The sun hung in the sky, casting light across the gently rolling green pastures of Turnip Village. The gentle rustling of grass and the occasional lazy moo of massive cattle echoed in the open air. Each one as big as a truck and twice as heavy.
Perched atop one such beast as he looked around for anything suspicious, Issei Hyoudou sighed. "This place sure is peaceful."
"Too peaceful." Muttered Karasuba, arms crossed as she paced restlessly near the fence. Her boots kicked up tufts of dry grass. "We've been here for hours and nothing's happened."
"Relax, Karasuba." Uzume called from her lounging spot against another cow. She reclined like she was sunbathing, one leg lazily draped over the creature's massive side. "Whoever is taking the cows will do it when people least expect it."
Matsu sat on the ground, scribbling into a leather-bound notebook which she'd conjured from her pocket dimension. "Considering their size and temperament, these bovines exhibit an unusually docile nature. It could be that their sheer bulk discourages predators... or perhaps they've been bred over generations to avoid aggressive behavior toward humans."
"Which means something smart or strong is stealing them," Yashima added, standing at the edge of the field with her war hammer slung across her back. She glanced at the nearby tree line with a wary eye. "If this were something the villagers could handle, they wouldn't have called us."
Issei nodded. "Exactly. Karasuba, just be patient, okay?"
Karasuba groaned. "Patience isn't exactly my specialty."
"Why not take a page from Akitsu?" Uzume pointed.
Sitting serenely atop one of the larger cows, Akitsu looked completely unmoved by the heat or the time passing. Her pale hair fluttered gently in the breeze, her eyes half-lidded, posture perfectly still as though she were meditating on the bovine's broad back.
"See?" Issei gestured toward her. "She's got the right idea. She's calm, observant—"
"She's asleep with her eyes open," Karasuba deadpanned, raising a brow.
"…It's the attitude that matters."
Karasuba groaned dramatically and threw her arms into the air. "This is pointless! This was supposed to be a dangerous quest, not babysitting oversized hamburgers! When is something going to happen!"
One of the cows let out a slow, deep mooooo, almost as if in answer.
The group paused.
Then Uzume burst out laughing, quickly followed by Yashima's giggle and even a faint smile from Akitsu.
"Oh my gods," Matsu wheezed, struggling to hold in her laughter. "The cows are mocking you."
Karasuba turned slowly toward the culprit, eyes narrowing in murderous offense. Her hand slid toward the hilt of her blade.
"Easy!" Issei leapt off the cow and landed between Karasuba and the animal with both arms outstretched. "We're here to protect them, not turning them into steaks!"
The swordswoman huffed, visibly restraining herself. "That one knows what it did."
"I'm not sure if we should be more concerned that you want to fight a cow... or that you might lose." Uzume says with laughter.
Karasuba scowled. "I will remember this. All of you. But if something doesn't attack in the next hour, I swear I'm turning one of these things into dinner."
The cow simply let out another lazy moo, as if mocking her.
Akitsu, as calm as ever, looked over. "It is... taunting you."
Uzume nearly fell off her cow from laughter again.
Issei grinned and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Come on. The real action's bound to happen soon. That's how these quests always go." He turned his gaze toward the tree line, his mood sobering slightly. 'If something out there is strong enough to take these cows without a trace… it's not going to wait forever.'
(Honestly these cows look delicious. If I had my body back, I wouldn't mind sinking my teeth in them.)
'Hopefully, whatever is taking these cows is nothing as big as you.' Issei thought with terror at facing such a big opponent.
—-------------------------------
A few hours later
The warm glow of the campfire flickered against the descending dusk, casting long shadows across the open pasture. The night was cool but calm, with a gentle breeze brushing over the field of slumbering, hulking cows—each of them resting peacefully, unfazed by the small group of humans and Sekirei sharing dinner nearby.
They sat in a loose circle around the fire, their packs opened and food containers unwrapped. The smell of grilled meat and sweet rice buns wafted through the air—evidence of Miya and Tamamo's cooking that had been lovingly prepared and packed back at the guild.
Issei took a bite of tamagoyaki and let out a sigh of content. "It still tastes amazing, even hours later..."
Uzume, sitting beside him, leaned on his shoulder. "That's because you've been spoiled rotten by those two." She teased, her lips brushing his ear. "And lucky for you, you've got even more beautiful girls here to do the same." She then hugged him, bringing Issei closer to her breast.
Issei flushed slightly, scratching his cheek as he felt Uzume's bountiful oppai. "I… uh, yeah, I guess I am lucky…"
Across the fire, Yashima giggled softly, setting down her food. "You say that, but you never take full advantage. You're still shy even now, my Ashikabi-sama."
