As the capital of the kingdom, this city was anything but small. Today also happened to be the triumphant return of the new Dragon Slayer Hero, so every street was jam-packed. Not being able to take a carriage was pure agony.

After hours of walking, Chu Xueyue and Albert finally reached what Albert called home.

Chu Xueyue stood panting heavily outside Albert’s door, while Albert looked perfectly fine. As a trained Dragon Slayer Hero with Battle Aura flowing through him, this stroll barely counted as a warm-up.

*I really need to get in shape. Guess this world didn’t give me any Hero’s buff. In other novels, Heroes walk for days without tiring. Once I master Battle Aura, I’ll show off too.*

Albert’s house was simple—a modest two-story building. Chu Xueyue felt no dissatisfaction; his petty mindset was actually envious. *Owning a place like this on Earth would take a lifetime of hard work.*

He had zero sense of duty as a Hero. If he’d just revealed his identity, he could’ve had a whole manor—not just this house. Albert *had* owned one before his "death," though it was probably handed to the new Dragon Slayer Hero by now.

"My place is a bit shabby. Sorry about that," Albert said, cheeks flushing with genuine embarrassment.

*You’re apologizing for having a house? Back home, you’d get beaten for showing off like this on the street.*

"Nonsense! This place is great. I don’t need much—just a bed. I’ve got no luggage, so anywhere to sleep is fine."

"Don’t worry. There’s empty space. I saved up for ages to buy this place. Of course there’s room for you."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go in!"

Chu Xueyue reached the door but froze at the lock and handle. *Wait—Albert left everything at the Demon King’s Castle, right? Does he even have keys? If not, I’ll have to break it. No one’s around... I could fix it before anyone notices. But better ask first.*

"Albert, did you leave your keys behind when you left?"

"This was my first home. I kept it as a keepsake. Of course I carried the keys with me."

Chu Xueyue’s heart sank.

"Which got confiscated at the Demon King’s Castle. Stupid of me to bring them."

"So we’re locked out. Let’s find a locksmith. I’m not staying at an inn every night." Chu Xueyue wasn’t *that* crazy to smash the lock—yet.

"With all the celebrations today, inns will be full. Locksmiths probably closed too," Albert said.

"Then we break it. We’ll fix it tomorrow. With you here, thieves won’t dare show up." Chu Xueyue clenched his fist, jaw tight.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

*Since when does this door open by itself? Albert, is this even your house?*

"Who’s making all that noise outside my door?" A sweet, honeyed voice drifted from within.

A purple-haired girl stepped out under their stunned gazes. Barely 160cm tall, she had perfect proportions and a face as lovely as her voice. Most striking were her ample breasts—far too mature for her age. As a seasoned pervert, Chu Xueyue instantly judged them at least a D-cup. *Promising future,* he mused.

"Muse? What are you doing here?" Albert gasped. She shouldn’t be here at all.

Muse froze when she saw him. Albert braced for her to sob and tackle him shouting "Brother!"—just like in novels. But fiction lied.

"GHOST!!!" Her shriek sent even the former Dragon Slayer Hero stumbling backward. With his high constitution, that showed how ear-splitting it was. Chu Xueyue suddenly heard nothing—the girl’s mouth moved silently.

In the quiet, he watched her raise a hand. A searing orange orb materialized before her.

No novels or movies needed to recognize this spell.

*Fireball!!*

This was Chu Xueyue’s first time seeing real magic up close. Albert’s scroll spells didn’t count.

Before the fireball could fly, Albert stepped forward and crushed it out with one hand.

*No wonder he’s nearly max-level. No weapon, no armor—he could probably fight naked.*

"Muse, I’m not dead. No need to greet me with a tiny fireball. Go big—make it a fireworks show!" Albert teased.

"Is it really you, Brother? They said you died! How are you here?" She still wouldn’t approach. Few survived the Dark Lord’s grasp—especially Heroes, his favorite targets.

At least this world valued family bonds. Not recognizing your own brother would be tragic.

"Of course it’s me. Your brother’s a Dragon Slayer Hero—*former*, anyway. Hard to kill. Besides," Albert flashed his sunshine grin, "I haven’t found you a sister-in-law yet. I’d never die before that."

Somehow, she believed him. *Unscientific. But this is a swords-and-sorcery world. Science doesn’t apply.*

"Brother!" Tears flooded her eyes as she lunged at him.

*Ouch. I’ve told him—this armor’s rock-hard. Doesn’t she feel the pain? I do. And those balloons of hers... squeeze any harder and they’ll pop.*