Owo, three... A few hits and sheds lined up ly along the shore. With roofs made of ut leaves, pilrs and walls made of bamboo, and several seats lined up ly up the front, it looked like a tiki bar through and through.

  Chatter Chatter Chatter

  A number of figures strolled around the beach, enjoying their time of rexation. The men wore trunks and the women had their swimsuits, all of different style, design, and color. A beautiful set of people to pair with a beautiful background sery.

  And as the people ehemselves, white light suddenly appeared out of nowhere and a circur gate was formed. From a foot to a whole person, people poured out of the gates oer another, all wearing surprised expressions on their faces.

  "Waah～! So this is the sea～!" ［Helen］

  "Amazing... It's so vast aiful..." ［Tilda］

  "Waah～! So much water!" ［Galvin］

  Faces full of excitement beamed all over the pce as everyoched the vast sea of blueness before them. The turning waves, the washing foams, the shifting sands, and the sparkling waters. Ead everything was beautiful.

  "Incredible... To think we really arrived on the sea in just a couple seds... I know it's real, but it still doesn't feel like it." ［Ross］

  "Grey... Just what sort of sorcery is this?" ［Gerd］

  "Hahaha. Just a little triothing much to worry about." ［Grey］

  Said Grey with a nont expression on his face, but the same couldn't be said for the others. They tried to prehend what just happened, but instead of an answer, what they got was a headache. In the end, they just decided to give up thinking too hard about it.

  Well, it wasn't the first time Grey had seen such a rea. Wheransported the Landevars, the Royal Family, and even those from Lista. Though there were a variety of expressions, all showed traces of surprise. Only the kids were excited.

  At first, Grey was hesitant to use it, but after thinking long and hard about it, he finally decided to reveal it to the others. It wasn't like he was being careless. It's just that revealing it would leave more room for choices when emergencies e, not needing to expin it to others anymore.

  Of course, it doesn't mean he'll just needlessly reveal it to anyone. Only to those he and Yuna deems trustworthy. And with his "Judgement" with him, it was a retively easy task. A single gnce is all he needs.

  "Oh, Grey, yht more people, huh?" ［Ernes］

  "Yeah, and thankfully. They're the st ones. With this, we should be able to start the events without further ado." ［Grey］

  "Oh! Good! Good! Finally, we could have some fun! Hahaha!" ［Ernes］

  The King ughed as he patted Grey on the back, but the same couldn't be said for two certain figures amongst the crowd. As he saw the man before him, Cedrid Elnart couldn't help but freeze in disbelief, eyes filled with disbelief.

  As for the others, they didn't know who Grey was talking to, only seeing a handsome man in his forties and in trunks before them. And before long, the King finally took notice of them, their eyes perking up in response.

  "Oh! Sorry for the te introdu, I'm Gerd, this is my wife Selia, and my daughter, Helen. It's a pleasure to meet you." ［Gerd］

  "Hello～! o meet you～!" ［Helen］

  "Good m. We'll be in your care." ［Selia］

  With Gerd in the lead, everyoroduced themselves to the King and the tter tentively as they introduced themselves. The only one who skipped the introdus were the Aldridges. They are already quite acquainted, after all,

  "Hello, Uncle～! o meet you!" ［Bel］

  "Hahaha. o meet you as well, little one... And, oh! It seems like your sons have grown quite well as well, Cedric." ［Ernes］

  "A-Ah, yes. I'm delighted to hear that, Your Majesty. It's an honor." ［Cedric］

  Well, even if he doesn't introduce himself, the other party could still call out to him. As soon as he did, Cedric quickly snapped back to reality and bowed his head, giving his beted greetings. Following him, Elnart and Galvin also did the same.

  At the same time, the moment everyone heard the words "Your Majesty" e out of Cedric's mouth, chills quickly ran down their spines and their mouths hung open in agape. All eyes were on the King as they tried to process what they just heard.

  "Oh, I suppose I should also introduce myself..." ［Ernes］

  Feeling the gazes pierg at his skin, the King suddenly turo everyone and cleared his throat with a couple fake coughs. And with such a bright yet dignified smile on his face, he said....

  "My name is Ernes von Helvor Alfriohe current King of Alfrio's also been my pleasure to meet you." ［Ernes］

  Their expectations were answered, and the King finally introduced himself. Before they even noticed, they already k on the ground and lowered their head before the King, not daring to meet his eyes.

  Just thinking about how casual they have been to him was enough to make their hearts race like a mad boar rushing through the forest, sweat trig down their foreheads. They couldn't even think straight anymore.

  Literally just a few moments earlier, they also geed in front of Cedric, the Lord of Galderia, and now, the King was before them. No matter how they looked at it, it was not a normal development.

