After the intense battle in the Dungeon of the Black Wolf, The Rising Heroes finally returned to their town. Their bodies were sore, their minds still filled with echoes of the battle, but they had made it out alive. The powerful monster Karcanis had been defeated, and though they had survived, everyone felt the weight of what they had seen and experienced.
They all knew they needed a break. For now, they decided to stay away from dungeons. Instead, they started doing other quests — delivering supplies to nearby towns, helping villagers with bandits, and assisting the local guild with odd jobs. It wasn't as dangerous as dungeon diving, but it helped them stay sharp while giving their minds some rest.
---
Lila returned to her home in the town of Zora. The moment she stepped through the front door, her father, Zora, looked at her with relief in his eyes.
"Lila!" he said as he quickly approached her, pulling her into a hug. "You're safe. Thank the stars."
Lila smiled softly as she hugged him back. She felt warmth, safety — and guilt.
Zora looked at her curiously. "So… how was it? Your first dungeon experience?"
Lila paused. Her heart pounded a little. She remembered the terrifying moments, the near-death situations, and the dark core that had replaced the heart of the dungeon. But she also remembered Junith's words — not to tell anyone about what they had discovered.
So she forced a smile and replied, "It was… good. Not as tough as I expected. I beat a lot of monsters and learned a lot. We worked well as a team, and it helped me grow stronger."
Zora nodded, clearly relieved. "That's good. That's really good. I'm proud of you."
Lila gave a small nod and went to her room. As she closed the door behind her, her smile faded.
She didn't like lying to her father. She hated keeping things from him, especially something so serious. But she knew if she told him the truth — about the corrupted core, the unnatural energy, and the intensity of the battle — he would worry too much. He might even stop her from going on future adventures. And deep down, Lila didn't want to be held back. She wanted to protect him too — not just from monsters, but from fear.
---
A week passed quickly. The days of fear and darkness faded into memory, replaced by excitement and new energy.
The Royal Carnival was approaching.
It was the biggest event of the year — music, food, dance, performances, and adventurers from all around the kingdom gathering in the Royal Capital. After being invited by The Grand Party, The Rising Heroes looked forward to it like children waiting for a festival.
One morning, Lila stood before her team and clapped her hands. "Alright, listen up! We're going to the Royal Capital… to attend the Royal Carnival!"
Fizzle jumped up. "Yes! Finally! I've always wanted to see the Carnival!"
Adrian leaned back in his chair. "It'll be crowded. I heard the streets fill up days before the festival even starts."
Sera nodded with a gentle smile. "It'll be nice to relax for once. Maybe we can even watch the performances together."
Doran, as usual, remained calm. "It's a good chance to meet other adventurers too. Maybe even test our strength in friendly duels."
Drakar didn't say anything. He sat quietly in the corner, his arms crossed, eyes closed. He didn't object either — and from him, that was as good as approval.
Adrian tapped the table with his finger. "The Royal Capital is about two and a half days away from here. We should try to reach there a day before the Carnival starts. That way we get time to settle in and look around."
Fizzle tilted her head. "So… when do we leave?"
"Let's leave after three days," Adrian suggested. "We'll be there just in time."
Everyone agreed. It was settled — they would leave in three days.
Later that evening, Lila sat down with her father to talk about the Carnival.
"Dad," she began, "the Carnival is coming up. Me and my team… we're going to the Royal Capital to attend it."
Zora's cheerful face shifted into concern. "The Royal Capital?"
"Yeah."
He scratched his head. "Lila… it's not that I don't want you to have fun. But the Capital is… big. Loud. Crowded. I'm not sure if—" Before he could finish, Lila quickly added, "Then come with me."
Zora blinked, stunned. "Huh?"
"I said come with me," Lila repeated, smiling. "The Carnival is supposed to be fun, right? And what kind of fun would it be if my dad isn't there with me?"
Zora stared at her, eyes wide. Slowly, his shock turned into a smile. A proud one. He reached out and pulled her into a hug.
"You've really grown up," he whispered. "Alright. I'll come."
---
The next few days were filled with preparations. Everyone in The Rising Heroes was packing, cleaning their gear, checking supplies, and choosing what clothes to wear for the Carnival.
There was laughter in the air again. Excitement on their faces. Even the usually quiet Drakar looked more alert than usual.
Zora made his own preparations. It had been years since he had left town, but for his daughter — for this moment — he was willing to step into the world once again.
As the sun rose on the morning of their journey, bags were packed, spirits were high, and hearts were light.
What would the Royal Capital bring? What kind of people would they meet? What surprises and mysteries were waiting at the Carnival?
No one knew.
But for now, The Rising Heroes were ready to enjoy the adventure ahead — not as adventurers , but as friends...