Hiroy's brow furrowed as he gazed up at the goddess Kokono. Her ethereal form shimmered in a warm golden light, radiating an aura of love and comfort—yet beneath that glow, a storm brewed inside him. The affection she lavished on him could not quell the burning question that gnawed at his soul.
"I know it was the same one who used forbidden magic on the elf village—the one who destroyed my planet," Hiroy said, voice taut with restrained fury but still measured, mindful of the goddess's presence.
Kokono's gentle smile softened her features, but she shook her head slowly. "That is beyond your power to know, Hiroy. I will tell you no more," she replied softly, her tone firm yet caring. She reached out, patting his head with a tender gesture filled with warmth—then vanished as quickly as she had appeared.
The lingering warmth of her touch offered little comfort against the rage simmering within him. Hiroy exhaled deeply, forcing the frustration aside. Turning to his party, he forced a smile. "Well, we're new to this planet. Let's explore a bit," he said, trying to keep the mood light.
The six girls responded with varying degrees of enthusiasm, but all sensed the tension beneath his words.
Yanita, Hiroy's longtime girlfriend from Earth, slipped her hand into his, grounding him with her steady presence. Aria, regal and composed, glanced at Hiroy with quiet concern, then turned her gaze away, hiding her unease.
They stood near a crossroads, debating which path to take. Though Hiroy had suggested asking Shura or Syrah for a ride, the girls seemed determined to keep their distance from civilization—for reasons Hiroy understood well.
Their conversation was interrupted by the faint crunch of footsteps approaching.
Hiroy's ears twitched. He turned sharply, senses on high alert.
A lone man came into view from over the horizon, walking briskly while muttering to himself, lost in his own thoughts.
The language he spoke was not native to this world—it was the tongue of Hiroy's previous planet.
"Hey, wait a second!" Hiroy called out.
The man froze, tension crackling through his frame. In an instant, he drew a knife and flung it toward Hiroy with deadly intent.
But Hiroy didn't flinch.
Frana reacted instantly, catching the blade midair and driving it into the ground, her eyes narrowing at the stranger.
Realizing his mistake, the man recoiled, bowing deeply. "I'm sorry. I thought you were that purple-haired demon," he stammered.
The words struck Hiroy like a thunderclap.
"You said 'purple-haired demon'?" Yanita's voice was sharp, cutting through the air before Hiroy could speak.
The man's pointed ears and noble bearing marked him as a high elf—one of the pure-blooded survivors from the village ravaged by Shiro's forbidden magic. The pain and bitterness etched on his face spoke volumes.
"You may choose to believe me or not," he said, his voice thick with grief, "but that demon and his dragon are burned into my memory."
Hiroy's scowl deepened. "Shiro wouldn't destroy without reason," he said quietly, conflicted.
The elf shrugged. "Believe what you will. I escaped because I was taught how to travel between worlds—an ability common among my people."
Suddenly, the man's form shimmered and disintegrated into shimmering particles of light, vanishing from sight.
Hiroy's mind raced, questions swirling like a tempest. Shiro was no villain in his eyes. There had to be another truth.
Turning to Yanita, his eyes searched hers for answers—but she only shrugged, equally puzzled.
The rest of the girls, silent until now, wore shock and sorrow on their faces. Tears welled and slipped down cheeks as the weight of the man's words sank in.
"Are our families really gone?" Frana's voice trembled with anguish.
Hiroy moved to her side, gently placing a hand on her cheek before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"It's okay," he whispered. "I promise, I'll find the truth."
One by one, he comforted the girls, grounding them with his unwavering resolve.
Yet beneath the calm, fury simmered.
He turned back to the fallen tree beside them. With a flick of his wrist, it toppled, crashing down in a cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, Hiroy's determination crystallized.
He would uncover the secrets behind Shiro's actions.
And those responsible for the destruction would pay—one way or another.
But first, more mysteries awaited unraveling, and battles still to come.