My two apprentices were exhausted after I put them through a combination of military exercising and magical training. Because why the hell not. It’s funny. I apologized to Beakwing for letting the sweaty heathens get on his back, but the griffin only seemed happy to be near me and included.

I also took the time to practice proper riding. Don’t give me that look. Okay, fine. Milia gave me some pointers. You happy now? She somewhat grew up in a farming environment.

We flew to the village afterwards to get Lucas’s things and then to Harmony’s house. Her maid didn’t ask questions, not even about the mysterious thin case she carried. Seeing our condition, the servant didn’t bother to ask us if we’d like to stay over for dinner. Milia gave her a bright amused grin. With light in the sky, we dropped off Lucas too. Nia’s friend was out of town for a while, but the half dwarf had the key to the house and access to any food, though we welcomed him to eat with us daily. It went without saying that Nia expected me to look out for him and while the boy was just a year younger than Harmony, he didn’t have the life experience yet. Nia educated him herself, both in academics, manners, and blacksmithing, which he excelled at. I agreed to have him visit his old blacksmithing master every now and then for further lessons. He valued both his human and dwarf bloodlines after all.

As we prepared to board Beakwing again to fly home, I noticed a scene. Mandi was arguing with her big sister about something. The older crimson-haired woman clearly looked upset or alarmed and from that, I figured they were likely heading home the next day.

Deciding family matters were family matters, we took off.

That night, I had a strange dream. Dryads wanted me to spoon feed them blueberry pie. The dream was so absurd, I woke up the next morning, chuckling, and shaking my head.

After the morning activities and breakfast, Lucas eating with us, I started the shop preparations. Harmony instructed him outside on how to attend the garden, harvesting, and keeping things organized. Milia prepared the cauldrons and their ingredients, including the newer additions to the menu. Milia already wrote down a few things pertaining to farm animals, which I’d take into town to see who could help. The barn we built was very large, as it had to fit Beakwing, and far away from the house that we wouldn’t have animal noises keeping us up at night. Also, it’d look quite tacky to stick a red barn right next to your house as if you’re extending it. The distance had to be perfect. Not too far, not too close. Downwind too, though we’d keep it magically and physically clean. Yes, I didn’t mind cleaning too. I set the example for the apprentices to follow.

I headed into the bathroom, examined its plumbing and decided it could use a shower. This world had few of these, so I explained the idea to my fiancée the best I could. She still preferred baths, but the idea of a cleansing portable waterfall equipped with adjustable heated water intrigued her. Modern day plumbing was a must or at least as close to modern as possible. The metal piping would cost us, especially if I went with steel. Follow that up with a hot water heater courtesy of magic tech and well, the costs made me shudder just from thinking about it.

I pat Wolverine, who was at my side as I examined the bathroom further for improvements. Really, the only thing missing was the shower. I could include a toilet, scrapping the need to go to the outhouse, especially when winter came, but…

I wrote it down. Fuck it. Why not. That meant more metal pipes and money to spend. Fortunately, I could install everything myself and honestly it wasn’t a big deal. The septic tank or sewage system was massive and while a pain in the ass to install, was still on the easy side of things compared to building a custom house.

“Milia, we’re heading out to town. Do you need anything?” I asked. The potions were bottled and soon the shop would be opening. Either Harmony or Milia could run it in my stead. Cheetara gave me a meow from the dryad’s shoulder. I smiled at the kitten.

“No, I think we’re fine in the pantry,” she said. She kissed me before I left.

I considered walking with Wolverine but sensed a commotion in town. Shrugging, I hopped onto Beakwing with the sunlight wolf, and we set off.

Upon arrival, Howie and maids were loading two carriages. Winn and Lou were finally up again, though judging from their tired eyes, the road to recovery still weighed among them. Mandi emerged from the building dressed in traveling trousers and a shirt, which still likely costed more than my house probably.

“Surely you’re not leaving without saying goodbye,” I said. Hector flinched. Rose smiled a little shyly, though the predatory glimmer in her eyes still marked her as a dangerous woman. Someone who’d make you a boytoy before you realized it.

Mandi smiled upon noticing us and patted an excited Wolverine as he nudged against her, tail wagging.

“Leaving kind of wasn’t my decision,” she admitted. “I hoped we’d stick around for another two or three days to ensure the full recovery of our cousins. But Hector has a point about returning to the city guard. They’re…less tame when he’s out on business.” Mandi narrowed her eyes. “I keep telling him to hire a different vice-magistrate, but he believes too heavily in his friends.”

“Hop on Beakwing, I’ll take you to see the others,” I said. “I can shop later.”

