Silver

"Where is he??"

"Behind you idiot."

"!!"

"Whaaa...Ghost." Austin pretended to be surprised and stumble to the ground.

I frowned. "...Why are you exaggerating."

"Are you alive...Sigh, ...I thought you were dead." He breathed a sigh of relief.

The corners of my mouth twitched. "Is it?". I nodded. "Then you can repeat your training 10 more times, I wi-".

"Leon, no Sir Leon..No Master Leon, I am sorry it was a joke, a joke." Austin instantly leapt forward and caught my Legs.

Okay, enough buttering.

"Enough," I shook him away. "...get away from me."

"Ah, Sure." Austin smiled brightly looking at me. Like a kid whose prank was successful.

He seems changed. That's good I don't like mute people regardless.

My expression turned serious. "What did you learn??"

Austin smile faded. "...What??" He stared blankly.

Do I have to tell him this as well? Doesn't matter.

To be frank there was no secret spells or techniques on top of the mountains.

His power level is still the same. But he is much more composed, confident additionally his physical strength has increased by leaps and bounds. The demonic power is also stable inside him.

Nonetheless, I wanted to teach him something else that is Control.

I sighed "...Its Patience, Trust and Self Reliance."

"When you decided to look for answers yourself instead of blaming me for problems it was Self Reliance."

"When you decided to meditate it was Patience."

"And when you didn't cower in front of majestic mountains it was 'Trust' within yourself."

"Always remembers these three words in your life. This is the key to your unlock your potential."

Austin nodded blankly. Frankly, he didn't understand much and needs more time to digest it.

"Okay let's get out of here. " I snapped my finger teleporting us outside. The space distorted, we vanished from the spot to an unknown room.

The sun was rising. The rays of sunlight were penetrating through the windows.

We teleported directly inside my tent.

A white pet wolf was dozing off in my bed. He is always in puppy form so I thought why don't just keep him together.

He can help me to dupe a few innocent girls...hehe.

As for his powers, I sealed it, now even Natsuki will be unable to differentiate between him and normal magical beasts.

I raised a brow at Austin. "Don't you want to know about your father anymore? Considering my powers, I could have easily detoxified the poison and saved him.

Austin was startled. How can he forget about it?

"Eh??"

For a moment he looked confused, then turned away. "...I don't."

Hmm...this is unexpected. "Why not?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

Austin sighed, gazing at me. "I don't know...I just don't feel like it."

He looked uncomfortable. His gaze shifted absently to the cabinets. He doesn't know why? Why isn't he curious about it anymore. What happened??

He looked bewildered as he was unable to understand anything.

I ignored the confused Austin and squatted down on the bed next to the Fenrir.

Let him think. This is not something that I should help him with.

It is about the will of a person. Once it is broken, he is no better than a dead man. James will to live has long been shattered, even if I saved him he wouldn't be alive for long.

... It is all Bullshit. He will be more than happy to spend his time with his Son and a few grandsons.

But I want Austin to think of the former not the latter. Actually even the former isn't entirely inaccurate it is just the 'will' to live will be reignited among James after seeing Austin, meeting his long lost son.

Who cares I don't think he will ever be able to arrive at the second possibility. He didn't even have much attachment with James, to begin with.

He will soon forget all this and I will just tell him about the 'will' theory and be done with it.

Austin stood perplexed as his face showed indecision.

The little wolf woke up and hopped above me.

"I don't know." Austin whispered. I was slightly surprised when he resigned but that's ok.

"Don't worry one day you will realize, for now, let's go."

Avoiding Austin I walked past him. The little wolf followed me.

...

The Princess's group set off early in the morning along with us. After finishing our breakfast, we departed almost immediately so we could reach the Imperial capital before afternoon comes.

Similar to yesterday, we were asked to join Aria in her Carriage today. However, William was guarding outside today.

"Hey is that your pet?" Aria asked pointing at Fenrir. On a closer look, her eyes were sparkling.

...Hehe, perfect as it should be.

You can easily trick a child with sweats but for tricking girls you need pets.

"Can I pick it up??"

"Sure but be careful. He is pretty selective." What can I say, pride of a God-beast.

She kneeled down to pick it up.

I watched her with wide eyes. Her cleavage was openly visible from my position. Did she did it on purpose. Doesn't matter, I like it. They must be soft...umm...

Fenrir didn't resist at all as she put him into her lap.

"Whoof"

... Hey dude where is your pride?? Don't tell me you are becoming a pet dog from a God beast.

I watched him speechless as he snuggled up to Aria's bosom. Man those are big if only I can...

No, I am not jealous, definitely not.

"His fur is so soft. I have never heard about a Wolf like this." Aria eyes gleamed with Joy as she stroked his silver fur.

"Hey, Leon??" Aria tried calling me but I was standing there lost in thoughts.

She followed my line of sight onto to find me staring at her breasts. She instantly blushed to her ears. It is the first time a man has openly dared to stare at her like this. She was embarrassed but at the same time, a slight joy was there.

