At the warehouse in Ebonmere, John was frantically pacing with his guards, his anxiety palpable.

“I want you to scour the village and search for Edward in every conceivable corner. Take as many guards as you need, but find him. And if you encounter him with that silver-haired hunter from the inn last night, do not hesitate to unleash your full strength. If they’re together, it means Edward is in grave peril,” John commanded, his voice trembling with unease. He glanced around the warehouse, but Edward was nowhere to be seen.

“At once, Mr. John,” replied the guard standing before him. Suddenly, another guard burst into the warehouse from the main gate.

“Mr. John, they’re here,” the guard announced breathlessly.

“Who?” John asked, his worry intensifying.

“Mr. Edward and Guard Master Shisk. They’re outside and approaching,” the guard reported. John sprinted toward the gate, his fear mounting. As he emerged, he saw Edward and Shisk nearing the entrance.

“Edward, where have you been?” John demanded, his voice laced with concern. It was evident that he feared the worst had befallen Edward.

“I was conducting the investigation you requested,” Edward replied calmly, with Shisk standing stoically behind him.

“I told you to send a few guards, not to go alone and risk exposing yourself. Who knows what could have happened?” John exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation.

“Relax, John. I needed to handle this personally to ensure there were no mistakes,” Edward asserted confidently. John studied him for a moment before his tension began to dissipate.

“All of you, return to your duties. And someone take this sack of wheat from Shisk and deliver it to the workers. They’ll know what to do with it,” Edward instructed. The guards dispersed, except for one who took the sack from Shisk and carried it inside.

“Shisk, remain here while I speak privately with Mr. John,” Edward commanded, his tone firm as he locked eyes with Shisk.

“As you wish, Mr. Edward,” Shisk acknowledged.

“Come, John. Let’s discuss this in your office,” Edward said, striding into the warehouse. John followed closely behind.

Once inside the office, John turned to Edward, his nerves still frayed.

“What were you thinking, Edward?” John asked, his voice trembling.

“It was the necessary course of action,” Edward replied.

“And what if he had noticed you? Who knows what he might have done if he discovered our plan to take the child?” John countered.

“The risk of exposure was far lower if I conducted the investigation myself. If the guards had done it, they might have been easily compromised. They don’t understand the gravity of the situation. I do. This is for the success of your plan,” Edward explained gravely.

“I never intended for you to sacrifice yourself for my plan. That’s why I told you to send the guards, not go yourself. They mean nothing to me compared to you,” John admitted, his voice quivering. Edward was taken aback by John’s vulnerability but then smiled reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, John. I took every precaution. I wasn’t planning to confront the hunter directly, but I couldn’t risk the guards bungling the operation and jeopardizing your position with your father. I promised to help you, and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” Edward said, his tone gentle yet resolute. John sighed, his relief evident.

“Just don’t disappear like that again without telling me. I thought something terrible had happened to you,” John said, his voice softening.

“As you wish,” Edward replied with a smile.

“Now, what did you uncover?” John asked.

“You were correct about the hunter’s connection to the old man who served us drinks. His name is Miller, and he owns the inn. The person I questioned didn’t know the exact nature of his relationship with the hunter, but it seems the villagers are uneasy about a hybrid living among them. This tension sparked a confrontation at the inn yesterday morning, and the hunter was involved,” Edward explained.

“What exactly happened?” John inquired.

“Due to the villagers’ growing hostility toward the girl’s presence, a lumberjack named Larry decided to confront the hunter, accompanied by two companions. I’m sure you can imagine the outcome,” Edward said.

“They were soundly defeated,” John surmised.

“Precisely,” Edward confirmed.

“Did you gather any other useful information? Did you speak to the lumberjack or anyone else about Miller?” John pressed.

“The farmer I questioned didn’t know much about Miller, but he mentioned that Larry might have more information. I didn’t want to draw attention by asking too many questions, so my best lead was to speak with Larry,” Edward explained.

“Exploiting Larry’s animosity toward the hunter could be advantageous. After all, the hunter humiliated him in front of the villagers,” John observed.