“Are…are you sure?” Rose asked. “I’m certain someone like you is busy with critical things.”

I waved off her comment. “The shop is all that keeps me occupied. That until we find some farm animals.”

I…wasn’t expecting Hector’s eyes to light with a fire. Then I realized he was going to use this as an opportunity to get into my good graces. Rose confirmed it with those exact words, in a bored voice.

“I told you he’s friendly,” Rose said to Hector. “You don’t have to jump at every opportunity to so-called get into his good graces.”

If those words were in defense of me, then what was she arguing with Mandi about the previous day?

Ignoring his sister, Hector said, “if you’re looking for farm animals, I know the perfect place you can get them. I mean no disrespect to the town you’re improving, thank Wanda you are, but I cannot recommend getting them from here.”

I raised an eyebrow, but the man continued. “You may not see it, but with the prices of this place, comes competition to snack up as much gold and silver as possible. Even if the farmer here agrees to sell you some animals, he will ensure that you receive the worst of his lot. Also, you’ll be paying more than sixteen times the price, per head.”

My eyes widened, both at a funny unintended old-world reference that popped into my mind at this inopportune time, and the fact that the farmer would indeed rip me off. His excuse would be the market and its supply and could feign ignorance for any sickly animals.

“See, this is exactly what I’m talking about,” I told Hector. “I heard rumors of the inflation in Kyushu going down slightly, but it’s not enough. These prices will keep driving people away. I plan to keep calling this place my home and will do everything I can to fix it.”

Hector seemed taken aback, perhaps his bad impressions of me finally fading, at least a bit. The magicians of this world really were assholes, through and through.

“Where should I purchase animals, like cows, pigs, and chickens?” I asked. “I’m going to give this guy a little competition, only with better products at a fair price.”

He examined me just a bit before smiling. He gave Mandi a head pat, as if approving something.

“Mandi, would you like to be in charge of this deal?” Hector asked his little sister. “Try not to give him too much of a discount.”

He patted his little sister on her shoulder, his eyes seeming to be glowing with pride. They spoiled the teenager way too much, I could tell.

She giggled. “We can talk about it at the shop…but.”

“You have to come home,” Hector said. “If Mother comes here, well, she may just start slinging fireballs and take away the thing you like. This town.”

He noticed my hard gaze and bowed. “We’re trying to avoid that, I swear. Of course I’d do my best to talk her down.”

“She sounds like a feisty one,” I said, laughing.

Mandi sighed and I couldn’t help but feel a little bad for her. She was willing to just leave her old life and her things behind for a small town, a potion shop, and…us. But as much as I wanted to hand her a boon, I knew I couldn’t. She was from a rich family and the last thing I needed was to put this town in danger by allowing her to stay.

Although if she did visit, we’d welcome the redhead every time.

The atmosphere threatened to turn gloomy as Mandi said her goodbyes, so I gave them an easy reminder.

“She’s only four days from us,” I said. “That will take us only a couple of hours at best thanks to Beakwing for any visits. Also, Mandi’s setting us up with quality farm animals.”

Days were a measurement by an easy-moving, horse-pulled cart. In reality, if in a hurry, they could push the horses to the limits reaching the village in a matter of hours. Less than half a day. Beakwing could reach places so quickly because he flew several miles into the sky, through the clouds, and moving at the speed of a plane. We strapped safety ropes to him for that very reason, though the griffin’s magic bounded us in place. There was a reason why Beakwing was an S-ranked creature and often, they were just as feared as dragons. In fairness, every fantasy world I read about feared griffins. It’s no wonder Beakwing’s previous owner had never been caught.

“Cows, chickens, pigs, oh and elicrones too,” Harmony said to Mandi as she wrote down our order.

“Uh…eli-what?” I asked.

“They don’t have elicrones in your homeland?” Harmony said. “They’re colorful birds, about the size of turkeys. Amazing meat and eggs, but you can use their mana feathers for various applications.”

Mandi gave me a sad smile, which made me sigh.

“They’re expensive, aren’t they?” I asked.

“They are,” she confirmed. “I’d recommend only two, a male and female.”

“Fine, if there’s anything left in the budget, then just two, otherwise, scrap them,” I said. “It’s going to be a lot of work just keeping the chickens in check.”

“And the rooster,” Harmony said, grinning to my frown.

After a while, the carriages showed up and Mandi hugged us all before she boarded, looking back one last time, hoping I’d exert any authority to force her stay. Instead, I waved.

“See you when you get back,” I told her. “Apprentice Mandi.”

The petite redhead ended up leaping into me for one more hug before finally leaving.

“That was unexpectedly kind of you,” Harmony said moments after both carts took off.

