“Oh, forgive me, mayor. Thank you for your generosity. From now on, I shall strive to be a good citizen,” Maven answered any way she could.

Croac sighed. “Well, since I have a daughter myself, I can understand your attitude. Now I must excuse myself, there are still remains of the ‘snake-wolves’ that I need to deal with.”

The Baron walked out of the room in a hurry. He didn’t wait for Maven’s reply that he was sure would be nothing more than a chit-chat.

Right in front of the door, Baron halted his steps as he said, “I, on the behalf of the citizens of Redne would like to thank you, Heroes of Redne.” He then continued to walk until he disappeared from Maven’s sight.

Declan turned to Maven and cheerfully said, “From a fugitive to a hero without decoration. A very major change in your life, huh, Mave?”

“You're also a hero now, Dec. Aren’t you happy?”

“Why of course! Not to mention I have witnessed for myself the true power of the magical Saint Ambrosius Rosary, so with this my research on that relic is complete. Now Mave, what’s your plan now?”

“I don’t know…”

“Don’t lie, Mave. You spaced out for pretty long, and I saw your reaction when you spoke to the baron just then. I don’t know if you’ve realized it or not, but that plan is surely already pictured clearly in your brain.”

Sighing, Maven answered, “Actually there are a few things I’d like to do. Finding more about my father’s origin in Thyrine and my mother's ancestry in House Bouvignon in Redne. But, there is a more pressing matter. I need to depart from Redne, journeying far to the east to meet someone.”

Declan glared sharply. “Who is it?”

Maven went silent, she then rested on a headrest on her bed. “You know, Dec, a lot has happened since I ran away from Redne." She then told her sworn brother about her encounter with Reyl and their journey together, until she discovered the fact that Reyl already had a girlfriend. Also, Maven’s decision to leave Reyl's group and return to Redne for the sake of her revenge, while in truth she did that because she was brokenhearted.

“So… you still had feelings for this Reyl guy?” Declan concluded in a bitter tone.

Maven tried to hide her teary eyes. “I don’t know… but I have to find out. I want to meet him again. I want to, need to, have to. Just one more time. To make sure that he’s okay. That He is living together happily with all the people who care for him, with all his choices. Without me by his side. Just one more time, before I can move on to my other plans.”

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“Aih.” Declan was stunned.

“You’ve been really kind to me, Dec, and maybe you do have a feeling for me. But please understand. I can’t decide to give my heart for you or not before I confirm my own feelings for Reyl. I have to confirm whether I still have the chance with him, even though it seems nearly impossible.”

Maven bowed her head. Unwittingly, her tears began to flow, accompanying her stirring heart.

Relieved yet suffocating. Peaceful yet resentful. Calm yet restless. Refreshed yet choked by just a drip of hope.

Until Declan said, “If that’s what you must do, let me go with you, help you and accompany you.”

Again Maven lifted her head, this time with a baffled face. “But Dec, how would you? This is my journey, and I have to settle this by myself. Besides, aren’t you a cleric bound by the oath to serve this monastery? Can you just go as you like?”

Declan frowned even more. “Let me explain to you the problem, Mave. The leaders of this monastery accused me of collaborating with you and Father Nigel to steal the Saint Ambrosius Rosary, even after I have returned it. Even though we only ‘borrowed’ it on Father Nigel’s permission, but whatever the reason was, they still label us as thieves. So my status as a cleric has been revoked and we’re both exiled from this monastery. The only charity we received is that we’re allowed to leave this place after you have fully recovered."

“Ooh! I have brought trouble to yet another people. Don’t worry, Declan. One day I shall return the favor.”

Declan pointed at her. “Don’t get me wrong, Mave. Whatever happened to me was totally not your fault. I’m the one who from the very beginning has chosen to help you voluntarily, as a friend who understands the noble intention behind your stray actions. Also, I want to guide you so your soul won’t be lost like Calhoun, Theana and the Viperwolves.”

Unwittingly, Maven began to whisper, “It would be better to be a merchant… or a monster hunter.”

“Huh? What did you just say, Mave?”

“Monster hunter. That’s the path Reyl has showed me during my stay with him. Instead of becoming an assassin or a criminal, as a hunter we’ll serve the world and our nation better by vanquishing those who break the peace and security, that being monsters and bandits.”

“Is that so? It’s true, rather then remaining jobless, I think it’s a good profession for me. My trident and white magic will be more useful that way. Let’s go, Mave, let me help you. That way you can probably return my favor, what say you?"

Maven thought for a while, processing Declan’s words and then nodded. “All right, I shall accept your offer, but on one condition. Don’t ever try to meddle with my feelings. And if Reyl later doesn’t agree to you joining him, you must leave.”

“All right, deal. Besides I don’t really have a choice since by this point I’m really a ‘banished priest’,” Declan explained, his face turned bright. "Now. I shall go to pack. So when you’re ready, we can simply leave without waiting to be kicked out.” He rose from his seat and walked towards the door, humming.

On the contrary, Maven kept sitting on bed while staring through the window. Her face still looked gloomy and restless.