Evan POV

I was going to go fetch Tifa from her Kingdom and then infiltrate Human’s Kingdom with her help but… I got lazy in the end. I kept following my map to the Elven kingdom until I realized my house was about 15 minutes to my left while the Elven kingdom was still over 30 minutes away.

Sorry, Lucy and Oswald but you two gotta stay at the Adventurer’s guild for longer. This is definitely not because I’m still angry at all trouble you cost me and- Nah, who am I kidding, this is revenge. Screw you two for the emotional ride you caused me for the last few hours, and for making me a fugitive in the kingdom.

Before I went back home where my family was, I made a quick trip to Jeff to ask him about the strange Eggs that I found in the forest and… let’s just say what Jeff told me about them was shocking, to say the least.

Apparently, the Neko fox race was one of the strongest Demi-human races a few tens of thousands of years ago but because of some unknown reasons, they went extinct about a few thousand years ago. Jeff said that they were seriously strong and any of them can train and get powerful enough to rival Demi-gods. There’s only one Demi-god I know of from Terraria. The Fucking Moon-lord, A.K.A the final boss of Terraria. He also said that they’re really intelligent and even a newborn baby would be able to start crawling and talking a few minutes after they were born.

And this brings me to the next question, if they went extinct thousands of years ago, then why the hell do I have two of their eggs in my inventory? Are these eggs expired or something? Doesn’t seem possible since everything around them defied the laws of the universe, Even Jeff couldn’t answer this question. He just told me to keep them somewhere hidden from danger. He also said to keep them out of my inventory and let me tell you, I’ll do just that. It’s not like having two nuclear-weapon-level beings in my inventory is making me nervous.

Once I finished my talks with Jeff, I went back into my house. There wasn’t any sound of any activities so I stealthily went up to the second floor. I didn’t see anyone in the corridor which was lucky and made it easy for me to sneak into my room. I ended up hiding the eggs under my bed before I quietly head back.

“Brother!” Someone called out to me when I was closing my door and it gave me a big jolt, I already knew who it was but I didn’t know why she was so happy.

I turned towards the voice and Mia suddenly hugged me. “I’m so glad you’re back!” I didn’t knew why she was actually happy to see me but there was a hint of desperation in her voice but that might just be me.

I started patting her hair while she could only hug up to my belly due to her short size. “What’s wrong? I only went out for an hour or so?”

“I’m just happy to see you again, wait!” Looks like something definitely happened because she suddenly became desperate for no reason, “You’re not gonna leave again are you!?”

“Huh? Um, I actually had something to do here, and then I needed to fetch Tifa later for some stuff and then I was gonna go back and beat- I mean rescue my disciples.” As soon as I laid down my plan for Mia, she looked up at me with fear in her eyes.

“No! Please don’t go! I’m scared!”

Scared?

Why is she scared? Wait, is she traumatized by the stuff that happened with the cultists? I already know her story, but… wait no, who am I kidding, she’s a 15-year-old kid who witnessed her friends and family die in front of her, of course, she’s scared.

{Author Note: And thus, the misunderstanding began.}

She was still hugging me but I slowly kneeled down to her height, “Alright, don’t worry, I’ll stay with you until you’ve overcome your fear, okay?” I said while caressing her head to calm her down.

She nodded and finally calmed down, “Thank you, brother.”

She hugged me one last time before I stood back up. I didn’t see anyone else here so I asked where they were. Turns out, the King and Queen chose the same room and were sleeping in it, which makes sense since the bed is big enough for two people to sleep in. Mia doesn’t know if Luna was sleeping or not, but she was in her room and the door was shut tight. Emma the nurse and Tania the dryad were hanging out together in one of the rooms again so I didn’t bother checking.

Mia was left alone and that’s probably why she got scared, the traumatization will probably be hard to fix but I’m guessing the others don’t know about her condition. The reason she bumped into me now wasn’t because she has some 6th sense and knew I was home, it was because she was going to cook some food and bumped into me.

