The circumstances of Croix and his party's departure from Liapris were night and day compared to their arrival. The elves regarded them as saviors now. Croix accepted their well-wishes humbly despite rumors of him being a member of the royal family had been circulating. It couldn't be helped, a dragon was too conspicuous.

The elves conveyed their gratitude with more than words. Croix received valuable gifts that would bolster the young Pathseeker's growth. Of course, Croix was not the only one. Alfred underwent an elven healing session that greatly improved his condition. His cracked foundation had not healed but it was much better compared to before. Boram also received a peculiar gift, a tonic that hopefully would allow him to grow from now on. How effective it would be was unknown at this time but Viers believed it would have some sort of effect.

"Good for you," Viers said to Boram.

The thirteen-year-old kid had been stuck with the appearance of a ten-year-old as a side effect of being forced to become a Pathseeker before his body and soul were ready. With this, the frozen time would begin moving again.

Viers also was given gifts. On the outside, he was grateful. On the inside, whatever the elves gave him, he'd already gotten a super valuable treasure and the soul of the head elder anyway so it didn't really matter.

Croix's party was also joined by Jessica and her son, Tim. Since her son had recovered and the elves were no longer in danger, she could leave with no burden in her heart. As thanks for her longer and no less crucial services, the elves gave her a blessing from the spirits of the forest. Which was a good thing.

All things considered, all benefited so it was a win-win situation. The only loser was the devil cult but who cared about them? Viers absolutely didn't care they suffered a loss.

An elven friendship token was also given to each of them who had a hand in saving Liapris. Viers had given his to Jessica which brought her here and kick-started an unthinkable chain of events. Who knows what this one would bring? Viers would place the token in the key item category for now.

Much work needed to be done to recover Liapris to its former state. It would take a lot of resources. To that end, Croix managed to convince the elves to engage in trade. Liapris forest was abundant in precious resources. The elves saw the necessity but weren't ready to fully open their borders so they would start small, engaging with people that they could trust, that meant Croix and his budding town were the prime choice.

Alfred told Croix this was a great achievement. Elven crafts were top-notch. They would sell like hotcakes. Croix said that he was grateful for their trust and would prove himself worthy of it.

During the sunny morning the next day, the heroes bid their farewell to the elves of Liapris.

"It gladdens me of you joining us, Lady Jessica. Your son too. Tim, is it?"

"Y-Yesss! P-Prince Highness Sir!" Tim was quite nervous speaking with a big shot noble.

"Please, there's no need to address me with titles. I'm just a commoner, Prince Croix," Jessica dipped her head. She was nervous too. "Avel offered me work. I only hope my presence is not inconveniencing you."

"Not at all. What kind of job?"

"It's-"

They were interrupted by a winged shadow. They looked above and a gryphon landed along with its rider.

"Prince Croix, I have been searching for you," the armored knightess removed her full-face helmet.

"Knight-Captain Malika, good morning to you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"The Countess asked for your presence at Stormberg. Preferably immediately," she said.

"I have no issue," Croix said. Originally they were going back to the Shore, but from their location now, going to Stormberg directly was closer. "Any objections?"

"None, Young Lord. I'll accompany you," Alfred was looking healthier now. Although his hair was still white, the thirty-year-old knight had more vitality than before.

"As for me, I do. For reasons I'd rather not say, I must go back to the Shore today," Viers replied.

"I'll accompany Master," Boram was fine either way but he was Viers' disciple first and foremost.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"I see. All is good. We'll take separate paths for now," Croix had no problem.

Alfred had none too. With Malika, a Level 4, their trip to Stormberg was more secure than ever. They waved their goodbyes and went towards their respective destinations. Jessica and Tim went with the Shore group. She felt she had no business going to Stormberg nor the Countess with her.

The journey was smooth and relatively incident-free. There was an instance where they encountered a merchant with his carriage wheel broken and a minor monster attack. Both times Boram solved them as easily as snapping his fingers. Tim who saw someone not taller than him could do all that was in awe.

By sunset, the group arrived at their destination. The wrecked little fishing village of before had become a budding busy little town. The time was just right for people coming back after a hard day's work and the start of a dinner rush.

At the entrance, there was a sign: The Shore.

