The light faded in the forest, and all the enemies collapsed. Princess Lumina remained standing and then smiled.
"Don't mess with Princess Lumina again!"
Roy clapped his hands. Lumina noticed them and looked in their direction, trying to recognize them. Then, with a strong, leading tone, she asked:
"May I know who you are?"
She scanned their faces and suddenly fixated on Zen's presence. Her eyes widened, her expression softened, and then she broke into a wide smile. With excitement, she came running toward them.
Zen sighed. "No way… she noticed me!"
Lumina leaped toward Zen and hugged him tightly, raising her voice.
"Zen! I missed you!"
Zen quickly moved away, causing Lumina to fall to the ground. She looked up at him with a sad expression.
"How can you not hug me after all these years!?"
Mei and Roy remained silent, stunned by the scene. Then, Roy asked:
"Do you two know each other?"
Zen answered in a cold voice. "Not much."
Lumina's face twisted in annoyance. "Of course, we know each other! Look, fate has gathered us again! Do you know how much I have searched for you? How much I suffered to find you?"
Pretending to be sad again, she even shed a tear. "Our love can't be this weak!"
Mei and Roy remained in shock, completely ignored by Lumina, their expressions saying, Is this really serious?
Zen sighed again, colder than before. "What are you talking about? And why are you making up all this nonsense?"
Roy, surprised, blurted out without thinking. "So, Zen… do you two really love each other?"
Mei didn't seem to care, already tired of the conversation, while Roy remained curious.
Zen snapped. "Would you stop acting, please?"
Lumina fixed her gaze on Zen and smirked. "Your expression softens when I'm not around, but you're still my choice!"
Then, turning her attention to Roy and Mei, she asked, "And you two? Are you his new friends?"
Mei, annoyed. "Please! Who's friends!?"
Roy, with a smile. "Yes, we are. And meeting you was a pleasure! I always wondered what you looked like."
Lumina ignored Roy completely and leaned toward Zen, pretending to whisper.
"Are you sure about making this stupid guy your companion?"
Roy, with an annoyed smile. "I can hear you, and I'm right here!"
Lumina primped her hair. "It's okay. I don't mind, as long as you're with me!"
Zen rolled his eyes. "I am NOT with you, and I WON'T be!"
Lumina gasped dramatically. "How can you say such harsh words to a princess like me!? Can't you think about my heart being hurt?"
Zen sighed. "Can you stop this?"
Lumina continued her dramatic act. "Or… it must be this girl!"
Mei, confused. "Huh? Excuse me!?"
Lumina, her voice filled with sadness. "You chose this girl to be your wife? Why!?"
Zen, exhausted, ran a hand through his hair. "What the hell!? What are you blabbering about!?"
Lumina covered her mouth in shock. "I knew it! You didn't deny it! She stole your heart!"
Zen was about to stop her but then got an idea. He suddenly composed himself.
"Yes, she is the one! She will be my wife!"
Mei's eyes widened in horror, and she raised her voice. "Whaaaat!? Have you lost your mind, Kuroi Zen!?"
Lumina glanced at Mei.
Mei frantically waved her hands. "No way! He's just lying! There is no way! It's disgusting! Please don't believe this nonsense!"
Lumina's face brightened, looking at Zen in relief. "So, you see? She's not even lying—she's telling the truth!"
Zen, keeping his cool. "Yes, I know. But she's the one who is going to be my wife."
Mei, furious. "What in the world are you saying? Do you have a death wish, Kuroi Zen!?"
Lumina, looking heartbroken. "So that's it… you already chose another one! But I won't give up! Let's fight!"
Roy, his face filled with confusion. "What is really going on here…?"
Lumina turned to Mei. "Let's have a fight! Or… I'm sorry, you can't fight?"
Mei, tired, waved her hands carelessly. "Please, take him! There is nothing true in what he's saying. Can't you figure it out!?"
Lumina pouted. "But Zen… she gave up on you so easily!"
Zen, exhausted from his own lies. "I don't mind. Ahem."
Lumina's eyes widened before she dramatically exclaimed. "Or maybe you two are already together, and she's carrying your blood in her belly!"
Zen and Mei both froze in horror before turning away and puking.
