Híroÿ stared out the carriage window, the world blurring past as his thoughts wandered—until a voice broke the silence.
"Your name is Híroÿ, correct?" asked Princess Lilith, her tone polite but commanding.
Seated across from him, the seventeen-year-old princess met his gaze, her curiosity unhidden.
"Yes. I recently arrived," Híroÿ replied calmly, glancing briefly at her before returning to the scenery. Around him, the three girls who had joined his party exchanged quiet glances, eyes flicking between him and the princess.
Princess Lilith had the grace of nobility and the steel of leadership. A knock at the door interrupted them.
"Your Highness, we'll reach the town of Gertrude within the hour," came the report from outside. They had recently stopped to dispatch a loose monster—an event Híroÿ had been oddly absent from. The knight's disapproving glance did not go unnoticed.
"Thank you," said the human girl from Híroÿ's group, but the knight was already gone.
When he was out of earshot, Lilith turned to Híroÿ with a softer expression. "Would you stay close to me in town?"
Her cheeks flushed.
Híroÿ offered a calm smile. "It's my duty. I'll keep you safe."
Frana, the beast girl, Lani the quiet fairy, and Yura all tensed, their expressions faltering.
"I don't mind sharing him," Lilith said slyly, tilting her head with a mischievous grin.
"W-we're not interested!" Frana squeaked.
Lani's red cheeks betrayed her silence. Yura looked away in frustration.
"Oh? Then I'll take him," Lilith teased.
"NO, YOU CAN'T!" all three shouted.
Híroÿ laughed. "You're all wonderful. No need to fight."
His thoughts drifted to their first meeting—how he'd protected them during a surprise ambush outside the capital. That moment had changed everything.
As the town came into view, the group's mood shifted. Collared beastfolk filled the streets, their heads low, their backs burdened with crates and suffering.
"What are those collars?" Híroÿ asked, concern in his voice.
"Worker collars," Frana replied bitterly. "Slavery."
Lilith added gently, "They're illegal under royal decree. This town is breaking the law."
When they reached the castle, an elderly beast-woman ushered them into a lavish but gaudy hall. At the far end sat a silver-haired, egg-shaped man with an oily grin.
"Noble Furtzen," he introduced himself with a bow. His gaze lingered too long on the women. When it fell on Híroÿ, it darted away.
"What brings you here? Ready to marry me at last?" he leered.
Lilith's eyes turned to ice. "I'm here to investigate mismanagement. Worker collars are banned. Taxes have tripled. You've invited disaster."
Outside, the hopeless faces of the townsfolk mirrored the rot inside these walls.
As Furtzen stammered, a whisper filled Híroÿ's mind.
"A demon's here. It's turning people into beasts," Shura warned.
Híroÿ stood, slamming a palm on the table. "Then I'll protect them. Unlike you."
He bolted through the doors. Outside, Shura rained lightning onto a writhing crowd. Creatures made of muscle and shadow advanced.
"I'm sorry," Híroÿ whispered to them. "You didn't deserve this."
He raised a hand. A blinding light flashed. They shattered into ash. He offered a silent prayer, then drew his scythe.
Bounding to the rooftops, he spotted the cause—a demon in the shape of a bloated, white-skinned owl.
"Shura, Syrah—go protect the others," he ordered.
The demon lunged. Híroÿ threw his scythe, cleaving its arm before vaulting over its head. In a flash, he sliced its spine—then severed its head.
Silence followed.
When he returned, the girls were safe, Furtzen restrained.
"What happened?" he asked.
Lilith stepped forward. "He tried to collar us. Your summons arrived just in time."
"I'm glad. Just... don't call them beasts. They're Syrah and Shura," Híroÿ said, gently petting his companions as they shrank beside him.
With the crisis over, they set off for the capital—hearts heavy but hopeful.