Catgirls And Dungeons-Chapter 212: Shadowfang Guildmaster

"No doubt in my mind, you’re going to be one of the strongest in the world!"

"And soon," the Wolf man added with a chuckle, "Shadow Fang’s going to be the strongest Guild in the world too. Hah!"

Hearing that, Ereskia let out a small, sheepish laugh. "Wow... you’re really piling it on, huh?"

A faint grin tugged at the corners of her mouth.

The man nodded, without hesitation. "Absolutely! You’re one of our Pillars now, you and your brother both. The future of Shadow Fang’s in your hands!"

However, despite the man enthusiasm, Eriskia just rolled her eyes, folding her arms.

"Ugh. Don’t talk like you’re about to keel over or something! You’re fifty-four, not eighty! And you’re this close to freaking SS rank! Don’t go dumping all your crusty old Guildmaster responsibilities on me just yet!"

At that, the man threw his head back and laughed, loud and full of life.

"Ha! Fair enough, fair enough!"

Then, after a pause, his voice softened.

"But still... I’m proud of you, Ereskia..."

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

His hand was big, calloused, but very gentle. Her short black strands tousled beneath his touch.

She didn’t pull away.

Without really thinking about it, she leaned in. Just a little, a quiet smile crept onto her face. For a moment, to her, everything else: the dragons, the battles, the the weight of the world... just... faded.

They stood there like that for a while, not saying anything.

No words. Just the wind and the silence.

Then, after a long breath, Ereskia spoke.

"...Guildmaster?"

Her voice was soft.

The man glanced down at her.

"Hm?"

She looked up at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling in the desert light.

"Do you think... with this power... I’m strong enough now? To start looking for my father?"

The words lingered in the air.

And for the first time, the man didn’t answer right away.

His hand froze where it rested on her head.

For a sort moment, Ereskia watched him carefully, waiting for an answer.

But he didn’t meet her eyes.

Eventually, he let out a slow breath and looked away.

"Hey now," he said, gently. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, okay?"

There was no judgment in his voice, just quiet concern.

"You’re still young," he went on. "You’ve got talent, you are strong, and smart, there’s no question about that. You even have a Divine Weapon by your side. But... you’re not ready. Not yet."

At the Guildmaster’s words, Ereskia’s brows furrowed slightly.

"You mean... Sheol’s not enough?"

"Sheol is strong. No denying that." The man’s voice was steady, but serious now. "But it’s not everything. You can’t lean on it too hard."

"After all..." He paused, then added, "Even a Divine Weapon has its limits. What’ll you do if it fails you? When it matters most?"

Ereskia didn’t answer right away.

She looked down again, studying her hand as it curled slightly at her side.

"...Yeah, you are right..." she murmured. "And of course, I know that too. Every time I use it, it drains me, completely. Right now, I can only barely do one swing per week."

"Exactly." He crossed his arms, nodding.

"That’s why, in the end, it’s not the weapon that matters most. It’s you. Your strength. Your will. That’s what lasts. That’s what you build everything else on."

"Right..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"But hey, don’t let that get you down," the Guildmaster continued, his tone lifting. "Ereskia, you’re a genius, a talented warrior, who is growing faster than anyone I’ve seen in years! So, just keep training, keep pushing yourself, take on more expeditions, get more field time."

He gave a thoughtful nod, smiling now.

"And if you do so, at this rate, you might just become the youngest adventurer in all of Zehrak to hit S-rank!"

That earned a small, but brighter smile from Ereskia.

"Hehe... You think so?"

"I don’t think," the man said, with quiet conviction. "I know."

She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at him again.

"Then... once I reach S-rank will I finally be allowed to search for my father?"

The Guildmaster didn’t answer right away.

He studied her face carefully, seriously.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Yes," he said. "When you’ve reached that level... I won’t stop you."

At that, Ereskia lowered her head slightly. Her hands curled together in front of her, eyes shimmering.

Not with tears of sadness.

But hope.

"Thank you," she said. "Guildmaster Lucian... for everything. For helping me. For believing in me."

"Back then..." she trailed off, her voice smaller now. "Everyone else said my father was already dead. They all pitied me, tried to convince me to give up—that I would never meet him again. Some even mocked me, said cruel things. But only you... only you believed in me. In him."

Lucian let out a soft chuckle.

"Hey. Don’t mention it."

He smiled, so gently this time.

"I’ve told you before... My wife passed away many years ago. I don’t have any kids of my own. So you and Larpard, you two are the closest I’ve got. You are like family, like a daughter and son to me."

"Hehe," Ereskia gave a soft laugh. "And you’re like our second dad."

Lucian’s smile deepened.

"You know what? I’m really lucky. Lucky to have a good girl like you."

And as he said that, he reached out again and ruffled her hair again. Her ears twitched, but she didn’t shy away. She just grinned, leaning slightly into his hand.

A few heartbeats passed in quiet.

The wind brushed past them, warm and light, carrying the scent of scorched ash and desert sand.

And dragon blood.

Then, Lucian clapped his hands once.

"Alright! That’s enough sentimentality for one day. What do you say we carve up our prize, huh?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Ereskia straightened, her tail flicking with renewed energy.

"Right!" she said, voice brightening.

Together, they turned toward the massive, bisected corpse of the fire dragon. Smoke still curled from its body, but the danger had passed.

Time to process the remains and claim the spoils of the battle.