Uzume smirked, keeping his head between her breasts. "Right? After everything we've been through, he still gets red like a tomato."
Matsu, lounging on her stomach with her feet swinging lazily in the air, adjusted her glasses and gave Issei a playful smirk. "Our dear Ashikabi is so innocent. We must preserve it. Or ruin it completely, depending on the day."
Karasuba, who had remained largely quiet, took a slow bite of her skewer before casually glancing at Issei. "If you're all going to flirt, at least have the guts to actually do something about it."
The others blinked, startled by the bluntness. Uzume released Issei and raised a brow. "Oh? And what do you know about flirting?"
"I don't flirt," Karasuba said, licking a bit of sauce off her thumb as she got up and walked to where Issei was. "I take."
Before Issei could say anything, Karasuba reached down and pushed him downward. In one swift, fluid movement, she pinned him to the grass beneath her and kissed him deep and forceful. Her tongue claiming his, dominating the kiss like it was a battle to be won.
Issei's eyes went wide as his limbs froze beneath her. His mind went blank. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think.
The other girls stood in stunned silence before the collective chaos erupted. The girls quickly reacted in outrage, standing up and forgetting their food.
"N-No fair! I want to do it too!" Yashima blurted out, her voice cracking as she turned bright red as Karasuba grinded her body on Issei.
"Hey! Next is my turn, Karasuba!" Matsu said with a huff, though her eyes sparkled behind her glasses.
Akitsu and Uzume stared in shock at the actions of the Sekirei of death. Both visibly flustered as heat rushed to their faces. With heat rushing to their core as they also wanted to push Issei down and have their way with him. Uzume tried to speak but just let out a squeaky, flustered sound as she clutched her chest waiting for her turn.
Karasuba finally pulled away from Issei, her breathing just a little heavier. A fine string of saliva trailed between their lips. She stood up slowly, brushing herself off with her usual deadpan confidence. "See? The wife, the girlfriend, and the housewife aren't here. We've got a night under the stars and nothing but time. Seems like a good opportunity to remind our Ashikabi just how much we adore him."
Yashima fidgeted, her hands wringing her sleeves, but didn't step back. "K-Karasuba-san… you're so bold... but…"
"She's not wrong," Uzume admitted, finally recovering as she strode forward with a sultry look. "And since you broke the ice—my turn."
She bent down and kissed Issei slower and sweeter. Issei could feel her affection in the way her hands cupped his cheeks, the way her lips molded to his like she didn't want to part.
Then came Matsu, already crawling forward like a cat. "Step aside. I said I was next."
She pulled Issei up just enough to straddle him, then dipped down with a grin and claimed her kiss—leaving his hair slightly tousled and his brain even more so.
Akitsu didn't hesitate. Without a word, she leaned down beside him and placed her lips to his. Her kiss was soft, almost hesitant, and when she pulled away, her pale cheeks were faintly dusted pink.
Yashima, seeing that she was the last one, went to join the rest in having a make out with Issei.
Clothes were ruffled, saliva was exchanged and the girls had completely forgotten why they were there.
Then, without warning, a soft rustle from the dark woods beyond the field caught Karasuba's ear. Her eyes snapped toward the noise. "I hear something."
Everyone went still and untangled themselves from Issei, fixing their clothes.
Issei stood slowly, his stance ready for any action. "And here I was hoping we could just have a nice, peaceful night."
"Guess Karasuba got her wish," Matsu muttered.
Karasuba cracked her neck, raising her blade with a grin. "Finally."
No one said anything at first as they waited for something to go wrong. A strange, unsettling silence blanketed the field. Not even the gentle rustling of grass or the low, lazy moos of the cattle could be heard.
Issei noticed.
The cows they had been watching were now completely rigid, staring blankly into the distance.
"Master, I sense something coming." Sherri's voice came from the watch giving a warning.
"Matsu," Issei called, his tone shifting. "Do you feel that?"
Matsu's eyes narrowed behind her glasses as she used her new knowledge to sense her surroundings. "Yes… Something's wrong. I feel magic in the ground. It's twisting."
A dark ripple slithered beneath the grass like a living oil slick moving without disturbing a single blade. It was hard to see at first because of how dark the night was and it slithered under one of the cows.
"What the—?!" Uzume says confused.
Without warning, the cow bellowed in panic and started to rise, but it was too late. The black mass reached up, wrapping around the creature's legs like tendrils. The earth beneath it sank, swallowing it in one slow movement.
Matsu's voice rose in horror. "It's being taken underground!"
