Chapter 205 – Resolution

Chapter 205

 Resolution

Date : Day 5 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Hyoren was in agony.

But it was different from the last time. When he had used Berserker against Hifoppe, the backlash had not merely tortured his body. It had tortured his mind too.

He had been forced to watch Elise die. Again. And again. And again. Every time he thought he had reached the end of the nightmare, another vision had begun. Elise falling. Elise bleeding. Elise calling his name. Elise disappearing before his eyes.

The pain of Berserker he felt in his body. And the pain of watching Elise die in front of his eyes kept cycling in his nightmare.

This time—there was no nightmare. Because they successfully defended Riverville Town without any sacrifice, he didn't experience any nightmare. No illusion. No vision of someone he loved dying before him.

Only pain. Pure, relentless, physical agony.

His body felt as though every single bone had been shattered. His muscles felt torn apart fiber by fiber. 

Then, before he could even begin to comprehend the sensation—they healed. The flesh knit itself back together. The broken bones reformed. The torn muscles restored themselves. The wounds closed. The blood that had flowed through his body seemed to settle.

And then—the cycle began again.

Bones broke. Muscles tore. Flesh burned. Then everything healed. Only to be broken again. There was no escape. No pause. No moment when his body could simply remain damaged.

The moment an injury reached its limit, it was repaired. And once repaired—the torment started anew.

Hyoren couldn't tell how many times it happened. Hundreds? Thousands? He had no way of knowing. Time had ceased to have meaning. There was only the sensation of being trapped inside his own body.

The pain was real. The agony was real. And the cycle seemed eternal. There were moments when he desperately wished for unconsciousness. Moments when he wished his mind would simply shut down and let him escape. But even that relief never came.

Yet somehow—his mind remained his own.

There was no Elise dying in front of him. No Hifoppe. No nightmare. Only his body screaming. He could endure physical pain. He had already learned how.

Eventually, the endless cycle began to blur. His awareness faded in and out. He stopped knowing whether he was awake or unconscious. There was no difference anymore.

Until finally—the pain stopped. Not gradually. Not slowly. It simply—stopped. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, nothing was breaking. Nothing was burning. Nothing was tearing.

Hyoren remained suspended in darkness. He couldn't feel his body. He couldn't feel the ground. He couldn't even tell if he was breathing.

Then something changed. A faint light appeared somewhere in the darkness. At first, it was barely noticeable. A tiny point.

Then it grew. The darkness around him began to retreat. His mind slowly settled. The chaos that had consumed his thoughts began to quiet. The endless sensation of pain faded toward the edges of his consciousness.

The nightmare became indistinct. The edges softened. The memories of agony lost their sharpness.

And then—he felt something. Warm. Gentle. Something touching his head. The sensation was completely different from everything he had experienced.

There was no pain. No fear. No violence. Only warmth. Affection. Love. A gentle hand moved across his head. Hyoren's mind instinctively followed that sensation.

Someone is here…

The thought surfaced slowly. Then another.

Someone is waiting for me...

His eyelids fluttered. They felt impossibly heavy. A faint brightness seeped through them. He tried to open his eyes. Once. Nothing. Again. Slowly—the world began to return.

The light was bright. His vision was blurry. Shapes gradually became clearer. 

A familiar face appeared above him. Flattened cat ears. Messy brown hair. Large amber eyes. Those golden eyes were filled with worry. The shoulder-length brown hair was disheveled, with several strands sticking out in every direction.

She looked exhausted. As though she hadn't slept properly for days.

Hyoren stared at her for several seconds. His mind slowly connected the pieces.

Ina…

The face which greeted him was the face of his lover. The person sitting beside his bed. The person who had been nursing him for the last two days.

She was holding a damp cloth in her hand. The cool compress had just been placed against his forehead. The water was soothing against his skin.

Ina's eyes suddenly widened.

“Hyoren!?”

Her voice trembled.

“You finally woke up!”

She immediately dropped the cloth onto the nearby table and leaned forward. Her arms wrapped around him. The embrace was almost desperate. She held his head against her. Her body trembled.

