-No One's P.O.V-

Somewhere in the dark void, we see Pecorine running around in the abyss and clueless about how she got there.

Pecorine looks around as she spots two familiar people...or perhaps we should say her parents?

Pecorine: Wait! Please, wait!

Once Pecorine reaches her parents as she stops and catches her breath for a moment before speaking up.

Pecorine: Father...Mother...

Pecorine called out to her parents with a happy expression on her face until...

Pecorine's Father: Who...

Pecorine's Mother: ...are you?

Suddenly, both Pecorine's parents turned to dust as the wind brushes through her until the black dust fades away.

Pecorine then sees a familiar figure in front of her again, but this time, Yuuki, Karyl, and Kokkoro were on the ground in a defeated state and their bodies were all heavily wounded.

Pecorine: Everyone...?

Yuuki, Kokkoro, and Karyl then slowly turned around and said...

Karyl: Pecorine...!

Kokkoro: ...Please...!

Yuuki: ...Help...us!

The three begged as they reached out their arms to her. Pecorine started to get freaked out by this.

Pecorine: W-Wha...What's going on!?

Pecorine asks in shock until she hears the familiar voice around her in the abyss.

???: It would appear that they need "help".

Suddenly, a giant figure of Karyl's boss, Her Majesty, appears above Yuuki, Karyl, and Kokkoro.

Pecorine: N-No...!

???: Hehehe...allow me...

Her Majesty then snaps her fingers until Kokkoro, Karyl, and Yuuki's bodies started ripping by themselves.

Kokkoro/Yuuki/Karyl: AHHHHH!!

And then suddenly, the three Gourmet Guild were all blown up by Her Majesty.

Pecorine: N-No...NOOOO!!!!

Pecorine screamed out in horror after she witnessed her friends die as Pecorine starts to cry her eyes out.

???: But that's not all, is it?

Pecorine: No!! No more of this!!

???: Aren't you forgetting someone?

Suddenly, Pecorine's head lifted up as we see black dust forming in front of her. The black dust were forming into a figure and that figure turned out to be you.

Pecorine: (Y-Y/N)...!

Pecorine says your name as you only stared at her with a freighted look on your face.

(Y/N): P-Pecorine...! What's...going on...?!

You asked her out of fear as you looked around anxiously.

???: Take a good look at him~ He's scared. Scared of something that is happening to him~ Now...why don't we just...

The voice of Her Majesty snaps her fingers as Pecorine watches as she sees your back was suddenly blown up and blood was squirting out.

(Y/N): Wh-Wha...?

Pecorine: Noo!!

Pecorine screams out as she reaches out her hand to you while you were weakly approaching her with your hand reaching out to her.

???: Watch carefully.

Pecorine: No...I...I won't watch...!!

Pecorine says as she tries to look away and close her eyes, but she couldn't.

Pecorine: (Wha?! Why can't I look away!?)

???: Fufufu~ Look at him again, Princess. Look at him, he has no idea why he's dying right now. He can no longer be a hero in this state. I bet you are thinking "shouldn't his invulnerability stand against an explosion!?" Ahahaha! Nope, he no longer has it!

Pecorine: Please!! Stop this!! Stop it!!

???: No.

Suddenly, Her Majesty claps her hands three times until your body starts slowly explodes itself and the last thing you said was...

(Y/N): P-PECORINE...!!!

Pecorine: AHHHHH!!!!

Pecorine then falls into the black abyss, screaming her lungs out in horror as she then only hears the sound of Her Majesty evilly laughing around her until she hears...

???: Pecorine!! Pecorine!!

...

Pecorine: AHHHH!!!!

(Y/N): Pecorine!! Pecorine!!

You called out to her as Pecorine stops screaming and was panting heavily with sweat dripping down on her face.

(Y/N): Sheesh, you okay?

Pecorine: Wha...What happened...?

(Y/N): All I know is that you had a nightmare. We heard you screaming in your room so I quickly came up to check up on you.

You explained as Pecorine was slowly breathing in and out until the two of you hear Kokkoro spoke up.

Kokkoro: (Y/N), is Miss Pecorine alright?

(Y/N): Don't worry, she just had a nightmare. You can head back down and wait for breakfast.

Kokkoro: Okay.

Kokkoro then headed back downstairs with Yuuki and Karyl.

(Y/N): Come on, let's eat breakfast. Let's get rid of that nightmare away by eating~!

You said in an enthusiastic tone which made feel Pecorine a little better.

Pecorine: Ehehe...okay.

-Mini Time Skip-

A few minutes later. Both you and Pecorine eventually cooked breakfast for everyone.