“Exactly. That’s the John I know. I went to Larry’s shop, but it was closed. Shisk inquired around and discovered that Larry and his companions are out cutting wood at this hour,” Edward said.

“Damn it. When will they return?” John asked impatiently.

“Likely by now. If not, they’ll be back soon. I decided to update you on my progress while waiting for Larry to return. I assumed you’d be concerned if I were absent for too long,” Edward said with a smile.

“Alright. I’ll be the one to speak with the lumberjack,” John declared firmly.

“What?” Edward responded, surprised.

“As you heard, I can’t let you risk your life again. This is my plan, after all. I need to take responsibility,” John asserted.

“I appreciate your determination, John, but I can’t allow you to take such a risk. If anything happened to you, not only would Mr. Alphonse never forgive me, but I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself either,” Edward said, his concern evident.

“Just tell me what you told the farmer when you asked about the hunter,” John requested.

“I told him I was looking for a skilled monster hunter and had heard there was an exceptional one in the area,” Edward replied.

“Perfect. Where exactly is the lumberjack’s shop?” John asked.

“No, you’re not going anywhere. Your safety is my top priority. I can’t let you go, John. Leave this to me, and I promise everything will be fine,” Edward insisted.

“Absolutely not,” John retorted, his resolve unshakable.

“John, why are you being so stubborn all of a sudden?” Edward asked, exasperated.

“What’s your problem, Edward? You claim to trust me, but this is how you show it? You don’t even believe I’m capable of gathering information on my own for my own plan,” John said, his tone firm.

“It’s not about trust, John. Mistakes can happen to anyone, but with this hunter, a mistake could be fatal. I’m willing to take that risk, but I can’t allow you to,” Edward said, his fear for John’s safety evident.

“You took the risk, and nothing happened. The same will be true for me. I can’t spend my entire life surrounded by guards. I need to prove myself. I’m 25, not a child anymore. Let me handle this. I know exactly what information I need from the lumberjack to execute my plan,” John argued, his determination unwavering. Edward looked at him with concern. John’s desire to take charge stemmed from two reasons: first, he cared deeply for Edward, who had been like a godfather to him, always supporting him when his father’s expectations weighed heavily. Second, this was his plan, and he wanted to prove himself by seeing it through.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Very well, John. It’s your right to execute your plan as you see fit,” Edward conceded. John sighed in relief, grateful that Edward had finally relented.

“Finally. I was beginning to think you’d start acting like my father,” John said, his relief evident.

“But take Shisk with you,” Edward added.

“Who?” John asked.

“The guard who accompanied me. You can rely on him. And before you accuse me of not trusting you, remember that I took a guard with me as well. Don’t even think about going alone. You need someone to ensure your safety,” Edward insisted. John considered this for a moment.

“Fine. I don’t see any harm in taking precautions,” John agreed.

“Exactly,” Edward said.

“Well, I should go now if I want to catch the lumberjack,” John said, donning his jacket and heading out of the office with Edward following closely.

At the front of the warehouse, John prepared to leave.

“Take care of him. If anything happens, your top priority is Mr. John’s safety. Ensure he remains unharmed,” Edward instructed Shisk.

“Of course, Mr. Edward. I’ll do everything in my power to protect Mr. John,” Shisk replied respectfully.

“Let’s go, guard,” John said, striding away with Shisk trailing behind. Edward watched them go, a smile playing on his lips.

“I haven’t seen him care about anything this much since Cristina. He must have a solid plan to be so confident. You can make your father proud, John. I truly believe that,” Edward thought to himself, his smile widening.

Meanwhile, at the inn where Jaxith and Irene were staying, Jaxith sat at the counter, savoring his usual orange juice with a tray of food before him. Miller was preparing the inn for the day, though it was still early, and the atmosphere was tranquil.

The door to one of the rooms opened, and Irene emerged, yawning. This room was different from the one she had accidentally set ablaze. She walked over to Jaxith, pulled up a stool, and sat beside him.

“Good morning,” Jaxith greeted, taking a sip of his juice.

“Good morning, Jax,” Irene replied, eyeing the food.

