As we head into the dining room for dinner, I'm stopped by Seraphina, Lucien, and Sylphaeris.
Sylphaeris looks angry.
[Seraphina] "Wright, I received a message from Spirit Queen Nocturna. She requests permission to meet with you."
Lucien nods.
[Lucien] "Spirit King Luminor sent the same request."
I blink.
[Wright] "That's fine. I don't mind."
Sylphaeris crosses her arms, scowling.
[Sylphaeris] "They're barging in and bothering you! This is ridiculous!"
[Wright] "It's really okay, Sylphaeris. I don't mind meeting them."
Before anyone can respond, the shadows in the corner of the hallway ripple and deepen. A figure materializes from the darkness—similar to Kenji's skill, actually—stepping out of the shadow as if walking through a doorway.
Nocturna.
She's composed of billowing darkness and twilight, her form simultaneously solid and ethereal. Her skin is the deep purple-black of the space between stars, and her hair flows like midnight shot through with pinpoints of distant starlight. Silver-white eyes gleam as she looks at me.
Then, a nearby torch flares brilliantly. The light beams outward, almost blinding, and Luminor materializes in the center of it.
That was bright.
Luminor is pure golden light in humanoid form, his features shifting between perfectly clear and too radiant to look at directly. His hair flows like captured sunbeams, and he radiates warmth.
Both of them bow deeply.
[Nocturna] "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Wright. I am Nocturna, Spirit Queen of Shadow and Twilight."
[Luminor] "And I am Luminor, Spirit King of Light and Day. We have heard much about you from Slyphaeris."
[Wright] "Please, just call me Wright. It's nice to meet you both. Seraphina and Lucien have been very helpful, so I'm grateful to them."
Seraphina and Lucien beam at the praise, standing a little straighter. Nocturna and Luminor look absolutely delighted.
[Nocturna] "We are honored to have our followers assist you."
[Luminor] "If there is anything else they can do, please do not hesitate to ask."
Sylphaeris is still sulking, her arms crossed tightly.
[Sylphaeris] "Unbelievable."
[Wright] "Let's head to dinner. Everyone's probably waiting."
---
The food is, once again, extraordinary.
A whole roasted boar with golden-brown skin, its meat so tender it falls off the bone, glazed with a sauce made from honey and crushed fire peppers. Platters of river fish, each one stuffed with herbs and wrapped in thin leaves before being grilled to perfection. A massive pot of stew that shifts colors with each stir—deep red, then orange, then golden—smelling of spices I can't identify. Skewers of grilled vegetables and cheese that melts when you bite into it. Freshly baked flatbreads, soft and warm, served with bowls of seasoned oil for dipping. A salad made from crystalline greens that sparkle faintly in the candlelight, tossed with sweet vinaigrette. And for dessert, a tower of cream-filled pastries dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with berry reduction.
The dining room table has been extended to accommodate the growing group. The five heroes, Vesper, Sylphaeris, Seraphina, Lucien, Nocturna, and Luminor all gather around.
It's rowdy. Loud. Chaotic in the best way.
I find myself sitting between Nocturna and Luminor, both of them eager to talk.
[Luminor] "So, Wright, Sylphaeris mentioned you're running a farm in the Voidleaf Wilderness. That's quite the undertaking."
[Wright] "It's been interesting. I'm still figuring out the best way to manage it all."
[Nocturna] "And you chose to retire there? Most would find the wilderness too dangerous."
[Wright] "The monsters leave me alone. It's actually pretty peaceful."
Yuki leans forward from across the table, eyes bright with curiosity.
[Yuki] "You're both Spirit rulers, right? What's that like? Do you manage entire domains?"
Luminor smiles warmly.
[Luminor] "In a sense. I oversee the flow of light and day, and guide my followers—the angels—in their work."
Nocturna nods.
[Nocturna] "I manage the balance of shadow and night. My vampires are quite independent, but I ensure they don't cause too much trouble."
Takeshi looks impressed.
[Takeshi] "That sounds like a lot of responsibility."
[Luminor] "It is, but we've had millennia to get used to it."
Daichi chimes in, looking thoughtful.
[Daichi] "Do Spirit rulers ever conflict with each other? Like, light versus dark?"
Nocturna and Luminor exchange amused glances.
