Shalia and Leona on the last day at the castle

Hey, Darx00 here! o/

Sorry for the delay of a new chapter. Now that the pandemic is passing and things are returning to normal, I am busier and especially this month I didn't have much free time. I plan to continue the story but I don't think I can keep up with the same pace as before. I will try to upload chapters whenever I can and my plan is one per week although I know that there will be weeks when I will not be able to do it.

Another thing I wanted to add is that during the story I will add special chapters. In order not to lengthen the story too much, these chapters will be to add small quests that Darx and companions will have during that period of time but that I may skip to continue advancing the story. Then maybe I'll go back to add some short quests to those chapters.

And in the same way, if someone wants to write a quest or a little story that Darx or some other personage can be added to those chapters.

I know that some would like to add chapters but it is difficult being such a long story. These chapters will allow you to add little extra stories in which you can use the existing or new characters created by you just by following some rules that I will add in those chapters.

That way I can continue to advance the story and allow me to add quests later on for me and more people.

That's all. I hope you still like the story since good chapters are coming up.

[Third Person Point-of-View]

The atmosphere in the great hall was very lively; music, people talking and laughing could be heard all over the room. Many waiters were serving the guests and tables full of food spread throughout the room and right in the middle at the back was a decorated table with two empty seats, which belonged to Queen Zara and Princess Kathleen.

Inside that place, Darx, Shalia and Leona parted ways. The reason they separated is because each of them has different tastes in food and they would search for the food they like. Darx, taking advantage of the fact that the castle offers them all kinds of meals since their arrival, usually eats a lot of meat as it is something that he couldn't eat very often in his village. Due to his diet, Shaila usually worries about him for to the lack of vegetables on his menu and tries to make him eat them from time to time. For her part, Shalia is the opposite and regularly only eats vegetables. Leona has a more balanced diet and eats practically everything.

After a few minutes, Shalia returned to the place from where they left and saw that Leona returned before her.

"You came back very fast." Shalia spoke to Leona in surprise, "What did you get?"

"A bit of what was closer. I'm fine with whatever." Leona replied.

Leona tends to act distant and speaks with a sharp tone. People who don't know her would probably think that she is being rude, but after spending time with her, Shalia and the rest of the group know that she doesn't have bad intentions and it's simply the way she is.

"Darx hasn't come back yet? Where did he go?" Shalia asked as she looked around, looking for him. "Oh, I found him!"

Leona didn't turn to see where Darx was instantly as she was distracted by the change of expression in Shalia. When Shalia found Darx, she smiled happily, but seconds later, her smile disappeared quickly. Leona turned to look in the direction Shalia was looking at and saw Darx leave the room behind Syvis. At that moment, she understood the reason for the sudden change of countenance in Shalia.

"I guess he's not coming back..." Shalia said with a sad expression and a depressing tone.

"Is that really okay with you? You like Darx, don't you!?" Leona asked Shalia.

"W-What are you talking about Leona, d-don't said those things!"

"Am I wrong? I thought you were eager to spend the day with him. Even when choosing your dress, you asked me if I thought if Darx would like it."

"W-We are just friends, plus it seems that the one who interests Darx is Syvis..." Shalia replied, discouraged, "Besides, I don't have that right."

"What do you mean?" Leona asked.

"...Don't you think that's strange? Just a couple of months ago, I lost my boyfriend... He gave his life for me, so with what right could I... and I really loved him. Love shouldn't disappear that fast."

"From what you've told me, I don't doubt that you loved him, but it makes me think that you loved him in a different way. When you talk about your ex-boyfriend, it makes me think that you are talking about a brother or a close relative. At least that's the impression it gives me."

"Well... we have lived together practically since we were born, so it's not weird. And..., and..., brothers don't do that kind of thing."

"Huh? Did you two had sex?"

Shalia's face turned red, incredulous at how direct Leona is.

Shalia turned in both directions making sure no one heard them,

"L-Leona, how can you say those things? What if someone hears you?"

"No one hears us."

"My God with you. Well... I-I'm a virgin, but we definitely tried to do some things, you know..." Shalia replied with a red face.

Trying to hide her shame, Shalia tried to change the focus of the conversation on Leona. "And what about you? Is there someone you like?"

"Of course not. I'm not interested in those things." Leona replied.

"Really? I've seen you more talkative than usual with Dante. You can't fool my woman's intuition."

Leona's cat ears perked up and she turned as red as Shalia previously and stuttering, she answered, "I-I-I don't know w-what you're talking about... I-I don't like that fool at all. Not at all... Why would I like him? y-you're saying weird things... Why do you see me like that? I'm not lying. Why would I lie?"

Shalia didn't answer and just stared at her with a judgmental look.

"W-Why don't you say anything? Say something!" Leona said, still nervous.

"Excuse me, would you like something to drink, ladies?"

Both Shalia and Leona were scared by the waiter who came to offer them drinks.

