Chapter 30: To Elira

It had been a week since I awoke from the Divine Fallout, and at last, my body had fully recovered its strength.

During that time, we chose to remain in Lahir a little longer, giving me the chance to regain my footing before traveling again.

The people of Lahir, together with the returning residents of Flogas, held a grand feast in our honor.

Long tables were lined with platters of roasted meats, steaming stews, and freshly baked bread, the air thick with the aroma of herbs and firewood.

Laughter and music filled the streets, but the one who enjoyed it most was, unsurprisingly, Janbo.

As the Gray Spirit Wolf, so revered across the Seres Region, he was treated like royalty, villagers showered him with every kind of delicacy they had to offer.

By the end of it, his stomach bulged round and heavy, and when he waddled into my room with sluggish steps, he flopped to the floor with a pitiful groan, too stuffed to move another inch.

Lily and Reimei burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs at the sight, while I could only shake my head, trying not to laugh with them.

Rion, however, had not lingered.

The moment he confirmed I had awakened, he returned straight to Elira.

Before leaving, he handed me back, Cocytus.

The moment the blade slipped free of his spatial inventory, I braced myself, half-expecting the Greatsword’s chilling aura to frost over the entire room.

Yet, as expected from the one hailed as the Ice Demon, Rion’s mastery was absolute.

Only a faint, cold breeze whispered from its blade, carrying with it the promise of restrained power.

And now, with farewells said and strength restored, today we were finally preparing to set out for Elira.

“Raki, wake up or you’ll miss breakfast,” Reimei called, knocking gently on my door, two soft thuds.

I got up quickly, with Janbo already waiting eagerly for me to open it.

Lily had prepared a hearty Kelafi stew and served it alongside heaps of freshly baked bread.

Together, we devoured everything down to the last bite.

Afterward, we stopped by Lester’s other home to return the key, since we were the last ones staying there.

“Thank you for lending us your house,” we said in unison.

“And thank you for defending Lahir and reclaiming Flogas,” Lester replied warmly. “Please visit again when you can, the people of Lahir will always welcome you.”

With that, we headed south, making our way to meet Silvia and Serafina.

Silvia’s father, Hekken, had already returned to Flogas to lead the residents in rebuilding their town.

Many from Lahir joined them, eager to help restore what was lost. It seemed the bond between the two towns would only grow stronger from here.

“Reimei! Lily! Raki! Zid!” Silvia called out, waving brightly as we approached.

Janbo, who had once been wary of Serafina, now seemed perfectly at ease around the Red Dragon.

He had finally grown used to her towering presence.

“So, are you all ready to head back to Elira?” Silvia asked with a smile.

“I can’t wait for my mom to taste my new recipes,” Lily said cheerfully.

“My little brother must be missing me by now,” Reimei added.

“And I can’t wait to sleep in my room at the Moonlight Inn,” I said.

“You’ve been sleeping for days already,” Reimei teased with a grin.

Everyone burst out laughing.

In the end, Silvia, Lily, and Zid rode on Serafina’s back, while Reimei and I rode with Janbo.

We had considered squeezing all four of us onto Janbo, since it had worked during the battle to reclaim Flogas, but Silvia insisted on giving Lily and Zid a proper ride back on Serafina.

The Red Dragon spread her wings and soared skyward, flying at a steady pace.

This time, thankfully, she and Janbo weren’t racing each other, the only Orbiter pointing to Elira was in Silvia’s possession, entrusted to her by Rion himself to ensure our group returned swiftly.

In his larger form, Janbo followed close behind, keeping pace as Serafina flew a little lower so we wouldn’t fall behind.

“Raki, do you think we’ll ever have another adventure like this?” Reimei asked softly beside me.

“I’m sure we will,” I replied.

“Then I’ll be looking forward to it,” she said, her smile as bright as the sky above us.

“Aren’t you afraid of those Death Knights and undead monsters?” I asked, glancing at Reimei.

“I am,” she admitted honestly, “but I can’t deny that our travels gave me so many fun and exciting experiences.”

A faint smile touched her lips. “I’m sure Lily would agree with me. Right, Janbo?”

“Bau!” Janbo barked as if confirming her words.

Our journey lasted only two hours before a familiar sight came into view, Elira, the town of memories.

I hadn’t realized how close it was to Lahir when traveling along the direct path.

Serafina descended gracefully by the northern gate, where a small crowd had gathered.

Among them was Reimei’s little brother, practically bouncing with excitement to see his sister again.

Aunt Iris immediately pulled Lily into a tight embrace the moment she drew near.