Tears immediately spilled from her amber eyes. One droplet landed against his chest. Another against his shoulder. Another slid down toward his neck. They were warm.

Hyoren could feel her shaking.

He tried to move his arm. Pain immediately protested. His muscles felt weak and stiff. He gritted his teeth. He forced his hand upward. His palm eventually reached the top of her head.

He gently patted her. Her flattened cat ears twitched beneath his hand.

“Good morning, Ina.”

His voice was hoarse and weak.

He managed a small smile.

“Were you taking care of me?”

His fingers moved gently through her messy brown hair.

“Thank you.”

Ina hugged him tighter.

Hyoren slowly asked,

“How long was I out?”

Ina gradually loosened her embrace. Her amber eyes were still wet. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

“Hic…”

She took a shaky breath.

“You were out for two days, Hyoren.”

She placed both hands against his cheeks. Her palms were warm.

“What do you feel? Do you still feel the pain? Do you need something?”

Hyoren considered it.

His entire body still felt sore. Not the unbearable agony from before. Just the remnants of something that had pushed his body beyond its limits. He gave a faint smile.

“Two days.”

He slowly pushed himself upward. His body immediately protested.

Ina noticed and quickly moved behind him.

“Careful, Hyoren.”

She supported his back and helped him sit. Hyoren grimaced. But he remained upright.

“Just as we expected.”

He flexed his fingers. They moved. Slowly. But they moved.

“And I'm fine, Ina.”

He took another breath.

“I still feel some pain. But the price of Berserker has already been paid. I think I could move soon.”

Ina nodded.

“Good…”

Her shoulders finally relaxed.

“I'm glad.”

Hyoren looked at her again.

His hand returned to her head. He gently stroked her hair. Then his fingers moved toward the dark circles beneath her eyes.

His expression changed.

“Did you take care of me for the whole two days?”

Ina caught his hand. She didn't move it away. Instead, she simply held it against her cheek.

“Well…”

A faint smile appeared.

“Yes.”

She closed her eyes for a moment.

“Who else could?”

Hyoren nodded.

“Thank you, Ina. Thank you…”

***

He looked around.

Only then did he properly notice his surroundings. The room was sterile. The smell of antiseptic lingered faintly in the air. Several bottles and medical supplies were arranged neatly on shelves. A curtain divided part of the room.

The bed beneath him was clean and white. It wasn't an inn. It wasn't a guild building.

Hyoren looked at Ina.

“Where is this?”

Ina opened her eyes.

“This is in Luminara's Church.”

She gestured around the room.

“The infirmary ward.”

She smiled softly.

“After you passed out, we brought you here.”

Her expression became a little warmer.

“Once we explained what happened, the church was very accommodating.”

She glanced toward the shelves.

“It seems Archbishop Sherine's influence extends even here.”

Hyoren chuckled weakly.

“I see. I should give her regards later…”

Ina continued.

“They tried to help you at first.”

She shook her head.

“But after several healing spells and potions failed to stop your convulsions, they finally understood that this wasn't an ordinary injury.”

Her expression softened.

“So they left your care to me.”

Hyoren smiled.

“They were only trying to help.”

He looked around the infirmary.

“We should be thankful to them.”

Ina's cat ears twitched.

“Well…”

A small smile appeared.

“True… Nyahaha.”

Hyoren smiled.

Then another thought crossed his mind. His expression immediately became concerned.

“What about Elise? She was unconscious too, right?”

Ina nodded.

“Elise woke up last night.”

Her expression softened.

“She exhausted herself forcing that much Aethell through her body.”

Hyoren nodded slowly.

“Arianna is taking care of her.”

Ina paused.

“But Elise is still weak.”

Hyoren leaned back slightly.

“I see.”

He looked toward the ceiling.

“Even Elise had to pay the price.”

His expression became solemn.

“What we fought was truly…”

He didn't finish. He didn't need to.

Ina nodded.

“Absurd. The Flesh Golem was truly out of the norm. From the testimony of Arad and the other guards, it was powerful and had so many tricks up its sleeve.”

Hyoren glanced toward her.