"Not happening!" Issei's Boosted Gear flared to life with a red glow. He didn't hesitate. Without a moment's thought, he dashed toward the panicked, half-submerged cow. "We're not losing it! Everyone—grab on!"
In seconds, Yashima and Akitsu were quickly beside him.
Even Karasuba, her grin wide with bloodthirsty glee, surged forward. "Now this is more like it!"
Uzume twirled her cloth around the cow with Matsu in her arms. "Tell me again why we left Tamamo at home?!"
Karasuba laughed. "You're insane, Ashikabi."
"Maybe!" Issei shouted. "But I'm not letting this thing vanish without finding out what the hell it is!"
"Brace yourselves!" Matsu shouted, clutching her glasses.
With a sickening pull, the black shadow yanked them down, and the solid ground beneath their feet became liquid darkness. The shadow absorbed the entire cow—and everyone on it to the ground. And then it was gone.
—---------------------------------------
The moment the darkness spat them out, Issei, Karasuba, Akitsu, Uzume, Matsu, Yashima and the cow dropped to the solid rough, damp stone beneath their feet. The shadows peeled back like smoke, revealing a dimly lit underground chamber—a hidden lair carved from the earth itself. It was lit by glowing blue crystals embedded in the dirt walls. Surrounding them were a dozen mages, dressed in ragged cloaks, tattoos glowing and hands already charged with energy.
They looked shocked for a moment, surprised that anyone else had arrived through the shadows meant only for stolen cattle.
Then, one of them hissed, "Intruders!"
Another raised a staff. "Kill them before they report back!"
Their weapons were drawn and the moment they saw Issei's group—they attacked.
"Hostiles!" Shouted Matsu, ducking behind a rock as a volley of fiery projectiles whizzed over her head. "They're mages—rogue ones—and they must've been stealing the livestock for a while!"
"Then they've made a mistake picking a fight with us," Karasuba growled, drawing her blade in a swift arc somehow cutting the magic projectiles.
Before Issei could even react, Karasuba was already charging forward, her sword a silver blur as she carved through the nearest two mages before they could fully cast their spells. Sparks of magic collided with steel, explosions lighting up the cavern walls.
Her form was a blur. She met the next closest mage with a horizontal slash, steel crashing against conjured stone as he barely summoned an earth wall in time. Karasuba didn't stop—she spun, kicked off the wall, and came back with another swing. Cutting the man from behind.
Issei was seen knocking down several mages with a fierce punch to the gut while dodging several elemental attacks.
"Behind you!" Shouted Uzume from the side, her cloth whips blocking a barrage of glowing needles.
But it was too late. The shadow mage, cloaked in black and grinning, stepped out from Issei's shadow, slashing with a jagged blade.
Issei barely dodged, tumbling into a roll. "You!" He growled, boosting immediately.
Boost!
With enhanced speed, Issei leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding another lunge from the rogue shadow mage. "So you're the one stealing cows? Weird specialty, man!"
The mage didn't answer, simply snarled and vanished again, melting into the ground again like a puddle.
"Coward," Issei muttered.
Ddraig's voice echoed in his head. (Watch your back, Partner. This one blends into the shadows.)
"Great," Issei muttered. "How do I attack a shadow?"
"Light would be a good counter for this situation." Sherri answers.
Issei soon makes a small dragon shot and directs it into the ground, causing light to explode from the floor and temporarily remove all shadows in the area. The shadow mage flinched, revealed mid-phase, and Issei delivered a powerful body blow to knock him out.
—---------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Yashima let out a fierce battle cry as she tried to swing her massive warhammer—but her targets danced out of reach, launching fireballs and gusts of wind to keep her at bay.
"Cowards! Fight me head-on!" She growled, slamming her hammer down and cracking the stone.
"Yashima, calm down!" Uzume called, dodging a lightning bolt from another mage. "They're range types! Don't let them bait you!"
Yashima released a breath of frustration as she tried to wait and stood her ground, her powerful war hammer gripped tightly in both hands. Sweat glistened on her brow, but her focus didn't waver.
Her opponents were fast—too fast for her preferred style.
Her hammer slammed into a wall of air, wind shielding one of the cloaked mages just in time. The resulting force shook the chamber, sending a small shockwave through the ground. Dust rained from the jagged ceiling above.
The two mages grinned mockingly, weaving around her like dancers. One was conjuring chains of compressed wind trying to trip or bind her. The other hurled precise darts of concentrated kinetic magic—each one aimed to distract, disorient, and frustrate rather than kill.
Yashima backed up a step, shifting her grip on the hammer. Her breathing was steadying now, her focus narrowing.
