"-ake up, Laruse! Wake up! We're going to be late!"

Cecil shook his body as he continued to sleep, snoring loudly with an aloof pose, arms extended, legs stretched out, and a rather concerning case of bedhead.

"I can't believe you. After you said that you'll wake up earlier than me."

She tried once more, but this time with more strength, pushing down his chest, making his face contract.

It was a few minutes before dawn, the time where they were supposed to be at the guild since Marco had reminded them beforehand that time is of the essence, and that the chances of them getting away are rather high.

Cecil had been prepared to depart at a moment's notice, but the same could not be said for her companion, Laruse, who still slept away, making those who looked at his sleeping face feel a surprising gush of exhaustion and comfort, as if his face had a spell to put those who'd look at it to sleep, which was unlikely, but not impossible.

"If you won't get up, then I'll cast ice on you!"

The man responded by hugging his pillow and turning to his side, falling deeper in slumber.

She made a threat which she had done before, proving effective in crucial times like this.

Without hesitation she invoked the words that summoned a faint breeze of thin ice, which carried a thick veil that would render one’s senses dull at best.

"Hear me, mistress of winter, show your embrace so that all may feel your tender touch."

She had modified the spell to simply be a simple wind that was more than just a breeze, but gave the feeling that one was in the presence of the north, where winter rampaged with her ruthless power.

Laruse did not respond, making Cecil remember that this had already happened before, since Laruse possessed an unusual bodily constitution, one that can stave off the minor chill.

She pouted, further lowering the temperature to a concentrated one that might almost freeze a person's bloodstream.

"Wake up already!"

"A-achoo!"

He sneezed, followed by his body rising up from his bed, looking far from prepared.

"Oh, it's just you, Cecil. Good morning."

He gave her a nonchalant smile, then stood up to wash his face and fix his appearance, disregarding Cecil's spell, as if it were nothing.

Her shoulders slumped as she had finally succeeded, feeling as if she had lost half of her energy in just trying to wake Laruse up.

Dispelling what she had cast, Cecil sat on Laruse's bed, looking around their house, feeling a strange comfort shrouding her.

They lived in the town of Zeal, a part of the free city-states of Independence, a part of the continent that contained towns and citites governed mostly by merchants and rich people that did not want to be deeply affiliated with the surrounding nations, thus establishing their own.

She looked at the house where they stayed at, and spent most of their time in, calling it their home.

Their house was a simple one, built with stone and concrete, containing only the necessities and furnishings that one could possibly need, like beds and kitchen wares.

Interrupted, Larus ecame into the room, fully dressed, wearing his usual casual clothes consisting of a white, long sleeved shirt with a collar, and brown leggings, enough to fit his legs cozily, and finally, a pair of brown boots.

All complete if paired with his longsword and a minimal set of leather armor, which he doesn't really see the need for.

"Alright, let's go! We can still make it if we run."

He looked at a drained Cecil, who is on the verge of falling asleep herself, but could not do so, seeing as how awake Laruse is, having fixed his groggy appearance to one that was clean and proper.

"Sure, let's go."

Her words almost came off as a mutter, forcing her to stand up, taking the bag containing their belongings, and now heading on their way.

It was the break of dawn, and most of the street lamps were being doused by the ones in charge of them.

Most people would still be asleep, except for two young adults who were sprinting, creating an echo with their boots with each step on the stone pavement.

"C'mon, Cecil! We'll be late if we don't hurry!"

She tried to pace herself, taking in long breaths and breathing out short ones, but is unable to seeing as how she could never match Laruse's impeccable speed and stamina, which transcended a normal person's, which he is, or that what she thinks at least.

"Wait! Don't leave me, Laruse!"

He turned around, smiling at her teasingly.

"You're really hopeless, aren't you?"

Laruse jogged towards Cecil, dumbfounded as to what he is trying to do with time quickly running out for them.

In one swift movement, he delicately picked her up and carried her, signaling for Cecil to wrap her arms around his neck and brace herself, lugging their belongings on his back after taking it from her.

Laruse then ran towards the guild house with Cecil, which supposedly had people waiting for them inside.

"Alright, let's go!"

They arrived shortly to the guild, which stood out as a large three story structure with many windows and other designs, erected with sturdy looking stones.

