"How much longer do we have to keep walking? My feet are starting to hurt," Eliot groaned in pain.
"We would reach the destination quickly if you were faster," Kage replied in a flat tone.
"It's not my fault I have small legs!" Eliot replied angrily. "Why couldn't we bring a mount? This sucks".
Turning to his companion, Kage asked, "Do you want me to carry you?".
"Tsk. No, I don't want you to carry me," Eliot said in an annoyed voice.
"Sigh. Suit yourself, then," Kage replied, turning away.
"Erza, how much longer do we have to walk?" Eliot asked, his face looking more and more haggard as he moved.
"About a day and a half at our current speed. You know, we would get there faster if you would just let Kage carry you," Erza noted.
"Well, unlike you, I have some dignity. I'm not some damsel in distress who needs to be carried," Eliot said, glaring at her.
"I don't see the problem," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I am a mage; I was not built to travel through a forest for weeks, so I didn't." She was currently perched atop Commander Neil's shoulders. "You're the reason why it's taking us this long to reach our comrades. How much longer do you think they can wait for us, pipsqueak?".
"Eliot, you should just let Kage carry you. I know it's not... manly, but you won't need to walk on such uneven ground," Commander Neil added, trying to calm the situation.
"Ha! Manly?" Erza chuckled. "You already look like a girl; getting carried won't change a thing".
"Who are you calling a girl? I just look... you know...".
"Petite? Small? Cute? No, maybe 'pretty' is a better description for how you look," Erza said mockingly.
"Oh, you are one to talk! Are you angry that I look better than you? After all these years, you're still single," Eliot replied, smirking. "You claim it's because men can't handle a 'thick' woman, but it's probably because you're fat".
"FAT? Who are you calling fat? I am not fat!".
"Oh my, someone is angry," Eliot said snarkily.
"You have a lot of nerve, you damn twink! Since you are such an expert, why are you single? Is it because no woman wants to date a dumb femboy?" Erza snapped back.
"Femboy? Why don't you come down here and say that to my face instead of hiding behind Commander Neil, you hag!".
"Would the two of you knock it off? You're bickering like children," Neil said in a stern voice. "Kage".
"Sir?".
"Carry Eliot. We don't have time to waste".
"Understood," he replied. In an instant, Kage picked up the small Eliot and placed him on his shoulders.
"Hold on tight," Commander Neil ordered. "We are going full speed. Try not to pass out".
With a burst of speed, the two seasoned warriors took off, dashing through the forest at inhuman speeds. Now that the unit was moving at full capacity again, they quickly covered the remaining distance. In a matter of hours, they arrived at the outskirts of the point marked on the tracker.
"We have reached the point. Our goal is a rescue," Commander Neil said, turning to his unit. "There might be demons and demi-humans here, so don't draw your weapons unless I give the command. Understood?".
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison.
"Kage, you go around the back and secure the perimeter," Commander Neil directed.
"Understood," he replied, disappearing into the forest. The rest of the unit began to approach the camp from the front so as not to startle anyone they found.
As Commander Neil and his team emerged from the thick treeline, they stopped dead in their tracks. They hadn't expected to find a makeshift camp; they found a fortified medieval outpost that seemed to have been standing for years.
Commander Neil stared at the brick walls and the structured mill house with a look of pure confusion. "The tracker said they were here, but this... this is a permanent settlement. How did two new Heroes build a brick fortress in a monster-infested domain?"
Erza still perched on Neil's shoulders, she adjusted her hat to get a better look. "Look at the masonry. The interlocking joints on those wooden cabins are perfect. There isn't a single flaw. This isn't just survival; this is high-tier craftsmanship."
Eliot poked his head up, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Are those... farm animals? And is that a *hot spring*? I thought we were coming to save people from starving in a cave! Well who gives a shit this is a place we can rest before fighting one of the great kings."
While the main group approached the front gate, Kage broke off to secure the rear perimeter as ordered. He moved like a ghost, his speed and stealth making him nearly invisible among the white-barked trees.
