From Ashes To Scales

A few days later, I finally woke up. I could feel something heavy pressing against me. As I blinked the haze from my eyes, I realized it was a pair of breasts. Why am I seeing boobs first thing in the morning? At least I think it’s morning. Anyway, I know exactly who these belong to. It took some effort, but I finally managed to sit up, gently moving Rusalka off me without waking her. She stirred slightly, her lips parting in a soft murmur, but she remained asleep.

As I took in my surroundings, I saw that all the girls were sprawled on the same bed with me. Rusalka, the Weiss Goblin, lay closest to me, her green hair fanned out like a meadow. Leona Ironwill, the former Sword Saintess, was on my other side, her hand still clutching her sword even in slumber. Saphira Vermillion, the Witch of Calamity, had curled up at the foot of the bed, her usual stern expression softened in sleep.

The room itself was modest but charming. If I had to guess, we were at an inn. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, supporting a roof that I could imagine sheltered many weary travelers. A large window with simple, cream-colored curtains let in the morning light, casting a warm glow on the room's rustic furniture. A round wooden table with four mismatched chairs stood in the corner, a single candle on it burned down to a nub. The walls were decorated with woven tapestries depicting heroic battles and serene landscapes, their colors faded with age but still vibrant enough to tell their stories.

I noticed a small fireplace on the far side of the room, embers still glowing faintly from the night's fire. Above it hung a mantle adorned with an assortment of trinkets and a polished silver mirror. A simple wooden wardrobe stood beside the door, its doors slightly ajar, revealing our gear neatly stowed away. The room had an earthy scent, a mix of pine wood and fresh linen, with a hint of something sweet—probably Rose tried to make more healing potions to make sure Leona’s wounds were fully closed.

The weight of relief settled over me. I was safe. We were safe.

I shifted slightly, and that movement must have disturbed Leona. She blinked awake, her amber eyes focusing on me. A smile spread across her face, and she quickly sat up, her hand reaching out to touch my arm.

"Hubby, you're awake!" she said, her voice a blend of joy and relief.

Her exclamation roused the others. Rusalka stretched with a yawn, her ears twitching, while Saphira rubbed her eyes and looked up, her expression quickly transforming from grogginess to relief.

"Thank the stars," Rusalka said, scooting closer to inspect me.

"We were worried about you, my lord.You gave us quite a scare," Saphira added, her usual composed demeanor cracking to reveal the genuine concern beneath. "I’m glad you're alright."

Leona's hand was still on my arm, and she squeezed it gently. "We thought we might lose you."

“That’s my line. Leona, you really scared me.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Leona, I need to apologize."

She looked at me, confused. "For what, Magnus?"

"I was too confident in my own skills. I thought I could handle anything that came our way. But when you got hurt..." My voice wavered. "I thought I might lose you. And that thought—it terrified me."

Leona's expression softened. "Hubby… you really do love me, don’t you? In the end you saved me and you beat Yridian. That’s proof of your strength."

"But I shouldn't have put you in that position in the first place," I insisted. "I need to be smarter, more cautious. I can't let my confidence endanger you or anyone else again."

Rusalka chimed in, her voice gentle. "Master, we all took risks. We knew what we were getting into. But you're right. We all need to be more careful."

Saphira nodded. "Although we haven't known each other for long... We need to rely on each other, not just our own strengths. My fears also made me unable to react this time. Because of my past… I was frozen. We all have our own faults, but we can only improve under your guidance, my lord."

Leona squeezed my hand. "We've all learned something from this. And we're stronger because of it. But we trust you, hubby. We believe in you. Just as you believe in us."

I looked at each of them, their faces filled with determination and trust. "Thank you. I won't forget this. We'll get stronger together, and I'll make sure we're all prepared for whatever comes next."

Leona smiled. "That's all we can ask for. Now, let's get some breakfast. I'm starving."

We all laughed, the tension easing from the room.

“Wait a minute!”

I glanced around the room again, taking in every detail, but something was missing. Or rather, someone.

“I still have no clue where we are! And what happened to Rose?”

Saphira sat up straighter, her expression shifting to one of explanation. "We reached the port city of Bellvola a couple of days ago. Rose is outside right now, trying her best to secure the services of a ship that will take us to Ephiria."

"Bellvola?" I echoed, the name ringing a bell.

Rusalka nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, Master. Bellvola is a bustling port city. However, it’s more secluded compared to the major harbor cities, which should benefit us. We've been resting here, waiting for you to wake up while Rose handles the negotiations."

Leona added, "Rose has been working tirelessly. She wants to make sure we get the best possible ship for the journey. It's not easy, considering our... unique situation. And to be honest… she hasn’t managed to find a single person willing to take us there so far."

I felt a pang of guilt. While I was recovering, they had been taking care of everything. "I see. I need to thank her for that."

Saphira placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "She knows you appreciate it, Magnus. Also her efforts are coming from your wallet, is what she said."

"Of course. But I still feel like I should be helping more," I admitted, standing up. "First we eat. Then we’ll go find her and see how things are going. I want to make sure we're all ready for the next part of our journey."

“Sounds good to me. My wounds are all healed up so I can move at full speed again, no worries whatsoever.” (Leona)

Leona, Rusalka, and Saphira nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. As we gathered our things, I couldn't help but reflect on how much things had changed. In the past, I had been betrayed, left to fend for myself with no one to rely on. Trust had become a foreign concept to me, a luxury I couldn't afford. But with these girls, everything was different.

Watching them now—Leona's determined expression, Rusalka's cheerful demeanor, and Saphira's composed confidence—I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't experienced in a long time. They had my back, and I had theirs. It was more than just trust; it was a bond forged, although in a short time span, through trials and shared experiences.

For the first time in years, I felt truly at home. This wasn't just a team. They were my family. And I would do everything in my power to protect them and make sure we all got through whatever lay ahead together.

And I know that with them on my side I will be able to reach Ephiria and create a place where everyone can feel the same way I feel now. I’m not confident I’ll make a good ruler… but I want to see this through until the end.