After setting Cecil down gently, she was greeted by a girl -- whose long hair was chestnut colored and tied up to the back -- of the guild, which they regularly saw when they had to do some jobs and requests from time to time, wearing round spectacles, a maid's dress, and equipped with a broom.

"Tielle! Good morning!"

Cecil waved as she took the bag carrying all the things they've packed up for the mission.

"Oh, Cecil! Good morning! I see you're in high spirits today. What brings you here?"

She briefly stopped with her sweeping, greeting Cecil, whom she had become friends with in the past.

They merrily exchanged pleasantries and started catching up on things that had happened with them since their last meeting.

In an instant, Tielle seemed to stop moving after someone appeared from behind Cecil, someone whom she had trouble looking at without feeling a strange sensation in her chest, one that was caused by the man's brave act of heroism that moved her to feel this way about him, genuinely.

"Good morning, Tielle. You're really a hard worker, aren't you? That's pretty amazing. I can't even wake up by myself most of the time."

He laughed, then flashed her with his bright, winning smile, a smile which Laruse is unaware that it had been the enemy of men, and the weakness of almost all ages, antagonizing their hearts and souls, more so when it becomes sincere, genuine, and pleading.

"Ah, L-Laruse!"

Her eyes opened wide, and her cheeks were flushed red.

She began feeling nervous, stuttering along with her words, which weren't even recognizable anymore.

"What's wrong? Do you feel sick? You don't look to good."

She backed away, losing her footing as she stumbled backwards, unable to keep her balance.

She closed her eyes, thinking that the only thing next was a terrible fall on the hard stone pavement, followed by an embarrassing failure on her part.

"You need to be more careful. It'd be bad if you were to be injured."

Laruse spoke with a calm tone, having caught Tielle with their faces a few inches away from each other.

Once she had opened her eyes, the man fixed her to stand straight, regaining her balance, resulting in her to push him away without saying anything, simply casting her eyes down, clutching her broom.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Laruse faced Cecil, who pouted as she avoided the man's sight once they locked, crossing her arms as to indicate something.

"You don't know that you're a public menace, huh? I can't believe this! What a dense man. I don't think you have what it takes to understand a woman's heart, so let's just go. We're already late."

Cecil stormed the guild house without Laruse, leaving him and the distraught maid alone.

"Listen, I'm sorry if I did anything wrong. Hopefully you'll forgive me. Well, till next time then. It was nice to see you again. I was glad to see that you were doing well."

Laruse followed Cecil into the guild house shortly after, instantly coming upon a group of five people wearing armors and carrying different types of weaponry.

Along with those five people were two others, one being the large and bulky man that is the guild assistant, Bernard, and the guild master himself, Marco Fairway, who looked the same as always.

"A minute late. Always impeccable are you, Laruse?"

"Am I really? Well, that doesn't really matter. Are we leaving yet?"

"Well, they couldn't leave unless you were here. But now that you are, we're all prepared. I'll just be here to see you off."

Laruse looked at the five people of the guild who he was going to be accompanying.

"They don't look too bad. Are they new?"

"Yes. They're the up and coming of the guild. The hopefuls as they call it."

Marco replied like a doting parent who's showing off his kids.

One stood out to Laruse as the guild member had his eyes glued to him, including the other four who were curious about him, but stood there silent.

"Well this is getting a bit awkward. How about we get a move on?"

"O-oh, sure!"

The spry individual faced his teammates as Laruse woke him from his daze.

"Alright, everyone! Let's give this everything we've got! Let's make the guild proud!"

They all replied with different and unique lines, readying their equipment as to leave, following their leader, the young man who wore a full set of heavy steel armor, and was filled with energy, walking off, waving goodbye to Bernard and Marco, who returned the gesture.

Laruse followed them as well, saying farewell to both of them, and Tielle, who had resumed her cleaning.

On the way, they walked in silence along the road that would lead them to the neighboring town to the west, Rade, where they are to take a break before resuming their mission.

The leader turned around, finally breaking the silence as he walked beside Laruse, who was enjoying the serene view of the sunrise behind the green hills in the horizon.

"Uhm-Laru- I mean, Sir-"

"Call me Laruse. Makes it easier to communicate. What can I do for you?"

He smiled at the young man, who looked to be awes trucked with Laruse for some reason.

"C-can I ask you a question, Sir- I mean, Laruse?"

"I don't get why you're stuttering, but sure. Go ahead."

"Are you really that Laruse, the rumored demon lord replica?!"