  "W-We g-greet Your M-Majesty, the wisest K-King of Alf-frione." ［Gerd］

  "We greet Y-Your Majesty!" ［Selia］

  Everyone was so nervous they suddenly started stuttering, butchering their words magnifitly. A particur person who shall not be named was even about to cry from too muervousness, wanting to go bae now.

  Now that they thought about it, Grey and Yuhe type to invite everyone and ahey meet, no matter ositions they had. All they could do was curse themselves for thinking Grey and Yuna would only invite normal quests.

  "Hahahaha! There's o act so stiffly. I'm not here as the King of Alfrione, but just a man enjoying a vacation with his family. I would be delighted if you treated us like any other." ［Ernes］

  "A-As you wish, Your Majesty." ［Ross］

  Or so they said, but it was still hard to switch back to a casual tone when they now know that the King was with them. And not just the King, but the Royal Family as well. It was still nothing short of nerve-wrag.

  Even now, even with all the things the King said, they still couldn't calm their hearts down. But thankfully, they are less tehan before. The King may be a mischievous one, but he also has the charisma which draws people towards him.

  "Then, Grey, I'll be heading out now. I'll leave everything to you." ［Ernes］

  "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll do just that. And... Please have fun." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. I will, I will." ［Ernes］

  As suddenly as he came, the King headed back just as quickly from where he came from aed with the Queen. Like a good husband, he then helped her put suns on her back, one Yuna just retly made with alchemy.

  Well, suns wasn't the only one Yuna made. With Grey guiding her, she also made a few more etic products and medie they might er. It was enough products for her to start her own pharmacy.

  "Then, shall we head to our sheds now?" ［Grey］

  "N... No, wait a moment, Grey... My legs have given out..." ［Helen］

  Meanwhile, everyone else was still kneeling on the ground, uo move their legs. The moment their nervousness faded away, their strength finally left their legs and they just gave out, hearts still beatilessly.

  The only ones who could stahe Aldridges who were used to such things, Bel who still hasn't grasped what just happened, and the married couple, Kris and Aria who were calm as one be.

  "Hahaha. You really did a number on them, didn't you?" ［Kris］

  "Ugh... I didn't mean it, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Yeah, sure, sure, let's just go with that." ［Kris］

  The sun climbed higher in the sky and the waves tio turn and spsh. After a few moments of rest, Grey finally led everyoo their resting sheds and oriehem about a couple of things.

  And si will be a two-day outing, Grey and Yuna have already asked the Beldons if everyone could stay over. Well, in case the others don't want to, they've already asked around Jiro about a couple inns avaible in Lista.

  "Grey, should I just put gage here?" ［Helen］

  "Yeah, do just that." ［Grey］

  "Okay～! And I'll also be borrowing some bags, okayー" ［Helen］

  "Hm? Is something... wro... ng..." ［Grey］

  It was all too sudden. Before Helen could even finish his request, she suddenly halted on her words and looked at the dire behind Grey with eyes full of surprise. Grey followed suit after her, also stopping as soon as he saw the same sight.

  Walking on the pearly white beach was an angel draped in white swimsuit, showing off her slender aiful figure. All her curves were perfed her eyes matched the blue sea, sparkling just as brightly as her silver hair fluttered in the salty breeze.

  As for her swimsuit, it was a little on the servative side, with cloth draping around her shoulders and a piece of thin, silky fabric ing around her waist and c one of her legs. A blue-ribboned beach hat was what ed her head.

  "Waah～! Yuna, you're so cute!" ［Helen］

  Streaking like lightning, Helen quickly rushed towards Yuna and gave her a big and tight embrace. Her eyes were sparkling brightly as she looked at Yuna's figure, allured even when she was a woman herself.

  "Does it really suit me?" ［Yuna］

  "Of course! You're very cute! Like, super, super cute! Right, Grey?!" ［Helen］

  "A-Ah... Yeah... It really suits you. You look very beautiful..." ［Grey］

  Grey, who reviously frozen as she stared at Yuna, was caught off guard by Helen's question, but he still mao vey his sihoughts, face turning red as his heart started beating faster and faster.

  Well, he wasn't the only one. As soon as Yuna heard his pliment, her face also started burning up. It was the first time she wore such a swimsuit, after all. Still, she was happy to have made an effort to pie. A single pliment made it worth it.

  "My～! Grey, you're turning red～!" ［Helen］

  "Shut up..." ［Grey］

  A teasing smile afloat on Helen's face, the waves tio turn. Soon, everyone was in their swimsuits, showing off their figures to everyone else. They all wore different kinds of clothing, the designs serving as a testament to their identities.

  Helen wore bright red with simple bck embroidery, Tilda had e with frills, Aria with white, the same as Yuna, Eine and Elise wearing blue with intricate designs, and many more. As for the men, it was trunks and shorts all the same, only the color and designs varyiween them.

