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[The curse land]

[Kana point of view]

The curse land, a land brim with Mirage, Light and Dark mana everywhere. On soil, on air, on the river, even on their inhabitants, as they especially have one of the three elements of magic just to survive. Countless rumour about this place, and yet so little is known or confirm, but for all the rumour, there are few interesting facts regarding this land

It shares few striking similarities with the "exchange land", as in

1) Both locations have rich content of mana of the three elements 

2) Both, whether coincidence or by the goddess will, is a land neighbouring two super religious countries, with the exchange land neighbouring the Holy Palace of the old follower and the curse land neighbouring the new headquarters

3) Both aren't govern by anyone at all, although the exchange land is brim with transaction after transaction, both legal and illegal. What sort of transaction? Plenty, from information broker to slave trading

4) Both locations are said to play an important role in the creation of Achalasia, or at least something similar to it

"We are supposed to meet Saint Louis and Seraph somewhere around here right?" [Kanji]

"That's the case, so we should start searching, but do exercise caution" [Jacks]

"Understood!" [All]

"Birdie, can you scout the sky for us" [Kana]

~Soft screech~

Just like that, Birdie is off, flying gracefully in the sky. We theorized that the Holy Beast of Wind, The Rampaging Garuda live somewhere here, or at least near the curse land, so if Birdie can actually find the holy beast quickly, that will be great. As for us, we focus mainly on covering the ground. Going from one ancient ruin to the other.

"Just how old is this ruin?" [Kanji]

"From Saintess Rumia teaching, it's said that the civilization here date back to the original ten heroes" [Seo Ah]

"That old. Gosh, stuff here must be super valuable" [Kana]

"That, if you can find something. Most are already excavated by the former noble of the new headquarters country" [Kana]

"That's right, the noble who shamelessly run away and come back once the country get back on their footing through the effort of Saint Louis himself" [Jacks]

It's a fascinating story, one of which also involved the Rampaging Garuda. As we scour through the endless ruin, Birdie land in a hurried manner, and keep screeching at us. This could only mean

"Take us there now!" [Kana]

~Screech~

Something happen, and a bad one. I wonder what. As Birdie take Seo Ah into her back and make Kanji, Jacks and I float in the air using it wind magic, it begins to fly at such frightening speed, to somewhere far from our starting point, and from a far

"Giants?" [Kana]

"Looks like there is a fight there. One involving a devil... A high ranking devil in fact" [Jacks]

"Could it be the ten commanders of the fallen god!?" [Kana]

"Most likely! Prepare for battle!" [Jacks]

As Jacks said that, he gather around a compress air onto his feet, before launching off by himself into the devils. It's a surprise attack, one he successfully landed. We are still far, but I can tell that the devil commander actually take a heavy and life threatening injury from his surprise attack, as it retreat back with it army of canine. There's Cerberus, hell hound, poison dog and more, but all retreat back to safety of their goddess embrace

Once we get closer. We can see not only giants, but also vampires and...

"That is!" [Kana]

"No way!" [Kanji]

A pair of twin using scythe as their main weapon. A girl with a black hair, with clothing similar to Ash,  but instead opt for white colour, and her white hair twin brother with the exact same clothing as Ash

"LARA! NARA! What are you doing here!?" [Seo Ah]

""Seo Ah!!"" [Lara, Nara]

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[Beastman Castle, Beastman Kingdom]

"Kara! Mother!" [Mara]

""Mara!!"" [Aries, Kara]

Here we thought, being more "girly", Kara will be the one running towards her twin sister, but instead, it was Mara the one that run toward us as soon as she saw us. The three of them hug each other so tightly that I am actually kinda jealous with them, for which

"Let me in as well!" [Charlotte]

"Just as I expected" [Farhah]

"Of course! Come here and let me hug you like some porcelain doll!" [Mara]

"True, a cute porcelain doll" [Zerolith]

"I'm not a doll, and don't treat me like one!" [Charlotte]

"Actually you look like one" [Singa]

"The resemblance is quite striking to be honest" [Savel]

"Savel! Singa!" [Charlotte]

"And there she goes, running toward her two best friends" [Farhah]

"Well, together with Cupid, the four of them are almost inseparable back then" [Elise]

"Time fly didn't it..." [Karon]

"And quickly. Maybe too quick for our own comfort" [Rean]

We were told by the guard near the dungeon entrance to head immediately towards the castle as soon as we arrive. They treated us nicely, riding their carriage as they clear out the way for us and also ensuring all the procedure went smoothly without a hassle. They really treat us like we are some royal, which really feel nice. I guess this is one perk of being a hero. Not only that though, when I asked them further about the great treatment, part of it was also due to the fact that Mother Aries is with us, and that she's someone who is highly respected in the Beastman Kingdom. That shouldn't come to as no surprise considering her status as Paladin Aries

"If only Lara and Nara are here with us..." [Kara]

"I can't help but to worried about them" [Zerolith]

"They're having the same power and blessings as Brother Ash does, but..." [Savel]

"In any case, let just pray for the best. We out of all people should believe in them more" [Rean]

"Right!" [All]

"Then, please follow me. I'll guide you through the castle, and we will have a feast with King Leogris himself" [Singa]

"I'm tired, but I'm starving as well. Behe also feels the same" [Farhah]

"Meow..." [Behe]

And thus, all of us went inside the castle, into their dining hall. The castle is a bit bigger than the Estel's castle, but grandiose wise, I get the feeling Estel will still win. 

When we enter the dining hall, King Leogris is there, already waiting for us. He looks delighted to have us here, as we each take our seat randomly, and Mother Aries sitting next to the former queen of beastman herself. Just another display of her good relationship with the Beastman Kingdom

"Welcome. We have prepare a room for each one of you here. Please, take this day to rest, before your big journey tomorrow" [King Leogris]

As the king said that, all the staff comes in, preparing a warm and fresh feast for us. I do know beastman and demon in particular have a larger appetite compare to a human, but this... Isn't this a bit too much...

(Whatever...) "CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE!" [Charlotte]

"Hehe... We knew you will react like that, so we ask the head of the royal chef himself to cook a special one just for you!" [Singa]

"You should thank us you know" [Savel]

"Thank you! Now this really is appetising!" [Charlotte]

And thus begin our feast. Something I find amazing is the fact that King Leogris actually invited the staff to have a feast together with us as well (although understandably, the staff refuses to do that). Shame. They look like they wanted to talk with us, but I guess they value their work etiquette more. 

After the feast, instead of going to our own assigned room, we decided to sleep together (only the girls + Behe + Mother Aries of course), and the boys also have their own sleepover. We talk until our eyelids become heavy... Today sure is a fun day