You arrive there and go to the place of the meeting

You finally arrive inside the city, which is busy and full of life.

Thankfully, the driver knows how to move around, and he quickly drops the five of you off at the inn where you’ll be staying for the next few days.

Surprisingly, you see Leaf waiting for you there.

“Finally. You guys took your time,” Leaf says, crossing her arms. Then she eyes Katy. “And who’s the new girl? You’re getting way too popular.”

“Sorry, sorry, it took a bit. This is Katy—she was the one being attacked by those monsters” you explain.

“Your friend… seems nice” Katy says softly.

“Nice to meet you.” Leaf replies and then turns to you “But first, you should all drop your stuff in your rooms. We need to head to the mansion soon—your call for the meeting could arrive at any moment.”

“Got it. Let’s go, girls,” you say as you all head inside to check in.

---

You leave most of your belongings in your room and head back down shortly after.

“We’ll help Katy reach her destination. See you later, Erik” Midori says, giving you a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Alright, see you later,” you reply as they walk off.

“Done with that?” Leaf asks.

“Yeah, we can go.”

“Good. They might call you any moment,” she says with a teasing smirk. “Hope you’re ready.”

“Not sure I’ll ever be ready for something like this… but I’ll do my best,” you answer.

---

You walk together for a few minutes before reaching your destination.

The meeting is being held in a grand mansion near the edge of the city. It serves both as the town hall and the residence of the city’s lord, Lord Lance.

The building is massive and elegant, made of polished white marble that gleams under the sunlight. Tall columns frame the entrance, supporting a wide balcony lined with ornate railings. Large windows reflect the sky. Everything is surrounded by tall, well-trimmed hedge walls, giving the entire estate an air of prestige and authority.

You pass through the main gate and walk toward the entrance, where a guard stops you.

Leaf speaks with him briefly, then turns back to you

“They’ll inform my mom and the other lords. Someone will come get you when it’s time” she explains.

“I see. So I just wait inside?”

“You can, but you don’t have to. Feel free to look around—this place is worth exploring” Leaf says.

---

You step inside and admire the beautiful entrance hall as a guard goes off to notify the council.

“Well, well… looks like we’ve got a new face today.”

You turn toward the voice.

A guy is lounging on one of the couches, wearing a martial training outfit—a tight shirt and loose, comfortable pants

“Hello, Brock. Waiting for the special guest?” Leaf asks.

“Not really. Just killing time while the meeting drags on” Brock shrugs, standing up and approaching you. Up close, he’s tall and well-built, almost imposing—but his expression is calm and friendly.

“Nice to meet you, Brock. I’m Erik—Erik Scarlett,” you say, offering your hand.

“Nice to meet you too. Brock Harrison,” he replies, shaking it firmly. “Rock technique specialist.”

“He’s also Lord Bruno’s assistant—the leader of Pewter City,” Leaf adds.

“Damn, that’s impressive,” you say.

“Nah, I just help out here and there. Still a long way before I reach his level,” Brock replies casually.

“Since we’ve got time, want a quick tour of the place?” He offers.

“Sure, that’d help.”

“Great, follow me.”

“B-but…” Leaf starts, then stops herself.

You both look at her.

“N-nevermind. I’ll just go read in the library,” she mutters before walking away.

Brock raises an eyebrow. “She alright? Didn’t expect her to back out like that.”

“I’m not sure… she’s been acting a bit strange lately,” you admit. “But she’s strong. I’m sure she’ll handle whatever it is.”

---

Brock shows you around the mansion, and you quickly realize just how huge it is.

There are countless rooms, a large dining hall used by the staff—where they offer you a quick snack—and long corridors decorated with paintings and marble statues. You pass by the library, where Leaf is likely already buried in a book, and you spot Emma chatting quietly with a few maids while waiting for Delia.

Finally, Brock leads you to the backyard..

“And here we’ve got the training grounds,” he explains. “Lord Lance and his top soldiers use them. We can too, if we ask permission.”

A couple of training fields are set up, each surrounded by protective barriers. There’s even a large pool nearby—

—and inside it, a girl is meditating, wearing a cute, deep blue bikini.

Hearing your voices, she opens one eye… then immediately blushes.

“H-hey! What are you two doing here?!” the redhead snaps.

“Whoa, relax, Misty. Just giving our guest a tour,” Brock says.

Misty swims to the edge and steps out of the pool, grabbing a towel from a near bench to dry herself.

"“And who’s this supposed to be?” she asks, sizing you up.

“Nice to meet you, Misty. I’m Erik,” you say, offering your hand.

She sighs, then smirks. “No need for all that formal stuff. I’m Misty. Misty Williams.”

“Williams… that sounds familiar,” you mutter.

“That’s because it’s also Lady Lorelei’s surname—Misty’s mother,” a voice says.

A figure suddenly emerges from the water—a Staryu musu, a rare sight if you don't live in the middle of the sea. Her red, glistening body reflects the sunlight like a gem.

The red, wet body of the staryu girl shines under the sun almost like it was a jewel and she looks at you with a neutral expression while some points of her star shell peek out of the water.

"Oh wow, well that's quite a surprising information, just as much as your sudden appearance" you say.

"While that would be surpring?" Misty glares a little at you.

"I doubt he means an offence Misty, for what i heard meeting the relatives of a famous person can be surprising for most people" the staryu musu says.

"Well she is Stella, my partner" Misty says.

"Nice to meet you mister Erik. I am considered part of the Williams family, though in practice I assist Miss Misty,” she replies calmly.

“Hey, we’re friends too, you know,” Misty protests, nudging her.

“They’re always like this,” Brock chuckles. “So, Erik—you look like a fighter. Got a partner?”

“It’s… a bit complicated. But yeah, I do. What about you?” you ask.

“Oh, I do. She’s—”

“Babe! Are you done yet?! This place is boring as hell!”

A massive figure rises behind the hedge walls, towering over the entire garden—an Onix musu.

“Woah… I’ve never seen an onyx musu” you say.

Brock immediately walks over and kneels dramatically.

“My dear Marble, every second without you feels like eternity—but I must endure a little longer. The meeting is still ongoing.”

Marble smirks. “You’re such a dork… fine, I’ll wait. But who’s the tiny guy over there?”

“Uh… hi. I’m Erik,” you say. “I’m here as a guest.”

She looks you over. “You look kinda dumb. But strong enough.”

“…I should take that as a compliment?” you whisper to Brock.

“It is. Onixes are brutally honest and say everything that comes to their mind” he whispers back.

“Yeah… I can see that.”

“I love her,” Brock says proudly.

“I can tell.”

Marble yawns. “Wake me when it’s over,” she says before lowering herself out of sight.

After all that, you sit down with the others.

“So… why are you here, exactly?” Misty asks. “I heard you’re connected to Lady Delia, but this feels… sudden.”

“Well… I’ll have to explain it to the council anyway,” you say, standing up. “So I guess I can tell you a bit.”

You spend the next few minutes giving them a brief explanation—your encounter with Mew, her warning, and your strange ability to turn bonds into weapons… though you leave out some of the more personal details.

“…Woah,” Brock mutters.

“So let me get this straight—you’re some kind of chosen hero?” Misty says, raising an eyebrow

“That’s what Mew said,” you shrug.

“…Hard to believe. But I guess the council will decide,” she replies.

Right on cue, a guard approaches you.

“It’s time. The council is ready to see you.”