Odin sharpened his senses as much as he could and finally found Elizabeth!
She was in a basement.
She wasn't alone.
Just like Jake said, Elizabeth had friends with herself. Of course, the lion and the parrot were gone to stop anyone from approaching her, so only one was left to protect her.
It was a giant black bear that reminded Odin about Prince.
He lay on his back, and his big belly was used as a pillow for Elizabeth. In fact, it might have been better to say that she used the bear's belly as a bed. She curled up on him and slept with a blanket on.
Odin didn't have time to look at Elizabeth, though.
The bear opened his red eyes.
He stared down at him... menacingly!
Those eyes told Odin that if he made a noise and woke up Elizabeth, the bear would eat him down to the last bone and gnaw on it for a few days.
It was such a scary threat.
Odin, however, was a legendary existence. He may be a small puppy now, but he has overcome a lot in his short life as Jake's partner and experienced many highs and lows. He also recalled that his master and friends were left behind to deal with other beasts, risking their lives!
Failing his mission now was not an option!
Odin growled at the bear.
The beast widened his eyes in shock.
This little one didn't fear him at all!
Odin then sat down on his rear, arched his head back, and howled to his heart's content!
His howl boomed in the basement. A few stacks of bottles rattled as Odin prolonged his howl to wake Elizabeth and ensure his friends heard him! Jake also could see him on his minimap, meaning Odin's call should have been enough to bring everyone else here!
Odin just needed to survive a minute or two... or that was what he thought.
"Aye!?" Elizabeth sprang up!
She stood up and raised her hands in an amateur guard! Because it was such a sudden action, she bobbed on the bear's belly and looked like a kid having fun on a trampoline instead of someone in danger.
Elizabeth was only five years old.
She had an absurdly long hair for someone this young, though. She hated how everyone forced her to comb it into straight hair, so whenever she could, Elizabeth would untie her twin tails and let it scatter on her back with wilderness!
Jake tactfully stood silent.
That was when Minerva approached them. "I see that you've managed to find Elizabeth, Archer. You have my thanks."
"No need, Mrs. Minerva. It was a valuable experience. My Ender has evolved during his meeting with the parrot. I should also thank and apologize to Elizabeth for that."
Elizabeth curtly looked at Jake, 'Grandma lets him call her by her name! He's someone important!'
Even Mary couldn't call Minerva by her name yet.
Elizabeth learned from Puga that their plan was to stall Jake and let her have a nap for a little more! It was their action that led it to get hurt.
The parrot didn't feel any ill intent toward Jake or Ender.
In fact, it could have seen that Jake was bleeding, too.
It was one-for-one, then.
Minerva said, "Elizabeth. Why didn't you let your maids comb your hair?"
"I don't want to! I don't need maids, either!" Elizabeth replied. "Grandma doesn't have any maids, either!"
"It is for I've exceeded what it means to be a royal," Minerva said softly. "You're a newborn royal, so you must follow the standards. Very well, I will comb your hair."
Elizabeth twisted her adorable face.
Jake chimed in, "Mrs. Minerva, if I could... thank you. It's going to be just three of us and our companions, right? I don't think Elizabeth has to keep up with appearances."
Minerva saw through Jake's intent. He must have noticed that Elizabeth didn't like having her hair straight and combed. He spoke this way to build a good relationship with her and learn the secrets of her magic to become a different kind of beast tamer.
It was clever for a player.
"Official though our lessons may be, there are only three of us and your companions. I'll let it slide for today," Minerva said, turning around.
Elizabeth widened her eyes in shock.
She looked at smiling Jake and reciprocated his smile. "Thank you!"
"It's nothing," Jake sent a thumbs-up before following Mrs. Minerva's shadow.
Their magic lesson would soon begin.
"We shall first travel to a special land," Minerva said.
"A special land?" Jake asked.
"Indeed, Asta Bow's region," Minerva replied.