Once they entered through the service door, a very enthusiastic lion-kin hostess greeted them with a slight bow.

Sokram’s mind didn’t even register the click of her heels on the wooden floor, which faded into nothing, every sound drowned out by the slow, hypnotic sway of her hips.

After getting them settled, she designated an exclusive waitress for them.

On the way there, Sokram was stopped, saluted, and thanked more than ten times by the staff of the Red Moon.

He wondered if this would become a habit, knowing that if it did, walking through the city would become a chore.

But thinking about it, Sokram could only chuckle to himself.

He knew that the image of a hero didn’t truly suit him.

Sokram also knew that one day, as he walked further down the Path of Evolution, some choices would have to be made that would unavoidably label him as a villain, as a world destroyer.

But until then, at least in his home country, taking on the mantle of a noble hero wouldn't be so bad.

Even if the rest of the galaxy came to hate him, as he knew they would.

Thinking about that led Sokram’s thoughts to diverge back to his plans, so dazed that he didn't even sense the waitress's approach.

She was right beside him, and he only noticed her presence when Margiory’s voice broke his train of thought, “Baby, what will you want?”

“Hm?” His head snapped toward the waitress, who smiled brightly at him.

She was a cute wolf-kin girl with pale skin, brown hair cut in a bob hairstyle, gray eyes, and a small bust, but thick thighs that made her look amazing in her uniform.

Despite him not looking his best or being in his best shape, he could clearly see the twinkle of genuine interest that shone in her eyes.

Sokram met her eager gaze with a relaxed grin, unfazed by the slight flush on her cheeks.

After taking in the sight, he answered, “Boar or Pork ribs, Cockatrice Thighs and Wings, and some pink rice and green beans, I need to regain some weight after all.”

“Well, you’re still looking handsome. Don’t worry. Any beverages?” She fidgeted with the hem of her apron, a small, nervous gesture that contradicted the confident, flirty wink she threw at him.

The three grandmothers didn’t mind much, believing the girl was just after a bigger tip.

After Sokram asked for some Purple Melon juice, the girl left with rushed steps.

Sokram looked around the Red Room, a place he rarely frequented in his previous timeline.

Most of the money he made went to his household and savings to buy Hilda a Magitech prosthetic leg.

But now, he saw many familiar faces on the lower floors, and was very surprised to see Figos and his family there too.

Noticing his gaze, Brunhild told him, “They have been treated with a lot more respect because of your fame, you know? The butcheries are so profitable that we are thinking of expanding again soon.”

“That’s nice,” Sokram smiled brightly, but then remembered, “What about Mr. Oliver? The hunting teams? And my team?”

“Oliver is out on an expedition with some of our guards to track the location of a few nests, so there will be a lot of work for you in the coming months. I also took the liberty of hiring a construction crew to reform the stables to make them more suitable for training and raising birds,” Margiory explained.

“The hunting teams are progressing well in their cultivation. Those four elven siblings are quite the talent. Vanda, Rinan, and the brute Stone are also good prospects that are worth investing in.”

Brunhild nodded nonchalantly, though the approval in her gaze was undeniable.

“How are the founding families handling the fused energy techniques?” Sokram asked as he watched the lower floor, families, hunting teams, and guild members celebrating.

The space was filled with chatter, laughter, clinking glasses, and the smell of food and alcohol.

The constant chorus of the crowd below them was brimming with life, a continuous wave of chatter interrupted only by bursts of laughter and the joyful clinking of mugs.

The air was thick with the rich scent of roasted meats and the bittersweet mixture of scents of cheap ale, wine, and mead. A warm and comforting cloud that permeated the air, making the environment even more addictive.

“With Leona’s help, I managed to train a few of them enough for them to teach each other.” Hannah's lips thinned into a tight line, and a muscle in her jaw twitched slightly.

She didn't hide her annoyance, but readjusted her expression before adding, “But Lazar and Kanami and some other family heads insisted on waiting for you to recover to learn from you.”

“They insisted on waiting?” Sokram raised an eyebrow, seeing through her.

“Sigh… Lazar and Kanami are Tier 10 Exalted. I still can’t do the initial conversion with enough security, unlike you. The others… I really don’t want to deal with them, especially that Lion from the Blackmanes.” Hannah averted her gaze from his, pouting.

“Haha, you need to be more social, Nana. But don’t worry, I’ll take over.” Sokram chuckled a little, knowing that despite hiding well, Hannah was quite antisocial.

“What about that project of yours? I’ve seen the spell you set up in your lab, and I have been feeding the critters in the cages on the lower floor. What are you working on?”

Hannah’s eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity.

“That is just an idea for now, but if it works, it might change the fate of this country once and for all. After I helped Grandmaster and Nana Kasine…”

But just as Sokram was about to dive into a more elaborate explanation, three servers entered the cabin with their food, “…It’s best if I show you later.”

