Season 2, Chapter 17: He is the man I want to follow

  The campfire continued to crackle softly, projecting golden reflections in the attentive eyes of the three maids. Elizabeth kept her calm posture, but her lips curled into a playful smile.

  Elizabeth (laughing):

  "Hahaha... it's okay, trio of fools, I'll tell them."

  The three maids straightened up as if they were in front of the Queen of the Universe herself.

  Elizabeth:

  "It all started because Valterion suggested taking a different route, on a planet that we had not planned to visit."

  Mimi (excited): "And Juan accepted without problems?"

  Elizabeth (nodding):

  "Yes. Juan never had problems changing routes if that could help someone. I was already established in the team by then. They called us the four heroes, although to be honest..."

  Elizabeth lowered her voice, with a mixture of humility and mischief.

  Elizabeth:

  "I almost didn't do much. It only finished off some monsters that Valterion had already left in pieces."

  Trisha (surprised): "Was Valterion already that strong?"

  Elizabeth:

  "Yes. But it was also much more bloodthirsty. He... wanted to earn Juan's approval as he could. I remember seeing him destroy enemies with incredible ferocity only for Juan to say: 'Good job'."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Alysa: "And Charlotte?"

  Elizabeth (laughing):

  "Charlotte was in charge of collecting useful things. Some monsters, if combined with certain ingredients, could produce potions or strengthen parts of the body. She gave me those mixtures to be able to face high-level enemies."

  Mimi: "And Juan... what was he doing in all that?"

  Elizabeth was silent for a moment, as if she was preparing to talk about something sacred.

  Elizabeth (smiling with nostalgia):

  "What Juan did... was the most difficult thing of all.

  In every place we arrived, there were people who were not happy with us. Some saw us as invaders, others as threats. But Juan... Juan was the one who calmed everyone down. He approached the leaders, the most skeptical, and managed to convince them. Sometimes without saying many words.

  He could look someone in the eyes and make him put his gun down."

  Trisha: "How strong was his charisma?"

  Elizabeth:

  “It wasn't just charisma. It was... presence. When he spoke, everyone wanted to hear him. When he promised, everyone wanted to believe him."

  Alysa: "And has anyone ever doubted him?"

  Elizabeth (nodding):

  "Yes. There was a day... where we ran into a villager who confronted him with quite harsh words. I remember every word.”

  He looked at the fire again, as if he were seeing a living scene.

  Elizabeth:

  "The man said to him: 'I do see them as heroes. To you... I've never seen you raise a sword or throw magic. What are you supposed to do?'"

  The maids of the present let out a "What?!" Almost in unison.

  Trisha: "Did you say that to JUAN?"

  Alysa: "You have to have a lot of will to face Juan like this!"

  Mimi (laughing): “Or be very stupid.”

  Elizabeth (also laughing):

  "Yes, yes... but Juan didn't bother. On the contrary, he approached the man and told him in the calmest voice in the world:

  'He's right. It is true that it may seem that I do nothing... But I promise you that we will always strive so that you can see your beautiful lands as they should be.'"

  Alysa (almost whispering): "And what happened?"

  Elizabeth lowered her voice even more, loading the scene with mystery.

  Elizabeth:

  "Then the local turned around...

  And what he saw...

  What he saw was something he could never forget."

  The three maids were with their eyes wide open, expectant. Even the fire seemed to lean towards Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth (mischievous smile):

  "But that... I'll tell you later."

  ?

  END OF CHAPTER 17