"Miss Faria," one of the female knights called out softly as they marched down the cobblestone street.

"Yes?" Faria turned her head slightly to listen.

"Where are we going?"

"We're heading to the Adventurer Guild first," Faria answered, her voice steady and clear.

"We need to find the human adventurer, Hazuki. We'll ask for his help in locating the princess. You all know he's the pinky promise partner of Princess Ellyna. And since he's already saved her once, I believe he can help us find her again."

Another knight hesitated, glancing at the others before asking, "Are you sure, Miss Faria?"

"Yes," Faria replied without missing a step. "Remember how he accidentally saved the princess from being kidnapped before. It's as if fate keeps bringing her to him."

She paused for a moment, then added firmly,

"And more importantly, to make sure we know Princess Ellyna is still safe and alive, we need to check his ring. If the ring still exists and carries the mark, it means the princess is very much alive."

"As you all know, the Pinky Promise is not an oath to be taken lightly," Faria said as they walked, her tone firm but calm.

"No one may touch her or him in that way while the oath stands, unless one of them dies. If the ring is still on his finger, it means she is alive and safe. That is the guarantee we need."

"Yes, Miss Faria," the knights responded in unison, their voices steady.

Faria's pace remained measured, her eyes fixed ahead.

I really hope Ellyna is safe, she thought, the worry tight in her chest. I need to confirm it by looking at his finger. If the ring is there, she's alive… we just don't know where. If Hazuki willing to help, we can find her.

They continued in silence, their armored boots clinking against the cobblestone path.

The faint sound of a blacksmith's hammer echoed in the distance as the small Adventurer Guild building came into view, a modest structure with a faded sign swaying gently above the door.

Faria slowed her steps, giving a composed nod to her knights. "Wait here," she said softly.

"Yes, Miss Faria."

The knights took their positions by the bench near the entrance while Faria adjusted her cloak, squared her shoulders, and pushed the guild door open.

Once she stepped inside, the scent of wood and old parchment filled her nose. Two dwarven girls were sitting at the receptionist desk, chatting and laughing over something trivial.

Faria walked closer. One of the girls, with braided chestnut hair, noticed her first and smiled.

"Yes, miss? What can we do for ya?"

"Can I make a request?" Faria asked.

"Sure, what kind of request?" the girl tilted her head. "Herb gathering? Or maybe there's a monster near your house?"

"Ah… no," Faria shook her head gently. "I'm looking for a certain human adventurer. Black hair. Name's Hazuki."

"Ah! Hazuki!! The human who—"

Before she could finish, her partner, a shorter dwarf with a wide grin, interrupted. "Ah, the perfect muscle guy! The one who zaps ya if ya touch him!!"

Faria nodded slightly, hiding her thoughts behind a calm smile.

Yes. That's him. The divine punishment from the pinky promise, no other woman can touch him without consequence.

"Yes, that's him," Faria said. "Where can I find him?"

The first girl scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Ah… sorry, miss. We don't really know. Maybe he's still out doin' that special herb gathering quest. He already got three outta seven herbs, I heard. Hard quest, that one."

Faria let out a quiet exhale.

The girl leaned closer a little. "But he's strong. Real strong. No one else wanted that quest, too dangerous, ya know? Poison swamp and all that. But he just went and did it… alone!"

"Aye," the second girl chimed in with a grin, resting her chin on her palm. "That fella's crazy tough. If yer lookin' for him, best ask around. He's the only human in town, someone's bound ta know where he wandered off ta, aye?"

"Alright. Thanks. I'll ask around."

"Aye. Good luck, miss," the girl replied with a cheerful wave.

Faria stepped out of the guild, the cool air brushing against her face.

One of her knights immediately approached.

"Any news, Miss Faria?"

Faria shook her head lightly. "No… they don't know much about him other than his current quest. They said he might be at the quest location. According to them, he's already gathered three of the seven special herbs. They mentioned the poison swamp."

"P–Poison swamp!?" several knights blurted at once, eyes widening.

Faria turned to them, brows slightly furrowed. She wasn't familiar with the place, she'd always stayed near the Beastkin Kingdom, following Princess Ellyna.

"What's wrong?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

One of the older knights stepped forward, his expression grim.

"The Poison Swamp is considered one of the most dangerous places around here. Without full preparation, a priest's buff, and a well-equipped party… even stepping on the ground near the outer edge can melt your boots. One wrong move, and you're dead before you can call for help."

Faria touched her chin, thinking for a moment in silence.

"Well… this is the same man who stopped the monster rift at the two gates in Macia Town. Alone. So I suppose it's not impossible for him."

The knights exchanged looks, a mix of disbelief and reluctant agreement crossing their faces. They still remembered the reports, how that strange human adventurer had singlehandedly closed the rift and killed the three demons who summoned it.

"He's reckless," one knight muttered.

"And terrifying," another added under their breath.

Faria nodded slowly. "Which is exactly why he might be our best chance to find Princess Ellyna."

Meanwhile, lakeview house.

Hazuki let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're going to use that child appearance again?"

Ellyn tilted her head, already glowing faintly as her body shifted, shrinking back into her childlike form. "Hmm? Why?"

"Why I ask?" Hazuki's gaze flicked toward her, then away just as quickly, his ears going slightly red.

"We… already done it… so I don't think…"

"It's easier for me like this." She stepped forward with a mischievous grin, jumped up lightly, and climbed onto his shoulders like she always did. Her small hands grabbed his hair for balance, legs swinging on either side of his neck. "See? Perfect seat."

Hazuki exhaled in defeat, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"…Yeah, yeah. I get it."

Ridan floated lazily in circles around them, puffing up his little chest.

"Just deal with it, Hazuki! Now let's gooo! Meat! Meat! Meat!!"

Hazuki gave Ridan a deadpan look. "…You really only think about food."

"Of course! A full stomach means a happy spirit!" Ridan declared proudly, floating toward the door like a commander leading a charge.

Hazuki adjusted Ellyn's position on his shoulders and started walking after him, his faint smile lingering despite himself.

( End Of Chapter )

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