Everything turned to a standstill at that moment, where even Laruse's mind went blank as he found nothing to respond with, nor did he feel like he wanted to answer it.

The other four turned around as well, having heard the question, and are now curious as the party came to a full stop.

Cecil on the other hand was petrified, unable to speak and stop the young men and women, which she was reluctant to do given the situation.

"Uh, Ah-I, No. I'm not. You must have me mistaken for someone else. I'm just another man who lives in Zeal, trying to find odd jobs that'll keep food on the table. Sorry the burst your bubble."

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Oh, is that so? Sorry, it was my mistake. I thought it was truly you."

Dejected, they continued their journey, the leader took to the front, leading his party through the road surrounded by fields and plains almost as vast as the sky.

Cecil heaved a sigh as the boiling turmoil passed, and her worry became unfounded.

The two of them lagged behind the line that the guild adventurers walked, thinking that it's for the best.

"Are you alright, Laruse?"

"Oh, Cecil. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Nothing bad is going to happen to me anyway."

"Alright then. If it's as you say, then I won't pry."

"Thank you, Cecil."

He smiled, giving off a gentle aura, those of which were seen by the still curious, and mischievous adventurers.

After ten minutes had passed, Laruse thought of something that would at least help deepen his relationship with the adventurers as much as possible.

"Since we've already come this far, I think an introduction is called for. Well, it's fine if you don't want to, but I think It’d be better if we got to know each other a bit, even if it's just one quest."

"That'd be a good idea."

The leader spoke, drawing the attention of his teammates, who were reluctant to do just that.

"But wouldn't it be a better idea to cover more ground, then do introductions when we've arrived at a spot where we can rest, preferably tonight."

One of the five adventurers spoke up, a girl who wore glasses and had short purple hair, and had a distinct, commanding air around her that convinced most people of what she had said.

"Ah, you have a point there. Well, let's do that if you're all fine with it."

Laruse took back his words and instead focused on reaching a good amount of distance, so that they will not lose the caravan they were on schedule to encounter.

Instead, he viewed the sights around him, filled with lush greenery as far as the eye can see.

The wilderness was getting denser and denser as they continued forward, nearing a forest that was taken as a shortcut by many adventurers and travelers alike, looking to arrive with haste.

Zeal was a town located near the ocean to the south eastern part of the continent, and beside that town is another town called Rade, their destination where they are to rest and resupply before arriving to their destination, Civil, a town south of it.

"Will you look at this. A dense forest where not even the light can fully pass through."

The party's leader looked about in amazement upon gazing at the mysterious forest, containing the unknown.

"This forest in called Hebe's garden, taken from a woman who planted saplings and plants that eventually became an overgrowth, then a forest. But that was many years ago. It has truly grown into something grand since it is a place known for housing almost all kinds of plants and flora."

The sophisticated, glasses wearing, and well-spoken girl informed her teammates, who listened with great interest, displaying her knowledge without the aura of being boastful at all.

"You really know a lot, huh? I guess there's still more to know about each one of us."

The leader of the party laughed enthusiastically, seeming to be more comfortable than when they all first met, which was a few hours ago.

"So, Remuil, how much farther till Rade? The others seem to be tired already. I don't think we should abuse our energy, so I propose we set up camp here in the forest."

A reserved, red haired young man with a fair complexion and scarlet eyes spoke up with his arms crossed, acting with a cool demeanor, a hero-like trait.

"I agree with Zafra. Although I didn't want to speak up since everyone seemed to enjoy their first high-ranked mission, but it made everyone anxious, so it'll be for naught if we continue like this."

The sophisticated glasses girl spoke to their leader, who then took a look at his teammates in order to understand and realize the minor problem that they faced.

"Well, if Claire and the timid Zafra suggests it, then that'd be the most sensible choice. All right, everyone. Let's find a good spot to rest at."

“Huh? Timid? What are you talking about?”

Laruse simply looked in astonishment at the organized group, which functioned like a well-oiled machine where they act as the cogs, but still contained with them the quirks that came with traveling in a group.

"Hey, Cecil. Everyone here seems so capable, don't you think?"

"... Oh, yes. I think they are...'

She went silent, making Laruse curious.

Turning around, he found Cecil sitting on the ground with her back to a tree stump.

She was getting drowsy, her eyes having a little opening, indicating that she is trying her best to stave off this exhaustion weighing her down.