  "Big Bro! Big Sis! Py wif Nalia!" ［Natalia］

  "Oh? Aren't you pying with your Mom?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Mama py wif Nalia too!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! I see... Then, would the Little Princess guide us there?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Nalia, guide!" ［Natalia］

  And uedly, the first oo ihem to a game was the Little Princess. She was smiling so happily as she led Grey and Yuna. And apparently, she invited almost everyone else she koo.

  As soon as they arrived, everyone was already making all sorts of things with sand, from small hills, to animals, and of course, houses and castles. Perhaps the most amazing one was the one made by the Princess and the Queen. It was a full-blown mini-vilge with a little castle in the middle.

  "Waah～! Mama! Gwanma! Waah～!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! Do you want to help out too, Natalia?" ［Natasha］

  "Um! Nalia, help!" ［Natalia］

  A quivitation from her mother, and Natalia quickly rushed towards them and helped out with the building of sand castles. Unfortunately for her, with her small and weak hands, she could barely mold anything other than a ball or a mound.

  "Waah～! That looks so amazing, Natalia!" ［Talia］

  "Um! Nalia make more!" ［Natalia］

  Still, the Little Princess didn't get dowed and tinued pying whilst patting it again and again, making a bigger mound each time. It may not look much to others but she was satisfied with it, happy as one be. Truly an adorable child.

  Snap Snap Snap Snap Snap

  Of course, Grey didn't fet to snap a couple pictures of the Little Princess as she pyed around. Well, he also snapped a photo of everyone, but her priorities were for Yuna and the Little Princess. The tter was just too adorable.

  Well, no matter how adorable she was, it was still better to make sandcastles with the right toys and equipment. Toys which Grey quickly made with the use of pnt magic. A flick of a finger and a shovel, several molds, and figures appeared out of thin air.

  "Here, Little Princess, use this." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Whatsh that?" ［Natalia］

  "Well... I'll demonstrate, so watch carefully, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Um! Okay!" ［Natalia］

  Eyes sparkling brightly as one be, Natalia watched attentively as Grey showed her how to use the toys and how to stack the various molds to make different sorts and styles of castles. There were also animal-shaped molds to make things more fun.

  And sihey were made with magic, they were very light and easy to use. Just a little tap and the molded sand quickly falls into pce. It didn't take too long before the Little Princess lear quickly.

  "Does the Little Princess get it now?" ［Grey］

  "Um! Py! Py now!" ［Natalia］

  "Alright, alright, let's py." ［Grey］

  "Yaay～!" ［Natalia］

  With su excited smile on her face, there was no way Grey could deny her request. They quickly started pying with the sand and made all sorts of things with the molds. Of course, Yuna also helped out as well.

  Time passed and the others, mostly the children, also started joining in. And so, Grey made more molds to aodate everyone pying. There were not only basid animal shapes, but full blown mini-infrastructures as well. Magic is amazing.

  "Iris, Bel, let's make a mermaid!" ［Eliza］

  "Yes! A's add shells for the neckce!" ［Iris］

  "Then, I'll get some flowers for a hairpin!" ［Bel］

  "Ehh～ Elder Brother, Big Bro Alec, Big Bro A's make something big too! Something like a dragon!" ［Galvin］

  "Ah! Let's put a lot of heads then! That way, it would be more powerful!" ［An］

  "Hey, Galvin, Alec, calm down. Don't push!" ［Elnart］

  And as one would expect, some sort of petition suddenly rose as they pyed, peting with the best sand figures they could make. Soon enough, all sorts of things popped up along the beach from simple mounds to intricate sculptures of mermaids and dragons.

  But perhaps the most admirable part was how well everyo along. It hasn't even been an hour yet the children were already close friends with each other. Even Lyra, Aled An, Jiro's children, whom they just met for the first time have also bee close friends with them.

  "Ah! Everyone, I have some of your time for a moment?" ［Amelia］

  "S-Sure! What do you need, Lady Amelia?" ［Tilda］

  "Umm, does this look okay?" ［Amelia］

  Well, not just the children, Grey and Yuna's various friends were now acquainted as well, mostly because of Julius' nosy and pushy personality. Now, they are pying in the sand like little children, makiiful structures and ag like architects.

  "Hahaha! Grey, what do you think of my masterpiece?!" ［Julius］

  "Ugh... What even is that thing...?" ［Grey］

  "What else would it be? It's a beautiful horse!" ［Julius］

  And speaking of Julius, he was making all sorts of atrocities. The thing he just called a horse right now was one which looked like a six-legged dog with a deformed face who is suffering from a stroke and diarrhea at the same time. It was nothing like a horse. It couldn't even be called an art piece.

  pared to the replica of the familiars Grey just made, it was nothing short of a disaster. It was an abomination. And he was so proud of it as well, a smug look painted on his face. To which, Grey replied...

