On the Sicilian seaside, the three girls with distinct personalities still hadn’t caught their breath.

“This… what on earth is going on…”

Saori, stunned, only then realized her back was already soaked with sweat.

“Ah! You scared Xier to death!”

Xier’s legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the sandy beach.

Saori suddenly noticed another hand tightly gripping her. She turned her head and met Kozi’s gaze.

“Ah!” Kozi hastily let go, lightly tapping her cherry-red lips with her index finger, putting on an air of mystery. “I-it… ah! It must’ve realized we don’t taste good! So it left! Yeah! Definitely! Ha… haha…”

Kozi threw her head back, laughing awkwardly, completely ignoring Saori and Xier’s stares.

Well, having skin this thick was practically an art form.

“Ahem… this… this lord says…”

A light cough came from behind the three girls. Hearing that familiar catchphrase, the quickest to react wasn’t Saori or Xier—it was Kozi.

Kozi instantly pounced on the stunned silver-haired youth like a fragrant breeze.

“Bro… ah no! Hol… ah no!… this… Lord Ryosuke! You’ve finally woken up!!!”

Overjoyed to have found the right title, Kozi embraced the bewildered Lord Sima Liangjie.

The sudden assault left Ryosuke awkward. He reached to push her away but his hands landed on something soft.

Ryosuke jerked his hands back as if electrocuted.

“Miss…” he said blankly.

Kozi froze. She hurriedly whispered four words into Ryosuke’s ear. Her soft, fragrant breath tickled his skin.

Ryosuke froze in place, forgetting to resist her warm embrace.

Those four words were none other than—

“Emerald Dragon, Dad.”

Ryosuke instantly knew this mercenary guild receptionist was the true savior who’d rescued him and his dad.

A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring—he understood that well.

But this young girl kept giving him meaningful looks. With two lifetimes of experience, Ryosuke grasped it immediately.

She’d saved him and his dad, then met Saori and her maid Xier, all to hide his true identity…

So she knew who he really was.

Ryosuke turned to study her. What was her purpose?

Saori and the others clearly didn’t know his identity—why cover for him?

If Lord Sima Liangjie knew her reason was to monopolize him, things would be very different.

“Holy Dragon Lord, this isn’t the place for details. Please let me act as your sister for now!” Kozi whispered near his ear.

Ryosuke nodded understandingly.

“Little brother Ryosuke! You’re awake! Sister was so worried!”

Saori and Xier exchanged a glance. What was with all this “lord,” “you,” and “little brother” nonsense?

Seeing Kozi hug Ryosuke made Saori uneasy. For now, she blamed it on him being her student.

“Ahem… Miss Kozi, shouldn’t you let go of my student?” Saori reminded her. The silver-haired youth was both her brother and pupil.

“Yes! Ryosuke just woke up—he’s weak! Let him go!” Xier insisted.

Weak?

Kozi shot Xier a disdainful look. Joking? Who did she think he was? The Iceflower Holy Dragon Lord!

Even the eighth-tier Emerald Dragon hadn’t lasted a few rounds against him.

Ignorance could be bliss—but sometimes, it drove you mad.

“This lord’s fine. Sister Kozi… could you let go first?”

From their chatter, Ryosuke had caught one key detail—this receptionist was named Kozi.

His words were questioning, but his tone was certain.

Seeing Kozi still staring, stunned, Ryosuke lowered his head to avoid her gaze and murmured, “Ahem… it’s hot…”

Kozi’s face flushed crimson. She yelped and released Ryosuke.

Under everyone’s eyes, she crouched to the side, squatting on the sand, drawing frantic circles with her finger.

She muttered, “Calm down, Kozi… calm down, Kozi… calm… calm…”

Her voice faded, but her circle-drawing sped up wildly. At this rate, she’d stir a sandstorm.

Saori ignored Kozi and stared at Ryosuke.

He seemed different—but she couldn’t pinpoint how.

That high-tier beast fled… because of him? Was it really him?

“Classmate Sima Liangjie…”

Saori’s voice trembled. She clenched her fists.

“Ahem… Miss Saori, this isn’t school. Just call me by my name.”

“Okay!” Saori agreed heartily—then regretted it. What if he really was him? How would she face him?

Why had he changed? Would they look mismatched?

Was calling him by name too intimate? Would he think her too casual?

Her cheeks burned. She couldn’t meet his ordinary eyes.

“Huh…” Saori took a deep breath. After a pause, she mustered courage and stared intently at Ryosuke’s…

—nose.

She was ready to ask the question buried in her heart. Was this him… the one she’d admired so long?

“Ry… Ryosuke, how did you…”

“Wait, wait!!!”

Kozi, still drawing circles, suddenly jumped up and rudely cut Saori off.

Her hard-won courage drained like a breached dam.

Perhaps it was fate…

Saori tilted her head slightly, a nameless bitterness rising inside.

“Xier, let’s go back.” She lowered her head, voice low.

“Huh? Leaving already? Miss! Don’t you want answers?”

Xier ran to Saori’s side. Though mistress and servant, they’d grown up together—Xier understood her better than anyone.

“Xier!” Saori snapped, lifting her head. Xier shivered. She saw… the invincible, beautiful woman she idolized… the sister-figure she cherished…

—her eyes glistening with tears.

“Miss…” Xier’s voice cracked. “I’m sorry…”

Xier bowed her head, obediently linking arms with Saori. Their figures walked away.

Their shadows slowly overlapped in the sunlight. That loneliness… indescribable.

Ryosuke was bewildered. He’d known Saori would question him—thankfully, thick-skinned Kozi interrupted in time.

Kozi was confused too, but it was better the others were gone.

Next moment, she crossed her arms and knelt before Ryosuke.

“Holy Dragon Lord, I beg you! Save Neruru!”