Cedric moved toward the thicket where his sword had sensed the hidden pair. He pushed aside the scorched branches, his gaze immediately finding Rowan, who was propped against a tree, his arm around the thin shoulders of the green-haired girl. Both looked up, their eyes wide with a mixture of exhaustion, fear, and dawning hope.

  "Cedric!" Rowan's voice was a rasp of relief. He tried to stand, wincing as his injuries protested.

  "Don't move recklessly," Cedric said, his voice firm but lacking its earlier coldness. He knelt, his eyes quickly assessing their condition—Rowan's numerous bruises and the girl's pale, drawn features. "Can you both walk?"

  The girl nodded silently, her large eyes fixed on him with a mix of awe and wariness. Rowan grunted in affirmation. "I can manage. Thanks to her." He gestured weakly to the girl. "She Helped us a lot."

  Cedric gave a short, acknowledging nod and a smile to the girl. "You have my gratitude." He then carefully helped Rowan to his feet, providing a steady arm for support. The girl rose on her own, though she stayed close to Rowan's side.

  "Lena and Maeve are waiting at the tower with Tobias," Cedric informed them, his tone shifting back to one of command. "We're regrouping there. The immediate area is secure."

  With Cedric supporting a limping Rowan and the girl following closely, they began the slow trek toward the distant watchtower. The path was a grim gallery of the recent conflict—shattered earth and the husks of fallen undead. Rowan's eyes scanned the devastation, a grim understanding settling on his face.

  “I’m sorry, Cedric. We didn’t follow your orders. We came here, and even then, we couldn’t do anything. We failed you… and these people. I’m so sorry,” he murmured, his voice heavy.

  “Hey, don’t talk like that. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Cedric said, his gaze fixed ahead. “You did your best. You stood against them, and because of that, you were able to save at least a few. Sadly, we can’t ignore those who died—but dwelling on this remorse won’t bring them back or change what happened. Right now, our focus should be on making sure this never happens again.”

  They walked in silence for a moment, the only sounds of their footsteps on the scarred earth and Rowan's labored breathing.

  "The others... are they really okay?" Rowan asked, the fear for his friends cutting through his own pain.

  “Yeah, all thanks to your brave act—though I’m not exactly fond of how reckless it was,” Cedric assured him, his voice softening just a fraction. “Because of you, they’re all in one piece. You’ll see for yourself soon.”

  As the tower grew closer, the girl finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "Should I leave now?"

  Cedric didn't look back, but his answer was clear and solid, “No you don't have to go anywhere, don’t be scared. I won’t do anything to harm you. I’m just asking you to stay with us for a while, at least until we can place you somewhere safer and tend to your wounds. Please.”

  The girl’s reply was sharp, though her voice trembled. “No. I don’t want anything to do with the Empire, the nobles, or anyone else. Just leave me alone. I’ll handle things on my own.”

  Cedric sighed. “Hm. Don’t worry. I won’t hand you or anyone over to the Empire so easily. Your safety comes first.”

  Rowan stepped in, cutting Cedric off. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of her. Cedric, can you do me a favor and not mention her as a survivor? I believe, because of her special power, she’s been through a lot already—and who knows what the Empire would do if they found out about it. I’d like to take custody of her, if that’s alright.

  If I’m not mistaken, the other survivors also seem to possess some special powers, or at least high mana. Let’s send them back to our village, where they can live peacefully. I’ll provide all the funds, and my elder sister will gladly help them settle in.”

  Cedric looked at Rowan. “If you say so… I’ll help too, then.”

  The girl suddenly screamed, her voice breaking. “Why would you go the extra mile for me, huh?! People always say things like that… promises, kind words—then they turn their backs when it matters. So why should I believe you? Why should I trust you?”

  Rowan met her gaze, his tone steady but gentle. “Didn’t you say I was your best option for survival? As your chosen guard, I’m just doing what I can. And besides… I owe you a lot—more than I could ever repay in a lifetime.”

  They continued their solemn march.

  Cedric entered the tower, supporting a limping Rowan, with the green-haired girl following silently. A palpable wave of relief washed through the space. Maeve and Lena rushed forward, their movements quick and efficient as they helped lower Rowan onto a makeshift pallet.

  "Everyone, listen," Cedric's voice cut through the murmurs, commanding immediate attention. He addressed the huddled survivors. "You are safe now. I give you my word, we will take you from this place and see you returned to your homes, or to a safer haven, whichever you prefer. You are under our protection."

  His gaze then swept to his team. "Tobias, find us transport. A carriage, a wagon, anything. Get it here. We'll head to the nearest town for proper treatment. Meanwhile, I will secure Some food. Maeve, Lena, tend to their wounds. Learn their names, their homes. Offer whatever comfort you can."

