"HUH?!"
Hana's voice echoed sharply through the cavern, cutting through the air as everyone struggled to process what Haruto had just said.
A ripple of unease spread across the gathered hobgoblins.
Luna, almost instinctively, raised her hand, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "The Tsukuyomi Lake… it's a forbidden zone for weak monsters like us. We wouldn't even survive getting close to it."
Another goblin quickly followed, stepping forward with a serious expression. "She's right, my lord. The lingering presence of the Great Hero alone is said to be enough to kill lesser beings instantly. And the illusions… anyone who steps into that place is bound to lose themselves."
A third voice joined in, this time more tense, more cautious.
"There are also rumors… that the Great Brood-Mother resides there."
The moment those words were spoken, silence fell.
Not the hesitant kind.
The heavy kind.
Even the air itself seemed to stiffen as unease settled over the group. Whatever that title meant, it clearly wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Haruto, however, simply frowned slightly.
Brood-Mother…
The name rang a bell, but not in any useful way. If anything, it reminded him of a third-tier boss from a video-game. Which, in this world, probably meant one thing—
Definitely not something to pick a fight with.
He folded his arms, thinking.
Before he could continue, another goblin raised his hand, speaking up with a different suggestion.
"My lord… instead of risking such a place, why don't we seek protection under Prince Kuronai? Or even the Forest Council? If we align ourselves with them, we could be granted territory safely."
The idea lingered in the air for only a second before Hana shut it down immediately.
"No."
Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
"They'll take us in, sure," she continued, glancing around at the others. "But it'll never be equal. We'd just become tools. Useful assets at best. Disposable at worst."
The cave fell quiet again.
Haruto let out a slow breath.
"I've got an idea."
That alone was enough to draw everyone's attention back to him.
"If we need territory…" he began, his voice steady, "then we don't wait for someone to give it to us."
A brief pause.
"We take one."
Confusion flickered across several faces, but he didn't stop.
"When we first arrived, I noticed something. There's a river running between two lakes. If we claim the land between them—closer to Tsukuyomi Lake—it changes the situation."
He raised a finger as he explained.
"The Crimson Battalion will avoid that area as much as possible. It's too risky for them. That alone gives us breathing room."
He stepped forward slightly, his thoughts aligning as he continued.
"And if something goes wrong, that same lake becomes our escape buffer. We can retreat toward the lizardmen territory using underground routes. If we prepare those paths in advance, we can extend our survival window with traps and controlled collapses."
The hobgoblins listened closely now, their earlier fear slowly being replaced with cautious interest.
Haruto continued, refining the idea.
"If they ever decide to attack, they won't approach directly. They'll be forced to move around the lake, which gives us time. Scouts can detect them early, and we can retreat before they even reach us."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"And if they somehow manage to take the area…"
He paused briefly.
"…then we worry about that when it happens."
It wasn't a perfect plan.
But it was a plan that gave them control.
And right now, that mattered more than anything else.
He exhaled lightly and straightened.
"For now, that's enough. Everyone—dismissed. Train with each other. And start building temporary shelters."
A small pause.
"We don't know how long this will take, so you need to stay safe while I'm gone."
Before anyone could move, Hana spoke up.
"…Shelters?"
Her tone carried a hint of doubt.
"I don't think they actually know how to build those."
All eyes shifted.
The hobgoblins exchanged awkward glances before nodding slowly.
Right.
Of course.
They had lived in caves their entire lives.
Haruto rubbed the back of his head, thinking. Teaching them himself wasn't exactly an option—his own knowledge in that area was… questionable at best.
Then, something clicked.
He turned toward Hana.
"Haru went with that group earlier, right?"
She blinked. "Yeah… she didn't want Haruna going alone. Wait—"
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're not planning to put her in charge, are you?"
Haruto sighed.
"There's no one better right now."
It wasn't ideal.
But it was necessary.
He turned back to the group.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. You all know what you need to do. Focus on preparing yourselves."
One by one, they stood, bowed respectfully, and began to disperse.
"…Luna."
She froze mid-step.
Slowly, she turned back. "Y-yes, my lord?"
"Stay for a moment."
Her shoulders tensed slightly as she walked back toward him and Hana. "How can I help?"
Haruto pointed toward the wooden device resting nearby.
"That heater… you made it, right?"
She hesitated for a split second before nodding. "Yes."
He placed a hand on her head again, gentler this time.
"It's good work. Not perfect, but that's fine. You've got the right idea, and that's what matters."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Then his tone shifted.
"Now for the important part. I want you to come with us tomorrow."
"…What?"
Luna's eyes widened in shock.
Hana turned sharply. "Wait—why her? That's dangerous."
Haruto raised a hand calmly.
"You can refuse," he said to Luna. "But at least hear me out first."
She hesitated… then nodded.
He continued.
