The dawn had barely broken when Satoru stepped out of the inn. Liza, Tama, and Pochi were already waiting, dressed in fitted clothes with their weapons within reach. As they walked along the road, Satoru addressed them.
"Today we'll have a change of routine," he said calmly, adjusting the cloak over his shoulders. "We'll be acting as bodyguards for an elf girl."
The three stiffened at the word elf. They didn't ask how or why this job had come to them; for them, if it was an order from Satoru, it was enough. That was the mindset they had already developed working as slaves.
"Yes, Master," Liza replied firmly, inclining her head.
"We'll do it!" Tama added, her tail bristling with anticipation.
"Pochi won't fail!" the youngest echoed, proudly tapping the hilt of her sword against the ground.
Satoru took a moment to add:
"Her age, for her race, should be close to Tama and Pochi's. That's the reason I want you to stay by her side."
Tama's ears twitched, and Pochi tilted her head curiously.
"Have you ever seen an elf, Tama?"
"No! They say they have long, pretty ears!"
"Do you think she'll look like us?"
"Mmm… maybe! But more elegant!"
"Elves don't have long ears, only pointed ones. It's a common misconception, but you must avoid it when you see her," Satoru decided to correct.
Liza walked a little ahead, but her swaying tail betrayed that she was listening closely. She didn't intervene, keeping her posture straight while following behind Satoru, who stayed silent, letting their expectations stir without further correction.
The city bells had rung the first hour of the morning when the group arrived at Yusa's shop. It was a two-story building, solidly built of wood with a discreet sign, without ostentation. The main door was closed, though the light filtering through the cracks confirmed movement inside.
Satoru knocked lightly on the frame and waited. Shortly after, the door opened just enough to reveal a familiar face.
"Ah, it's you…" Nadi, her red hair neatly combed, welcomed them with a smile. Unlike the night before, she was now well dressed, her hair tied back in a braid. She gave the demi-humans a glance, but did not reject them; in fact, she seemed intrigued by them.
She stepped aside to let them in.
"You came earlier than I expected."
"I'm simply looking to fulfill my part," Satoru shrugged.
Nadi nodded and led them into the sitting room, where sofas awaited so they could continue their conversation.
"Has anything happened while I was gone?" Satoru began with his usual neutral tone.
"Nothing special. Mia is the same as last night." Nadi lowered her voice a little. "Even though the manager transferred some of his mana to her, she hasn't shown any signs of waking up. As for Mize, he hasn't left her side since last night."
"I assume you don't have a mana potion."
Nadi shook her head, laughing lightly.
"Potions are expensive; it's not something we can buy carelessly. However, the manager knows an alchemist willing to lower the price if we help gather ingredients, so he left for the mountains not long ago… he should be back in a few hours."
Satoru nodded. In this world, the only other help the girl could receive was being placed in a location with a high mana concentration, but there wasn't any viable area nearby. The Dragon Valley would have been a good zone, but Satoru had no interest in taking her there. Not that it was truly necessary.
"If Yusa transferred mana to her and after a night's rest she still can't walk, she should at least wake up soon."
"Let's hope so."
Almost as if on cue, footsteps echoed from the second floor. Mize came down the stairs, looking somewhat worn, though he still carried himself upright, his magical weapon secured at his waist.
When he saw them, he only blinked at Satoru and the others, before turning to Nadi.
"The princess just woke up."
Nadi blinked twice, then looked at Satoru. She sighed with relief.
"That's wonderful to hear. Why don't we go see her? Surely she'll want to meet you after what you did for her."
Satoru paused, weighing the situation.
"One at a time. If we all go in together, we'll startle her."
With a slight nod of his head, he indicated for Tama and Pochi to go first, walking alongside Mize.
Moments later, sounds drifted from the room: the girls' introductions, the creak of the bed as it shifted.
It seemed they had startled Mia.
Inside the room, the dim morning light filtered through the drawn curtains. Mia sat on the bed, the blanket pulled up to her shoulders, pale hair falling messily across her forehead. Her silver eyes were wide as Tama and Pochi circled cautiously, as if afraid of scaring her again.
