Our living room—newly furnished and finally feeling like home—buzzed with the quiet chatter of a group not yet used to calling themselves a party. Satre, the granddaughter of the legendary hero of this realm, had taken her place among us, her posture elegant and composed as she formally introduced herself.
There was something surreal about it all.
A descendant of legend now sitting on our sofa, evaluating me. I wasn't sure whether to feel honored… or anxious. Being watched without realizing it, judged before I even understood the criteria—it made my skin crawl. But heroes don't pass their titles down lightly, and if Satre bore her lineage with such calm authority, I couldn't afford to take her lightly.
"So," I said, trying to break the tension. "What's our first mission as a party of four?"
Satre turned her gaze to me. "We need to escort Princess Hera back to the Forest of Spirits. A rebellion is brewing there."
All eyes turned to Hera, who sat quietly beside the fireplace, her hands clenched in her lap. Her usual cheer was gone, replaced by a fragile stillness.
So that's why she'd been avoiding her return.
It wasn't just homesickness, nor some personal family drama—this was serious. A threat against her life, her people, her homeland. The kind of burden no one should bear alone.
"Shall we accept this mission, girls? I'll leave it up to you," I said, turning to Yura, Shina, and Satre.
"I have no objections," Satre answered, ever composed. "It seems like a simple escort job… at first glance."
Yura and Shina exchanged a look—a silent conversation between friends. They turned toward Hera, who was visibly on the verge of tears.
"Well, it would be kind of mean to say no after everything we've been through," Shina said with a warm smile, her voice gentle.
"We're with you, Hera," Yura added, crossing the room and embracing her.
That was all it took.
Hera's composure cracked. Her tears came freely now, her voice shaking as she whispered, "Thank you. I promise—I'll make it worth your trouble."
I watched them, heart softened. But even as the moment unfolded, a question itched in my mind. Leaning closer to Satre, I whispered, "This… isn't the royal family I'm supposed to save, right? I mean—Hera's sweet, but I don't see myself marrying into a forest monarchy."
Satre smirked, amused. "No. Not this one."
I exhaled, both relieved and a little curious.
"Alright," I said, standing up and clapping my hands. "Let's go over everything before we head out."
Hera wiped her eyes, steeling herself. Her voice steadied as she laid out the situation.
A noble's son—corrupt, power-hungry—had begun an uprising within the Forest of Spirits. His ambitions? To seize the ancient spiritual power safeguarded by Hera's people. He sought to crush the nation's recent ban on slavery, believing freedom threatened his noble rights. Even worse, one of the royal guards had betrayed the crown, feeding the rebellion from within.
"The rebellion will only grow if we delay," Hera finished, her voice solemn.
I nodded. "So… do we go now or wait until morning? Personally, it sounds straightforward enough."
Satre tilted her head. "You already have a plan, don't you?"
I couldn't help the grin. "Of course I do. Two, actually."
The girls leaned in.
"Plan A," I said. "We use the king and princess as bait. Except—it won't be them. Two of us will use illusions and disguises to play the roles. Once the mole in the guard moves to strike, we isolate and capture them. From there, we follow the thread to the rebellion's heart."
Yura nodded slowly. "Risky… but effective."
"Plan B," I continued, "is the slow burn. Guard the real royal family ourselves. Let the enemy make their move, and try to unravel the conspiracy from the inside."
"And which do you prefer?" Shina asked.
"I like Plan A," I said. "Direct. Fast. Clean."
"I'll need time to prepare," Satre noted. "Illusion magic and misdirection are best done right."
"Fair enough," I said, standing up with a stretch. "While you talk it through, I'm going to take a bath and set up sleeping arrangements for Kyoko and Sanguine."
I left the room, steam already calling my name.
Stripping off my robe, I rinsed the day's weariness from my skin and stepped into the steaming bath. The warmth wrapped around me like a blanket, sinking deep into my bones. For the first time in days, I could breathe freely.
"Ahh… finally," I sighed, sinking deeper. "Why does it feel like life only calms down in the bath?"
No answers came, and I didn't need any. Just peace. Just silence.
An hour later, I emerged refreshed and clear-headed. Towel slung over my shoulders, I returned to the living area where the girls were still deep in discussion.
"So?" I asked, drying my hair. "Made a decision?"
"Yes," Hera said, rising to her feet. "We'll go with your bait plan. We move at first light."
"Then tomorrow, I'll explain every detail. For tonight," I said, smiling, "let's relax. Let's celebrate our new home."
The tension melted as laughter filled the room. Satre smiled faintly. Shina curled up on the couch with a mug of tea. Yura lit the lanterns, casting a soft glow across the walls. Hera… Hera sat close to us, no longer alone.
It wasn't just a team anymore.
It was starting to feel like a family.