The days had become strangely peaceful.
Sitting on the mansion's veranda that morning, I watched the clear sky while holding a cup of still-warm tea. It had been quite some time since any truly troubling reports had reached me. The demonic attacks had decreased, the borders remained stable, and the enemy armies seemed to have retreated to regions farther north.
That was exactly what bothered me.
Demons did not give up.
Least of all the Demon King.
After everything that had happened so far, I knew that this calm was not natural.
"Thinking too much again?"
I looked up and saw Elara approaching.
I smiled faintly.
"Just trying to understand what's happening."
She sat down beside me.
"About the demons?"
"Yes."
Elara remained silent for a few seconds.
"I think it's strange too."
"You noticed it as well?"
"Of course. They don't usually stay quiet for this long."
I sighed.
That was exactly what I was thinking.
A little later, Lyannis appeared carrying several documents she had brought from the city.
"The latest reports."
I took the papers.
They all said practically the same thing.
Small conflicts.
Isolated movements.
No major attacks.
No invasions.
No significant advances.
I closed the documents.
"This doesn't make sense."
Lyannis nodded.
"I think so too."
As we talked, Rai'kanna emerged from the training area.
She was covered in sweat after finishing a series of sword exercises.
"If you ask me, they're preparing something."
"I think so too."
"Then why don't they just attack already?"
"Because perhaps they aren't ready yet."
The answer came from Vespera, who had just arrived alongside Scarlett.
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"That means we should make the most of this time."
"Train?"
"Exactly."
She pointed at me.
"You especially."
I couldn't help laughing.
"I train every day."
"Then train more."
"You're impossible."
"I know."
The atmosphere became lighter after that.
Even so, the strange feeling remained.
After breakfast, I went to the training field behind the mansion.
I spent most of the morning practicing.
First with my sword.
Then with magic.
Over the past few months, I had learned many new things thanks to the ancient archmage's book.
His theories continued to impress me.
Especially those related to mana control.
I was still practicing when Liriel appeared.
The goddess watched a few of my movements before speaking.
"Your control has improved."
"I'm trying to perfect it."
"It's working."
"It's still not enough."
She smiled.
"You always say that."
Because it was true.
No matter how much I improved.
There was always someone stronger.
And at that moment, there was one specific person I needed to surpass.
The Demon King.
I continued training until noon.
When I finally stopped, Scarlett and Rai'kanna took over the field to begin a sparring match.
As always, neither of them liked to hold back.
The sounds of their swords echoed across the field while I watched beside Elara.
"Who wins?"
"Scarlett."
"Are you sure?"
"Ninety percent."
The next minute, Rai'kanna managed to land a hit on Scarlett.
Elara smiled.
"Ninety percent?"
"I still have a ten percent margin of error."
She laughed.
Liriel's assistant also appeared shortly afterward.
Ever since she had begun her temporary vacation, she seemed much more relaxed.
She watched the training for a few minutes before approaching.
"You humans really like fighting."
"Not all of us."
"But almost all of you."
"Maybe."
She shrugged.
"Even so, it's interesting to watch."
The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully.
For some reason, that sense of normalcy felt almost strange after so many battles.
I spent some time organizing documents related to the lands I had received from the various kingdoms.
Then I spoke with the administrators who managed part of the affairs on my behalf.
Everything seemed to be running smoothly.
By the time I finished, the sun was already beginning to sink toward the horizon.
That was when I heard knocking at the mansion's front door.
One of the servants went to answer it.
A few seconds later, he returned.
"Lord Takumi."
"Yes?"
"There is a royal messenger here."
I frowned.
A royal messenger?
I immediately stood up.
"Show him in."
The servant nodded.
Soon afterward, a man wearing the kingdom's colors entered the mansion.
He looked exhausted, probably after traveling for hours.
He bowed respectfully.
"Great Hero."
"That's not necessary."
He smiled awkwardly.
"I bring a message from His Majesty."
"From the king?"
"Yes."
My expression became more attentive.
Royal messages were rarely sent without reason.
"What happened?"
"His Majesty wishes to see you immediately."
I looked at him for a few seconds.
"Is it urgent?"
"Very."
That was enough.
I wasted no time.
"I understand."
The messenger looked relieved.
"He asked that you come to the castle as soon as possible."
"I'll leave at once."
The girls had already gathered in the room after overhearing the conversation.
Elara was the first to ask.
"What happened?"
"The king wants to speak with me."
"Is something wrong?"
"I don't know."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"Do you want us to come with you?"
I shook my head.
"Not for now."
Lyannis looked concerned.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
I looked at all of them.
"I'm just going to find out what's going on."
Scarlett sighed.
"Then come back soon."
"I will."
Rai'kanna pointed at me.
"And try not to accept another impossible mission."
"I can't promise that."
She rolled her eyes.
A few minutes later, I left the mansion accompanied by the messenger.
Throughout the entire journey to the castle, I kept thinking about the possible reasons for the summons.
Perhaps movement from the demons.
Perhaps a problem on one of the borders.
Perhaps a meeting between the kingdoms.
There were countless possibilities.
When we finally arrived, I was escorted directly into the castle.
The guards immediately opened the way.
I walked through the familiar corridors until I reached the audience chamber.
The king was already waiting for me.
As soon as I entered, he dismissed several of the people present.
That caught my attention.
This was definitely something important.
"Your Majesty."
"Takumi."
I stepped forward.
"You wished to see me?"
The king nodded.
His face was more serious than usual.
"Yes."
"Has something happened?"
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he took a deep breath.
"We have received a request for help."
I frowned.
"From whom?"
The king looked directly at me.
"From a people who live beyond the seas."
I was confused.
"Beyond the seas?"
"Yes."
He rested his hands on the table.
"A people who rarely maintain contact with those on the surface."
My interest immediately grew.
"Who are they?"
The king answered calmly.
"The Fishmen."
Surprise filled my thoughts.
I had heard a few stories about them.
But always as legends.
Vague accounts.
Rumors.
Nothing concrete.
And now, those mysterious people were asking for help.
At that moment, I realized that this meeting would be far more important than I had imagined.
And that a new journey was about to begin.