“Yeah… It's so absurdly strong… Without Berserker, we wouldn't last long. Let alone be victorious.”

Ina sighed.

“That's right.”

She then continued.

“Guildmas and the authorities from Baron Akela arrived yesterday.”

Hyoren raised an eyebrow.

“Already? So fast…”

Ina nodded.

“I sent a messenger using Vent Crow courier straight away after I finished the cleanup. That bird could travel to Akela City in just a few minutes from here.”

Hyoren's eyebrows rose.

“A few minutes?”

Then he remembered. He had seen Vent Crow before.

“Hoo.”

His expression became thoughtful.

“So that bird monster which usually scavenges carcasses could be used for messenger birds?”

Ina smiled.

“That's right.”

She shifted slightly beside his bed.

“It's not widespread, since taming and domesticating Vent Crow is expensive. But many towns at least have one for emergency messages.”

She raised a finger.

“It could travel a thousand kilometers in just an hour.”

Hyoren's eyes widened.

“A thousand kilometers?”

Ina nodded.

“Yes.”

She flicked a strand of brown hair away from her face.

“Maybe not as fast as Aetovacus.”

She smiled faintly.

“But Vent Crow is one of the fastest bird monsters here in Kresneger.”

Hyoren nodded slowly.

“I see…”

His gaze drifted upward as he tried to remember the creature.

He had seen them before. At first glance, they resembled the crows he remembered from Earth. Except they were far too large. Its feathers were predominantly black, absorbing most of the surrounding light. But when the bird moved or spread its wings, streaks of blue became visible underneath its feathers.

Then there were its wings. Their wingspan could reach almost two meters.

Hyoren remembered seeing one take flight.

It hadn't simply flapped its wings and gradually gained altitude like an ordinary bird. The underside of its body had opened. A section of the feathers separated, revealing a rectangular, tunnel-like structure beneath them. A vent. It looked strangely mechanical. Almost like an intake on a machine.

The bird monster could shoot forward like a jet plane. One moment it had been perched above a carcass. The next—it disappeared completely into the horizon.

Hyoren remembered staring after it in disbelief.

He looked back at Ina.

“I see.”

He nodded slowly.

“If it could be domesticated…”

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Then it's definitely perfect for sending fast messages.”

Ina nodded.

“Exactly.”

She smiled.

“That speed is the main reason towns and guilds are willing to pay the price of keeping one.”

Hyoren chuckled softly.

“Using a monster that normally scavenges carcasses as a messenger bird…”

He shook his head.

“Kresneger really has some interesting creatures.”

Ina's cat ears twitched.

“You're still discovering things like that even after living here for so long?”

Hyoren smiled wryly.

“There are still plenty of things I don't know.”

He leaned back against the white bed.

“And apparently, Vent Crows are one of them.”

He looked towards Ina. His dark eyes met her amber one.

“So, what does the Guild Master say, Ina?”

Ina chuckled.

“Oh… She was shocked. Truly shocked.”

She gestured vaguely.

“After seeing the report, the clearing, the tower and all the evidence…”

She shook her head.

“Guildmas was furious.”

Hyoren chuckled weakly.

“I can imagine.”

He could already picture Fiona Akela. The crimson-haired guildmaster. The enormous greatsword strapped across her back. A woman with a notoriously short temper and a mouth that was almost as dangerous as her sword.

Hyoren couldn't help but smile.

“Guild Master Fiona must have been raging.”

Ina nodded.

“Oh, definitely.”

Her cat ears twitched.

“She was apparently furious that something like this could happen under her own nose.”

Hyoren let out a quiet laugh.

For the first time since waking—he felt genuinely relieved. The nightmare was over. The pain was gone. His friends had survived. Elise had survived. Riverville Town had survived.

And now, for the first time in days, he could finally breathe.

***

Ina stood from beside his bed and reached for the tray sitting on the nearby table. She carefully lifted it and placed it across Hyoren's lap.

“You should eat breakfast, Hyoren.”

Hyoren glanced toward the window.

