Chapter 57. Shadow Of An Upcoming Invasion

Chapter 57: 57. Shadow Of An Upcoming Invasion

Kael’s sword was already descending toward the open line of her back.

’Got her.’

The thought lasted less than a heartbeat.

Seraphine did not turn her head. The dagger rose behind her in a clean, precise arc and met the Mulberry blade with a sharp metallic ring.

The edge of the sword still sliced a thin line through the side of her white dress, cutting the fabric but missing flesh.

Her eyes widened a fraction at the closeness of the strike.

In the next instant she pivoted.

Mana flared along the dagger in her right hand.

The reinforced blade struck the flat of Kael’s sword with sudden force and knocked the weapon clean out of his grip.

The Mulberry sword spun once and landed in the dirt several steps away.

Before Kael could recover, the cool edge of her dagger rested against the side of his neck.

Silence settled over the training ground.

Seraphine held the blade there for a moment longer, crimson eyes studying his face.

Then she lowered the dagger and stepped back.

"It seems you really have improved than before."

The words were calm, almost reluctant.

She turned without another glance and walked toward the house, silver-white hair shifting with each step.

Inside her thoughts moved in a tighter circle.

’If he’s improved, does that mean I have to do those things with him again? No. No, I can’t do it again.’

Even as she denied it, the lingering taste of his seed still sat faintly on her tongue.

A low throb answered between her legs, unwanted and persistent.

She pushed the feeling down and kept walking.

Outside, Eira hurried across the packed dirt toward Kael.

Her hair bounced with the quick steps, black eyes wide with concern and something brighter as she took the sword from the ground and gave it him before asking.

"Dad, are you okay?"

She stopped in front of him, small hands still half-raised, then the excitement broke through.

’How she took the the sword without it affecting her!?’

"Dad, you’re so strong!"

Kael looked down at her and smiled thinking about her identity as he took the sword from her, the earlier tension of the spar already fading.

"Of course I am strong. I have to be strong to protect my precious Eira after all."

Eira’s whole face turned red at once.

She shrank a little under the words, shoulders drawing inward, eyes dropping to the ground while the shy smile she tried to hide still tugged at her lips.

A short while later the three of them sat at the wooden table in the dining room.

Kael had cooked a simple breakfast of pan-seared meat and soft bread, the smell of it still hanging in the warm air.

Seraphine ate in silence, eyes on her plate.

Eira stayed close to Kael’s side, occasionally glancing at him with the same quiet admiration from the training ground.

When the plates were mostly empty, Kael set his cup down and looked at Seraphine.

"Stay home today and watch over the house. I’m going to the guild to see what the current situation is."

Seraphine gave a short nod, not arguing.

Eira looked like she wanted to ask something, but she kept quiet when Kael ruffled her hair once and stood up.

He left the house with the sword at his hip.

The streets of Grayhollow were already restless.

People moved quickly along the main road, arms full of supplies or dragging small carts.

Some families loaded suitcases onto wagons, clearly preparing to leave town before the reported demon vanguard arrived.

The usual easy flow of morning had been replaced by tight faces and hurried footsteps.

Kael reached the guild hall without trouble.

Inside, the main floor was busier than usual.

Mira stood behind the reception counter in a more appropriate dress than the revealing one from before, speaking calmly to a cluster of worried adventurers.

"I’ll let everyone know as soon as we receive clearer information," she told them.

"For now, continue preparing according to the emergency broadcast."

Kael’s gaze moved past her and settled on a familiar table near the side wall.

Brianna, Tina, Dean, and Ryn sat together, heads leaning in over a rough map.

Their expressions were serious.

He walked straight toward them.

Brianna and Tina both looked up at the same time.

Their faces brightened the moment they saw him.

Dean’s expression stayed flat, almost sullen. Ryn, by contrast, put on an easy smile and waved him over.

"Sit down," Ryn said. "We were just talking about the invasion."

Kael took the open space between Tina and Brianna.

