Kurai planned to send a letter to one of the nobles, informing them of the Phoenix Queen and asking them to inform him if she is ever spotted anywhere. There were no leads to her whereabouts, even Kesshō failing to find anything. Kurai could not accomplish much without any leads to work on, which made this task fairly important, and why he chose one of the largest and most influential kingdoms.

The trio reached the next city soon, just a short while after midday, the sun still shining brightly in the sky. The city built fairly from the king's fortress, and the city surrounding said fortress. The king ordered this city, Veial, to be built a short distance from the foot of a mountain, the king's fortress having been constructed on the mountain, near the top. The capital city happened to be scattered across the mountain's other side, much flatter that this side of the mountain.

Not long after they reached the city Kurai noticed Opal being a lot more energetic than usual, constantly growling and clawing at Kesshō who held her in her arms. While the two communicated in growls, Kurai found himself incapable of understanding the language of 'growls', and so he simply waited for Kesshō to find something worth informing him.

Kurai navigated the streets of Veial, weaving through the compact pathways towards the Adventurer's Guild, the location of which he knew from the last time he arrived in this city. His last visit happened to be simply on an assassination request, a request to assassinate the princess of the kingdom.

The princess lived in the fortress city of Ceal, yet Kurai chose to come to Veial first, hoping to find out more about the princess his quest-giver wished dead. From his findings, the princess happened to be a child, gifted in swordsmanship and other forms of combat, having defeated many great swordsmen of the kingdom despite just being seven, around twelve at present time.

Along with that, she seemed like a kindhearted person, just like her father who fully supported her wish to help people in need, and also her wish to improve her combat skills. The people loved her and their king with all their heart, though they no longer possessed a queen to love for such a gift. There were many who wished ill on them as well, and the one who submitted the assassination request turned out to be one such individual.

Assassins gather intel on their target to look for easy ways to kill them, they kill whoever they are ordered to by the contracter, simply doing their job with no regard for other factors. Having heard all he needed to, Kurai did not journey to the city of Ceal, instead he wrote a letter to his quest-giver, arranging a meeting to discuss his findings and orchestrate a plan. There, after finding out the reason behind the request to be the fact the contractor lost a duel to the princess, Kurai killed the quest-giver in a painful manner, and continued on his way, not waiting in Veial as he no longer needed to.

"Maybe I will give the princess a visit this time," Kurai murmured to himself. Opal growled at him, not having reached any conclusion in her conversation with Kesshō. Kesshō simply tilted her head in confusion, glancing between Kurai and Opal.

"Stop already you two, we are not staying here for long, I am going to address a letter directly to the king, as well as other kingdoms, and then we will move up the mountain," Kurai informed. The Adventurer's Guild will make sure the letter reaches fast, within a day at most, while it would take us two or three days to climb. If the king knows the summary by the time I reach there, it will be easier to complete my work quickly.

Opal let out a cheerful growl, seemingly happy to receive the news. Kesshō looked towards the mountain, the mountain's peak hidden behind above the clouds, snow covering the mountain till halfway down. She also seemed to be happy that they were going to a cold place, and not somewhere with high temperatures.

The three entered the Adventurer's Guild, Kurai walking to a corner, not even glancing at any others. From a shelf at the side, he picked out a page of paper and an envelope, picking a pen from a holder near it before sitting down on a nearby seat. Kesshō stood by the shelf with Opal, taking a look at the strange assortment of items.

All Adventurer's Guilds possessed a shelf at one side of the guild, stacked with all sorts of basic items an adventurer may need. Paper, envelopes, pens, bandages, some types of medicines, and some other simple items. The 'pen', a marvelous trinket invented by a researcher in the desert city of Toug, functioning using the concept of difference in air pressure to inject ink onto a paper when pressed to it. It happened to be a truly marvelous and highly sought after invention in this world, though Kurai knew better about it.

Kurai finished writing his letter, keeping it short, and walked to the reception to have it delivered. Kesshō followed him, not having touched anything on the shelf due to Opal being in her arms. "I would like to have this letter mailed as soon as possible." Kurai requested as he stood at the reception and placed the letter on the desk.

"Certainly, where would you like it to be mailed?" The girl behind the reception inquired, a young woman with reddish-brown hair and green eyes, and a black complexion, not very common in the region.

"To the king, in the fortress city of Ceal," Kurai answered.

"I... I am afraid that will not be possible." The girl apologized with a bow, her expression having changed to one of grief and sorrow.

Kesshō could sense her emotions, a near overwhelming feeling. Still, Kesshō managed to maintain her composure and not be overwhelmed due to Kurai being right beside her. Opal's expression also changed to one of horror as she clawed at the desk.

