After taking a breather, Gregory explained what he wanted to do.

"I will accompany you three in the forest."

Zack nodded.

After causing Zack to be useless for a while, Gregory asked Sanria to leave the room for a bit.

Sanria didn't like that. Now, she disliked Zack even more. Zack was oblivious to this growing dislike.

When Zack waved a dopey goodbye towards Sanria, her dislike turned to hate.

Maybe, I should just handle this forest problem and kill all three of them.

Sanria felt that she could just kill all three of them but her father obviously didn't want that.

Magnus enjoyed the tea while Gregory explained the need for them to accompany them.

"Inside the forest, there are areas we consider holy ground. Non-villagers are not allowed to go there. I know it sounds nonsensical but I plea that you respect our faith."

"Of course father!"

Zack quickly responds to Gregory's warning.

"Don't call me father."

Zack ignores him.

"Your words are absolute and we will avoid these holy areas."

The holy areas were bullshit.

Gregory's village didn't have any major faith or religion. Even the worship of the great Guardian wasn't followed by everyone.

It's just that, Gregory and Sanria haven't finished cleaning the battlefield. Even with Melinoe's help, the three of them couldn't clear all the bodies. Some of them were starting to stink as well.

At least, we managed to gather the weapons and gear.

Gregory remembered how his unused storage room was filled to the brim with weapons and armor. There were even some ballista bolts stored in the storage room.

It's a shame my lord destroyed the ballista. It would have been a good weapon to use if we ever needed it.

"Well, as long as you understand."

Jordan raises his hand.

"Yes, Jordan?"

"What if we've explored the part of the forests that aren't considered holy ground and haven't found the source of the problem? Do we stop or do we enter the supposed holy areas?"

I hope that isn't the case.

Gregory thought of the dangers of letting these people see the plains full of dead soldiers.

Before Gregory could speak, Zack calls out to Jordan.

"Jordan?!"

"Shut up Zack, this is part of the request. Well, sir Gregory?"

"Ah ah ah, father please ignore the words of my friend here, he-"

"Enough."

Zack shuts up.

"If the source of the problem is not in the forest... I'll lead you three to the holy areas."

Jordan nods satisfied.

Elisha chimes in when Gregory finishes.

"Not to be disrespectful, but may I ask what religion does the village follow?"

Shit.

"Uh uh"

Magnus replies.

"We revere the great guardian of the forest. We consider it to be our ancient protector that keeps us safe from dangers."

Elisha was about to say a disrespectful quip but she can't help but admire Magnus so her thoughts were quickly muddled. Jordan heaved a sigh of relief.

At least Elisha isn't as crazy as Zack.

"Now, are there any other questions?"

"No, we have no more questions."

"Good, now I'll just get my gear, and let's head out."

"Gregory, can I come with you?"

"Uh uh, Prince... Sorry, but I cannot risk you."

Magnus thinks. Magnus wanted to check out his own home. He needed to make sure there was nothing dangerous. If there was, he just needs to get rid of it.

"Yeah, you should listen to your father."

Magnus looks at Jordan and ignores him.

Jordan shrugs.

"Gregory, the forest is also my home and my place of worship. Please, let me come. I am sure the Guardian will protect us. And if it does not, these three will be able to do that as well."

Jordan frowns.

"This isn't an escort mission. We aren't guards."

Gregory looks at Magnus and he sees unyielding eyes.

Shit. Master, do you truly need to come?

Magnus ignores Gregory's cursing.

Yes. I must survey my domain.

Gregory sighs. He couldn't say no.

"Jordan, how much do I pay you to add escorting as part of the mission?"

"I... I don't know but you'll have to pay for it in the guild."

Gregory nods. He feels a tug on his shirt. Gregory turns to Magnus.

"Yes, Prince?"

"We can pay them with this."

Magnus took out a pouch from his clothes. He handed it to Gregory.

Gregory felt a smooth object from the pouch.

Peeking inside, Gregory quickly closed it.

Where did Prince get this?!

Inside the pouch, Gregory saw a beautiful and smooth gem. This alone would be worth at least 50 gold.