“I’ll be going now,” Silvia said as she adjusted the orbiter that pointed back toward Flogas.

“Make sure to visit us a few months from now,” Silvia added.

“Have a safe trip! We’ll come see you in Flogas,” Reimei called as Serafina spread her wings and lifted into the sky, the red dragon’s silhouette fading into the horizon.

With Silvia gone, the rest of us made our way to the Moonlight Inn, Zid trailing along reluctantly.

He had tried to argue about staying at another inn, but Aunt Iris insisted, she learned he had been part of our group, there was no convincing her otherwise.

“Here’s your key,” Aunt Iris said, pressing it into Zid’s hand.

“Your room will be right beside Raki’s.”

“How much is the stay per night, Aunt Iris?” Zid asked.

“One silver a day,” Lily answered with a grin, “and that includes free meals.”

Zid placed a gold coin on the counter.

“Room for three months,” he said simply.

Aunt Liz counted quickly and handed back ten silver coins. “Here’s your change.”

Zid shook his head. “Just keep it and add it towards the meals.”

“Mom, just accept it,” Lily chimed in. “Zid’s well-off, he used to work under High Priestess Selena.”

“In that case, I’ll make sure to prepare even more delicious dishes,” Aunt Liz said with a smile.

We then made our way upstairs.

“This one will be your room, Zid,” Lily said, pointing to a door.

“Raki’s is right here, and that one belongs to Reimei.”

“I see. Thanks,” Zid replied.

“If you’re not busy tomorrow, I could show you around town,” Lily offered.

“That would help a lot. Thank you, Lily,” Zid said warmly.

Reimei and I exchanged a look.

“That sounds a lot like a date, doesn’t it, Raki?” she whispered.

“Definitely,” I answered with a grin as I opened my door.

Both Zid and Lily instantly blushed. Zid retreated into his room in a hurry, while Lily rushed back down the stairs.

“That was a little mean of us,” I admitted, glancing at Reimei, who was trying hard not to laugh.

“Just a little,” she said, smiling.

Then she suddenly caught my hand before I could step inside.

“Wait, Raki! Are you busy today?”

“No, I’m free. Why?” I asked, turning back to her.

“I want to visit my parents’ grave. It’s been a year since I last went,” Reimei said softly.

“Of course. I’d be glad to go with you,” I replied.

“After lunch, meet me in front of the Guild,” she added.

“Alright, I’ll be there.”

After finishing the feast Aunt Iris had prepared, I made my way to the Guild.

Reimei was already waiting when I arrived, dressed in simple clothes that softened her usual adventurer’s presence.

She lifted a hand and waved, her smile faint but steady.

Together, we walked down the cobbled street until we reached a modest flower shop.

The scent of fresh blossoms lingered in the air, and after a quiet moment of choosing, she picked two pristine white flowers.

When we left the bustle of town behind, Reimei’s hand brushed against mine before she gently slipped her fingers between my own.

Neither of us said anything, we didn’t need to.

The path westward grew quieter with every step, until the chatter of Elira faded into silence, replaced only by the sigh of the wind and the distant chirping of meadow birds.

From the crest of a hill, the cemetery spread before us.

Rows upon rows of gravestones jutted from the earth, their weathered stone softened by moss and time.

The field carried a solemn stillness, as though the air itself had hushed to honor the dead.

Reimei led me to a modest grave carved with two names, Hio Silversky and Ria Silversky.

She knelt down, her hands trembling as she set the white blossoms gently against the stone.

“Mom… Dad…” Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry it’s been a year since I last came.

I thought if I buried myself in adventuring, it would make me stronger… keep me from faltering.

But the truth is…” Her shoulders stiffened, and her eyes glistened. “…the truth is I was afraid.

Afraid I wouldn’t be able to avenge you.

Afraid I was too weak to face the Death Knight who took you from me.”

Her words cracked, but she forced herself to go on, gripping the edge of the gravestone as though drawing strength from it.

“But I’m not the same girl I was then.

I’ve grown.

Our group has faced two Death Knights… a Death Dragon… and armies of the undead.

We survived it all.” Her lips trembled, but determination flickered in her tear-streaked face.

“Ray and I will be fine now. Lily and I… we’ve found friends who will stand with us. So please… watch over us. Watch over me.”

Her tears finally spilled, rolling down her cheeks in unrestrained rivers.

She lowered her head, her body shaking with grief she could no longer hold back.

I knelt beside her and wrapped my arms around her trembling frame.

Her sobs pressed against my chest, raw and aching.

“I’m sure they’ve been watching you all along,” I murmured, tightening my embrace.

“And I know… they’re proud of you.”