John leaned back against a smooth rock, watching the sunset paint the sky with hues of crimson and gold. The salty breeze played with his hair, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he allowed himself to relax.
It had been two days since he bid farewell to Francesca, the eccentric green-haired woman who had left a lasting impression — not just because of her odd habit of wearing minimal clothing, but also because she had tried to make him the owner of the Sky Garden.
"Are you sure?" Francesca had asked with a hint of disappointment. "With your power, you could unlock the garden's true potential."
John had simply smiled and shaken his head. "Nah... this place isn't meant for me. Someone else will come, someone whose destiny is tied to this place. I'm just a traveler passing through."
Francesca had sighed dramatically but eventually relented. "Fine, but if that chosen one turns out to be some clueless idiot, I'm blaming you!"
John chuckled at the memory. Yeah... probably better this way.
---
After parting ways with Francesca, John, Alsie, and Yumina returned to the beach. For the next few days, they allowed themselves to relax — no battles, no meditation, no endless tasks. Just peace.
One afternoon, the three of them lay sprawled on the sand. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, and seagulls called out overhead.
"This feels... weird," Alsie muttered. "Doing nothing. Just lying here."
"You mean relaxing like a normal person?" John teased.
"So what's next?" Yumina asked out of nowhere.
John didn't answer right away. He stared at the sky, as if waiting for something — or someone.
"John?" Yumina nudged his shoulder.
"I'm waiting," John said simply.
"Waiting for what?" Alsie frowned.
---
A few days later, john went to touya to check on him in secret and he finally discovered that Touya and his group were preparing to travel to the Ismid Kingdom. That meant one thing — the Black Dragon was about to appear.
' And that's what I've been waiting for...'
Without wasting any time, John took the house capsule and activated his Gate ability, transported himself, Alsie, and Yumina to the bustling streets of the capital city of Belfast.
The sudden shift from quiet beaches to a noisy city startled the girls, but they quickly adjusted. Yumina's eyes soon lit up with excitement.
"Oh! Since we're here, we should visit my parents! I've missed them so much."
John's smile faltered. "Uh... your parents?"
---
John stood quietly as Yumina hurried ahead through the grand hallways of the royal palace. The polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of the chandeliers, and velvet curtains swayed gently by the windows. Despite the elegance around him, John couldn't shake the uneasy feeling crawling up his spine.
'Why do I feel like I'm walking into a lion's den?'
Alsie walked beside him, arms crossed. "You sure , you are alright. You look kinda nervous.?"
"Not really."
Before Alsie could respond, the heavy double doors ahead swung open. A pair of guards stood at attention as the king and queen stepped forward.
"Yumina!" The king's booming voice filled the room as he strode forward, his face breaking into a wide smile. The queen followed closely, her eyes misting with tears.
"Father! Mother!" Yumina cried, rushing into her father's arms.
"We've missed you so much," the queen whispered, hugging her tightly. "It's been nearly a year!"
John watched the heartfelt reunion with a small smile. He knew how much Yumina loved her family — she often spoke about them during their travels.
After a moment, the king's gaze shifted toward John, and his face lit up even more.
"John!" The king's booming voice startled John as the man marched toward him. "My boy!" Without warning, the king wrapped John in a bear hug that nearly knocked the wind out of him.
"Gah! S-Sir!" John gasped, awkwardly patting the king's back.
"Look at you!" The king pulled back, gripping John's shoulders firmly. "Still standing strong! I knew you'd take care of my daughter!"
The queen smiled warmly. "It's good to see you again, John. We were worried after so long without news."
"Ah... yeah." John scratched his head. "Things got... complicated."
"Complicated?" The king barked a laugh. "That's life for you!"
Then his eyes landed on Alsie, and his smile faltered slightly.
"And... you are?"
Before Alsie could answer, Yumina hurried over and took her arm. "Oh! This is Alsie. She's a friend... and my traveling companion."
"Ah!" The king's smile returned. "A friend of Yumina's is always welcome here!"
"Right..." Alsie muttered, clearly unsure how to respond.
The queen, however, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she studied Alsie. "Hmm... a friend, you say?"
Yumina's expression stiffened. "Uh... well..."
The queen's gaze sharpened. "Yumina... is there something you're not telling me?"
Yumina's face turned red. "M-Mother!"
John blinked in confusion. "Wait... what's going on?"
"Nothing!" Yumina blurted out.
"Nothing?" The queen's voice held a teasing note. "Then why do you look so flustered?"
Yumina groaned. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped closer to her mother and whispered something in her ear.
If john wanted, he could have listen in thier conversation but he didn't. whatever Yumina said made the queen's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. A knowing smile spread across her face as she glanced between John and Alsie.
"Oh..." The queen chuckled softly. "I see."
Now it was Alsie's turn to blush. "Wait... what did she just tell you?"
The queen's smile widened. "Oh, nothing important... just that you might have a certain interest in our dear John."
Alsie's face turned crimson. "I... I... that's—!" She shot a glare at Yumina. "Why would you say that?!"
"Because it's true!" Yumina huffed.
Alsie's voice dropped to a defensive mutter. "It's not like I'm going to act on it..."
The queen smiled kindly. "Dear, there's no shame in feelings like that. John's quite the catch, after all."
"Please stop," John muttered, feeling his face heat up.
The king clapped him on the back with a booming laugh. "Looks like you've been busy, my boy!"
"Busy...?" John's face paled. "It's not like that!"
"Not yet!" the king roared.
' Huh... King seems to have changed after not seeing him all this while. He wasn't this open before.' john thought to himself.
Yumina groaned again, burying her face in her hands. "This is so embarrassing..."
The queen smiled sweetly at her daughter. "Oh, don't worry, darling. I always knew you'd find someone stubborn enough to handle you."
John let out a long breath. "I was expecting some awkward greetings... not this."
---
Later that evening, the three of them sat together in one of the palace's quiet gardens. The moon shone brightly above, casting a soft glow over the flowers and stone pathways.
"Well... that could've gone worse," John muttered.
"You think?" Alsie shot him a sideways look. "I'm never stepping foot in that palace again."
Yumina sighed. "Sorry... my mother can be... intense."
John smirked. "She's just looking out for you."
A comfortable silence settled over the group. After a while, Yumina spoke again.
"So... what's our next move?"
John's expression grew serious. "We're heading to the Ismid Kingdom next."
Alsie frowned. "The Black Dragon, right?"
"Yeah."
"You're really doing this... for its materials?" Yumina asked softly.
John leaned back against the bench, watching the moonlit sky. "Yeah. The dragon's materials are rare — powerful enough to forge armor, weapons, and even relics. I don't care about its reputation as a 'terrorist beast.' This is about opportunity."
Yumina bit her lip. "And if that dragon threatens innocent people?"
John's eyes darkened. "Then... I'll kill it. But not for justice or revenge — only for the loot."
Alsie shook her head. "You're impossible."
"Yeah," John grinned. "But you're still here, aren't you?"
Alsie rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. "Yeah... I guess I am."
Yumina smiled softly. "Then let's face that dragon together."