"Are you a princess?" Pochi asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Your hair is pretty~," Tama added, as if searching for words to cheer her up.
Mia didn't answer right away. Her lips moved faintly, uncertain, and her hands clutched the blanket tightly. Mize stood nearby, watching without intervening.
It was then that Satoru entered, followed by Liza and Nadi. He advanced calmly, stopping a few steps from the bed, his presence filling the room like an inevitable shadow.
"A pleasure." His voice was tranquil, without imposition. "This is our first formal meeting. My name is Satoru."
At his words, Mia's eyes locked onto him. Likewise, Satoru studied her silver eyes with interest. They weren't her natural color, which should have been violet, but a result of her ability—spiritual sight. Fairies were a race that intrigued Satoru, given that human magic was based on their language, though he intended to ask about it later.
However…
Her silver gaze wavered, and the girl instinctively recoiled, dragging herself a few inches toward the headboard.
The gesture was enough to freeze Satoru.
"…Did I do something to provoke her?" he asked, first turning to Nadi, then to Mize, genuinely puzzled.
Neither knew how to answer.
The girls noticed as well: Pochi tilted her head in confusion, and Tama's ears drooped, unable to understand why Mia seemed to reject him.
The answer came as a barely audible murmur.
"The fairies… fled." Mia lowered her gaze, hiding further behind the blanket.
The room sank into heavy silence. Liza's eyes widened in surprise. Mize clenched his jaw, and even Nadi froze, unsure how to interpret those words.
Satoru didn't reply immediately. He remained standing, his outer calm intact, though inside, confusion pierced him.
The silence stretched. Mia stayed curled under the blanket, never raising her gaze again. Satoru watched her for a few more moments, not fully understanding, before letting out a quiet sigh.
He hadn't expected the same reception Satou had once received in this situation; the demi-humans had already shown him that bonds in this world were not easily formed. But being outright rejected was something he hadn't anticipated.
"Stay here," he finally said in a neutral voice, looking at Tama and Pochi.
Both nodded seriously, though confusion lingered in their eyes. Mize remained firmly by the bed, giving a slight nod.
Satoru turned and left, followed by Liza and Nadi. The door closed softly behind them, leaving behind a heavy atmosphere.
The hallway was lit by sunlight filtering through a side window. Satoru leaned against the wall, arms crossed beneath his cloak. Liza stood beside him, upright and silent.
Nadi, however, was the first to break the silence.
"She… um…" Nadi tried to find words to lighten the mood, but she truly didn't know how to address the matter of the fairies. Very few people could interact with them, and she personally had no idea what to say.
Satoru turned his head slightly toward her.
The young woman bit her lip, hesitant. Finally, she spoke:
"I don't think it was anything you did. Elves… they've always been sensitive to things we don't understand, and fairies are even more mysterious."
Satoru lowered his gaze for an instant, reflecting. The fairies fled, the girl had said. If those creatures could perceive hidden aspects of his nature, that would explain her rejection. Fairies were usually tied to nature and life, and he, as an undead, certainly couldn't expect a favorable opinion from them. But… could fairies bypass his anti-divination defenses? Satoru doubted it.
"In any case," he added, straightening up, "it doesn't change what needs to be done."
Nadi looked at him, searching for a crack in his imperturbable tone, but found nothing.
"The girls will remain in my place to protect her. Unless I'm needed, I'll stay on the sidelines."
"I… I suppose that would be for the best."
Satoru stayed silent for a few seconds, arms crossed. The uncomfortable silence lingered until he spoke again.
"Changing the subject… I'll need a carriage and horses." His voice was calm, as if he were talking about any other errand. "After resolving this matter, I plan to leave."
Nadi blinked, surprised, but quickly nodded.
"Of course. Do you have a budget in mind?"
"The price is not an issue," he replied at once. "Just make sure the carriage is comfortable and the horses strong."
The young woman breathed deeply, as if relieved.
"Understood. I'll let you know when I find a suitable one." She paused briefly, then asked with curiosity:
"Do you know how to drive a carriage?"
No.
Satoru chose not to answer and instead discreetly glanced at his shadow.
