My Family in the Novel?

After finishing our meal, Elena and I emerged from the shelter of the cave, ready to continue our journey towards the heart of the northern lands. Despite our determination, our progress had been hindered by a myriad of challenges, causing significant delays along the way.

Traversing the rugged mountainous terrain and navigating through treacherous snowstorms had tested our resolve, while our encounters with monsters and demonic entities further impeded our advance. Though the frequency of demon attacks had diminished since our journey began, their continued presence remained a persistent annoyance.

Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself shouldering much of the responsibility for Elena's well-being. While her divine heritage bestowed upon her extraordinary abilities, even she was not immune to the harsh realities of our environment.

The bitter cold of the northern lands posed a threat to her health, forcing her to rely on her own divine energy to stave off the chill.

Even with her innate connection to the sun's divinity, Elena still required constant vigilance to maintain her health and vitality in the unforgiving cold. The harsh conditions drained her of her divine energy, leaving her vulnerable to the biting chill of the northern winds. Depending on the severity of the weather, she often found herself expending more energy just to keep warm, further depleting her already limited reservoir of divinity.

As if our struggles with the elements weren't challenging enough, our dwindling food supplies added another layer of concern to our journey. The provisions we had brought with us were nearly exhausted, a testament to the length and difficulty of our travels.

"Adrian, where are we going next?" Elena's voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling my attention back to the present moment.

"Lombra," I replied, consulting the map in my hands. The city of Lombra lay approximately 30 kilometers ahead, the second closest settlement to our ultimate destination. From there, the towering branches of the frosted world tree were said to be visible—a beacon guiding travelers towards the heart of the northern lands.

….

Despite the promise of civilization, Adrian couldn't shake the looming sense of dread that accompanied their approach to Lombra.

The city, like much of the surrounding region, had fallen under demonic control—a fact that spelled danger and uncertainty for them both.

As if on cue, a cacophony of chilling cries and unearthly screeches shattered the silence, heralding the arrival of their adversaries.

Before them stood a horde of demons, numbering in the hundreds, their grotesque forms and bat-like wings a stark reminder of the perilous path they tread.

With weapons drawn and malice gleaming in their eyes, the demons advanced upon them with a hunger for blood and violence that chilled Adrian to the core.

As they were all low-ranking demons, they were mere mobs, but that didn't mean they weren't annoying.

With a tired sigh, Adrian summoned his holy sword, preparing to face the approaching horde.

"Elena, stay still for now. I'll take care of them,"

"But won't it be faster if I took care of them?"

Elena's suggestion held merit; her sun divinity could effectively neutralize large swathes of enemies in one fell swoop.

However, Adrian shook his head, knowing the toll it would take on her energy reserves.

"Reserve your energy. There's another storm up ahead,"

Reluctantly, Elena acquiesced, her reluctance palpable as she backed off to allow Adrian to handle the incoming threat.

Adrian's golden sword began to glow, his holy sword made the flying demons instantly think twice of what they were all doing here.

As the familiar sensation of power surged through him, Adrian felt a surge of nostalgia for his days at the academy.

'It's not as powerful back then'

Though the power he wielded now was not as potent as it once was, the connection to his hidden authority, Hero's Will, granted him a significant boost in strength and prowess.

With a focused mind and unwavering determination, Adrian tapped into the depths of his potential, unleashing a surge of power that heightened his senses and honed his abilities to their maximum potential.

'The old man always tells me to rely on my sword during training… now let's see how powerful I truly am right now if I combine it with the goddess's cheat like skills'

As the world around him seemed to slow down, Adrian stood ready to face the oncoming horde with newfound confidence and strength.

Gripping on his holy sword tightly, Adrian summoned forth a golden aura that enveloped him, imbuing him with divine power.

With a strong leap, he ascended into the sky, his form leaving behind a streak of golden light akin to a fired arrow.

As Adrian soared through the air, he moved with blinding speed, zigzagging across the heavens as he descended upon the demonic horde below.

He moved so fast that he covered hundreds of meters in just a Sigle movement.

With each precise movement, he struck down his foes, his holy sword cleaving through their ranks with ease.

With every swing of his blade, a demon fell, their forms dissipating into nothingness as Adrian's golden light left a trail across the snowy mountains of the north.

The scene unfolded like a celestial dance, a dazzling display of power and grace amidst the chaos of battle.

It was like seeing a constellation drawn in real time.

Elena's eyes widened as she saw the scene…. Once again, she was reminded who Adrian was.

As Adrian delivered the final blow, his sword struck out in a radiant arc, leaving behind a golden crescent in its wake.

