When Fidelis and I arrived at the slave market, the night was pitch-black. My mind was focused; I was determined to find the wolf girl I had locked eyes with before. There was something unexplainable about her—when I saw her, I felt a pull deep within me.

"Why exactly are we here?" Fidelis asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and caution. Being in the eastern district at this hour meant danger lurked around every corner.

"I want to rescue a wolf girl I saw earlier. There's something different about her—I felt it," I said firmly, my eyes scanning the crowd, fixed on my goal.

"This night is definitely taking an interesting turn," Fidelis chuckled lightly, though his alert posture betrayed his readiness for trouble.

Fortunately, most of the slave traders were still present, though they had begun closing up their shops. Time was running out, and I needed to act fast. As we ventured deeper into the market, the cries of the enslaved echoed around us—pleas for salvation. Each voice tugged at my heart; I wished I could free them all. But tonight, I had one mission. I had to find her.

Finally, I spotted her. The young wolf girl was crouched down, crying silently. I approached her, but before I could say anything, her owner stepped in.

"She's crying because her sister died. I couldn’t sell her—it’s been a huge loss for me," he said, his tone indifferent and devoid of empathy. His words enraged me, but I forced myself to remain calm. Losing control would mean losing the chance to save her.

"How much do you want for this girl?" I asked, my tone sharp and unwavering.

The slave trader stared at me for a moment before grinning slyly. "Ah, straight to business, I like that," he chuckled. "This girl has caused me more trouble than she's worth. Killed three of my men and took one of my eyes." He lifted his eye patch, revealing an empty socket. "So, considering all the trouble and expenses, she'll cost you 10 gold."

"Ten gold? Are you out of your mind?" Fidelis snapped, disbelief evident in his voice. His reaction made it clear that this was an exorbitant price.

I needed a solution—and quickly. My eyes landed on the trader's eye patch, sparking an idea.

"What if I offer you something more valuable than gold?" I asked, keeping my voice steady and serious.

The slave trader's expression shifted to one of curiosity. "Oh? And what might that be?" he asked, his interest clearly piqued. "Gold is more valuable than most things."

"But not everything," I said firmly. "There are some things that surpass gold in value—things that perhaps matter far more to someone like you."

A glint appeared in the trader's eyes. "You're intriguing me," he said. "Alright, then, what are you offering instead of gold?"

"Your eye," I said, motioning toward his empty socket. "I can restore it for you. In return, you'll give me both the wolf girl and her sister."

The slave trader stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, so you're a healer, are you?" he asked, his tone a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

"Yes. I can perform god-level healing magic. With it, I can restore the eye you lost," I said confidently.

The slave trader pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright, but first, I need to see if you can actually do it."

"If you break the deal, I'll take both of your eyes," Fidelis interjected, his voice dripping with menace. Even I felt a chill at his words.

I placed my hand over the empty eye socket and began chanting the magical incantation. A gentle glow surrounded us, cutting through the darkness with its radiant light. After a few minutes, the eye had fully regenerated.

"Close your other eye and see if it works," I instructed.

The trader blinked several times before a wide grin spread across his face. "Hahaha! It worked! I can see again!" he exclaimed in delight.

"Now, as per our agreement, they are mine," I stated firmly. He nodded, still reveling in his newfound vision, and removed the slave collars from the wolf girl and her sister.

"I'll need to place a binding spell on you and the girl to ensure she doesn't escape or try to kill you," he warned as he began preparing the spell.

"That's unnecessary," I cut in sharply, giving him a piercing glare.

"Are you an idiot? Without the binding, she'll be free to do whatever she wants. You're risking your life!" the slave trader shouted, but my unwavering glare silenced him. Begrudgingly, he removed the collars.

The wolf girl collapsed into my arms, her frail body trembling. She was likely malnourished and ill, her skin marred with wounds—some fresh, others long healed into scars. Her little sister lay limp beside her, confirming my worst fear. She was already gone.

