"Neritha, you're a genius!" Dante exclaimed, acknowledging the young girl's insightful suggestions for the plan.

Throughout the battle, Neritha proved to be an invaluable companion. She taught Dante about where the entrances were, provided crucial information on the Twikmoths' behavior, and warned him of impending dangers.

Sensing that they were at a safe distance. He activated Healing Light, mending Neritha's wounds from branches she sustained while running back and forth to give information to Dante and keeping a watchful eye.

[10/100 MP Remaining]

Dante was satisfied with this victory. He could have killed all the Twikmoths that were trapped inside the nest by spamming it with Holy Smite, but he learned from the Trial of Illumination that even beasts like the Twikmoths had a role to play in the balance of nature.

They arrived in front of the Village and Neritha was planning to tell the whole village the news.

"You did it, Lord Juan! You saved us!" Neritha exclaimed, a mixture of awe and gratitude in her voice.

Dante smiled warmly at her, "We did it together, Neritha. Your guidance and courage were instrumental in our victory. You are the true hero."

Neritha, the little girl then shouted at the top of their lungs, "Let it be known that in the year 751 N.F., Lord Juan and Neritha of Minova have defeated the Twikmoths!"

Dante paused and looked at the young Neritha who was celebrating. "What did you say?"

"We have defeated the Twikmoths?"

"No, before that?"

"Let it be known- in the year 751 N.F.?"

"What do you mean 751 N.F.?" Dante smirked confidently. "We're in the year—"

Dante's speech was halted again. "We are- in the- YEAR—"

Neritha laughed and said, "It's the year 751 N.F. already. Did you think it was still 751 N.F.?"

[You have defeated a Twikmoth! 10/10 Twikmoths have been hunted]

"Wait! No! No!" Dante panicked because he knew the Pilgrimage was ending. "Neritha! I'm going now!"

"Lord Juan? What's happening?"

[Congratulations on Completing your first Pilgrimage!]

"It's time for me to go, Neritha!" Dante hugged Neritha because he knew it would be the last time he would see her.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Will I ever see you again, Lord Juan?"

"I promise we will meet-"

[Soul Uploading Commenced]

The wooden homunculus fell lifeless on the ground. And Neritha was left behind, crying as she embraced what was an empty shell that Dante had been using to save the village.

[100% Soul Upload Complete]

[Returning Bilocator to Soul Anchor Point]

Dante opens his eyes and he is still lying on the bed as Marvia enters the room.

"Dante, what are you doing?" Marvia asks with arms crossed.

"Ummm… You were teaching me about the Bilocation Mode?"

Marvia pauses and contemplates the situation. She then sits down on the bed and whispers to Dante.

"I'm just kidding," she then giggles. "How long was it?"

"It lasted for about two days. It was exhausting," he complains. "I feel like I just woke up from a dream."

"That's because you did wake up from a dream. And for us here, it wasn't two days. It was just a few minutes."

"What?"

Dante runs outside and sees Lil Rig still going at the tree. And the weather was the same when he had left.

"Uhuh." He relents. "So that Pilgrimage? Was that real or just a dream?"

Marvia rubs her chin and says, "Well, it was real. The people there and the place. But you weren't. You were just in a dream state. Tell me- What was your Pilgrimage? What were you supposed to do?"

Dante looks at Marvia with confusion. And to his surprise, he could not recall any details from the Pilgrimage. "Well, there was this- Ummm- I was supposed to "

Just like waking up from a dream, Dante had no recollection of what had occurred during his Bilocation.

"It's just how Bilocation Mode works, Dante," Marvia says. "We're not supposed to remember anything, nor do they remember who we are. It's for our protection."

Dante then murmurs, "To avoid Time Paradoxes. That is kind of sad though, isn't it? The friends we've made, and the memories with them during those? It's all gone."

Marvia hugs her 5-year-old son and tells him, "Not everything is gone. Check your Scriptures. There should be something there."

Dante checks his screen and sees a new icon blinking.

[Rewards !!! ]

He opens it and a pop-up appears.

[Congratulations on completing your first Bilocation!]

[You have received:

100+ Piety: 100/1000 till next Ascendance

Neritha's Amulet: Relic Ownership Transferred

Friendship Forged: Enhances Descendancy Dialogue and Collaboration

The Secret of the Crop: READ! ]

[BONUS Reward! For your first Pilgrimage, you have received 777 Divine Merits!]

[777+ Divine Merits Received]

[Divine Merits can be used to upgrade Graces such as Charisms, Blessings, Invocations]

"What's all this? So these are the Divine Merits and rewards that everyone has been talking about. And Neritha's Amulet?" Dante mumbles. "Where is it? I don't see any amulet."

Marvia smiles and rubs his hair, "That's because you have to go get it yourself and find your treasure."

Dante looked at the flashing 'READ!' on his screen and opened it. And inside was his reward for his successful pilgrimage.

[To the Wanderer,

I thank the Holy System for sending you in our time of need. This is all I can offer, but I hope it will be a worthy reward. My uncle told me that Twikmoth's wings spread special dust on crops that promote their healthy growth. It's a secret that I would like to share only with you. I hope we meet again someday. ]

Marvia wiped the tears that were falling from Dante's eyes. Even though he did not know why he was crying, he rubbed his eyes and felt embarrassed.

"I don't know what all this means," he says, "But I'll treasure it. There is no reason. I just will."

Dante then stood up and said, "I'm going out for a while with Lil Rig. No need to wait for us, Mom."

He leaves and closes the door behind him. And Marvia is happy that whatever changed with Dante during his Pilgrimage was good for him.

Lil Rig saw Dante leave the house, and without any hesitation followed him out to the streets of the Capital city of Raquille.

Dante looked over his shoulder and saw Lil Rig following him closely with his iron sword in hand. He kept walking.

"Lil Rig. We have to hurry or Ravka's ship will leave for Jeddah soon!"