“He’s more soft-hearted than you think,” Milia said, smiling brightly. I sighed, deciding to just weather the jives. Lucas laughed too.

Afterward, we ran the shop for a full day this time, because the money would certainly be needed, and then had dinner. Harmony volunteered to cook, forcing Lucas to help the Head apprentice. I wondered if it was a mistake to give the cheeky blue-haired girl the title, especially with her waving it like a visible baton.

I smirked, amused at how he was a bit flustered around her, but the kid was too much of an honest boy to try anything. Like a hero out of a story.

But there would be no heroes here or else as the master, I would be unceremoniously killed off or forced into isolation until Lucas somehow found me. Then I’d be killed off by some bullshit event. Me or Nia.

That night, after dropping the teenagers off to their homes, Milia and I chatted for another hour, she in my arms, before we called it a night. She did not go to her room but being the one who fell asleep first like the smoothest idiot possible, I only knew that because I felt her stir the next morning. I felt her lips caress mine, love strong. She said good morning to the spirit beasts, brushed her teeth, and afterward, the smell of breakfast coated the house. Damn, I’d never awake before her and show my appreciation by one upping her breakfast.

As I devoured my delicious food, I thought for a moment and frowned. Aside from bringing down inflation just a little bit and discovering a few new potions, what have I accomplished since I’ve been here? Well, the answer was simple. Who the hell cared? I will build everything at my pace, make a ton of money, and hey, do some traveling with my future wife and our pets from time to time.

People only seem to want a guy that does nothing but increase his power and save the world from an apocalypse that doesn’t need to exist. Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m thanking those heroes for doing it so that I don’t have to.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the full clear just yet. I needed to actually marry Milia! The thought of meeting her family made me nervous. Sometimes the family of the person you’re dating can be a bit coo coo for cocoa puffs if you know what I mean. Like when the brother of an ex asked me if I had that horser then wiggled his tongue at his other sister. To this day, I still have no fucking idea what he meant and don’t want to.

Anyway, one step at a time.

My line of resolve and thoughts was disturbed when I heard a commotion. When I looked outside, I saw large horses pulling a fancy carriage. If that was it, I’d close the door and return to breakfast. The apprentices had the day off and I wouldn’t be opening the shop.

Milia wanted to do some blueberry picking in her forest. We’d bring along Wolverine, Cheetara, and Beakwing of course to run around. But a date was a date.

I sure as shit wouldn’t spend every single day of my existence here brewing potions or running the shop. Time off recharged people.

However, these weren’t ordinary horses. They were yellow-white. Large whips of electricity danced around their hooves with each step. And damn did they blur. I could only keep up with them due to my enhanced vision.

“What kind of horses are those?” I asked my dryad fiancée.

“Lightning horses,” Milia replied. “It’s quite surprising to see them all the way out here, given their rarity. The carriage looks even more expensive than the Wingston family’s. Whoever’s inside must be quite important.”

“Do you think…no, if they were checking on Winn and Lou, they would’ve passed by them yesterday. Then who could that possibly be?”

Beakwing peeked out of his barn, yawning.

“That reminds me,” I said as I turned to Milia. “Do you know what the Axem is?”

“That would be the guardian of the S-ranked dungeon,” Milia replied. “I believe some people saw him once when he first moved into the dungeon.”

“I figured he was the dungeon’s boss,” I said. “That’s why the mayor never visits us.

He’s terrified of the forest and of the Axem. Says it’s a serpent with seven eyes. I completely forgot about it.”

“When we’re finally strong enough to go in there, we can ask it all the questions we want,” Milia said. “If it doesn’t lunge at us first.”

I laughed. “Knowing my luck, he’ll probably save us the trouble of traveling through the dungeon and come to us.”

I felt Milia’s arms wrap around me in a hug from behind. She kissed my cheek. Once again, I felt like the luckiest man in the world.

**

Ramon Thunderblade, hero and party leader, stepped out of the carriage eager to finally be off the road after days of almost nonstop travel.

His party consisted of Kelvin the Blizzard Sword, Iris the Heavenly Bow, Nuwa the Goddess Healer, Maxus the Darkness, and Ronica the Phoenix Magician.

“Kelvin, you’re the best at talking to mortals. Do you mind going with Nuwa to the mayor’s office?”

“I guess,” Kelvin muttered. “Come, Nuwa.”

The healer simply shrugged and followed Kelvin to the town hall.

Iris yawned as she stretched. “Finally. No more bathing in lakes. I was starting to feel like a wood elf.”