“You slept like a log. You weren’t kidding about playing with your new friends for so long,” Jaxith remarked.

“Yeah, it feels good to relax like that again,” Irene said, her happiness evident.

“That’s good. Now, eat up. I know you’re hungry. We can talk while you eat,” Jaxith suggested.

“You know me too well,” Irene said, giving him a thumbs-up before digging into the food. Jaxith watched her, his expression thoughtful.

“Hey, I wanted to ask you something,” Jaxith said.

“Go ahead, Jax. What’s on your mind?” Irene asked between bites.

“Has your appetite always been this voracious?” Jaxith inquired.

“What do you mean?” Irene asked, pausing mid-bite and looking at him quizzically.

“Wait, are you teasing me again?” Irene asked, narrowing her eyes. Jaxith smiled.

“No, I’m genuinely curious. I’ve been thinking about something,” Jaxith said. Irene stared at him in silence.

“Hey, I’m not mocking you. There’s something I’ve been considering,” Jaxith said, gently patting her head. Miller observed their interaction, noting how Jaxith seemed different around Irene—softer, more attentive.

“I wish I knew more about your past, Jaxith. You’re a good man, that much is clear, but I’ve seen many men hide pain behind their bravado. You, however, seem to be concealing more than just pain,” Miller thought to himself as he watched Jaxith.

“Alright, I believe you. Just stop patting my head,” Irene said, glancing at Miller from the corner of her eye. She didn’t want her softer side to show in front of anyone, not even Miller. Despite her tough exterior, Irene was a shy young girl at heart. Jaxith noticed this and decided not to push her further, knowing how easily she could become irritated.

“Since you brought it up, I think my appetite has increased lately,” Irene admitted. Jaxith narrowed his eyes, considering her words.

“It started around the same time as your dreams, didn’t it?” Jaxith asked calmly.

“I can’t say for sure. Wait a minute!” Irene exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization.

“What?” Jaxith asked.

“I think you’re right,” Irene said, her worry resurfacing. Jaxith hummed thoughtfully, gazing at his glass.

“Is that a bad thing?” Irene asked, her fear of her demonic side never far from her mind.

“I’ve told you more than once to toughen up,” Jaxith said, still focused on his glass.

“Fine, I’m not worried. See?” Irene said, forcing a smile. Jaxith glanced at her before taking another sip of his juice.

“Now, tell me what this means,” Irene demanded, her impatience and anxiety evident.

“Don’t worry, it’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Jaxith reassured her.

“Then what does it mean?” Irene pressed.

“I think it’s related to the recent changes in your body. Your demonic side may be requiring more energy to develop,” Jaxith explained.

“But I don’t want it to develop,” Irene protested.

“This isn’t a choice,” Jaxith said firmly.

“Yes, it is. It’s my life,” Irene retorted angrily.

“Then what do you propose?” Jaxith asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Easy. I’ll reduce my food intake. That way, I’ll starve my demonic side and prevent it from growing,” Irene declared, pushing the food away.

“You’re not overweight, Irene. This isn’t a solution,” Jaxith said, his tone blunt.

“Of course not. I’m naturally fit, and I’ll maintain a new diet to control my dark energy,” Irene said proudly.

“You shouldn’t lose any more weight. You’re already lighter than my sword,” Jaxith remarked. Irene glared at him.

“You’re just jealous that I’m in better shape than you,” Irene shot back.

“Really?” Jaxith replied calmly.

“Don’t deny it,” Irene said with a smirk.

“Fine. Tell me, what exactly is this diet, and how will it help you control your energy?” Jaxith asked, amused.

“I’ll start by eating just this piece of bread for breakfast. That way, I’ll only use the energy I need and prevent any excess from fueling my demonic side,” Irene declared proudly, taking a bite of the bread. Jaxith watched her in silence, the room falling quiet.

“You do realize that you can’t control how your body utilizes nutrients, right?” Jaxith said bluntly. Irene froze mid-chew, her eyes darting to the food in front of her. She slowly turned her gaze toward Jaxith without moving her head, her expression a mix of defiance and realization. Jaxith raised an eyebrow, and Irene slowly looked back at her plate before burying her face in her arms on the counter.

