"Beat me? You? Don't make me laugh" the undead woman cackled

"That's what they all say before dying" I took out Rea and Lea, Mizu, Mira, and Arachne also got ready

"Lyan! Please don't do this..." Valeria still pleaded

"Very well, I, Fenez, the 5th wive of the undead king shall kill you, feel honored!" Fenez lifted her rod and stabbed it into the ground which caused the earth all around us to split open

Skeletons of different creatures started rising from the ground, human skeletons, animal skeletons, and monster skeletons. They were numerous but fragile, a simple swing was all that it took to break one

There were almost 300 of them, we all used our skills that had could decimate a huge area in order to quickly finish the battle, I infused [Ice giant's strike] on Rea and Lea before sweeping them around, Mizu had numerous water snakes that went through the skeletons in one straight line, Arachne kept firing arrows that broke through most of the enemies' skulls, Mira was only good on one-on-one combat but all the knives she threw always went through 3 - 4 skeletons.

"Waste of my time! Taste your own rotting tongue! [Plague Gas!] " Fenez lifted her staff and a darkish green gas started wafting towards our spot

"Smell your own fart!" I infused Rea with [tornado] before swinging her towards the incoming gas

A 10-foot tornado formed and started heading towards Fenez while sucking in all the gas that Fenez released.

"Give up Fenez" Mizu roared out as she pointed her rod towards Fenez

"Aren't we getting a bit cocky? I'm just getting started. Rise and imprison them!" Fenez's rod led out a darkish green gleam that made the skeletons we destroyed float and form numerous 8 feet floating arms that tried to hold us down.

We started breaking them down but Fenez managed to chant another spell as we were fighting

"I call upon all those who were left behind to suffer in this world, let out your screams of pain and agony [Ghost swarm]" Fenez roared out and a pentagram appeared beneath her feet.

Ghosts started coming out of the pentagram, they were blurry but you could clearly see their wide open and twisted mouths, they didn't have feet so they floated around with their arms in front like a zombie. Fenez pointed her rotting finger at us before the ghosts let out a high-pitched scream and floating towards us at a surprising speed.

This is gonna be a problem for us. Mizu, Arachne, and Mira can't use holy magic, the ghosts are also immune to physical attacks... It's a different story if I was alone but now I have to protect them.

'Master Lyan, gather everyone' I heard Lea's voice on my mind

"Group up!" I roared out as I ran at the spot in between all of us

They all followed my instructions and we soon clustered up in the center of the ghosts encirclement

'I rise up from the murky depth to swallow the sun, monsters in the dark flee and run [Blight]! '

Lea shined brightly which made all the ghosts surrounding us disappear

'How did you do that?' I asked

'Ate-Rea and I actually have several skills at our disposal but they can only be unlocked as you get stronger, the skill I used was something I unlocked when I woke up...too bad ate-Rea haven't unlocked anything yet' Lea explained

I kinda felt bad for being weak, anyway, let's focus on the battle at hand.

"How did you?! You've unleashed too much elemental magic for a mere warrior!" Fenez couldn't believe what happened

"Shut your trap! I ran out as I infused Rea with [fire ball] and Lea with [Holy light]

I was halfway towards Fenez when I swung Rea sideways which sent a crescent fire wave towards Fenez, she clicked her tongue and erected a thick wall made out of bones. I used [flame burst] and burst towards the sky before using [storm rush] as I crashed down towards Fenez.

"You are so fucking annoying! Bones of olden time, rise up and protect this body of mine! [Skeleton cage], [Skeletal wall] all of you! Protect me!" A skeleton's rib cage about 15 feet rose from the ground and inside it was Fenez, she also raised another skeleton wall. Fenez roared at all the surviving skeletal arms and she even raised a few more zombies.

"Go Lea! [Burst] Rea! Sick em!" I threw Lea like a spear towards Fenez before holding Rea with both hands who unleashed her blade aura.

