Virena's sudden grip on Kazien's shoulder nearly made him wince. She leaned in, staring at him with a fiery intensity that could burn down a barn.
"I understand… I understand," Kazien said quickly. "Please loosen your grip. My shoulder is about to break."
"Oh!" Virena immediately released him and laughed. "Good! I'm glad you understand what I meant. You really are the best."
Kazien sighed in visible relief. Alvin patted his back sympathetically, while William tried to pretend his siblings weren't feral.
Duke Elgard turned his attention to the flustered guild receptionist. "So, you are Rosalia?"
"Y-Yes, Lord Duke Elgard," Rosalia answered nervously.
"In three days, you will accompany William as his future wife to Princess Selena's wedding in the Vorusan region."
Rosalia froze. "I… I want to accompany him, but my two younger siblings—there will be no one to care for them."
"Bring them with you!" the duke said simply. "Starting today, all three of you will live in our mansion. There's still an empty room. I'll send people to help you move."
Rosalia's eyes widened. She looked from one Altavis family member to another, growing more overwhelmed by the second.
Duchess Larina stepped forward with a gentle smile. "It's normal among nobles for the future bride to live beside her future husband. You'll be safe with us."
"Are you really… allowing my siblings and me to live with your family?"
"That is the best option!" the duke insisted.
"Some foolish nobles may try something reckless if they learn William is marrying you. We won't risk it."
While Rosalia tried to process the whirlwind that had become her life, Kazien and Alvin slipped away toward Welma.
William blinked. "What are you two doing over there?"
Kazien waved him off. "We have a special escort mission today. Continue your discussion. We need to speak with the guild master."
The guild lobby was absolute chaos—nobles rarely set foot inside, much less an entire ruling family. Adventurers whispered excitedly, employees panicked, and every pair of eyes watched William and Rosalia like they were characters from a heroic ballad.
Rosalia eventually nodded to Duke Elgard. "Thank you very much for your understanding, Lord Duke Elgard."
"Good. William, accompany her to pack. We will go to the merchant guild to rent a carriage for moving her household. Wait for us in front of the adventurer's guild."
"Yes, Father."
"Kazien! We're heading out. Come home once you finish your mission."
"Yes, Mother."
The Altavis family left with a trail of shocked guild members staring after them.
Only William, Kazien, Alvin, and Welma remained when a handsome light brown-haired man stepped inside.
"Ah—he's here," Welma said. "This is Rio, the investigator who will check the forest. Once you safely return and submit the report, I'll make sure both of you are promoted to A-rank."
Kazien and Alvin's jaws dropped.
"Huh? A-rank? Just like that?" Alvin asked.
"We're still E-rank! Isn't that too big of a jump?"
"Your discovery prevented a possible massacre," Welma said firmly. "If you hadn't reported the shadow tigers, countless new adventurers might have died. That is a contribution worthy of A-rank."
The boys exchanged a glance, then accepted with cheerful disbelief.
Soon after, they left with Rio. Outside, William and Rosalia were waiting for their carriage.
"Brother William! Rosalia! We're heading to the forest. See you at home!" Kazien waved enthusiastically.
"Be careful!" William replied.
Kazien, Alvin, and Rio proceeded into the forest.
To break the silence, Kazien casually asked, "Rio, are you married?"
Rio blinked. "…Yes, young master. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just checking. Who knows, maybe you weren't married yet."
Alvin rolled his eyes. I knew it. He's scouting candidates for Sis Virena again. At this rate, he'll start interviewing random trees if they look tall enough to marry.
After a brisk walk, they reached the spot where grifola mushrooms grew. Normally, shadow tigers would attack before anyone could blink.
But the clearing was completely silent.
"Why aren't they attacking us?" Rio asked.
Kazien pointed at the glowing sphere floating above his palm. "Light magic. They can't stand brightness."
"Please cancel it," Rio said. "I need evidence myself."
Kazien nodded. In an instant, the forest plunged into darkness. The air turned sharp and tense.
Crackt!
A bolt of lightning exploded behind Rio. The man whirled around, horrified—an enormous shadow tiger had crept behind him without a sound.
"Alvin, two meters left!" Kazien called.
Crackt!
A second lightning strike obliterated the beast.
"Five meters behind you, Alvin!"
Boom!
Fire erupted, burning another tiger.
Zrash!
Kazien slashed with his darkness-imbued sword, decapitating a fourth beast.
Rio stared in shock.
T-They killed dozens of shadow tigers in a single sequence? Without wasted movement? Detector and executioner… no, they're far beyond that.
Kazien reignited his light magic. The forest brightened once more.
Rio began his investigation. "So they gather here because—ah, I see. The magical energy and smell of these mushrooms attract them. They built their nest nearby."
Everything made sense.
Rio jotted down notes—until Kazien suddenly stiffened.
"Rio! Behind Alvin. Something powerful is coming!"
Rio immediately hid behind Alvin, who had already stepped protectively in front of him.
Tromp! Tromp! Tromp!
Massive, heavy footsteps echoed through the forest. Trees snapped like twigs.
Kazien's eyes narrowed. "The shadow tigers fled. This thing must be above A-rank."
The creature emerged—a towering black beast, four meters tall, with piercing yellow eyes and enormous fangs.
"S-Shadow Tiger King!?"
"What's that? What does it mean?" Alvin asked curiously.
Rio nearly fainted. "It's an S-rank monster! Strong enough to destroy a city!"
Alvin gulped. Kazien's eyes sparkled like he had just found a treasure chest filled with gold.
I want to observe his magical power. He must be incredible.
Rio panicked. "Kazien—young master—please reconsider—"
"Nope," Kazien said cheerfully. "Rio, run. Alvin, guard him. I'll handle this one."
"GRAAAHHHHH!!!"
The Shadow Tiger King's roar shook the entire forest. Wind exploded in every direction—just from vocal pressure alone.
KaIen felt the shockwave. That roar alone could flatten a house… but he looks so excited it's scaring me!
Kazien's grin grew wider.
Alvin shivered. "Why are you smiling like that?"
Kazien lifted his sword. "I'm just wondering how much money we'll get when we sell this monster's body!"