Lumina, still dramatic. "See!? I was right!"
Roy, shocked, then suddenly puked as well. "WHAT THE HELL—IS THAT REALLY RIGHT!?"
Mei, wiping her mouth, turned to Roy with a murderous look. "Have you lost your mind!? If you say one more word—!"
Zen, annoyed. "Can you stop speaking, princess? You've crossed the line!"
Lumina, looking innocent. "Is that so? I'm sorry! But you were breaking my heart so much!"
Suddenly, a sound was heard. A group of men was approaching. Lumina prepared herself to fight. Mei crossed her arms, annoyed.
"She can save herself. I won't bother helping."
Roy, worried. "We have to help her! She won't beat them on her own!"
Mei rolled her eyes. "I prefer not to show ourselves. It's risky."
Roy hesitated. "But—!"
Lumina rushed into battle. Five men attacked, and though she fought them one by one, they kept healing using their tribe's techniques. Two others hid in the shadows, waiting for the right moment. When they leaped from the trees, Lumina dodged one, using her sword, but the other was too fast.
A knife suddenly flew from afar, hitting him in the face. Lumina gasped—Mei had thrown it to save her!
Zen clapped his hands. "That was an attractive shot, I presume!"
Mei, unimpressed. "Not much. Just a bit of help. And please don't talk to me, or that knife will change direction."
Roy, annoyed. "She still needs help!" He rushed forward.
Lumina, underestimating him, sneered. "Don't come closer! I don't need weaklings!"
One of the men used his blood to activate his mark, striking Lumina's leg. Roy quickly jumped, carrying her in his arms as he struck down the enemy. He finished the rest with just one arm.
Lumina was left in shock.
Another knife flew, assisting Roy—it was Mei's.
When the fight was over, Roy looked at Lumina in his arms. "Are you alright?"
Lumina, still dazed, nodded.
Mei ran up, worried. "Roy! Your arm is bleeding!"
Lumina noticed—he had been injured while saving her.
Roy, reassuringly. "Don't worry, Mei! I'm fine!"
He turned to Lumina. "Can you walk? Your leg is hurt."
Mei, annoyed. "I'm not a doctor, you know. But since you refuse to put her down, I'll just treat her like this!"
Mei called out, "Hey! Kuroi Zen! Bring that plant near the tree! It's an orange one called marigold!"
She then looked at Lumina with a cold expression. "I need some tissue to cover it up. Princess, do you hear me?"
Lumina snapped back to her senses. "Yes! I have some in my bag! You can use them to cover the wounds!"
Mei answered coldly. "Well, that was a great help."
Lumina lowered her head, feeling guilty about how she had treated Mei and Roy. She kept her mouth shut while Mei tended to her wounds.
Zen yawned. "Oh! I'm so tired!"
Roy, pressing on his injured arm, glared at him. "YOU DID NOTHING BUT WATCH! WHY ARE YOU TIRED!?"
Zen, unexpectedly taken aback, smirked. "I never expected you to say those words to me!"
Mei, annoyed. "Shut up, both of you! I'm trying to focus!"
She rubbed the marigold leaves and petals together in a small tissue, then pressed the mixture onto Lumina's leg before wrapping it with a bandage she had taken from Lumina's own supplies.
Lumina, surprised, looked at Mei. "You're educated!"
Mei exchanged a careless glance. "So what? Is this the first time you've seen an educated woman?"
Roy pointed at Mei. "Mei, you should be kind to Princess Lumina! Why are you so mean to her?"
Mei shot him an annoyed look. "Sit down! I need to treat your injury urgently!"
Roy obeyed, sitting next to Lumina, who remained silent. Mei poured a little water over his wound, then called out in a commanding tone.
"Hey, black-haired one in the back! Mister Yan! Give it to us! I think there was some honey!"
Zen, wondering. "Yes, there is."
Mei focused. "Give it to me!"
Taking the honey, she soaked a tissue with it, cleaned Roy's wound with water, then applied marigold before covering it with a bandage.
She was sweating.
Zen noticed. "You did a great job."
Mei wiped her sweat with her hand and looked at him. "I don't need compliments from you."
