Carrying along with a bubbly demeanor, Imuru already thought up plans for the aesthetic nature of his home. Having an overwhelming amount of ideas, flowing in, but searching for the most plausible one.

His thoughts abruptly switch, as he remembered he still had the title of Great Demon Lord. What can be done with such a thing, made Imuru ponder. Going around mentioning he's the Great Demon Lord seemed a bit too embarrassing.

“Hmm. I'll need people and a decent amount to start off,” Imuru thought out loud. But the obvious dilemma for him was how would he get anyone in the first place..

“People, Infrastructure, and some other important stuff,” He sighed. “Honesty this can wait,” Imuru thought, lowering his head.

He straightened himself, getting a sudden idea. “Wait??? What if…” He spun around back to town, “I claimed Prerent?!” In a moment he made a spontaneous decision and rushed back inwards the town, leaving his horse to carry-on at a measly pace.

Imuru managed to locate Prerent, stocking up for his journey. Prerent quickly sighted the rushing Imuru. “Imuru,” He thought out loud, bemused.

His bemused expression formed into one of strange relief. “Imuru! Welcome back! Come back for me, I see?”

“I'd love that,” Imuru replied with a cheeky grin across his face. He took a deep breath, and pointed at Prerent. “Look, from now on, you're under the protection of the Great Demon Lord.”

“Hm.” Prerent tilted his head bemused. “Really?” He smiled, far from taking Imuru seriously.

Imuru stared at Prerent his expression unwavering. “Prerent…” Imuru murmured, embarrassment creeping up on him.

Imuru pouts, and rests his hand on his waist. “I hope you're not making fun of me.”

“Hmm. Nope.” Prerent gently patted Imuru on his head, a sly smile on his face. “Sure, I'll take you up on that offer.”

“Ah, well… At least this went well,” Imuru thought, his bold confidence slowly being replaced by embarrassment. Imuru sighed, “I think I shamed myself enough for one day.”

He cleared his throat with a calm expression across his face. This calmness didn't last long, as his eyes widened with instantaneous worry. “Okay bye Prerent!” Imuru blurted out running off in a hurry.

Prerent reached to stop him, his mouth open, but his words caught in his throat. “Uh… That was abrupt,” He thought, his disappointment palpable.

Prerent waited for Imuru to fade out of his sight, before he carried on with loading. He paused abruptly feeling a strange pressure behind him. Hesitant, he turned around to face the strange presence behind him, his expectation swiftly changed from worry to bemusement.

“Oh, dare, my apologies, it seems I may have frightened you,” Yosho politely greeted, her passive warm smile playing on her lips. “If I may ask… Would you mind knowing where your friend may be heading?”

Prerent is taken aback by this question, causing him to question her motives. “I don't know…” He replied, hesitantly.

Yosho tilted her head, and barely just opened her eyes. “Really?” Yosho probed, a sinister glare in her eyes.

Instantaneously in dramatic fashion, Prerent was on his knees, hands in the air. “Okay, seriously I can't get killed over this, an injury is worse,” He thought frightened.

“He's supposedly returning home. The Village… Associated with the 6th. But I'm not sure.” Prerent's gaze obscurely drifted off.

Yosho smiled pleasantly. “Thank you.” She whispered sweetly, bowed and went on her way, leaving a shaken up and bemused Prerent.

Prerent sighed weary. “Ugh. Thanks for the send off,” He murmured, his body falling limp.

Imuru rushes throughout the village, his heart racing. The forest swiftly floods back into sight, along with the path. “I doubt it can wander off, right?” Imuru pondered, trying not to lose hope.

A mere moment later, Imuru slowly dragged into a walk. Up ahead, his horse-drawn cart seemed to be under meticulous investigation. A horse-drawn cart without an owner likely would've confused and raised suspicion from anyone.

“Thank goodness…” Imuru thought out of relief, holding his chest.

“Uh.” The leathered guard took swift notice of Imuru's presence, and gave his friend a light tap, alerting him.

“Hmm. That's Luntos's acquaintance,” The armored guard murmured.

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Imuru greeted the guards with a warm smile. “I… Excuse me. I'm Imuru and the owner of this cart.” He glanced at the armored guard, holding the horse's rein.

The leathered guard raised his head slightly. “Do you have proof of ownership?” The guard asked, his tone passive.

“No. All I can say is that this is for a little room of mine,” Imuru replied, expressionless and unreadable, as his eyes glued to the cart.

The guards gave each other a glance, not particularly sure of what action they should take.

The leathered guard took a sharp breath. “Okay, then. So, everything in there is for you?”

Imuru nodded. “Yes sir.”

The leathered guard gaze drifted off to the forest. “Okay… And you're a guy right?” He asked with some hesitation.

Imuru tilted his head, uncertain of what this line question is leading to. “Yes… I am.”

The leathered guard narrowed his eyes for a brief moment, and gave all over Imuru. “So you like to play dress up?”

Imuru stepped back and gasped. “Wow! Wow! Wow! No, those were unintentionally gifted to me… just a mix up,” He replied in a frantic state, using his arms to form a big X.

