The [Engaged] button was prompted, and Ren couldn't get his way out from this fight. Not that he would.

"What have you done with the Princess?" he asked.

Zakou laughed. "I have to admit that it was hard to charm her, but as soon as she listened to my music for over a minute, there was no spell or protection to break the charm."

"Is that right?" Ren equipped his scepters in both hands. It was maybe because the Princess was still an NPC and not a player that she wasn't totally immune. Or maybe Zakou held some kind of rare item.

One way to find out.

"I thank you for your hospitality, but it's time you return the Princess to me."

Zakou bent over and laughed. "Sure. You can have her." He raised his flute, and the skeletons moved while the undead Minotaur was filled to the brim with a swarm of rats that had made him their home. The rats burst from the Minotaur's body, and all rash in Ren's direction.

Zakou's laughter boomed in the forest. "If you can get out from this alive, that isAgh!"

Just as Zakou shouted those words, Ren conjured a massive sphere of gravitational force, creating a zone in which Zakou was unable to move freely.

The Satyr was caught off guard, but he managed to hold his ground as the force pressed down upon him. And just as he did, Ren released a barrage of infernos, each one exploding in a burst of flames around Zakou.

The Satyr was caught in the fiery onslaught together with the skeletons and rats. The latter melted without a trace while Zakou writhed in pain as he struggled to defend himself against Ren's spells.

Despite his best efforts, Zakou could not withstand the onslaught. He collapsed to the ground, motionless, his body charred and lifeless.

Ren stood victorious over his fallen foe, and a series of notifications rang in his ears. He ignored it and checked his rewards. Checking through the gil, shrooms, and equipment he got, he finally found what he was looking for.

[The [Flute of Absolute Charm] was a mythical musical instrument of great power. This flute was said to possess the ability to enchant and captivate anyone who heard its melody. The flute's music had a bewitching effect that made the listener feel entranced and enamored, as if under a spell.

This enchanted item had a unique property that allowed it to be used three times a day, and once activated, its effects couldn't be dispelled for one minute. However, it wouldn't affect the same creature twice and must wait for the next day to enchant them again.

The [Flute of Absolute Charm] was a rare and valuable artifact that had been sought after by many throughout history. It was said to be crafted by a legendary artisan and imbued with powerful magic that had made it indestructible. Its power had been both a blessing and a curse, as those who possess it must use it wisely to avoid being corrupted by its enchanting spell.]

No wonder the Princess got charmed. Ren was contemplating whether to sell it or not. It would surely fetch a high price.

In the end, he decided against the idea and kept the flute for future use. He would probably need it in this realm.

Ren then went to check on the Princess and found her standing from where she had stood a moment ago with a dazed look on her face.

"You okay?" he asked her.

Elena blinked slowly and deliberately. "Sorry. I got careless and didn't know that I was already under his spell." she bit her lower lip in a guilty manner. "Parties always made me joyful for some reason. Because of it, we were almost in trouble."

"You don't need to apologize, Princess. It wasn't your fault. It's nothing that I couldn't handle alone. And who doesn't get excited at merry festivities?"

Princess Elena blossomed into a smile.

[Your Relationship Level with Princess Elena has increased!]

"Just call me Elena." She beamed. "We're a long way back from the Elven lands."

". . ." Ren didn't know what he was doing to make the Princess's affection for him increase. It was not like he was doing something deliberately to make her like him, but her relationship level seemed to be increasing without much effort in his part.

Not that he minded it.

The higher, the better. "As you wish," he replied after a short silence of contemplation. "Should we go?"

Elena nodded her head and summoned Tiki. Back on the lizard's back, it was strangely silent, and Ren wondered what had gotten to the Princess to make her close her mouth shut.

When Ren was getting comfortable with the silence, it was when Elena's voice rang in his ears like a melody.

"You know, being a princess, we were required to attend all these fancy balls and parties," Elena heard her say. "Not just in our lands but in the neighborhood as well. It was customary. It was to forge alliances and establish new ties, as my mother would call it.

"I guess . . . I never outgrew that emotion of excitement. It's not the dance, the songs, and music or the handsome and beautiful ladies in fancy dresses . . . I just simply enjoy the atmosphere. The laughter. That happy and light feeling. Everyone was getting along and partying. Do you know that feeling?" she asked, voice rising.

"Yeah. It's like the holiday season," Ren answered in a flat tone. He wasn't fond of the holiday, for it was around that time when his parents died, and Evie left him after the New Year. He loathed just thinking about it.

Elena didn't seem to notice Ren's foul mood and continued on, "It's actually Elaine who is the good dancer. Funny how I was the one who liked festivals but couldn't dance, and she was all about reading books and liked to be in her own space, but she had the talent in dancing."

This was the first time that Ren had heard her talking about her sister, Elaine. There was a hint of jealousy in her voice, and he found himself asking, "What about you, Prince-Elena," he changed his words when he remembered their deal, a little awkward at the sound of her name on his lips. "What are you talented at?"