It has been two weeks now since we left Hujinn and by foot, we traveled quite a distance but honestly, I think we are still not going anywhere even though the people we asks on the way told us that this is the direction towards the Rainforest of Healing.

During those times, Ichirou and I did various experiments regarding Hibiscus’ Phoenix. He also helped me think things on how divine ascension works and its nature. But to no avail, we can only make assumptions.

One of the Phoenix’s ability is to heal Hibiscus by covering her with its own flame. Our theory is that it can also heal grave injuries and such. The problem with it is that the phoenix needs to swallow her. They do not necessarily need to turn into a sun to do so.

The flames won’t hurt her as long as it comes from Emby but, for people the Emby doesn’t trusts, they are set ablaze. It could also cover something in flames but won’t burn them instead, it torments the enemy with its heat.

When we ask Hibiscus about the name of that skill, she simply said…

“Hmmm… Emby’s Warmth?”

“Too simple…”

“Isn’t that good? Simplicity is the best!”

“If you’re happy then that’s good!”

Setting that aside, Emby is capable of flight but only in ascension form. Emby can carry at least three people at its back. It seems some of its skill is already implanted to it as it remembers its previous reincarnations.

Finally, the sun…

The Sun is literally the sun as it melts everything around it. It rises to the air and when it crashes down, everything will immediately shakes and everything around it will be bathed in fire.

I ask Hibiscus again about it and she simply said…

“Emby’s Brilliance!”

“…Well,mixes…it doesn’t sound bland but…fine…”

I know that there are more to find out about Emby’s abilities and how it will grow together with Hibiscus. Like Higan, she will grow further as she learns the true nature of her power but, such thing can only be discovered by Hibiscus herself and we can only make guesses about it.

Moving on, the nature of divine ascension…

The only thing I could think of is that there’s a special and rare medium that activates it other than the recipient should trust me and we have a good connection with each other or they resolves the emotional turmoil that they are in.

The special or rare medium that I speak of is, Higan for example, has an innate nature where her true attribute is holy and the fact that she could not compound magic. Her race as a fox could also be a factor to it as Fox race is extremely rare even within the Beast kins.

For Hibiscus, it’s Emby, the legendary divine bird, Phoenix. She may have gained the ability to unconsciously channel the divinity towards Emby.

But I immediately dismiss such thought as I recall about Alstroe…

Whatever I think of it, Qi alone could not be a medium for it and I can’t think of anything else of what’s more could she use as one. Maybe there is but she herself doesn’t know about it.

Come to think of it, I am clueless of her absurd strength. How was she able to gain such power?

It is something I need to ask her when we meet again.

Somehow, I really look forward meeting her again and I find myself smiling at that thought…

.

.

.

“Asagao…”

“What, Ichirou-nii?”

“Are you really sure?”

“I am certain that we already ran out of food given by Pr’thcor.”

“Don’t you have any…money with you?”

“They don’t use that word here… and no, I forgot my coins back at the Astlan Castle.”

“We could hunt… or fish… since not far away, we can arrive at the shore.”

Ichirou is fine without eating any food but...

Casablanca, Hibiscus and I are already starving. If I knew this would happen, I should have snatched a two or three treasures from Pr’thcor to pawn!

We are currently striding in a city called Cherogdr and all eyes are following our movements. The city itself isn’t bad, its pedestrian is average. Not too crowded or thin and races from various continents walk around without worry.

Human, dragons, demons are the most common. I haven’t seen any fairies at all but there are two elves now.

Of course, it’s the two that we have.

There are few dwarves but they aren’t associating with the crowd. Beast kins are famous for mercenary and adventurer works are also here and there.

“Ichirou-nii, we cannot go by without anything! Hunting is efficient but we need some spendable coins to use restocking supplies and inn fees!”

“I get it! Let’s go to an adventurer guild or something…”

Really now?

I feel really bad about it but there’s no harm agreeing to it.

We headed to an adventurer guild. From the exterior, it’s a large building with a huge board. It was a really well-made building with three floors. As we enter, there was a huge hall where food and drink are served. At one corner, there’s a big reception where staffs do their works.

There are so many races mixed here and they all look fierce and one would call ruffians.

I ask the twins if they have any experience inside a guild and they said yes. As for me, it is also a yes as I have been in Nanab Harbor town adventurer guild where Alstroe lives.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Ichirou starts walking towards the reception. We’ve noticed it earlier but right now, the stares are much creepier. Some stares are just from curiosity but some are vulgar.

I don’t like this and it feels like a template scene will happen.

“Hey there pretty boy, it seems your girlfriends are too young for you!”

“Yeah! Also, there are three of them. Why don’t you share them with us?”