Pecorine: Everyone! We fried up some eggs and freshly cooked bacon we got first thing this morning!

Karyl: Did you remember to leave these eggs runny?

(Y/N): Of course, we did.

Kokkoro: So, when you left this morning, you were going to the market.

Kokkoro says as she notices Karyl who wasn't eating her eggs.

Pecorine: Karyl?

Karyl: Wait just a minute.

Yuuki: Hm?

Karyl: Something's missing! There's no bread to sandwich these tasty-looking eggs between.

(Y/N): Yeah, there was a...bit of a problem...

Karyl: What kind of problem?

(Y/N): Pecky, show it to them.

Pecorine then pulls out a quest paper.

Pecorine: Ta-dah! When (Y/N) and I went to the market, there weren't many goods for sale.

(Y/N): We asked what was going on and we found out that a monster made its home on the bridge leading to town. They can't transport flour and other goods, and it's affecting everyone.

Kokkoro: That's terrible.

Pecorine: If the authorities...If Landosol took action it would help a lot, but for some reason, the royal place won't do anything. And, when (Y/N) and I went to the Guild Association, I found this quest application. I'd really like to do it...

(Y/N): And guess what?

Karyl: What is it?

(Y/N): The quest ranking itself is quite high.

Karyl: Excuse me!? Let me see that!

Karyl then rips the paper off of Pecorine's hands and looks at the bottom to see a bunch of red skulls.

Karyl: What?! What is this!? Don't bring us scary quests like that so early in the morning!

Pecorine: Please, Karyl, don't be like that! Everyone's suffering right now! I know! If you do it, I'll wake you up with a hug every day!

(Y/N): Hahaha, for real? You're just gonna bribe Karyl for that?

Karyl: No thank you!

-Time Skip-

Somewhere in the woods near the bridge, we see Karyl screaming and getting chased by a giant-sized goat.

Pecorine: Even if we beat the monster, it won't mean anything if we also damage the bridge. So, we should lure it away first.

Karyl: How, exactly?

Pecorine: My shoulder guards grant a massive defense boost, so someone can lure the monster away from the bridge while wearing them. It'll take a lot to hurt you with those on.

Karyl: Darn it, Dumborine! You knew we couldn't trust that dunce Yuuki or Koro-ster to handle this! I'm the smart one and I'm stuck being a bait?! You idiot! We should've let you handle this on your own, (Y/N)!!

(Y/N): Hey, you can't always rely on me just because I'm super strong, you know?!

Karyl: I know that, but aren't you the one who's been taking care of the big monsters!?

(Y/N): No kidding I am!

You yelled back as we see Kokkoro and Yuuki finishing tying up the big ropes on the two trees to make it look like a tripwire.

Pecorine: Yet she still volunteered to be the decoy. I just love her!

Kokkoro: Here they come.

The four of you looked to see Karyl is still getting chased by the giant-sized deer.

Pecorine: Since it's running so fast, we'll trap its feet and make sure it can't move. And then (Y/N) will go beat the crap out of it and I will finish it off once it's weak!

Karyl: Dumborine! This is the last time I go along with your brilliant ideas, you hear me?!

Karyl exclaims as she jumps over the big rope as we see the giant-size goat getting tripped by the big rope. It slides on the ground and while it was sliding on the floor, you were standing in front of it with your arms crossed.

You then held out your hand in front of the goat and stopped the goat from sliding on the ground. You smirked as you reeled back your fist and said...

(Y/N): TAKE THIS!!!!

You yelled out as you deliver an uppercut on the giant-sized goat's chin as it was sent flying into the air until you started to unleash rapid punches onto its body.

(Y/N): ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA...!!

You then reeled back your final punch and cried out...

(Y/N): ORAAA!!!!

You punched the giant-sized goat's face and send it back to the ground.

Pecorine: Thank you, (Y/N)! I'll take care of it for good! Princess Strike!

And just like that, Pecorine cast her usual sword skill and finishes off the goat-sized monster.

Kokkoro/Yuuki/Pecorine: We did it!

(Y/N): Good grief...

Pecorine: Now the people of Landosol can eat their fill again! Karyl, Yuuki, Kokkoro, (Y/N)...

Karyl/Yuuki/Kokkoro/(Y/N): Hm?

Suddenly, Pecorine runs up to you four and hugs you all. This surprises everyone while you were gently smiling at the embrace until Karyl starts to get a little embarrassed at this.

Karyl: Hey! S-Stop hugging me! Let me go!

Karyl exclaims, but unknown to all of you, the masked Shadow was attacking the victims on the road as it carries a lifeless man before his body disappears from the Shadow's power.

