Morning arrived with a dull ache behind my eyes and the lingering haze of alcohol clinging stubbornly to my thoughts.
I groaned quietly and pressed a hand against my forehead.
"…Never drinking with adventurers again."
A sleepy noise came from beside me.
Actually…
Both sides of me.
I blinked slowly.
Yura lay curled against my right side beneath the blankets, silver-red hair spilling across the pillow while her fox ears twitched lazily in her sleep. On my left, Shina rested peacefully with one arm draped across the blanket between us, soft gray hair spread messily behind her.
For a few seconds, I simply stared at the ceiling.
Then sighed.
"Híroÿ absolutely encouraged this."
As if hearing my accusation through sheer friendship telepathy, Sangui lifted one tiny head from the floor and barked once in agreement.
Traitor.
Shina stirred first.
Her silver-gray eyes slowly opened, unfocused at first before locking onto me almost immediately. The realization of our current situation hit her like a lightning spell.
Her face turned bright red instantly.
"…Good morning," I said carefully.
She sat up too quickly.
"I-I can explain—"
"You slept."
"…Oh."
"That's generally how beds work."
Yura snorted into her pillow while trying not to laugh.
Shina looked seconds away from evaporating from embarrassment.
I slipped carefully from the bed and grabbed a shirt from the nearby dresser.
"Relax," I said while pulling it on. "I'm not the type to take advantage of drunk people."
Yura peeked up from beneath the blankets slightly.
"So you admit we were attractive enough to tempt you?"
"…You're both objectively attractive."
"Objectively?" she repeated dramatically.
"Yes."
"That sounded emotionally unavailable somehow."
"It's one of my many talents."
Yura laughed softly while Shina hid her burning face beneath a pillow.
Honestly…
This felt strangely peaceful.
Dangerous thought.
Ignore immediately.
---
After washing up and forcing myself awake properly, I headed downstairs while adjusting Edith and Zenith at my waist.
Kyoko rested atop the couch lazily.
"You smell like alcohol and emotional confusion," she informed me.
"You're a terrible companion."
"I'm an honest companion."
Fair.
A few minutes later, Yura and Shina joined me downstairs wearing more casual clothes than their usual combat gear. Without armor and weapons constantly surrounding them, they looked closer to our age now instead of hardened adventurers.
Yura suddenly pulled out her guild card and placed it on the table.
Shina followed immediately after.
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Am I being challenged to gambling?"
"No," Yura replied. "We wanted to ask something."
I leaned back slightly.
"Dangerous opening."
Shina hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Would you consider forming a permanent party with us?"
That caught me off guard.
I glanced between them.
"Why?"
Yura crossed her arms.
"Because most adventurers only see us as decoration or trophies."
Shina nodded quietly.
"You and Híroÿ treat us like people."
Something about the honesty in her voice made my chest tighten slightly.
I looked away briefly.
"…You realize I threatened to kill guards like three days ago."
"Yes," Yura replied immediately.
"…And that somehow helped your opinion of me?"
"You're protective."
"I'm unstable."
"Both can be true."
I stared at her.
Then laughed quietly.
"…Fine. Let's do it."
Both of them visibly relaxed.
"Wait," I added suspiciously. "Did the other two ask Híroÿ already?"
The silence answered for them.
Yura's ears folded immediately.
Shina looked away.
"…That idiot works fast," I muttered.
"He's very kind," Shina defended softly.
"Oh no," I sighed dramatically. "You already like him."
"Can we move on?!" Yura snapped immediately.
I grinned.
"Absolutely not."
---
After breakfast at a nearby tavern where I accidentally ordered something covered in enough syrup to kill a normal person, the three of us headed deeper into the merchant district.
The city felt brighter during the morning.
More alive.
Music drifted from open windows while merchants shouted prices across crowded streets filled with beastfolk, humans, dwarves, and races I still couldn't identify.
Eventually we stopped before an elegant storefront labeled:
Magicraft
The moment we stepped inside, small glowing lights drifted around the ceiling like stars trapped indoors.