Zen then spoke up mischievously. "See, Princess Lumina? I wasn't the one who helped you! So you should give up!"
Lumina glared at him, annoyed. "You did that on purpose! But I won't give up! And before that—"
Zen interrupted. "What about taking this man as your husband? He's strong!"
Lumina tried to stand up, leaning against the tree.
Roy, worried. "Wait! Your wound is still—!"
Lumina ignored him, steadying herself against the tree. Then, with a serious expression, she bowed to Roy and Mei.
"I'm sorry. I was rude and didn't introduce myself properly. I am PRINCESS Lumina Millenius from the Golden Griffin Empire of the North! I want to thank you for helping me and saving my life!"
Her face turned red.
Roy stood up with a warm smile. "You don't need to bow! I'm Roy, by the way, and this is Mei, my little sister. Just raise your head."
Lumina looked up at Roy.
Mei, crossing her arms, spoke in an annoyed tone. "Since you've apologized, I won't stay mad at you."
Roy rolled his eyes. "Don't mind her. She has a unique character."
Lumina spoke up in a happy tone. "Thank you!"
Roy clenched his fist as if preparing to punch something. Lumina, startled, lowered her head. But instead of a strike, he gently placed his fist on her head and gave her a soft, warm smile.
"No need to thank us. I did it because I wanted to. Nice to meet you, Lumina!"
Lumina's eyes widened. Seeing Roy's smile, her face turned bright red from embarrassment. Her heart began to pound, and then—she smiled.
"Fine."
Roy extended his hand to Lumina.
Lumina reached out and took it. As he helped her up, Roy turned toward Mei and Zen, still gripping his injured arm. His face was serious.
"From now on, Princess Lumina is part of our team—if she agrees, of course."
Mei crossed her arms, her tone serious. "Adding another danger is a bit..."
Zen immediately shook his head. "No way! I don't agree! She'll expose us to more danger!"
Mei shot him a cold look. "The most dangerous known criminal in this world has no right to speak."
Zen scowled but remained silent.
Roy, his expression firm, continued, "Yeah, and don't forget—they're following you, they're following us, and they're following Lumina!"
Lumina, still sitting, put on a dramatic expression. "How could you refuse my company, Zen? Even after our romantic meeting?!"
Zen groaned. "What romantic meeting?"
Lumina ignored him, continuing dramatically. "You know I ran away from my kingdom. Everyone has been chasing me down to capture me. My kingdom wants me dead, yet I still wanted to find you!"
Roy, frustrated, turned to Zen. "See? Lumina is injured, and she's been through a lot. You should at least be considerate!"
Zen rolled his eyes. "Can you stop?! And what romantic meeting?! As I remember, you were running, you bumped into me, and you screamed, 'Please save me!' I asked, 'Why should I care?' And then you handed me a small bag of gold, so I saved you. And that's how it ended! You kept following me everywhere until I ran away from you!"
Lumina pretended to cry. "You're so harsh! And was our meeting really that simple?!"
Mei, in a cold and commanding voice, interrupted. "We should move. It's dangerous here."
Roy leaned on Mei slightly, his face reassuring. "We should help Lumina. She can't walk."
Lumina quickly responded. "It's okay! I can walk! And can you stop calling me just 'Lumina'? I am a princess, after all!"
Roy shrugged. "And? I don't care about you being a princess."
Lumina, annoyed. "What do you mean 'and'?"
For the first time, Mei let out an actual laugh—a true, heartfelt laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement. Even tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Roy and Zen both froze, stunned.
Lumina, however, was annoyed. "Are you laughing at me?!"
Zen turned to Mei in disbelief. "So, you do know how to smile, scary girl."
Mei, realizing they were all staring at her, immediately blushed, her face turning red with embarrassment.
Noticing her reaction, Lumina smiled and said gently, "It's not embarrassing to be seen smiling. You have a pretty smile—it makes the people looking at you happy."
Roy nodded in agreement. "She's right! You looked charming."
Mei, still red-faced, snapped. "Stop this nonsense, Roy! We need to move! But... where?"
Roy bent down slightly and gestured for Lumina to cling onto his back so he could carry her.
