In a training field belonging to the most powerful noble family in the city of Cate, Deymon trained intensely. After a great deal of effort, he had finally advanced to the Second Circle. However, as he clenched his fists, he didn't show the satisfaction that would normally accompany such an achievement. On the contrary, he seemed dissatisfied with how long it had taken him to reach that level.
"With this power, it still won't be enough to crush Kai, much less come close to Enrico's level."
Deymon believed he could defeat his opponents if he had enough time. After all, he was a prodigy who possessed a unique type of magic, an ability that only appeared among members of his family once every hundred years.
Thanks to this power, the princess herself had decided to form a team with him, hoping to gain advantages from that exceptional ability.
Even so, there was something bothering him.
'I suspect she only wants to use me once.'
"You're progressing well."
Deymon turned around upon hearing the voice. Jago was standing a few steps away and seemed to have been there for some time. His watchful eyes studied the young man as if he were calculating something.
"Didn't you say..."
"I know what I said, but I said that so you could get past the princess's lie detector."
Deymon frowned. Apparently, Jago had managed to deceive him, and he didn't like realizing that he had been manipulated in the slightest. Being deceived was never pleasant, especially when it involved someone he needed to cooperate with.
"Why did you come here?"
"I mainly came to offer your family something interesting, something that will certainly pique your interest."
Deymon narrowed his eyes, remembering another matter he still needed to resolve.
"What about gathering Rank Ranvil Nartheis? Was that your plan? How are things going?"
"We could say they're going well. I had to work quite hard to find some Rank Ranvil dungeons and extract the individuals from them using my item."
Jago took out a seal he had obtained during a dungeon he had entered. On that occasion, he had found the object, whose function allowed him to temporarily remove a Rank Ranvil individual from a dungeon, even if they couldn't leave on their own.
The item had proven quite useful for his plans, although gathering the necessary individuals still required time and preparation.
Jago continued speaking.
"Only a few months remain, so we need to prepare using everything at our disposal."
"I see."
Deymon seemed bored with the conversation. Without showing much interest, he gestured for Jago to follow him and began leading him toward the place where his parents were.
Before they could arrive, a bird approached and landed near Jago, carrying a message.
He took the paper and opened it, expecting to find information related to his plans. However, the contents of the message changed his expression.
The cult with which he had intended to establish an alliance had been destroyed during an invasion led by a vampire who had awakened the Tenth Circle.
'Tenth Circle? Should I form an alliance with them? I need to be careful. Since I've already communicated with that cult, there's a chance they could discover information about me.'
If those responsible for the cult's destruction decided to pursue everyone who had maintained contact with its members, Jago could end up in a rather dangerous situation. For now, it would be best to avoid attracting attention and remain hidden until he better understood what was happening.
"Why are you taking so long? Come on already."
Deymon was already at the door, looking somewhat impatient.
Jago put away the message and resumed walking without revealing its contents to his companion. The news disrupted his plans, but that didn't mean he had to abandon them. He could still find another alliance and improvise a way to keep moving forward.
Elsewhere, a magic circle appeared before the gates of Sanos, bringing several humans and elves back to the original world. Enrico had deliberately chosen that location because he didn't want to cause a commotion inside the city with the sudden arrival of so many people.
"We've arrived. Now you can speak with the guards. As for the elves, if you ask to speak with Elaris, she'll come immediately."
"Thank you very much, Lord Sylas."
The newcomers expressed their gratitude and headed toward the gates. Angela had already gone ahead to speak with the guards and provide the necessary information, making it easier for everyone to enter.
As he watched the group, Enrico recognized Samuel, Irina, and Lin. Seeing them reminded him that he still hadn't managed to ask Lin the question he wanted to ask.
'I'll leave it for later. I can ask another time. Besides, Samuel and Irina fought in that battle, so they deserve to rest.'
All the humans and elves who possessed Magic Circles had helped in the battle against the vampires.