I decided to help her out in the kitchen, this way she won’t be alone and the cooking would keep her mind away from the things that traumatized her. While this was a nice solution, there was a problem.

“No ingredients…” Mia said as she was checking the chest and cabinets in the kitchen I made in a rush. Well, everything was made in a rush so that's my excuse for why I forgot to bring food.

“Well, I guess, I’ll grab some groceries the next time I go into the Kingdom. But that means we don’t have anything for now.” I tried to think how to do this. The Kingdom still has me as a fugitive so I doubt they’ll let me waltz right in… Wait a second.

Didn’t Tifa and that guild master tell everyone that I was under their protection? … Was I never a fugitive in the first place? Hard to think that way with how I handle things. But then, why was the security increased?

“It’s alright.” Mia interrupted my thoughts with a smile, “but, that means we won't have anything to eat for now.”

Well, Emma can sell us that Calorie lactate solution. But, just thinking about it is making me barf so I’ll categorize that to ‘drink only when starving’ potion.

“So, what can we do?” I asked while Mia was thinking.

“Please don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it myself! I’ll forage for fruits and nuts nearby and maybe hunt for some animals or critters.”

As if I'm gonna leave you to the threats outside and alone. Well, the Spawn rate of any hostiles is lowered tremendously When there are a number of NPCs nearby, but I bet even one slime is enough to kill you.

“Alrighty then, I’ll go with you.”

She looked at me surprised, “Umm, Don't worry about it. I can do this on my own! You must be tired as, well right? You should rest, I’d hate it if you’re pushing yourself so much.”

I unconsciously started patting her head. I couldn’t resist she was too cute worrying about me like this.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m your brother now, I’m also very strong so don’t worry about me, okay?”

She smiled so much that her previous desperation almost seemed like a lie, “Okay!”

Just in case, I handed her my old Copper Short sword for self-defense, I won’t let anything happen to her, but a backup is always nice to have. The only thing left is to find a sheath or cover for the sword since she can’t use inventory. There aren’t sheath’s in Terraria that I know of so I did the only thing I know of and headed straight to Jeff the guide.

He told us that we could one from Walter the merchant so headed straight there while Mia held onto the Shortsword with both her hands. I only handed her the Shortsword in case of a backup but what surprised me was that she said she was well-versed with a sword. Not to the level of a soldier, but she knew of the basics. I thought she only used to be a maid but maybe everyone knows how to wield a weapon around here.

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We went to the merchant to buy her a sheathe but, when I check his shop through the system, there was no sheathe, just the usual general things he sells like potions, torches, ropes, etc. He only sold me a sheath, a leather sheath, after I asked him about it. For some reason, the sheath still didn’t appear in the system’s shop.

I didn’t like the merchant though, he started acting really friendly in front of Mia, It was only when he started saying stuff like “for the little miss, I’ll give you a 50% discount,” and, “Does the little miss like candy?” that I started warning him about what he was doing. I punched him when he said, “The little miss should visit me sometimes at her own leisure.” As always, I did zero damage but he got knocked back and hit the wall. I had to explain to Mia that there are sometimes predators like that guy who she should stay away from.

Anyway, she wore the leather sheathe on the belt buckle of her tight dark-brown pants and I held her hand as we went into the wilderness to look for food.

This feels an awful like taking my real little sister out for a walk…

Lisa… I really hope you’re doing okay back home… I just need a little more time to get back to everyone… Please stay safe.

Tifa POV

It was surprising to see her Highness leave all the important matters to Rudolph, a very trustworthy General who also made many contributions in the battle of the Eye of Cthulhu as Evan calls them. I think I also saw Sarah go over there to help General Rudolph but it was probably someone who looked like her. She also changed her attire from a beautiful gown to tight leather armor designed for the outdoors.

But, I would say that it was uncharacteristic of her to leave everything to her trusted aides to follow me back to the Dryad. Right now, it was only the two of us on horseback, riding all the way to Evan’s house as fast as we could.