The silver light of Luna shone through the glass, casting a pale glow across the infirmary room. Morning had already arrived. The sunlight was soft and cold, and for once, there was no battlefield outside the window. No screaming. No undead. No dark clouds of cursed Aethell. No abyss-like sky hung overhead.

Just a quiet morning.

He looked back at the tray and nodded.

“Thank you, Ina.”

Ina then picked up the spoon.

“Let me feed you. You're still weak, right?”

Hyoren shook his head.

“You need to rest too, Ina. Let me eat by myself.”

He slowly flexed his fingers.

They still felt sore, and his muscles protested even from that simple movement. But compared to the agony he had endured before waking up, this was nothing.

“I have already recovered somewhat.”

Ina hesitated.

Her amber eyes remained on him for a few moments before she finally relented. She placed the spoon back onto the tray and sat beside him again.

“Fine…”

She leaned back slightly against the side of the bed. Then she smiled softly.

“I actually haven't rested much…”

Hyoren looked at her.

The faint dark circles beneath her amber eyes were still visible. Her brown hair was slightly messy, and even after waking him, she looked like someone who had spent far more time watching over another person than sleeping herself.

Hyoren smiled. He reached over and gently patted her head.

“Go rest a bit.”

Ina's cat ears twitched beneath his hand. She closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly enjoying the gentle touch. Then she nodded.

“Un.”

Hyoren withdrew his hand and looked down at the tray.

The breakfast was simple. A bowl of warm soup accompanied by some bread. Nothing extravagant, but it was filling enough.

He picked up the spoon and slowly began eating. The warmth of the soup spread through his still-weary body. His muscles remained sore, and every movement reminded him that his body had only recently finished paying the price of Berserker.

But the pain was manageable. More importantly—he was alive.

Ina remained beside him while he ate.

Sometimes they spoke. Nothing important. Just small conversations about the morning, the food, or things they had noticed since waking up.

There was no need to discuss the battle. No need to talk about the Flesh Golem. No need to think about the Voided Covenant. For a little while, the two simply enjoyed the quiet moments.

After a few moments, Hyoren finished the last of his breakfast. He placed the spoon back onto the tray and carefully pushed it aside.

Then he tried to stand.

His legs trembled slightly. A dull ache immediately spread through his muscles, forcing him to pause and steady himself against the bed.

Ina immediately reached toward him.

“Hyoren… do not force yourself…”

Hyoren shook his head.

“I'm fine, Ina. Let me walk by myself."

He waited a moment before straightening himself. He was still weak. His muscles still hurt. But he didn't want to spend the entire day lying in bed.

He looked back at Ina, who was still sitting beside him.

“Let's visit Elise, Ina.”

Ina looked at him for a moment. Then she nodded.

“Let's…”

Hyoren took another careful step.

Ina stood beside him, ready to support him if necessary. Together, they left the room. The door closed with a soft click.

***

Ina led Hyoren to the adjacent room.

The Luminara Church's Riverville Town branch was modest compared to the grand cathedral in Akela City, but it was still a beautiful place.

White stone formed the walls and floor, kept remarkably clean despite the constant traffic of injured adventurers and townspeople. Gold decorations lined the edges of the pillars and doorframes, catching the warm light that filtered through the windows.

The faint scent of herbs and antiseptic lingered in the air.

It was peaceful. A far cry from the battlefield they had left behind.

Ina opened the door to the adjacent room.

Inside, the arrangement was similar to Hyoren's own room.

A white bed stood near the wall. And lying on it was Elise. The silver-haired elf looked considerably better than when Hyoren had last seen her unconscious on the battlefield. Arianna sat beside her, patiently feeding her. Each spoonful was carefully brought toward Elise's mouth before Arianna waited for her to finish.

Nearby, Jackey had apparently decided that the sofa beside the window was the perfect place for another nap. His head had fallen against the backrest. His tabby cat ears twitched occasionally. And from the rhythmic sound coming from him—he was completely asleep.

Elise and Arianna both looked toward the door when it opened.

Hyoren chuckled softly at the sight.

“Everyone, good morning.”

He stepped into the room with Ina.

Arianna put down the spoon and smiled softly.