“Damn it!” Irene muttered angrily. Jaxith smiled before taking another sip of his juice.

“Fine, I surrender. I get what you’re saying,” Irene said, her voice muffled.

“You said it yourself—you’re natural. There are things about ourselves that we can’t change, no matter how much we might want to. It’s our nature,” Jaxith said.

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have demonic blood,” Irene grumbled, still hiding her face.

“I’m talking about nature in general, Irene. These are things we can’t alter, no matter how much we try. Like a tall kid who doesn’t want to grow any taller. He might try to stunt his growth, but in the end, he’ll only weaken himself while still growing taller. We are who we are—whether human, demon, hybrid, monster, or elf. We all have our own natures, and we can’t change them simply because we don’t like them,” Jaxith explained, his voice steady and confident. He was imparting another lesson on how Irene could better cope with her demonic side. Slowly, Irene raised her head and looked at him, surprised by his words but also recognizing their truth.

“You can’t control your dark energy by cutting back on food. That’s foolish. The only way to manage it is by controlling your thoughts and emotions. Don’t let your emotions dictate your actions. That’s the key to mastering your dark energy. What you’re doing now is succumbing to your emotions, and that’s not the solution. I’m not saying you should become emotionless—I want you to be focused. Use your emotions constructively. Think positively,” Jaxith said, his tone firm yet encouraging. Irene was visibly convinced by his words.

“So, what do you suggest?” Irene asked seriously.

“Eat,” Jaxith replied simply.

“But what if my demonic side grows stronger and I lose control again?” Irene asked nervously.

“You’ll never lose control if you keep your emotions in check. Whenever you feel like you’re slipping, remember what you felt the night you lost control. And I’m not going to repeat this conversation again. Don’t hate yourself for being different. Accept it, and prove that you’re only different by blood—that you’re more human than many people out there,” Jaxith said, his voice serious. He stood up, and Irene looked at him before pulling the food back toward herself.

“Good. It seems you’re finally starting to understand,” Jaxith said with a smile.

“And you’re the strangest person I’ve ever met, including the fact that you’re dumber than me. I’ll prove it to you someday,” Irene said without looking at him.

“I hope I don’t grow old and senile waiting for that day,” Jaxith quipped, handing his glass to Miller. Irene sat in silence, a small smile playing on her lips. Though she didn’t look at Jaxith, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. She didn’t know how he always knew the right thing to say, but his words seemed to come from a place of experience. She decided to continue eating, her mood lifted.

Miller took the glass from Jaxith, giving him a knowing wink.

“What?” Jaxith asked, his usual boldness returning.

“Nothing. It’s just strange to see this softer side of you. No offense, but you’re always so tough. I can’t help but think this girl might be special to you—more than just someone you’re protecting,” Miller said. Jaxith glanced at him before looking back at Irene, who was oblivious to their conversation.

“Hey, you can go play again after you finish your breakfast,” Jaxith said to Irene.

“Are you sure? We don’t want to keep Lance in the dark about what happened for too long,” Irene replied.

“Don’t worry. He’ll find out eventually. Remember what I said about negative thoughts. Having fun is important, especially after everything you’ve been through the past few days. You deserve a break, don’t you?” Jaxith said.

“You don’t have to tell me twice. Senka and I will keep busy,” Irene said, continuing to eat.

“You’re doing the right thing. She needs those happy moments. Don’t push her to leave unless she asks. She’s clearly enjoying herself,” Miller said.

“I know. It’s good that she’s made friends to have fun with. It’s an opportunity I can’t let slip by,” Jaxith replied.

“You’re in the best village around, young man. Not even Lumina compares. By the way, how do you know so much about dark energy?” Miller asked.

“Books,” Jaxith replied.

“I didn’t take you for a reader,” Miller said, surprised.

“They’re fictional, actually,” Jaxith admitted.

“You’re helping her control her dark energy based on information from a fantasy book?” Miller asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What can I say? I don’t know anyone who uses dark energy to guide me,” Jaxith said calmly!?