Confession and Departure

"Asterious..."

Asterious muttered his name with an amazed expression. Even though he didn't understand the meaning of the name, he felt that the name sounded cool and domineering. The black Minotaur stared at its Master with an amazed expression.

"Do you like it?" asked Azel.

"I... I really like this name, Master!" Asterious exclaimed.

"Good." Azel nodded. "Since the business with the Minotaur tribe is over, you'd better pack up quickly. We'll be leaving soon."

"M-Master!"

"What is it?"

"May... May I have a little time please?

Hearing that question, Azel raised his eyebrows. "What for?"

"I-I don't know whether to return to this tribe another time. I… I want to confess my feelings!"

Is this a legendary confession?

The question immediately popped into Azel's mind. Seeing the half bull acting like a high school boy made the young man confused about what to say. But because Azel was quite tolerant, he finally nodded.

"Do it well."

"As per your command, My Lord!"

"You can go."

Seeing Asterious who left after saluting, Azel felt uncomfortable. He immediately turned to Camellia.

"Are you curious, Camellia?"

"Confession of love... I'm curious, Master."

"Then, let's go watch," Azel whispered.

***

In front of the chief's tent that had been moved, Asterious who was carrying a small leather bag and an axe stood up.

Asterious took a deep breath before shouting, "Moomo!!!"

Not long after his scream, some of the nearby Minotaurs looked at him with curious expressions. Although a bit embarrassed, Asterious still stood his ground as he waited. A few moments later, the figure of a Minotaur with well-groomed beige fur stepped out. Her figure is also bigger than the female Minotaur in general.

"W-What are you doing here, Black?"

"No! From today on I'm not Black. My name is Asterious! I will become a great knight fighting under my lord, Prince Azazel!"

"Asterious? Is that so... I'm happy for you, Asterious." Momoo looked at Asterious with concern.

"Moomo! When we were kids, you said you liked strong and reliable men. Even though I'm still weak now, I will strive to become the best knight of all the Minotaur race! So...

So after I became the best...

Will... Will you accept me to be a suitable partner by your side?"

".." Without answering immediately, Moomo looked at Asterious with a surprised expression. She then shook her head before saying, "B-Baka!."

"What... Are you rejecting me?"

"Who said I refused? I feel you're too stupid for being so insensitive. Even without you promising such a thing, I'm attracted to you too, Asterious.

Since a long time ago... I feel you are the strongest and best Minotaur in my heart."

"So... So you accept me?" asked Asterious with a shocked expression.

"You idiot! Of course I accept you! But..."

"What is it?" asked Asterious with a confused expression.

"You already know that I accept you. Not only me but now the tribe people also recognize your kindness and strength. So… do you really have to go follow Prince Azazel? I heard it's very dangerous. Can't you stay?"

"Stay? That's a good thing." Asterious nodded. "But that's not for the best. My goal is higher and the thing I want to achieve is more than this. I've decided to go. I'm going to show the world... Minotaurs are not a simple race!"

Hearing Asterious's words, Moomo didn't look angry at all. She even nodded with a smile.

"Then make your dreams come true and then come back before I'm really going to dump you, idiot!"

"Leave it to me!"

Asterious bowed respectfully before shouting at the top of his lungs, "Chief Moogu, Moomo, and everyone... thanks for your help all this time. I... Asterious departs!!!"

After saying that, Asterious took his bag and axe and turned to leave without looking back.

Inside the chief's tent, Moogu can be seen sitting drinking a large cup of wine. The old minotaur shook his head lightly before looking up at the ceiling and saying, "Asterious, huh? He really does look like you, brother."

Meanwhile, in the shadow of a large tree not far from the scene, three silhouettes appeared. They are Azel, Camellia, and Elena.

Azel's eyes shone with a mysterious light. The young man also raised the corners of his lips.

"Carrying the weight of an entire race on your shoulders? That's the most reckless and foolish thing I've ever seen. However… I don't hate such things."

"Master..." said Camellia.

"It's okay, let's go back." Azel turned to leave followed by the two women behind him.

***

Asterious, who had just arrived in front of Azel and his entourage, looked a bit moved.

"Finally you arrived. Why is it taking so long? Are you lost?" said Azel with a playful look.

Azel saw clearly that Asterious's eyes were still red. Despite his tough demeanor, he understood that the black Minotaur was sad to part with his tribe. Even if they treat him less kind, home is still home.

"Pardon my delay, Master!" Asterious exclaimed.

"Forget your sadness immediately or Moomo will be disappointed because he thinks you have been bullied by the seniors," Azel said with an indifferent expression.

His words instantly made the knights laugh and Asterious became embarrassed. Though unlike Azel and the two women who immediately looked up, the knights clearly heard Asterious' loud screams. Elena also looked at Azel with a surprised expression, not expecting her cold and arrogant Master to be joking.

"You're embarrassing me Master!" muttered Asterious with a helpless expression.

"Forget it," Azel said coldly. He then said, "Because your body is big, you will be in the food carriage. The remaining food has already been moved to another carriage because it has reduced a lot. Also... Ron!"

"You asked for me, Master?" asked the demon who looked normal.

Even though it looks normal compared to the other 99 knights. Azel had quite a good impression of this young man. Seeing Ron approaching, Azel immediately pointed at Asterious.

"You stay in the carriage with him. Even though he is stronger than you, you are his senior. You have to take care of him and tell him what Asterious needs to know. Understood?"

"I understand, Master!" Ron answered firmly. His usual face looked happy. He was clearly happy to have become a senior.

"I'll be in your care, Senior Ron and all seniors!" Asterious exclaimed.

"Nice to meet you, Asterious!" said Ron with a smile on his face.

Not only him, the other knights also greeted Asterious nicely. Like them, those people felt that Asterious who was chosen by Azel had something special compared to other normal Minotaurs. Befriending their Lord's chosen figure isn't bad at all.

Seeing that he was welcomed, Asterious looked very happy. He felt even more moved.

"Thank you, seniors!"

"Are you guys done talking? We have quite a busy schedule. Now... back to work!"

"Yes sir!" answered everyone in unison.

Azsl who had his back to the people slightly raised the corners of his mouth. He looked at the sky before starting to explain.

"Next destination... Goblin Tribe!!!"

***