  "What the heck... It's ugly..." ［Grey］

  "Haah?! What do you mean ugly?! You clearly don't know art! This is a masterpiece, you know? A masterpiece!" ［Julius］

  "Whatever that thing is... That's not art... That belongs in a trash bin..." ［Grey］

  And there they go again, arguing about a stupid topic with their loud voices reag even the high skies. It has already bee a se of normalcy, and so, everyone simply ighe two and tinued with whatever they were doing.

  Of course, everyone wasn't just pying with the sand. The others were swimming in the sea, sunbathing, pying iers, or simply walking around and sightseeing around the pce. Everyone was enjoying their own time on the beach.

  The married couples were mostly the ones expl, spending their time together. The King and Queen in particur were walking hand in hand as if they were on a beach date, letting their children be by themselves.

  Well, if it's just being eye-catg, then Kris and Aria would perfectly fit the bill. They were far away in the horizon, enjoying their time together and making rge waves as they used magic. That's an A-rank couple for you.

  "Hmm... I guess that's enough pying with sand for now... Yuna, do you want to go for a swim?" ［Grey］

  "A swim? Sure! I'd love to!" ［Yuna］

  Before long, Grey and Yuna also joihe ranks of couples enjoying a beach date. They quickly stood up and patted away the sand stig on their skin. Soon enough, they headed to the sea, chatting happily with each other.

  "Oi, Grey! Stop flirting with Yuna and face me, you bastard! Or is it that you're afraid you'll lose against my art?" ［Julius］

  "Art my ass... If you're envious, then flirt with Amelia too. Don't bother us," ［Grey］

  "Tsk! Fine! I'll let you off the hook for now." ［Julius］

  Or so he says, but soon enough, Julius also stood up and asked to go around with Amelia. The tter didn't make the former wait for too long and a couple moments ter, they also went off on their own and headed to the sea.

  The only ones left on the beach were the children and the Princess who was looking after the Little Princess. Well, the familiars were also with them so that the Little Princess will never get bored and head off to the water on her own. It would be dangerous, after all.

  As for the sihey weren't lonely at all. Though Helen was holding a grudge since she still doesn't have someone, she was happy that she could spend time with her new friends. It was more than enough for her.

  "Grey, hurry up～!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah, ing～." ［Grey］

  Before long, Grey and Yuna were already on the sea, the salty waters greeting them as they washed ashore and spshed around. And the waves were also gentle as well, perfect for floating and swimming.

  Though it was not a very hot day, the cool water was still very refreshing to the skin, as if one's body was enveloped in a thin membraopping it with the cool sea breeze blowing towards the shore as well, it was more than perfect.

  "Do you need a floatie?" ［Grey］

  "Mou... Treating me like a child again. I swim, you know?" ［Yuna］

  "Mmn... Just asking. You ever be too sure, after all." ［Grey］

  "Hmph! You say that, but you just wao tease me, didn't you?" ［Yuna］

  It was a futile attempt. Grey had wao tease Yuna again, but the tter had already learnt from all the times they were together. She could already see through his tricks, not falling for the very obvious ones.

  "Then, should we have a swimming test to prove it then?" ［Grey］

  "Un! You're on! Don't cry when you lose, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "My, I wonder who'll be g..." ［Grey］

  Taking turns teasing and provoking each rey and Yuna stretched their bodies left and right. Though it wouldn't really matter to them whether they have a warm up or not, it still felt good to do so.

  The big blue sea, extending as far as the eyes see, toug the simirly blue sky over the horizon. The clouds drifted and the waves surged. It was a truly beautiful sight deserving to be called a hidden treasure.

  "Are you ready, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Ready when you are." ［Yuna］

  "Then in one... two... threeー" ［Grey］

  SPLASSSHHHHHH

  Grey hasn't even finished ting dow a spshed already echoed in the air, a single figure streaking oer's surface. And no, it wasn't Yuna who sast them. Rather, it was another familiar yet uninvited figure.

  "Hahaha! See you in the finish lines, losers!" ［Julius］

  It was her than Julius who was already rushing towards the horizon, leaving everyone behind. As they turned around to look at Amelia, the tter only shrugged her shoulders and heaved a deep sigh. It was yet another one of Julius' shenanigans.

  "Haah... Really, that bastard..." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Shall we catch up to him, then?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, let's teach that bastard a lesson." ［Grey］

  SPLAAAASSSSHHHHHHHH

  An even louder spsh echoed in the air as Grey and Yuna also burst forth towards the faraway horizon, creating waves and showers as they streaked like starving dragons chasing their prey before them, eyes locked and ready.

  The fun had just begun!

  CHAPTER 244 END