On the way back to Volny, the breeze was refreshing and the air was fresh.

  Harpya slowly smiled, feeling a growing hope that made her happy for that moment.

  Edward:

  Harpya agreed and said he felt good about finally arriving in Volny; he had been thinking about how he would tell the king about the soldiers' losses.

  At the port, they were greeted with food and drink; the people didn't know the true purpose of the mission. When they saw the soldiers' bodies being unloaded from the ship, a sense of alert and curiosity arose among the population.

  The soldiers lied, saying they had died in a landslide and that the mission, even with casualties, was successful.

  Harpya went to the king and reported the whole situation, telling him about the gains and losses, and the king, even with the casualties, showed a slight hope.

  The relic materials were taken to the scientists' workshop, except for the sword and armor that Harpya had found in the chest and kept in a secret room in the castle.

  In the castle, Ida came running and gave Harpya a tight hug with tears in her eyes.

  Ida:

  HarpyaIda clings to Harpya, and he says he needs a bath since he's spent so much time at sea.

  Ida chuckles slightly and says Harpya doesn't smell at all, only of himself. Harpya smiles and asks about Isz, but he already knows the answer.

  Two days pass, and Harpya makes an impulsive but courageous decision. He asks for Ida's hand in marriage.

  The king finds it sudden, but is pleased and gives Harpya his blessing, saying he is a good man.

  Harpya explained that it was because of the life he had led and that he was afraid of dying suddenly without achieving something he wanted.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The news spread with great affection among the population in the kingdom; the king was popular, and Harpya had already gained military prominence.

  Days before the wedding, Harpya finally goes to speak with Baron. He passes by the bars in the center and finds his tavern.

  Harpya was wearing a military dress uniform and a cap. Baron notices that someone had entered the bar.

  Baron:

  Harpya removes his cap and says: -How long it's been, Baron. I'm glad you got out alive.

  Baron looks at Harpya's face and runs to hug him.

  Harpya smiles and says he's happy to see an old face again. Baron asks how long he's been in Volny, and Harpya says it's been quite a while and apologizes for taking so long to visit his friend.

  They sit and talk about what they've been doing during this time. Harpya says he came to invite him to his wedding, and Baron is very happy.

  He says he's also married and that he adopted the remaining orphans, and his wife is pregnant.

  Harpya is happy for his friend and asks about his arrival in Volny and those who survived with him. Baron says he was the last to leave and didn't imagine Harpya was alive, since they said all the scouts had died.

  Harpya says that Isz survived, but was in a coma and he didn't know when he would wake up.

  Baron gives a slight smile and says that when Isz gets better, he should come visit him.

  Harpya looks sad and says he hopes it will be soon. Changing the subject, Harpya recounts that he returned to Vein and said he found a new relic and part of Saint Gorb's bestiary. He also mentions finding a woman inside the orphanage with a rope around her neck and her eyes blindfolded. He said Cerberus didn't bark, as if he didn't sense an enemy presence, and asked Baron who it could be.

  Baron says everyone was dead; the only ones he wasn't sure about were Helena, Irineia, Alphonse, and that wretched Gray, but he believes Gray is dead since he was very famous and would have been recognized if he had escaped. However, Harpya says the orphanage was destroyed and there were piles of corpses everywhere, soldiers and people alike.

  Baron recounts the atrocities Gray committed and tells of Anna and Nina's deaths. Harpya becomes thoughtful and says that the woman could be Nina, judging by her voice, and that she recognized him, especially now with the information Baron has given.

  Baron serves Harpya a drink and a dish, telling them to stop remembering bad things, and Harpya agrees. He says he wants Baron to be the best man at the wedding, and Baron accepts.

  The wedding day arrives, and a grand party is held, with many guests and gifts given out.

  The king was happy, and the entire kingdom was invited. Edward was promoted to privateer, and other Volny soldiers who went on the mission also received promotions.

  Little by little, the workshop was making artificial weapons with the relics, and the soldiers were better trained and gaining knowledge, but even so, the enemies of Volny grew stronger.

  Seven years pass. In a white room, with sunlight on her face, Isz's eyes slowly open.