Then someone descended gracefully from above.
A fairy.
Her white hair shimmered faintly beneath the enchanted lights while golden eyes watched us curiously. Delicate glowing wings fluttered behind her with each movement.
"Welcome!" she chimed brightly. "Looking for weapons, armor, or enchantments today?"
I blinked once.
"…You can fly."
"She noticed the wings," Yura muttered flatly.
"I'm processing."
The fairy giggled softly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
---
The armor section was overwhelming.
Weapons floated behind enchanted glass while armor sets shimmered with runes carved directly into the material itself.
Eventually I settled on something lighter.
Dark purple-and-black robes reinforced with layered enchantments beneath the fabric, lightweight boots designed for speed enhancement, and a silver-black ring capable of stabilizing magical output during combat.
The total price nearly murdered my wallet instantly.
Worth it.
The moment I equipped everything, the difference was immediate.
My movements felt smoother.
Lighter.
Even my magic circulated more naturally through my body now.
The robe itself almost resembled living shadow whenever it moved behind me.
Kyoko landed proudly on my shoulder.
"Now you look threatening."
"I looked threatening before."
"You looked emotionally exhausted before."
"…Still rude."
Yura stared openly for a moment before quickly looking away.
"…It suits you."
Shina nodded quietly.
"You look like an actual adventurer now."
I adjusted the half-mask resting along the left side of my face and smirked slightly.
"Good. Time to meet royalty."
---
The castle courtyard was already crowded when we arrived.
Eight different adventuring parties stood gathered near the center, each group carrying themselves with varying levels of confidence, arrogance, or exhaustion.
I immediately disliked at least half of them on sight.
Híroÿ stood near the front with his own group, looking painfully heroic beneath the sunlight while Syrah rested beside him elegantly.
Show-off.
As we moved into formation, massive doors opened above the courtyard staircase.
The king emerged alongside several royal guards.
Everyone bowed instantly.
Except us.
A full second passed before realization hit.
We bowed aggressively late.
Smooth.
The king thankfully ignored it.
"Thank you for answering the crown's request," he began, voice carrying easily across the courtyard. "The roads between kingdoms have become increasingly dangerous due to the recent emergence of monsters and foreign threats."
One by one, the princes and princesses stepped forward and selected escort groups.
Híroÿ's party was chosen by the first princess.
Mine…
By the second.
She stepped toward us calmly.
Tall.
Elegant.
Long violet hair flowed behind her while golden eyes studied each of us carefully without arrogance.
"I am Princess Yullia Nera," she said gracefully. "Thank you for accepting this duty."
Unlike some nobles we'd already met…
She actually sounded sincere.
The rest of my assigned team introduced themselves shortly afterward.
Hiro.
Massive shield user.
Hiroe, a mage specializing in ranged support.
Izsa, a martial artist whose arms were covered in combat wraps.
And Izula…
A younger support mage carrying several enchanted books nearly bigger than she was.
Interesting.
Support magic still fascinated me.
When my turn came, I gestured toward my companions.
"I'm Shiro. These are Yura, Shina, Kyoko, and Sangui."
Princess Yullia's eyes widened slightly at the mention of my summons.
"…A dragon and a Cerberus?"
Kyoko puffed up proudly.
"Correct."
The princess smiled faintly.
"Rare contracts."
Understatement.
After final instructions were distributed, maps and sealed letters were handed to each group leader.
The mission itself sounded simple enough.
Escort the royal heirs safely to a neighboring kingdom.
Protect them.
Return alive.
Easy.
Which usually meant it absolutely would not stay easy.
As the courtyard slowly emptied, I caught myself glancing toward the distant horizon beyond the castle walls.
Something felt strange lately.
The dreams.
The changes in our magic.
The way certain monsters reacted to us.
Like the world itself recognized something before we did.
And somewhere far beyond the safety of this city…
I could feel it.
Watching.
Waiting.
Smiling.