"What's wrong? Tired already? We're older than them, so we need to set a good example."

He sighed after looking at his helpless companion, where he could not help but smile.

"Alright, you can go to sleep. Leave the belongings to me, and I'll carry you to the camp spot."

“But, but, I have to tell you something- “

“Never mind that for now. Rest and get your energy back. I’ll hear you out later.”

"Thaaank you..."

Her words were a bit longer, seeing as how she yawned mid-sentence, trailing off as Laruse once again carried Cecil in his arms, cautiously walking the path with their belongings on his back.

The party planned to split up, dividing the work once they found a good spot to stay at, gathering firewood, ensuring the safety of the surrounding, finding a source of water, and other necessities.

Laruse had laid down Cecil, who was fast asleep, having set up one of their camping beds earlier than usual.

He remained at the camp site, along with two other individuals who didn't quite stand out, or chose not to.

One was a young girl taking a nap by the tree, and the other was playing with what seemed to be a lyre, softly strumming it with his dextruous fingers, producing a calm, serene sound that filled the forest, silencing any other noise besides it.

The one playing the instrument noticed Laruse's stare, in which he began to break the silence, still playing his lyre.

"You seem to have been disturbed by my melody. Forgive me."

He stopped playing, assuming that Laruse meant to silence him as to not disturb Cecil.

"Ah, no, that's not the case. You could keep playing if you want. It sort of captivated me, I guess. I haven’t heard music that often in my life."

"Is that so? Then I shall resume, seeing as how someone likes my tranquil tune."

His voice was soft, but still carrying the distinction that he was in fact a man, who possessed long brown hair all the way to his shoulders.

With a slight glimpse, he also saw his eyes, which were pale blue, making him out to be mysterious person at first glance, but one with a face of a womanizer's, which Laruse assumed.

"Since we are here already, I shall introduce myself, if you'll allow me."

"Sure, but I don't get how everyone's so formal in this group."

"I haven't noticed that much. It seems that is what happens when you are from a noble family. Habits will always surface when you least expect it."

Laruse's eyes were cast down as he heard a word that stuck with him, making him briefly remember something that he had wanted to forget.

"You seem troubled. Have I said something wrong?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing. By the way, you act too mature for your age. It feels kind of awkward if you talk to me like that. I should be doing the consoling."

"Haha, is that so? My, I haven't realized that myself. As far as I know, I've been like this all my life. But, we seem to have been sidetracked. My name is Andersen Europe, but please call me Andersen if you'd like."

Laruse stood up, approaching Andersen, who sat on the ground where the party's equipment was gathered in one place.

"My name's Laruse. Nice to meet you, Andersen."

He extended his hand towards him, whereas they shook their hands, creating a new friendship between two people.

Just then, the leaves rustled behind them, drawing their attentions.

"Will you look at that. Getting along with Sir Laruse already, Andersen?"

"Yes. We have exchanged pleasantries. I find him to be someone that I can depend on after judging his words and aura."

Andersen ceased playing his instrument, welcoming the group of three that had returned with the necessities they searched for.

At the meantime, Laruse seemed to twitch his eyebrow’s taking a side glance at a direction.

He then took his sheathed sword and stood up, drawing the party’s attention.

“Well, since you’re all here. I’d like for you to do me a small favor. I’ll be back right away, so could you guard Cecil for a bit?”

Without waiting for a response, Laruse disappeared into the forest, waving goodbye to the party, who stared at him with suspicion.

After propping things up, they wiped the sweat from their foreheads, looking at their accomplishments.

The tents were ready; and the campfire is ready to be ignited.

“This is strange. Sir Laruse still isn’t here like he said he would be.”

The girl named Claire spoke up, finally voicing her worries as she postponed it, thinking that he’d be back any second.

The sky had turned orange, and the sun was beginning to set.

Their surroundings were getting darker and darker, making their surroundings difficult to identify.

“If you’re worried, then shall I accompany someone with my magic? I can produce an orb of light to guide us when the darkness comes.”

Andersen suggested, having rested after helping the others with their preparations.

“I’ll go with you. Zafra and Claire should be enough to guard the camp. Plus, Robin’s still asleep. Wouldn’t want a wild animal to attack her, though she’d wake up and probably take out whichever threat came up to her. And there’s miss Cecil as well. Still, I want to be cautious. We can’t take things too lightly.”

