The sky was painted a brilliant blue, dotted with soft clouds that drifted lazily across the horizon. The air was crisp, the sunlight warm. At the center of the forest clearing that now served as their base, Leo stood tall on a large tree stump, his presence commanding yet relaxed.
"Hey, everyone," Leo called out, voice clear. "Listen up!"
The scattered chatter among goblins and humans alike died down. All eyes turned to him.
Leo's gaze settled on the goblins. "Gruk, take half of your team and head out. Look for any new monsters nearby—friendly ones. If they're open to talking, we'll welcome them."
Gruk grunted and gave a short nod, already turning to organize his group.
Just then, a younger goblin stepped forward. His tone was uncertain, his eyes slightly wary. "Leo. Yesterday, when we were returning… we heard something. Human voices."
Leo's brow furrowed, the lighthearted tone gone in an instant. His thoughts turned inward.
Humans this close? Don't tell me… Knights from rustalia? Or they are adventurers I am not sure about this but weather they are knights or adventurers they both can create problems for us I have to know their intensions but If they really are knights we got something bigger problems and I am aware of this that other empires also realized that till now that capital is gone due to waves of our battle and they might be try to contact them but anyways. I can't afford to let anything happen—not to them, not to the monsters either.
He looked to the side. "Lili."
A silver flash shimmered near the supply tent as a joyful, singsong voice answered, "You rang, great hero~?"
Leo gave her a tired look. "Could you go scout the area quietly? I need to know what kind of people they are."
Lili floated into view, mid-air and upside down, her arms behind her head. "Me? Again? Honestly, are you using me because I'm cute and sneaky?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
She pouted theatrically, twirling once in the air before nodding. "Fine, fine. But I'm demanding triple sweets after this!"
With a swirl of magic, she vanished.
Leo turned to Gruk, who was already waiting.
"Don't just focus on your kind," Leo said. "If you find other species—orc, beastkin, anyone—try to talk. I trust you."
Gruk rolled his neck. "Yeah, yeah. Talking. If they throw rocks, I throw bigger ones."
Leo smiled faintly. That was Gruk's version of diplomacy.
His attention shifted next to Sheron, who stood like a statue. Despite the towering man's composure, thick bandages wrapped his chest and arm, and long gashes still marked his skin.
"How's your condition?" Leo asked.
Sheron grunted. "Not dead yet."
Leo raised a brow. "...That's not very reassuring."
"I'm good. Still sore, though."
"Let me help," Leo said, already stepping closer, palm glowing faintly.
Sheron moved back slightly. "You sure? I saw how much magic you burned yesterday."
Leo shrugged. "I've already recovered most of it. I held back from healing last night to rest up. I'm fine now."
Without waiting, Leo pressed his hand gently against Sheron's arm. A soft golden light wrapped around the warrior, his injuries vanishing like mist in sunlight.
Sheron flexed his shoulders. "...Feels good to be whole again."
He grinned and grabbed his great sword. "Give me some work, or I'll start fighting trees."
Leo chuckled. "Then start cutting them. Choose some people, clear the area, and pile the logs near the edge of camp. We'll use them later."
A voice called out from across the camp.
"Leo!"
He turned. "Zack! Perfect timing."
Zack approached with a suspicious look. "What now?"
"Wanna go help me to hunt some boars again?"
Zack froze, face slowly contorting with visible betrayal. "Oh no. No no no. Not again."
Leo blinked innocently. "What do you mean?"
Zack crossed his arms. "Last time you joined us, we hunted two forest boars the size of a damn carriage. You scared off half the forest with that 'Ice spike Storm' nonsense."
Leo shrugged. "We got good food, didn't we?"
Zack deadpanned. "Oh really ?."
He turned away and shouted over his shoulder, "I'm picking my own team. And YOU are banned from coming!"
Leo made a thoughtful face. "Why does everyone keep banning me?"
A light laugh rang out as Lia appeared beside him, her short hair bouncing slightly as she skipped.
"What's wrong, Onii-chan?" she asked sweetly.
Leo sighed. "They're going without me again…"
Lia giggled. "It's probably because of last time."
Leo frowned. "What about last time—?"
"Don't worry about it~!" she said, walking away cheerfully.
Zack's voice echoed from the distance. "Also, don't call me dumb kitty!"
Leo blinked. "Did I say that out loud…?"
As the camp slowly settled into work, with goblins and humans moving together in rare harmony, Lyra quietly approached from the side. Her steps were soft, her expression serious.
"Leo," she said, "can I talk to you? Alone?"
Leo nodded and walked with her to the shade of a large oak nearby. She glanced around, making sure no one could hear.
"You didn't sleep last night, did you?" she asked gently.
Leo scratched the back of his head, his smile sheepish. "Not really. I got a bit after midnight. Maybe."
Lyra made a tiny, thoughtful pout, arms folded.
"Leo… you've already been using demon manipulation, and you created that whole domain yesterday. You need rest. Real rest."
He laughed nervously. "Yeah… you're right."
She looked at him for a moment longer, then smiled and nodded.
"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away, leaving Leo standing under the tree.
He exhaled quietly, his gaze drifting upward through the leaves.
They worry too much, he thought.
But deep down, he knew why.
The sunlight filtered softly through the thick canopy as Lili soared above the treetops, her silver hair trailing behind her like a comet's tail. The wind rustled through her cloak as she slowed her flight, eyes scanning the forest below.
This is definitely where those goblins passed through yesterday, she mused, her lips curling into a playful smile.
Descending slowly, she landed gently on the forest floor, the leaves barely stirring beneath her feet. Her sharp eyes moved across the clearing until she spotted it—a half-burnt branch, splintered unnaturally, covered in fresh claw marks.
"Aha~!" she chimed, picking it up. "Knew it. Gruk's squad definitely came this way."
She twirled the stick like a wand, tossing it aside before spinning around with a grin—only to find the woods behind her empty.
Weird, she thought, tilting her head. I thought I sensed someone nearby… maybe not?
Rising back into the air, she flew higher, eyes narrowing as she crossed deeper into the woodland's untouched regions. The trees thinned slightly up ahead, revealing the faint shimmer of distant banners.
"Hmm…" she murmured, her tone suddenly more serious. "That's close. Really close. Rustalia's border isn't far."
She paused mid-air, hovering silently as the breeze carried faint echoes from beyond the trees.
"This might be the edge of our territory... but if the goblins wandered further, then—"
Her thoughts halted as she blinked, spotting something unusual far ahead—movement.
Descending quickly but quietly, she ducked beneath the high canopy and moved silently through the underbrush, weaving between trees with the ease of a shadow. Her silver eyes flickered through the gaps in the foliage.
And then she saw them.
Knights in polished crimson armor, bearing the sigil of the Rustalia Empire. Alongside them were a group of adventurers—clearly not native to this forest. Their formation wasn't for exploration or defense. It was military.
Lili crouched behind a thick tree trunk, frowning.
Knights and adventurers? Together? That's not a patrol—that's an incursion.
Her fingers twitched with restrained magic. It would take her barely a minute to wipe them all out.
But she didn't move.
I could kill them easily, she thought, her usual cheer fading. But Leo needs to know first. This isn't just a scouting party. They're here for something else.
She glanced once more at their positions, memorizing the layout.
Then, in a burst of silver light, she shot back into the sky—higher than before, leaving no trace behind.
As the wind rushed past her, her thoughts sharpened.
They're definitely here to expand their territory. But that's not their only goal.
Her eyes narrowed, glowing faintly with anticipation.
Something else is happening. Something bigger... and Leo needs to hear it now.