  The command sent everyone into motion. Tobias vanished outside, returning later with a serviceable carriage, though he reported no horses to be found. "I'll pull it myself if I have to," he grunted, positioning it by the tower entrance.

  Maeve and Lena moved among the survivors, their efforts more about offering reassuring words and a steadying presence than medical expertise, as their own supplies were scarce.

  Cedric departed in a flash of motion, returning from the nearby woods with a string of fish caught from a stream, the only game not yet decimated by the ritual's fallout. He built a small, efficient fire, cooked the meager meal, and saw it distributed among the rescued.

  He then turned to his core team. His eyes, hard and full of unspoken questions, met each of theirs—Maeve's, Lena's, Tobias's, and finally settled on Rowan's. "All of you. With me. Now."

  He led them into a small, spartan side room and shut the door. The silence was heavy with unspoken horrors.

  "Start from the real beginning," Cedric commanded, his voice low and sharp. “Why were you really in the Jasvitus Plains? I know you guys didn’t just decide to come here on your own.”

  Rowan, pale and propped against the wall, was the first to speak. "It was the cartel mission. The one you were meant to lead. We received a tip—a cartel member was hiding here, funneling intelligence to the Demonic Empire. The orders were clear, 'Locate the target, apprehend him, extract. No noise. No attention.' It came with an official state seal. I saw no reason to question it."

  Lena stepped in, her tone defensive. "We thought it was a simple mission. The moment that mist swallowed us, we knew it was wrong. We assumed the cartel had set a horrific trap."

  "We walked right into it," Maeve whispered, the truth dawning with chilling clarity. "The intel was a setup. Someone used the cartel mission as bait to send us into... into that slaughterhouse." Her gesture encompassed the ritual, the undead, and the horrors beyond the walls.

  Cedric's jaw tightened. "Rowan, who delivered the orders?"

  "An official courier," Rowan said weakly. "There was no source mentioned on it. I took it at face value. My mistake. I'm sorry."

  "Don't," Maeve said firmly. "I would have come even if the letter had described the truth. I would not turn my back on people who needed help."

  "Same here," Lena affirmed. Tobias gave a grim nod.

  Cedric's voice softened, though the intensity in his eyes remained. "I know. That's what makes you who you are. But you could have waited for me. You could have sent word. Promise me you won't take a blind risk like this again. We fight for people, but we fight together, as a group."

  They all nodded in agreement, the shared resolve clear on their faces, though Rowan's was shadowed with pain and guilt.

  "Now," Cedric pressed, "describe your enemies. Every detail."

  For the next hour, they pieced the nightmare together. They spoke of Kijo, the Beast King's overwhelming strength, the relentless undead, the captives, and the monstrous entity born from the old man's final sacrifice.

  But, as agreed in a silent pact, the name "Ultimare" and his sibling were never mentioned. They spoke only of a "powerful, unknown third party" who had intervened erratically, creating distractions and fighting their own battles before vanishing.

  Cedric listened intently, his expression growing grimmer. When they finished, he was silent for a long moment.

  Kijo, Beast King, Dex, Zero, Tyrant, Wolf, White, Talon, Flower, Noburu… all of them are dead. Somehow.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  In my past, They succeeded—Noburu especially became a real threat. He openly challenged the Empire, trying to seize the throne. My party was completely wiped out here while I was away at the royal summit.

  But this time, my party is safe… and they’re the ones who are gone.

  Back then, this event was what pushed me to become the Emperor’s Blade and form a new party with the candidates I was offered. Even though I made sure they would not come here this time, someone still send them here. But why, just why would anyone do this, for what reason.

  Could all of this be because of…?

  "Alright," he finally said, his voice heavy. "We'll get to the bottom of this later." He looked at each of them, his gaze lingering on their injuries. The anger had been replaced by a steely resolve. "Let's get some food. You need your strength."

  "I'll pass," Maeve said, her face pale. "I've seen enough today. I couldn't eat."

  "Really?" Cedric was taken aback. "But you need the energy. Are you sure? None of you?"

  Three determined, if weary, shakes of the head answered him.

  "Very well," Cedric conceded. "We'll wait for the others to finish, then we move out."

  Tobias nodded toward the door. "We have the carriage, but no horses. I can pull it at a decent speed, though."

  Cedric almost smiled, a faint, grim flicker. "Oh, that won't be an issue."

  The small room fell into a heavy silence after Cedric’s words about the carriage. It was then that Rowan stirred, his voice quiet but clear.

  “Hmm, Cedric… I know this might be the wrong time,” Rowan began, not meeting his leader’s eyes. “But we’d like to say something to you.”