'No good. I can't chase them.' A gust grazed her cheek, cutting shallowly. She grunted. 'Fine. If I can't match their speed... I'll make them come to me.'
She lowered her stance, allowing one knee to dip slightly as if faltering. Her shoulders slumped and her hammer dipped, almost too low.
One of the mages took the bait.
With a cry, he launched various projectiles aimed directly at her exposed side.
Yashima's eyes snapped open, her body tensing.
The moment the weapons were thrown, she rolled forward—not away, but into the path—letting a weapon clip her shoulder and with a harsh thud she charged beneath it. The mage barely had time to gasp as Yashima closed the distance.
She brought her hammer up in a wide arc. "Got you."
With a thunderous CRACK, the steel head of her weapon collided with the mage's midsection. The force was colossal, sending him hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.
He smashed into the far cavern wall with a wet crunch and slumped to the floor, unmoving.
The remaining mage paled and immediately tried to retreat, conjuring another wind shield.
But Yashima stood tall, rotating her shoulders. "You next?" She asked flatly.
The answer came as wind magic was formed under his feet. The mage quickly tried to run away going into one of various tunnels.
But Yashima did something unexpected as she threw her hammer towards the fleeing mage, crushing him with the wait. With a huff, Yashima retrieved her hammer and turned back toward the group attacking her beloved. Her shoulder stung, but her heart raced with satisfaction.
—----------------------------------------
Akitsu, serene as a still lake in winter, took out her opponents with quiet precision. As ice captured various mages in place without giving them any way to escape.
But a wave of heat surged toward her—a stream of fireballs roaring like miniature comets. Her expression didn't change. With a graceful sweep of her arm, a glacial wall surged up from the stone floor, thick and crystalline, catching the fire spells in a hiss of steam and cracking ice.
Then, with barely a whisper, she turned her palm outward.
"Ice Thorns."
From the earth beneath her, ice spears spiraled upward in a wide circle, sharp as razors and clear as glass. Three enemy mages were caught in the radius—two managed to leap back, barely escaping. The third wasn't so lucky. The sound of ice piercing flesh echoed briefly before a splash of red stained the nearby cavern wall.
Gasps came from the enemies. Akitsu's gaze didn't waver.
From the edge of the chaos, a new challenger stepped forward—a woman mage clad in a sleek combat tunic, silver-trimmed, with glowing twin bracelets that pulsed red-hot with magical heat. Her eyes narrowed on Akitsu, firelight reflecting in her gaze.
"You're strong," The woman said. "But let's see how long your frost holds against my inferno."
With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a cone of fire, a sweeping surge of heat and light that raced across the ground toward Akitsu like a tidal wave of flame.
Akitsu didn't blink.
She stepped into the spell. As this fire was nothing compared to the fire of Tamamo.
Steam erupted instantly as fire collided with a barrier of pure cold, the temperature in the cavern dropping sharply. The explosion of vapor obscured the field, and for a moment, all anyone could see was white mist and light.
Then the haze parted.
Akitsu stood untouched, her hair slightly tousled but her face as blank and unreadable as ever.
She lifted one foot, then placed it forward deliberately. Ice bloomed beneath her with every step.
"Frostbite."
The ground beneath the fire mage froze in an instant, sharp tendrils of ice racing toward her. Before she could leap away, a lance of frost pierced her ankle, rooting her in place. The woman cried out, trying to ignite her bracelets again—but it was too late.
Akitsu raised her hand once more. "Surrender," She said with clinical finality. "Or you die here."
The mage, panting, looked at the frozen ground, the ice closing in… and dropped her weapons, raising her hands in defeat.
All around the chamber, the remaining rogue mages hesitated.
One of them muttered, "She's a demon…"
"No," Another whispered, backing away, "A monster."
—--------------------------------
Uzume, meanwhile, danced between enemies with her cloths and acrobatics, deflecting spells and parrying blows. "Honestly this is so much more exciting than the store." She laughed.
"Focus!" Matsu shouted from her cover, firing off blasts of raw mana from a borrowed staff of the enemy mages. "They're trying to retreat toward that tunnel—don't let them escape!"
Issei heard her and narrowed his eyes. "Theyre leaving?"
Then it hit him. They were trying to escape with the cattle.
"Karasuba, take out the tunnels! Akistu, block the others!" Issei commands
The raven-haired warrior grinned, already on the move. Her blade glowed black as she leapt, landing at the cavern's narrowing choke point. She slashed down, the impact splitting one of the tunnel entrances in half, burying it in rock and debris. Akistu followed as she used her ice to block the other entrances.
