father wants to give her away like some prize, it seems. The other three heroes, including Brian, were obsessed with winning that prize... bleh. Can we talk about something else?]
"As crazy as ever... well, they got what they deserved. Still, I’ll put an end to it. It’s the least I can do... It’s just—" Logan tapped on the armrest of his chair, "—I still need more power. That last fight was harder than I expected."
He leaned back slightly, wondering what else the girl might say.
[My kingdom might not be able to offer much help, Logan. As you know, we’re all stretched thin. I can only offer you my sister if you win the war. She’s pure—she acts bossy, but she’s a maiden at heart. I’m sure you could woo her in minutes with your... amazing skills.]
"What are you even saying? What skills?"
[Your charm skills, obviously. Just do what you do to the others—look at them with that taming gaze or whatever it is that makes them all feel like they belong to you.]
"Seriously... you’re dangerous to be around."
Logan almost yelled, he then turned towards the door as he heard footsteps.
The two turned as the door opened. Ruri stepped aside to let three girls enter—Lisa, Rubina, and Vianell.
"I guess your talks are done?" Logan said, feigning nonchalance. "I didn’t want to bother you three, so I came here to enjoy a few pastries."
He gestured toward the tray beside him, hoping to divert attention.
Lisa’s gaze, however, was focused squarely on the young girl standing near Logan.
"Right... We’ll eat as well, then," Rubina said, trying to clear the tension in the air. "So, are you done with your work for the day?"
"Yes, and I’ve decided to hold a small festival soon. You know... I haven’t really interacted with my town. I’ve been too busy. But I guess this is a good way to give the people here a little hope before the big fight."
Logan acted as if nothing had happened, casually patting the seats next to him to invite the girls to sit. Both Lisa and Rubina took a side, while Vianell sat beside her sister.
"Sit down as well, Ruri. You’ve worked hard enough today. I asked for you to get other maids to help—you don’t always have to be the one doing everything."
The young girl nodded and quietly sat next to Rubina, who seemed much gentler than Lisa.
"Well, what do you all think? Does it sound like a good idea?"
Logan asked, genuinely wondering how the others felt.
"Sure. I think it could work," Rubina said, settling beside him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Just make sure you’re actually present that day. You’re always too busy."
"It’ll just be one night. I think I can manage."
Logan’s eyes drifted toward Lisa, who still seemed lost in thought. He figured she was still mulling over what they’d discussed earlier—about the possibility of returning to Earth.
"If possible... could you invite us too?" Vianell asked, her tone unusually soft. "I wouldn’t mind leaving the stuffy castle for a day. My father won’t even let us go to the garden without at least ten knights present..."
She seemed strangely calm today. Usually, she came off stern—or as her younger sister put it, bossy.
"More than welcome. Right, Lisa?"
Logan turned to his official girlfriend, curious about her thoughts.
"Ah... well, yes. We should enjoy ourselves for once, right? All the heroes will be here. I’m sure this will be the safest city in the world—at least for that night."
Lisa, whose name had been called, returned her attention to the conversation.
Logan enjoyed the talk that followed. It shifted through various topics—sometimes light, sometimes serious—and occasionally, Myrea would put him in a tight spot with things she picked up from the other girls’ thoughts.
Alma then entered the room and took the others away for karaoke. Logan decided to stay behind—alone again.
Not that he was ever truly alone.
Nyxie, the small black fox, had been brought by Kryst, who had taken on her slime form. Both were next to him now while he sat deep in thought.
Just having the slime nearby was calming. Kryst naturally emitted an aura that made the surroundings feel soothing, almost invigorating.
As for Nyxie, she had become his substitute for Luna.
These days, Luna was far too busy training to come along during quiet moments .
Logan missed her sometimes. But she had a goal: to grow strong, strong enough to rival her mother.
Doing so in such a short time wasn’t going to be easy.
"Well then... You two, how about we go to sleep? I can’t think anymore."
Logan picked them both up and made his way into his room. Tonight, it seemed, he’d be sleeping alone.
As soon as he stepped inside, he spotted Silvia—she hadn’t been dragged away with the others.
"I think I’ll have to send these two away," she said softly.
Silvia gently pulled both creatures from his arms and created a portal to the volcano.
"Kryst, I gave Serana some tasty treats and plenty of pure crystals from Elris. Share them with your spawns, would you? And let Nyxie train a little with Rath—this child needs to grow soon."
"Wait, why should she grow—"
Before Logan could finish, both Kryst and Nyxie had already been nudged through the portal.
"What happened, Silvia?"
He looked at the girl before him, confused. She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she sat near the bed and patted the spot beside her, motioning for him to come closer.
"I can see you haven’t figured it out yet. But that worried look... it gives you away. You’re thinking about what the others will do, especially Lisa. So, how about this? Now that they’re all calming down and thinking things through... why don’t I help you with this problem?"
Silvia patted towards her legs as if inviting him to lie on them.
"I guess everyone can see through me today, do I look that bad? I mean, I did just go through a life-or-death battle? But yes, thinking about what the others will pick does make me somewhat unsettled, you know... I was never good with change."
Silvia played with his hair.
"And that is why you have us, now come, I know something that will help you."