“Roy, I need your assistance” The Pyrolancer called out to his squire as they reached their designated area. 

“Yes, my liege” 

“No need to be so formal. We’ve known each other long enough to be on a first-name basis don’t you think? Besides, both of us were summoned to this world, which makes us equals. Actually, you’ve been here longer than I have, which makes you more experienced. I should be calling you my master” 

Roy said nothing, simply raising his eyebrow at the remark as he waited to hear what his knight needed help with. Sadly society and its classes did not work with regards to equality. As a heroic adventurer, the Pyrolancer had the ranking of a knight and was entitled to a squire as well as other party members. However many as he desired. But, he only settled for one. 

It had been just over a month since Roy joined the Pyrolancer’s party as its only other member. Soleil Seraphim, known throughout the land as the “Lance of Flames” had been summoned to this world in a similar manner to Roy, roughly half a year later. However, both of their experiences were vastly different. There’s a reason Soleil was a renowned hero while Roy was merely his squire….

“So we have two options. Either check all three nearby caves up ahead and kill the wyrm in its lair. OR we destroy the caves to draw it out and kill it in the open field. What do you think?”

‘Why is the most famous hero in the realm taking advice from a lowly squire like me?’ Is all Roy thought. 

‘Wyrms are experts at being underground. We’d be annihilated if we went after them in their natural habitat’ Azeria warned, materializing out of nowhere. During his year in Aeilaeifr, the little fox has been his only faithful friend and companion. For some currently unknown reasons, Azeria was telepathic and had a large array of psychic powers. However, she only communicated with her savior, Roy, also a holder of psychic powers. Maybe that’s what made them connect and form a bond with each other, and why she refused to get like that with anyone else. 

“Let’s flush it out and kill it here. It’ll be more difficult for us underground. There’s no telling what might happen if we faced it in the caves” The squire advised, head-patting his familiar as she curled up in his lap. 

“Hmm, good idea! Can I have the javelins you forged for me please?”

“You don’t need to speak so politely to me” Roy mumbled, handing him the requested items. 

“Now now, hearing you talk like that is disheartening to my ears” Soleil grabbed three javelins, imbuing them via pyrokinesis, and throwing all three in the direction of the caves. They exploded on impact, sending debris flying in all directions.

‘Heh, that’s why they call him the Lancer of Flames’ Azeria mused with a smile. 

‘You don’t need to say that EVERY TIME he uses his powers’ The squire sighed. 

‘Hehe’ The familiar playfully punched his owner in the arm. 

Soleil scanned the perimeter as the caves collapsed, waiting for the wyrm to break through either of the three locations. ‘Odd, it should have been ragefully coming towards us by now. Unless the explosions killed it?’ The hero wondered, stroking his chin. “Roy, can you and your familiar check out two locations?” He pointed towards the left and central caves. “I’ll check the one on the right to make sure the beast is dead”

“Yes, my liege” Roy nodded as Azeria and him went off to investigate the first two caves.

“Just Solleil is fine!” 

‘Can I eat the wyrm if it’s dead? Or do we need to bring its body back as proof of killing it?’ The familiar enquired. Roy said nothing. ‘Actually, we’ll probably bring the entire thing back and have a feast! It’s been terrorizing King Aether’s lands for the last few weeks. Eating it is the perfect way to get back at it for eating this kingdom’s people!’

‘Is food always the only thing on your mind?’

‘I’m a fox, what do you expect? We can eat until our stomachs explode’ Once again, Roy was silent… ‘Which I won’t ever do, of course. My death means you wouldn’t have the world’s best companion anymore. And I’d never deprive you of that’

‘Just confirm if the wyrm’s dead or not’ 

‘Hey! Aren’t you going to affirm that I am indeed the best companion one would ever ask for?’

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‘Did I deny it?’

‘Hmmm. Fair point. But don’t be like those boys who never compliment a lady because “It’s obvious so there’s no need to point it out”. There’s nothing worse than filth like that’ 

‘I’m getting relationship advice from a fox…’ 

‘A powerful, wise, whimsical, mystical, psychic fox!’ Azeria chirped. ‘Heh, PWWMP Fox!’ 

‘There’s no sign of the Wyrm here. Convey that to Ser Solleil’

‘Mmm no can do. I only have a pact with you, remember? I can’t enter anyone else’s head, even at your command. It’s an interesting hierarchy by the way. I serve you and you serve Ser Solleil. Also ironic since you’re the weakest and I’m the strongest of us three!’

