Nerulia Haven shimmered under lantern
light.
Spirit lamps floated like gentle stars while musicians from Eridale tuned enchanted lutes, drums, and crystal flutes.
Word had spread across kingdoms:
"The Spirit Lord who slayed the Corrupted Alpha lives here."
Now half the continent wanted to get into the party. Even the king of Eridale came.
Boars roasted over blue flames.
Fairy wine chilled in frost barrels.
Beastfolk wrestled logs to impress villagers.
Zarek loaded five plates like a man preparing for war.
And Yuto?
He stood in the middle of the square like a confused cat someone dropped in water.
"…Why is everyone staring at me?"
Mimi puffed her cheeks. "Because you're the hero! The shining beacon! The legendary spirit reincarn..."
Elira covered her mouth.
"Stop overcharging his ego."
"I don't have an ego," Yuto muttered.
[ Advisor: Statement detected as false. Ego: large but dormant.]
Yuto squinted. "Traitor."
---
The crowd roared as tables overflowed.
Children pointed at Yuto with sparkling eyes.
Adventurers whispered and nudged each other.
"Is that him?"
"Looks normal…"
"Normal? That's the guy who punched a corrupted king beast!"
Meanwhile, the king of Eridale sat at a ceremonial table with his court… watching Yuto like evaluating a dragon pretending to be human.
Elira sat beside Yuto, posture rigid, cheeks pink.
Then.., a noblewoman approached.
Golden hair. Sparkling dress. Enough perfume to kill a medium-sized insect.
"Oh Spirit Lord," she purr... I mean spoke gracefully.
"You saved us all. Won't you honor me with a dance?"
The crowd leaned in.
Elira's eye twitched.
Yuto blinked. "Uh. I don't dance."
"Oh, surely a hero like you can manage something so simple~"
She reached for his arm.
Elira's smile went paper thin.
Mimi whispered dramatically, "Oh no. A challenger approaches."
Zarek leaned over to Seraphina.
"Should we intervene?"
Seraphina: "No. Let Elira handle it. It's more terrifying than any monster."
Elira stood up, slid between them, and smiled way too politely.
"He is actually booked for a dance."
Gold-hair blinked. "By whom?"
"Me."
The crowd gasped. Half the table choked. Mimi fainted.
Yuto stood frozen like someone unplugged his brain.
[ Advisor: Congratulations. Romantic event triggered.]
"…shut the qu*ck up."
----
Elira gently pulled Yuto to the center floor.
Music swelled, soft strings, light drums.
Yuto stared at her hand like it might explode.
"You sure about this?"
Her voice barely above a whisper:
"No. But someone needed to step in…"
He exhaled. "Thanks."
She looked away fast. "D-Don't thank me. I just… didn't want you stolen."
Her brain instantly processed what she said.
She nearly died from embarrassment.
Yuto, clueless: "Stolen… like kidnapped?"
"Yes. Let's go with that."
They took position.
Yuto moved stiff like a training dummy.
Elira, trembling too, whispered,
"Just follow the rhythm…"
He stepped forward.
She stepped backward.
He stepped sideways.
She tripped...
He caught her by the waist.
Silence.
Lanterns flickered.
Air stopped.
Elira stared up at him, crimson.
"…I'm really clumsy today."
"You're doing fine."
"N-No, I literally almost died."
He chuckled. "I wouldn't let that happen."
Her heart did a gymnastics rotation.
---
Mimi scribbled on parchment like a journalist.
"Elira claims hero. Rival noblewoman defeated. Progress: 12%."
[ Advisor: hey!, that's my job!]
Seraphina leaned on her palm.
"The innocence is cute but painfully slow."
Zarek wiped tears. "My boss… dancing. Who would've guessed."
Little beastfolk cubs tugged Mimi.
"Is big sister Elira winning?"
Mimi whispered like gossiping royalty:
"She reached the confused crush level. Soon they will reach accidental almost-kiss."
The cubs gasped like they just heard prophecy.
---
After dancing, Elira and Yuto retreated to a quieter path lined with spirit lilies. Fireflies glowed around.
Yuto rubbed his neck. "I'm still not sure how dancing works."
Elira smiled shyly.
"You did wonderful."
"So… you did that to save me from the noble?"
"Yes."
"You were jealous?"
Elira choked on air.
"WHAT... NO!
...I just... political...city reputation....ANYONE WOULD!..."
He laughed softly. "I'm teasing."
She stared at him, flustered beyond language.
"You can't just... do that."
"What, tease you?"
"Yes."
He leaned a bit closer.
"…Why? Does it bother you?"
She froze. Heart hammering.
"…No. I mean..yes. I mean, stop asking me tricky feelings questions!"
Yuto laughed again, warm, genuine.
[Advisor: Romantic tension critical. Kiss attempt recommended.]
Elira's entire soul: panic + hope + chaos
Yuto looked into her eyes. She leaned in a little...
Footsteps thundered.
"LORD YUTO!"
"SPIRIT MASTER!"
"WE BROUGHT YOU A GIFT!"
A group of beastfolk ran over holding… a live giant goat, tied with ribbons.
Elira stepped back so fast she nearly teleported.
Yuto sighed. "Why."
"Offering of gratitude! You feast first!"
Elira whisper-whined, "W-Why do they show up exactly during moments?"
[Advisor: Anti-romance interruption curse detected. Severity: lethal.]
Yuto nodded. "Figures."
---
Chaos!!!
The goat had escaped...
Half the city chased it.
Mimi rode it like a rodeo champion.
Zarek dove and missed, crashing into a table.
Seraphina calmly froze it mid-air with magic.
The king clapped slowly. "Impressive."
Mimi, upside down: "It wasn't me this time!"
Yuto and Elira… laughed.
Warm. Real.
---
🌟 At Night's End
Fireworks of spirit light rose.
People cheered Yuto's name.
But one elderly spirit shaman approached him quietly.
"You carry power old as the first dawn. Beware."
Yuto frowned. "Beware of what?"
"The more they praise you…
the more the world will fear you."
Her eyes looked ancient and sad.
"Power draws devotion. And envy."
Yuto's fist clenched.
"I'll protect them."
"I hope you do."
She touched his forehead, leaving a faint glowing mark.
"Spirit King… your path only begins."
Elira glanced worriedly.
Yuto forced a smile. "It's fine."
But his chest felt heavy, destiny pressing down.
---