“Are you sure it was a Dryad!” Her Highness said loudly, she had to since hearing things on horseback is tough when the wind is whistling past you.

“Yes Your Highness! She introduced herself as Tania the Dryad. She had green hair and I could feel that her mana was no different than nature itself.”

If we focus hard enough, we can feel the nature of someone’s mana that’s coursing through them, It’s almost impossible to feel anything, but the all elves are well endowed with nature and can feel anything that’s related to nature, meaning we elves can easily spot a nature elemental mage or tell if any flora is harmful or good for us by checking it’s nature. Since I’m half-elf, it takes me a little bit of time to feel anything, but even then I could tell that Tania from just looking at her.

“Did she… say anything?” The Queen's voice suddenly went quieter after I told her about Tania so I couldn’t understand most of what she said but for some reason, she seems… afraid.

“No, your highness! I left as soon as I figured out she was a Dryad!” I spoke loudly so she could hear me but she seems nervous for some reason. Maybe she still can’t believe that there was a Dryad alive all this time?

The rest of the journey was uneventful, but I did see dark clouds slowing covering up the sky. Anyone would be able to tell it was going to rain very soon.

Once we finally reached Evan’s house, I tied both out horses to the nearby tree quickly while she went to inspect Evan’s giant mansion.

“All this time… she lived here?” She sounded like she herself couldn’t believe it, but there was a slight misunderstanding.

“No your majesty, This house belongs to Evan the Silver daemon who saved us when the Cultists attacked.”

“Evan, huh? For some reason, I believe she would go to him.”

Does she know Tania herself?

Her Highness stared at the door handle that would bring us inside but it felt like she was hesitating. I stood right beside her, waiting for her to make the first move. While waiting I kept staring at his house. He made a small shack from scratch while fighting an endless horde of zombies, after that, just some time passes and that small shack is now a giant mansion. I kept thinking about how he promised me once before that he would teach me how to survive and then maybe, I’ll bloom just like this house.

“Tifa… Could you… Lead the way?”

“Yes, your Highness!”

The Queen took in a deep breath while I knocked before opening the door slowly. I called out to anyone but no one answered. I couldn’t let the Queen wait outside so I’ll apologize to Evan for barging in like this later.

My Queen followed me as we walked up to the second floor quietly, it was quite unnerving to infiltrate a friend's house like this but I finally rejoiced when I saw Evan’s little sister walking there.

“Tifa? I thought you left? And who’s this?”

I was going to explain to her the situation but my Queen started talking before me.

“Pardon my intrusion, I'm the Elves Queen, Elizabeth. You must be Luna, I was the one who kept your Parents Safe and hidden.”

Evan’s sister was shocked at first but she suddenly smiled and bowed a little while holding the hems of her skirt. “I cannot thank you enough for keeping my parents safe. But how did you know I'm Luna?”

“Your face is an exact replica of your mother.”

Her Highness and Luna kept exchanging pleasantries like these but her highness wasn’t asking why we came here, I guess she just wanted to by nice, which is why I should be the rude one.

“I’m sorry for interrupting but, do you know where Tania the dryad is?”

Luna immediately made an ugly face as she clicked her tongue, “If you’re looking for Tania the bitch, she’s in that room over there. Good day.”

I was worried that her talking rudely would upset Her highness but when I looked at her, she didn’t seem to mind. There may be some bad blood here with Tania and Evan’s family so it’s best I stay vigilant.

We both went inside the room Luna pointed to us before she left us to go somewhere else. When we looked inside the room, It was quite empty, with no windows, a set of tables and chairs, and not much else worth pointing out. Tania the dryad was standing there in one corner of the room talking to a human girl who was wearing a white set of clothes with a red plus sign tag on her white hat.

Once Tania saw us she told the strange human to leave while Her highness was left petrified.

