Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

The two men continued discussing the future cooperation between their territories, spending most of the afternoon in conversation. They interspersed their talks with lighter topics to keep the atmosphere relaxed. Before they realized it, the sun had begun to set again.

Crows cawed intermittently, perched on the bare branches of old trees, seemingly bidding farewell to the setting sun. Clouds drifted across the sky, slowly blending into the approaching night.

Krina and Rylee walked behind Rhett and Garret, maintaining a distance of about ten meters. This time, during the trade expedition, Rylee found himself surprisingly detached from most of the tasks. It was only natural, with the Lord of Hawkeye Town leading the way, taking charge of everything.

Rylee believed that his father's capabilities far exceeded his own, with a broader vision and a more profound sense of strategy. Since his father's return, even though it only meant the addition of a second-tier mage to the territory, the changes within their land had far surpassed the typical benefits brought by a mage of that level.

"The Furnace Meditation Method, the ancient breathing techniques and combat skills from the relics, the snow spirit, Nina… Any one of these things would cause a stir if revealed outside," Rylee thought to himself. Without his father, would the territory have undergone such changes? He doubted it. The meditation method might have been possible, but the other things, which were already present in the territory, might have taken much longer to uncover—if they ever surfaced at all. The snow spirit, in particular, would likely have slipped through his grasp.

Comparing the two scenarios, Rylee realized there was much more he still needed to learn. Humility fosters growth, while pride brings stagnation. This adage had been ingrained in him throughout his years of development, becoming part of his very being.

"Rylee, you've already reached the late stage of the first-tier as a mage. That's faster than I expected. When do you think you'll be able to break through to the second tier?" After a prolonged silence, Krina broke the ice with a question. She watched Rylee, who seemed lost in thought, with no indication that he had heard her. His lack of response made her frown.

"Rylee? What are you thinking about?" Krina waved a hand in front of his eyes, trying to get his attention.

Snapping back to reality, Rylee blinked and noticed Krina's puffed-up cheeks, clearly annoyed. He smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I was distracted by the scenery in Damm Town. Look at that sunset—it's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Hmph, as if! Your eyes were glazed over—you weren't even paying attention to the sky," Krina huffed, turning her head away in mock displeasure. Yet, she couldn't help but steal a glance at him from the corner of her eye. His smile, illuminated by the golden sunset, captivated her.

Though they had only spent an afternoon together, Krina's feelings for Rylee had already begun to blossom. There was something about his calm demeanor, as if nothing could rattle him. Unlike most nobles she knew, Rylee's composed and virtuous nature stood out. He was humble and reserved most of the time, yet occasionally exuded a quiet confidence that struck a chord with her. It was as if he possessed a quiet strength that drew her in, making her heart race.

Perhaps this is what it feels like to meet someone special?

Krina held her breath as she pulled out a small, intricately designed glass bottle from a hidden pocket in her dress. "Here, this is a gift for you. I was going to give you something better, but since you were daydreaming, I'll just give you this instead," Krina said in a playful tone, her voice ringing out like a bell.

Rylee looked at the exquisite blue glass bottle, which bore a symbol resembling the word "Ancient." The cap was made of countless tiny particles, seemingly glued together. The bottle was tightly sealed, and inside, a green liquid shimmered with a soft glow under the light. He admired it for a moment before asking, "What is it?"

"Perfume!"

"Did you make it yourself?"

"Of course… well, no, I bought it from a random shop in town," Krina blushed, almost revealing the truth.

"Even so, it's a lovely gift, and I'll treasure it. Thank you, Miss Krina," Rylee said with a smile, recognizing her modesty but choosing not to call her out. He found her behavior endearing. Tucking the perfume bottle safely into his pouch, he added, "If you ever visit my territory, I'll be sure to give you a personal gift in return."

"Really? Well, I was planning to go on a trip next spring. How about I visit Hawkeye Town then? What do you think?" Krina asked excitedly, her eyes lighting up as she turned the idea over in her mind.

Rylee shrugged, indicating that he had no objections.

As the two conversed behind them, Garret overheard bits of their conversation. He didn't interfere, and instead, a smile played on his lips. Since Lord Rhett had successfully returned, and both families were of equal standing, he had no objections to anything developing between them. In fact, he would welcome it.

Catching the invitation for his daughter to visit Hawkeye Town, Garret's eyes gleamed as he recognized a potential opportunity.

He let out a heavy sigh.

Rhett noticed Garret's sudden change in demeanor and sensed that the conversation might soon turn serious.

"Lord Garret, why the sudden sigh?" Rhett asked, feigning ignorance.

Garret hesitated for a moment, but then, with a tone of sincerity, he confessed, "Lord Rhett, my territory has recently been under attack by a pair of Flamefeather Eagles. I've been struggling to deal with them on my own and desperately need your help."

Though Rhett had expected this, he still managed to feign surprise, his expression growing serious. "Flamefeather Eagles? A second-tier flying beast is no easy foe. How many of them are there?"

"Two—one male and one female. They seem to be a pair and have already killed over ten of my people and destroyed much of my farmland," Garret said, clenching his fists in frustration as he looked at Rhett with hopeful eyes. After spending the afternoon with him, Garret was convinced that this Lord of Hawkeye Town was no ordinary man. A person who had earned his title on the battlefield and returned unscathed was not someone to be underestimated.

Rhett narrowed his eyes in thought, taking his time before responding. Seeing no immediate answer, Garret hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and offering, "I have two bottles of Moonlight Elixir. Consider them your reward for helping me drive away the Flamefeather Eagles."

Given the results from his simulations, Rhett didn't push for a higher reward. Two more bottles of Moonlight Elixir would further enhance his training in future simulations. After a brief moment of contemplation, he sighed heavily and agreed, albeit reluctantly.

"For the sake of our friendship, I'll help you with this. But let me be clear—if my life is in danger, I will prioritize my safety."