Chapter 4

It was a slow process but slowly and surely, the people's fear of the Sapphire Star began to disappear. His companions had already forgiven him quickly, citing that it had been the armor's fault, not his. His Palico however, demanded a year supply of treats, something he didn't hesitate to give, knowing that his loyal companion had never once turned their back on him even after all that. He was especially grateful to the Commander, who didn't contact the Guild because he believed that the people of the Commission would be able to handle this issue.

It, however, took longer for Clara's friends to forgive him. So much so that he booked a trip back to Astera to apologize to them in person when his letters of apology couldn't suffice. Naturally, he received slaps to the face from Lyra, Mira, and Hatsu respectively while Anya decided to kick him in the groin. It took Anya longer to forgive him compared to the other girls but eventually, she forgave him albeit under the condition that he be their assistant for an entire week.

For one week, nobody questioned why the Sapphire Star was seen wiping the tables, mixing drinks, signing papers nor did they question why Anya of all people smiled.

After a period of time, the Sapphire Star was soon back into healthy shape and his hunting career resumed without fuss. The armor he crafted from the Alatreon was kept locked up in a cell, guarded 24/7 by hunters, knowing that it held a dark corrupting force within it that nobody should ever touch. Research has also been commenced on the properties of armor crafted from Elder Dragons as a form of countermeasure should the incident occur once more. Life has effectively returned to normal once more, but for the Sapphire Star and a certain pink-haired receptionist? It was the start of a difficult journey but one they ultimately could not wait to see through.

…

"Clara."

The pink-haired woman looked up from her book and smiled at the man standing before her desk. "Hey, you!" she greeted back with her trademark greeting, reserved only for him. These past few weeks have been some of the best of Clara's life and she owed it all to the man standing before her. The Sapphire Star, hero of Astera, the savior of the Commission, and now the slayer of Elder Dragons. But while many knew him as the stoic and quiet hunter of the Fifth fleet, she knew him as Malcolm, the awkward, gentle, and heroic man. They had grown significantly closer during these past few weeks, taking the time to learn about each other's interests and likes and dislikes as well as how they ended up here in the New World.

He learned that when she was younger, she had always been an avid reader and that her dream had been to become a writer. However, she grew up in a lower-class family, and unfortunately, she didn't have the money to attend a proper school. Thankfully, a friend of hers showed her another way. A Guild Receptionist, a well-paid job that was right up her alley, and it had the added bonus of allowing her to continue her passion while giving her the necessary inspiration and skill needed to write.

"Her name is Lyra and she was the one who helped me get to where I am now. You probably know her as Astera's Hub Lass."

She, on the other hand, learned that he came from a disgraced noble family in the Old World and that the reason he was awkward around others was that he never learned how to properly talk to people the way normal people do. She couldn't help but laugh at that. He then told her about how he had eventually discovered his purpose in life after observing a hunter in action.

"I want to help people. I hate being powerless when people's lives are in constant danger whenever they head out of their village." This was what he said to her when asked why he became a hunter. He then told her about how he used what money he had left to attend the Academy and he hasn't looked back since.

"You won't believe how happy I was when they announced that I was going to be one of the hunters lucky enough to be part of the Fifth Fleet heading to the New World."

"Legends have to start somewhere after all," Clara remarked.

Malcolm had initially been embarrassed about sharing his entire journey from just a hunter to the New World's Sapphire Star. Clara giggled at his modesty. The man rarely ever showed his emotions in front of others, but with her? She felt blessed that she was the only one aside from his Palico that he was willing to open up to.

Their relationship was also talked about frequently amongst their friends and colleagues. Malcolm's companions found their relationship to be amusing and endearing at the same time, noting that the Sapphire Star deserved his own happiness after all the work he had done for them.

They would observe with hushed snickers as the Sapphire Star willingly followed Clara everywhere and devoted himself to making her happy. It was fairly obvious that she had him wrapped around her finger and Malcolm didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he looked like he…enjoyed it?

"He's whipped," remarked Malcolm's Palico one day.

Nobody bothered to correct that statement.

…

They were walking together that day, eager to settle down in the canteen to grab a cup of coffee. She was on her break when he came to the hall, as usual, to pick her up. It was a daily routine that everyone in the commission knew about. Heck, there was already an established rule formed after a while.

Whenever the Sapphire Star walks into the hall, all hunters and staff should stay quiet and not make a comment when he approaches his favorite receptionist.

Clara was more than aware of this 'rule' and she appreciated it greatly. Plus, it gave her leverage over other women. After all, she wasn't the only one who had a crush on the hero, but unfortunately for them, his heart belonged to her. She would send smug looks at every huntress that thought they had a chance with him.

"I believe your story deserves to be heard by everyone."

"Huh?"

The question came out of nowhere and it had Malcolm off guard. Clara simply grinned knowingly at him. "I told you about my dream, did I? I became a receptionist so I could also find inspiration for my writing, and now? I finally found one." She stopped and turned around and poked him on the chest. "You."

"I…I'm not so sure that's a good idea…"

"And why not?"

"Well…my story is rather…boring so to speak. I'm not sure anyone would be interested in reading some person's life story."

"Except you're not just "some person". You're the Sapphire Star! A hero! There's no way people wouldn't be interested in learning about a hero's life!"

