Chapter 38

The sky over Dawn City hung heavy and overcast, threatening rain at any moment.

Aile hopped off the carriage and made a beeline for the royal palace—likely to report the wolf skeleton discovered in the Murmuring Forest to the Second Prince.

Leon decided his next adventure must cross the Murmuring Forest to reach more challenging lands. So Naya accompanied him to buy supplies for the journey, while Ruri and Anya headed home first.

This time, it was Naya strolling with Leon—

"We can’t just eat mushrooms in the Murmuring Forest. Let’s pack more dried meat—it’s lighter to carry and more nourishing than other foods," Naya advised, drawing from her richer adventuring experience.

Leon nodded in agreement. Elsewhere, monsters like cockatrices could be roasted after a fight, but the Murmuring Forest offered only mushrooms—most poisonous. Wait, weren’t cockatrices venomous too?! So far, the only edible monster they’d encountered was the silverback wolf. As for goblins… well, humanoid creatures were off the menu anyway—

Pity they’d missed asking the Archdruid: *What does Wolf God Alfinis taste like?*

Thinking of the Murmuring Forest, Leon suddenly asked—

"Eilant and the outer city of Fis are separated by the Murmuring Forest, yet there’s no connecting road? How did Sorcerers travel between them before?"

"Excellent question, Leon," Naya mused. "From what I recall before I turned six, Sorcerer cities were linked by Teleport Gates."

"Why didn’t you mention this earlier?"

"But those gates shattered when the Skyward City crashed! And after the Calamity, magic faded… the gates probably failed too."

"Yet Ruri’s magic has returned now. There must be intact Teleport Gates in the Irlanto Outskirts—specifically in Fis, the Sorcerers’ city," Leon declared. "Later, I’ll discuss with Aile and Ruri. We’ll gather a team to find the gate in the Irlanto Outskirts and reactivate it."

If they succeeded, it would be a legendary feat for adventurers—revolutionizing exploration efficiency!

"Mhm! Only you’d think of this, Leon," Naya praised.

Leon paused. "Has… no one else considered it?"

"Those who understood magic are long gone," Naya said, looping her arm through his. "I’m among the last descendants of Sorcerers—I only know fragments."

A raindrop landed on Naya’s head. Then the downpour crashed down like a curtain, blurring the streets in an instant.

Leon whipped off his black coat, swirled it once, and draped it over Naya.

"Let’s find shelter," he said, shielding her as swiftly as the rain had fallen.

Huddled together under the coat’s small haven, they shut out the storm—this tiny world belonged only to them. *Even if the rain never stops… this would be fine*, Naya thought.

They finally spotted shelter—a shop awning. Naya gently brushed water droplets from Leon’s forehead. "Your hair’s soaked," she murmured, every gesture tender. "I’m worried you’ll catch a chill."

"I’m fine. As long as you stayed dry, Naya," Leon replied dismissively.

Clad in white and black, they leaned close under the awning—passersby with umbrellas smiled at the perfectly matched couple.

"Do you love black, Leon?"

"At thirteen, I thought Vanessa’s black swordsman robes looked cool." Though Leon rarely spoke of his master, he’d bare his heart to Naya.

*So Leon’s and Vanessa’s black outfits are practically twins…*

"Mm… black suits you so well, Leon…" Naya whispered. "You’re quiet, rarely smile… but you feel steady. You solve every problem without a word. So reliable."

"Really? White suits you too, Naya. Pure. Untouched. Someone absolutely worth protecting."

Naya blushed crimson at his soft words.

"U-um… in your hometown… how old must boys be… to marry?"

"Honestly? I don’t know."

"Because… in Dawn City’s customs… I’m… already of marriageable age…" *Oh gods—what nonsense did I just say?* Naya regretted it instantly.

Leon stared, startled. "Naya, you—"

"No! Don’t misunderstand! I—I meant! You’re my age too, so you could marry—but no, that’s not—!" She was digging herself deeper. *Anyone would think I’m hinting at something!!*

"I just meant… is it the same in your hometown?" Naya sighed inwardly. *How embarrassing.*

"Has something been troubling you lately, Naya?" Leon asked gently. After the Light Grudge possession incident, he knew she shouldn’t bottle things up.

"Mm…" She hesitated, then confessed. "Aile said… you might marry a princess someday."

"*What?*" Leon’s shock was absolute. He didn’t even *know* a princess! Where did that come from?

"Because… you’re the Hero! One day, the king might offer his daughter to you…"

Seeing Naya’s wounded expression, Leon understood everything.

"Damn the princess," he said with a smile. "If I choose anyone, it’ll be you, Naya."

"Really?" Naya could scarcely believe her ears—he’d actually said this to her!

She knew Leon never lied—

Unable to hold back, she rose on her toes beneath the rain-sheltering eaves and kissed him lightly.

"Don’t betray me," she whispered, flushed with shyness.

………………

Ruri watched them from afar under her umbrella, rain falling softly around her.

To be continued.