Yikes…

It begins.

Ichirou stares at them but they proceeded on their own and tried to touch us. The burly man with rubbish armor and large axe hanging behind him lifts his hand towards me and the twins.

It would be bad if Emby burns him or if Ichirou throws a punch so I guess I’ll diffuse this situation by myself before anyone could get hurt.

Before I could even move a single inch, someone hover their arm over the man’s shoulder. Actually, four of them did.

“Hey there brother, it seems you are bothering these young ladies.”

“What? You four…are S class adventurer Dabt, Morg, Er’trur and Luur!”

“It’s good you know us brother.”

“Uwaah! Don’t come closer!”

“Oh, it’s you brother from the demon capital!”

One of the men, from the demon race, saw Ichirou. Ichirou…instantly pales and skid behind me as the four men notices him. Their group is composed of a demon, another demon with weird skin color, a dwarf and a beast kin.

“So, that little lady is your lover, huh? I say, age is just a number. Don’t be ashamed.”

“Err…well…I…”

“Don’t’ worry brother.  We will have this fellow here learn his lesson, also, still nice pecs and shoulders.”

“Y-Yeah…t-thanks…”

“Also, the jobs at the adventurer guild are scarce so I don’t recommend getting commission here. You can still do odd jobs outside.”

“I…appreciate your advice…”

“Or you could use your body…you know brother…I’ll pay you tons.”

“Bye! Asagao, Casablanca and Hibiscus, we’re leaving!”

Ichirou immediately drag us outside of the adventurer guild and take us further away from there.

It was worse than I thought but it looks funny while it last.

“Ichirou-nii, does this happen frequently?”

“No! Please stop smiling like you’ve seen something funny!”

“Sorry.”

“Now…what should we do? That guild is off limit.”

“It’s not of--!”

“It’s off limit, Asagao!”

“Y-Yeah…”

Uwaah…

He is clearly shaken. It seems that he really met those four before and implanted a trauma. Hell, I’d be scared of them too if they approach me in groups like that.

“We don’t have any options, huh. You should find work here Ichirou-nii.”

“That’s the only option…wait…only me?!”

“B-Because…you’re the only adult here… Am I r-right, Casablanca and Hibiscus?

“But Asagao is an adult. You said you’re twenty years old.”

Casablanca rebutted!

“Asagao.”

“I-Ichirou-nii…”

“You’re twenty years old. Considered as an adult too.”

E-Eh…

Ichirou stares down at me like I’ve done a crime.

I drag Casablanca and Hibiscus a bit away and start whispering to them. I know it’s unfair but… There are thing I wanted to do, even though this work is for our spending.

I whisper to them and after that, we approach Ichirou who coldly stare at me.

In a count of three, two, one…

“Ichirou-nii…”

“What?”

“””Do your best!”””

We said it in unison while looking at him with upturned eyes. This may be unfair but I want to go the shore too!

Ichirou’s face stops every activity and froze on the spot.

Is he angry?

“I-Ichirou-nii…s-sorry…I… I’ll wor—“

“OK! I WILL DO MY BEST! I WILL DO MY SUPER DUPER BEST FOR YOU THREE!”

He shouted with vigor. Ichirou looks super pumped.

I didn’t expect that but…that was too easy…

.

.

.

We walk around the city to find a job Ichirou could work for but to no avail, there’s no vacancies for him.

Also, the people stares are getting painful.

A grown up man dragging three little girls around…It must have raised a suspicion towards Ichirou but we brushes that off.

And so, we landed at a place where Ichirou is delighted the most…

A brewery where wine and liquors are sold and made… It also serves as a tavern or some parlor, whatever words will fit.

We enter the place which bustling with people drinking.

“Just to tell you this Ichirou-nii, I am not going to fuel your alcohol addiction. If you think I have money here to spend for your needs, sorry.”

“T-That’s not it!”

“Oh, Ichirou! My friend!”

An orcish man called out to Ichirou from afar. It seems that man is shaking some liquor to serve. He looks so professional even though his face resembles an orc.

“B-Bagruuf! It is you!”

“My friend, what fate brought us together again!”

Another acquaintance?!

It’s amazing how drunkard friendship is.

Ichirou approaches the man and start making their greeting to each other. After that, he introduces us to the man.

The man name is Bagruuf and he is a demon kin. He is a liquor seller at the demon capital but decided to travel here to do business.

“Bagruuf, what happened? I thought you’ve gone towards the demon capital”

“My friend, the demon capital is in turmoil so business is scarce.”

“In turmoil? Do you have any idea why?”

“Of course. It’s because of the disappearance of the demon lord that the councils are fighting over the throne.”