"Clara, I'm really not sure…."

She stepped closer to him and looked up directly into the taller man's eyes. "Please?"

Malcolm did his best to not fall so easily under her control. But the longer he looked at her face and into those eyes…The Sapphire Star quickly realized how powerless he was against her. Is this what being in love feels like? He sighed. "F-Fine."

She beamed at him and hugged his taller frame. "Great!"

Malcolm had the biggest blush on his face after that.

…

Their days of bliss came to an abrupt halt however a few days later when the Commission received a special visitor.

"Hunters! Your attention!"

It was the General, a high-ranking Guild official hailing from the Old World, and he brought urgent news with him, one that required the attention of all hunters in the Commission.

"I don't believe it…"

"Fatalis…"

Indeed, the appearance of the infamous Elder Dragon was alarming news. With its overwhelming destructive might, it reigned over the other Elder Dragons. It was a beast so powerful, that it had wiped out an entire city under one night. As such, all available hunters had been immediately instructed to prepare themselves for the upcoming fight.

And that of course, meant the Sapphire Star was one of those hunters.

"Damn it…" Malcolm cursed as he sat on the edge of his bed in his suite. He needed time to take in all of this, the fact that he and a party of the Commission's best hunters would depart for the Old-World tomorrow. He knew of the Fatalis's destructive power, having read multiple books on it and heard numerous legends regarding the Black Dragon. But it still didn't shake away the feeling of both apprehension and…fear.

If he was being perfectly honest, Malcolm rarely felt fear. He faced all his challenges in the New World with a brave face and almost always emerged victorious. Not even the powerful Alatreon was able to instill proper fear in him. But Fatalis? Malcolm wasn't completely sure they would succeed. Immediately, his thoughts shifted to that of Clara. He thought of how she would react if he were to get killed in battle. All the more reason we can't fail this…

Suddenly, his sharp ears picked up the sound of his suite door opening.

"Hey, Malcolm?"

He looked up and saw Clara looking down on him from the balcony. "Clara," he said, nodding briefly. Clara didn't miss the way his eyes avoided her. She made her way downstairs, greeting the housekeeper before settling down next to him on the bed.

"You're anxious."

"You think?"

"…I'm anxious too. I mean, you're going to slay a potentially world-ending creature while I sit behind my desk unable to help. I feel so helpless…"

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. "Hey don't be. You're not the one risking your life every day just to earn decent pay." He buried his nose on the top of her head, inhaling her scent. They stayed like that for some time and the housekeeper, sensing their need for privacy quietly walked up the stairs and closed the door.

"So, what can I do?" Clara asked, breaking the silence.

He hummed. "Right now, I just need you to stay with me. And…I don't want to go without any regrets." He pulled away slightly to look into her eyes. Those eyes that had looked at him with such affection before and until now.

"Malcolm?"

Without any more thinking, he leaned down and kissed her. He felt her squeak in surprise before a couple of seconds later, she kissed him back, raising a hand to cup his cheek. They separated after what felt like forever, their faces flushed but they were smiling.

"Umm…I hope that was alright…" Malcolm muttered sheepishly. "C-Cause if it wasn't…then I-I…not maybe that was a mistake? Shit, did I mess up?" Idiot, idiot! You've fought Elder Dragons, yet you can't talk to a woman?!

Clara giggled at his stuttering and inner turmoil. "Kiss me again you dork," she said, pulling him down for another. "And, I think I should have said this earlier but…" She pulled away and looked into his eyes. "I love you."

"Y-You love me?"

She giggled again. "Yes, I do. Throughout these past several weeks, you've shown a devotion to me like no other. You've proven yourself capable of such love and affection so how could I resist?" She kissed him again, digging her hands into his hair as he pulled her closer. He needed her right now, with potentially the biggest battle of his life looming on the horizon. Their kissing deepened and he couldn't help but be satisfied after hearing her moan. His other hand involuntarily moved to the buttons on her uniform before he stopped himself, worried that they might be going too fast.

To his surprise, she grabbed his hand and moved it onto her breast. He stiffened in surprise. "Malcolm…" she whispered against his mouth. "Tomorrow you're leaving and…I…If you die…"

She didn't need to finish for him to understand. One last night for the two of them before he departs. There was a very high chance he wouldn't come back, and she wanted to create an everlasting memory for both of them. Without any hesitation, he pushed her down onto his bed, eliciting a startled squeak from her.

"I love you," he told her firmly and with all his heart. She flashed him a beautiful smile before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down onto her.

…

Outside Malcolm's suite, his housekeeper stood guard, making sure the couple had their privacy. His sharp hearing, however, then heard certain sounds coming from inside. Immediately, his ears turned red, and he attempted to cover them with his paws. Just then, he saw Malcolm's Palico arrive and about to walk in.

"Wait!"

The Palico looked at him in confusion. "What?"

"D-Don't go in there!"

"Why?" Then as they moved closer, they heard it. Immediately, the Palico's ears turned red as images of his master and that woman flashed into his mind. "M-Master is…"

The housekeeper sheepishly nodded. "I think it's best we leave them to do their…thing. I-I'll stand guard and make sure nobody interrupts…"

"G-Good idea…Now if you'll excuse me…I'm going to get shit-faced drunk."