The night had been a pleasant one, despite what had happened. The others would go get some proper sleep. Kazius too would get some rest, but he would be up before everyone else. He would watch Alice for a while, looking at her in concern. She seemed to be doing better, but Kazius was still worried… His team… They got off due to luck alone… Even if Azanor gained his full power, Kazius needed to get strong enough to protect himself and his team… Maybe the battle crazed Werewolf could help with that.

They were safe here and Damon seemed eager enough to spar… Even talk… But that was likely due to how his own people treated him. Kazius was curious about it, but he knew it was not his place to ask such things when they’ve just met.

Kazius staid by Alice’s side the whole morning, while Eve and Azanor slept.

‘Is it just me or does Azanor tend to match Eve’s sleep schedule despite not needing rest?’

Kazius would look at the two curiously, remembering how Azanor reacted when Leo and Alex attempted to attack Eve… Azanor was stubborn, putting on airs… But… In the end, it was clear he cared about the elf woman… Though Kazius figured it was better to not ask questions or tease the Demon over it. He had gotten angry enough back there.

He would shake away such thoughts and then would look back at Alice. The woman had fought hard… But she too had been overwhelmed so easily… Then again, hero blood or not… She was still a princess, she lacked experience in battle. She needed training too.

‘I will protect them… I can’t just be scared anymore… I will do what I must… To protect my friends… Monster King… I may be a monster, but I will gain the power to make somewhere safe for them… For those like me… The church wants to destroy these beautiful places… I won’t let them… I don’t want to see them get hurt again… Or be sad… I will do everything within my power to make it happen…’’

It was then a part of Kazius would stir even darker thoughts in the back of his mind, ‘Even if I have to kill every single person in Ratier…’

He had to accumulate power. As much as possible, that much he knew… Whatever a Monster King was would come later.

As he was thinking, he gently stroked Alice’s hair. Realizing what he was doing, he would freeze, removing his hand.

‘What are you doing?’

He would scold himself mentally, removing his hand. He remained at the bedside. He would look back at the woman, the wooden bed at least would be comfortable enough for her… They had gotten lucky… To survive… Even if seeing Alice in this state quite bothered him.

Just as he got absorbed in his thoughts, the woman would wake up. She seemed groggy at first only for her eyes to shoot open, the violet irises darting around in concern only to calm down at the sight of Kazius. She would try and sit up.

“It’s okay, we’re safe… We were saved by… I guess you could call him…. The acting chief of the town… we are in Vargstam.” Kazius explained, coaxing her into laying back down.

Alice seemed relieved, but then would frown, looking up at the male with saddened eyes. “I am sorry… I was the first one down, wasn’t I? If only I was stronger…” She stated in dismay, clearly upset. “First, I get sick at just entering the savage lands… and now this…” she stated as she averted her gaze.

Kazius frowned at her words, “Don’t say nonsense.” He scolded, gently cupping her face and having her look at him, “I am sorry for not being able to protect you and the others… If you want to get stronger, do so… But I will come save you if you are ever in trouble. Next time- No… There won’t be a next time. I will protect you with all I have.” Kazius told her firmly, looking at her in a determined manner before letting go.

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Alice was a bit flustered at his words, her cheeks getting a pink hue to them. “O-Okay…I-I…” she stated shyly.

“You guys have become very important friends to me.” Kazius decided to admit, he trusted them. They were here with him in the worst of times. When he said this though, Alice looked a little sad, something Kazius did not understand why.

“Y-Yeah…” Alice would agree, looking away again.

“Is everything okay?” he would ask.

“…Sure…”

“Alright… Just remember what I said… I will be there for you…Anyway, you should relax. I think we can stay here for some time, as long our new friend allows it… His name is Damon. He is the chief I spoke of when you woke up… I will ask him about breakfast and if he needs help getting any more food… I don’t want to be a free loader…” Kazius admitted as he got up.

As he left, he would notice Azanor had gotten up, “I took you for quite the smart fellow, Kazius… I never thought you were the dense type. That was painful to listen to.”

“What do you mean?” Kazius questioned.

“Shut up, Azanor.” Alice told him with a frown.

“Never mind…” Azanor stated with a shrug.

“…O…kay?” Kazius stated in confusion, dismissing what just happened. Azanor was just trying to mess with him, or so he was thinking.

As he headed out of the room, he would go down the massive hall… This place was definitely built for a big family at minimum… Though from what he saw, there were maybe 3 living here at most… Something that confused him… Specially with how big the families in town looked.

As he walked, he found what he figured was the kitchen, only to freeze when he heard a conversation.

“Who told you that you could have guests?” A snappy female voice could be heard.

“They were hurt… And have no place to stay… Besides, they seem like good people.” Damon could be heard.

“You are just happy that they don’t know better and talk to someone like you.”

“It isn’t like I did anything wrong, Luna… I just want to be your little brother… Can’t you treat me like that? Besides, I want some friends for once.” Damon stated, sounding saddened, like he was begging even. Very different from his usual cheery tone and proud demeanor. He seemed so desperate.

“Oh really? In my opinion, just you existing is wrong! If they are friends of yours, then I despise that they are here even more!”

“Luna-”

“I can’t stand being near you for a second longer, I will get my own food somewhere else… Don’t you dare even breathe in my direction.”

Kazius only had a little time to move out of the way before the door was slammed open roughly. The door would loudly hit the wall, a viciously angry looking woman standing at the door. She looked a lot like Caleb, with blue hair and yellow eyes. Her hair was long and straight, reaching her butt. She was standing at 5ft 4 (1.63m). Her ears were also pointed like Caleb, unlike Damon.

She would glare daggers at Kazius, sneering before storming off.

‘What the hell did I just overhear? She treats him worse than the townsfolk do…’

It was then Damon would spot him, smiling goofily at him. “Up early, huh? My sister woke up in a bad mood, don’t mind her.” He would laugh out.

‘Wait… I just realized… But… He doesn’t know I understood all that, does he? Should I tell him? No… Then he will just feel worse…’

“Yeah… Bad mood alright…” Kazius would state. “Anyway, my companion that got knocked out woke up, thankfully… I figured I would ask about breakfast. I remember you said you hunted by yourself… How about I join you? I don’t want to be a freeloader and I figured hunting in packs is better… For lack of a better word.” Kazius joked a bit, hoping to cheer up his new friend.

Damon may not know he understood him, but Kazius would be friendly. He saved their lives after all. Kazius wasn’t afraid of trusting others either, not anymore. He would make new friends, as he already had been doing. Besides, he wanted to get stronger… And right now, Damon was the strongest person he knew.

At talk of joining him in a hunt, Damon’s expression seemed to visibly brighten. He was quite easy to read to say the least. He was practically beaming. “Really?! Buahaha! That would be fun! I hope you can keep up!” He would laugh out.

“Breakfast first.” Kazius reminded the Werewolf, who seemed to almost forget about it.

“Oh! Right! Come on! We can take food to the others and eat at the room!” Damon stated eagerly, happy to have company it seems.

With that, the 5 would have a good meal together.