“Brie, come back. It’s not safe,” Pepper, their mother, said, coming out of the ‘Employee Only’ door.

  When she spotted Colby, all of her attention immediately shifted to him.

  “Colby!” she yelled, vaulting over the counter and sprinting up to him. She wrapped her arms around his side for an awkward hug, thanks to the [Cheese Pouch] housing Thornelius in front. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I thought I told you, Mom. I went to help Port.”

  “You did. But I’m talking about after that.”

  “Long story. I’ll tell you after we get Brie to calm down.”

  Brie cried. She hugged a tower of Skate Goats and refused to let go. When Pepper approached and tried to pick her up, she clung on harder. The stack wobbled like a tower of jelly, nearly toppling the stack of Skate Goats if it weren’t for their incredible sense of balance that came from thousands of hours on a skateboard.

  “No!” she cried. “I still haven’t picked my new friend yet!”

  “Brie, honey. Are you sure?” their mother said.”These are wild monsters. And there isn’t a lot of room in the house.”

  “You promised me! This was my surprise! Broby has Thorpy. I want friends too!”

  “You did promise,” Colby said.

  “I blame you,” she whispered to him.

  A Skate Goat, one that was not part of a tower, rolled up to Brie and lightly bonked her back with a horned helmet. Though most monsters looked the same to Colby, there was a special aura that radiated off this Skate Goat, which made him instantly recognize it.

  This was the Skate Goat that he had saved. The one to receive the very first [Wheel of Cheese] modification to her skateboard.

  Brie turned around and looked at the Skate Goat.

  “Do you want to be my friend?” she sniffed.

  The Skate Goat bleated before raising a hoof at her.

  “That means yes, Brie,” Colby said. “Also, she’s waiting for a fist bump.”

  Brie nodded, lifting her hand up and bumping the Skate Goat’s hoof. The Skate Goat bleated happily, giving Brie a quick lick on her hand, causing her to giggle.

  “I’m calling you, Skatey.”

  “That’s a great name, cheesepuff. Now let Farmer Hound take all the monsters to their new home,” Jack said.

  “Nope.” She shook her head. “I want one more friend.”

  As if on cue, a Daisy Cow that wasn’t tangled up with a bunch of other Daisy Cows walked up to her. Colby had no idea who this Daisy Cow was.

  “And you’ll be called Daisy. Welcome to your new home,” she said, hugging the Daisy Cow and Skate Goat.

  With that settled, Brie stopped crying and finally allowed all of the monsters to exit the shop with Farmer Hound. Double dagger girl and the dull duo trailed behind, with the injured Sp-arrow resting on double dagger girl’s head as she limped from her injuries.

  Now, there was only one last thing before he could rest.

  Except, there was one more final step to that last thing. Colby led his family to the kitchen, including Porter, because he was basically family. After gesturing for them to have a seat, Colby got everyone a glass of water. He would’ve preferred to let them have some of his cheese, but for once, he was all cheesed out. Now, he could finally begin.

  Colby began from the moment he left the shop to assist Porter, followed by the genius behind immobilizing Farmer Hound, which led to how he ended up trapped in a cave full of enemy Knights and Arcanists, and ending with a flaming climax—the Myconet. Though he made sure to leave out the part where they almost became one with the sand.

  That was until his father prodded Porter for any irregularities in the story.

  As the story progressed, his parents, mostly his mother, grew faint. That’s why he made sure they had some water nearby and were seated. They downed the glass, only to fill it up with milk just to stave away, mostly his mother, a heart attack.

  Meanwhile, Brie only half paid attention to the story. Her focus was on her new friends, Daisy the Daisy Cow and Skatey the Skate Goat. Those names couldn’t compare to the masterpiece of linguistic perfection that was Thornelius Wolfenius Forestius.

  While his parents processed the massive load of information that had been dumped on them, Colby could finally take a shower and crash in bed. Porter had been forced to stay over, sleeping on a spare mattress. Thornelius decided to be a blanket, sprawling out over Colby as they slept. Brie had her own pair of cuddly friends as the thoroughly cleaned Daisy Cow and Skate Goat lay on the bed next to her.

  It had been a few days since the Macronet attack, and the town was almost back to normal—as normal as it could be during a war, where an unknown enemy almost broke through the town’s defenses. Tensions were high. Some might call it above average in height.