A dark thread seemed to stir beneath his feet, and Hans's voice came naturally, as if replying to a thought that needed no words.
"Yes, my lord."
Satoru gave a slight nod, satisfied, and turned back to Nadi.
"It's under control."
She asked no further questions, only nodded respectfully before withdrawing.
Satoru leaned back against the wall while Liza remained at his side. He closed his eyes, feigning rest, but inwardly he communicated with Hans.
"Explain to me how to drive a carriage."
From his shadow, Hans's voice answered naturally, unseen. He explained the basics: how to hold the reins, the voice commands, the way to distribute weight when braking and turning. Satoru listened in silence, memorizing every word.
"If you wish, I can take care of it personally," Hans added, still hidden.
"Your presence is more useful unseen," Satoru replied without hesitation. "Even if you end up driving during the journey, when we approach a city or must enter one, I'll do it myself."
The shadow remained still, a sign of acceptance.
Then Liza stepped closer, her steps firm though her gaze was lowered.
"Master… may I ask a question?"
Satoru studied her for a moment before nodding.
"I want to learn how to drive a carriage."
Satoru raised his brows slightly.
"Why?"
She gripped the shaft of her spear tightly before answering.
"Because I want to help you. We've received much from you… and I'd like to be of more use."
Satoru considered her words in silence. Hans approved from the shadows, though he said nothing.
"Have you driven before?"
"No, sir," she replied, a tinge of shame in her voice.
Satoru turned his gaze toward the dark corner, as if seeking confirmation there. No words came, but the assent was clear.
"Pay attention." Satoru's voice was firm, though not harsh.
Liza straightened, tail rigid with tension, and nodded seriously.
***
While Satoru gave instructions to Liza in the hallway, inside the room the atmosphere was different.
Tama and Pochi knelt at the edge of the bed, peeking their faces just above the mattress to watch Mia. Their eyes shone with curiosity and their tails wagged with nervous excitement.
"Master isn't bad…" Tama murmured softly, tilting her head. "Though he does look scary sometimes."
"Yes…" Pochi nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "But he never hits us!"
The two looked at each other for a moment before giggling, as if sharing an innocent secret.
Mia blinked, surprised by their casual words. She lowered her gaze, uncertain, and murmured softly:
"I'm… sorry. Really, he hasn't done anything wrong to me."
Mize, standing against the wall, crossed his arms.
"It's not strange to be cautious with someone like him," he said calmly. "But the truth is, we're here thanks to him. If he hadn't intervened last night, you and I wouldn't have made it."
Mia listened in silence. She looked at her small, trembling hands, then nodded without a word.
The ratman watched her for a moment before noticing something else: the weapons Tama and Pochi carried on their backs. The twin daggers gleamed faintly, as did the short sword and shield of the other girl. That glow was not ordinary. Magic weapons?
He shook his head. It was absurd to think two slave girls would carry such things. And yet, the suspicion lingered.
Mia, following his gaze, lifted her eyes to the girls.
"Those… weapons?" she asked timidly, with her race's natural shyness.
Tama straightened instantly, pulling out her daggers and raising them proudly.
"Master gave them to us!"
"They're our work weapons!" Pochi added, gripping her sword with both hands while resting her shield on the floor.
The two posed like heroines from a story, smiling innocently, their tails wagging vigorously.
Mia didn't respond, but her lips curved faintly, the ghost of a smile.
She watched them in silence a few moments more, then finally dared to ask, almost in a whisper:
"What's it like… living with Satoru?"
Tama's ears twitched instantly, as if she hadn't expected such a direct question. But she didn't hesitate to answer, smiling naturally.
"It's… great! We always have food, and a bed, and we train every day with our weapons. It's like an adventure, but real!"
Pochi, however, tilted her head, more thoughtful.
"At first it's scary…" she admitted simply. "Because he looks frightening. But he doesn't yell, he doesn't hit us… and he always gives us tasty meat."
Her words, though childish, carried a weight Mize did not miss. For him, hearing two little girls talk about such things as treasures made clear the world they came from. What was normal for others, for them was a gift.
