Valen was alive with noise and movement when Hide and Charlotte arrived at its gates. Merchants shouted, wagons rolled past, and adventurers clustered around the mission boards.
After securing a room at a local tavern, they scanned the available requests.
One stood out.
Escort Mission — High Reward.
Client: Nobleman.
Objective: Safe transport of daughter to Rexes, the capital.
Charlotte's eyes gleamed. "That's a big one."
Hide nodded. "Let's take it."
At the noble's manor, the guards inspected their mission notice before allowing them inside. Hide remained seated in the waiting room while Charlotte wandered, examining the decor.
Her attention stopped on a large ornate portrait.
"Nice artwork, isn't it?" a voice spoke behind them.
The nobleman entered, dressed in refined attire.
"A famed artist lent it to me out of gratitude."
Hide and Charlotte stood.
"I hear you've accepted my mission," the noble said. "There is one condition. No harm must come to my daughter."
"We understand," Hide replied calmly.
Outside, a luxurious carriage awaited.
Charlotte rode inside with the noble's daughter. Hide took the reins.
Their destination: Rexes, capital of the Adenia Empire.
Inside the carriage, Charlotte smiled warmly.
"So… why are you headed to Rexes?"
The girl hesitated, then spoke nervously.
"I'm… getting married to the King's son. My father wished to keep it quiet."
Charlotte's jaw dropped.
"WAIT—YOU'RE THE PRINCE'S FIANCÉE?!"
"Yes…"
"Charlotte," Hide called from outside, "keep it down. We'll attract beasts."
Charlotte lowered her voice, eyes wide. "This just became a top-priority mission."
Night fell.
Hide stopped to rest the horses near a clearing.
The forest was unnaturally quiet.
He stepped toward the treeline.
Blood.
Fresh.
He said nothing to the girl—but he glanced at Charlotte.
She understood.
Moments later—
Shapes emerged from the darkness.
Beasts.
"Charlotte, get ready!" Hide shouted.
He rushed to the carriage, lifted the noble's daughter, and mounted one horse. Charlotte seized the reins of another.
They bolted.
A pack of armored beasts gave chase.
Charlotte hurled spells behind her—
They fizzled.
"Their armor negates magic!" Hide shouted. "Physical attacks only!"
The beasts retaliated—massive stones crashing down around them.
The horses panicked.
All three were thrown to the ground.
Hide shielded the girl with his body during the fall.
Charlotte rose instantly, blade drawn. Bashoman roared beside her.
Hide's fingers flicked—
Enchanted strings wove together, forming a barrier.
The charging beasts were shredded upon impact.
Others broke through.
Charlotte met them head-on, blade flashing. Bashoman slammed one aside with raw force.
Hide rejoined the fight, weaving his strings into a tightening cocoon that crushed and sliced the remaining beasts.
Silence fell.
Then—
A shadow lunged.
A claw pierced through Hide's chest.
Charlotte screamed.
The surviving beast stepped forward, gripping a massive cleaver pulsing with magic.
An A-rank threat.
Charlotte charged in fury.
She struck hard—landing blow after blow—but the beast's strength overwhelmed her. Her sword was knocked away. She was pinned.
The cleaver rose for the final strike—
Clang.
Hide stood between them, catching the weapon.
Blood dripped from his torn shirt—but the wound had already closed.
"Sorry, Charlotte," he smirked. "Guess I took a nap."
"You bastard!" she shouted, tears in her eyes.
Hide grabbed Charlotte's fallen sword.
He inhaled—
Then swung.
A massive air slash tore through the clearing, cutting trees—and the beast—clean in half.
Silence returned.
They gathered the rare materials left behind.
Hide kept the enchanted cleaver.
Charlotte collected valuable components from the armored hides.
"How are you alive?" she demanded quietly.
Hide scratched his cheek.
"A friend once gave me something useful. Rapid healing. But I don't plan to rely on it."
Charlotte stared at him—equal parts relieved and furious.
Hide whistled sharply.
A massive bird descended from the night sky.
Charlotte blinked. "You're kidding."
"My master taught me how to tame creatures like this," Hide said simply.
They climbed aboard.
By dawn, Rexes came into view.
Regis Solovan welcomed them personally at the castle gates once the Prince's fiancée was safely delivered.
"Cyrus? I didn't expect you to be her escort. If not for you two… who knows what would have happened."
Inside the throne room, they were rewarded generously.
Then the King asked:
"Have you heard of a masked figure bearing the God's Eye?"
Hide remained silent.
"If I met such a person," the King continued thoughtfully, "perhaps I could ask for help to bring change. I once wished for such power… but perhaps I was never worthy."
Hide answered calmly.
"Your Majesty, leading your people to peace is what makes you worthy. Power doesn't define change—actions do."
The King nodded slowly, taking the words to heart.
After leaving the castle, Hide and Charlotte wandered the market before checking into an inn.
Only one room remained.
"I'll take the floor," Hide said casually.
Charlotte flushed slightly but nodded. "We're guildmates. It's fine."
While Charlotte napped, Hide spoke with the innkeeper, learning of recent rumors:
Murders in Valen.
A new top mage in Liona.
The approaching royal wedding.
Later, outside, a crowd gathered around a massive boulder.
A sword was embedded deep within it.
"It was left by a legendary adventurer," someone explained. "Whoever pulls it earns a meeting at the castle."
Hide wasn't interested.
He turned—
Cheers erupted.
Someone had done it.
The sword was raised high.
Chronos.
Chronos locked eyes with Hide and waved with a grin.
Before Hide could slip away, two familiar figures stepped in front of him.
Fidel
Helm
"Well, isn't it Cyrus?" Chronos called out, fresh from his victory.
The crowd buzzed.
And just like that—
The reunion began.