  That’s why today, the Knights and Arcanists were making an announcement. They were going to explain what had happened, lest more panic and rumors spread like cheese on toast.

  Colby already knew what had happened; he was there after all. That still didn’t excuse his absence. As much as he didn’t want to go, he didn’t exactly have a choice. Turns out, when you played a key role in stopping the potential destruction of a town, you were rewarded as a result. What was the reward? It wasn’t anything cheese-related, so it slipped his mind. If anything, it felt more like a punishment.

  He was being forced to take time away from the most important thing in his life: cheese.

  It’s not like he could play hooky or pretend to be sick. His mother had threatened to only make vegetables if he didn’t attend the ceremony. It wouldn’t be a problem for him since he could just make cheese. It would, however, be a problem for Brie, who was still learning the basics of cheesemaking. Which now became his problem as she pestered him, using a combination of begs, bribes, and blackmail. Again, not a problem if he could just leave the house. But he couldn’t.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  His mother had placed him under house arrest. He was not allowed to leave the house unless absolutely necessary. What’s more, there had to be someone supervising him at all times, barring the bathroom—except it was still barred. The window was covered in a layer of wooden boards in case Colby decided he needed some fresh air. Which he did because it was a bathroom. Imagine answering nature’s call in an enclosed room. Unluckily for him, he didn’t have to.

  In the end, Colby agreed to go. Mainly because Brie threatened to cut off the supply of milk from Daisy and Skatey. Even though Farmer Hound had made a delivery of high-quality Su-sheep, Daisy Cow, and Skate Goat, he still enjoyed using milk produced by Daisy and Skatey. There was a special connection in using their milk—and also because he wouldn’t feel as bad whenever he went a bit off the rails experimenting with cheese.

  Turns out mixing brussels sprouts with mozzarella to trick your sister into eating the vegetables that you didn’t want to eat resulted in a puddle of vomit that he had to clean up.

  However, there was one benefit to being placed under constant supervision. Whenever it was one of his parents' turns to watch over him, they would be his dedicated cheese taster. They provided evaluations, insights, and potential areas of improvement as he worked to make another cheese selling worthy.

  And Colby had done so in record time, just in time for the announcement at the town square. That was where he was now. At the back of a hastily put together stage made out of some kind of wood by a boring Timbremancer, behind a deep red curtain put together by… Colby didn’t actually know what sort of specialty that was.

  Anyways, standing next to him were Elaine and Porter. As much as he would’ve loved to chat with them to alleviate the boredom that plagued him, he wasn’t allowed to. Neither were they. Something about being as professional as possible while they waited.

  So now here Colby stood, even though he would’ve much preferred to sit. As his feet ached in protest, he swung his arms back and forth while reflecting on everything that had transpired because of how bored he was. He wasn’t even allowed to think about cheese! Something about how he might end up too deep in the cheese, which would look terrible, when it was his turn on stage.

  Speaking of the stage, it was finally time for the announcements. Moving out from behind the curtain was Mr. Goodsell, in a full suit of armor, and Ms. M. As usual, she was dressed head to toe in red, though instead of her usual coat dress, she was in Arcanist robes.

  “People of Brinebrook,” Mr. Goodsell said, waiting for the crowd to settle down. “Thank you for gathering during these pressing times, especially what had transpired just a few days ago. We now have conclusive evidence. The strange behaviors demonstrated by monsters in the vicinity were due to Endruma’s influence. That includes the most recent attack, which shattered the town’s barrier.”

  There was an eruption of whispers that threatened to swell into something much louder. A single stomp of something heavy, maybe Mr. Goodsell’s cane, silenced them.

  “Fret not. This incident was caused by a small group of elite Arcanists and Knights, who were dabbling in experimental spells. They have been apprehended. The Kingdom of Paralos is pushing Endruma back on the frontlines. That pressure is why they have resorted to dangerous and reckless actions in a desperate attempt to win some ground back. And now, a word from Lady Morgan.”

  “Thank you, General Goodsell,” Ms. M said. “To prevent anymore rumors from spreading, I will now reveal more details about the attack by Endruma.”

  Another ripple of whispers washed out from the crowd. It stopped as suddenly as it ended with a single raised hand by Ms. M.

  “Preliminary analysis has revealed that these issues have stemmed from a monster called a Myconet. This mold-based monster is considered weak and has been observed to puppet monster corpses to defend itself. However, through methods that we are still investigating, Endruma was able to enhance the Myconet’s strength.”