Lumina composed herself, still leaning on the tree. "I can walk on my own! And besides, you're injured. If someone should do it, it must be—"
She glanced at Zen, who was already carrying all their bags, swords, and supplies.
Zen, looking at her carelessly, smirked. "I'm full, sorry!"
Mei raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's unexpected. If you're carrying all that, I won't mind."
Lumina, feeling shy, hesitated before clinging to Roy's back.
Roy grinned at Zen. "Thank you! You're actually helping!"
Mei, keeping her focus, stated, "We need to move."
Before she could continue, Lumina cut in, her tone serious. "I know where we should go. It's a bit far, but very safe."
Zen raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
Lumina's voice was firm. "Right behind the waterfall. There's a cave there—no one dares go near it because it's a forbidden place."
Mei narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
Lumina smirked. "Because of the legend of the Moon's Tribe. Everyone who enters is plagued by hallucinations. Many people from different tribes have gone insane after stepping inside."
Mei's voice grew serious. "So it is dangerous."
Lumina shook her head with confidence. "Not with me. I've been there before—don't worry."
Roy adjusted Lumina on his back and began walking quickly, with Zen and Mei following behind as they made their way toward the waterfall.
The three of them, with Lumina on Roy's back, walked swiftly. After an hour, they finally reached their destination.
The place was enclosed by a fence, with the waterfall hidden behind towering trees. The sight was breathtaking—the water cascaded down onto smooth stones and lush green plants, creating a soothing, rhythmic sound. Flowers bloomed everywhere, adding to the magical atmosphere.
Mei, stunned, looked around. "A place like this drove people insane? That's... strange."
Lumina, her voice calm but firm, replied, "It doesn't look like it, but it is dangerous. Put me down for a second."
Roy gently lowered her to the ground. Lumina took a deep breath, then wounded her hand slightly, letting a few drops of her blood fall onto the soil and into the flowing water.
Zen frowned. "What are you doing?"
Lumina's expression remained serious. "For safety. My blood might protect us for a while."
Roy immediately grabbed her injured hand, his brows furrowing. "You wounded yourself again." Without waiting for her response, he carefully bandaged her hand.
Lumina scowled. "What's wrong with you?!"
Mei, watching the exchange, sighed. "I suppose you did it to protect us… but still."
Roy set Lumina down near a tree and then had an idea. "What if I build you a small cabin? It won't have a floor, just a simple shelter made from wood."
Mei, however, shook her head. "I'd rather go inside the cave behind the waterfall."
With that, they stepped inside.
The cave was vast, its interior stretching much farther than they had expected. The air was cool and damp, and faint echoes of dripping water filled the space.
Roy, carrying Lumina inside, looked around in awe. "This cave… it's huge."
Mei set down all their things, preparing to settle in for the night.
The cave was enormous, almost like a house. There was even a separate bathroom and another chamber.
Roy, surprised, looked around. "Wow, this is huge for a normal cave. It's like a house made of stone!"
Lumina smiled. "You're not wrong. My tribe used to live here, but they either went insane or disappeared. That's why people fear this place." She shivered slightly. "But it's freezing in here, and the water from the waterfall is reaching the entrance."
Roy reassured her. "It's okay. We can gather some wood and light a fire. Besides, there's no need to build a wooden shelter when this cave is already so spacious."
Zen smirked. "See, Princess? This guy is really helpful. Why don't you choose him?"
Lumina smirked back. "No way. I'm a different kind of woman—the type that needs to be captured or killed by her own tribe. And who better to match me than the most feared man and wanted criminal?" She turned to Roy teasingly. "Right, Roy?"
Roy simply shrugged. "Yeah, sure."
Zen sighed. "Talking to you is exhausting. I'm heading out to gather firewood."
Roy's eyes lit up. "I'll come with you!"
Zen rolled his eyes. "Do whatever you want." Then, mischievously, he turned to Mei. "You should prepare us some food, scary girl."
Mei's face turned red with annoyance.
Roy laughed. "Just don't tell her she's bad at cooking! I'm way better than her!"
Mei narrowed her eyes, reaching for her knives. "Roy, you'd better leave right now, or both of my knives will go straight at you—and that black-haired idiot over there!"