“Good morning, Leader.”

Elise chewed her food before swallowing. Then she smiled towards Hyoren and Ina.

“Morning, Hyoren.”

Arianna stopped feeding Elise and stood, giving Hyoren space.

Hyoren crossed the room and sat beside Elise. His hand immediately reached toward her silver hair. He gently patted her head.

Ina also came closer and sat at the foot of the bed.

“Elise, you passed from Aethell exhaustion after the battle. Are you fine now?”

Elise smiled. Her emerald eyes glittered softly in the morning light.

“I'm fine, Hyoren.”

She clasped her hands together over the blanket.

“Resting for two days should be enough to make me recover.”

She glanced briefly toward Arianna, who had now moved to sit beside Jackey before turning her attention back toward Hyoren.

“The backlash of Aethell depletion should be gone tomorrow. I could walk soon, albeit still weak.”

Hyoren nodded. He reached for her hand and gently held it.

“I'm glad… truly glad.”

His expression became more serious for a moment.

“When I almost passed out after I got punched by the Flesh Golem, I already dreaded that no one could stop the Flesh Golem anymore.”

His fingers tightened slightly around hers.

“But then you actually broke the last Aethell core…”

His expression softened.

“What was that green beam you fired from your bow, Elise? I never saw it before. Is it a new skill?”

Elise tucked a strand of silver hair behind one of her pointed ears.

“That was a gift from Goddess Sylvana after I prayed hard, Hyoren.”

She looked up briefly.

“She blessed me with Her wind of victory.”

She smiled softly.

“A Sacred Wind.”

Her emerald eyes shone with quiet pride.

“Now I could imbue my arrow not only with Aethell or Wind Arrow. But also, I could imbue it with Sacred Wind. A wind with power of Goddess Sylvana.”

She shifted slightly against the pillow.

“The Sacred Wind took almost all my Aethell if I used it, though… so I couldn't use it often.”

She gave a small, resigned smile.

“I will stick to normal Wind Arrow for most cases. Fufu.”

Ina leaned forward slightly.

“But that attack of Elise was truly powerful.”

Her amber eyes widened as she recalled what she had witnessed.

“It struck that massive Flesh Golem and didn't even lose speed and power as it shot to the sky.”

Arianna also added from the back.

“And there was a figure of Goddess Sylvana embracing Mentor, too…”

Her light blue eyes softened.

“It was… divine.”

Hyoren smiled.

“I see…”

He looked at Elise with genuine pride.

“So Elise now has a powerful attack of her own too. A trump card.”

Elise nodded.

Her silver hair swayed with the motion.

“Yes, Hyoren.”

She squeezed his hand lightly.

“I won't be useless anymore if we fight something absurd like that Flesh Golem again.”

Hyoren chuckled.

“Please don't.”

He shook his head.

“I don't want to face such absurdity anymore. Haha.”

For a moment, the room became quiet.

Then—Jackey suddenly jolted awake. He decided at that moment to enter the discussion. His tabby cat ears shot upright. His tail spiralled out of control.

He raised one fist toward the ceiling.

“But no matter what absurdity we face! Freedom Party will always emerge victorious! WOHOO!”

Everyone stared at him. A silence. Then laughter erupted throughout the room.

Hyoren covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laugh.

“Jackey...”

He shook his head.

“Maybe you should fight the monstrosity next time. Maybe you're going to change your mind…”

Everyone laughed again.

Ina shook her head, her messy brown hair swaying with the motion.

“Stupid little brother! You and your muscle brain!”

Arianna covered the back of her hand with her mouth.

“Ohohoho. Sir Jackey always has amusing thoughts.”

Jackey blinked several times. He scratched his cheek, seemingly unaware of what had been so funny.

“Eh?”

The laughter continued for another moment.

And slowly, the atmosphere of the infirmary ward became lighter.

There was no Flesh Golem here. No cursed ritual. No screaming. No abyss-like sky. For the first time since the nightmare began, Freedom Party could simply sit together and laugh without restraint.

***

The door opened just as their laughter was beginning to die down.