  Cedric turned, his expression open. “What is it?”

  “Just so you know,” Rowan said, his voice gaining a thread of resolve, “I will always stand with you. No matter what. I’ll fight anyone beside you, or if you command it. But… after this event, I’ve realized how weak I am. Compared to the threats in this world, a weak man like me isn’t worthy of the title ‘hero,’ or even a place in a hero’s party.” He paused, the words hanging in the air like a verdict. “ I resign from this party. I’ve been put in my place. I am ashamed.” His head bowed.

  Maeve followed, her voice steady but laced with the same profound realization. “I feel the same way, Cedric. Like Rowan said, I’ll fight alongside you under any condition. But I don’t think of myself as a hero anymore, or someone worthy of carrying the weight of people’s hopes. Someone better should have this role. I think… I’m better off returning to being an adventurer, like we were before. Helping where we can, but without the title. I’m sure Rowan feels the same. It’s not abandoning you, or being scared of death or torture. It’s that we don’t want to hold you back… or sully the name of the hero’s party.”

  “I feel the same way,” Tobias grunted, his arms crossed.

  “I as well,” Lena added softly. “Please don’t feel bad or hate us because of this. You are a very important friend.”

  Cedric looked at them, not with anger or a sense of betrayal, but with a deep, weary understanding. It was a sensation he knew intimately, a shadow that even his regressed knowledge couldn’t dispel—the crushing weight of failure.

  A soft, sad smile touched his lips. “I get it. All of you. I’m not angry.” His voice was gentle. “But you're saying you’re not worthy of the hero’s party… I highly disagree. If anyone is worthy, it’s you. If anything, I’m the one not worthy of the title, standing here shamelessly after failing to protect so many.” He let out a slow breath. “This feeling of disappointment in oneself… it has no cure. But it also doesn’t mean we stop on our path. Sure, we’re not the best or the strongest. So what? It doesn’t mean we can’t take a stand. It doesn’t mean we can’t answer a cry for help. We don’t need a title to show basic kindness or do good work.”

  He looked at each of them, his gaze firm yet compassionate. “If you feel you’re not worthy of the prestige, then I say the prestige is meaningless. All we are is a group of people with a deep-rooted desire to help others, protect the weak, and build a better world. Let’s just keep doing that. And if you feel weak against the evils out there… then become stronger. Become powerful. Improve. I won’t ask you to change your desire, in fact, I encourage it. But how about this, instead of resigning, you guys take a break. A period where all of you dive deep into yourselves and train. And when you feel you’re ready, you come back to me. If needed,” he added, his tone utterly serious, “I can step down from this title of ‘hero’ as well.”

  At his final words, all four of them cried out in immediate, horrified refusal.

  “No!”

  “You can’t!”

  “Don’t even think about it!”

  Lena and Tobias actually grabbed his arms, as if to physically prevent the idea from taking root. Maeve and rowan looked genuinely alarmed.

  Cedric looked at their frantic, worried faces, and for the first time since his return, a genuine, warm laugh escaped him, cutting through the room’s heavy atmosphere.

  The sound was like a crack of sunlight through storm clouds. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, alright! I was just making a point!”

  The tension broke, replaced by a fragile but real sense of unity.

  An hour later

  The carriage was crammed full. The fifteen rescued people, plus Tobias, Rowan, Maeve, and Lena, were all squeezed inside. Everyone was quiet, tired, and shaken from the horrors they had seen. Cedric sat alone at the front in the driver's seat, but there were no horses to pull them.

  Tobias stuck his head out the window. "What's the plan? There are no horses. I can pull—"

  Before he could finish, the carriage suddenly jerked forward, throwing everyone back.

  It wasn't rolling on the ground like a normal wagon. It was gliding smoothly, quickly picking up speed until it was moving as fast as a racing horse.

  Tobias stared in shock. The carriage was flying a few feet off the ground, wrapped in a soft, golden light.

  The light was coming from Cedric's sword, the Phoenix Blade, which was floating in front of them. A beam of energy connected the sword's handle to the carriage, pulling it along.

  Cedric sat calmly, guiding the flying carriage away from the nightmare and toward safety.

  [ In Sinclair Carriage]

  The Sinclair carriage glided to a smooth halt at a dusty crossroads as evening began to settle. A few dilapidated shops lined the roads, their weary owners serving basic provisions to travelers.

  Eisen's voice broke the silence. "Captain, we are at your desired location."

  Max immediately began to whine. "Uhhh, the time has finally come? I don't want to go! I don't wanna go! Please don't make me go!"

  Arika was already gathering her things, her movements sharp with purpose. "Quit whining like a child."

  Ultimare glanced out the window. "We're just leaving them here? We could at least drop them at the city gate."

