EARTH DRAGON ( Part 1 )

I leaned against the cliff after kicking Yoru to make him fall to the bottom of the abyss of the valley of darkness. I held my head after doing this, feelings of pleasure, confusion, fear, all mixed together to make my head spin.

Calm down, I have to calm down! Don't let other friends suspect me. Anyway I have to look natural to make them all think that Yoru fell into this abyss by accident.

“Axel… what happened…?”

All my friends and Xorra finally got to this place. Mark also immediately asked this as soon as he saw the chaos in this place.

I was still silent and sat with a blank stare even though my friends were already in front of me.

“Hero Axel, why is there such a big hand in this place?”

Xorra asked this, but I remained silent and ignored the question directed at me.

My friends looked confused because they did not receive any explanation from me. To be honest I'm still confused and don't know how to explain everything that happened to them.

Lia looked around and seemed to have realized something.

“Axel… where is Yoru…?”

The same look on the faces of my friends after Lia asked this question.

"Yoru! he… he fell into the abyss.”

Everyone looked very surprised after I said this.

“We were both attacked by a bear monster, Yoru and I faced it with all our might. We managed to cut off one of his arms, but Yoru… he fell down with the bear monster into the abyss.”

Lia fell limp after hearing my explanation. The others also looked very surprised when I said this.

We finally made our way back to the capital of the Star Kingdom after resting for a while. Everyone put on very pitiful faces in the horse carriage on this return journey.

Lia also cried incessantly during the trip. Actually I was quite annoyed when I saw this, but I had to hold back this feeling to maintain my charade.

After two weeks of traveling, we have finally arrived at the capital of the Star Kingdom. The townspeople greeted us very lively even though it was already night, the residents also took to the streets to see our arrival.

Even though our arrival was escorted by the royal special forces, our group was indeed given such an exclusive service.

“I know you are all sad, but please don't show it in front of the townspeople.”

After hearing such wise advice from Xorra, the expressions on Mark, Rikka and Lia started to look a little better. We all ended up waving to the residents and making their reactions even worse.

“Welcome back Heroes...”

King Erick greeted us with a very big smile on his face.

Once we arrived at the royal palace, we all immediately went to one of the rooms to talk about the success in exercising the demons and the fall of Yoru to the bottom of the abyss.

Me and the others entered into a fairly large room, this room looks quite luxurious with various decorations such as gold-colored carpets and chandeliers made of diamonds. We sat on the sofa as soon as we entered the room.

One of the maids came into the room and served hot tea and some snacks to all of us. Having done so, he bowed his head to the King and quickly left the room.

"I've heard it all... and I really can't believe it..."

The king said this with a very sad expression.

*Tch…* Again everyone is sad because of his departure.

Honestly, I get a little annoyed every time I see someone sad because of his departure. Did these people lose you that much...?

“My king, what next? Are we going to announce Hero Yoru's death to the public?”

Xorra asked the King about this.

King Erick was silent after hearing this question.

After a while, finally King Erick started to vote on this matter.

“I was thinking of not announcing Hero Yoru's death to the public, and would only inform some nobles.”

"What do you mean! Don't you respect his departure?"

Mark stood up as he said this and heated up the atmosphere in the room. Not only Mark, the others also looked shocked after hearing King Erick's explanation.

"Relax Hero Mark, I'll explain why..."

Finally Mark sat back even though his face still looked a little annoyed.

“I have several reasons for doing this! First, I don't want to make my people anxious if this news is spread; and secondly, I'm afraid that if news of Hero Yoru's death is spread it will trigger the Demon Race to speed up their movement.”

"*Sigh…* If the situation is like this, I guess we have no other choice.”

By saying this, Mark had agreed with the King's thoughts.

After seeking approval from all of us, finally the kingdom will keep Yoru's death a secret. And of course I'm very relieved to hear this, in this way I just have to look sad because he's gone.

“I am very pleased with your success in defeating the Demon Race.”

"Thank you King, this was all possible thanks to all of them."

Xorra looked at us as she said this.

“Heroes, I understand your current feelings. But this is your first win, so all of you should be proud of it.”

We chatted while drinking hot tea and eating snacks that had been provided. Until suddenly Lia gave a statement that made me very surprised.

"May I take a break from this Hero's activities!"

Lia said this with a very serious face. Of course most of the people in this room were in complete shock.

“Can you explain the reason, Hero Julia…?”

“I don't think I'm quite ready for all this. Demons, slaughter, and death, all those things really weighed on my head.”

Lia said all this with a sad looking face and slightly trembling body.

“sigh… I see, I guess I'll let the Hero Party rest for a while…”

With the King's decision, our group was finally given time to rest. The king also said that this rest is not only for physical, but also mental.

After this meeting was over, my friends and I immediately returned to our residence. Once we arrived at the Mansion, we all immediately rested in the living room with the others.

The maids in the Mansion also helped unload all the things we brought in the horse carriage. They also provided all the things we needed, once me and the others got to this place.

“Axel… can you tell me what happened back then?”

Aarrgh... why are you still bringing up this issue, are you not satisfied with my story at that time?

Yoru really pisses me off, no matter if he's still alive or not.

“I could say it, but… Lia, are you okay?”

I immediately glanced at Lia as I said this.

“Yes… please tell me everything.”

After hearing Lia's answer, I couldn't help but have to say this again.

“While Yoru and I were looking for wood, suddenly a bear monster attacked us. The monster dealt a heavy blow to me and cornered me, but Yoru saved me and managed to cut off one of his hands. When the monster lost its balance, they both fell into the abyss.”

*sob… sob... *

Again Lia cried after hearing this story, but Rikka was always beside Lia to accompany her. The maids who were here also looked very surprised, it was because they had just heard this story.

And this is what I don't want to see from Lia when I tell her this. Why can Lia so easily shed tears for someone like her? I'm really annoyed.

“Even at the last moment, he can still save you…”

"We must eliminate the Demon Race immediately, we must do this so that Yoru's sacrifice is not in vain."

“Yoru… why did you leave so soon? Even though I haven't had the chance to tell you how I feel..."

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Why can you say that so easily, Lia.

We've been friends since childhood, we also spend a lot of time together, but how come you never see me as the opposite sex? Why did you choose him instead of me?

But he's dead now! So I will definitely get Lia's attention back.

Lia! Whatever happens, I'll make sure you're mine.

I continue to hold back this feeling and act normal in front of my friends. And finally we all decided to rest after the night was getting late.