Zen, startled, raised his hands. "Why me?! I did nothing!"
Roy grinned. "I was just stating the truth. Let's go, Zen. We should hurry."
Mei threw one of her knives—it lodged itself into the cave's stone wall.
Lumina let out a small laugh. "You guys are hilarious. You have such a rare relationship. I suppose that's why even Kuroi Zen, who only cares about himself, follows you."
Zen huffed, pretending to ignore the comment, but Lumina's stomach suddenly growled. She froze in embarrassment. "I'm sorry… I haven't eaten in two days. I was too busy hiding."
Mei crossed her arms. "Well, I'm not so sure about Kuroi Zen changing. He's the one who got us into trouble in the first place." Despite her words, she gave Lumina a brief smile. "But you should eat. You're injured. You need energy."
She walked over to their bags, searching for the snacks Roy had taken from Frank. She found a few but frowned, realizing there had been more.
"I could've sworn we took more…" she murmured, confused.
Still, she tossed what she had to Lumina.
Lumina caught them with a grateful nod. "Thank you."
Mei watched her for a moment before speaking. "You seem to care a lot about that black-haired idiot."
Lumina, mid-bite, smirked. "Oh, I need him for my biggest plan."
Mei raised an eyebrow. "But… didn't you say you love him?"
Lumina's eyes widened before she suddenly burst into laughter. "Love him? That was just an act. I need him to marry me—to change this world's rules. That's all. It's purely for my own benefit."
Mei was taken aback. "This girl only cares about herself… and I actually felt bad for her," she thought to herself.
Lumina pointed at her with a grin. "To be honest, my tribe really does want me dead. But if I marry Kuroi Zen, I can take over the throne and change those damn rules. They'll have to accept me because they fear him. My brother won't be able to kill me if I have Zen by my side."
Mei thought for a moment. "That's… a messy plan."
Lumina chuckled. "You don't have to tell me. I already know." She sighed, then softened. "I envy you a little, you know? You have such a beautiful relationship with your brother, but mine wants me dead."
Mei hesitated before asking, "But why does your family want to kill you?"
Lumina's smile turned sad. "Because I'm not normal. I'm a rebel. A mistake. A monster. I don't fit into the tribal codes of this world. Others want to capture me and turn me into their puppet."
Mei sighed. "I'm sorry… I think I crossed the line."
Lumina shrugged, smiling. "No way. And remember, I crossed the line too when I told you—"
Mei quickly cut her off. "Please don't remind me."
Mei looked at the waterfall, trying to hear its sound, then unsurely spoke up. "Do you have many informations about this world?"
Lumina nodded. "Yeah, I studied every letter and every tribe! You can say I am like an encyclopedia. However, in my tribe, there are more informations, books that existed from the ancient history!"
Mei's eyes widened, stunned. "That's wonderful!"
Lumina smiled. "Just for us, me and you, who adore learning ! But what do you need to ask?"
Mei hesitated, then took a deep breath. "The blood techniques… the marks! If two persons don't have the same mark… they can't be related?"
Lumina took a serious tone. "No, they can't be! A mark is a birthmark given by the father! It is purely genetic, and I have never heard of related people with different marks before. I heard they can be, but owning two marks might be fatal for you!"
Mei widened her eyes with an unforeseen shock. "Is that so…?"
Lumina, confused. "But why are you asking?"
Mei, her mind lost. "Nothing… nothing. Please have rest! I will try to catch a fish with my knife!"
Mei hurried outside the cave!
Lumina, confused. "Did I say something strange? And… did she say with a knife? This is crazy!"
Meanwhile, Roy and Zen were gathering firewood. Then, Roy spoke up. "Zen, why don't you accept Princess Lumina's feelings? She looks like a good girl! I'm starting to feel sorry for her."
Zen, annoyed. "Why do you feel bad for her? She wants me to deal with many problems I don't care about right now. She only thinks about her plan."
Roy, confused. "What do you mean, her plan?"
Zen rolled his eyes. "Can't you see? She wants me to produce fear and force a change in the rules of a whole tribe! Can you imagine?"
Roy, stunned. "I see… but she has a good vision! At least she is trying to change, even with all these obstacles around her!"