Their leader’s words were concise and to the point, whereas one only needed to listen and understand, not needing to know anything else as his trust goes beyond the bounds.

Given that they highly trusted him as well.

Zafra and Claire nodded, allowing the two to prepare their weapons and to finally be on their way, leaving through the path that Laruse took.

But, before they could fully exit, the leaves before them rustled, revealing Laruse, who held a bundle of fishes on his left, and a basket made of leaves containing an assortment of herbs and edible vegetation on his right.

Startled, they fall down to the ground, looking at him with a daze.

“Woah, what’s this? Going somewhere?”

“They were supposed to look for you.”

Claire spoke, having a face that expressed disappointment in her concern.

“Look for me? Oh, is it because of these?”

He shook the things on his side.

“I’ll admit it took me a while, but I caught it eventually. Wouldn’t want our first dinner together to be boring and bland.”

“Good point. Besides. He’s Laruse. There is no reason for us to doubt his abilities. After all, he’s a legend.”

The leader spoke, dusting himself off, smiling at the man in question as he is being praised.

“Hey, like I said. I’m not that guy. It’s just a coincidence. I’m a long way off from being that strong. Now, enough of that. Let’s cook these, shall we?”

They resigned themselves to the way things were going, and began preparing their campsite once more, igniting the lumber and cooking their meal as the sun disappeared in the horizon, replacing it with the dark night sky.

The sound of hooting echoed through the forest, and the silence made it possible to hear the crackling of the firewood.

The reason for the silence was that they were enjoying their meal, which gave off a taste which they never knew would come from things taken and made in the wilderness.

His skills in cooking were not sub-par, rather it was unexpected, in which he received the compliments with a smile.

Sharing the food with them was the newly awakened Cecil, who greatly favored Laruse’s cooking, and has always chosen it over made meals in the local in near theirs.

“Still, this is truly surprising. I never expected you to be this good a cook when I first saw you. I thought you were only good looking, and a below decent fighter.”

Claire swallowed her food and spoke, unknowingly expressing her face with seemed to reminisce about an event in her past which made her look peaceful.

“A lot of people say that for some reason. But still, thank you. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. Besides, I got to see something good.”

He smiled, whereas she noticed she had put her guard down.

She fidgeted, becoming red as she shuffled in her seat, looking down, trying to fix her composer, which made her all the cuter in the eyes of Laruse, who laughed internally.

“This is truly surprising for us as well. It’s the first time I’ve seen Claire this flustered before. The heavens must be falling as we speak, but what Claire said is true. This is really good!”

The leader spoke with a renewed vigor, emptying his bowl in seconds the moment he was given his serving.

As each of them finished their meals, reclining on the ground with satisfied faces, taking in and savoring the taste as to last the entirety of the night, they began introducing themselves to their new companions.

“Alright, I’ll start off then. My name’s Remuil Enraf, but Remuil would be fine.”

He was a charismatic looking adventurer who wore heavy steel armor on his sturdy body, and had short dark hair, wielding a greatsword as his primary weapon of choice.

As he sat down, a young man Laruse had already been acquainted with spoke up with his serene and calm voice.

“We have been acquainted already, but I will be reluctant to do so again. My name is Andersen Europe. I am better known as the bard of the group, where I support my friends and allies with my melody, both in and out of conflict.”

The man wore semi-regal looking clothes with a hat, paired with a dark green cape that fashioned him as a hero of women and everyone else under the veil of the dark night sky.

He looked beside him, signaling that person that it is their turn.

“Ahem. Well then. My name is Claire Roseville. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir Laruse.”

The strict, but elegant young lady spoke with a distinguished tone, presenting herself as she would like to be seen by others.

“Guess it’s my turn now.”

A moody young man with fierce eyes and an aloof attitude scratched the back of his head as he spoke.

“The name’s Zafra Jhungild.”

The young, red haired man with scarlet eyes wore a light set of armor, possessing a fair build that might suggest that he had been through some battles in his life.

The rest of the group took a look at the last person, which was drowsing off with her hands to her head, sleeping sideways.

Andersen shook her gently, tapping her sides which she reacted to, making her body twitch.

“Robin. Wake up, Robin. You’ve just slept a few minutes ago. It’d be bad if you slept the entire night. Come, please introduce yourself.”

Andersen looked like a doting father whose leniency surpassed a normal parent’s.

“Are you sure she’s alright? I’ve seen her, and she always seems to be drowsy or sleeping.”