Lea went through the skeletal arms and zombies before breaking through the skeletal wall but was finally stopped at the rib cage, I landed right on the broken skeletal wall before charging forward.

"Go! We'll support you!" Mizu roared out as she rode her [jet stream] and impaling an oncoming skeleton arm with her rod that transformed into a trident.

I ran forwards as Mira beheaded the zombies while Arachne and Mizu shot down the skeletal arms. I was finally within range and used [dragon rush] before appearing right Fenez and sending a hard blow on her back as Rea laughed maniacally, Fenez shot forward and broke through the skeleton rib cage before she slammed down to the ground, hard.

"Valeria?! Come help your stepmother! I was the one that raised you remember?!" Fenez's lower half was broken and started to separate from her body as she tried to crawl towards Valeria.

"I...I..." Valeria kept stuttering as the mangled body of Fenez crawled towards her, you can clearly see Valeria's knees literally shake from being nervous.

"Valeria! What are you doing?! Come and help me this instant!" Fenez roared out

"It's your choice Valeria, we won't force you" I stood beside Fenez and already had Rea raised up while Lea was on my back

"I... I will stay with Lyan and the others" after taking in a deep breath, Lea finally answered

"Bitch! You were a mistake!" Fenez stabbed her right rm deep underground

"Motherfucker! " I quickly slammed down Rea and beheaded her but it was too late

A spear made out of bones protruded from the ground before flying towards Valeria, I used [storm dash] and caught up with the spear. I held on to the spear before burying my feet on the ground in an effort to stop the spear but it's momentum only slowed down by a bit, the spear was heading straight for Valeria's head but out of nowhere Mizu appeared and held onto the spear as she used her [jet stream] to propel her away from Valeria.

Our efforts soon paid off and the spear was stopped, both my hand and Mizu's were covered in dark green goo. Seems like Fenez's last attack had a corrosive ability, we quickly washed off the goo with water. It came off after a few washes but our hands had a few cuts here and there.

"Why... why go so far?! You know I have two lives! Why did you take on the attack?!" Valeria looked at our wounds and felt bad

"The same reason as to why you always get serious when we go to battles" I chuckled as Mira poured some medicine on our arms

"Aren't battles meant to be taken seriously?" Valeria shot back

"What Lyan meant is, he- we don't want to see you get harmed, isn't it the same with you when we all fight? You always try so hard to fight the enemies as you protect your teammates" Mizu chimed in

"And, even if you have two lives, seeing you get impaled by a spear will not be good for my health" I added and joked, Arachne covered our wounds with her silky soft web.

Valeria only looked at us with surprise before crying, Arachne sat beside her as Mira patted her back. Mizu and I only smiled at this scene, after a few minutes, we finally started to return to Kaleid while hoping that we don't get caught up in the war but Clay handled it well and ended the war without any casualties.

We returned to our camp to take a rest as Arachne and Mizu happily told Clay, Talia, and Rivera what happened while making sure not to tell about Valeria's crying session and her circumstances. It was past noon and we were getting hungry so Clay and Rivera cooked us all lunch.

Their cooking was filled with love...why? You ask? It's because those two were humming here and there as they cooked, they kept exuding a newlywed couples' aura. Everything they cooked was sweet...a little too sweet but we still happily ate the cavity filled food they cooked.

We all went out after eating and resting for an hour. Clay, Rivera, and Talia went with the archers to salvage wood while Mira and Arachne stood at the tower, keeping watch. Mizu was on the field outside the walls making sure that the zombies that attacked stay dead as the other archers salvage their armors and weapons. I, on the other hand, visited Valeria who was quietly resting in her room

"How are you holding up?" I asked Valeria who was sitting on her bed, our rooms were only composed of a bed and a small table with chair

"I still can't get it off my mind..." she spoke as she looked down on the ground

"What is it?"

"It's what Fenez said, being an undead and all..."

"Oh that" I chuckled

"What's so funny about it?"

"You're overthinking it"

"How so?"

"What did you feel when you saw me and Mizu get wounded"

"Pain, agony, anger..."