[How considerate.]
'Yes, I am.'
The system didn't respond, and Enrico turned his attention back to the road. In the distance, a carriage was approaching, sent by Rina and Yumeha's father to pick them up and make them return to their training. Judging by the appearance of the woman driving the vehicle, it was evident that she had spent quite some time waiting for them.
Aoi looked at the woman and then at her friend.
"Damn, your father must be furious and worried."
Rina was sweating a little before looking at Aoi.
"Not just him. Your mother must be feeling the same way."
The two shuddered as they imagined their parents' reactions. They had already received messages ordering them to return, but they had ignored the warnings so they could remain by Enrico's side. Now, they would probably have to face the consequences.
Even so, after exchanging glances, the two seemed to reach the same conclusion. If they explained that they had stayed with Enrico, they might be able to lessen their punishment. At the very least, it was worth trying.
Yumeha, however, didn't seem as pleased with the idea of leaving.
"Master, can't you come with us?"
Rina approached with her cheeks slightly flushed.
"That's right! You need to spend some time with your future father-in-law, my Ketsumei!"
Aoi also approached, with a somewhat provocative aura surrounding her body.
"And your future mother-in-law also really wants to meet you. My mother is quite interested in you."
Enrico looked at the three while scratching the back of his neck.
"Sorry, but I also need to visit my family. Afterward, I'll accompany Angela to visit Professor Virelle."
The three became dejected at his response. The disappointment in their eyes was so obvious that Enrico let out a sigh, feeling that he needed to say something before the situation got worse.
"I promise I'll visit my future father-in-law and all my future mothers-in-law. So, you can relax."
The change was immediate.
The three regained their spirits and entered the carriage after saying goodbye to him. Before leaving, they also apologized to the woman who had come to pick them up for making her wait so long. Yumeha only removed her mask and seemed to offer the woman an explanation after getting into the carriage.
Enrico watched the carriage until it moved away.
'I have a feeling this whole wives business is going to be a lot of work.'
[Can you handle it?]
Enrico's expression turned serious.
'What an obvious question. Of course I can.'
[You have frightening confidence.]
Enrico ignored the comment and resumed waiting for Angela, who was slowly returning after finishing her conversation with the guards. When she finally approached, she pointed at his face.
Only then did Enrico realize that he was still wearing the mask.
"Ah, that's right. I need to take care of this before we leave."
He didn't want to risk someone recognizing him or discovering his identity before the right time.
"Elyssar's Domain."
The magic activated, and Enrico entered the bracelet so Angela could transport him without attracting attention. She moved quite far away from the city before allowing him to emerge again. When he returned, Enrico had already removed his disguise and regained his usual appearance.
"Lady Angela, may I visit my family before meeting Professor Virelle?"
Angela remained silent for a few moments before stopping beside him near the city gates once again.
"...It's very important that they know about the end of the world, young master."
"That's precisely why I'd like you to go ahead and tell Professor Virelle everything first. I'll find out what my family wants and return as quickly as possible. If you wish, you can track me as much as you like to follow my movements and make sure I'm not lying."
Angela watched Enrico attentively. He seemed determined to visit his family, and something about the way he spoke made her consider the possibility that this visit was more important than it appeared. If there was some reason related to the future, it would be better to accompany him personally.
"All right, I'll allow it. But on one condition: I'll go with you."
"That's fine with me. Thank you very much, Lady Angela."
Enrico smiled and nodded. Angela, in turn, signaled for a carriage to be brought over. She probably suspected that this visit might have some significance for future events, and he had no reason to stop her from accompanying him.
[I think you'll need to use the incident in the second neighboring city, won't you?]
'I was already thinking about helping her before, but now I've simply gained an extra reason to do so.'
Enrico looked at the approaching carriage, mentally organizing what he would do during the visit. He still needed to settle a few matters with his family, and perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to begin something he had been planning for some time.