"Everything will be alright," I whispered softly, offering as much reassurance as I could.

But we couldn't stay here. "Fidelis, we need to find an inn immediately," I said urgently.

Fidelis caught the seriousness in my voice and nodded. "Understood. Let's go."

Once we reached an inn and rented a room, Fidelis turned to me with a questioning look. "So, what exactly do you plan to do with them?"

The wolf girl and her little sister were lying side by side on the bed, their frail and injured forms a stark reminder of the suffering they endured.

"I need to heal her first," I said, my eyes fixed on the wolf girl. I sat beside her and began casting a healing spell, feeling the familiar warmth ripple through my hands. I also cleansed her fragile body of the sickness that had taken hold of her.

A moment later, her eyes fluttered open. There was something in them—an indescribable depth that froze me in place. They were mesmerizing, like two endless pools of darkness. For a fleeting moment, I was spellbound; I couldn't look away.

"Am... am I dead?" she asked weakly, her voice delicate, angelic, and yet trembling with fragility. It was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard, soft and poetic, yet filled with shock.

"No," I replied gently. "I healed you. My name is Shinya Kage, and this is Fidelis. We rescued you from that slave trader."

"Shi-nya," she stammered, as though testing the sound of my name on her lips. "I remember you... I saw you this morning." Her voice still quivered, and though her body was healed, it was clear she was exhausted.

"I’m Eleanor," she whispered softly, her words barely audible. Before I could respond, her gaze shifted, and her eyes locked onto the lifeless body of her younger sister lying beside her.

"Mira!" Her scream cut through the room, slicing through the silence like a knife. Eleanor threw herself onto her sister's chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Her cries echoed with raw agony, wrenching at my heart.

I rushed to her side, wrapping my arms tightly around her from behind. "Eleanor-san! Eleanor-san!" I called her name over and over, trying to pull her back from the abyss of her sorrow. Her sobs gradually softened, though her body still trembled violently against mine. Minutes passed before she finally stilled in my arms, her grief momentarily abating.

"When... when did she die?" I asked quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"This af... afternoon," she choked out between hiccups, her tears still streaming down her face.

Eight hours… Maybe—just maybe—it wasn’t too late.

I held Eleanor a little tighter, my own heartbeat quickening as the possibility began to form in my mind. Could I do it? Could I save Mira too?

I had to try.

When I turned to Fidelis, my heart still raced, but my resolve was unshaken. "I’m going to perform a resurrection spell," I said, my voice steady yet brimming with determination.

"Shinya! That spell has been forbidden by Luminara. If she finds out, you could be punished," he warned, his worry etched into his expression. He was right; resurrection magic was a forbidden spell, outlawed by divine decree. It could bring me serious trouble. Yet, after seeing Eleanor’s overwhelming grief, I couldn’t back down now. I had to save Mira—no matter what. At the very least, I had to try.

"I’m prepared for the consequences," I replied, my expression unwavering. The weight of my decision hung heavily in the air.

"Now you’re truly speaking like a commander," Fidelis said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I’ll follow you into the deepest pit of hell if I must." His loyalty filled me with gratitude, a comforting reminder that I wasn’t alone in this battle.

Performing this spell would require an immense amount of mana. Fortunately, the mana potions I had consumed earlier at Paul’s clinic had fully replenished my reserves.

Fidelis gently pulled Eleanor back, giving me the space I needed. I sat beside Mira's lifeless body, my heart pounding in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I began casting the forbidden resurrection spell.

"O Light, hear my desperate plea,

In this shadow where silence reigns,

Breathe life into what should not be,

Illuminate these chains of darkness.

Call back the dead with your warmth,

Rescue their souls from the void,

Do not let them succumb to despair

Where hope has fled.

With your grace, revive them anew,

As dawn pierces the night,

Return their breath, mend their soul,

Bestow upon them the brilliance of life,

Awaken this soul, Resurrect!"