Ramon stared at the elf flatly, annoyed with her terrible joke, but said nothing. The woman was mostly irritated with him during the middle of the trip, and this happened to be bait. Giving one of the strongest members of the party a reason to punch him in the nose wasn’t the man’s style. So instead, he decided to just agree with her.

“Yes. Hopefully they’ll have some decent private washrooms out here in the sticks,” Ramon said.

“The mayor served in the king’s army as a high-ranker of the enlisted I believe,” Iris said. “A captain? I think he’ll set us up.”

Ronica nearly dove out of the carriage, landing on two feet with her arms in the air. “Woohoo! I’m going to get food!”

Maxus grunted. “This place is more of a village than a town.”

Ramon couldn’t help but smile widely. “This is perfect. We’re eons away from the capital city and the only nobles we’ll have to deal with are small. We’re four days away from the Wingston family and looking at this place, do you think they’d ever come here?”

“Obviously not,” Iris said, frowning. “Ugh, the sooner we get strong enough to kill the Peace Spawner, the better. I don’t want to be here longer than I need to.”

Ronica started toward a food stand. Ramon followed her, his stomach rumbling louder than he could think. Anything would be better than staying back to listen to the elf’s complaining. Iris probably knew it too. When Maxus followed, she sighed and gave in.

Backwater village or not, the food was absolutely amazing. He ordered extra for Kelvin and Nuwa. Thankfully they appeared shortly after with the mayor himself behind them.

Ramon stood, doing his best not to sniff in distaste at the bald portly mayor. The mannerisms of the capital still weighed on him. It’d take time to shake off the adapted icy cold toward mortals. His eyes instinctively searched for a potential younger wife or daughter or even a maid, but he quickly shoved the thoughts into the gutter. Another annoying habit. He didn’t exactly promise his team not to do that, but if he was going to stand even a slight chance against Ares the Peace Spawner, then he needed to grow as a person. At least that’s what Nuwa constantly railed on about.

Ramon forced himself to grab the mayor’s hand and introduce himself. He put on his best fake smile and along with the usual façade of being friendly. It helped dispel those nasty rumors the bootlicking servants in the Lord Ruler’s castle started.

“Ah, you must be Mayor Rue, former hard-fighting captain of the greatest army in the world,” Ramon said, though he wanted to scoff at the man for letting himself go. He was a captain dammit. He should’ve kept into shape!

“Honored Ramon Thunderblade,” the mayor said, but before he could bow to the waist, Ramon shook his head.

“We’re undercover,” Ramon told him. “Treat us like any other. We do need a place to live for the time being.”

“I’ve got servants working on it,” the mayor said. “Please esteemed one, let us know what else I can do for you.”

“Just keep the news of us being here a secret,” Ramon said. “Treat this like a holy mission from Wanda herself. The time for us to defeat the Peace Spawner once and for all draws near, but we require the peacefulness of this town to meditate, reflect on our lives. After all, we may no longer be of this world, a sacrifice but for the greater good, to defeat the darkest enemy.”

Ramon may have laid that short speech on too thick, he could tell Iris tried not to laugh, but it did the trick. The mayor was moved.

“Please, stay as long as you want,” the mayor said. “Your party is welcomed here with open arms, may you conquer your missions safety and honorably.”

“Ah Wanda’s wiggling bottom, we’re out of potions,” Maxus said. His sudden comment felt like comic relief and music to Ramon’s ears. He wanted to get as far away from this pathetic mortal as possible. “We don’t have even the most basic—”

“The Wingston city’s four days away,” Ronica said, her normally cheery voice, tired. “Let’s just go next week.”

“We have a potion maker,” the mayor said, his eyes brimming with…pride. That surprised Ramon. A backwater garbage town like this with a potion maker. Judging by the radiance in the mayor’s eyes, the maker couldn’t be a hack. Ramon’s party picked up on that too. “His place is both a home and shop, ten minutes’ walk to that grassland over there.” He pointed at the two-story house they passed as they made their way to the town.

“I suppose we can make an order while we’re waiting on our house,” Ramon said. “I’ll go to the potion maker. The rest of you finish eating and wait for the mayor’s servant to find you.”

**

As Milia and I prepared to setoff, I heard a knock and unfamiliar voice.

“Hey, I’ve got a royal order for you, potion maker.”

“Who the fuck,” I said softly, then in my shopkeeper’s voice. “Sorry about that, friend, we’re closed. I’ll take your order tomorrow morning.”

Instead of a return apology and other manners, I received a persistent loud knocking along with a threat to kick down my door, as well as destroy my shit.

Milia stood up, as she was in my lap, and I leapt from my new soft relaxing chair. Apparently couples aren’t allowed to have time to themselves.