[Nocturna] "We actually work quite well together. Light and dark are complementary, not opposing."
[Luminor] "Balance is essential. Too much of either would destabilize the world."
Aiko smiles.
[Aiko] "That's really beautiful, actually."
Kenji, who's been quiet most of the dinner, speaks up.
[Kenji] "Your followers—Seraphina and Lucien—they seem strong. Are all vampires and angels like that?"
[Nocturna] "Seraphina is one of my more capable followers. Ancient vampires tend to be quite powerful."
[Lucien] "And I'm exceptional even among angels."
[Seraphina] "Debatable."
[Lucien] "Completely factual."
They start bickering again, and the table erupts in laughter.
Luminor turns to me, his glow softening to a more conversational warmth.
[Luminor] "What about you, Wright? Sylphaeris mentioned you moved into her forest but she was rather sparse on the details."
All eyes turn to me. Even Sylphaeris looks curious.
[Wright] "Not much to tell. I lived a long life, got bored, and decided to try something new."
[Nocturna] "And you chose to come here."
[Wright] "I wanted peace. A quiet life. I'd read about these kinds of worlds in manga and thought it sounded nice."
[Yuki] "You really were inspired by manga?"
[Wright] "Completely. Farming in a forest, growing vegetables, maybe raising some animals. Simple living."
Luminor chuckles, his light pulsing with amusement.
[Luminor] "And yet here you are, rescuing summoned heroes and dismantling corrupt kingdoms."
[Wright] "That wasn't part of the plan."
[Nocturna] "The Goddess has a way of drawing people into events, whether they plan for it or not."
[Takeshi] "How long have you known Goddess Jyne?"
[Wright] "A long time. We've worked together before, in different circumstances."
Nocturna and Luminor exchange glances, and I can tell they have questions, but they don't push.
[Aiko] "What about you two? How long have you been Spirit rulers?"
[Luminor] "Since the beginning. When the Goddess created this world, she needed forces to maintain balance. We were among the first to take form."
[Nocturna] "The six of us—myself, Luminor, Sylphaeris, Aethra, Thalassia, and Gaiaros—each represent fundamental aspects of the world."
[Daichi] "That's... really old."
[Nocturna] "Quite."
[Yuki] "What was it like? At the beginning?"
Luminor's expression grows thoughtful, nostalgic.
[Luminor] "Chaotic. Beautiful. The world was raw, unformed in many ways. We spent centuries shaping it, guiding the development of lands and peoples."
[Nocturna] "It was lonely at times. Before mortals, before our followers, it was just the six of us and the Goddess."
[Sylphaeris] "We got very good at entertaining each other."
[Luminor] "And arguing."
[Nocturna] "Mostly arguing."
They all smile at that.
[Takeshi] "Do you ever regret it? Taking on that responsibility?"
Nocturna shakes her head.
[Nocturna] "Never. Watching the world grow, seeing civilizations rise, meeting individuals like you all—it makes it all worthwhile."
[Luminor] "Besides, we have our annual gatherings to complain about everything."
That gets another round of laughter from the table.
Sylphaeris, still looking mildly annoyed, finally speaks up.
[Sylphaeris] "You two are just barging in here, forcing your way into Wright's business—"
Luminor raises his hands defensively, his light flickering with mock innocence.
[Luminor] "We asked permission!"
[Nocturna] "Very politely, I might add."
[Sylphaeris] "You knew I couldn't say no once you asked in front of Wright!"
[Luminor] "That sounds like a personal problem."
[Nocturna] "We're simply being good colleagues, checking in on significant developments."
[Sylphaeris] "You're being nosy."
[Luminor] "Curious."
[Nocturna] "Thorough."
[Sylphaeris] "Invasive!"
Luminor leans back in his chair, his glow brightening with amusement.
[Luminor] "Remember that time you 'accidentally' flooded Thalassia's coral gardens with a windstorm?"
[Sylphaeris] "That was centuries ago!"
[Nocturna] "Or when you 'coincidentally' redirected all the migrating birds through Aethra's volcanic region during her meditation week?"
[Sylphaeris] "She forgave me for that!"
[Luminor] "After three decades of complaining."
The heroes are watching this exchange with fascination. Vesper is trying not to laugh.