I poured every ounce of my being into the spell. In my mind, I envisioned the moment of Mira’s revival: a radiant light enveloping her. I imagined the spiritual glow illuminating the room, chasing away the shadows, and filling the air with warmth and hope.

But as the light grew brighter, so did the pain coursing through my body. It felt as if fire was surging through my veins, every pulse a brutal reminder of the toll the spell was taking on me. My head throbbed violently, and it became harder to focus; with each word I spoke, the pain deepened. Blood dripped from my nose and eyes once more, proof that I was pushing myself beyond my limits. The world around me started spinning, but I fought against the darkness threatening to pull me under.

In that moment of struggle, I caught Eleanor's hopeful gaze, reigniting my determination. I can’t let her down, I thought, willing the energy within me to surge. I envisioned Mira’s soul breaking free from the void, bathed in the light of salvation. As I uttered the final words of the spell, a burst of radiant light engulfed the room. I felt myself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, yet I clung tightly to the thought of bringing Mira back to life, pressing on with the spell.

With a blinding brilliance, the light enveloped Mira’s body, and I held my breath, feeling every heartbeat resonate with the intense magic swirling around us. Suddenly, I heard a soft gasp, and my heart pounded as if it would burst.

As the light began to fade, I saw Mira open her eyes. She looked startled.

“Mira!” Eleanor cried, her voice filled with joy.

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She ran to Mira, embracing her tightly, tears streaming down her face as she called Mira’s name over and over: “Mira! You’re alive!” The sight was breathtaking—a moment of pure love and relief that filled the room with warmth, washing away all the pain I had endured.

Watching them reunite, I couldn’t help but smile, a wave of happiness washing over me. Finally, I thought, feeling that my efforts had borne fruit at last. But amidst that joyful moment, exhaustion took hold of me. My vision blurred, and darkness began to creep into the edges of my consciousness.

As the sounds of jubilant cries filled the air, I succumbed to fatigue, the world fading around me. The last thing I heard was Fidelis shouting my name, his voice echoing as if from the other side of a distant wall. Moments later, everything plunged into darkness.

Suddenly, I found myself in a crowded street. The road was bustling with individuals of every race. Some were walking, while others were trying to sell their wares. I started walking through the crowd, unable to make sense of what was happening. Just moments ago, I remembered reviving Mira in a tavern room. But now, I was wandering in an unfamiliar place.

"Hello again, Shinya. It's so good to see you," said a familiar voice from behind me.

When I turned around, I saw a man. He was dressed in fine clothing, but his face was hidden behind a mask adorned with several symbols. Despite the different attire, he was unmistakably the weird man who had appeared in my dreams.

"Hello, Weird Man. It’s been a while. I thought you’d forgotten about me," I replied in a mocking tone.

"Hahaha, still as witty as ever, Shinya," the Weird Man said with a laugh. "Come, let’s take a walk," he added.

At that moment, everyone on the street vanished. It was just me and the Weird Man now. I felt a bit tense, but I knew this was only a dream.

"Your life in this world is truly fascinating, Shinya. You possess an affinity for both Light and Dark magic. On top of that, you carry the Fury of the Forsaken," the Weird Man remarked. It seemed he really had been watching my life.

"Sometimes, I think I’m cursed with bad luck. Or perhaps someone wants me to live a very tragic life," I said sarcastically.

"Interesting. Do you believe your life is being controlled by someone else?" he asked.

The question gave me pause. Did I truly have free will? Or were all my thoughts, experiences, and desires merely dictated by someone else?

"To be honest, I’m a bit undecided about that. Some events feel like they’re controlled by another. Like this dream, for instance. I believe you’re the one who brought me here," I said.

"An intriguing answer, Shinya," the Weird Man said, with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"And what about you?" I asked, curious about his thoughts on fate.

He paused for a moment, looking down at the ground, as if contemplating his answer. Then, he raised his head and looked to the sky. "I believe some have free will, while others live in the dream worlds created by those who possess it," said the Weird Man. His answer plunged me deeper into thought.