“What?!”

“Yes... they said that the demon lord was killed.”

“That’s impossible!”

“You know something friend”

“Cattleya is fine and well! I can assure you that!”

“I can trust your word, yes?”

“Yes!”

“I see. The only assumption I can make is that they took this opportunity to take the throne for themselves. It’s treason per se.”

“Hmm…”

“Is something troubling you, friend?”

“I need a job…”

“Oh! You’ve come at the perfect time! I need an assistant here too!”

“Really?! Then, I can learn your brewing techniques?!”

“Of course!”

It seems while they are on a serious talk, the conversation heads towards a really convenient situation and Ichirou was taken in as an assistant which he happily accepts.

He looks really eager…

“Then Ichirou-nii, we’re going out of the city to fish at the shore. Is that acceptable?”

“Hmm? Yeah, just return by sunset. Bagruuf told me that he will let us sleep here.”

“Really!? Mister Bagruuf, thank you!”

“Aye, for my friend’s friend are also my friends.”

With that, we left the place.

Casablanca, Hibiscus and I head towards the coastline.

.

.

.

The trees are abundant in this place and the shore isn’t rocky but it is filled with sand. It feels like a resort without the people.

The breeze of the sea enters my nose and it felt really good even though it’s salty.

“It’s the sea!”

“Asagao? That’s a bit obvious…”

“Yeah…it is the sea…we know.”

“Pii!”

Ah…

Don’t mind me…

The sand is warm and the salty breeze feels good. The twins are also enjoying themselves as they run around.

As we get far away, we can see the city as the coast curves. The city is placed in an elevated place so it looks really high from where we are.

The sunshine feels good and the sky is beautiful as clouds hover above us.

The three of us broke out in a smile as we enjoy this moment. I feel like there’s nothing is going to go wrong. I wanted to visit these kinds of places…

Together with Alstore…

With Higan…

With Hibiscus…

With Casablanca…

With the heroes…

With Fon, Violetta, Lily, Edelweiss and even Ishtal!

And to all the friends that I met!

“Asagao…you look so happy.”

“Yes! I am really glad to feel this sensation again.”

“Pii!”

“Dumb bird.”

“PIII!!!”

“Ahahaha!”

We run further away from the city. The sun is still high and we have a lot of time in our hands so we enjoy ourselves and move our bodies to stave off the fatigues.

.

.

.

As we go further and further, our playtime halted as we saw something.

A large ship docked in a cave.

“Hmm…should we approach it?”

“Asagao…isn’t that dangerous?”

“Casablanca, we have Emby! And Asagao is strong too so there’s no worries!”

As we walk closer, we saw people bringing and loading stuffs in the ship. As we got further closer, I realize that the ship, based on its flag…is a pirate ship…

“Wait…you two…”

“What?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to steer clear of trouble. I think we should retreat.”

“Oh? Retreat from where?”

A voice suddenly petrified us at our place as someone suddenly found us.

Our head slowly turns around like broken clockwork.

What we saw is…

A girl with a healthy brown skin and cute shoulder length wavy brown hair that reflects the sun’s light. She wears a red robe over a red coat and designed with white slacks with a belt tied in her thighs.

On her head is a large hat that resembles of what a pirate would wear adorned with blue feather. A small pointy ears stick out from her hair and the most noticeable feature of the girl is…

“S-Short!”

“Rude! Aren’t you shorter than me?!”

“E-Eh…”

“Wait…you three…”

“…”

“Are you three the new recruits?”

“Eh?”

“Oh! I’m really happy! Come, come! We’re going to sail immediately!”

“W-Wait, don’t push us!”

The girl pushes us towards the ship.

The crew greets her and glance at us with a weird face but also greeted us with a cheerful smile. The crews are few in numbers but they were similar uniforms. There’s a demon and a beast kin. There was no human but that’s fine.

As we got forcefully boarded, they immediately pulled that anchor and slid the plan on to the ship and…

“Sally ho!”

“””Aye, Captain!”””

We just sat there, dumbfounded.

The girl approaches us and speak.

“Welcome aboard to Iowa, new faces! I am the captain, Merissa! As you can see, I am a dwarf! Just so you know, I am over a thousand years. I am from the first generation dwarves so don’t start comparing me to those mountain lover second generation dwarves who love sniffing stones!”

“E..ermm… what…are we doing here again?”

“Goodness! They didn’t brief you guys properly, huh?”

“There isn’t even a briefing to begin with…”

“We are going to war!!!”

“War?!”

“That’s right! We are going to participate in the Pirate Game! I hope you three brought enough undies because the excitement will make you wet!”

Come on…this isn’t what I asked for!