Stark

"That's all I have to say, Stark. We will launch a surprise attack on the Red Mirror Dragon tomorrow morning. If you wish to help, we are confident of victory in the battle against the Red Mirror Dragon."

Li Yan spoke earnestly, then led Frieren and Fern away. On the way, Fern tugged at Li Yan's sleeve out of curiosity.

"Godfather, can he really withstand the attacks of a giant dragon Monsters like the Red Mirror Dragon?"

Li Yan chuckled and patted Fern's head. "Godfather could kill the Red Mirror Dragon with one hand, but I said that on purpose to train Eize's apprentice and dispel his cowardly thoughts."

Fern nodded thoughtfully. His Godfather was deliberately training that boy named Stark, which was why he said that.

"By the way, your Himmel will be arriving tomorrow. Stark is a good guy, suitable for training with Himmel."

Fern's eyes lit up. She greatly admired her Himmel. When she was little, she always thought that Himmel and the Hero of the South were just ordinary, gentle older brothers. But during this year of travel, she realized for the first time how Himmel and the Hero of the South were. There were statues of Himmel and the Hero of the South in almost every village, which was enough to show their prestige.

The Hero of the South, who single-handedly saved hundreds of villages and Small Towns in the Northern Theater, stormed into the Demons Realm, and exchanged lives with the Seven Sages of Destruction of the Demons Realm, continues to operate in the Hero of the South Northern War Zone in his mechanical form even after his physical body dies.

Decades later, the hero of Himmel, who defeated the Demon King alongside the Hero of the South and saved countless civilians from suffering, had no regrets even though he had spent all his life on serving his country and people. Instead, he continued to fight against the Demons in his mechanical form as his physical body died.

After spending the night at the village inn, Li Yan led the women to Stark's residence the next morning. Clearly, Stark had disappeared without a trace.

"He ran away, Godfather."

Fern was somewhat incredulous that such a person was worthy of being the apprentice of Eize, the hero team that defeated the Demon King. However, considering that their opponent was the ferocious and bloodthirsty giant Monsters monster, the Red Mirror Dragon, she understood somewhat. After all, the other party was still young, and there was no need to risk their lives.

Looking at the mountain that was about to break apart, Li Yan smiled slightly. Just like in the story, Stark was indeed a very strong Warrior, but he still needed to be tempered and trained.

Just as Li Yan was about to leave, a voice called out to her, stopping Li Yan in her tracks.

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to protect this village, not just for Aunt Miri, but for everyone in the village. I won't run away again!"

Stark's resolute voice came from afar. He held Battle Axe in his hand and had a look of heroic defiance on his face. Clearly, he was going to do everything in his power for the sake of everyone in the village, even if it meant facing a giant dragon Monsters.

"I knew you'd come back, Stark."

Li Yan's lips curled up slightly, and he stepped forward to block Fern from view. He couldn't let Fern see that guy Stark showing off; he absolutely couldn't let his precious daughter be taken by a pig.

Deep in the forest, about two kilometers from the village, beneath the Likair Gorge, a giant dragon-type Monsters, its body covered in red scales, with two enormous red wings and black horns, was fast asleep atop a pile of treasure, its snoring deafening. Birds that had been playing nearby nestled among the dense foliage; here, protected by the dragon, their natural enemies dared not approach.

A rustling sound came from the grass. Stark brushed a few fallen leaves off his head and listened to the deafening snoring of the dragon below the canyon. He couldn't help but feel a little scared. After all, he was only the size of one of the Red Mirror Dragon's toes, and the opponent was a giant dragon Monsters with the highest defense and destructive power.

"Don't worry, Stark. We will definitely defeat that dragon. Think of the people in the village; they are waiting for your good news."

Li Yan clenched her fist, made a cheering gesture, and shouted encouragement.

"I understand, I will do my best."

With a slight tremor, Stark gripped his Battle Axe and leaped into the canyon, leaving Li Yan, Frieren, and Fern to watch the commotion below.

Seemingly finding watching a play a bit boring without some peanuts and melon seeds, Li Yan took out a handful of peanuts and melon seeds from her Storage Alternate Space, cracking them open while slipping some into the hands of Fern and Frieren.

"Aren't we going too far, Godfather?"

While cracking sunflower seeds, Fern glanced worriedly at Stark's location.

"It's alright, he's Eize's apprentice. Eize is the guy who survived several fatal attacks from the Demon King without any harm. Even a cliff a hundred meters high couldn't hurt Eize." Li Yan waved his hand, completely unconcerned.

At this moment, the Red Mirror Dragon seemed to sense the approach of a living being. Blazing flames spewed from its nostrils, and its golden dragon eyes stared intently at the approaching Stark...