"There, right there, aren't undeads supposed to be cold and unfeeling?"

Valeria only stayed silent and looked at me so I continued speaking.

"You are not like them, never was and never will be"

"...thank you" Valeria tried hard to stifle her tears so I patted her head and left her alone.

I left the tent and looked at the castle from afar, was Fenez the enemy general? If so then this war is already as good as over...

'How are you guys over there?' I asked the three women who were bickering inside my head.

'Lyan! Silence this horny woman! She keeps on talking about what she felt when you both attacked that disgusting woman called Fenez' Raija was complaining.

'Fuck off, you can never know this feeling because you're so loose that even a monolith won't fit inside!' Rea shot back

'Ate-Rea, ate-Raija, please stop' Lea was trying to stop the two but it only seems to be a fruitless effort.

I was too lazy to stop the two so I ignored them went to the tower to talk with Arachne

"Arachne" I called out

"Lyan~ something you need?" Arachne quickly ran before giving me a hug

"Yeah, could you go look after Valeria?" I requested as I pat her head

"Sure but may I ask why?"

"She's going through the same thing as you did, being discriminated...maybe even more"

"Oh...those times were tough...I'll do my best" Arachne kissed me on the cheek before leaving

I took over her spot as the sentry

☆☆☆

"Hey there Valeria, mind if I come in?" I peeked at Valeria and asked

"...Arachne? Sure, come in" Valeria wiped her tears before calling out to me

"What's bothering you?" I asked. I promised Lyan that I'd do my best but I have no idea what to do...

"You've been discriminated right? How did you get through it?"

"I had support from Lyan and my friends" It's all true, we looked after each other

"Is...that so..."

"It is scary isn't it? Being looked down on by others" I remembered that time at the ball

Valeria was quiet so I continued speaking.

"Their stares...it's like everywhere you look everyone's mocking you...it was hard but all you really need is some confidence and support, don't mind what they say, they can't define who you are. Don't let others lead your story, look up at the world around you, it's filled with danger and adventures, if you always look down then won't you missing out on the fun?" I always looked at things positively because Lyan was always there to make me laugh...he ignores people's ideals and believes on his own...

"You really do admire Lyan..." Valeria chuckled

"He is the man I love"

"Say...what does it feel like to fall in love?" Valeria asked

"Love... it's something amazing"

"Please elaborate..."

"Ahah...my bad, to be honest, love is that feeling that you have when you look at a certain person and all you feel is joy, your thoughts will be filled by that person alone... I don't know if it's accurate because love is different for each person"

"Can you give me an example?"

"What do you see when you at Clay and Rivera?"

"...a masochist and sadist?"

"Hahaha, that's one way of looking at it. Let me tell you, Rivera is usually mean to Clay right? "

"Yes"

"That's Rivera's way of expressing her love for Clay"

"That's really weird..."

"That's just it, love can make you do crazy things"

"I think... I understand...thanks!"

"If you're okay then let's go! I can't let you rot here in this gloomy tent" I started dragging Valeria out of the tent and into the town, we should roam around a bit to take her mind off those things.

I don't know if what I'm doing is okay but I feel that it is right.

☆☆☆

"Oh? Hi there Lyan, funny seeing you here"

I heard a voice behind me so I turned around and saw the heroine, Grimm give me strength to not scream 'SPARTA' and kick this bitch off the wall

"Oh hi there... err.. heroine" I forced a smile

"Oh right! How rude of me to introduce myself without telling my name, My name is Rosa Elegante"

"The name Rosa suits you well" complimenting her took most of my mental strength.

"Thank you very much, I can see that you're alone, is it alright to have a little romantic walk?" Is she seriously seducing me right now?

I was about to answer but...

"Lyan, who is this 'woman'" Mira came from the sentry tower and arrived beside me

"I am the Heroine Rosa"

"Well I am Mira, Lyan's lover" ohh Mira is quite aggressive

"Lover?" Rosa tilted her head

"Yes, now please be gone, you'll be interrupting 'our' romantic walk" Mira burned her

I saw a vein pop out of Rosa's forehead, Mira really struck a nerve there

"I'll be leaving then" Rosa said those words before glaring at Mira and leaving.

