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Mia caught his smile and added with a mischievous glint in her eyes, as if to tease him further.

“He also said, ‘I still haven’t shown Hiyuki the city like I promised her. I’m going to protect this city until then!’ Then he grabbed his sword and ran off to who knows where. Miss Fiore chased after him right away, so it looks like she has no intention of escaping either.”

As Mia raised both hands toward the ceiling in a theatrical flourish, Gald nearly spit out his tea. For a while, his booming laughter echoed throughout the room.

“Sheesh, that brat’s going to be the death of me one day. He’s just as reckless as he was when he first started, and now it seems like there’s no stopping him! He’s hopeless, I’m telling you. Haa… then again, the place would feel dull without an idiot like him around.”

Adventurers weren’t soldiers; their top priority was always survival—something they were taught from the very beginning. In fact, most adventurers with any sense had already left the continent to escape the impending disaster. As guildmaster, Gald had chosen to turn a blind eye to their exodus. And yet, here was this fool, thinking he could take on a world-ending calamity with nothing but his sword.

“There’s really no saving that boy. I can’t help but pity Miss Fiore for having to put up with his antics,” Mia said with a shrug and a faintly amused smile.

Gald, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, fumbled for the right words. “O-Oh, I see… Anyway, Fiore passed the State Exam for Magicians, didn’t she? But she’s still tangled up with Joey… Are you sure you’re okay with leaving them be?”

Lacking better words, that was all he could muster. But Mia, reading the unease in his voice, gave him a wry smile.

“I don’t mind. Honestly, Joey feels more like a troublesome little brother to me. Besides, I’d have my doubts—he’s not exactly stable or financially secure. My ideal partner would be someone more experienced, broad-minded, and older, I think.”

“I-I see…”

As Gald raised his teacup to his mouth, his expression wavering between relief and despair, Mia glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and spoke in a playful tone.

“Well, if it ends up being too late, maybe I’ll just turn to you, Guildmaster,” Her words, accompanied by a teasing wink, made Gald choke on his tea instantly.

◆◇◆◇

—Sacred Beast Hill, Cres Freedom United Nation.

Atop the plateau with its steep cliffs, in the heart of the Sacred Sanctuary, stood a massive monolith.

Turning his back to the Aztec-style pyramid—a labyrinth known as the «Sacred Beast Gate» crafted through the grace of Imperial Crimson (though it was essentially another of Hiyuki’s villas)—the Beast King nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping across the gathered representatives of each tribe.

Each one of them was a battle-hardened veteran, eccentric in their own ways and not easy to deal with. The youngest among them had long passed middle age, with some even older and more experienced than the Beast King himself. Yet their bodies radiated a sharp, almost predatory aura that belied their years. Fierce grins adorned their faces as a collective surge of energy coursed through them, their senses sharpening as if preparing for war. They resembled starving beasts, worn down by time, finally spotting prey after losing their fangs and claws to age.

“So, you’re here, Beast King.”

The Beast King turned at the sound of a familiar voice and presence.

“Jeremiah, it’s been a long time.”

Hearing the rugged voice, Jeremiah, one of the senior advisors of the Nu Gruv tribe, bowed his head respectfully.

“It truly has been a long while. Forgive my forwardness, but I’ll be representing the Nu Gruv tribe today.”
“Hahaha! So, it’s finally time for us to crawl out of our caves for battle. You lot haven’t gotten rusty, have you?”

The Beast King’s taunting remark earned a sharp glare from the otherwise mild-mannered Jeremiah.

“Why don’t you try me? These old bones of mine can still put a youngster like you in his place. Speaking of youth, I almost forgot—I deeply appreciate you stopping our young leader and Lady Asmina. Truly, thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I only did it because they’re my foolish disciple and granddaughter.”

“Come now, they’re practically my own grandkids too. All I truly want is for them to live long and full lives.”

After offering another respectful bow, Jeremiah turned on his heel and surveyed the gathered old-timers with a knowing glance.

“This is… quite the arrangement. Even if this lineup were to fall, the tribes would continue to thrive.”

What they were about to do could very well shorten their lives. While they were veterans and heroes in their prime, they were now elderly citizens who had long since left the frontlines.

“But hey, at least we can go out as wild as we please.”

That said, they weren’t planning to engage in direct combat. Their mission was to move between the tribes, aiding others and helping the wounded escape before the «Void Mist» consumed everything.

Suddenly, weaving through the gathered tribal representatives, a younger figure approached the Beast King.

“The leader of the Tiger Tribe, «Strong Arm» Acheron… is that correct?”

Hearing the Beast King address him by name, Acheron was momentarily taken aback. Then, a wide smile spread across his face as he nodded.

“It’s an honor that the Beast King remembers someone as inexperienced as me.”
“Hmm. Since you’re aware of your inexperience, why are you still here? Hurry up and head to Her Majesty’s sanctuary.”
“I have a request. Please permit me to—”
“Not a chance,” the Beast King interrupted firmly.

At the Beast King’s resolute refusal, frustration and disappointment flashed in Acheron’s eyes.

“Doom is the only outcome in this war. It’s no place for promising youngsters like you.”
“…But as the leader of my tribe, I would rather die than flee a war with my tail between my legs.”
“This isn’t the cowardly retreat you think it is. Who else will safeguard our kin and brethren after we’re gone? Honestly, ensuring their safety is a far greater responsibility than anything we’re doing here.”
“—That just sounds like selfish nonsense to me.”

Acheron’s sharp criticism and defiant glare drew faint chuckles from the gathered old-timers.

“Of course. Charging toward death while leaving all the burdens to the younger generation is our privilege as old-timers. The glory of the past is ours to keep, while shaping the future is your job.”

The Beast King’s blunt words were met with nods from the other elders, faint smiles playing on their lips.

“You heard me. This battlefield is for us old men to shine one last time and bring our legend to a close. You’d only get in the way. Your duty is to work hard for the future and bring even greater prosperity to our people.”

“…As you say, Sir,” With a slightly dejected expression, Acheron bowed deeply before walking away swiftly.

The gathered elders watched Acheron’s retreating figure with calm, reflective eyes.

“Take care of our future…” The Beast King’s words were carried away on the wind, dissolving into the air of the Cres Freedom United Nation.

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