-Mini Time Skip-

Karin: I've confirmed that you did indeed complete the Elder Horn subjugation quest. Now, please fill out this paperwork.

Yuuki then begins to sign the paper using the feather pen.

Karyl: It's a good thing Koro-ster was so patient about teaching you.

Kokkoro: No, this is purely my lord's own efforts paying off.

Pecorine: You've worked hard, Yuuki.

(Y/N): Heh.

Karin: I never imagined Yuuki would be submitting the Gourmet Guild's activity reports.

Karin says until she notices something wrong on Yuuki's writing on the paper.

Karin: Oh? I'm sorry, but this part is wrong.

Karyl: Shees...So close, yet so far. If you don't know how to write something, don't play it cool. Just ask. You can't just write random scribbles.

(Y/N): Ooh, I didn't know the kitty is the know-it-all philosopher!

You said with sarcasm with a smile on your face.

Karyl: You shut up...!

(Y/N): Hahaha, okay, okay.

You said with a playful grin on your face as Karyl gives you an angry pout.

...

Eventually, Yuuki finished writing down the report on the quest paper as all of you went outside.

Pecorine: Mmm~! It's another beautiful day!

Ikkachi: Peco Lady! Hero Boy!

Everyone turned to see Ikkachi and Charlie.

Pecorine: Hi, Ikkachi and Charlie!

(Y/N): What are you two doing here?

Charlie: We heard you two took out a monster! Awesome as always!

Pecorine: Huh? How do you know about that?

Ikkachi: Well, I mean...

Suddenly, we see Yasuko and the other customers appeared behind the corner.

Yasuko: There you are!

Pecorine: Yasuko?

Yasuko: We've been looking for you! I heard you two out that monster for us! I can stock up again, thanks to you two!

Store Owner Man: When we couldn't get new stock in, we didn't know what we'd do.

Woman 1: Thank you so much!

Everyone was all giving their praises to you and Pecorine.

(Y/N): Ahahaha, it's not a problem! It's just what heroes do!

Pecorine: Ehehe, now everyone can eat delicious food!

...

Yuuki: Everyone's happy.

Pecorine: Yeah! Landosol should always be full of smiling faces, after all!

(Y/N): Hahaha, you can say that again.

Kokkoro: They were thanking you, too, Miss Karyl.

Karyl: That's not really my thing.

Karyl says until her stomach rumbles from hunger as she got embarrassed by it until you let out a light-hearted laugh.

(Y/N): I guess one of us is hungry.

Pecorine: Are you hungry? Let's stop for a light afternoon dessert!

Kokkoro & Karyl: Light?

...

Pecorine then leads you four to a familiar place.

Pecorine: This is...

Kokkoro: ...where we came on our first day in Landosol.

(Y/N): Ahh...brings back old memories, huh?

Pecorine: Oh? You three have eaten here before? Charlie told me about this place, but they don't seem to get much business, even though their crepes are delicious. So, it's a little-known treasure!

That's when a familiar face comes into view.

???: Ah, yes, welcome...er...ahhh!!!

Yuuki & Kokkoro: Ah!

(Y/N): Hello there.

Then another familiar face comes in.

??? 2: What is it, Rino? Don't be rude to our customers...er...Ahhh!!!

Red-Haired Lady: What's going on? You sound like a pair of chickens being strangled. Oh? Long time, no see. Not biting coins anymore, are you?

Yuuki: Money...important.

Red-Haired Lady: Good. Glad to hear it.

(Y/N): Ahahaha, that's all in the past now.

Kokkoro: The crepes we had when we came here before were truly delicious.

Red-Haired Lady: Well, thank you.

The Red-Haired Lady turned to Pecorine and Karyl.

Red-Haired Lady: And these two are...?

Yuuki: Friends.

Pecorine smiles while Karyl looks away. The Red-Haired Lady then makes a camera pose using her fingers to picture you five.

(A/N: Just imagine yourself there.)

Red-Haired Lady: That's a nice picture.

Yuuki: Hm?

Red-Haired Lady: Anyway, I need to take care of some things. Look after things here.

Shizuru: Got it!

Rino: Come, now!

Shizuru: You're my little brother's guildmates. It's on the house today! Feel free to eat all you like!

Pecorine: Really?!

You realized what was going to happen next.

(Y/N): Pecorine, you're not thinking about what I'm thinking...

You said with widened eyes as Pecorine turns to you with an enthusiastic face which scares you a little.

Pecorine: Of course, I'm gonna do it!

...

