I shook my head slowly, trying to calm the knot in my chest. My gaze met Elaris's, and I couldn't help but notice how small and fragile he seemed in that moment.

Despite everything he'd been through. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that made me want to steady him, to make him feel safe.

I reached out, taking his hands in mine. I held them firmly, but with care, letting him feel my presence.

"Don't worry," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my own pulse thumped in my ears. "You can travel with us. And… for your confession, I accept. But know this," I added, tightening my grip slightly, "you will be mine, Elaris."

His lips trembled, and I saw tears welling in his eyes, glinting even in the fading light.

He struggled to keep his composure, his small hands clutching mine almost desperately.

"Yes… yes," he whispered, barely audible, his gaze locked on mine. "You don't need to worry. I… I don't like women at all."

A small, reassuring smile tugged at my lips. I rubbed the back of his head gently, feeling the tension in his neck and shoulders.

For a moment, he stiffened, then leaned slightly into my touch, though his pulse betrayed his nerves.

After a brief, quiet pause, we turned and made our way back to the rest of the group.

The girls were staring. I could feel their eyes drilling into me, some curious, some skeptical, some perhaps jealous.

I cleared my throat and addressed them, keeping my tone firm. "Elaris will tag along with us from now on. He will travel back with us to the Kobold tribe."

They exchanged glances, a flicker of surprise crossing their faces, but in the end, they simply nodded.

No arguments, no questions, just quiet acknowledgment. We resumed our march, the forest around us rustling softly in the afternoon breeze.

About an hour later, we had gathered the final ingredients, packing them with care as we made our way back.

When we stepped into Lucy's shop, the moment we entered, I felt her senses flare.

Her nose twitched as she caught the scents of me and Elaris, and the sly, knowing smile that spread across her face told me she'd already pieced things together.

"Interesting," she murmured, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

She set aside her herbs and vials and leaned closer. "The demon rift," she said, voice quiet but firm, "is located southeast of the Wailing Mountain."

My jaw tightened as I absorbed her words, the weight of what lay ahead pressing on me.

Elaris's small frame stiffened beside me, but I could see determination flickering in his eyes.

And then, he surprised me. For the first time, courage bloomed in him. He straightened, lifted his chin, and looked at Lucy directly.

"I'll go with Ragnar," he said, my name sounded foreign but right on his lips, "I want to help them. I… I want to make both you and my mother proud."

Lucy's eyes softened, a single tear escaping down her cheek despite the smile that remained.

She reached out, brushing it gently away. "Elaris… it seems you have grown up," she said, her voice thick with emotion. Then she turned to me, her gaze steady. "Please… take care of him."

I nodded, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. "I will," I said, my voice low but firm. "I will treasure him."

I felt Elaris shift beside me, his face flushing a deep crimson. He ducked his gaze, fumbling with his hands as if he could hide the warmth spreading through him. I couldn't help the small, satisfied smile tugging at my lips.

Finally, we left the shop, stepping out into the cool air. The forest stretched ahead, quiet except for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional birdcall.

We headed toward the demon rifts, each step feeling heavier than the last. The closer we got, the more I felt the ground tremble beneath my feet.

A low, resonant rumble rolled through the earth, and somewhere in the distance, blood-curdling screams echoed. My hand instinctively went to Elaris's shoulder, steadying him against the trembling.

When we crested a ridge, my stomach dropped. Before us lay a rift, jagged and terrifying, stretching nearly a mile across the land.

The chaos within it was unimaginable. Monsters of every shape and size fought with a ferocity that made my teeth grit.

Claws tore through scales and flesh, fangs snapped, and roars echoed like thunder, bouncing off the jagged cliffs.

Elaris ducked behind me instinctively, his small frame pressed against my back.

I felt his pulse racing, and I could hear the shallow breaths he tried to suppress. I rested my hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "It's alright," I whispered. "Just stay close to me."

Then Bella's sharp voice cut through the chaos. She pointed toward a jagged mountain rising beside the rift.

"Look," she said, tone sharp, "there's a castle there. It must be where that bitch and her daughter live."

Before she could continue, a deafening roar split the air, rattling my teeth and sending a chill down my spine.

The sound was deep, primal, and utterly terrifying. My hand tightened on Elaris's shoulder, and I felt him flinch, pressing himself closer. I could hear his small, shaky breath against my arm.

"To reach that castle" I said with a serious face, "we need to pass those monsters"

At my words everyone's heart sank, it was a meat grinder down there, monsters tearing each other relentlessly.

"But don't worry, I have a plan, I will tell you about it" I said reassuring them, and almost instantly all the group mood lifted up.

Then Elaris tugged my sleeve and pointed towards an empty spot, "there, we can sit and discuss it better"

I nodded at his words, and clapped my hands, "Alright, let go there so you can hear my plan"

I saw down on a rock, looking at the girls, Elaris sat near me.

"Ahem, so first-"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.