Laruse asked Andersen, having seen her being like that earlier, but refrained from asked until now.

“She has always been like this. But we assume that it might just be to keep her energy up since she gets tired really quickly.”

“So does that mean she houses a secret power inside her, or something along those lines?”

“That may be the case. Who knows.”

As they spoke to each other, her eyes slowly began opening, but still making it plainly obvious that she has a groggy expression on.

“Robin. Nice to meet you.”

She spoke lazily after getting up from her slumber, introducing herself right away as if she’d been listening the whole time.

She was a girl who possessed short dark hair and a small frame, wearing light leather armor on her pale white skin.

“Well then. My name’s Laruse, and this is my partner, Cecil. Hope we all get along.”

They spent their time making small talk, easing the atmosphere around them little by little as to be accustomed to each other’s presence.

It became fully dark, and the moon was below them, without a hint of a cloud in sight.

“Well, how about we end it on a story.”

Laruse grinned as he spoke.

“Oh. That sounds great.”

“As long as it’s interesting.”

“Sure, do what you want.”

“Hey, Robin, do you want to hear a story?”

“… mhm.”

They all agreed, gathering around the campfire, whose flames began to wither out slowly.

“Have you ever heard of the myth of the lords of the forest?”

They shook their heads, including Cecil, who seemed interested in it as well.

“Legends say that these lords of the forest wandered from forest to forest, some like this one, where they would drive out those who defile it, be it humans or demons, with some monsters as an exception. Some say that at night, when the moon is at its zenith, it would even abduct people who wandered without permission, or those who had guilt in their hearts, turning them into trees that would serve him when they are called, never to be heard from again.”

Their eyes stayed glued to him as he continued, and the sense of anxiety slowly welled up, but not enough to make things terrifying to them, except two people.

“When people would come to the forests of the lord’s domain, they would sometimes chop off some trees to make lumber, not knowing that those were humans back then when they were still called humans. When they did get chopped off, their spirits would be released, and their souls turned into small sprites that will forever roam the forests in repent of their actions.”

The owls hooted, the crickets sang, and his words ceased, ending the story which unnerved some.

“Well that’s all I have. Not too bad is it?”

“It could use some improvement.”

Remuil spoke, unfazed by the genre that was supposed to be instilled in his heart.

“That tale deserves a ballad. It is quite fitting, yet lacking, unfortunately.”

Andersen critiqued as he approached his tent, getting ready to sleep.

“Hey, Claire, get a move on already. What’s the hold up?”

She twitched as Zafra touched her shoulders, giving her a brief chill, where she immediately tried to fix her composure.

“Don’t tell me you got scared of that? What happened to the steel pillar of the group?”

“Shut up! It’s not terrifying at all! Come on, Robin. We’re going to sleep.”

Robin nodded, already half asleep as she forced herself to shuffled to their tent, leaving only Laruse and Cecil outside as Zafra went into theirs.

“Well, we best get some sleep, Cecil. We still have a lot of ground to cover.”

Laruse fixed his blanket, setting it on the ground.

She didn’t respond, but instead she had her attention at the forest around them, staring blankly.

“Hey, Cecil, you there?”

“Ah!”

She jumped in surprise after Laruse placed his palm on her shoulders, waking her from the daze she was in.

“It’s only you. I thought it was the lord of the forest.”

“What are you talking about? I just made the story up. C’mon, don’t take it too seriously. There’s no way that the lords of the forest would come to here.”

“Wait! So they do exist?!”

“Well, yeah. But they’re said to live farther from here. They’re located in the far west, in a forest surrounding the Ashur mountain. Besides, they’re ancient, and not all that bad from what I heard. I just made up the story that they abducted people. Who knows if they’re real at all. Maybe those who told me the story were just trying to mess with me. Now, best get some sleep *yawn*.”

Laruse finally slept after extinguishing the fire, leaving Cecil in the dark, looking everywhere and being on guard.

She quickly took her blanket and huddled under it, trying to sleep as best as she could, and eventually succeeding as her own fatigue once again caught up to her after having worried so much about the tale of the forest lords.

“La-laruse, are you sure that they won’t come here?”

“hmm, yeah, they won’t. Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep you and everybody safe…zzz.”

As each one of them slept, there were eyes that shined a bright emerald color, peeking from the shadows of the forest, looking at someone intently.