However, he wasn't dealing with a normal guard.
Inside the courtyard, Oliver's **Halberd Knight**—a shadow manifestation of a slain boss—suddenly stiffened. It didn't rely on human eyes; it felt the displacement of mana and the shifting of shadows.
The Shadow Knight turned its helmed head sharply toward the rear wall, its crimson plume fluttering.
As Kage prepared to vault the wall, the Shadow Knight raised its massive halberd and slammed the butt of the weapon into the brick floor with a resounding *thud* that echoed through the camp. Kage froze mid-motion, his hand going to his golden-hilted greatsword. "A shadow summon?" he whispered, impressed. "And it sensed me? This hero has more than just luck on his side."
The sound alerted everyone inside. Oliver and Alisa, who had been resting on the porch, stood up instantly as the Shadow Knight let out a low, metallic growl toward the woods.
Slaying it would be easy, Kage said, grabbing at his great sword readying to fight, wait, that would only cause problems for the summoner. I will just have to wait until the unit makes contact.
The sudden arrival of the rescue unit brought a strange mix of relief and political tension to the fortified camp. As Alisa recognized the silver and blue of her comrades, she lowered her blade and signaled for Oliver to stand down, leading the elite party into the courtyard of the brick fortress.
Once the group gathered around a large wooden table in the main hall, Commander Neil wasted no time. His expression was grave as he detailed the current state of the continent.
Over the past year, all nations signed a strict agreement allowing each country to summon only one Hero at a time and maintain a maximum of two within their standing military. Because the Kingdom of Fall is actively hunting Oliver and Emmet—likely with lethal intent—they must be escorted to the Imperial Capital. Since the military quota is full, the Heroes were offered two paths: become independent mercenaries or enroll in the Imperial Academy. The Academy is the most secure location in the Empire outside of the Imperial Palace itself.
Kage added that the six demi-human kingdoms have signed a formal alliance pact. This development means Violet can return to her nation without fear of execution by her clan elders, though she was offered safe passage to the Capital as well.
Ultimately, Oliver and Emmet decided to enroll in the Academy to further their training, while Violet chose to return to her people.
As the meeting dispersed, Alisa stood on the balcony, staring out at the white trees and worrying about her future once Oliver moved to the Academy. Her thoughts were interrupted by the heavy, rhythmic footsteps of Kage.
"Good day, Knight Alisa. I have a few questions for you, if you have the time,"
Kage said, his voice as calm as a still lake.
"What is it?" Alisa asked.
"Are you and the Hero Oliver lovers?"
Alisa froze. "Excuse me... what?"
"Are you lovers? You and Oliver."
"I heard you the first time," Alisa replied, her face heating up. "I'm just confused why you would think that."
"Simple. You are covered from head to toe in his mana, so I just assumed you were," Kage stated bluntly.
Shocked, Alisa asked, "How can you see that? Can everyone else see it too?"
"I see it because of my Hero ability," Kage explained. "No one else can. Commander Neil is a seasoned warrior, but he isn't trained to perceive this specific type of mana, and the same goes for the others. Perhaps Emmet can see it since his ability is similar to mine, but I doubt he needs to—it's quite obvious to anyone living with you."
Seeing no point in lying, Alisa sighed. "I wanted to keep it a secret, but I guess the cat's out of the bag. Yes, we are lovers."
"As I suspected. This is perfect for both of us," Kage said with a slight nod.
"How so?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Empire will send people to monitor the Heroes whether we like it or not,"
Kage revealed. "However, since you are already close to him, they will likely assign you to watch him. If we play this correctly, it gives us a layer of protection."
"They would really do that?"
"Yes. Once we leave this forest, make it obvious that you two are together—but not so obvious that it looks staged. If the Empire trusts you to keep him in check, they'll leave the rest of us alone."
Alisa agreed to Kage's plan. It was a strategic move that offered them a semblance of freedom and allowed her to stay by Oliver's side without the constant pressure of Imperial spies.