Arianna immediately noticed who had entered.

Her expression changed. She straightened her back and rose from her seat. With practiced grace, she gathered the side of her purple robe and raised it slightly before giving a proper curtsy.

“Esteemed mother, welcome back.”

Everyone else turned toward the door.

The woman standing there bore an unmistakable resemblance to Arianna. Tall. Crimson-haired. With almost the same facial features as the younger mage.

Yet the similarities ended there.

Where Arianna's figure was slender and almost stick-like, this woman possessed a considerably well-endowed figure. Her presence was also entirely different. There was a confidence in the way she stood, an almost intimidating ease that came from years of commanding people rather than merely studying beneath them.

A huge greatsword was strapped across her back. The sight of it alone was enough to remind everyone who she was. Fiona Akela. Guild Master of Akela. And the mother of the Freedom Party's mage.

She wasn't alone. A familiar young woman stood beside her. Neat bob-cut brown hair. A stack of documents clutched against her chest. Fern Ashlit. Ina's junior at the guild.

Fiona stepped fully into the room and gave a small nod toward Arianna.

“Mmm. I'm back, Arianna.”

Her eyes immediately moved toward the bed. Then toward Hyoren. She crossed her arms.

“So you fucker already woke up. I thought you were going to sleep forever. Haha.”

Fiona's eyes narrowed as she examined him.

“So that's your Unique Skill, huh…”

Her expression became more serious for a moment.

“From the testimony of those guards, your power was truly astonishing.”

Then a grin spread across her face.

“I’m now curious...”

She leaned forward slightly.

“What about we spar sometimes while you use that absurd power of yours?”

Hyoren immediately raised both hands.

“Please give me a break, Guild Master. I don't want to experience that agony if it's just for sparring.”

He scratched his cheek awkwardly. The mere thought of voluntarily activating Berserker again made his body remember the pain.

Ina, meanwhile, stood. She planted both hands on her hips.

“Shut up, Guildmas. His power comes at a price. Do not ask him to use it just to entertain you!”

Fiona waved one hand dismissively.

“Yeah, yeah. I understand! You do not need to shout like that, Ina.”

She then straightened her posture.

“Anyway.”

Her expression became businesslike.

“I came here to inform you that I will go back to Akela. We already gathered enough evidence.”

She flexed her fingers.

“And I already sent word to my husband. He already prepared his army to raid the base of those heretics.”

A dangerous grin returned.

“And when I go back, we will attack those fuckers who think doing these atrocities under my nose is a fucking good idea.”

Hyoren slowly nodded.

“I see, Guild Master. So you're going to attack their base in Kerg Valley?”

Fiona nodded.

“Yes.”

Her hand briefly touched the hilt of the greatsword strapped to her back.

“I will personally behead the fucking Head myself for messing with our people and territory.”

Hyoren smiled wryly.

“Please don't, Guild Master… unless... you really couldn't help it. We need the information, so interrogation is necessary, right?”

Fiona snorted.

“Bah. Like they will let themselves be interrogated.”

She turned her head toward the window.

“You already saw it yourself.”

Her expression darkened.

“By the time they felt they were losing, they fucking messed with their own lives and do so much shit that gave us a headache.”

Hyoren's expression became grim.

He had experienced it firsthand. When the Living Dead had begun dwindling, the five members of the Voided Covenant hadn't attempted to escape. They had sacrificed themselves. They had fused themselves into that grotesque Flesh Golem and turned their own bodies into its power sources. Even after everything they had done, they had chosen death rather than capture.

Elise, still resting on the bed, quietly nodded.

“Truly… those heretics were a menace.”

Jackey's tabby cat ears flattened slightly. He had seen the Flesh Golem from afar. He had also seen what remained of it afterward. And he had seen the evidence of the sacrifices in the middle of Still Forest.

“They were crazy…”

His tabby cat tail gave a small shiver.

“And insane…”

Ina reached over and gently touched Hyoren's arm.

“Guildmas is right, Hyoren.”

Her amber eyes became serious.

“When we deal with the Voided Covenant, we couldn't really go easy on them. Sure, if we could capture them, then we will.”

