The morning sun cast a golden sheen across the stone paths of Brunhild as the newly named Dilhaze party stepped out of the Guild Hall, fresh guild cards in hand. Raizo stretched his arms above his head and exhaled with a relaxed sigh.
"Why don't we just relax for a while, you know?" he said, glancing at Fenra beside him.
Fenra rolled her shoulders, ears twitching lazily. "Sure. My body's really sore… We've been fighting nonstop lately."
They strolled side by side through the lively city, passing vendors and smiths, musicians and murmuring taverns. The breeze carried scents of roasted meat and fresh bread.
But then, the mood shifted.
Raizo paused, narrowing his eyes at a group gathered by a wagon. His gaze landed on a slave merchant, standing tall with a cane in hand, surrounded by cages. Fenra's entire body tensed. Her claws twitched as her golden eyes locked on the scene, memories of shackles and screams flooding back like a tide.
Raizo stepped in front of her and gently shook his head. "Don't. He has a city permit," he said softly.
Fenra's claws slowly retracted, and her shoulders slumped. "I understand."
They turned to leave—until a voice bellowed behind them.
"Alright everyone, feast your eyes on this rare find!"
The crowd turned. Raizo and Fenra glanced back just as the merchant yanked away a tattered cloth, revealing a caged girl with long, luminous yellow-blonde hair streaked with green. Her emerald eyes, dim yet fierce, scanned the crowd like a trapped animal.
The merchant's voice thundered, "A high elf! A true rarity!"
Gasps echoed from the people gathered.
"Five silver!"
"One gold!"
"Three gold coins!"
The bidding war rose quickly, and in the background, Fenra's ears drooped. Her lips trembled slightly—Raizo noticed. Her fists were clenched.
Raizo sighed.
Then, he raised his hand.
"Five gold coins," he declared.
The crowd fell silent. Even the merchant blinked in disbelief before grinning wide. "Sold! To the gentleman over there!"
Fenra turned to him, stunned. "Why…?"
Raizo looked at her quietly. "Because I saw your face… I won't let anyone go through what you did."
He walked up to the merchant and handed over the coins. The cage door creaked open. The elf slowly stepped out, her bare feet kissing stone, eyes blinking at the sunlight. She turned to Raizo and bowed gracefully.
"I am Ria. Nice to meet you, Master."
Raizo responded calmly, "Let's go, Ria."
As they walked away, the elf trailing behind, Fenra whispered, "You didn't buy her just because of me… or pity, right?"
Raizo chuckled. "Well, the last part's wrong. I did it because of you. But… the first part is also true. In the fight with Gerald, we almost lost. We need someone long-ranged."
Fenra nodded silently. She understood. Then, Raizo stopped and reached into his bag. He pulled out a small brass key and unlocked the metal collar around Ria's neck.
She blinked, confused. "Why…? Aren't you afraid I'll run?"
Raizo looked at her, then back at Fenra. "Because I met someone like you."
Ria's eyes darted to Fenra.
"How could a therianthrope trust a human?"
Fenra smiled faintly. "Because Raizo is different. I was cautious too. But after everything—saving my village, risking his life for mine… he's not like other humans."
Ria slowly knelt. "Please, Master… will you give me a name?"
Raizo looked at her thoughtfully. "How about… Silvia?"
Ria smiled for the first time. "From today forth, I am Silvia. Thank you, Master."
"Stop calling me 'master.' Just Raizo is fine."
"As you wish… Raizo, I Silvia will devote my life to protect you."
They spent the afternoon exploring the city. Raizo bought snacks from a street vendor. Fenra devoured roasted meat skewers. Silvia watched them both from a distance, slowly adjusting to this new freedom. For the first time in weeks—maybe longer—she didn't feel cold.
As the sun began to set, they arrived at the Brunch Inn. Lia, ever cheerful, greeted them from the counter.
"Well, well! Welcome back, you two—and… oh?" Her eyes landed on the elf. "And who's this lovely girl?"
Raizo stepped forward. "This is Silvia. She'll be joining us."
Lia raised a brow at Silvia's tattered rags. "Oh no, no, no. I won't allow this—not in my inn. You two wait here. I'm borrowing her."
"Huh? W-Wait!" Silvia protested as Lia swept her off her feet and dragged her away.
Raizo chuckled. "She'll be fine."
While they waited for dinner, Fenra's hand crept closer to Raizo's under the table, her heart thudding in her chest. Her fingers were just about to brush his—
"It's done!" Lia announced, bursting into the room.
Fenra jolted. She quickly pulled her hand away, ears drooping. Lia raised a curious brow.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"N-Nope!" Fenra replied a little too fast.