A small smile creased the corners of the leathered guard's lips. “Yeah, I can see why. Pardon me for the strange questions, you're free to take your stuff.” He looked at his friend and nodded.

Imuru lightly chuckled. “Yeah, It happens…” He muttered embarrassed. Retrieved the rein and went on his way. He petted his horse relieved. “My, apologies for the inconvenience my friend. Without Prerent we should be able to get home faster. I'll try to make your stay as comfortable as possible.”

He glanced back at his cart, the memory of when he first held the dress playing in his mind. “I'll keep it… Obviously, not to wear it or anything… Would be a waste to just throw it away,” Imuru thought, his cheeks flushed red.

Time passed by swiftly, the sun came and went, leaving behind the darkness, along with the illumination of the moon. Working overnight, Collon heard a knock at his office door.

Collon called in the individual and to no surprise of his, it was his sister Yosho.

He smiled gleefully. “Now, what might my dare sister need at such a time?” Collon asked playfully.

Yosho opened her eyes, her hands held in front, one holding onto the other. “... I. Excuse me.” She turned around to leave, having second thoughts.

“Yosho!” Collon called out, stopping her from leaving. “What's wrong?” His expression formed into one of concern.

“... It's selfish really…” Yosho murmured, her head held low.

Collon got up from around his desk, and attended to his sister. “Selfish?” He repeated, unsure of what she meant.

Yosho made eye contact. “Brother, if I wanted to leave, how'd you feel?”

The room fell into an instant silence. “Hmm.” Collon held his head low. Yosho waited in this silence for a few seconds awaiting a response.

She sighed. “Fear not brother, I was just relying on my thoughts to you… They are just thoughts.” Her smile never once left her face, nor did her professional demeanor change, throughout the interaction.

Respectfully, Yosho bowed. “Excuse me.” With that said she took her leave.

Yosho made her way to the entrance of the guild, paying little attention to her surroundings, someone rested a hand on her shoulder from behind, making her jolting her slightly.

“Just gonna ignore us like that?” Taz questioned, a smirk across his face.

Yosho opened her eyes, and turned around to see some long time friends of hers.

Taz the unchallenged leader of this group towered over his teammates. His muscular build was even evident through his armor. With faded brown hair and particularly small black eyes.

Unop, the blonde of the group, emanated a natural warm and gentle aura. Her hair is divided into two ponytails that rests on her shoulders, her eyes matched the color of her hair. She held a wooden staff, with intricate spiral cravings, in hand.

Miic, similar in height and stature as Unop, had striking, sharp black eyes. The unique feature of his appearance was his black hair that concealed half of his face.

Yosho and the group made their way outside to catch up.

“Dear, seeing you three here is honestly quite the surprise. I particularly didn't remember any of you.” Yosho said, her voice typically nonchalant yet professional. Her seemingly sweet demeanor makes it hard to even be upset by her straightforwardness. Something, the group pondered on, briefly.

“Oh?” Taz approached Yosho with a hand under his chin, a curious interest in his eyes. “Hm. I never noticed, but you have gorgeous eyes.”

Unop gave Taz a playful slap out of her staff. “Smooth,” She teased. “But, they are gorgeous, just usually closed.”

“Well thank you. Now then, if I may ask, what brought you three here?” Yosho inquired, general interest in her eyes.

Taz chuckled lightly, rested his hands on his hips, and stuck his head high. “That's unfortunately a secret.” He proudly expressed, a gleefully smirk across his face.

Yosho's expression curiously brightened, her eyes and lips grew wider. “I have a guess. You're investigating that village… I suppose those flames did raise suspicion.”

The group gasped. Taz crossed his arms across his chest, a perfunctory expression on his face. “Okay, fine you're right… But it's not as simple as that—”

“You guys work for the 7th?” Yosho swiftly Interjected, unable to wait to confirm her suspicion.

Taz's head turned slowly at her, his disappointment evident.

“Well done, you gave it away,” Miic commented, shaking his head.

“My, was it that obvious?” Unop asked herself aloud, bemused.

“Ah, Dare, what a surprise. That indeed is a step up in all your careers,” Yosho expressed gleefully, breaking her usual demeanor, to the group's surprise.

Taz let out a weary sigh. With that secret revealed, the group collectively bid Yosho a farewell, before heading off on their way, wanting to spare themselves the embarrassment of revealing anything more than they already have.

Barely a minute later of walking together, a complaint about Taz's size is brought by Miic, as he bickers Taz to walk at the back.

“Appreciate your compliments,” Taz said proudly, not taking the time of day to take Miic seriously. His expression fell instantaneously flat. “Just walk on the other side.”

Miic shut his eyes. “Please. You just keep getting in my way, even in combat. You should just step back and allow me to take the lead,” Miic said, his flat and without substance.

Taz scoffed and clenched his fist. He turned to face Miic, sensing a challenge. “Of course you can try and take it.”

Taz received a sharp glare from Miic. “Oh, gladly.” He halfway unsheathe his blade on his back.

“Okay…” Nonchalantly Unop slid between the two, attempting to stop the situation from erupting into an unneeded fight.