Zen, denying. "No way. It's a suicidal plan for me! I don't want to get involved with the royals! I have other plans to do."
Roy, wondering. "Is that so? What are they?"
Zen scoffed. "Hah! Why would I tell you?"
Roy, with an innocent look. "What do you mean? We are friends, after all!"
Zen, annoyed. "Can you please stop calling me 'friend'? It's bothering me!"
Roy turned his face away, ignoring him. "I won't. I'll do what suits me the most." Then, he smirked mischievously. "And I saw you taking some of Frank's snacks earlier."
Zen, irritated. "Fine! Take some!" He threw a snack at Roy, and they started eating.
Roy gulped. "If Mei saw us, we'd have knives on our heads."
Zen sighed. "That sister of yours needs to learn to control herself. She'll get us into more trouble. I was shocked when I heard she threw broken glass into the eyes of the Shark's leader!"
Roy turned serious. "I don't think she is more problematic than me… but I need to protect her no matter what."
Zen looked at Roy. "You have some kind of unique relationship… but since you killed Kaheel and since I saw… I don't think she needs protection."
Roy turned to Zen, determined. "Listen, I know you hate my mark holders, but that means you know how they use the power of the mark, like Lumina did!"
Zen, doubtful. "Well… I'm not sure about this, but can you really use it?"
Roy, with a determined look. "If it's for Mei's sake, I'll do whatever it takes! Please!"
Zen, careless but serious. "Well, it's not that simple. Though, if you insist… you can create an attack by putting some of your blood on your sword and turning this tree into ashes. That's all I can say for the moment."
Roy directly put his blood on the sword, and a strange red light appeared, destroying the tree.
Zen, shocked. "Wait! I didn't tell you to do it now! And on this tree— it will fall! Watch out!"
Zen rushed to push Roy away! Both of them fell, barely avoiding the collapsing trunk and branches.
Roy, lying down, worried. "Zen! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Zen, messy and groaning. "Aah… it hurts a bit… but I'm alive, luckily."
Roy, still worried. "Thank you for saving me, but I think your shoulder is hurt."
Zen, annoyed, messed up his hair. "Why am I stuck with two crazy people?! Have you lost your mind, using it on a tree near you?!"
Roy lowered his head. "Sorry… I acted without thinking."
Zen, exasperated. "If you got hurt, your crazy sister would throw a knife right at my heart! But… you succeeded. You proved something. We should head back."
Roy smiled. "Yes! And there's plenty of wood here."
He stood up, his arm still hurting, and extended his hand to Zen. Zen smirked, then took Roy's hand to stand up.
Roy grinned. "At least we got some muscles in the other hand!"
Zen smirked. "You're right."
As they were about to arrive, Roy noticed Mei sitting near the plunge pool, lost in thought. Both of her knives had captured two fish, stuck between the stones. He turned to Zen, showing a preoccupied face and speaking in a quiet tone. "Let's head to the cave first."
Zen shrugged. "Fine."
They entered the cave without Mei realizing.
Lumina, surprised. "Oh! You came! I thought you were Mei. What, Zen? Have you missed your future wife?" She gave him a mischievous look.
Roy, on the other hand, was looking past the waterfall, at Mei's blurry reflection. Then, he spoke with a smile. "I'm glad you ate a little. How do you feel right now?"
Lumina smiled. "I'm good, thank you. But… are you concerned about Mei?"
Lumina took a deep breath. "I just told her about the tribes' marks and that families don't have different marks. That's all."
Roy grasped the situation and headed toward Mei.
Lumina, feeling guilty. "Did I do something wrong?"
Zen, looking up. "You probably made a mistake."
Lumina, annoyed, threw a small stone at his shoulder. "I might not have a knife, but I can still throw things at you!"
Zen, frustrated. "It hurts! I'm already injured!"
Mei noticed Roy's presence and stood up. "You came, Roy! I didn't notice it. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Roy, with a warm, soft look. "Lumina told me about your conversation."
He smiled gently, his tone peaceful. "So… what bothered you about it?"