She paused.

“But most of the time… Voided Covenant raids will become a massacre because they refuse to back down.”

Fiona snorted again.

“Ina is right.”

She looked toward the others.

“We could gather evidence from their documents later. Our priority is destroying the Akela cell so they couldn't operate on our territory anymore.”

Hyoren finally nodded.

“I see.”

He understood the logic. Their documents could be studied later. Their evidence could be preserved.

But the heretics who remained at Kerg Valley could escape. And once they realized their Riverville Town operation had failed, they might abandon the base entirely.

Hyoren looked toward Fiona.

“Though… Why attack so early?”

Ina answered before Fiona could.

“We need to race against time, Hyoren.”

She folded her arms.

“Sooner or later, the Head of the Voided Covenant cell in Kerg Valley would find that someone thwarted their plan.”

Her amber eyes narrowed.

“They might escape and run away if that's the case. So we need to strike as soon as possible to catch them off guard.”

Hyoren nodded slowly.

“I see… That made sense…”

He scratched his cheek.

“At first, I wanted to join the attack because I have a personal vendetta toward them…”

His eyes briefly hardened. He glanced at Elise.

“But as me and Elise are still recovering…”

His gaze went back to the Guild Master of Akela. He bowed slightly toward her.

“I guess I will leave the cleanup to the authorities. Thank you for rooting them out.”

Fiona crossed her arms.

“It was us who should thank you guys from Freedom Party.”

Her expression softened.

“Without you guys taking this quest and actually disrupting their plan, Riverville Town would be no more.”

She glanced around the room.

“And we wouldn't have uncovered a lead to their base either.”

Then she smiled.

“You guys will be rewarded soon.”

Her tone became firm.

“I promise not as Guild Master.”

She placed a hand against her chest.

“But as the wife of Baron Akela.”

Hyoren bowed again.

“Thank you again for the generosity, Guild Master.”

Fiona nodded. Then she turned toward the door.

“Fern. Let's go. We need to go back to Akela quickly. I need to join the raid team.”

Fern straightened slightly. The young receptionist nodded.

“At once, Guild Master.”

Before leaving, Fern smiled toward Ina.

“Senior Ina, leave everything to us. You don't need to go back to work so soon. You could keep tending your family.”

Ina nodded.

“Thanks, Fern. Give my regards to the other clerks who took my work.”

Fern gave a small bow.

“Of course.”

She turned and followed Fiona toward the door.

But just before Fiona stepped outside, Guild Master stopped. Her gaze shifted toward Arianna.

“Oh, right.”

Arianna looked up.

Fiona's expression softened.

“I heard the report about your feat at the refugee camps.”

Arianna's light blue eyes widened slightly.

“Your quick thinking and good use of your magic was truly astounding.”

Fiona smiled at her daughter.

“You prevented more casualties.”

There was genuine pride in her voice.

“You truly grew up.”

She paused.

“Me and your father were proud of you.”

Arianna's eyes shimmered. For a moment, her refined composure cracked. She bowed slightly.

“Thank you for the praise, esteemed mother.”

Her voice remained polite, but there was unmistakable warmth beneath it.

“But I believe I am still learning a lot. I will strive to keep growing alongside my companions in Freedom Party.”

Fiona nodded.

“Good.”

Then she turned away.

“Let's go, Fern.”

Fern followed Fiona's step.

“At once.”

The two left the room. The door closed behind them with a soft click.

For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Then Arianna slowly raised her head. The pride in her mother's words remained written across her face.

For the first time since Freedom Party had arrived at Riverville Town, there was nothing left for them to do. The nightmare that had threatened the town was over. The Domain of the Undead had been dispelled. The Flesh Golem had been destroyed. The Voided Covenant members who had carried out the ritual were dead, and the source of the ritual had been shut down.

They had also uncovered something far greater than they had expected.

The truth behind the Still Forest. The legacy left behind by the Dark Saint, Mikail Smirnov. And, most importantly, a trail leading toward the Voided Covenant's base in Kerg Valley.

And now, Freedom Party was finally able to rest and recover.