"And which one are you?" I asked.

"Who knows," he said with a light chuckle.

After walking a bit further, we arrived at a dead-end alley.

"It seems your time is up, Shinya," the Weird Man said, opening a portal on the wall with a wave of his hand. Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. I assumed it was another hint about an event to come.

I took the card from him and turned it over slowly. It was the Lovers card from the tarot deck, symbolizing love and the choices one must make in relationships.

As I stared at the card, my thoughts drifted to Eleanor. When our eyes had met in the slave market, I had felt a spark run through my body. Was it love at first sight? I wasn’t sure. But one thing I did know was that I felt something for Eleanor.

"I suppose saving Eleanor wasn’t for nothing," I said pensively.

"Who knows," the Weird Man replied. "Take care, Shinya. We’ll meet again," he said before vanishing.

I turned toward the portal and began walking toward it.

When I woke up, I found myself lying in bed, completely naked. I tried to lift my arms, but they refused to move. After a moment, I realized that Eleanor and Mira were sleeping beside me, holding my arms with their hands. Seeing them peacefully asleep like that warmed my heart.

Wait a minute, they’re sleeping with me!

As soon as I realized, a wave of excitement washed over me. My heart began to race, and sweat gathered on my forehead. Being this close to a girl made me uneasy. Zenita had been the perfect example of this; for three years, she had constantly provoked me, shaking my basic instincts each time. But being with Eleanor felt different... it was calmer, more meaningful than Zenita's playful torment.

I couldn’t see Fidelis anywhere in the room. He had probably rented another room and left the girls with me.

Before long, Eleanor opened her eyes and looked at me with a sleepy expression. "Good morning," she said softly.

"Good morning, Eleanor-san. Did you sleep well?" I asked. It wasn’t just because she was a slave, but she had to bear the trauma of losing her sister — even though she was alive, that wound was still fresh.

As Eleanor sat up in bed, her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. "You passed out because you used all your mana. Mira and I... we slept with you to share our mana," she said, her voice soft as her face flushed. "Fidelis rented another room."

She quickly hid her face behind the pillow, but her beautiful black eyes were still peeking out from the edge of it. "Thank you for saving my sister," she whispered, her voice muffled but full of gratitude.

"You're welcome," I replied, offering her a smile. "I couldn’t let you and Mira-chan live like that."

"Why... Why did you save us?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. She wasn’t hiding her face behind the pillow anymore, but she was still avoiding looking directly at me.

"To be honest..." I hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. "I still don't understand it. When I saw you in the slave market, something stirred inside me. It was like a pull. I had to save you and Mira." My voice trembled as I struggled to express this strange feeling I had.

I was telling the truth. There was something about her that deeply affected me, but I couldn’t fully understand what it was. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

"Why didn't you bind us with magic?" Eleanor asked.

Her gaze pierced through me, and I felt like I was lost in her beautiful black eyes. I opened my mouth to answer, but I didn’t know what to say. "Because..."

I took a deep breath, and more forcefully than I intended, the words spilled out: "I don’t want you to be my slave. I want you and Mira to be free!" My voice echoed in the room. Eleanor was shocked.

"You both deserve a better life," I continued, my tone calmer but still intense. "If you want, you can leave anytime, but..." As the weight of my feelings reflected in my words, my voice trembled. I didn’t want her to leave. I knew I wanted to spend more time with her.

Summoning all my courage, I looked at her and said, "I would be so happy if both of you stayed with me, please!" I bowed my head in desperation. I didn’t even know why I was shouting—maybe I had gotten too excited, or perhaps I was afraid of losing her.

I looked at Eleanor; she was still in shock, but now I could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. Had I frightened her? A wave of worry washed over me.

"Eleanor-san... are you okay?" I asked hesitantly.