From the moment they have boarded the carriage Leon has not once looked at her with lustful gaze, it was actually a good thing but inwardly she felt a bit disappointed. She even doubted her own looks.

"Ahem." Mia coughed. She stared at me with wide eyes, speechless. [ Is he the same person who was rejecting her yesterday. Men are all same scumbags.]

"Huh, what??" What's with her.

"It's nothing," Aria said with a flushed face. She immediately looked sideways embarrassed.

I glimpsed at Rafael only to find him looking at me with envy.

Whatever the man who marries her must be lucky. She is much more mature as compared to Lena and Ellen. Only Yves may be able to match her.

There was an awkward silence on the carriage. However, Aria being a princess and a lady soon pulled herself. She started conversing with me unbothered by my previous reaction.

She has already decided. What is use of being embarrassed now?

She spent her time asking me about my life. She was asking me about my daily activities in Lingenia or about my interaction with my friends, not trying to dig up my past or anything like that. The princess would be able to find out about the information regarding the Cursed Forest mission through those conversations.

However, those information were already to be made public today and most people will already know of our achievements till tomorrow.

I didn't need to guard against her as well, after yesterday I have confirmed she is harmless at least for me.

"Hmm... Leon did he have a name?" Mia asked referring to the silver wolf.

"Name?... Call it anything, Fenrir, wolf..."

Does he even need a name?

Aria smiled wryly. "I will assume he doesn't have one."

What about the name. Just call it whatever you want.

"Can I name it?' She said visibly excited.

"Do as you like."

"Uh, .... How about Silver."

"It is simple." I still believe Fenrir was better.

"How about it, do you like it." Aria tilted her at Fenrir.

Is she asking for his opinion?

"Of course, he will like it or else I will just throw him out."

Mia wrinkled her brows. As for Aria, she thought I was joking but I am serious. There are many other beasts that I can use to dupe girls.

The Phoenix is a good option.

"woof." Silver nodded flustered aware of the competition.

I smirked. "See he clearly loves it."

A smile flickered across Aria's face.

Though, the look on Mia's face was different [It is coercion.]

After a while, Aria asked a question to the whole group.

"Then, shall we talk about our course of action in the Imperial capital?"

All of them nodded to Aria's words.

"Okay. Our first destination would be the Castle since it's the primary reason why we travel to the Imperial capital. There you guys should meet the Imperial Guards captain and brief him about the situation along with William.

Everyone continued listening without saying a word.

Aria turned towards me.

"After finishing your business there, Leon and Austin you might be summoned to the Imperial castle for rewards. You will be directly given rewards from the Emperor. Therefore, you should make preparations for that."

After Aria said that, Mia and Rafael sighed and became downhearted.

"What's wrong?"

"...The Imperial castle huh. I also wanted to see it."

Aria glanced back at Mia and smiled Mischievously.

"Don't worry I have already arranged the room for all of you to stay at the Palace. Till the time you are staying in Capital, you can freely stay in it."

Mia looked at Aria gratefully.

"After that, we can go to Imperial Institute," Rafael whispered.

This plan is reasonable but. "Ahem, I think Aria you forgetting something I had to meet Yves first."

Aria smiled down at me in a reassuring way. "Don't worry we will first stop at Adventurer's Guild then we can proceed from there."

I frowned slightly.

Did she plan this all in advance. You are a clever girl but that's not what I meant. Can't you take the sign I want to escape?

"Sorry to disappoint you Aria but I and Austin won't be able to accompany you guys. We won't be able to stay in the Capital today, we have to urgently go to the Imperial Institute."

Austin watched me blankly. I told him previously that first, we are going to tour around the cities nearby the Institute before moving there.

When did it become urgent?

I send him a mental note. [ Idiot keep your mouth shut or else I will throw you into volcanic mountains.]

Austin face turned pale. He instantly become obedient.

He nodded vigorously. "Yes he is right we have to immediately leave the Capital today."

Aria expression turned sour. By her expression, she was anything but enjoying the conversation.

"What about your rewards."

Yeah, what about it should I bluntly say to her I don't care. No, let's say next time, I would be able to meet Freya as well.

"Don't worry about it. We would collect it next time."

"Next time, sure?? Don't forget to meet me" she feigned a disappointed expression.

Austin glanced at her with sympathy.

I lifted a brow. Austin you are too young to understand these foxes. For a moment even I was fooled by her acting.

I have to teach him next time properly as not to get deceived by a vixen.

"Of course, I will inform you beforehand."

"Mm." She nodded and smiled.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Aria further didn't pursue the matter. While the rest were talking excitedly about their plan to sightsee the capital, I proceeded to simulate the meeting between me and the Yves.

The carriage kept running at moderate speed. The scenery around us kept changing. From forest to villages to small cities...

After a few hours, we could finally see the huge white wall on the horizon.