A couple of minutes later, you, Yuuki, Kokkoro, and Karyl got your free crepes while Pecorine was...

Rino: Shizuru! I can't fry fast enough to keep up with her!

Shizuru: I'm running out of the fruits we use for toppings! But we mustn't complain! We told her it was in the house!

While this was happening, you and Karyl were seeing this while sitting on the bench with Yuuki and Kokkoro.

(Y/N): Oh my god...

Karyl: Is their stall going to be okay?

Kokkoro: Delicious.

(Y/N): Honestly...I really feel sorry for your sisters, Yuuki.

Yuuki: I'm sure they're okay.

(Y/N): (Definitely not when they're tired!)

You thought to yourself with an angry look on your face.

Karyl: Hey (Y/N).

(Y/N): Hm? What's up?

Karyl: Can I talk to you for a minute in private? It's something that I want to tell you.

Karyl says with a stern look on her face and you know something is up.

(Y/N): Alright, if you say so.

Kokkoro: Where are you two going?

(Y/N): Karyl and I need to talk in private somewhere else. Let Pecorine know, okay?

Yuuki: Okay.

And just like that, you and Karyl walked off into a nearby alleyway.

(Y/N): So, what is it that you want to tell me? Is there something happening with your boss or the Shadows?

You asked with your arms folded as Karyl hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

Karyl: It's the Shadows. My boss placed a stone mask on one of them and I can sense a strange ominous power coming from it. I have a feeling that Shadow with the mask is something else than any ordinary Shadow we've fought.

(Y/N): I see. Anything else?

Karyl: No, that's all I could get any info. Her Majesty hasn't done anything, but send Shadows to lurk around everywhere.

(Y/N): Alright. Let's head back to the group.

Karyl nodded in confirmation as the two of you went back to Yuuki's group. In Karyl's perspective view, time slows down around her as she begins to think to herself.

Karyl: (Why am I doing this? I already told (Y/N) about my secret mission. But...I'm really starting to question my own loyalty to my friends or Her Majesty...)

Karyl thought to herself and begins to look at you until small flashbacks came into her mind.

...

Karyl: I'm fine. I can walk on my own. I'm not going to thank you. No one asked you to do any of that.

(Y/N): We didn't even ask, we just simply helped you out, lady!

Karyl: Whatever!

...

(Y/N): You know, you may have a mission from your boss, but you're a kind and caring person deep down in you. I can see that. When the time comes for you to betray us or not, we will be ready.

...

(Y/N): Hey Karyl, thanks for giving us the privilege to breathe underwater!

Karyl: Anytime...*whispers* you big dummy~

...

Karyl then places her right hand on her chest as if to feel something.

Karyl: (Am I...really falling for this big idiot? I know he likes Pecorine and all, but...does he like me, too? Maybe I'll just need to go and talk to Pecorine for a bit.)

Karyl thought to herself as she looks down at your right hand. A light blush appears on her cheeks as she hesitantly tries to hold your hand, but only her fingers only touched your palm which you felt it.

(Y/N): Hm? Are you trying to hold my hand?

Karyl: N-No I wasn't...!

(Y/N): Ahaha, your face says it all!

Karyl: You know what, fine! I...actually did want to hold it...

(Y/N): Hehehe, that was a little bold. I like that.

Karyl was a little surprised to hear that as she couldn't help, but put up a small pride smile on her face until you and Karyl arrived back to the group which they notice.

Kokkoro: Ah, welcome back, you two.

You nodded in confirmation as all of you noticed Pecorine approaching the group.

Pecorine: Everyone! We really got to indulge today! It's all thanks to you, Yuuki!

Pecorine says with a delightful look on her face as you, Kokkoro, Yuuki, and Karyl looked behind her towards the Crepe stall and we see Shizuru and Rino were all exhausted from making all of the Crepes for Pecorine.

Yuuki: We'll be back sometime.

Yuuki says with a thumb up.

Rino: W-We did it, Shizuru. We made him happy.

Shizuru: Seeing my little brother smile is...the...best...

Both Shizuru and Rino said with a weak thumb up before falling into exhaustion.

(Y/N): (Oh...those poor two girls...)

-Time Skip-

Somewhere else outside of Landosol, we see the familiar red-haired woman standing over a bunch of clothes laying on the ground. This familiar red-haired female's name is Labyrista.

Labyrista was carrying the unconscious female villager in her arms until her body was suddenly turned to dust in her arms.

We then turn to the scene as we see the Shadow with the stone mask and is still walking around in search of new victims until its body starts to mutate and it was heading towards Landosol.

...

(A/N: That's that! Stay tuned for the second part of episode 12th!)