Wonder only stayed in the Beast Stalls long enough to pay the seaman. Wonder got a new inventory screen to put his beasts, but Garados wrapped itself around Wonder’s body, making it clear where it preferred.

At that point, Wonder was getting hungry again. Wonder said, “Let’s go back to the carriage for dinner. Sound good?”

Both kids nodded, and they headed towards the carriage caravan. But Wonder knew almost immediately there were going to be problems.

Because once they saw it, he also saw a white-scaled Dragonkin man standing on top of it. The man was shouting and the crowds were going wild.

Izuku said, “Who that, Daddy?”

Wonder groaned, “I think it’s the King of Ego that Dark warned me about.”

Sakura whimpered as the crowd went into a huge bustle of cheering, which was a sound wave strong enough to even buffer Wonder. Wonder picked her up. Garados dropped the tough act for a second to nuzzle her.

Wonder said, “Well, if he’s there, most of the crowds probably are too. We can cut across the festival to see if there’s a cheap inn for dinner.”

Izuku nodded, and whistled. Stormy emerged. Izuku climbed onto him. Poor guy’s feet must be getting tired.

Wonder led them across the festival grounds. His prediction turned out to be correct. While there were some minglers, most of the crowd was apparently gone. Wonder debated stopping at a stall for dinner but didn’t want to be around a major section when the crowds returned. Sakura couldn’t handle it… and the idea was starting to make Wonder sick.

Dammit, his social battery!

Wonder had forgotten his social battery was lower than most folks. For most of his time in Hoseki, he had only been with his kids and sometimes one other. And the classes were typically short. He hadn’t spent longer in big crowds. So his social battery hadn’t taken a major hit like today.

Dammit!

“Excuse me, Mister Wonder?”

Wonder turned, and blinked. “Lilliana! Hi! Sorry… the kids are tired, so I’m trying to get to an inn before the crowds returned.”

Lilliana blinked, but then nodded. “Of course. Follow me.”

Wonder followed the female Dragonkin through the streets. They came upon a small inn. Lilliana said, “This is where I am staying. I also prefer not to deal with my brother’s crowds.”

Wonder relaxed. “Thanks, Lilliana. Let me just get some dinner, and we can talk.”

“Agreed.”

Wonder soon had the food ordered, Garados in a nearby tank, and sitting at a corner table. He had the kids set up with coloring books when Lilliana walked up and sat across from him. Wonder said, “So… what’s up?”

Lilliana seemed to debate her words. She said, “Mister Wonder, are you a Tamer?”

“I am. Just started, though.”

Lilliana nodded. “…there is an… issue with my brother.”

Wonder said, “Issue. With Mister So-Loud-I-Could-Hear-Him-Nearly-A-Mile-Away.”

Lilliana blushed a little, then sighed. “Yes, and you stated part of the problem.”

She seemed to debate her words, then said, “It may surprise you, Mister Wonder, but Kingsley isn’t actually the big extrovert he plays himself off to be.”

Wonder blinked. “Uuuuuuuh, maybe he downplays it for his sister? Family can watch out for family, if you get what I mean.”

“I do. And trust me, I know him well enough to know he doesn’t just downplay it for my sake or the hatchings.”

“You got babies? Congrats!”

Lilliana smiled. “Actually, I meant our other siblings. But I do thank you.”

She sighed. “May I be blunt?”

Wonder indicted the tots. “Just stay appropriate.”

Lilliana nodded… and the polite almost-Japanese act flew out the window. She slumped against the chair and looked more like a roughhouse than a businesswoman. She said, “Geez. Sorry…”

Wonder said, “I worked customer care for years, I get the biz.”

Lilliana rolled out her neck. “Anyway, let’s be simple. Kingsley is an arrogant, loud asshole… but that’s only for the crowds. When he realized he had a talent for Taming and Beast Battles, he decided to make it his primary career. And no matter what anyone says, arrogant assholes are good show.”

Wonder remembered his homeland. How an evil President took over the States, how a near-perfect Nazi clone took over Florida, and how others were following their lead… just because it was good show.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Wonder huffed. “Doesn’t make it right. And as someone who had to hide their true self because people like that made it into power, I can say that with great assurance.”

Lilliana froze, looking like a deer in the headlights. She then recouped quickly. She said, “Maybe so. And he suffers for it.”

Lilliana rubbed her chin. “To be clear, he does not abuse his power. But he is… what is the term… a massive nerdy introvert.”

Wonder blinked. “…no joke?”

This was a case of Pinky Pie? Where someone put on a persona for their job? Wonder had done that for years in call centers. Hoseki had really been his first time allowing his true self out.

Lilliana nodded. “Did Kat explain his history with us?”

“You literally were there for the whole conversation.”

“Oh. I see. Well, let me simplify. They were lovers.”

Wonder said, “Oh. And then this gig hit?”

“Yes. And it went to…” She waved her hands to indicate the word she wasn’t saying around kids.

“Hmm… sounds like your bro had issues separating work from personal. That can take practice.”

Lilliana said, “Yes. It ruined their relationship. Kat’s moved on, thankfully. And I like to think that he and I are still close friends. However, it’s also caused another issue. My brother had issues already making friends.”

