The streets that I didn't pay much attention to because I was fascinated by the sight of floating islands, now managed to make my eyes unblink by the faint runes on either side of the road, emitting a dim bluish light with a rhythm like a breath. Streetlights hovered in the air, high enough not to disturb pedestrians and low enough to be safe for hovering vehicles at a certain height.

Above, there was a transparent blue dome with its center coming from inside the palace which was located on the highest peak of the city.

A bright blue flare seemed to radiate upwards, looking so bright but not hurting the eyes, making me curious, what energy did this giant protection dome use? It was certain to use something that was also capable of destroying a city.

Various races began to emerge, walking with laughter and jokes, appearing peaceful and calm, making my heart feel at ease. For the first time, I saw someone with animal-like ears, such as cats, foxes, wolves, and so on. They even had tails!

Then, I was amazed to see the Orc race directly, with their muscular bodies towering over 2 meters tall and their green skin.

Red tribal lines were visible on their bodies, some covering their entire bodies, others on one or both arms, and some only on their faces. It might have a symbolic meaning or simply be their fashion choice. It could be both, considering how deeply rooted the Orc race is in their tribes and such matters.

Then the Elves.

A race that has become one of the favorite races for fans of the fantasy genre, not only because of their angelic appearance, but also because of their high level of sensitivity to magic.

They were also beings who appeared as elegant and dignified as royalty, even if the elves were just ordinary citizens in their place of origin. It's common for an Elf to have high self-esteem considering they have the longest life span compared to other races and carry out noble duties like guarding the forest and its contents which is my question now.

Is it okay for them to see tools? or furniture made of wood?

Hopefully no problems occur.

Not long after, I saw another race that was quite rare in games, movies and comics. A race that came from fire, like them, three people of average height. One woman and two men whose entire bodies looked to be made of cold magma rocks with every crack flowing molten magma that somehow, will never flow out of the way.

They walked towards me while telling stories with laughter that occasionally appeared, saying "Hey there" When they passed me and continued on their way.

"They are the Ignis race, a race that originates from the east, deep in the desert region which papa says is so hot, that even someone as strong as papa feels exhausted there" The princess explained, noticing the question mark on my face.

"They belong to one of the races who just arrived in this world, only a few months apart from Zent, but already one of the races that often helps the other races when something goes wrong."

Ohh, I didn't expect the princess to know so much about this world. Her intelligence was overshadowed by her childish nature which not until a second later appeared when we passed a candy seller in the form of a unique blue cube, also emitting a little bluish light.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The princess ran there, trying to attract the attention of the seller who was serving other buyers.

I rushed there, knelt beside the princess while watching the candies temporarily displayed on the table using a soft cream-colored wooden stick "Princess wants it?" I asked, attracting the attention of the princess of the seller who was still busy serving.

The princess nodded quickly several times, looking like she really wanted the candy but was confused about how to get the seller to serve it.

Without being able to prevent it, my hand was gently stroking the princess's head "Princess, can I ask one thing from the princess?" I asked again and this time his attention was really directed at me "Princess see there are still many people who want to buy the candy right? And we are the last to arrive, so we have to.."

"Wait in line" replied the princess.

She glanced back, noticed the candy had started to decrease, fidgeted, then looked back at me "But they're going to run out! I don't know if we can buy them again or not, especially I know Zent won't be here long. I want to buy some so Zent remembers this place and will come back again"

It was at that moment that I felt as if my heart had just been stabbed by a knife, hearing the words I really disliked, a farewell.

How should I reply?

Knowing that the princess seemed agitated wasn't because she wanted candy, but because she wanted to make a memory, a special memory.. for me.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my heart, then gathered my strength to look directly into the princess's eyes. "Princess, I promise you, I will definitely come back if that's what you wish."

"Zent promise?" she repeated, making sure.

Stay strong, Zent.

"I promise"

"Aww, he's truly a good man and have such an innocent face. But why did the princess become so familiar with him so quickly? Didn't they just meet less than 5 hours ago?" asked the blonde knight who was now hanging below a tower, where Celine and the other knight were also keeping an eye on the two people below after ensuring the surrounding area was safe.

"That's because lately Mr. Anderson hasn't been home much, busy with preparations for 'that' thing. Of course, Luna would feel lonely. Just imagine living in a mansion that big but feeling empty without someone's presence.

The maids are still trying to spend time with her, but they also have their own tasks, and Luna's personal maid has tried various ways to open her heart, but still failed. Why do you think only Zent is able to do it?"

"You just answered my question with another question," replied the knight, which was deliberately ignored.

"Because Zent is different," answered Celine, surprising her two friends without even shifting her gaze from the white-haired man who was now handing the candy to the princess, making her jump with joy.

A soft smile formed on Celine's face without her realizing it.

"I don't know why, but there's something about him that makes people feel comfortable, feel..

Safe.

Maybe that's one of the reasons why Luna has become so attached to him, apart from Mr. Anderson spending less time with his daughter lately."

The two knights fell silent hearing Luna's explanation, not because they didn't agree, but because they felt the same way.

The first time they saw Zent, they weren't wary but felt that he was completely harmless, not even having the slightest bad intention. Because of that they feel safe Luna is with him in the hope that their judgment is not wrong.

Because if they do, they will never be able to forgive themselves.

While her two best friends were thinking about that, Celine was thinking about how to get the man to treat her the same way she treated the princess. Maybe she also has to look cute and jump up and down happily like what Luna is doing now?

Just imagining it had disgusted Celine half to death, that she reflex hit the roof pillar that was right beside her, making her two best friends gasp in shock and wince watching the crumbling wall while wondering what had made Celine behave so strangely like that.

The behavior that as long as they were friends, had never appeared once. Just when Zent shows up...

The two knights looked at each other, smiled knowingly, then simultaneously looked at their Captain who was back leaning against the parapet, still looking down.