The two women shifted slightly to make room, their shoulders close to his.

Tina spoke first. Her posture remained composed, back straight, voice measured in the way someone used to being listened to naturally spoke.

There was a quiet elegance in the way she rested her hands on the table, fingers lightly steepled, as if she were addressing a small court rather than four other adventurers.

"Our team is one of the strongest in this town, perhaps the strongest. Leaving would only create a gap others cannot fill. We should stay and hold the line."

Brianna’s green eyes flicked toward Tina for a brief second before she nodded, though the motion carried a more direct, almost territorial weight.

Her tone was lower, rougher around the edges, the kind of voice that did not bother softening itself.

"If every capable group runs, this place falls. I’m not leaving. Anyone who wants to stay and fight can stay with me."

The possessive edge in her words was subtle but present.

She shifted a fraction closer to Kael as she spoke, as if already claiming the space around him.

Ryn leaned back in his chair and gave a small, confident shrug.

"Don’t worry too much, Tina. My father will send reinforcements once the official request goes through. Those demons won’t last long."

Dean glanced at Kael and then at Brianna.

"You two should leave for a few days. No point staying if the fight gets too big."

Kael met his eyes without blinking.

"I’m staying. I’ll fight."

To prove the point he raised his right hand and let a thin thread of mana gather at the tip of his index finger.

The energy condensed into a dense, steady point of light that was clearly stronger than anything an E-ranker could produce.

The four of them felt the difference at once.

Brianna’s eyes widened.

Tina’s lips curved into a small, approving smile that still held that faint royalty poise.

Even Dean’s expression shifted slightly.

"You ranked up," Tina said, the words carrying a note of genuine interest rather than simple surprise.

"Congratulations," Brianna added, her voice warmer than usual, though a flicker of competitive jealousy still sat behind her gaze when she glanced at Tina again.

Ryn clapped once, still smiling, but a quiet thought moved behind his eyes.

’How did this commoner jump from E-rank so fast? He was nothing a few days ago.’

Kael lowered his hand.

Under the table, Tina’s fingers brushed along his right thigh in a slow, deliberate stroke, the touch elegant and controlled.

At the same time Brianna’s hand settled on his left thigh and began a firmer, more direct motion.

The two women glanced at each other across him, the look sharp and competitive for a brief second before they both turned their attention back to the map as if nothing had happened.

Tina was the first to speak again, still maintaining that composed, almost regal calm.

"We should use the remaining days for focused training. If the vanguard is as large as the scouts claim, even a strong team will need sharper and focused coordination."

Brianna’s fingers tightened slightly on Kael’s thigh.

"Training is fine. Just don’t expect me to hold back if someone starts lagging."

Dean folded his arms and looked toward the reception counter where Mira continued answering questions.

"I heard The Valkyrie Order is being dispatched from the capital. Mira’s daughter is part of that team."

Kael’s attention sharpened at once.

The Valkyrie Order was a name he had heard more than once in the guild’s older reports.

A high-performing unit made up of academy students, known for clean dungeon clears and disciplined formation work.

The fact that they were coming from the central academy of the empire meant the situation was being taken seriously at higher levels.

’So Mira’s daughter is about to arrive,’ he thought.

’Now I’m interested.’

His gaze drifted toward the reception desk.

Mira was still speaking with a pair of older adventurers, her brown hair neat, her posture professional with her huge breasts straining the dress.

For a moment the earlier plan he had been turning over in his mind about finding an opening to pull her into a quieter room after the date faded into the background.

’I should put a stop to that idea for the moment. Practicing the new skills and raising my foundation comes first. Strength is the only thing that will matter when the demons reach the walls.’

He returned his attention to the table.

Tina’s elegant fingers continued their slow path along his thigh while Brianna’s more possessive grip remained firm on the other side. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The quiet rivalry between the dark elf and the hybrid orc was still present, but both of them had already accepted that he would stay and fight beside them.