"What a bitch" Mira muttered those words

"Let's go on our romantic walk" I laughed and pulled Mira

It was dinner time and like lunch, we had a plate full of cavity to eat. We all went to our rooms and slept.

The next day, I woke Valeria up early so we can cook breakfast for everyone. Valeria and I made a simple yet delicious chicken soup so that everyone could eat something to warm them up, just as I went outside the tent, I saw rows of adventurers coming in here and there. Seph came a few moments later and explained the situation.

"Help has arrived, we can finally attack that castle and end this war" Seph happily patted my shoulders

"So is our mission over?" I asked

"Yeah, you guys can go home"

I went back to the tent and told everyone the news, they all started packing their stuff.

We all left the tent after packing our stuff in our own magical bags but what greeted us outside was out of our expectations, the 300 archers were bowing their heads to us.

"""Thank you for helping us!""" They all screamed out.

"Come on guys, raise your head" everyone was silent so I had to speak for them

They all raised their heads before going back to their posts with satisfied smiles, we could only chuckle at them before leaving.

We all returned to Central city safely, we all received our reward. I told everyone to go back to the mansion as I had a small talk with Mrs.Sasha

"Have any info on the heroine?" I asked

"Heh, I knew you would say that" Mrs.Sasha laughed before opening her drawer and giving me a file

I opened it and read its contents

{ Heroine Rosa Elegante

She was hidden by the religion of Light for years. Like the hero, she uses holy magic. Her attack style is unique, floating swords made out of mana will float all around her, she uses these swords to attack her enemies. Most swords she's unleashed is 20.

The heroine has been reported to have seduced countless men for her own 'enjoyment' it has also been observed that she hates any woman who's more attractive than her because the wives of the men she seduced was tortured

She is currently living in the castle found in the southwest of Kingdom of Steel, this castle is heavily defended and protected by the Religion of Light

Assessment: she's an extreme narcissist, huge egomaniac, obsessive bitch that will collect everything she likes

}

"What do you think?" I sighed as I closed the file and returned it to Mrs.Sasha

"Damn Bitch" she quickly spoke

"Exac-"

"Wish I had beautiful men serve me all day"

"...seriously?" I facepalmed

"Hey, women are women, right? At least she's not raping them"

"I think you forgot the part about stealing them from their wives?"

"Oh yeah, forgot about that teehee"

"Anyway, thanks again but I'll be going"

"No, wait, have you heard about Sigrid?"

"No, what's the problem?"

"Sigrid is preparing for war, I can assure you that they won't be fighting the demons"

"Pathetic little cunts" I cursed

"We're really in a pickle"

"Thanks for telling me this info"

"No problem"

I left the office and started walking back to the mansion, I was about to enter the gates when I felt a spatial rip open behind me. I quickly equipped Rea and Lea but what came out of the rip made my heart sank, a small fox was limping towards me, it lost it's original white color because of the blood all over its body.

"Azure?!" I quickly returned Rea and Lea inside my magic bag before carrying the injured fox in my arms and running towards Clay and the other's house.

"Captain? What's wrong?" Clay was surprised because I suddenly barged in

"Call Rivera now!" I spoke.

Clay was confused at first but he quickly ran upstairs, I took out a cloth from my magic bag before putting in a table and carefully placing Azure on top of it

"Captain! What is it?" Rivera ran down the stairs and quickly asked, Clay followed behind her

"Heal Azure!" I pointed at Azure who has having a hard time breathing.

"Okay!" She quickly ran towards us as she chanted her healing spell

"[High Heal]! " she finished her chant just as she arrived next to us, she cast her highest healing spell

The green glow quickly covered Azure before it vanished, Azure's breathing became stable and I was finally relieved.