“It’s really you…” Her highness was shaking, I couldn't see her face, so I couldn't tell if she was shaking from excitement or something else.

“Elizabeth! It’s been a long time now hasn’t it!” Tania talked to her Highness like old friends meeting after a long time.

“Tania…” Her highness's voice sounded bittersweet. It seems like they’ve been friends for a long time, so I tried to blend in with the surroundings, trying to make it so that I’m not even there while her Highness reminisced with her friend.

“You look so mature now Elizabeth! Oh my, oh my! You’ve become such a looker from the time I’ve been gone. You used to look like a brat but I bet now blaze won’t even look at another girl with you around him. What a lucky bastard.”

Blaze? I don’t know any person named Blaze?

“He… He passed away. A long time ago.” There was sadness in her Highness's voice. I’m guessing Her highness was married once, I feel like I would’ve heard of his Highness even if I lived only a fraction of her Highness's life.

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed. “Oh… I’m so sorry I didn’t know.” The happy-go-merry expression that the Dryad had was all gone as a frown replaced her smile. “my condolences.”

“It’s… alright.”

“He was a good kid. I know how much you loved him.”

Her highness nodded but the heavy atmosphere didn’t end.

“Well, it might not mean much coming from me but at least he left you something. Aren’t I right kid?”

Her highness visibly shook as I felt like the conversation was for some reason steering towards me.

Is she talking about me?

“What’s your name, little kid? Oh my! You even have your fathers’ hair and eyes. I saw you before with Evan and I knew you looked familiar but I now know your Blaze’s child after seeing you with Elizabeth.”

Did she mistake me for someone else? I was always an orphan.

I raised my hand by trying to deflect her questions, “I’m sorry miss Tania but I think you mistook me for someone else.”

“What nonsense,” Tania said playfully, “I never forget my people, and I know you’re definitely Blaze’s daughter. Wasn’t sure before but I am now.”

But… I’m an orphan… Unless…

“Don’t listen to her Tifa. Dryads are naturally naughty and playful, they’ll lie and try to play with anyone’s feelings just for fun… We’re leaving.” Her Highness sounded angry, and impatient as she turned around to leave quickly.

Huh? That’s it? We’re leaving just like that? I thought the dryads were our saviors! What just happened!?

“Now, hold on for just a second there, Naughty and playful, I get it, it’s in my nature, sure. But I’ve never once lied about anything my whole life, and I intend to keep it that way.”

Wait… doesn’t that mean?

“Elizabeth… don’t tell me, you didn’t tell her?”

We both stared at her highness as many unknown emotions were welling up inside,

“Tania… please.” Her highness said while staring at the door.

“Wait, your highness. Is she… telling the truth?” I don’t know why but words were getting harder to speak as something slowly started blocking my throat.

Tania the dryad finally noticed something as she got angry, “Did she call you ‘Your highness’? Elizabeth you reall-"

Her words were cut loose as a number of thick vines suddenly broke through the floor and walls attempting to hit Tania. But then all the green thick vines which also had hundreds of sharp thorns on them, stopped right before they touched Tania.

“Elizabeth. You know your magic won’t work against me.” Tania said with a sharp look on her face as if all the friendly face she showed before was a lie.

I looked towards her highness, and she was still facing away from me, trembling.

There were also several emotions welling up inside me. Fear, anger, nervousness. I didn’t want to ask, but I steeled myself as I asked again. “Your Highness... Is she telling the truth?”

I was waiting for an answer or anything but she said nothing, she didn’t even look back at me until the Dryad made a troubled sigh before she called me out. “Little one, what’s your name?”

“I’m… I’m Tifa.”

“Then listen closely Tifa, I'm not only a dryad that can tell other people's feelings just by looking at them but I’m also a good-old friend of Elizabeth, You can even call me her aunt if you’d like.”

But…

“I already know that you’re confused and Elizabeth is scared out of her mind right now, but I will tell you what she should’ve done a long time ago. Elizabeth is your Mother.”