She blinked her eyes and seemed to realize for the first time that she was crying. "Huh," she murmured, quickly wiping her face. "I'm not crying, okay?" she said suddenly, in a defensive tone. "I’m just... surprised to hear that. And also, there's no need for formal speech. Just Eleanor is enough." Her voice was softer now, but she didn’t seem entirely sure of herself.

I couldn’t tell whether she was serious or just putting on a brave face, but before I could figure it out, she sat up straight and pointed at me with her finger. "We’ll stay with you because you saved us," she said in a firm tone, "but if you do anything bad or disrespectful, you’ll pay the price!"

Her gaze was intense, and I was now sure she was completely serious.

"Thank you so much, Eleanor," I said with a smile. "Well... there’s something I wanted to say."

"What?" Eleanor asked, still serious.

"I have no idea how I’m going to take you anywhere—"

"You can take them as your personal servants," Fidelis interrupted, suddenly speaking up and breaking the moment. I hadn’t even noticed he was standing by the door.

"Oh, Fidelis, how long have you been standing there?" I asked, feeling caught off guard.

"Since you two lovebirds started chatting," he replied with a mischievous grin. He was clearly enjoying himself, as if he had set a trap for us.

"What? What? Lovebirds?" Eleanor stammered, her face instantly turning bright red. "He saved us, and we’re repaying him!" she quickly added, her surprise turning into a frantic denial.

Fidelis just laughed; I, already flushed, turned even redder. I could tell Eleanor felt the same way, so I quickly searched for a way to change the subject.

"We didn’t really get a chance to properly introduce ourselves yesterday," I said. "I’m Shinya Kage. You can just call me Shinya. I’m a member of the Knights of Light. It’s a pleasure to meet you." I extended my hand, hoping to steer the conversation toward safer ground.

Eleanor tilted her head slightly and asked, "Where are you from, Shinya?"

That question felt more difficult than I expected. I silently looked at Fidelis, seeking his opinion. His expression said it all: This is your decision.

I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t ready to share the full truth. "For now, let’s just say I’m from a very distant place," I said quietly, hoping that answer would be sufficient for now.

Eleanor seemed a little confused but didn’t press further. She extended her hand and shook mine. "I’m Eleanor, and this is my sister Mira," she said, pointing to the girl beside her who was still asleep. "We’re from Thalindor."

"Our father..." she began, but her voice faltered for a moment. She hesitated, then softly added, "Vulkanis."

Fidelis, clearly surprised by what he had just heard, asked, "Is this a joke?"

I turned to him and asked, "Who is Vulkanis?"

"He's the Flame Wolf of Destruction," Fidelis explained. "Also, the current king of Thalindor," he added, and Eleanor nodded in agreement.

"Why did you hesitate to say his name?" I asked, curious about her reaction.

Eleanor gently sighed. "He’s a harsh man. Incredibly strong and... he always resorts to violence to solve problems. That’s just who he is." There was a mix of disappointment and sorrow in her voice, as if the weight of her father’s reputation had crushed her.

"As far as I remember, the Beastman Kingdom has a royal family. How can your father be a king?" I asked.

Eleanor clarified, "The Beastman Kingdom has two capitals: Aerolia and Thalindor." She continued, "Aerolia is a vibrant place. The royal family governs there. Beastmen from all over live there."

What she was describing really piqued my interest. Aerolia sounded like a fascinating place filled with life, power, and culture. I found myself wanting to learn more. "What about Thalindor?" I asked, eager to hear more about the second capital.

"Thalindor, the second capital, is really different," Eleanor continued. "It’s nothing like Aerolia. The ruler is chosen through a great tournament, but only Beastmen are allowed to participate. Warriors from all over come to fight in the arena, each hoping to claim the throne."

Eleanor went on. "The current king has won the tournament five years in a row, including the most recent one. That’s why he’s still king."

It was strange to hear about such a system of government. It was even more fascinating than the Republic of United Races.

Eleanor added, "The tournament is also a way for us to express our gratitude to Sapiencanum."