"Clay, could you heat up some water so we can bathe Azure" I requested Clay

"Sure thing Cap" He left

Now that Azure is fine, it's time to ask what the hell happened? I'm already having a bad feeling, did something happen to Blue? My thoughts were put on hold because I heard a roar from outside.

"Find that fox!" I looked out the window and noticed a few werewolves coming out of the spatial rip, 10 came out in total

"What was that? " Mizu and Valeria came down the stairs and asked

"Valeria, Mizu, come with me, Rivera, you and Clay watch after the house" I was seething with anger, they naturally noticed it and quietly followed my instructions

Mira and Arachne also came out of the mansion just as we left the house, they also noticed my anger and asked with concern.

"Lyan, something wrong?" Mira held my hands and asked

"Could you leave those guys to me? Surround them and don't let them escape" I requested with a smile

"Alright" Mira nodded her head before she and Arachne ran around them.

"Humans! Did you see a wounded fox around here" the wolf that asked had a black fur, it was different from the other nine who had gray fur

"Yeah" I replied

"Then tell me where it went!" The black wolf was arrogant

I brought out Rea

'You're really mad aren't you' Rea asked

'Let's slaughter them' I replied

'Hehe...' Rea let out an ominous laughter before she let out her murderous aura that formed a large blade just above Rea.

"So that is your answer, sick em boys!" He roared out and all the nine wolves rushed at me with their claws.

All of the wolves wore steel armor but they'll be nothing in front of Rea, a wolf lunged at me with its mouth agape. I swung Rea down and sliced the dumb ass in half, another wolf came at me from my right but I only swung Rea sidewards. He tried to block with his arm guards but it had no effect whatsoever, I cut both his arms and he kept whimpering and screeching on the ground as blood spewed out of his arms.

"Come on little cunt" I looked at the black werewolf

"Tch, what are you fuckers doing?! Kill him!" He roared out towards the other seven werewolves

All of them ran towards me but I never backed down and charged instead, I produced an [Ice Lance] and threw it to one of the wolves but he dodged it by jumping up. One wolf finally arrived in front of me and tried to swipe me with his claws but I only spun and gave him a kick that pushed him back before throwing an [Ice Lance] right at his forehead.

Two more werewolves came at me, one the left, one on the right. I dashed forward and the two werewolves came after me while three more stopped my advance, there were now three wolves in front of me, one on my left, one on my right, and finally two werewolves made their way behind me. I was trapped in their encirclement

"Go! Tear him to shreds" the black wolf roared out

All the 7 werewolves that surrounded me lunged, I infused Rea with [whirlpool] before using [flame burst] and taking to the skies. All the 7 werewolves were caught up in the [whirlpool] so I took this chance, I clasped my hands and conjured [Lighting strike] on both my hands before separating them which made a large spark to appear between the two. The spark disappeared and multiple crackling lighting was coiling around my arms, I dived down and released the [lighting strike] in the [whirlpool] the moment I hit the water. Everything inside the [Whirlpool] except me and Rea was fried, I pulled her out from the ground and looked at the black wolf

"Useless fuckers, just you wait!" The black wolf roared out before trying to escape by jumping in the spatial rip but his foot was shot and impaled to the ground by Arachne's arrow

"Thanks Arachne" I gave her a smile before walking towards the black werewolf

"We can talk this out, right? I know! I'll make a deal with you, do you want money? Slaves? I can give em to you" the black werewolf was pleading

I ignored him and bashed his head with Rea's hilt before dragging him out of the mansion, I don't want Youko, Riza, and Ritzu to hear this asshole's screams. Mira and Arachne followed me towards the deepest parts of the nearby forest.

I started torturing him until he finally broke and confessed everything, by now he had already lost all of his black furs, I cut open a wound and let the bugs feast on it, most of his claws were yanked off.

I found out that they were after Azure because she was Blue's pet, he also mentioned Blue's forced wedding which made me furious. It was 2 months from now, I need to move fast so I ended the werewolve's misery before running back home and calling mom and dad.