Under the scorching sunlight illuminating the bustling capital of the Erthland Empire, three male figures walked side by side along the stone streets filled with the hustle and bustle of the residents.
Street vendors peddling their goods, the sound of horse carriage wheels rubbing against the road, and the laughter of children running around became a common sight in the city center.
Calian, Wolvin, and Rodaz blended perfectly into the sea of humans, hiding their true identities as members of the most powerful family in the Erthland Empire.
Armed with an old parchment map as a guide, they continued to step steadily through the crowd toward the western city gate. Their first destination was the City of Sellon, the starting point for Calian and Wolvin to begin their secret mission as assassins.
In the midst of the rather long journey, Rodaz, who was walking in the middle, turned his head toward his nephew.
"Once we arrive in the City of Sellon later, we will part ways." said Rodaz opening the conversation, his voice trying to compete with the market noise around them. "Since the two of you will be heading to the northern region led by Khail Burtois, our destinations are completely opposite."
Hearing that, Wolvin's wolf ears twitched slightly. A sense of curiosity appeared on the exotic youth's face.
"Where will you go from there, Uncle?" asked Wolvin, curious about the middle-aged man's destination.
A wide smile that could not be hidden instantly bloomed on Rodaz's face. His eyes sparkled with full enthusiasm like a young man leaving home for the very first time.
"I will go to the City of Gardan!" answered Rodaz with a highly enthusiastic tone. "I heard from the merchants' rumors that there are a lot of cute-faced male beastfolk there. I want to get at least two people to make my spouses and accompany me forever!"
Hearing his uncle's plan which sounded so reckless, Calian could only sigh deeply. The purple-haired youth massaged his temples slowly, feeling very concerned seeing the behavior of his uncle who had just abdicated the throne yet was already thinking about troublesome things.
However, Wolvin instead interrupted with a very serious facial expression.
"It is better not to do that, Uncle!" chimed in Wolvin suddenly, his tone of voice sounding like a warning so that his uncle would not act rashly just because he was lulled by outward appearances.
Rodaz raised one of his eyebrows, slightly confused by the sudden prohibition from his nephew-in-law. "Why is that, Wolvin?"
"Most fighter-type beastfolk cannot control their sexual desires at all once they are bound to someone." explained Wolvin bluntly. "Take me for example, Uncle. It is fortunate that Calian has his extraordinary blessing. If not, I am very sure that this husband of mine would have a hard time and would not even be able to keep up with my sexual passion every night."
Calian's steps almost came to a halt. He widened his eyes, staring at his spouse with a look of disbelief. He truly did not expect that Wolvin would casually discuss bed matters and his inability to control his sexual passion so blatantly to his uncle.
Rodaz was stunned for a moment digesting that information. He glanced toward Calian, then looked back at Wolvin.
"Is it really that ferocious?" asked Rodaz to make sure, imagining the risks if he actually brought home two beastfolk at once.
"Yes, Uncle! Very ferocious!" answered Wolvin without the slightest hesitation. "But if you feel you have an extraordinarily large amount of stamina, feel free to try and conquer them. But if you feel you cannot handle it, I suggest it is better to cancel that intention rather than regretting it in the end."
That overly honest explanation made Rodaz finally understand the meaning of the deep sigh his nephew had just let out.
Apparently, Calian deliberately sighed deeply so that I would not act rashly and look for trouble. muttered Rodaz in his heart while staring at his nephew's back. And my nephew also chose to be silent because he did not want to hurt his spouse's feelings by revealing the reality about the terrifying stamina of beastfolk. But thanks to Wolvin's confession, I now know my limits, what I should do, and what I should avoid.
The middle-aged man turned his head toward Wolvin. "Thank you for this very valuable information, Wolvin."
"You are welcome, Uncle!" said the Night Wolf youth cheerfully, immediately followed by his wide smile showing his small fangs.
The journey continued until the sun slowly descended on the western horizon, replaced by a star-studded blanket of night. The three men decided to camp inside a safe forest not far from the main road.
The campfire was burning brightly, licking the night air and providing warmth amidst the rather cold forest air. The firelight illuminated the faces of the three of them sitting around it.
In the midst of the night's silence filled only by the sound of crackling firewood, Rodaz stared intently at his nephew.
"Hey Calian, could you change my physique back to being young?" requested Rodaz suddenly, breaking the silence. "I do not want my appearance as the former emperor to be recognized by the people out there. That will only bring unnecessary trouble."
Calian, who was adding twigs to the fire, stopped his movements. He looked at his uncle. "What age do you want to be at, Uncle?"
"I want to return to the age of seventeen!" answered Rodaz firmly, his eyes staring off into the distance remembering his past. "At that age, I had not appeared in public often yet. It is very rare for anyone in this empire to know or remember my face when I was still seventeen years old."
After hearing and weighing his uncle's very reasonable excuse for the smoothness of their journey, Calian nodded in agreement and complied with his request.
"Alright Uncle, please sit calmly and close your eyes immediately." instructed Calian.
Rodaz positioned himself as comfortably as possible and closed his eyes tightly.
Right after his uncle was ready, Calian immediately reached his right hand forward, directing his palm at his uncle's chest. The purple-haired youth focused the power of time flowing within his body.
"Reversion!"
In that very instant, a purple-colored light illuminated Rodaz's entire body. Slowly but surely, an amazing transformation occurred on the middle-aged man's body and face. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and forehead faded, his skin tightened once more, and his posture, which had begun to stiffen with age, became sturdy and well-built again.
Once the purple light vanished, the middle-aged man who had been sitting there had completely transformed into a very handsome youth. His hair was now a bright golden yellow, contrasting with his clear skin.
The married couple was silent for a moment. They truly never expected that their uncle had such a highly charming face in his youth.
"Uncle... I never expected that you were so handsome!" praised Calian honestly, his eyes sparkling in amazement seeing the result of the transformation.
Rodaz slowly opened his eyelids, revealing a pair of blue eyes that now looked much sharper and clearer. Hearing the praise from his nephew, the golden-haired youth smiled widely.
"Of course! It is certain that I am very handsome!" answered Rodaz proudly while tidying his golden hair. "Your mother is a very beautiful woman, it is certain that her biological younger brother also possesses an equal level of handsomeness. Hahaha!"
After being satisfied praising himself, Rodaz looked at Wolvin with a teasing look on his face. "Hey Wolvin, with my handsomeness restored like this, do you think I have a big chance to find a sweet beastfolk spouse in the City of Gardan later?"
The Night Wolf youth chuckled softly then just shrugged both of his shoulders casually.
"Handsomeness is indeed a plus, Uncle. But among us, as long as you can conquer them with dominant physical strength, you can definitely get them." explained Wolvin. He then turned to look at his husband while smiling gently. "Take me and Calian for example. During our first meeting in the West Pavilion back then, I was very wild and wanted to attack him right away because of my instincts. But, I was instantly rendered immobile and brought to my knees because of the power of his [Time Loop]. Hehehe."
Hearing that past story which was quite brutal yet ended romantically, Rodaz laughed out loud again.
"You fought Calian during your first meeting? My goodness, you were courting death! Fighting my nephew is like fighting a god who controls destiny, Wolvin! Hahaha!" chimed in Rodaz suddenly, his laughter echoing in the middle of the quiet forest.
"Ah... if you think about it again now, you are right too, Uncle! Hahaha!" replied Wolvin, joining in laughing uproariously agreeing with that statement.
Wolvin and Rodaz continued to laugh and exchange jokes in front of the campfire. Meanwhile, Calian could only smile wryly while shaking his head slowly, feeling resigned hearing himself being talked about and made the subject of laughter right in front of him.