Lia just grinned and clapped her hands. "Come on out, Silvia!"
From the hall, Silvia stepped forward, her cheeks burning. She now wore a neatly tailored maid dress, adorned with frills and ribbons that matched her green strands of hair.
Raizo blinked. His mouth hung open slightly.
Silvia twisted shyly. "Does it suit me…?"
Fenra nodded, forcing a smile. "It looks good on you."
But Lia, behind Silvia, made a gesture with her hands—waving toward Raizo and mouthing, "Say something!"
Raizo snapped to. "Y-Yeah. Sorry… I'm speechless."
Silvia's cheeks turned red. "T-Thank you…"
Fenra watched silently, her heart conflicted. She could see it—the way Silvia's eyes glistened when she looked at Raizo. Another rival… someone else falling for him.
Lia noticed the change in Fenra's expression and quietly smiled to herself.
As dinner was served and laughter filled the room, the warmth of their small found family grew deeper. Raizo glanced at Fenra, then at Silvia. He thought of Nathan, of Gerald, of the path he'd chosen.
There was still so much to do.
But for now—tonight—they were safe. Together and the party called Dilhaze had just begun.
The cozy aroma of vegetable stew and fresh bread filled the small dining room of the Brunch Inn, lit gently by a hanging lantern that swayed with the creaking wood. The soft clinking of spoons against wooden bowls echoed softly as the newly formed Dilhaze party enjoyed their evening meal.
Fenra sat beside Raizo, nibbling on her bread with slow, thoughtful bites. Across from them, Silvia, the high elf, handled her bowl with delicate hands, her golden-blonde and green-tinted hair catching the warm light.
Raizo took a bite, then looked at Silvia. "Hey, Silvia… I've heard a lot about elves being great at archery. Is that true?"
Silvia nodded softly, swallowing her spoonful before answering. "Yes. We train from a young age. It's part of our culture—we use it to hunt and protect our forests. I'm… actually one of the better shots in my village."
Raizo's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's amazing."
Fenra, tilting her head curiously, added, "Do you have any special abilities?"
Silvia placed her spoon down gently. "Yes. I possess a skill called Eagle Eye. It allows me to see much farther than normal… down to the smallest detail, even from a great distance."
Raizo grinned. "That's a very useful ability. Especially for an archer."
But then his smile faded slightly as a question weighed on him. He leaned forward. "How did you… get captured by that slave trader?"
Silvia's hands tightened around her bowl. Her voice grew quiet, shaking with pain. "Me, my older brother, and sister were out hunting. It was supposed to be a normal day. We were careful. Our hearing is sharp, but... we didn't expect bandits lying in wait."
She paused, trembling slightly. "They overwhelmed us. There were too many. They separated us. I haven't seen my brother or sister since. Then… I was locked in that cage for over a week, maybe more. Everything after that was a blur."
Raizo and Fenra lowered their heads, both visibly moved. Fenra clenched her hands. Raizo gently placed his bowl down and spoke firmly.
"Don't worry, Silvia. You're with us now. You're a member of our party, and I promise… we'll help you find your family. Me and Fenra—we'll do whatever it takes to bring them back."
Silvia looked up, her green eyes wide with disbelief. "Are… are you sure?"
Raizo nodded. "Of course."
Silvia turned to Fenra, searching her expression.
Fenra gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "He means what he says."
Silvia bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes—but she didn't let them fall. She straightened up and bowed her head. "Then… thank you, Raizo. And thank you, Fenra. I'll do my best. I'll train, I'll grow stronger. I'll become a full adventurer, like you both."
Raizo and Fenra raised their wooden cups and clinked them together.
"Welcome to the party," they said in unison.
After dinner, Lia came by to collect the dishes. The three cleaned up and headed to their room.
The room was simple, but warm. A thick rug lay on the wooden floor, and two beds sat against opposite corners. Tonight, Fenra and Silvia shared one, while Raizo took a thick blanket and pillow to the floor.
As Raizo lay down, his arms behind his head, he let out a tired yawn. "That stew hit the spot…"
Fenra curled under the covers, pulling them up to her nose. "You're always saying that," she muttered sleepily.
Silvia sat for a moment, her emerald eyes watching Raizo as his breathing slowed. His face was calm in sleep, unguarded and peaceful.
She whispered softly, "I guess Fenra was right. You really are… different from other humans."
A quiet smile spread across her lips.
And with that, she pulled the blanket over her shoulder, closed her eyes beside Fenra, and drifted into a gentle, dreamless sleep.