Valen was bustling as Hide and Charlotte arrived at the city gates. After securing a room at a local tavern, they picked up a new mission—an escort request, and a well-paying one at that. The client was a nobleman seeking safe transport for his daughter.
At the manor, the guards recognized the mission notice and allowed the two inside. Hide sat down in the waiting room while Charlotte explored the space. Her eyes landed on an ornate portrait.
"Nice artwork, isn't it?" a voice said behind them.
The noble entered. "A famed artist lent it to me out of gratitude."
The two adventurers stood.
"I hear you're here to accept my mission. There's one condition: no harm must come to my daughter."
They agreed. A luxurious carriage awaited. Charlotte rode inside with the noble's daughter while Hide took the reins. Their destination: Rexes, the capital city.
On the road, Charlotte made conversation. "So why are you headed to Rexes?"
The girl smiled nervously. "Actually... I'm getting married to the King's son. My father didn't want this known. I'm sorry if that surprises you."
Charlotte let out a startled scream. "Wait, you're the prince's fiancée?!"
"Yes."
"Charlotte, keep it down. We might attract beasts," Hide warned.
"This is a top priority mission now," she said, wide-eyed.
Night fell. Hide stopped the carriage to rest the horses. The area was cloaked in darkness. He examined the nearby trees—and saw blood. He kept the detail from the girl, but warned Charlotte.
Moments later, they were surrounded.
"Charlotte, get ready!" Hide shouted.
He rushed to the carriage, grabbed the girl, and leapt onto a horse. Charlotte took the reins of the other, and they fled. But a pack of beasts gave chase.
Charlotte cast spells, but they had no effect.
"Their armor negates magic. Only physical attacks work!" Hide called out.
Heavy stones rained down from the beasts. The horses panicked, throwing all three riders. Hide shielded the girl during the fall. Charlotte and Bashoman held the beasts at bay.
Hide used enchanted strings to form a barrier. As the beasts charged, they were shredded. Some reached Charlotte and the girl, but Charlotte fought them off with her blade. Bashoman fought alongside her.
Hide returned to finish off the remaining beasts with a string cocoon technique. But just as things calmed, a surviving beast leapt forward and drove a claw through Hide's chest.
Charlotte screamed.
Fueled by grief and fury, she attacked. The beast wielded a cleaver imbued with magic—an A-rank threat. Though she landed blows, she was eventually disarmed and pinned.
Just before the final strike, Hide appeared, blocking the cleaver.
"Sorry, Charlotte. I guess I took a nap," he said with a smirk.
She cried out, "You bastard!"
Hide fought back with Charlotte's sword, unleashing a powerful air slash that cut down trees and the beast alike.
They gathered the rare materials dropped. Hide obtained the cleaver; Charlotte retrieved valuable components.
When asked how he survived, Hide revealed an ability he gained from a friend—rapid healing. But he didn't plan to rely on it often.
Hide summoned a massive bird. Everyone climbed on, and they soared into the sky. Charlotte was amazed.
"Where did you even get this bird?" she asked.
"My master taught me how to tame creatures like this," Hide replied.
They arrived in Rexes by morning. The guards were alarmed until they saw the Prince's fiancée. She was escorted to the castle with Hide and Charlotte following.
King Regis welcomed them. "Cyrus? I didn't expect you to be her escort. If not for you both, who knows what would have happened."
Inside the throne room, the King rewarded them.
Then he asked Hide a curious question.
"Have you heard of a masked figure with the God's Eye?"
Hide stayed silent.
"If I met such a person," the King continued, "I could ask for help to bring change. I wish I had that power, but perhaps I wasn't worthy."
Hide replied, "Your Majesty, if you've led people to peace, that's what makes you worthy. Power isn't what matters—change is."
The King took his words to heart.
Afterward, Charlotte and Hide left the castle, stopped at the market, then checked into an inn. Only one room was available.
"I'll take the floor," Hide said.
Charlotte blushed but agreed. They were guildmates, after all.
While Charlotte napped, Hide chatted with the innkeeper and learned about recent events: murders in Valen, Lona's new top mage, and the upcoming royal wedding.
Outside, Hide found a crowd around a massive boulder with a blade stuck in it. The sword was left by a legendary adventurer—pulling it meant earning a meeting with him at the castle.
Hide wasn't interested. He turned to leave, but a cheer rang out. Someone had done it.
It was Chronos.
Chronos locked eyes with Hide and waved.
Before Hide could disappear, Fidel and Helm stopped him.
"Well, isn't it Cyrus?" Chronos said with a grin, fresh from his victory.