"What happened?" Kurai questioned.

"The, the fortress city of Ceal was attacked, by a pack of, of wolves." The woman answered, stuttering and sobbing as she did. "Most of the people in this city have also been evacuated due to the danger, some still remain however, and so I am staying here to help them."

"Do you know what species the wolves belonged to?" Kurai inquired.

"I, I don't know, I was told by some, some of adventurers who survived, that the fur of the wolves was pitch black, and, and they attacked in the darkness of the night, killing most of the people, nearly all the nobles and the entire royal family." The receptionist answered, still sobbing and stuttering as she recalled the horrors the people described to her and informed her of, and the danger that lingers over her head as long as she stays.

Midnight Wolves? But why would their be Midnight Wolves here? This place is very far from their territory, Kurai wondered. Was she the reason they attacked? Was it really even Midnight Wolves?

"Yes, it was Midnight Wolves, the reason happens to be a different one however." A voice answered from behind, causing everyone to turn towards it.

"Fi, when did you come here?" The receptionist questioned.

"Just a minute ago, do you have something to eat?" Fi inquired in a cheerful voice as she skipped to the reception.

"Yes, just give me a moment, and are you alright?" The receptionist inquired as she prepared to go.

"Of course I am, some wolves are no match for me, don't worry and bring me something to eat," Fi reassured.

"Right away." the receptionist responded as she bowed slightly to Kurai and excused herself from their conversation for now.

"Fancy meeting you here," Kurai mumbled.

"Indeed, I was not expecting to see familiar faces here." Fi smiled as she walked towards Opal.

Kesshō set Opal on the reception, Opal's look still one of grief and sorrow. Kurai smiled at Fi as she walked to his side and lifted Kesshō in her arms, giving her a hug, and receiving no retaliation from Kesshō, very strange considering Kesshō's shyness and anxiousness around strangers.

"Isn't she just adorable." Fi smiled as she nuzzled her face against Kesshō's.

"Yes, she is," Kurai replied. "But the main question is, why are you here?"

"I heard the news about the king, and came to help settle down the situation here," Fi explained. "I hoped to negotiate with the wolves, reach an agreement and stop the attacks on these innocent people, but I failed miserably. They did not wish to listen, they did not even feel the same, they felt different from what I cr- remember, from what I remember them being like."

"Is there a reason for the attacks?" Kurai questioned, ignoring her stutter.

"Many of the wolves are captured by humans all the time as you might know, and now finally, they seek revenge. But not just simple revenge, they wish for an all out war," Fi informed. "I don't want them to die, but there is no other option I see here, whether I kill them myself or leave them be, they will die."

"So you don't think the humans are at fault?" Kurai inquired.

"No, the humans are at fault, but so are the wolves. The humans shouldn't have any right to strip a species of their rights for any reason, and the wolves should not have killed innocent people in their rage. It's both of their faults, and so I wish to punish both equally, but I haven't gotten the chance to yet. You see, I have been stuck here for quite a few days now, neither can I do much while I am here, nor can I leave these innocent people at the mercy of those monsters.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"These people are strong, and I am well aware of that, but against a Midnight Wolf, most of these adventurers and knights will crumble like a wall of sand, and a pack of them will crush these people without any effort. I can't afford to let any more innocent lives be lost, it's simply not fair for the strong to be allowed to trample over the weak as they wish."

Kesshō returned Fi's hug, wrapping her arms around Fi and burying her face in Fi's chest as Fi caressed her hair, smiling warmly at her.

"Well then, how can we help you?" Kurai sighed.

"Before that, how may I help you?" Fi replied.

"You could have been able to help us if you were a Celestial Phoenix or an Elder, so I am afraid you can't do much for us," Kurai sighed.

"What is it you need a Celestial Phoenix for? You know Celestial Phoenixes and Hell Phoenixes have become more of a myth by now, its just been that much time since one has been seen," Fi sighed, seemingly reminiscing.

"Yes, I am well aware of that, I wish to seek the help of a Celestial Phoenix or a Phoenix Elder for this girl." Kurai answered, pointing to Opal. "She used to be a human, turned into a dragonoid by a sorcerer, and I wish to request the assistance of a Celestial Phoenix to return this girl to her original form."

"Seems like you are also human, I truly doubted when we first met," Fi replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Kurai questioned.

"You humans have somewhat of a habit of searching for things in far away places, even when they are right next to you the entire time." Fi answered as she set Kesshō down.

"She does not seem like a Celestial Phoenix to me." Kurai shook his head as he glanced at Kesshō.