Mei hesitated, denying. "Me? Bothered? I'm not bothered, it's just—"
Roy, mocking. "I thought you'd be relieved because you think you're unrelated to someone like me!"
Mei looked frustrated.
Roy, his voice still soft. "Whatever they told you, don't overthink. You will always be my little sister. And I can assure you—it's impossible that we don't have the same mother. A mark is not a proper proof!"
Mei, uneasily. "But what if I was the one who brought problems… and because of me—"
Roy closed her mouth with his hand. "You are my sister. That is our fact. Even if we're not compatible, we keep mocking each other. But that doesn't change our family bond. Keep that in your mind. And when my mom wrote that letter, she said 'your father' to both of us. So don't overthink."
Mei smirked with a small smile. "You're very strong, Roy… Thank you."
Roy hugged his sister. But then, Mei realized their situation, and her face turned red. She shoved him away. "Enough!"
Roy, with an evil smile. "You're so emotional, Mei." He poked her nose. "But you're still ugly."
Mei wiped her hands. "I still have my sword, Roy!"
Roy, calming her with his hands up. "Fine, fine! Sorry!"
Inside the cave, Lumina looked at Zen fiercely.
"You look in an awful state!"
Zen, careless, scoffed. "At least I can walk."
Lumina crossed her arms, annoyed. "I'm injured! That's why I can't stand up. Light up some fire—it's getting cold!"
Zen ignored her indifferently. "I'm not here to take orders from you. But the man I introduced to you built these wooden doors to keep the water from entering and to keep the cave warmer."
Lumina huffed. "At least he's useful. Unlike you!" Then, she smirked. "But I don't mind you helping me. Your friend, though—"
Zen still ignored her.
Lumina, curious, smiled. "You should be honest. They've affected you—the great Kuroi Zen is becoming more considerate! So, you care for them!"
Zen's voice turned cold. "I am only with them because of my goals."
Lumina smiled mischievously. "I can help you too if you accept my offer."
Zen, unimpressed, replied, "No need."
Just then, Roy and Mei entered the cave.
Roy glanced at them. "What's happening here?"
Lumina waved at Mei. "I was so worried about you, Mei!"
Roy smiled. "We should stop arguing because Mei, with her magical knives, caught four fish for us! So, we'll have a nice meal. I'll prepare it."
Then, Roy realized something. "Mei, before that—Zen is injured. I didn't tell you, but he saved my life from a falling tree."
Mei's eyes widened. "Is that so?"
Lumina, stunned. "Really? I guess he likes Roy more than me."
Zen, looking up, muttered, "I'm fine."
Mei frowned. "You are not! You're sweating from pain! Let me treat it while Roy prepares dinner."
Zen lowered his face, his voice mocking. "Tch." Then, he started removing his shirt.
Mei's face turned red as she stammered, "A-Ah! What are you doing?! Do you want more injuries?! Or are you doing this on purpose? You black-haired pervert!"
Zen, shocked. "But my injury is on my shoulder! How else can you treat it? And I got it while saving your brother!"
Roy, lighting the fire and grilling the fish, chimed in. "Mei, be a little considerate. He's hurt."
Mei took a deep breath. "Fine. Show me your injury."
Zen turned to let her see. Mei brought some water and honey to disinfect the wound but noticed other injuries as well.
She spoke in amazement. "I guess you're a good survivor."
She carefully cleaned the wound with water, then applied honey with her hands.
Her voice turned serious. "There's a fine splinter deep inside. I have to remove it. It will hurt."
Zen, unconcerned, replied, "Do it. I'm used to it."
Mei took out her knife. "I'll use my knife to remove it."
Zen flinched. "Wait, your knife? Hold on—"
Before he could protest further, Mei swiftly removed the splinter. "Done!"
Zen's body tensed before he suddenly collapsed face-first, unconscious.
Roy, alarmed. "Mei! What happened to him?"
Mei rolled her eyes. "Nothing. He was just exhausted and passed out. He's still alive."
She cleaned the wound again and bandaged it. "He'll be fine. He doesn't even need marigold. But I had an idea—I saw some willow outside, so I took some. I'll prepare a treatment from it."
Lumina, impressed. "You're so talented! Both of you! It's like you came from another world!"