Mia looked at them silently, her silver eyes reflecting the dim light of the room. The shyness was still there, but her lips curved faintly, in a brief smile.
Mize watched her, then lowered his eyes to the weapons gleaming in the girls' hands. Yes, everything pointed to Satoru being someone very different from appearances… though that made him all the harder to understand.
Satoru, who had listened to every word from the hallway, didn't move or speak; he remained silent, the hood's shadow concealing his features. It wasn't until Liza approached, leaning slightly to address him, that he shook his head and descended alongside her.
On the ground floor, Nadi awaited them with a polite smile.
"I've already secured one." She pointed outside, where a freshly brought carriage rested in the morning light. "It's not the most luxurious, but it's spacious and comfortable. The horses are in good condition—strong and docile. I'll show you where you can test them."
Satoru regarded her for a moment before nodding.
Later, the carriage rolled slowly along a dirt path near the city wall. The location was secluded enough to practice without attracting onlookers.
Liza held the reins firmly, her arms tense with concentration. Beside her, Satoru sat calmly, observing each movement.
"Slower with the left. Don't pull abruptly."
The warrior nodded without taking her eyes off the path. Though sweat beaded on her forehead, her eyes brimmed with determination. Yet she couldn't help but glance at her master.
His voice was the same as always: calm, precise, distant. And yet, there was something different about him. Liza sensed it almost instinctively. A subtle pressure in the air seemed to have dissipated, as though the invisible fog that always surrounded him had grown less dense.
It wasn't something she could clearly point out. It was like staring at a motionless statue for days and suddenly realizing it had breathed.
Liza tightened her grip on the reins. To be honest with herself, she still didn't fully understand Satoru—someone capable of crushing demons, of swaying an entire city with his power, someone who seemed to know about countless subjects.
Such a person didn't need them. None of them could offer him anything of real value. And yet, here he was, teaching her with the same patience with which he listened to everyone.
She'd had other masters before, and none were like him. With them, she learned what it meant to obey. But with this one… she'd begun to notice small details.
She had seen him greet merchants, thank an innkeeper, remember what Tama and Pochi liked to eat, gift them toys simply after watching street children play with similar ones. Details so small they seemed impossible in someone who viewed the world with such cold eyes.
Yes, he didn't need bodyguards. But she wanted to be useful. She wanted him to be able to depend on her, even if only in the smallest way.
"Softer with the left hand." Satoru's voice broke her focus. "The horse responds to the slightest tug."
She corrected immediately.
"Good. Keep that pace."
Liza inhaled deeply, concentrating on her task.
***
The carriage continued its advance, Liza keeping the reins firm and obedient, following each of Satoru's instructions. The horses responded docilely, and for the first time in a long while, the demi-human felt she was learning something outside of the spear.
The exercise lasted for quite a while, until clouds began to gather in the distance. The once-clear sky darkened with the promise of a storm.
"Let's go back," Satoru said after a final glance at the horses.
Liza nodded, turning the carriage back toward the commercial district.
In front of Yusa's shop, Tama and Pochi awaited. Between them, timid but standing tall, was Mia. The girl still held the hem of her dress. Seeing her upright, it wasn't hard to guess Yusa had returned with the mana potion.
Her silver gaze had vanished, her eyes back to their original violet. When she looked at Satoru, after a moment's hesitation, she bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you…" her voice was soft but clear. "Thank you for helping me… and for saving Mize."
Satoru halted, taken aback for a second. It was strange. He hadn't expected gratitude after seeing her recoil that morning. The contrast unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
His lack of response made the others uncomfortable, so Satoru dipped his head faintly in acknowledgment.
"It was nothing."
Tama's ears perked proudly, and Pochi smiled at the elf's small show of trust.
But then Tama's ears twitched sharply.
"What's wrong?" Pochi asked, leaning toward her.
The girl pointed at the horizon with a trembling finger.
"There… that bird."
All followed her gesture. On a nearby rooftop, an owl watched them, unmoving, its eyes glowing with a strange light no common animal possessed.
Satoru held its gaze for a moment. Then he nodded calmly and spoke without raising his voice:
"Inside."