"Jordan, please escort the both of us. We'll be able to pay for the extra fee."

Jordan shrugs. Zack nods. Elisha smiles at Magnus. Magnus ignores the young mage.

Sanria waited outside. Eventually, Melinoe woke up.

"Oh, you're up?"

"Whe-where am I?"

Melinoe's senses return and he sees Sanria.

She was sitting behind the house. Melinoe was thrown out of the window so the others wouldn't see an unconscious man.

"Behind the house. Now, don't make a fuss."

Melinoe remembers what happened to him and his face contorts in happiness.

"Was that master?!"

Sanria smiled.

At least, I know he's a fanatic to master. If he wasn't, his value would be worthless.

"Yes, that was our master. He has come home."

Melinoe was extremely excited.

"I- I must greet him!"

"You already did earlier."

"I did?"

"Yeah. He even corrected you about your magic."

"Oh..."

Melinoe suddenly remembers Magnus's comment about his magical foundation.

No!!!! I had the chance to learn from my master and yet I blew it!!!

"I- I need to find him now!"

Melinoe was about to stand up but he finds himself rooted to the ground. He noticed that Sanria was holding him down with a single hand.

"Sanria! What are you doing? I must learn from my master!"

"Shut up. Do you think I want to be away from my master's presence? Of course not. I was excused by my father and our master seems to value his opinion so I have to follow."

Melinoe looks at the pouting Sanria. He would have thought that she was cute if not for the fact she could rip him in half.

Sanria, who was downtrodden, perks her head up.

"Oh, they're moving out."

"Who? Who's moving out?"

"Our master, who else?"

"What? How did you know?"

"I can hear them walking away. Let's go."

"You said we can't?"

"That was limited to earlier when they were talking. Now is fine but we'll need to hide. You better keep silent or I'll break your ankles."

Melinoe nodded. He knew she wasn't lying.

"Let's go."

The superhuman woman and the weak mage follow Magnus and the others.

The powerful legs of the golden furred bear plowed through the forest. It knew where its challenger was. Fortunately for the king of the forest, its challenger was running towards it as well.

It released a powerful roar which was challenged by an equally powerful roar.

The bear charged through a small barrier of trees, crushing it underneath its powerful body. The moment it passes the treeline, it sees its challenger leap towards it. The challenger's dagger-like teeth, sharp claws, and unbreakable scales are an image of terror.

The giant reptile landed on the bear and the two powerful predators crashed through the trees. The clash of claws would rend blood and bone but the two monstrous creatures were tough.

The reptile tried to pin the bear with its sharp claws and teeth but the bear's greater weight prevents it from doing so.

The bear roars as it delivers a bone-breaking strike towards the reptile. Quicker and faster than the heavy bear, the reptile backs away and manages to dodge the strike but now the bear was no longer pinned.

The bear stood up and glared at its challenger. It roars at its assailant.

The reptile hissed at its target. It needed to kill the king of the forest. It had to. It wanted to offer it to the new king of the forest.

The reptile roared and it charged towards the bear.

Gregory walked forward with Jordan by his side.

Magnus was behind them. Zack and Elisha flanked his sides. Elisha was quite enamored with the young man while Zack was thinking of cozying up with Magnus to get closer to Sanria.

Magnus did not think of any of those. Instead, he thought of the roars he has been hearing for the last few minutes.

"Sir Gregory, not to be a nuisance, but what are those roars?"

Jordan was worried. The roars sound like it comes from a monstrous beast.

"I don't know Jordan but it might be your quest."

"A monster that's upsetting the ecosystem huh?"

Gregory nods.

Jordan sighs.

"Zack and Elisha, be on your toes. We'll need to be prepared if something comes up."

Zack nods.

"Always prepared Jordan."

"Elisha, stop trying to hold Magnus's hand."

"Whoops!"

Elisha backs away a bit from Magnus.

Magnus looks at Elisha. His magical eyes allow him to pierce the weak veil that is the fleshy body.

Her body was normal. If she was stabbed with a sword, she would die but Magnus knew it wouldn't be so easy for any random nobody.