"Y-Yes, thank you..." Shalia reply.

The waiter left, leaving them both embarrassed.

Trying to break the painful silence, Shalia said, "W-Where is Ryul? Don't tell me he's not coming either? Seriously the men on this team."

"I-I know..."

Shaila and Leona continued eating and talking, still hoping that Darx or Ryul would arrive. After all, it was supposed to be a special night for the team.

Sometime later, a blond guy in an elegant outfit came to where both girls were.

"Shaila, your beauty radiates today more than ever. I see that you are alone, so why don't you come with me."

During Shalia and Leona's stay in the castle, many have tried to get close to them but for different reasons. Leona usually receives nasty comments or insults for being half Beastkind, especially when she is alone. While Shalia, being such a beautiful girl, men of all social classes approach her hoping to attract her attention. Especially the guy in front of her right now. No matter how many times Shalia rejects him, he always comes back.

"What do you say? Do you want to dance?" He asked.

"I'm not alone! Don't you see that I'm with my friend?" Shalia replied, "Now, please leave us alone."

Ignoring what Shalia said, the guy grabbed Shalia's arm and tried to take her with him, "Why are you friends with a beast? Come with me. I want to introduce you to someone."

He continued still pulling on Shalia's arm.

"Look at all the nobles who are present. You want to know some of them, right!? It is the real reason for this party after all. Both nobles and new adventurers of our level benefit from having good relationships. I can introduce you to important people if you come with me."

Leona, mad, holds the arm of the rude man holding Shalia and angrily said, " Stop your bullshit and let her go."

Trying to pull his arm, he yelled, "Don't touch me, you beast!"

But even with all his strength, he could not release himself from Leona's firm hold. And when he reused, Leona squeezed his arm more strongly.

"Auch... Y-You bitch..."

At that moment, Shalia slapped the guy.

There was a lot of noise in the place, so only a few people close to them noticed and turned to see them.

In an angry countenance unusual for Shalia, she yells, "Don't you dare talk to Leona like that, asshole. Understand that I don't want anything with you, so leave me alone." Then she turned to Leona, "Let's get out of here."

"Sure." Leona replies, leaving the guy alone, confused and ashamed .

With his hand on his cheek from the hard slap, the guy yelled at the two girls who were leaving, "YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"

Shalia, by nature, is a tender girl who doesn't like to fight. And she usually doesn't do anything with a lot of things that make her uncomfortable in order to avoid an argument, but when it comes to her friends, she puts all that aside and is willing to defend them regardless of the consequences.

After the unfortunate encounter and seeing that neither Darx nor Ryul arrived, they both left the room. The night was still young and none of them wanted to go back to their room so soon, but they also had no desire to return to the party. They both walked through the castle corridors aimlessly until they reached the gardens and decided to sit on a bench.

"Thanks for standing up for me." Shalia said, looking at the stars, "It's a shame that our last night in the castle ended up like this."

"You also defended me, so thanks to you too." Leona reply.

Shalia turned to see Leona and said, "But I feel bad. You have that kind of problems all the time when we're not with you, right!? From people like him talking to you that way."

Leona was slow to respond and with a slightly sad tone reply, "You don't have to feel bad. I'm used to it now and it doesn't affect me that much."

Shalia's eyes turned red and tears started to come out. Which left Leona confused.

"H-Hey, why are you crying? I already told you it doesn't affect me too much." Leona said in a panic.

Shalia, with tears in her eyes, replied, "There's no way it won't affect you. You don't deserve to be treated that way."

Leona knows that Shalia cries easily but seeing her cry for her, she was touched. Leona never had friends before arriving in the capital and only her parents or her little sister had shown concern for her. So realizing that now she finally has friends who care for her almost makes her cry too, but she manages to contain her crying.

"Hey, stop crying..."

"Sorry...''

When Shalia finally stopped crying, she took Leona's hands and declared, "Let's stay together..., the four of us. You, Darx, Ryul and I. I don't want to be separated from you all. So let's join the same guild."

Leona wanted the same thing from the beginning but was embarrassed to say it out loud, so hearing that Shalia wanted the same thing made her happy.

Embarrassed, Leona replied, "O-Okay..., but we have to talk to Darx and Ryul as well."

Puffing up her cheeks, Shalia replied, "They have no right to refuse after not appearing tonight. They missed the chance to be with two pretty gir...ls..."

Out of nowhere, Leona realized that something happened to Shalia. Shalia's gaze was focused behind Leona, but the most worrying thing of all is the expression that Shalia had. It was an almost abnormal expression of terror. Leona turned around to see what Shalia was looking at, and in front of her was a fat man in ridiculous clothes next to a girl.

"Shalia, dear, long time not seeing you." The man said.

Shalia stood up quickly. Her breathing was rough and her face was still distorted from a mixture of different strong emotions she was feeling. "...W-W-Why are you here?"