‘Thank you for that. I’ll use my ability to get through to him’

‘Hey are you sure about that?! You know what using those powers do to you. Would you really do that over something this mundane?’

‘Relaying information like this isn’t mundane. Besides if the wyrm isn’t near me or you, there’s a high chance he’s in danger’ 

‘No need to relay then, let’s head to his position!’

The two of them reunited and sprinted over, to find The Pyrolancer facing off against the wyrm. 

“Roy, stay back!” The hero exclaimed, setting his spearhead ablaze. 

‘There’s not much I can really do anyway. As his squire, I just have to make sure his equipment’s functional and in perfect condition. And I’ve done just that. This should be an easy win for him’

‘Meaning I can say the line when he kills it!’ 

Solleil smirked, gripping his spear tightly and charging at the cave-dwelling beast. The wyrm faced him head on, intending on colliding into him and grinding the hero into the dirt to finish him off. But the wyrm’s intellect was far from existent. It failed to take into account the agility and nimbleness of polearm fighters. At the very last second, the hero firmly planted his spear into the ground, pole vaulting over the beast. He then stabbed his weapon into the wyrm, dragging it along its body, splitting it in half and searing its organs to prevent any possible regeneration. 

“Don’t forget, they have five hearts!” Roy warned, to prevent Solleil from getting overconfident. 

“Understood!” The Pyrolancer didn’t stop there, continuously tearing the wyrm in two until he reached its tail end. “I covered all five hearts right? Oh well, here’s the insurance strike” Solleil flung a blast of flames from his spear to make sure the beast was dealt with for good.

The once fearsome worm was now a charred mess, split symmetrically in twain. ‘That’s why they call him the Lancer of Flames’

‘Not even remotely a good or cool line…’

 “We have to bring the whole thing back don’t we? Is our carriage enough for all of it?” The Pyrolancer asked, cleaning his spearhead with a handkerchief. 

“Azeria can carry it along with her psychic powers. Is there anything else we have to take care of?”

“Nope. King Aether should be quite pleased” And so the three of them seat off for the castle having completed their bounty. 

The continent of Aeilaeifr was divided into about ten countries. The rulers of these lands lived independently and at peace, as each faction acknowledged the others’ sovereignty. King Aether ruled over the Land of Light, Solana. When Roy first entered this world, he started off in the Wind Kingdom of Enlil, staying there until he joined Solleil’s party last month. The Pyrolancer himself started out in Solana and has been operating there since. He’s spent his time here serving King Aether, completing 97 bounties in less than half a year. Well, 98 now. Tales of the “Lance of Flames” and his squire spread throughout the continent, and he became hailed as the greatest hero Aeilaeifr has ever seen. 

Solana, the Kingdom of Light, was located right in the middle of the continent and due to its central position, one could call it the “Capital” of this world. And as a result, King Aether was deemed the most powerful and EVERYONE tried to be on his good side as a result. All the other kings sucked up to him since he was the Lord of Light. It was fair to say that nothing happened without his say-so. 

Within half an hour, the three of them reached the castle. However, they were stopped at the gate. “Ser Pyrolancer, you’re back!” The guard exclaimed. “Glad to see you’ve killed the wyrm and returned unscathed” He didn’t even bother looking at the squire. “Unfortunately the king cannot see you at this very moment. Please allow me to take the wyrm off your hands, while you and your entourage can get some rest at the inn” 

“That’s fine with us! I assume he’ll wish to speak to us in the morning?” 

“Indeedly so. Please follow me” They went after the guard, coming to the inn that they often stayed at. “Enjoy your stay. I shall summon you in the morrow” And with that, the guard left. 

“Well then, I say we hit the baths and go to bed. Is there anything in particular you want to do?”

“I didn’t really do anything today. I haven’t done anything to deserve a break or rest”

“Come on now!” Solleil slapped his companion on the small of his back. “We’re in the Kingdom of Light, no need to be so dark and gloomy! I’ll buy you supper, how’s that sound?”

“Please don’t waste your coin on me. I can manage alone and can get by without food”

“Just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you have to” He smiled, heading off to the bathhouse.

‘You should shower too, it’s not a bad thing to be clean’ Azeria hummed, brushing her head against Roy’s chest.

‘I’ll do it in the morning. I’ll freshen up before we go to meet the king’ 

‘You mean, for HER?’ The familiar repeatedly nudged her master. 

‘Who?’

‘Princess E- AYE!’ She yelped as Roy flicked her on the nose. 

‘A man like me is incapable of looking at, let alone speaking with a woman like her’ He sighed, heading to the room that they booked and falling asleep immediately after…