Compared to someone like Melinoe, Elisha was extremely talented. Her magical foundation was at least 2 levels above Melinoe in terms of quality.

In addition, Magnus felt that she had a substantial amount of mana.

If she survives, she might at least reach the rank of elder in the future.

Magnus remembered the old ranking method of the mages.

I wonder, did they ever change it? Did Exosia ever change the system?... I doubt it, he was too focused on learning to care.

"Hey, Prince."

Magnus turned his head towards Elisha.

"So, are you studying?"

"Studying?"

"Oh, you know? Reading? Having a learned education?"

Magnus thinks for a bit. He asks Gregory.

Gregory, am I learned?

Ma-Master? Yes! Of course, you're learned!

Not that Gregory. I meant, are your children educated? Or in this case, your child?

Well... Sanria does not have a formal education master but she is literate and has great arithmetic abilities.

I see. So it would make sense that I would be literate and arithmetically capable if I was your son?

Uh... Uh...

Do not panic Gregory. This disguise is beneficial for both of us.

... Whatever you will master.

"I didn't formally learn from an institution of education miss Elisha but father taught me very well. Sanria and I are both literate and are capable of basic arithmetic."

"Ah! So you can read! That's perfect!"

"Hmmm?"

While keeping his eyes forward, Gregory made sure to listen to his master and Elisha's conversation just in case he needed to intervene.

"Elisha, that's enough. We can talk when we rest. You risk announcing our position to every creature in the forest."

"Yeah! You should shut up Elisha!"

Zack smiles at Magnus after his loud display, as if to say that what he did was correct and Magnus should look at him as a role model.

Jordan sighs.

"Tough party?"

Jordan looks at Gregory's understanding eyes.

"You have no idea."

"I have a chil- I have children like them. Trust me, I know."

"I can imagine the hecticness surrounding those two. I'm surprised that no nobles have come and taken them due to their..."

"Looks?"

Jordan nods with a bit of sadness.

"I'm lucky. We're a frontier village so no nobles come here... especially since Sanria and Prince are so exceptional, not only in looks but also in their abilities."

Jordan turns around and sees Elisha quietly talk to Magnus about magical concepts. Jordan is surprised to see that Magnus can understand the concepts easily.

Master...Wouldn't it be dangerous for you to speak so fluently about magical topics?

Do not worry Gregory, I have not introduced any topic. I simply am repeating what she's saying without looking too intelligent.

... Master, are you... are you capable of using magic?

Yes.

Oh.

Would you want to learn?

!!!?

While walking with Elisha, Magnus raises an eyebrow at Gregory's mental surprise.

Gregory, control your emotions. In the mindscape, uncontrolled emotions can sometimes result in psychic damage. If you are not careful, you can harm others. It doesn't help that your wiseness, age, and awakened bloodline contribute to a stronger mental power.

Oh... I apologize my master.

Good, now answer my question.

... Yes.

I shall teach you when we have some free time.

Thank you, master.

The three adventurers, one village head, and a disguised dragon continue towards the loud noises.

Behind them, the jester mage and the overpowered Dragonborn followed.

Where!

The reptile had an animal thought. It was looking for its new master, the strongest master there is in the world. It felt a powerful force hit its face.

The reptile roared at its enemy, the previous king of the forest. Both creatures were wounded but neither could land a death blow.

During deadly combat, the powerful reptile sensed the presence of its master.

Near!

And it was distracted. The golden-furred bear did not let this opportunity pass by and it lunged forward. With a powerful strike, the bear batted the large reptile to the ground. The reptile screamed in pain as the king of the forest was about to break its neck.

Before the bear could continue, it felt the presence of another powerful monster behind him, far more powerful than him and the creature it's trying to slay.

Fear from certain death, the bear turned around.

It saw a group of humans staring at it with some caution in their eyes.

The humans did not matter, except maybe for the old man. The old man was dangerous but if it was careful, it could win against him.

But... the small human behind the old man was dangerous. Magnus's eyes bled intimidation.

If not for its current wounds, the bear would've run but now, there's no other choice.

After all, an animal is more vicious if it's cornered.

It releases a defiant roar once more.