"No one is leaving." Karasuba says, sliding her blade back into its sheath with deliberate grace. Her smile was sharp, hungry, like a predator ready for its second course.
The remaining enemy mages froze. Their plan had crumbled—literally. Panic surged across their faces, and several stumbled back, raising shaky hands in surrender.
"We're done! We give up!" One of them cried, his voice cracking under the pressure.
Akitsu, unflinching, raised a wall of ice to pen them in further. "Do not resist," She said plainly, the temperature in the cavern dropping enough to make their breath visible.
Yashima panted slightly, standing guard. "They… weren't strong individually, but they worked together too well."
Matsu emerged from her cover, brushing dirt from her sleeves and adjusting her glasses. "Agreed. They must've been doing this for a while—likely selling the stolen livestock on black markets. The use of that shadow-mage for extraction was… ingenious."
"Too bad they weren't ready for us," Uzume said with a cheeky wink, her cloths tightening and coiling around the injured mages before pulling them to the others. Those that were dead were simply left there.
Issei walked forward, surveying the battlefield. The cow was still alive, though shaken. Now they just had to find a way out.
"Karasuba, Akistu." Issei said, nodding to them, "Thanks. That could've gone way worse if they escaped."
"Don't thank me," she replied, still gleaming with adrenaline. "This was quite fun."
Akistu simply gave a soft smile and nod that she could be useful for Issei.
"We should secure them," Matsu said. "And document this place. The crystals, the spells used… It's valuable experience."
Issei rubbed the back of his neck. "And we'll need a way out. Pretty sure we didn't bring a ladder."
"Dont worry about that." Matsu replied smugly. "All we have to do is make a hole big enough for us, the cow and prisoners to go through. Luckily, our dear ashikabi is strong enough to make an explosion strong enough to tear open the ceiling and then Akitsu can just make stairs for us to go through. "
Akitsu nodded. "Sounds easy enough."
Issei heard and soon the sound of a boost was heard. "Uzume, Yashima, Karasuba, please guard the prisoners and check on the cow."
The girls agreed and went to keep watch while Yashima went to the cow,
Yashima knelt beside the cow that was taken, patting its side gently. "Hey, big guy. You okay?"
The cow snorted once in response, but didn't move. Still, its eyes were calmer now.
Yashima placed a hand on the cow's horn. "Everything will be fine."
Boost!
After thirty seconds Issei had enough boosts for a powerful Dragon Shot.
He felt the surge course through him. His arm shook slightly from the power pooling within it, but his aim was clear: a direct shot through the ceiling of stone and dirt to give them a way out.
"I've got enough stored. A four-stack Dragon Shot should do it." He muttered to himself, glancing upward at the ceiling.
"Be careful not to bring the whole place down on us," Matsu warned, squinting up nervously as she backed behind the other girls with the prisoners tied up beside her.
Issei exhaled and raised his gauntlet. "Here goes nothing."
A fiery crimson light surged through the Boosted Gear. With a sharp breath, Issei released the charged blast.
"Dragon Shot!!"
A deafening roar tore through the chamber as the blast ripped upward, a blazing beam of red that vaporized rock and soil in an instant. The shockwave cracked nearby stone, and a torrent of loose pebbles and dust rained down across the cavern. Heat radiated in waves as the energy burst carved a tunnel through the earth and into the sky.
But he didn't stop it fast enough.
The hole was too big. The Dragon Shot not only broke through the ceiling, it blasted straight through the forest canopy above and into the heavens—a massive vertical beacon of light that illuminated the treetops for miles.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
"…Oops," Issei muttered, lowering his smoldering arm and staring at the far-too-visible pillar of light fading above them.
Karasuba burst into a laugh. "So much for subtlety."
Uzume chuckled behind her. "Overcompensating, much?"
Even Akitsu, normally silent, blinked at the gaping hole and deadpanned, "You said you wouldn't cause a cave-in."
Yashima covered her mouth, giggling. "That wasn't even close."
Matsu sighed in exaggerated defeat. "Next time, let me calculate the proper output!"
Issei rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin spreading on his face. "Hey, at least I didn't collapse the tunnel?"
The rogue mages who had been captured could only gape at the hole Issei made, some trembling, others backing away as if fearing he might unleash another blast.
"That kid… what the hell is he?" One muttered in disbelief.
Another just sank to his knees. "We tried to fight that…?"
Unbothered, Akitsu walked to the center of the chamber and clapped her hands together. Cold magic flared beneath her feet.
Moments later, a winding staircase of ice coiled upward, connecting the cavern floor to the freshly made exit.
"Shall we?" She asked, her voice calm as ever.
Issei nodded. "Let's head up and take these guys and cow to the village."