"Let me tell you a secret," Fi offered. "The reason no one has ever seen a Celestial in so long, is because they don't know how to look for a Celestial." Fi sighed as she patted Kesshō on the head, letting her spread all four of her wings.

Kesshō folded her dragon wings back and allowed Fi to inspect the two phoenix wings. Fi gently brushed her arm across Kesshō's pinkish-red feathers, the feathers glowing in an array of colors as Fi's arm moved over them. The glow did not die even after a few moments, and the other wing also glew in the same way, even without Fi doing anything to it. They remained mostly reddish-pink, brightly colored feathers scattered around unevenly, glowing slightly.

"See?" Fi chuckled. "Most things you are looking for are usually right there with you, all you need is the correct knowledge and the wish to look hard enough."

"What you just said might be deeper than you think." Kurai replied, flabbergasted from what just happened.

Opal inspected Kesshō's bright feathers, running her claws through them. Fi plucked one of Kesshō's looser feathers, just a few days from being shed, and held it over Opal's head. Taking a look at Opal, Fi shook her head and lifted Opal with both arms, placing her on the ground and handing Kesshō the feather.

"Hold it over her head, and think of what you want to do," Fi directed Kesshō.

Kesshō nodded and knelt in front of Opal, holding her hand with the feather right above Opal's head. A bright light of all sorts of colors glew in Kesshō's hand, glittering particles of similar hues slowly dropping on Opal's head, reflecting in her bright colorful eyes.

"How does it feel to witness the True Phoenixal Arts?" Fi inquired. "The ability to transform life itself, to cure even the deadliest of injuries, to revive, the true power of life represented by phoenixes themselves."

"It's a spectacle, to say the least," Kurai replied.

A flash of blinding light emitted from Kesshō's hand, causing both Fi and Kurai to cover their eyes.

"It's a visual spectacle till your eyes get scorched, I think she could use some training for these." Fi complained as she rubbed her eyes.

"Agreed and accepted, you really should teach her," Kurai responded.

As their eyes adjusted they saw the two sitting next to each other, Kesshō looking at the girl in front of her, the girl who used to be the dragonoid named Opal just a few moments ago. Her hair appeared to be mainly black in color, strands of all sorts of colors scattered throughout it, more visible in the bottom part of her hair which lay on the ground. Her eyes were still the same, the very reason she received the name Opal. She wore a black long dress with butterfly sleeves, portraying an array of colors scattered in various flowery patterns. She also appeared to be just a kid, not much older or taller than Kesshō.

Tears streamed down Opal's face as she started to cry. Kesshō placed her hand on Opal's, in an attempt to console her, a failed attempt. As Opal continued to cry Fi sighed and knelt down, pulling her in embrace and patting her on the head, calming her down.

"It's fine, don't worry," Fi reassured. "You are safe, and will be while I am here, I can promise you that, nothing will happen to you while I live."

Opal's crying slowed to sobs a short while later, stopping completely after a few more minutes as she fell asleep. The receptionist, who returned a few minutes earlier, watched in utter disbelief and shock, being disregarded at first by everyone so to not disturb Opal. Fi laid Opal down on a table, not finding anything more suitable. It didn't the most suitable, but enough for her to stay asleep. Kesshō stayed by Opal while Fi and Kurai walked to the receptionist, who still stood as she did before as if frozen in time, her mouth wide open and her eyes narrowed.

"Should I assume you recognise that girl?" Kurai inquired.

The receptionist nodded, still in shock. "That is, the princess of our kingdom, who was taken a few weeks ago."

"Taken? By who?" Fi questioned. "I know she is the princess I never knew about that though."

"A sorcerer kidnapped her and transformed her into a dragonoid is what I am guessing here," Kurai answered for the receptionist.

"Yes, it was a sorcerer," the receptionist confirmed, "but he didn't quite kidnap her. According to the challenge the sorcerer presented, she was supposed to do as he says if he managed to defeat her."

"She lost?" Fi gasped.

"I don't believe she would have lost to that sorcerer, he was weak," Kurai replied. "Unless some foul play was involved," he added after some thought.

"There was," the receptionist confirmed. "We knew he cheated. He used magic in a sword duel, yet he was allowed to leave because the rules never stated magic could not be used on objects. The wretch deformed the princess' sword and took her by surprise."

"Good news that wretch has been dealt with, and your princess has returned," Kurai announced. "Bad news, your kingdom is not in the greatest condition to welcome her."

"Will you be willing to take her with you?" The receptionist requested.

"No, my journey is going to be far more dangerous than staying here," Kurai replied.