Wonder groaned. “Oh no, I’m thinking I know where this is going.”

Lilliana smiled awkwardly. “I’m not asking you to become his friend. Not at all. I saw you look to be in just as much mental pain as Sakura during your retreat. I know my brother on his persona is very overbearing.”

She leaned in. “What I want to ask you is to accompany my brother… my real brother, not his show self… on a Taming Trip.”

Wonder blinked. “A what?”

“Taming Trip. Basically we all go together into the wilderness to find a rare Beast to Tame. Or more. This is actually a common social activity among Tamers. But because of his persona, not many want to go with my brother. Nor seem to understand when he is… very mild.”

Wonder rubbed his chin. So basically it sounded like Kingsley needed an introvert that did not know him to go so that he could basically get a vacation. Or someone who was willing to let him have his quiet time.

Wonder said, “Lilliana. As someone who understands the pain of a Pinky Pie face, I might agree. But I have two mouths to feed, and I don’t even have permanent housing for winter. Kat agreed to cover costs of travel, which is why we even have the carriage. While we’re not in trouble yet, I don’t have the funds for an extra journey.”

Lilliana nodded. “Do not worry, I’ll pay for you and your children’s supplies.”

Wow. Poor Lilliana was desperate.

Wonder debated asking for extra payment, but kicked the idea off for now. He wasn’t that much a Slytherin. He said instead, “Look… let me ask this. How big is this party?”

Lilliana asked, “Not very big. Me and my brother are the only planned ones so far. I may be able to ask Kat to come if you agree to this.”

Wonder rubbed his chin. “What are we going after?”

Lilliana pulled out a book, and opened it. She showed Wonder… a zombie.

Wonder said, “A zombie.”

Lilliana blinked. She said, “Maybe that is what they call them where you come from. But this is an antibody.”

“An-ti-body? That’s the scientific term for the cells that help fight disease in the immune system!”

Lilliana gave him the most confused look ever. Wonder was reminded suddenly that he was in a fantasy world, and not among people used to isaeki’d folks. Whoops… The magic allowed for advanced “technology” kept throwing him off.

Wonder groaned. “My homeland didn’t have a lot of magic, so we used science.”

That answer seemed to satisfy Lilliana. She nodded. She said, “Well, here, this is an antibody. Pretty much powerful Dark Wizards create them as security. Anti-intruder-bodies. Problem is… what happens to the antibodies when their first Master dies.”

Wonder got it. “Those who survive the wilderness become prime targets for Tamers… AKA new Masters. Or very, very dead.”

Lilliana nodded. “But some remain by their old posts until a new Master comes along. My brother’s peliton spotted an abandoned Dark Tower over by the West Coast. Even if it comes to nothing, it’s an isolated beach so we can have a bit of a break.”

Wonder said, “Tell the geography dumb-dumb what that means in terms of travel.”

Lilliana nodded. “Right now, we are in the Eastern half of the Lighteon Kingdom, though close to the Western half. We’d visit the Lighteon Capital, then travel about a month or two to get to the Western Coast. Then the Tower is actually in Dark territory, so we’d travel about a week down the coast.”

Wonder asked, “Not directly southwest?”

Lilliana rubbed her neck. “…I am a Light Mage.”

Wonder said, “Kat’s a Dark Paladin, yet he’s wandering around Lighteon without issue.”

Lilliana laughed. “OK, let me try like this. Everyone knows I’m Kingsley’s sister. Kat is a Dark Paladin, yes, but he’s still pretty low profile. Even most of the Lighteon forces knows he’s more a… civilian authority force than a threat.”

So Kat was more policeman?

Wonder was going to have to talk to Kat in more detail later. Get a better idea of the Paladin infrastructure. But for now…

Wonder said, “So you’re saying is that people are gonna see you, and think you’re a threat because of your brother? Even though you’re more of a PR person?”

Lilliana nodded. “That sums it up.”

Wonder groaned. “People…”

Lilliana nodded. “If brother was going on one of his public tours, he could protect me. But the whole idea is for this to be a peaceful, undercover trip.”

Wonder said, “Gotcha.”

Lilliana said, “And I know I’d said I’d cover the travel expenses—and I will—but you are welcome to take side quests and hunts as much as you want.”

Wonder said, “I’ll probably take you guys up on that. Once this is done, I’ll probably be looking at a homestead for winter at least, and need the cash.”

Suddenly, a new box appeared in front of Wonder’s face:

NEW QUEST: Journey To Dust Tower.

Objective: Accompany Kingsley and his sister Lilliana on a Taming Trip to Dust Tower. Basically vacation time!

Rewards: A Large Ranch, Lifemate (Meet on the Way), Ranch Manager, and an UR Beast

Accept: Y/N?

Wonder blinked.

What the…

He didn’t even get this with the dragon hatchling!

He looked up at the sky. “Dark? You that desperate, buddy?”

Lilliana blinked. “Uuuuuuuuh…”

Wonder held up a hand. “Long story. And I need to talk to Kat about it more.”

He sighed and hit the Y. “Well, too good a deal to pass up. Keep in mind, you guys go too far or the kids end up in danger, you’re all ending up with arrows in your brains.”

Lilliana smiled. “Noted.”