Hannah nodded, but so did Margiory, who, knowing him, could tell he was about to create something grand again.

After serving the food, two of the servers left, with only the cute wolf-kin girl staying.

This time, Sokram paid attention enough to learn her name was Kilina, as she informed them, “Boss Kairo sent me to inform you that Miss Imari is going to get on the stage soon.”

“Ah, that’s great news. Was Imari informed that Sokram is here?” Hannah pointed at him.

“No, she was just informed that he is fully recovered. No one knows the hero is here besides the few staff members who saw him entering.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Kilina answered promptly with a smile, wanting to assure them Sokram wouldn’t be bothered.

“Great, thank you, Kilina. This will be all for now.” Hannah nodded, dismissing the girl.

“I’ll be in earshot if you need me. Our chef also sent his regards. We hope you enjoy the food and your night in Red Moon.” Giving them a polite bow, Kilina left.

While picking a rib and dipping it in sauce, Sokram asked, not averting his gaze from the delicious piece of Boar meat in his hand, “Who is this Imari girl you keep bringing up?”

“A Siren, a Sea Bard, who has been living in town for a while now. According to what I heard, she was among the crowd that was watching the battle from the top of the walls that day and saw you saving her girlfriend or something like that.”

Brunhild explained, offering him a napkin with a stern look, seeing him eating with his bare hands.

Sokram offered her a sheepish grin while he took the napkin before digging into the piece of rib in his hands, “Is she that good?”

The rib’s glaze clung to his fingers, sweet and peppery, the first bite releasing a smoky rush that coated his tongue.

“Well, judge for yourself, she just got on stage.” Margiory pointed to the stage, which they had a direct view of.

“She’s from the North Sea?” Sokram mumbled more than he asked, seeing her vermilion hair.

Two clans of Sirens lived in the Northern Continent Seas; those of the South Sea, like Riella, had azure hair and eyes, while those from the North Sea had vermilion hair and eyes.

Imari was superbly beautiful, even for a Nymph, to the point that she could even match Moira.

With pale skin, an alluring, curvy body, reddish lips that complemented her appearance, and one side of her long, straight, vermilion hair tucked behind her triple-pointed ear.

She wasn’t very tall, not passing 1.75 meters.

But all her beauty was accentuated by the dress she chose, a long, silky, gala black dress that hugged her form until her hips and flowed loosely from them onward.

As she moved with the fluid grace of a creature of the sea, her long, silky black dress swished and flowed around her hips with every step.

The moment she stepped onto the stage, conversations stopped, and heads turned like a wave.

The crowd on the lower floor cheered very excitedly, showing how famous a bard she was.

Sokram had no recollection of her from his past timeline, meaning that hers was another fate he changed.

The moment Imari’s voice filled the tavern, it was as if a spell had been cast.

It wasn’t just a beautiful sound; it was a physical sensation, a vibration that invaded Sokram's chest, making his heart beat even more lively, entranced with the haunting melody.

The world around him faded away, leaving only her voice and the skillful movements of her fingers on her lute’s chords.

Sokram and his grandmothers ate quietly, listening to her songs.

He was so entranced by her voice while he ate that he didn’t even realize that the bowl with baby cockatrice thighs and wings was over.

Neither did he realize that he had finished an entire ribcage by himself.

Even when Kilina and the server came to bring more, he couldn’t take his eyes from Imari.

A Siren’s voice had this type of effect on male dragons, elves, and humans. But there was something more to Imari’s voice, something almost magical.

“She’s… Not just a Siren, is she?” Sokram murmured to himself, and Kilina, who was nearby, picked up on that.

Kilina smiled proudly, a little too much, and this was the first time Sokram truly looked at her.

And searching through his memories of the battle, he realized that Kilina was the girlfriend he had saved.

“You’re a lucky girl, Kilina.” Sokram flashed her a knowing smile, which made Kilina blush and giggle.

“Well, if you were of age…” But her words got caught in her throat after the glares she received from the three overprotective grandmothers.

“I apologize. I’ll be nearby if you need me. Excuse me.”

“Thank you.” Sokram nodded, flashing her a reassuring smile, so she wouldn’t think that she was in trouble.

Sokram finally figured out why he was so drawn to Imari.

He was sure she, like him, had a fully awakened Primordial Bloodline running through her veins.

She wasn’t just a Siren, she was a full-fledged Mermaid.

Realizing that, he managed to calm himself.

Yet her voice was still quite addictive, and while he ate, he couldn’t help but sing along on the catchiest parts of her songs.

Until right after finishing a song, Imari took a sip of her drink and addressed the crowd, “Friends of Eversnow, I know some of you may know of this, but I received great news before getting on stage.”

The crowd looked at her with expectation, some of them figured out what she sounded so happy about, and even the few people who weren’t watching her performance as intently looked at her with curiosity.