—----------------------
Deep within the forest far from any path walked by man or mage something stirred.
A mound of moss-covered rock suddenly shifted, revealing not stone, but scales—massive and dark. From between the cracks of earth and root, a single baleful golden eye snapped open, glowing in the shadowed grove.
It had been asleep. Until now.
The searing red light that pierced the sky just moments ago still echoed in the beast's senses. The sharp tang of unnatural power, like lightning tearing through the world, rattled its bones. The ground around its form trembled as it exhaled, a long, low growl vibrating through the trees like distant thunder rolling across the land.
Its nostrils flared, catching the scent of a dragon. It was faint, diluted, but unmistakable.
A predator's scent but quite young.
The air sizzled as it rose, earth falling from its enormous, coiled form like crumbling stone from a cliffside. Leathery wings, jagged, spread wide with a snap that shook the canopy, sending flocks of birds screaming into the sky.
It was hungry, annoyed and curious.
And it began moving. Whatever had dared disturb its slumber… would pay.
Each beat of its wing-like arms kicked up waves of wind, scattering leaves and flattening underbrush as it lifted off, heading straight toward the crimson beacon that dared to disturb its slumber.
Toward the one who called it—whether they meant to or not.
—----------------------------------
Issei and the rest could now be seen out of the tunnel and on the pastures of Turnip Village. The prisoners were also outside with docile attitudes after seeing Issei's massive attack and not wanting to anger him. They did whatever was commanded of them as they feared the repercussions if they didn't listen.
Karasuba exhaled through her nose, rolling her neck with a satisfying crack. "That was fun." She said, her tone almost wistful, like she hadn't gotten a good fight in weeks. Her crimson eyes scanned the prisoners again, daring someone to try standing up. "Next time, I hope they scream more."
The prisoners visibly flinched.
Yashima dropped to one knee beside a rock, her hammer sinking into the soil. Sweat trailed down her temple, and her chest rose and fell with measured breaths. "Now… what do we do with them?" She asked, her voice still gentle despite the weariness.
Issei stepped forward, his eyes scanning the field, the horizon, and the prisoners in a single sweep. The adrenaline was fading. The power of the four-boost Dragon Shot still echoed in his limbs.
"We take them back to the village." Issei said, voice steady, even. "They were stealing from the people here. It's not our justice to deliver."
The clarity in his tone settled over the group like a quiet command.
Matsu gave a crisp nod, adjusting her glasses. Her hair was a bit singed from a near-miss fire spell, but she carried herself with pride. "We should also interrogate them," She added. "Find out where the rest of the cattle are. They didn't just steal one cow."
Uzume sauntered up to one of the bound mages. She crouched beside him, poking him in the ribs with the toe of her boot until he rolled onto his back with a grunt.
She smirked. "Hey, sunshine," She said with playful malice. "We're gonna ask nicely first. Where are the rest of the cows?"
The man swallowed, his eyes darting toward the other mages, but none met his gaze. His mouth trembled. "T-Two kilometers west," he stammered. "We kept 'em in a hidden pen near some cliffs. We were planning to sell them. As these cows are quite famous and the village is notorious for not selling them to anyone. They are really expensive to the right buyer or various rivals that want to sell the village's famous milk."
Uzume raised an eyebrow. "Are these cows really that famous?"
Matsu sighed. "Great. Not only were they criminals, they were idiots."
Karasuba's blade glinted in the rising sunlight as she walked past the man. "You better hope the cows are still alive. Otherwise…"Sshe let the thought hang, her smile razor-sharp.
Issei turned to Akitsu, who stood silent. "Can you freeze the prisoners' bindings a little tighter? I don't want any slipping out on the way back."
Akitsu gave a slight nod. "Understood." With a small motion of her hand, a thin sheen of frost crept over the ropes, tightening them with delicate precision.
The rest of the cattle lowered softly in the background, unfazed by the ordeal, their massive frames casting long shadows under the rising sun with the one that was taken joining the rest of its family.
Issei and the girls went to take the prisoners to the village to face their judgment.
—---------------------------------
The sun had risen by the time Issei and his group trudged back into Turnip Village, leading a train of bruised, bound mages ahead of them. The rustling of rope and the occasional grunt from the prisoners echoed uneasily across the fields. Karasuba walked behind the group, blade in hand—not drawn, but her smile alone was enough to keep even the twitchiest captive in line.
From their homes and windows, the villagers peeked out cautiously. The earlier explosion of energy in the sky had shaken the entire village, some thought it was divine retribution, others a monster attack. Nobody dared venture near the pastures since then. Doors remained bolted, curtains drawn.