Mei rolled her eyes again. "Not as talented as this man, who pretended to sleep just to make us worry unnecessarily." She pointed at Zen.
Roy finished cooking, smiling. "Magnificent! It's done. Let's prepare our table!"
Roy got a large, flat stone that looked like a table and placed it near Lumina.
Lumina beamed. "That's so kind of you! Thank you! Wow, this looks amazing!"
Roy grinned. "It's a celebration!"
Meanwhile, Mei finished preparing her remedy.
Zen stirred, stretching as if waking up. "Oh? I lost consciousness… but now I smell something delicious!"
Mei glared at him coldly. "You suck at pretending."
Zen smirked mischievously. "You saved my life. Thank you, scary girl."
Mei, annoyed. "Well, that was the price of saving Roy, black-haired bastard."
Roy groaned. "Can you two stop arguing? Even Princess Lumina can't eat because of you!"
Lumina, snacking while watching them, smirked. "Ah, it's entertaining to watch them."
Eventually, Mei and Zen joined the table, and they all started eating.
Mei turned serious. "Princess Lumina, please tell me more about the tribes. This one refuses to!" She pointed at Zen again.
Lumina, annoyed. "I just wanted to enjoy eating!"
Mei smirked. "Then I'll make this bastard marry you."
Lumina, amused. **"Alright! Let's start with the Moon Tribe legend. They say Moon Tribe members have many abilities. They are gifted and can use techniques from other tribes.
"Twenty years ago, there was a man known as a legendary hero. He was expected to become the new legend, but he was murdered. Since then, everyone agreed to certain rules and never spoke of him again.
"The tribe marks are important—some enhance healing, some improve magic, some enhance animal attacks, while others are genius-level offensive techniques. Legendary animals like the phoenix, griffin, and dragon, as well as the rare silphium plant—also known as the 'miracle plant'—carry marks that grant fatal attacks and destruction. The silphium mark, however, is the most miraculous, with its powerful healing abilities.
"Instead of explaining everything, I can write down all the details you need about the tribes!"**
Mei lowered her head. "I have the Silphium mark."
Lumina was shocked. "I don't know about Zen… but if Roy has a dragon, I have a griffin, and you have Silphium—isn't this fate bringing us together? Just like the clairvoyant in my tribe predicted!"
Zen rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me… an old lady again?"
Lumina shook her head. "No, not an old lady. In my kingdom, the woman who raised me trained women with clairvoyant abilities. Her daughter, whom I grew up with, once told me, 'Everyone will be gathered one day. But once you are no longer alone, that is when everything truly begins.'"
Roy smiled. "It's complicated, but I believe fate brought us together."
Mei and Zen remained silent, indifferent.
To lighten the mood, Roy suddenly clapped his hands. "Well! I made something sweet for you all! I mixed the cocoa Lumina gave me with honey. You should taste it!"
Roy handed out the treat.
Everyone took a bite, and their faces melted with satisfaction.
Lumina, delighted. "This is delicious!"
As they ate, Roy turned to Lumina and asked seriously, "You were the one who saved that girl from the selection, weren't you?"
Lumina's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
Roy smiled. "I realized it. But you played it off well. You were amazing."
Mei, still savoring the honey, added, "Yeah, even I noticed. And this bastard kept hiding behind Roy to avoid you!"
Lumina looked down with a sad smile. "It was nothing special. I used my tribe's power to send them to my kingdom, but I don't know if they arrived safely. I built an underground secret place where I hide all the women I've saved. But it's risky—like playing with fire."
Roy gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's fine. What you're doing is amazing. You are a wonderful person, struggling and fighting back in this cruel world. You have all my respect."
Lumina's eyes filled with tears, but she held them back. "Stop! You're going to make me cry!"
Zen sighed. "It's a risky plan, Princess. Even if I come with you, other men will try to destroy you. Hiding women underground won't be enough."
Mei nodded. "You have a great vision, but even with our help, it won't be enough. We need more strength."
Lumina smiled. "I know… I guess I'll wait and see what fate has in store for me."
Roy grinned. "That's a good way to see it!"
The four of them closed the cave with the wooden-like doors Roy had made and continued their conversation.