I Just Wanted a Peaceful Life… So Why Do Heroes Worship Me?

The morning began with birdsong and mild chaos.

Kreg's sourdough had exploded in the oven, Ellyn was arguing with the tea spirits again, and Auron had somehow inverted a ward meant to repel wind, resulting in a gusty hallway that kept blowing his scrolls down the stairs.

Rei, however, was unbothered. He trimmed the dewfruit branches as if the sanctuary wasn't mildly unhinged around him.

Then came the knock.

Not a polite tap.

A boom.

It rattled the hinges, stirred the moss, and startled Fluff off the roof.

Everyone froze.

"I thought this was a sanctuary," Ellyn muttered, peering through the window. "Not a blacksmith's anvil."

Rei dusted off his hands and walked to the front gate.

Standing there, arms crossed, was a tall young woman in traveling gear too clean to be practical. A single sword hung across her back, its scabbard decorated with ribbons that looked more ceremonial than functional.

She didn't bow. Didn't smile.

Just pointed at him.

"You're the beast whisperer?"

Rei blinked once. "I prefer sanctuary keeper."

She huffed. "Same thing. I've heard stories. Thought I'd see the myth for myself."

Auron peeked from behind the herb shelf. "Rei's not a myth."

The girl raised a brow. "Could've fooled me. You don't look like much."

Kreg frowned from the bakery window. "We don't insult people before breakfast here."

Rei stepped aside calmly. "Would you like to come in?"

"No," she said. "I want you to come out."

Silence.

Even the wind stopped.

Ellyn raised an eyebrow. "Is she serious?"

The girl planted her hands on her hips. "I'm not here to duel you. I'm here to test you. I've brought something that no one's been able to tame. If you're the real deal, prove it."

Auron whispered, "Who does that?"

"People with something to prove," Rei answered quietly.

She whistled sharply. From behind her, a metal cage was dragged forward by a beast handler in armor too shiny to trust. Inside the cage was a creature unlike any Rei had seen in recent years—shifting fur, smoke-traced eyes, three tails flicking in rhythm.

It was in pain.

And furious.

"I found this near the Broken Peaks," she said. "It's part specter, part stormling. It's already killed two handlers. But I don't believe in putting down creatures just because they're dangerous."

Rei said nothing.

"I want you to tame it."

Still nothing.

She leaned forward. "Unless you're scared?"

There it was.

The moment.

The weightless, stupid challenge.

Auron flinched. Ellyn stepped forward, clearly ready to dismantle this stranger verbally. Kreg tightened his grip on the bread peel like he might use it as a weapon.

But Rei simply walked toward the cage.

He didn't raise his voice.

Didn't chant.

Didn't glow.

He just placed a hand gently on the cage.

The beast inside froze.

For three seconds, the sanctuary held its breath.

And then—the creature's tails drooped. It backed into the corner, eyes dimming, smoke unraveling like mist at dawn. A small, broken whine escaped its throat.

Rei opened the cage.

No reaction.

He stepped in.

Still nothing.

Then, the creature lowered its head and leaned into his hand.

The handler dropped his spear.

The girl's mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Rei crouched. "It's not dangerous. It's terrified. Someone tried to bind it to conflicting magic currents. Its body doesn't know what it's supposed to be."

"You... how did you—?"

Rei stood. "You can't tame something by demanding it obey. You listen first."

The girl looked away sharply. "Whatever. Maybe it was just tired."

Kreg coughed. "Sure. Let's go with that."

Auron grinned.

The girl turned on her heel. "I'll be back."

"Of course," Rei said. "Guests always return."

That made her stop.

She muttered something under her breath. Then louder: "My name's Lynna. Don't forget it."

Then she was gone.

Later that night, Ellyn stood at the door with her arms crossed.

"Another one, huh?"

"She's loud," Rei said simply.

"She's also the youngest daughter of House Ferros. A dueling prodigy. And if I'm not mistaken, she just declared herself your rival."

Rei sipped his tea. "That explains the dramatic entrance."

Fluff purred smugly from the windowsill.

Auron looked up. "You think she'll really come back?"

Rei didn't answer.

But the faint smile on his face said yes.

And maybe… he wouldn't mind.