  Murmurs echoed through the crowd. This time, Ms. M didn’t wait until they quietened down. She simply continued.

  “This enhancement granted the Myconet to control not only corpses but live monsters as well, puppeting them against their will. However, it also backfired. The Knights and Arcanists of Endruma fell under the Myconet’s control as well. The Arcanum is working to prevent such an event from happening again.”

  More whispers, followed by a heavy stomp that silenced them immediately. Mr. Goodsell was speaking again.

  “We will also be increasing patrols around Brinebrook. Please do not enter the forest unless it’s absolutely necessary. Some monsters may still be agitated or suffering from lingering side effects from the Myconet.”

  He paused for a moment before continuing.

  “Lastly, on behalf of the Kingdom of Paralos, I would like to bestow my thanks to certain individuals. They uncovered the real truth behind the attack. Furthermore, they risked their lives against the enhanced Myconet and the group of Knights and Arcanists from Endruma, preventing any further danger from befalling Brinebrook. Please join me in congratulating the Heroes of Brinebrook.”

  Colby’s swinging hands were suddenly stopped by Elaine and Porter as they forced his arms behind his back. As he was about to protest, the curtains opened, revealing the crowd that had gathered. They cheered, whistled, and applauded them.

  The town square was packed to the brim. He didn’t recognize most of them, only his family, who had been given the special privilege of standing in the front. A glint from a semi-rusted blade caught his eye. It was double dagger girl and the dull duo. With them were Farmer Hound and the see-salt farmers, cheering in applause.

  No idea how they’ve been. And he didn’t care. Colby just wanted to get this ceremony over and done with.

  “These brave individuals will be given the Shining Pearl, a symbol of the mighty Kingdom of Paralos, for going above and beyond the call of duty. I present to you, Elaine Aglow, Knight-in-Training.”

  Elaine stepped forward as Mr. Goodsell fastened the Shining Pearl to her upper chest, just below her collar. The Shining Pearl was a brooch, a clam-shaped shell that housed a bright, shining, glistening pearl in its center.

  The already thunderous applause exploded into deafening territory as Elaine bowed, shooting a huge, beaming smile to the crowd. Yet, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Something that only he and Porter could see.

  She scanned the crowd as if searching for someone. They both knew who she was looking for. Her parents.

  Unlike the general public, immediate family had been informed about the award ceremony. They couldn’t feign ignorance.

  But Elaine could feign her disappointment. She braved through the pain, smiling for all of Brinebrook to see, before stepping back.

  “Next, Porter, an Adventuring Supply Runner.”

  There was another eruption of applause and cheers as Porter stepped forward, allowing Mr. Goodsell to fasten the Shining Pearl to his shirt. The normally tattered cloth boy actually wore something that only had socially acceptable holes in it—for the head, limbs, and torso.

  “And last, but not least, Colby Tyro, cheesemaker.”

  The thunderous crowd grew silent. Only his family and those under Farmer Hound cheered and applauded.

  Colby couldn’t blame them. It’s like he always said, he was a cheesemaker. It’s no surprise that the crowd couldn’t believe that he managed to stop Endruma’s attack.

  Even after Mr. Goodsell had pinned the Shining Pearl, his chest glinting under the sun for all to see, the crowd never applauded. Instead, whispers and murmurs of confusion broke out.

  Mr. Goodsell stamped his cane, louder and with more fury than before.

  “This is not a joke,” he said sternly. “This young man played a key role in protecting Brinebrook. While the Knights and Arcanists fought what we thought was the real threat, he battled the real mastermind behind the attack. If not for his strategies and quick thinking, there would have been more chaos. He is indeed worthy of receiving the Shining Pearl.”

  “Plus, he makes really good cheese,” Ms. M said.

  Whether it was Ms. M’s statement or Mr. Goodsell’s—though Colby preferred to think it was the line about cheese—the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

  And with that, the ceremony had concluded. Some of the crowd had dispersed, but most remained, hoping to chat or even shake hands with the new local celebrities.

  It was truly a joyous day, though someone didn’t get the memo.

  Elaine managed to slip away from the throng of people. She took a page from his playbook, navigating through the town via rooftops.

  Colby could guess where she was heading. Porter, as well.

  Though this might make his house arrest permanent, Colby opted to tail after her, taking the quite literal highway to avoid the traffic beneath towards their destination.

  The cove.