[Nocturna] "All we're saying is that we all have our moments of... enthusiastic involvement."
[Sylphaeris] "This is different!"
[Luminor] "How?"
[Sylphaeris] "Because Wright is—"
She stops, realizing she's about to say something revealing.
[Luminor] "Yes? Wright is...?"
[Sylphaeris] "...in my forest. Under my protection."
[Nocturna] "How territorial of you."
[Sylphaeris] "I am NOT being territorial!"
The way she says it suggests she absolutely is being territorial.
I continue eating, staying well out of this conversation.
Seraphina clears her throat, drawing attention back to her and mercifully ending the Spirit rulers' bickering.
[Seraphina] "I'll be heading out tomorrow to the capital. I need to hunt down the nobles and that foolish king who know the forbidden magic."
Lucien nods.
[Lucien] "I'll be joining her. Can't let her have all the fun."
[Seraphina] "You mean you can't let me work unsupervised."
[Lucien] "That too."
Nocturna and Luminor both look pleased.
[Nocturna] "Your efforts are commendable."
[Luminor] "The world is safer with people like you taking action."
Seraphina turns to me, her elegant demeanor returning.
[Seraphina] "Wright, after we finish in the capital, would it be acceptable for me to visit your farm?"
[Wright] "Sure. What for?"
[Seraphina] "I'd very much like to acquire some Golden Grapples. And I'd also like to collaborate with Vesper on artifact creation."
Vesper perks up at that.
[Vesper] "Oh! That sounds fun. I've been wanting to experiment with preservation enchantments."
Lucien speaks up as well.
[Lucien] "I'm also interested in visiting. I heard there's a ruin near the Voidleaf Wilderness that I'd like to explore."
[Wright] "That's fine. You're both welcome anytime."
[Seraphina] "Wonderful. Thank you."
Takeshi leans forward.
[Takeshi] "How far is your farm from here, Wright? How long will it take us to get there?"
I think about it. It took me less than a day to get here, but that was with wind magic. I can't carry everyone with me. We'd have to walk, which would take... about two weeks. Maybe more.
[Wright] "Two weeks. Maybe a bit longer."
The heroes exchange glances.
[Yuki] "That's pretty far."
[Aiko] "But we're glad to get out of this kingdom."
[Daichi] "Anywhere is better than here."
[Wright] "Sorry for the long journey ahead."
Nocturna tilts her head, her starlit hair shifting.
[Nocturna] "Why don't you just use a gate?"
I blink.
[Wright] "What's a gate?"
[Nocturna] "A type of dark magic that allows long-distance travel. You create a portal to a location you've been to before and step through."
Another manga staple. How does manga seem to get everything right? Was this world made from a manga?
[Wright] "That's possible?"
Nocturna nods.
[Nocturna] "It's similar to shadow-stepping, but over much greater distances. It does require a significant amount of mana to use."
[Wright] "I have a lot of mana."
[Nocturna] "Then it should work for you. The technique involves converting mana into a dense mass to puncture a hole through space, then opening a portal to the destination in your mind."
I focus, drawing on my mana. I visualize my cabin in the Voidleaf Wilderness, the small clearing, the wooden walls, the fireplace inside.
Mana flows outward, condensing into a single point in front of me. The air ripples, then tears open.
A portal.
I can see through it. My cabin. The inside is dim, lit only by the fading embers in the fireplace.
And there's Donny, curled up on the floor, sleeping peacefully.
I reach through the portal and gently pat his head.
He stirs slightly but doesn't wake.
I pull my hand back and close the portal. The tear in space seals shut with a soft *pop*.
[Wright] "This works. We should be able to go back to the farm quickly now."
The heroes look amazed.
[Yuki] "That was incredible!"
[Daichi] "We can just teleport?!"
[Takeshi] "That makes things so much easier."
[Wright] "No need to rush, though. It's late. Let's relax and rest. We can head back tomorrow."
Everyone nods in agreement.
The dinner continues, conversations flowing easily. The mood is light, celebratory even.
For the first time since arriving in this world, the heroes look genuinely relaxed.
---
After dinner, we're all comfortably full, and Aiko suggests walking around to help digest the meal.
[Aiko] "I feel like I ate way too much."
[Takeshi] "Same. A walk sounds good."
