Nameless King

"Done." Ern pronounced as he put out the fire.

He placed a large crispy steak, some roasted vegetables, and several kinds of sauces on the plates. He carefully poured the red sauce over the steak and placed it on a bed of rice.

"Have you thought about becoming a chef?' Wain asked.

"No." Ern shook his head, "I wouldn't be able to cook as well in a restaurant kitchen or person to someone for money. In fact, I don't like working, especially for someone. I do better when doing it for myself."

Wain nodded weakly, he shared Ern's opinion.

"I'll go get the others." Ern muttered as he headed for the kitchen exit.

However, he didn't have to go anywhere. Alice and Erza smelled that great aroma and quickly came to dinner.

'Is that Erza...?' Wain muttered.

She looked a little different than before. Her hair was mussed, her clothes dirty, and she had an unfinished bottle of bourbon in her hand, it was just a mess.

"Wain...?!" Erza exclaimed as she saw him.

"Hi, I see someone's having a rough day."

Erza instantly blushed. She left the bottle on the table and ran away.

"Did I say something wrong?" Wain looked at Ern.

"No. You did the right thing. All right, let's eat before the food gets cold. Alice, sit down." Ern pulled back a chair.

"Alice... Are you in First Chronicle...?" Wain was surprised.

"Yes." Alice nodded weakly.

"The humans' ability to absorb energy was incredible. I got the right amount of souls, and all she had to do was absorb them. There were slight problems with the conditions, but we managed, so Alice is now on the edge of the First Chronicle. She only has to fulfill the conditions to begin her second evolution. That speed is astounding." Ern said confidently.

"There are plenty of minuses, too."

"Of course, there's no perfect in this world. Okay, I don't want to talk anymore, all I'm interested in is this juicy steak." Ern took a fork in his hand as he began to eat.

Unlike the others, he had no rice or vegetables on his plate, just three huge pieces of meat and a sea of sauce. It was the best meal for the Demons. Ern only cooked the vegetables because Alice and Erza love them. He didn't need rice or any garnish, with luck, he could easily eat a whole wild boar.

When the plates were already almost empty, Erza returned to the kitchen. Now she looked completely different like she was going to a royal banquet. Her hair was styled, and she even applied makeup. She was wearing a long black and red dress that fit her tightly.

She sat silently at the table and began to eat carefully, occasionally glancing at Wain as if expecting an appraisal from him.

...

"Are we ready to hit the road?" Ern said as he cleared the plates from the table, "Alice, would you be kind enough to clean up here."

"Sure."

"Yes. I hope the Forgotten Forest of Elves doesn't disappoint us. Also, we need to visit Alice's town." Wain muttered.

"I suggest we go out late at night, at dawn, we will approach the city." Ern stared at Wain.

"I don't mind." Wain nodded.

"Me, too." Erza nodded.

"Good. Then that's what we'll do."

...

At night they left Nord. They had no more business in this city, each of them had their own goals for this journey. Wain had to discover the sixth form, Ern wanted to find the secret treasure, Erza was trying to get close to Wain somehow, and Alice wanted to know what happened with her house.

Ern had the map, but he gave it to Wain because he needed to carry Alice in his arms to keep up with them. She had made some serious progress lately, a real breakthrough, but it was like a drop in the ocean compared to them.

Their path was from north to west. They emerged from the snowy mountains and entered the dense forests. Many dangerous monsters lived here, even those in Second Chronicle were hesitant to enter here, but for Wain and the others, it was no barrier.

'What a strange feeling.' Wain inwardly muttered as he looked at the monsters hiding behind the trees.

All the monsters were on the edge of the Second Chronicle, but they dared not make a move. Wain hadn't felt this way before. Now he understood the power of World Impact.

'If not for the effect of World Impact, they might ambush us, but they don't really have a chance of winning. It's even a little cruel.'

"It's kind of boring here, don't you think?" Ern muttered.

"Hmm?"

"Look, this snake has been chasing us for some time now, though it's only in First Chronicle. Isn't it a good opportunity to have a little fun?" Ern looked back.

"We'll kill it in one hit. What's the point of that?" Erza asked.

"Oh, I'm not talking about us. We won't fight, Alice will do that. You don't understand me, but I want to see what she has accomplished. Real combat with a dangerous opponent is seriously different from training." Ern said as he lowered Alice to the ground.

They stopped as the snake hid in the trees. The snake was good at covering, Alice peered closely into the forest thicket, but she couldn't see the snake.

"There. Look there." Ern pointed with his hand.

Alice looked closer. Among the bushes, she saw two green eyes, the snake watching them as well as they did.

"Go ahead. No one will disturb you. We'll keep an eye on the monsters." Ern put his hand on Alice's shoulder.

"Good." Alice nodded as her ring glowed brightly.

In her hand appeared a creepy scythe with an eye open on the blade. The dark armor appeared on Alice, and her hair turned blue and much longer. Alice sighed and rushed toward the snake.

The monster shuddered but did not retreat. Snake was confident that it could handle Alice easily.