"Sapiencanum?" I asked, my surprise evident. I had never heard this name before.

"Sapiencanum is one of the four great gods," Eleanor explained. "He is the god of knowledge, wisdom, and technology. He is also associated with war and strategy. Many believe he is a wise, formidable warrior."

Eleanor continued, "The Beastman race believes that our immense power comes from Sapiencanum. The dwarves say they owe their incredible blacksmithing skills and technological advancements to him."

"So there are four great gods, and Sapiencanum is one of them," I said, putting together what they had shared. "As far as I know, Luminara is another, and I’ve also heard of the Goddess of Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft; Enchanta."

"Yes, that’s correct," Eleanor replied. "It’s believed that Enchanta granted magical powers to all races except the dwarves. To the dwarves, instead of granting them magic, she gave them a unique ability to enchant weapons, armor, clothing, and accessories with magical powers. While other races can do this, they’re not as skilled as the dwarves."

Fidelis interjected, "After Luminara created the world and the races, Enchanta created the ‘manasphere’—a mystical field surrounding the entire world that allows us to perform magic. She also enhanced the abilities of races that can use magic by granting them mana."

Eleanor added, "The elves especially worship Enchanta and depict her as an elven goddess."

"I see. So, Luminarca's four great gods are: Luminara, Sapiencanum, Enchanta... but who is the last one?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity.

"Tenebris Dominus," Fidelis said in a cold voice.

The moment the name left his lips, a shiver ran down my spine. My whole body tensed, and a wave of intense fear washed over me, my legs trembling. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, as if my soul recoiled from the very mention of the name.

"Lord of the Void?" I stammered, my voice trembling with fear.

Memories of the Void—the suffocating, overwhelming sense of nothingness—came rushing back like a torrent. It was something beyond the comprehension of any human mind. A place where the very essence of existence itself is erased. Just thinking about it sent chills down my spine.

"Are you okay, Shinya?" Eleanor asked, her voice filled with concern. "You look pale."

I forced myself to shake off the fear. "I’m fine, just... bad memories," I said, trying to smile despite the lingering unease.

"I think Tenebris Dominus is a bad god," I said, trying to calm myself.

"Most races think so," Eleanor nodded. "But demons see him differently. They revere him as their god and believe that their dark magic comes from him. That’s why demons and anyone who worships Tenebris Dominus face heavy discrimination in many places."

I suppose religious discrimination exists even in other worlds.

"That’s why you don’t find his temples in many places," Fidelis added. "But there’s a large cathedral dedicated to him in the Demon Kingdom. Libercivia and the Republic of United Races also allow races to worship him freely, but they can’t stop people from discriminating against his followers."

"So, the other gods have temples all around the world," I said.

"Yes, especially Luminara. There are churches in Ardoria, Eldridge, Stormhaven, Libercivia, and Unitia," Fidelis added.

"That makes sense. But why doesn't Luminara have any churches in the elf, beastmen, or dwarf kingdoms?" I asked, my mind confused. Given that she’s considered the goddess of creation, this seemed odd.

"Because non-human races believe that Luminara has always favored humans," Eleanor said, her face tightening with anger.

This explained why Luminara’s army consisted only of humans, except for Zenita.

"Anyway, that's enough lessons for today," Fidelis said, cutting off my thoughts. "Shinya, take this money. You should take Eleanor and Mira shopping. They need new clothes. I have some things to handle, but I've already informed Marlone. He’s assigned Henry and Izabella to protect you. They’ll accompany you during your shopping trip. Meet me at the door with Marlone when the sun sets. Afterward, we’ll head back to the cathedral."

He probably used a telepathy spell to contact Marlone. Sometimes I forget that such a power exists.

I hugged Fidelis and thanked him. I woke Mira up, and we all got ready to leave. As we stepped outside the inn, Henry and Izabella greeted us. With our small group, we set off toward the shopping district.

to be continued...