"Our journey," Fi corrected. Kurai turned and glanced at Fi, getting ignored by her as she turned to the receptionist. "Is Ceal still in ruins?" She inquired.

"Yes, a large part of it at the least," the receptionist answered. "Most houses have been broken into and wrecked, even the castle."

"Broken into, but not plundered," Fi pointed out. "Wolves have no requirement for gold and silver, they would have left everything except your settlements as they were."

"I suppose." The receptionist nodded after thinking about it.

"Send a letter to the knights, adventurers, and all other warriors which were forced to flee," Fi commanded. "Inform them it's already time they retake their homes and serve their new queen."

The receptionist nodded and rushed to a corner behind the reception with a shelf of letters and envelopes. Taking a pen from the desk she began writing the letter, leaving Kurai and Fi to do as they wish.

"What do you plan to do from here?" Kurai inquired as the two walked back to Kesshō and Opal.

"What I plan to do here doesn't involve you," Fi replied with a smirk. "You will be needed elsewhere to help me with a task, if you don't mind, I am willing to pay in any way you want."

"What might the task be?" Kurai questioned, disregarding her tone.

"Request assistance from neighbouring kingdoms," Fi informed. "I will punish both sides equally, those who have done wrong will only receive the fruit of the seeds they themselves sowed, and these people sowed no foul seeds. I would like the neighbouring kingdoms to help in rebuilding their homes.

"My pleasure to be of assistance." Kurai bowed slightly, a smirk on his face.

Fi rolled her eyes with a smile before turning to Opal, lying down on the table, sound asleep, and Kesshō sitting on the bench, her head resting on the table near Opal's, also sound asleep.

"I think you should tell her everything, I will leave with Kesshō after having my fill, and buying some food supplies for the journey," Kurai informed as he reached out to wake Kesshō.

Fi stopped his arm before it reached Kesshō, turning to him. "Can I request one more thing from you?"

"Certainly, go ahead," Kurai replied, retracting his hand.

"Can you take Opal with you? To the neighbouring kingdoms I mean, just for that, it would be easier to request their help if Opal goes with you," Fi requested.

"Shouldn't she stay here so the people will listen to you?" Kurai pointed out.

"They will listen," Fi replied, "I know they will, you need not worry about that, it would be better if Opal goes with you, so she can see it herself."

Kurai sighed. "Fine, have it as you will, I will depart tomorrow with both of them in that case." He walked away, leaving towards the exit of the guild. "Take care of them, I am going to get some work done till then."

"Okay, I will," Fi called after him as he exited the guild.

"Are you two married?" The receptionist questioned.

"What?" Fi exclaimed.

"Like, you seemed like it so just wondering." The receptionist mumbled with a shrug.

"Not at all, not the slightest possibility of such an occurence. I am a Phoenix, almost immortal, he is a human, very much mortal, so can't work, can it?" Fi pleaded her case.

"Okay, so it's that much," the receptionist mumbled.

"Keep your fantasies to yourself," Fi sighed.

"Fine, whatever, have it your way," the receptionist shrugged in a dramatic manner. "So, is that your daughter? You look alike."

"Technically yes, she is." Fi nodded.

"Okay, so not married, but have a daughter. I guess that works, maybe Phoenix society isn't that accepting." The receptionist murmured, half to herself.

"Listen here you little mortal, stop trying to think of me and him as a couple. We are just work friends, nothing more than acquaintances. And I never said she is our daughter, I said my daughter." Fi grunted, her wolf ears standing straight. "Anyways, give me some food please."

"Are you hungry?" The receptionist inquired.

"Yes, I am, so please," Fi mumbled.

"Sure, sure, you are helping with our problem so I can definitely feed you," the receptionist reassured, still writing.

"So, you wouldn't give me food if we weren't, our ten year friendship means nothing to you? You wretch!" Fi chuckled.

"Ma'am, I have been feeding you for free for eight years because "Phoenixes don't do money", you don't get to complain," the receptionist shot back.

"Please give me my food I will give you five quills that will write letters for you, whatever you want in a very clean writing, I beg of you." Fi bowed her head.

"Five of those quills and something else, take it or leave it," the receptionist shrugged.

"Take my feathers and do what you want with them, I don't even care at this point just give me my food," Fi groaned.

"Sure, sure." the receptionist laughed as she stopped writing and went back to retrieve the food.

"These innocent people with no clue just how much danger their happy little world is in, they will simply be collateral damage once the wars start. No one would think of them, there are far too many for any god to care about anyways," Fi sighed. "I wish you become someone who does care, you have seen them enough I believe for you to have enough empathy, something my old friend intended, although his way of going about it is something I can not fully support."