Vesper stretches.
[Vesper] "Want to explore the mansion? There's bound to be interesting stuff in here."
The heroes agree enthusiastically, and I join them. The Spirit rulers excuse themselves—Nocturna and Luminor mentioning they want to speak with Sylphaeris about something, though Sylphaeris looks like she'd rather not.
We wander through the corridors, peeking into various rooms. Most are what you'd expect—bedrooms, sitting rooms, a library filled with dusty books. Then Yuki notices a door that looks different from the others.
It's reinforced with metal bands and has three separate locks. It's slightly open. Must be from one of the vampires.
Inside is a treasure room.
The space is large, probably the size of my entire cabin. Shelves line the walls, filled with artifacts, weapons, and magical items. Gold coins are piled in corners. Jeweled necklaces hang from display stands. Ornate weapons rest in cases—swords, bows, staffs, all gleaming with enchantments.
Vesper's eyes light up like it's her birthday.
[Vesper] "Oh. Oh wow."
She immediately rushes inside, examining the artifacts with intense focus.
The heroes follow more cautiously, looking around in awe.
[Takeshi] "This is insane. How much stuff did this guy hoard?"
[Kenji] "Too much."
Yuki approaches a shelf and picks up a small crystal orb that pulses with soft blue light.
[Yuki] "Are these all magical?"
[Vesper] "Most of them, yeah. Some are more powerful than others."
Aiko looks at me hesitantly.
[Aiko] "Can we... take some?"
[Wright] "Sure. The Duke doesn't need them anymore."
That's all the permission they need.
Vesper is already pulling items off shelves, inspecting them with professional interest. She picks up a silver bracelet with intricate engravings.
[Vesper] "This is a Mana Regulation Band. It helps stabilize mana flow for spellcasting. Perfect for someone still learning magic control."
She tosses it to Yuki, who catches it and immediately puts it on. The bracelet adjusts to fit her wrist perfectly.
[Yuki] "It feels warm."
[Vesper] "That's the enchantment activating. You should notice your magic becoming easier to control."
Vesper continues rummaging and pulls out a small pendant shaped like a shield.
[Vesper] "Barrier Charm. Automatically creates a protective shield when you're in danger. Limited uses before it needs to recharge, but it could save your life."
She hands it to Aiko, who puts it on gratefully.
[Aiko] "Thank you!"
Vesper finds a pair of leather gloves reinforced with thin metal plating.
[Vesper] "Combat Gauntlets. Enhances grip strength and reduces impact shock. Good for someone who fights hand-to-hand."
Takeshi takes them, sliding them on and flexing his fingers experimentally.
[Takeshi] "These feel great."
For Daichi, Vesper locates a small monocle with a golden frame.
[Vesper] "Tactical Lens. Lets you see weak points and analyze combat situations in real-time. It'll complement your Strategic Mind blessing."
Daichi puts it on, and his eyes widen.
[Daichi] "Whoa. I can see... patterns. Like, everything has patterns."
[Vesper] "Don't use it for too long at first. It can be overwhelming."
She turns to Kenji, who's been quietly observing from the corner. She picks up a dark cloak that seems to absorb light around it.
[Vesper] "Shadowweave Cloak. Makes you harder to detect and enhances shadow-based abilities. Seems like it'd work well with your blessing."
Kenji takes it and wraps it around his shoulders. He immediately seems to blend into the shadows more naturally.
[Kenji] "This is useful."
For herself, Vesper grabs several items—a set of enchanting tools, some rare crystals, and a book that looks like it contains artifact blueprints.
[Vesper] "These will be perfect for my work."
[Wright] "Find anything interesting?"
[Vesper] "Everything in here is interesting. This Duke had terrible morals but excellent taste in magical items."
The heroes store their new artifacts in their Storage skill—a convenient ability that came with their blessings. Items simply vanish into an invisible space and can be retrieved at will.
[Takeshi] "This Storage skill is so convenient."
[Daichi] "It's like a video game inventory."
[Yuki] "I love it."
[Wright] "You should all take some gold too. It never hurts to have some of the world's currency."
I advise and soon the Duke's storage grows a bit more empty. We spend another half hour exploring the treasure room before finally heading back to our respective quarters.
It's been a long day, and tomorrow we return to the farm.