Van sat silently at the living room table, fingers tapping restlessly on his thigh in rhythm, though no sound escaped him. His gaze drifted blankly to the window, where moonlight slipped through, casting a soft glow that offered brief solace from the storm of questions swirling in his mind. The gentle sound of water flowing…

A Royal Guard discreetly arrived and handed Van the contract, as per Nickelson’s orders. He then informed Marcy that it had been decided Varlog and Yilla would remain here. Given Marcy’s formidable reputation in the Capital, no one would dare challenge the decision, or her. Reluctantly, she agreed. By nightfall, the Royal Guard had left.…

[HELLO, AUTHOR HERE! Just a quick note to let you know how much your votes and comments motivate me to keep going! While I may not always be able to reply because of work and other responsibilities, I see every single one, and they really affect my mood and drive to continue writing. So, thank you…

Varlog began his explanation, his voice steady and deliberate. “One of the reasons the demons went to war was over resources. Your king’s and other races’ refusal to share with the demons, despite the growing tension, pushed things over the edge.” That didn’t sit well with the girls, who exchanged uneasy glances. But it was…

Before long, Van circled back and landed in front of the guild, gently lowering Anne to the dirt ground. “There you go,” he said softly, letting her stand. “Thanks…” She glanced around, stretching her arms. “No one’s here. I half-expected that annoying leech to be here with Lizzy, at least.” ‘Michael, huh?’ Van nodded, sighing…

As Van approached the guild, he couldn’t help but notice the large crowd gathered around it. Their faces were a mix of curiosity, but some, especially the older folk, bore expressions of resentment and anger. Among the crowd, a few adventurers stood out, their gear marking them as professionals. ‘Oh?’ Van thought, his eyes scanning…

“Such a childish display of strength, Hellix,” Nickelson remarked, his voice dripping with disdain. “You threw Cerille’s sword the moment you saw me. Was that some feeble attempt to undermine my credibility or respect?” “I’ll admit, I’m childish in more ways than not,” Van responded flatly, the sword strapped to his back. “But trust me,…