Rocky valley

Noah was still in shock at what he saw. The giant worm with skin like a rock greedily chews down the mountains. Resulting in a subtle landslide around the valley if this continues the mountain would be gone for sure in no time. To solve the problem Rock-eating worms must be killed before they become a real problem. That's what Noah was thinking by now and he turned his eyes to his fist. If he did his best he could slay these monsters with his cosmic weapon ability. It will take time, but slowly but surely he can.

"Whoahhh!"

Lumine took off his weights and floated like a balloon up to Noah.

"Lumine!"

"Noah my hand!"

Like the first time they meet, Noah does his best to reach out to her hand. He firmly gripped Lumine's hand and pulled her over him.

"You float far away! What if I didn't see you?" Noah leans forward Lumine's face is worried. Lumine's face blushed and pushed Noah's face away from her.

"The wind blows me away… Also, I'm sure that you'll reach your hand to me."

Her voice had a hint of shyness and at the same time sweet. The young man who never met a girl his age before could not keep his eyes fixed on the girl. Flustered he turned away and brought her back to the soil.

♦♦♦♦♦

They made another rest and thought about their next move. Noah looked at the map and made a disappointed expression.

"What is it? There is no way?"

"Well, I won't say that there isn't, but the only way available to Gulliver Valley was to cross this desert." Noah pointed out and then moved his finger to the giant desert that led back to his home. "… That desert is part of the desert next to my home. Desert sharks and desert monsters were probably lurking there… This is troublesome. The night is about to fall and monsters are more active in the night. We can't stay in the desert. If possible I recommend going back to the merchant town. But those guys hunting you are there and probably we end up clashing with them again if we go back…"

Noah scratched his head in frustration and turned to Lumine who seemed to have her mind flying somewhere while she was looking around the area.

"... Lumine are you listening? I think the best way we can do is to have a round trip. We'll go to cross this forest and reach this small town to stay for tonight. Maybe, we should give up touring in Gulliver Valley… Lumine?"

Lumine stood up and her expression said that she remembered something. Seems like the place was familiar to her. This is her first time wandering around, so that is impossible right? So what exactly is going on in Lumine's mind?

*Sniff!*

"I smell cooking."

Lumine said and her eyes sparkled.

"Food? We just ate right? Your figure was so thin I didn't know where you were bringing all the food you chowing down."

"Thank you for the compliment… I was reading lots of books in the royal palace and I know that the rock-eating worm wasn't usually found outside. These worms usually live deep far far away from the surface."

"I also read that from the tales… Then, what caused them to make a rampage outside the…"

Noah notices rail tracks nearby and then takes a closer look at the map again.

"A mine."

Lumine said before Noah.

"That's right there is a mine nearby and the tunnels could be used to move across these mountains. However, I think it's very dangerous. Rock-eating worms cause rock slides and more of them could be seen inside the mountain for sure. I think us retreating was a far better solution."

"Nope, we're going to the tunnel. I want to see Guilliver Valley!"

"Eh? Your stubbornness will bring us misfortune."

"Everything will be okay. I know that because my knight is with me."

Lumine said with a sweet smile.

To a young man's heart, Lumine's expression of a perfectly cherubic smile and sweet words cause lethal damage. In other words, Noah cannot refuse to the beautiful maiden's request and just came along with her idea despite its obviously selfish.

Noah does know that he has the strength. If things do go south. He'll use the full power output of his cosmic weapon ability and save the day. He optimistically looks at what could happen inside the tunnel.

♦♦♦♦♦

"The tunnel was blocked by a huge boulder of rock We can't go inside," Noah said. "This is the perfect time to go back princess."

"Nope, we're going… I know you can break that boulder with your fist. Break the boulder, Noah."

Noah paused for a moment.

The expression Lumine made wasn't normal at all. He had never seen Lumine look like this before. She seemed very serious in this matter and something very important was lying inside this tunnel.

Noah doesn't like arguing or asking for too many details, but he could sense that something important must be done.

"As you wish, princess."

Noah said with his casual tone and clutched his fist channeling a dense amount of gravitational power.

"Heavy fist!"

A loud explosive sound breaks the huge boulder in one punch. After the rumbles crumble down and the thick smoke made of dusk fades. Light enters the mouth of the tunnel.

"Light!" "We're saved!"

A voice from inside. Lumine smiled and stepped forward.

"Worry no more. We're here to save you."

Noah looked carefully inside and saw people with animal traits chained down looking. All of them look at Lumine like she's some sort of goddess. Tears in their eyes and a beaming smile of hope.

Judging by what they look like they are all kids at a young age. And on their hands were noticeable tools for mining.

"Lumine who'd you know." Noah puzzled.

"It's not important. First of all, we have to save these kids and go deep the tunnel and save some more beastmen."

"You're so shady."

"I'll tell you later… But as my knight, it is your job to fulfill the wish of your self-centered princess."

"Well, I'm not refusing. I mean, how can I leave these folks captive in these mining tunnels."

"First, break their chains."

"Roger that!"

♦♦♦♦♦

After Noah breaks all the chains, The kids told Lumine about their circumstances. As it turns out, there is a powerful terrorist group that captures the beastmen children and forces the adults to mine deep down the mountains. The kids are used as hostages for the adults so that they won't rebel against this terrorist.

"That's horrible. I can't believe those kinds of people exist."

Noah said.

"Evil people exist. Noah was so naive about the world. That's what you get for staying in place for a very long time."

Lumine said.

"Pretty big sister… Are you going to same our mommy?"

Asked a girl with long rabbit ears.

Lumine pat gently on her head and said:

"Yup, we're here to save them all. Being the princess of peace will save the day!"

"Princess of peace!"

"Princess of peace!"

"Princess of peace!"

The kids repeatedly cheer.

Noah just stays in the background and grins. His approval rating of Lumine goes up. Lumine isn't just pretty, she is kind and willing to throw herself in danger just to save others.

A true princess is worthy of the title. Princess of peace.

The kids lived in the small town across the forest in opposite directions toward the Gulliver Valley. The kids do say that they're all fine and don't need assistance back home. Lumine was put at ease.

Now that the kids are all saved.

Lumine goes back to Noah who is sitting down in front of the mine tunnel's mouth.

"What are you smirking about?"

"Nothing… I feel like I want to be your knight forever right now."

"You will become my knight forever."

"Really?! Well, I would love to visit the flying kingdom of the heavens, but I don't want to live in a super modern place like your kingdom. I think I'll pass on the offer."

Lumine gives Noah a headbutt.

"What is your problem?! You just said you wanted to become my servant forever."

"I'm just saying that, but I don't really mean it."

"So you hate serving me?!"

"I didn't say anything like that at all. The woman is really an enigma… Anyways, just get moving and kick those terrorist asses."

"Be careful… I can sense strong Photon energy from inside. You'll be fighting someone probably of your caliber."

"Someone of my caliber? That makes things more exciting…"

"You're an odd one."

Lumine was happy that Noah wasn't scared at all. We can say that Luine knows that Noah won't flinch in the face of danger. He's the strongest and bravest man in Lumines eyes after all.

"Now, let's just follow the smell of the cooking."

"True, there is really someone cooking deep inside. And it smells really good." Noah said.