No one protested. The change in his tone was enough to make the air denser. One by one, they entered the shop, even Mia, who clutched the hem of her dress tighter as she crossed the threshold.
"What's happening?" Nadi asked, uneasy, noticing the seriousness in Satoru's expression.
She didn't receive an answer. The storm struck at once: first the sharp patter of rain on the roof, then the crash of thunder that rattled the windowpanes.
By reflex, Tama and Pochi clung to Satoru's legs. The man froze, startled at their grip, and for a moment his eyes lingered on them. Then he shook his head lightly and turned back to the others.
"Prepare yourselves. We'll soon have company."
Mia, who had also flinched at the thunder, pressed against Mize, seeking safety, looking up at him with frightened eyes. Satoru extended a hand and, with a precise motion, tossed the ratman a small wooden figurine.
"For Mia." His voice was cold steel. "She must not be separated from it."
Mize caught the object, studied it briefly, then nodded and tucked it into the girl's dress.
Another thunderclap boomed, closer this time, shaking the air. Liza already held her spear firmly, the tip gleaming under the lamplight. Yusa, taciturn, braced his root-staff against the floor, the gesture of someone who knew the calm was about to break. Mize gripped his short weapon, the blade reflecting the lightning's flashes.
Tama and Pochi, seeing the adults' reactions, let go of Satoru and unsheathed their weapons. The first with her twin daggers, the second with sword and shield, taking position beside Liza with determined expressions.
Satoru did not move further. He turned to the window and stood there, immovable, watching the downpour as if expecting something to burst through at any moment.
Tama's ears twitched again, tense, and a second later the owl slipped through the open window. Beating its wings, it landed on the counter, its glowing eyes fixed on the room.
All eyes turned toward it, some confused, others already suspicious.
Then a dark light flared behind the bird, spreading like liquid shadow. The gloom spread across the wood like a shroud, until suddenly something emerged from it.
An invisible pressure erupted in the room.
Liza, Tama, Pochi, Mize, and even Yusa gripped their weapons with the same desperation as someone clinging to the edge of a cliff. Mia and Nadi paled, lips trembling, unable to move.
It was fear. Pure, suffocating fear that paralyzed them before the figure had even fully emerged. Just seeing it was enough to freeze their blood.
Until a snap broke the silence.
Satoru lowered the hand that had clicked his fingers and stepped forward, placing himself between everyone else and the emerging figure. The pressure dissolved like smoke under the sun, leaving the others gasping and slowly regaining their breath.
"What a vulgar way to announce yourself," he said calmly, his tone closer to reproach than indignation. "Though I suppose I couldn't expect better manners from someone who enters uninvited."
The figure finished materializing: a black robe, hood pulled low, and from its folds a coal-dark mist slid across the floor. Beneath the shadow, there was no human face, only two violet flames floating like spectral eyes.
The owl dissolved into smoke, and silence reigned for a few seconds. Zen turned his head toward Satoru, scanning him up and down. No one else dared interrupt.
"For someone who isn't a hero's descendant…" his voice was deep, harsh, like grinding stones. "To be able to nullify my fear aura… it seems you have a few tricks. But my business isn't with you."
His gaze shifted to Mia. The girl stepped back, hiding behind Mize, and the ratman, almost instinctively, covered her with his body—though he still aligned himself behind Satoru, as if seeking a wall in him.
The silence stretched, but Satoru cut it calmly:
"A hero's descendant, you say." His voice held a hint of irony. "That's a curious way to refer to a Japanese… especially coming from one."
The violet flame-eyes flickered, as if Zen were truly seeing him for the first time.
"…You. Who are you?"
Satoru sighed, as though weary of explaining something simple.
"Manners aren't your strong suit." His tone was almost lightly mocking. "Didn't they teach you to introduce yourself before asking others' names?"
A heavy silence followed. Satoru stepped forward, his cloak swaying slightly.
"Zen."
The word dropped like a weight in the air. The dark mist seethed, and the undead's aura swelled like a heartbeat. All present felt the oppressive weight claw into their bones, unable to move.
Only Satoru remained firm, meeting those violet flames in a silence that heralded the inevitable.