Unacceptable

The group stood in the park with mixed feelings: confusion, worry, and shock. Surely there was a reasonable explanation for why Rina would marry Francis and stop adventuring.

To find a proper answer, Kaito kept reading…

*            *            *

“I’m sorry, everyone. I won’t be adventuring with you all anymore, as I will be marrying Francis. I know this will come as a shock to you all, so let me explain.

I am the daughter of a high-standing duke. A family that was very close to the previous King Nakamura.

There was so much about my past that I didn’t know, not to mention that the royal life didn’t suit me, so I left. My parents were against it, but I got strong and became an adventurer to figure out who and where I came from.

After a few months had passed, I thought my parents had let me go, but then Francis found me.

Francis is the son of another duke, one I was arranged to marry before I ran away from home. At first, I ignored him, but he persisted. I foolishly promised that if he were ever to defeat me in a proper battle, I would return home to my parents.

I lost to him in the tournament.

I never expected to lose, but the promise came back to bite me.

I’m keeping my promise.

I have returned home, and my parents have set me up to inherit the family bloodline. It will be announced the night you guys probably get this letter.

So I guess this is the end of our adventuring together. It was fun while it lasted.

Goodbye everyone…

Sincerely, Rina

*            *            *

Everyone stood in silence.

Kaito’s hands were tense. He didn’t notice, but he was crumpling up the letter from how hard he held it.

“Rina…” Evona broke the silence.

“I’m not accepting this…” Kaito said quietly.

“Kaito?” Khrom questioned Kaito as he didn’t hear what he said.

“I’m going to find her!” Kaito shouted as he stormed off without a plan.

“Wait, Kaito!” Rachael grabbed Kaito’s arm.

“Don’t try and stop me, Rachael!” Kaito yelled in rage, slightly scaring Rachael. “Why didn’t she tell us…”

Kaito didn’t even get to make up with Rina; there was no way he would let their relationship end like this.

“Kaito, I know you're frustrated. Rina’s my friend too. But barging into royal affairs like this is not the answer.” Rachael explained.

“What then!? You’re just going to let Rina get married off to that shit stain!?” Kaito didn’t hold back his anger.

“Calm down, Kaito,” Rachael reassured. “Let’s form a plan.”

Upon hearing this, Kaito, who only saw red, saw color again. His eyes showed hope as he looked upon his friends, who smiled at him in support. They were going to get Rina back by all means necessary.

____________________________________________________________________________

In a more private location, the group discussed ideas on how to get Rina back.

“We barge in on Fiona’s back,” Kaito suggested.

“EVONA AGREES!!!” Evona shouted.

“Nonononono, we’ll get arrested on the spot!” Rachael rebutted. “We need to get in more casually.”

“But how?” Iori asked. “Don’t you need a high standing or an invitation to these banquets?”

“Not to mention our attire,” Khrom added. “If we don’t get anything to wear, we’ll stick out like sore thumbs. And those clothes are crazy expensive.”

“I-I can pay for the clothing,” Rachael hesitantly mentioned.

Kaito looked at Rachael with suspicion, and Rachael looked back guiltily. The two were basically having a telepathic conversation.

“Are you cheating for money with your god powers?” Kaito questioned Rachael in his mind.

“Shhh! This is why I don’t like getting involved in things on the surface,” Rachael ‘responded’, holding up her finger to her mouth.

“Then we can crash the party on Fiona’s back!” Evona suggested once again, breaking Kaito and Rachael out of their mental conversation.

While Kaito and Rachael were ‘talking’, the group had decided that the plan was to dress up and infiltrate the banquet. Kaito would sneak around with his Phase skill to find and secure Rina.

“Evona, you say that, but I don’t think Fiona can carry any of us,” Khrom joked.

“Heheheh, that’s what you think, Khrom,” Kaito started laughing. “Fiona! Do the thing!”

Fiona played around in the background, but her attention was swiftly drawn to Kaito. She saluted adorably and transformed into her dragon form. Khrom and Rachael looked upon Fiona in shock, while Evona looked excited.

“What are you guys waiting for? Let’s get those clothes,” Kaito said arrogantly from on Fiona’s back. He and Iori had already mounted Fiona while the others were staring.

The others rushed to mount Fiona.

“When were you going to tell us this?” Khrom asked.

“Heh, I was going—”

ZOOOM!!!

Fiona launched into the air before Kaito could brag to the group again. They were off to the Nakamura.