With a blinding flash of light, the crescent exploded into a pillar of brilliance that illuminated the darkened skies above.

Though it was daytime, the thick clouds that had shrouded the north for months were dispersed by the sheer force of Adrian's divine intervention.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the land was bathed in the warm embrace of true light, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows that lingered in the northern wilderness.

Landing on the ground Adrian smiled…

'That should send the signal'

As Adrian solely returned to Elena's side, he hoped that that demonic princess was attentive enough to get his signal.

…..

Arriving inside their camp, Tristan immediately pressed down on the last tree he could use to jump with, descending to the hard ground like a meteor and causing a huge explosion upon landing.

Despite the barrier set up to prevent unauthorized entry, the bracelet he was wearing granted him instant access.

"W-waigh—"

Mavis mumbled weakly in his arms, her expression twisted in disgust as if she were about to vomit despite having eaten nothing.

The sheer speed of Tristan's travel had thrown her internal equilibrium into disarray, leaving her feeling simultaneously sick and disoriented.

But as expected, Tristan wasted no time in allowing her to recover.

With a sense of urgency, he moved forward, paying little heed to the curious glances of the knights and mages who had gathered to witness the commotion he caused.

However, upon catching sight of his determined expression, they simply nodded and returned to their tasks.

Knowing Tristan he was probably ordered by the princess or something, and his entry had always been grand for various reasons.

Time was of the essence; they would be leaving this place today, and preparations needed to be made.

With efficiency born of necessity, they set about packing their belongings and ensuring that no trace of their presence remained behind.

Every item was carefully stowed away, every footprint erased from the ground, as they worked tirelessly to leave no hint of their departure behind.

As Tristan hurried into the tent, he immediately spotted the woman he had been searching for. Despite the stress evident on her face, her pink hair and beautiful features remained pristine, untouched by blemish.

"Princess,"

"What—" Princess Christine began, ready to reprimand him for adding to her already taxing workload. However, her words faltered as she turned to face him, her gaze locking onto the woman beside him.

In an instant, Christine's eyes narrowed, taking on a reptilian quality as they activated of their own accord. Born of draconic ancestry, her eyes possessed a keen ability to see beyond the surface, to perceive the truth hidden within.

With a sense of recognition dawning upon her, Christine's breath caught in her throat. Before her stood none other than the very fairy queen she had once known.

"Queen Mavis?" Christine managed to utter, her voice barely above a whisper as she approached the woman, her eyes searching her features for confirmation.

Getting Mavis back on her feet, Tristan offered his support as she struggled to stand upright.

"Your Majesty, why are you here? We heard you were alive, but we—"

Princess Christine's words were cut short as she noticed the sick look on Mavis's face.

Then suddenly Mavis grabbed on to her….

Blerghhh~~!!

Before anyone could react, Mavis retched violently, expelling a frantic stream of acidic liquid from her body.

Christine just stood there in a daze as she watched her clothes get stained, the frantic smell of the disgusting liquids made her want to puke as well.

The sight left everyone in the tent wide-eyed, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

Moments later.

Once the ordeal had passed, Tristan helped Mavis to relax, ensuring she was comfortable before they retreated to a secluded spot at the edge of the campsite.

With Christine and Siena by their side, they settled onto metallic chairs, the tension in the air palpable.

"I'm sorry about earlier," Mavis began, her head bowed in shame as she addressed Christine.

The queen felt a deep sense of disgrace and humiliation at her uncontrolled reaction.

"It's fine, Your Majesty. It happens to most of us,"

Christine reassured her, eager to lighten the mood despite her own lingering discomfort.

The revelation of Mavis's survival and her presence alongside them now overshadowed any momentary discomfort.

Despite Christine's forgiveness, Mavis continued to keep her head bowed, unable to shake the feeling of embarrassment and self-condemnation. The thought of vomiting on her former disciple and the princess of the empire, upon whom she desperately relied for assistance, filled her with a sense of incredulity and shame.

If there were a god capable of granting oblivion to one's most humiliating moments, Mavis would have fervently prayed to that deity in that moment.

"Sheesh, and here I thought you were going to become one of the demons' playthings by now. I got to say, I'm extremely surprised, Mavis… considering your beauty and all"

Siena's casual, blunt comment cut through the tense atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention.

With a nonchalant smile, she leaned against a nearby tree.

"I'm sure everyone here wants to hear your story right away, but before we get to that, allow me to say this: I'm glad you're alive, Mave," Siena added, her expression softening with genuine warmth.

Mavis couldn't help but return her old friend's smile, a sense of relief washing over her despite the lingering embarrassment.