  Finn didn't look up from his notes. "It is only nine kilometers from here. They can easily reach it. Furthermore, it is in the opposite direction for us. Secrecy is our priority now that we are operating in the open, don't you agree?"

  "Just as Finn said," Arika added, taking a deep breath. "This is the moment I was looking forward to." She then turned to Lucien, her expression formal. "Master. I will ensure Lord Ryan is retrieved quickly and that I gather all the information you have tasked me with." She bowed her head. In the background, Max was still complaining loudly about wanting to sleep and eat.

  "Shut up! You are disturbing everyone! Hurry up, you are wasting time!" Arika snapped at him.

  Lucien opened his eyes, ignoring the drama. "Do we have any food?"

  Ultimare shrugged. "We must, right? Someone must have brought something."

  Finn looked around. "Did anyone?"

  Pelta spoke up softly. "I did."

  Finn nodded. "As expected of Pelta."

  Pelta continued, her tone factual. "But it was eaten by Max."

  Finn sighed. "Can't do anything about it, then."

  Ultimare simply said, "Ya."

  Max looked offended. "Wait, that's not how it's supposed to be! Shouldn't you both be trying to kill me for that?"

  Finn and Ultimare exchanged a rare, amused glance. Finn said, "Oh, we are just so happy that we don't have to deal with you for a long time. That happiness far exceeds this nuisance you create." Max looked genuinely annoyed by their reaction.

  Lucien's voice cut through the chatter. "Max. Go get edible food. Even some fruit will work. Get whatever quantity you can. Let's have one final meal together before you go your way."

  Ultimare's eyebrow rose. "Oh, a farewell? Melodramatic, but not a bad idea." Finn gave a curt nod of agreement.

  Eisen piped up, "Can I get some as well? A toilet break would also be quite good."

  Finn replied, "Sure."

  Max ventured out to the shabby stalls. The options were bleak: questionable roasted meat, basic bread and soup, and spiced mashed potatoes.

  He returned with a bundle of fresh-looking bread and containers of milk. "This is all the edible stuff I could find here," he announced.

  Finn was unimpressed. "Couldn't you just run to the nearest town to get something good? It's only nine kilometers. Your farewell meal is bread and milk? Seriously?"

  Max shot back, "Why do you care? It's my farewell, right? If you have so much to complain about, go get it yourself!"

  Pelta, Arika, Max, Lucien, Ultimare, Finn, and Eisen shared the simple meal of bread and milk. Finn and Max bickered constantly, with Ultimare adding sarcastic comments.

  Pelta and Arika discussed the mission in low tones. Soon, the meal was finished. Max and Arika grabbed their bags, ready to depart.

  Before they could step out, Lucien spoke again. "Make sure you follow all my commands and guides properly. Use the tools I have provided. Report to me once every two days." He gestured to Pelta, who handed Arika a small bag filled with Banknotes of the Empire. Lucien continued, "Use it as required. Ensure you remain aware of your surroundings and maintain secrecy."

  Max's eyes lit up. "Can I get one as well?"

  Pelta replied calmly, "Your share is included in it. Miss Arika has the right to manage it for you."

  Max complained, "Hey, that's not fair! That's totally not okay! At least talk to me before that!"

  To everyone's surprise, Finn took out his own wallet and tossed it to Max. "Keep it, you jackass. Consider it send-off money. Be mindful of your spending, you are not in your house anymore."

  Ultimare, with a sigh, threw his wallet as well. "In that case, take mine too. I don't like your voice or want to engage with you, but if you are in a truly dire situation, you may call me as a last resort." His eyes narrowed. "And if you call me for nonsense, I will find you and kill you."

  Max, now gleeful with the extra cash, peeked hopefully toward Lucien and Pelta. Pelta, with a faint sigh, handed over her wallet too. Max laughed triumphantly.

  Arika, "Enough already! Now, let's go!"

  Ultimare added a final warning, "You better not hope for anything from Lucien, you know."

  After a final round of goodbyes, Max and Arika stepped out of the carriage. As they stood watching, the carriage began to move.

  Suddenly, Lucien threw a small object toward Max, who caught it effortlessly. It was a plain metal ring with a single, clear green gem at its center.

  "Use it when you actually need it," Lucien said.

  Finn's eyes widened. "Wait, is that—?"

  Ultimare looked genuinely shocked. "It is not fair! How come he gets to have that? Is it even okay to give him that?"

  The carriage pulled away, leaving Max staring in astonishment at the ring in his hand. "Woah... did he really just give me this? Seriously? Now this is a big responsibility..."

  Arika, already walking ahead, called back without looking, "Hey, How long are you going to stand there? Hurry up, let's go!"