Chapter 661: Distance and Desperation ( 661 )

Javier burst into the Pekko pen like a storm.

"BUDDY!!!"

Cuquawked?

Buddy cracked one eye open from his nest of hay, his massive body still sprawled out like a nap was the only thing that mattered in the world.

He tilted his head slowly toward Javier—confused, sleepy, and very much not in a rush.

"Now’s not the time to sleep!!!" Javier shouted, already throwing the saddle straps over Buddy’s back.

"Let’s go! We have to find Liana and Gloria before they marry someone else!!"

Buddy blinked.

Cuquuu...awk...?

He made a low, pitiful noise—like he just got woken up in the middle of a dream.

Javier scrambled onto the saddle, nearly kicking over a water bucket.

"Buddy, MOVE!!"

Buddy shifted slightly... and then slumped back down with a groggy groan.

"Cuquawked..."

(Translation: "I’m sleepy.")

Javier gritted his teeth.

"...Now is not the time for that!"

He leaned forward and whispered—

"I’ll give you grilled premium wyvern meat later."

Buddy’s eyes snapped open.

CUQUAWK!!!

He shot up like he’d just heard the gates of heaven open, wings half-flared, legs primed like a coiled spring.

"THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!!" Javier yelled.

"Now dash! Track the route Pikko and Peanut took!"

"Cuquawked!!"

Buddy let out a sharp, focused cry.

He kicked off the ground, wings tight at his sides, legs launching forward with thunderous force.

They shot past the estate walls, gravel exploding behind them as they tore across the road like a living storm.

Javier raised his hand above Buddy’s neck.

"Skill: Buff Up. Attributes—Speed, Agility, Endurance."

A surge of mana erupted from his palm and wrapped around Buddy’s entire body in a thin veil of glowing light.

The lines of his legs sharpened.

His stride doubled in length.

The sound of his talons striking the earth blurred into one constant rumble.

Buddy moved with impossible speed.

Wind roared past them.

The world blurred.

"Just follow the trail, Buddy!" Javier shouted over the wind.

"You’re the best Pekko in the Armand Region—you know the route they’d take!"

Buddy squawked once in agreement.

Meanwhile, in the Beastkin Kingdom capital city...

Having already crossed the Armand–Beastkin border, Liana and Gloria had just arrived at the bustling capital.

Their Pekkos, Pikko and Peanut, were secured in the stable behind the inn, feathers ruffled and snacking contently on feed.

Inside their rented room, Liana was unpacking while Gloria lit a small enchanted lantern near the window.

"Are you sure you don’t want to tell the young master?" Gloria asked softly, setting down her satchel.

Liana turned with a pout, folding her arms.

"Hmph! If we tell him, he’ll just get all excited again and use the chance to flirt with another maid... or some random Armand town girl."

Gloria blinked once, then smiled gently.

"But... what if he’s worried about us?"

Liana turned her head away, a frown tugging at her lips.

"He never worries about us."

Her voice was quiet now, bitter.

"All that’s inside his head is girls and fun."

She tightened her grip on her sleeve.

"He loves kissing more girls outside than looking at me or you. Once he’s an adult, I’m sure he’ll just knock some girl up as he pleases."

Gloria remained silent for a moment, then slowly walked to her side and sat on the bed.

"...Even so," she said softly, "you love him, don’t you?"

Liana huffed, turning her back slightly.

"You keep asking me that... but you’re the same, Gloria."

Gloria smiled faintly, folding her hands on her lap.

"Yes... I know."

Her voice was quiet.

"I can’t forget about him either."

Liana crossed her arms tighter and glanced over her shoulder.

"Hmph! Then don’t act like it’s only me."

Gloria chuckled gently.

"Yes, yes. You’re right, first wife."

Liana’s cheeks puffed slightly.

A brief silence lingered before Gloria stood, stretching lightly.

"Let’s shower. We smell like Pekko feathers and road dust."

Liana turned and followed with a quiet grumble, but the tension in her shoulders had softened.

"...Fine."

Water trickled softly from the enchanted shower crystal above, steam slowly filling the small bathing room.

Gloria stood under the warm stream, rinsing her long hair with quiet grace.

Across from her, Liana stood still, arms gently rubbing her own shoulders, eyes slightly lowered—clearly lost in thought.

Gloria glanced over.

"What’s wrong?"

Liana looked up, then forced a faint smile—polite, empty.

"Nothing."

Gloria narrowed her eyes.

Then smirked.

"Wow. You’re really good at that."

Liana raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"That fake smile. Flawless."

Gloria leaned her back to the wall, letting the water hit her side.

"You also can do the same, right?"

Gloria gave a soft shrug. "Maybe~"

Then her tone softened again.

"...So, why the deep thoughts?"

Liana turned back to the wall.

Her voice was quiet now.

"Nothing... It’s just—"

She paused.

"Our young master... he’s starting to get out of control. Flirting with anyone he wants. Maids, villagers... even nobles."

She tightened her grip around herself.

"When he already has us. And not to mention... the other four extra candidates."

A silence.

Then—

"Maybe... maybe it’s time for me to stop trying."

Gloria’s expression changed slightly.

"Don’t say that."

Liana’s voice trembled faintly under the sound of the water.

"Trying to hold onto love when he’s like that... it’s like—"

She paused again, swallowing back the emotion.

"...like holding water with your hands. No matter how hard you grip, it slips through your fingers."

The water continued to fall softly around them, steam curling in the quiet space.

Liana leaned against the tiled wall, head tilted back slightly, eyes half-lidded.

"The more we try..."

Her voice was low.

"The more he gets out of control."

Gloria didn’t answer.

Liana exhaled faintly.

"So perhaps... the way to stop him..."

She looked at the ceiling.

"Is to stop trying. Stop caring."

Gloria turned toward her, brows faintly drawn.

Liana finally looked at her.

"Is this the reason you brought me to your hometown? The Elven Kingdom?"

Liana hesitated for a moment.

Then smiled gently.

"It’s not only my hometown... It’s yours too."

Gloria let out a soft, tired chuckle. "Maybe~"

"Your mother’s human... but your father is elven, Gloria."

"Mm... I know."

She brushed wet strands of hair behind her ear.

"But living as a half-elf there... it’s hard."

Liana tilted her head.

"Hmm? No, it’s not that hard. I don’t think any elf discriminates against humans."

She gave a faint smile.

"And looking at Uncle... he clearly adores your mother."

"Yes~" Gloria said with a small smirk.

"That’s why I left."

Liana blinked. "What?"

Gloria stepped away from the wall, looking amused now.

"All my siblings... they inherited elven traits. Long ears. Smooth mana flow. Beautiful features."

She pointed at her own ear. "Only me... didn’t."

Then she shrugged.

"And also... my parents."

Liana raised an eyebrow.

Gloria gave her a flat look.

"Those two are like lovebirds. Always clinging to each other. Always dramatic. Never spending a day apart."

She sighed.

"Too romantic. Too loud. Too embarrassing."

Liana chuckled.

"...That sounds... nice, actually."

"It is," Gloria whispered. "Too nice."

( End Of Chapter )