But now, a group of strangers coming towards the village with strangers dragging more strangers that were roughed up and injured. Many farmers came out to see what was happening.
"W-Who are they?" One man asked aloud, eyes fixed on the restrained mages.
"Aren't those the beautiful woman from Fairy Tai that Mitch called to deal with our problem of missing cattle?"
"Do you think they know anything about the massive light show at night?"
"But who are the others?!"
"Do they have something to do with our missing cows?"
"I really hope they're alright."
The closer the group got to the village square, the more people gathered. Suspicion filled the air, but it began to shift into curiosity and hope as familiar figures became clearer, the mages from Fairy Tail had come back.
A group of armed farmhands rushed over but stopped short when they saw the prisoners were bound. Mitch, the broad-shouldered, old man who had originally filed the request with Fairy Tail, pushed through the crowd.
"What in the blazing Hells happened out there?" He asked, his voice stern, though layered with concern. "That explosion—it lit up the sky. We thought we were under attack!"
Issei didn't even know where to start explaining the massive hole he'd accidentally blasted into the earth. It was one thing to stop criminals—another to terraform someone's pasture by accident.
Issei scratched the back of his head awkwardly as eyes focused on them for questions. "Heh... about that beam in the sky…"
Before he could ramble, Matsu stepped forward, like a seasoned spokeswoman, her glasses glinting in the sun.
"The beam you saw? Yes, that was from our dear Ashikabi here." She patted Issei on the arm, who looked away with a wince.
"These mages," She announced, voice calm but firm. "Are cattle thieves. They've been abducting your livestock using shadow magic and hiding them underground."
There was a collective gasp.
Uzume followed up. "But luckily after interrogating them we found out that the missing cattle are in a hidden pen by some canyons. From what we heard, all of them are safe and we'll escort them back first thing tomorrow."
Mitch's weathered face turned pale for a moment, then broke into a wide, relieved grin. His hand shook slightly as he leaned on his cane, overwhelmed.
"You… you found them?" He repeated, almost in disbelief. "All of them?"
Uzume nodded with a soft smile. "Every single one, even managed to stop them from stealing a stubborn bull."
There was laughter from a few nearby villagers who knew exactly which bull she meant.
Karasuba, meanwhile, leaned casually against a fence post, keeping her crimson eyes on the prisoners. "They're lucky Issei told me not to kill all of them," She said aloud. "I would've had fun."
A few of the prisoners whimpered.
Yashima stepped forward, offering Mitch a respectful bow. "We'll help secure the rest of them until proper authorities come. These people won't cause trouble again."
Issei turned back to the villagers, offering a sheepish but genuine smile. "And sorry about the pasture… and the crater… and the giant glowing energy beam in the sky…"
There was a beat of silence.
Then Mitch burst into laughter, clapping Issei on the shoulder. "Boy, if that's the price for gettin' my cows back safe and sound, I'll take it! We'll call that a… new irrigation pit!"
The tension broke instantly. Laughter and cheers rang out from the crowd. People emerged from their homes in earnest, approaching to thank and gawk at the strange but powerful newcomers.
Matsu whispered beside Issei, "That might have been the smoothest social recovery you've ever had."
"I'm as shocked as you are," Issei replied.
—---------------------------------
Turnip Village came alive with renewed energy. The once-quiet farmers, previously stricken with worry, now buzzed with excitement and gratitude. News of the criminals being taken care of for taking their prized cattle spread like wildfire. Every house lit up, and preparations for a grand feast began almost immediately.
Tables were dragged out into the village square. Lanterns were hung between homes on makeshift ropes. The aroma of roasted vegetables, simmered stews, and fresh-baked bread filled the air. Barrels of cider and beer were rolled in from a cellar, as the villagers declared this a day worth celebrating.
"We can't thank you enough!" One woman said, passing a large bowl of buttery mashed potatoes to Yashima, who bowed shyly and accepted with both hands.
"They're stronger than they look." Muttered one old man, watching Akitsu calmly consume her third bowl of soup without any expression.
"And they eat like an army," Another man whispered, wide-eyed as Uzume reached for her fourth helping of grilled chicken and rice.
Karasuba was seated cross-legged, blade resting beside her, calmly chewing through a massive cut of meat. She didn't say much, just observed, occasionally giving a satisfied grunt when the food was good.
Matsu, meanwhile, had a stack of empty dishes beside her as she spoke animatedly with several curious villagers about the underground cavern that the thieves created. She had a fork in one hand and a diagram sketch in the other. "I'm telling you, the way they formed their tunnels? Primitive, yet efficient. Here—look at this angle of convergence—"
Villagers, not entirely sure what she meant, simply nodded and kept handing her food.