“The young hero of our city, the Dark Lightning Killer, awoke from his coma today!”

The crowd went wild as chatter and cheers exploded through the hall.

“And before performing the next and last song of this evening, I would like to raise a toast to his good health!”

Imari raised her glass, and the crowd followed her, with their glasses and mugs in hand, as Imari said, “May Evolution lead you to glory, young dragon!”

A collective shout came from the crowd, “May Evolution lead you to glory!”

Sokram, watching all of this unfold, felt a rush of heat creep up his neck. He could only sit there speechless, as a wave of awkwardness washed over him.

Which made his grandmothers hold back some very spirited giggles that tried to escape their chests with all their might.

“With great pleasure, I’ll now perform the Ballad of Killing Blade Sokram!” Imari sat on the stool and checked the instrument's tune.

Sokram, watching from the cabin, couldn’t help letting out a stunned murmur, “For me?”

After taking one last sip, Imari began to sing as the Red Moon went completely quiet...

“It was sudden, in the night, that they came to our door,

The orcs of Frostaxe, hungry for war.

Our soldiers stood strong, blades gleaming and proud,

But the enemy laughed—so savage, so loud.”

Sokram saw some of the people rocking their bodies and raising their glasses, as they sang along in low tones, not to disturb the melody.

“They scoffed at our walls, they shattered our shields,

Even our bravest were forced to yield.

Our numbers were few, the ground soaked in red,

When the heavens roared, and hope rose from dread!”

But then came the chorus and the crowd, no longer containing themselves, sang along with mugs and glasses raised high, and their voices proud as if the song had become an anthem, like a choir that only complemented Imari’s voice.

“Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Mighty Killing Blade!

Strike them down with lightning and shade!

Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Dark Lightning Killer!

From the storm he came, Eversnow’s mighty pillar!

We call to the wind, to the lightning, to the blade!

Oh hero, oh dark lightning, come save us again!”

The crowd lowered their tone, some rose from their chairs, and began dancing while enjoying Imari’s beautiful voice.

Even Sokram’s three grandmothers joined in singing along with proud smiles on their faces.

“He rose from the dusk with the storm in his eyes,

He cut through their lines 'neath thunderous skies.

No armor of metal, just Magi and Might.

A fury so vast, it swallowed the night!”

The chorus came again, and the people went wild, rowdily singing. Stomping their feet, warriors of the same teams and guilds hugging each other. Some people even got emotional, remembering the people they lost.

A unified roar, a choir of proud, booming voices that seemed to shake the very foundations of the tavern.

Seeing their reactions, Sokram got overwhelmed with his own emotions, because in all his eons of age, Eversnow was one of the few places he could truly call home, and this was his people singing praises to his deeds.

“Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Mighty Killing Blade!

Strike them down with lightning and shade!

Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Dark Lightning Killer!

From the storm he came, Eversnow’s mighty pillar!

We call to the wind, to the lightning, to the blade!

Oh hero, oh dark lightning, come save us again!”

The final verse started, and the people no longer shied from singing along.

Imari’s voice rose, becoming more powerful and emotionally charged.

It was truly an anthem, an anthem of a legendary victory, not only for Sokram but for all Eversnow, as if their very souls knew their fate had changed.

“Now Eversnow sleeps, safe through the night,

Thanks to the boy who turned death into light.

So drink, my friends, to the name we revere.

The young dragon who shattered our enemies and fears!”

In the final chorus, their voices became one, charged with raw emotion.

The sound of their boots stomping on the wooden floor was a thunderous rhythm, a defiant beat that silenced every other sound.

Mugs were raised high in a sea of hands, couples hugging and rocking together, all of them sharing the same feeling.

Sokram finally raised his own glass and joined in, not singing for himself but singing for the city he loved and the new fate that had dawned upon them.

“Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Killing Blade!

Oh, Dark Lightning Killer, fierce and brave!

No enemy withstands the wind of your blade,

No tale shall sing of those you’ve slayed.

Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Mighty Killing Blade!

Strike them down with lightning and shade!

Oh, Swift Wind! Oh, Dark Lightning Killer!

From the storm he came, Eversnow’s mighty pillar!”

The sound of the applause was deafening. The cheers and toasts. People even asked for an encore, but Imari, clearly exhausted, merely bowed and left.

She had been performing for days and wasn’t even planning to perform that night if Kilina hadn’t told her that if she did, she would get to meet Sokram.

After the crowd had settled down, Hannah flashed a grin at Sokram, and she joked:

“As stupid as it was for you to risk your own life like that, you deserve the praise. Mr. Dark Lightning Killer.”

Sokram, still overwhelmed by the performance, laughed sheepishly at her joke, “Haha, sorry. But yes, I promise next time I won’t…”

Even before he could finish, Hannah raised her hand for him to stop with a stern look on her face.

“Don’t make promises you can’t fulfill; instead, make sure you’re stronger the next time. Hmph!”