"Did you really think you could hide from me? HOHOHO!!"

It didn't take long for Leona to understand the situation. Shalia and Leona, during their stay in the castle, used to spend a lot of time together and sometimes they even slept in the same room and it was there that Shalia told her about her life before arriving in the city. She realized that the man in front of them was most likely the nobleman who caused Shalia so much suffering.

Leona stood up between Shalia and the obese man, who did not stop rubbing the girl's chest next to him.

"Umm? Who is the beast girl? Is she your friend?" The overweight nobleman said looking at Leona from bottom to top with a degenerate expression.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Shalia yelled.

"My dear, it is obvious that I am one of the guests at the party. After all, I am a nobleman." He replies.

Shalia felt angry at herself for not having noticed. Nobles from all over come here today to meet the most outstanding adventurers. It is the perfect opportunity for noblemen and talented adventurers to form relationships. It was obvious that he would be coming too.

"Ohhh, I imagined you would be in Riledo, however, I am pleasantly surprised to find you so quickly. I really am blessed by the goddess [Imris]!! I thought it was a waste of time to have come and that the queen did not show up, but I am so lucky!! HOHOHO!! Now come with me!!"

Shalia angrily replied, "I'll never go with you! asshole!! I'm going to take **** for all the damage you have done to my family and me."

"Ahhh!! You haven't changed a thing. Your attitude turns me on so much." Still with a depraved expression and seeing Shaila, he began to rub the chest of the girl who was next to him with more intensity while at the same time, his penis got erected. "BRING HER TO ME!!"

"Disgusting pig, I won't let you get near her. "Leona spoke.

From the shadows, two people appeared. Two men wearing typical [Oidao] clothing. The shocking part was that neither Leona nor Shalia noticed them until they stepped out of the shadows.

"Didn't you hear me? Bring me the girl!!"

"As you wish, Count Earl." One of the guys that showed up replied.

The two guys who appeared at high speed went after Shalia. When Leona realized it, she wanted to protect Shalia, but neither she nor Shalia had their weapons.

Still unarmed, Leona was about to use [Blind Thrust] to cause them to attack her and give Shalia time to escape. But the attack was stopped when another voice behind Shalia was heard.

"STOP RIGHT NOW!"

All those present turned to look in the direction of the voice. And behind Shalia, Gerald appeared.

"What do you think you're doing Count Earl?" Gerald asked.

"Ohh? Gerald!? Ahhh! You've grown so much since we last met." Earl reply.

"You are not answering my question, Count Earl." Gerald spoke again with a serious expression.

With a nervous smile, Count Earl replied, "I'm just saying hello to an acquaintance. Nothing to worry about. I..."

Interrupting what Earl was about to say, Gerald cut him off, "Since when do you greet someone like that? Your guards were about to attack my companions."

"Companions?" Count Earl questioned in surprise.

"Hey, who do you think you are, talking to Count Earl like that? Do you want to die or what?" One of the bodyguards with his face painted white asked Gerald.

Gerald slowly turned to look at him and replied, "I am the son of Marquis Levine. An important associate of Count Earl. Isn't that right, Count Earl!?"

Gerald, since he appeared, is purposely emphasizing "Count" Earl since is in a lower position than his family and in the nobility the ranks are of great importance. He seeks to make it clear that he is above him.

"Y-Yes, we have great businesses and we are allies..."

Once again interrupting him, Gerald spoke, "Not to say that you owe us a lot of favors."

Count Earl was trying to hide his frustration and anger. After all, Gerald will be the head of his family and it is in his best interest to have a good relationship with him.

"Of cou..." Count Earl tried to reply.

"But it seems like Count Earl was already leaving so I won't take your time anymore," Gerald told him.

"I was..." Count Earl tries to speak again.

"Goodbye, Count Earl." Gerald responded interrupting him one more time.

Count Earl was red with anger but had **** but to go. Before that, he turned to see Shalia and said, "I'll see you soon dear."

With that Count Earl and his bodyguards left the castle.

Shalia still couldn't calm down and Leona approached her to try to calm her down her.

"I don't know what your relationship with Count Earl is but I recommend that you stay away from him. He is not someone you want as an enemy." Gerald spoke.

Leona turned to see Gerald and asked him, "I appreciate your help but why were you here?"

"It seems that there was a problem and the queen didn't show up to the party so I had no other business there. I was on my way to my room when I saw what was happening here." Gerald reply.

Since what happened with Caroline, Gerald has changed a lot. He is no longer seen with the other nobles he used to hang out with and most of the time he is seen alone. It is difficult to understand what is going through his head.

"Will she be okay?" He added seeing Shalia who was still in shock.

Leona once again turned to look at Shalia. "...Yes, I'll take care of her."

When it seemed that everything has calmed down, loud flaps were heard. When they turned to the sky, a griffin leaving the castle was moving away and on top of him was Kase.