However, someone vandalized that sign. The o was crossed and changed into i.

Viers smiled. He knew only one man that would do it.

"Looks like a nice place," Jessica commented after seeing the place for the first time.

"Sorry, but the sightseeing will have to wait until tomorrow," Viers said. "Follow me."

Viers strode across the street without delay. The town folk who recognized him said their greetings. Viers, or rather Avel as he was known here, was equivalent to a town official since he was Prince Croix's vassal, so he had a high status among these people. Viers made a brief stop at the infirmary, giving elven medicines to the healers there.

This was not his doing, but Croix's. Many people of the original fishing village were heavily injured or crippled during the tidal wave disaster, including the original old village chief. Croix didn't forget them. Viers was only the delivery man.

After conveying the prince and viceroy's wishes about how the medicines should be used, Viers went back to his home. The town's folk didn't find it strange. He was already rumored as a cultivation maniac.

Jessica and her son followed Viers to his house. Her looks and new face turned a few heads but there were many newcomers at the Shore nowadays so it wasn't strange. She was impressed by the barriers and securities that she recognized at a glance and surprised when Viers opened a portal to another place. All these were far beyond her usual normal standard.

"Go inside first and rest for today. We'll talk tomorrow. Boram, help these two settle down. Lead them to one of the empty houses. They may pick whatever they like."

"W-wait!"

Viers waved to the confused mother and son duo as they passed the portal. They would be even more surprised after seeing the Biome. It was like mortals visiting the valley of immortals. After they passed, the portal closed. Viers sighed in relief.

I made it in time.

In less than thirty minutes, after the sun had completely sunk into the horizon, Viers' powers would evaporate. It was the time limit of his Profound Codex, Serpentes Renovamen. Because of the happenings at Liapris, he had to postpone practicing it, but today was the limit. Viers had to reach a place that he knew was safe, which was here.

"So, you met Tifa again. By bringing her here, guess she's now a member of the inner circle?"

A voice came from the dark. Arsène walked out from the shadows. Sensing the presence of others, he hid. Only coming out now that there were only the two of them.

Arsène also had been taking separate actions at the underwater kingdom so Viers didn't do his Profound Practice lest he would jeopardize his other self's undertakings.

"One thing led to another, I guess. I already gave her the card. I thought to just roll with it," Viers shrugged. "Good things on your end?"

Arsène replied not with words but with an awkward expression.

"...Is the Mualammu Kingdom still standing?" Viers was already prepared for the worst.

"Depends on your definition of standing," Arsène tossed him an inventory ring. Viers didn't look into it yet but he was quite sure it was more than the wealth most Level 3 would ever gain in their life. That was usually the case when he sent Arsène on his 'expeditions'.

As expected of me, Viers patted himself on the back.

The sky was getting darker and darker. The two knew the time was almost up so they didn't waste any more time and entered the Biome. As Arsène dissolved into Viers, his memories of his past days came gushing in.

***

Jessica was sitting on a wooden chair in a daze. Such a fantastical realm that she couldn't imagine truly existed. The ambient mana of this place… She felt she would improve her cultivation simply by sleeping and breathing in this place.

She'd met other residents of this place. Three pretty girls, the fairy-like Paina, the warm-smiling spear-wielder Farley, and the ghost snake-lady Clarissa. Boram introduced them to each other and went somewhere.

While waiting, the girls sort of made a tea party with her included. Plump and cute lifeforms brought the hot tea and cakes to the table. They asked her about lots of things but in a nice way and not inquisitive.

Meanwhile, Tim was playing with the Pukupukus nearby. They became fast friends.

They called Avel Viers. Was it his real name?

Jessica sipped her tea trying to keep her heart calm. These girls were strong, especially the ghost lady.

What have I gotten myself into?

"Hello, I'm back. I brought them."

Boram was back, with him, there were two little girls, about Tim's age.

"H-Hello, I'm Luca," the girl with dark purple hair and clear jet-black eyes said.

"Good evening, I'm Gwen," the well-mannered girl with the scent of cakes said.

"Nice to meet you," Jessica rose up from her seat and lowered her height as she spoke with them.

"My name is Jessica and I've been hired by Avel, or Viers, as your teacher. Pleased to meet you, young ladies."