At the center of it all was Issei, blushing slightly under the constant praise, hands raised in a gentle refusal as villagers pushed food into them. "Really, I didn't do that much—"
"Oh hush, lad!" Mitch, the village elder, laughed heartily, clapping him on the back. "You brought back our livelihood, lad. That deserves at least three pies and a jug of our finest cider."
Issei gave a sheepish smile. "Well, when you put it like that…"
As laughter echoed and drinks were passed, a small group of the village's fastest young men mounted horses and rode toward the nearest garrison, where they would inform the Fiore Knights of the captured rogue mages. Their destination was a town a few hours away by horse, and the prisoners would be collected tomorrow.
Later, with bellies full and the sun high above them, the villagers guided the group of heroes to a large, cozy farmhouse at the edge of the fields.
"It's old, but sturdy," Said one elderly woman, smiling as she handed Issei a key. "Been in my family for years. Tonight, it's yours."
Inside, the house was simple but warm. The wooden floors creaked slightly, and the fireplace still held glowing embers from an earlier blaze. The villagers had even drawn warm baths for them, lining the edges of the tub with herbs to soothe sore muscles.
One by one, the group bathed, cleaned away the grime and blood of battle, and changed into fresh sleepwear.
Moments later, they lay scattered throughout the house, some on cushions, others curled up in blankets.
Uzume was draped over Issei's left side, humming softly in her sleep. Matsu slept next to Uzume. Yashima leaned against the opposite end, holding a pillow like a shield. Akitsu had taken to sleeping on top of Issei. Karasuba was flat on her back, one arm across her eyes, her sword within reach.
Issei, sandwiched as usual, let out a slow, contented sigh. "Remember we'll sleep for a few hours and then go to retrieve the rest of the cows" He mumbled, barely audible.
Matsu whispered drowsily, "Yes but for now let's rest."
Outside, the village was quiet, save for the chirping of crickets and the occasional mooing of grateful cows.
—----------------------
While the mages slept soundly in the borrowed house, the rest of the village stirred in a quiet routine. It was noon and they were behind in their work because they celebrated their heroes accomplishment.
Farmers moved between rows of vegetables, careful not to make noise near the guesthouse. Mitch had personally told everyone: the mages who saved them had fought all night—they needed rest.
Even the children played quietly.
But then they felt something was wrong.
It started with the animals.
The massive cattle in their pens began to shift, lowing in unease. Goats kicked at their fences. Chickens squawked and fled from their coops, wings flapping in panic. Even the dogs began whining, tails low, ears flat against their skulls.
Mitch, tending to the animals with a pitchfork in hand, froze when he heard the animals in distress.
The farmers began to glance around, confused.
"Must be a wolf nearby," one man said.
But Mitch, who had raised animals all his life, furrowed his brow. "No… this ain't how they act when it's wolves." He starts looking around trying to spot anything that could cause them to act like this but finds nothing and the criminals are all still locked and watched by various strongmen. But then Mitch looked up. "Look at the sky."
They all turned and saw a black figure flying far away. At first they thought it to be a bird, but it moved too fast and the shape was wrong.
Then the villagers saw the massive, serpentine wings beating rhythmically through the dawn haze. Its wingspan was wide enough to eclipse rooftops as it came closer. Scales like obsidian shimmered faintly in the rising light. Jagged spines crowned its back, and its long tail cut through the air like a whip.
"A wyvern," Mitch muttered, the words choking in his throat. "Black… That's a bloody Black Wyvern."
Gasps and shrieks followed. Farmers ran. Mothers grabbed children. Buckets and tools clattered to the ground as panic surged like a wave.
The creature shrieked, a guttural, ear-ripping cry that echoed across the valley and made even the bravest men stumble backward.
"Get the women and children to the root cellar! Get everyone inside—NOW!" Mitch roared, suddenly the voice of command. Panic spread fast, but his shouting gave direction. "You—wake the Fairy Tail mages! GO!"
Two housewives didn't hesitate, skirts flying behind them as they sprinted across the village square, dodging carts and terrified animals, straight toward the guesthouse.
The wyvern was descending, slow and deliberate, circling above the village like a vulture eying its prey.
Mitch turned toward the sky again. He'd heard of beasts like this… S-ranked monsters, creatures of ruin, often enough to level towns with a single tantrum. One false move and the whole village could become a crater.
And with a rising dread in his chest, Mitch realized the wyvern wasn't circling at random.
It was looking for something.
Inside, Issei and the others still lay in peaceful sleep, blissfully unaware.