"The plan is to secure a location and start building a foundation. But we can't leave it unattended—not with how limited our time is."
He glanced at Hana briefly before looking back at Luna.
"That's where you come in. You'll stay there with Hana while I return to bring everyone else."
Luna listened carefully, her earlier shock slowly being replaced with focus.
"Your role isn't to fight," Haruto continued. "It's to observe. Study the terrain. Understand the layout, the environment, the risks. When I come back, you'll help me plan our defenses."
A pause.
"It's important work."
Luna straightened.
"I understand."
Her voice, though quiet, carried determination now.
"I'll do my best."
Haruto nodded.
"Good. You can go. And if Haruna and the others return, tell them I need to see them immediately."
As she turned to leave, he gave her one last reassuring pat.
"You'll be fine."
This time, she smiled.
A small one.
But real.
Then she ran off, far lighter than before.
---
As Luna disappeared further away from the cave, Haruto watched her go, a faint crease forming between his brows. There was something there—potential, raw and unpolished. But with that came doubt.
Had he pushed her too far, too fast?
Before he could dwell on it, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
Firm.
Possessive.
"So?" Hana's voice slipped in right beside his ear, low and laced with amusement. "A third wife already? Aren't you moving a little fast, big boy?"
A shiver ran straight down his spine.
"W-wife?!" He turned sharply. "What are you even saying? It's not like that."
She hummed, clearly unconvinced, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "I told you before. If you give girls hope, you take responsibility. It's not their fault you're just that weird."
He frowned. "You're making it sound like I'm some kind of degenerate."
"That's because you kinda are," she shot back without missing a beat.
Before he could respond, she looped her arms loosely around his neck, leaning in just enough to blur the line between teasing and something else. For a moment, it looked like she was actually going to kiss him—
And then she pulled back.
A smug little grin playing on her lips.
Haruto blinked. "…Huh?"
"What?" she tilted her head, clearly enjoying this. "You thought you'd get another kiss that easily? That's cute." Her voice dipped playfully. "Try being a little more productive first. Then maybe I'll reward you with a smooch."
She turned on her heel, already walking away. "Come on, we can't just sit around while they—"
Her words cut off.
Haruto had grabbed her wrist.
In one swift motion, he pulled her back and pinned her against the stone wall.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Hana's eyes flickered with surprise for just a second before that same dangerous grin returned.
"…Wow," she murmured. "You're getting bold today."
He leaned in slightly, gaze locked onto hers. "You don't get to wave it in front of me and walk off like nothing happened."
"And since when do you make the rules?" she shot back, leaning closer instead of pulling away.
Their faces were inches apart now.
Her golden eyes gleamed, searching, provoking.
"Seriously though…" she added, voice dropping just enough to stir something deeper, "where's all this confidence coming from?"
Haruto smirked faintly. "You're annoying, you know that? You push people on purpose just to see what happens." His grip tightened slightly. "Didn't think you were into that kind of rough treatment… freak."
She didn't flinch.
If anything, her grin widened.
"So what if I am?" she whispered back, leaning even closer, challenging him outright.
For a brief moment, the tension held.
Then—
He let go of her wrist.
The shift caught her off guard.
And before she could react, his hand came up, gently cupping her cheek.
Then he kissed her.
No hesitation.
No warning.
Her eyes widened slightly, just for a heartbeat, before softening as she leaned into it, responding without resistance.
When they finally pulled apart, she stared at him, clearly thrown off.
"…That's cheating."
Haruto huffed a quiet laugh. "Survival of the fittest."
Then, because he couldn't help himself—
"You still taste like fruit snacks. I was kinda hoping the flavor would change. Disappointing~"
Hana froze.
Then immediately turned red.
"W-what kind of comment is that?!" She tried to cover her face, completely failing. "You idiot—seriously, way to ruin the moment… dummy…"
She shoved him back, unable to deal with the embarrassment any longer, and turned away.
Then bolted.
Halfway out, she stopped, spinning back around with that same flushed face and a stubborn, defiant grin.
"Let's see you try that again next time, idiot!"
She stuck her tongue out, then disappeared down the tunnel.
Haruto stood there for a moment, letting out a slow breath as a quiet chuckle escaped him.
The cave, the noise, the pressure pressing in from every direction—
It all dulled.
Leaving behind only the lingering warmth she'd left behind.
"…She's really getting used to this…"
The thought came quietly.
And with it, a realization.
If he wanted to keep up with her… if he wanted to give her even a fraction of what she was giving him—
He'd have to change too.
Slowly.
Awkwardly.
But surely.
For someone who once struggled just to stand this close to another person, this alone was already a step forward.
A big one.
And as he stood there, staring at the empty space she'd left behind, one thought settled firmly in his mind—
Love really did change people.
And maybe…
That wasn't such a bad thing.
...