"So, what happens now? The city's destroyed, almost nothing's left of it but rubble. The people have nowhere to live in except the chapel and those buildings that are still barely standing. I doubt you'd take this lying down, Marco."

"Well this is certainly odd. Larrus taking an interest in what I might do. This might The a good sign to come. But jesting aside, I don't plan to leave things as is. After all, Nelson had asked me to govern in his stead, seeing as he was heroically wounded after fighting off a monster last night. That means I have an obligation to get the city back on its feet, whatever the cost may be. But you, I'm more curious as to what you will do now."

"Who knows. Can't really decide myself. Our place as nearly destroyed, but luckily most of our stuff is still there. Maybe I'll ask Cecil what she wants to go."

"So you're leaving?"

"Sounds selfish, but I don't really have an obligation like you do. I'm no hero, nor do I want to be. The reason I barely take jobs is because of that. And the mission you sent me and your guild members on just proves that much more."

"You're right. You don't have to do anything at all, but do you really mean that?"

"What are you getting at now?"

"I know you well. After all, we've traveled far and wide with each other, becoming brothers and sisters along the way, so of course I'd know you. Deep inside you, there's an intention to want to put an end to this. All you need is a motivation, or a reason."

"And it all ends up the same way. I've learned my lesson, Marco. You saw what it made me. I was lucky enough to still be sane by the end. I'll think about it. Don't think too badly of me. I'm just human after all. But somehow, you look at me like something above that."

Larrus stood from the crate that he was sitting in, walking towards a specific direction to where their home stood, leaving Marco to himself.

"Still so stubborn. Yet you have good intentions, that much I can't deny. No matter how hard you deny it, your actions makes you into it, quite ironically. What you've been trying to run from keeps chasing you. *sigh* but first, let's figure out how to fix things around here," Marco lamented for a bit, looking at the mess around him and the dedicated citizens, those of which had done their best in doing as much as they could for each other.

"Sir Fairway, right? I hear you're the new governor," a stout, stoic man came up to him, his casual clothes are messy, tattered and worn, yet his face displayed perseverance and a calm mind.

"Yes. Please, call me Marco instead. Working with formalities is not my strong suit. What is it that you need, my friend?"

"I want to know if there's something you want done. There's a me and a few lads that are willing to get to work right away, just give us the orders."

Marco examined him as he spoke, smiling in consideration of the man's gracious offer.

"Well then, my first orders for you and the others are to rest. I will need you all at a later time. But for now, rest your bodies. You look worse than me, and that's already a bad sign. I'm the governor, trust that I will keep you,safe while I live."

"O-okay! If you say so, Sir- I mean, Marco. But please, call for us if you need us! We want to help the city!"

" I understand. Now go, follow my orders," he said with a smile, ushering the man away as he got to thinking about just how he will rebuild the city. 

"Cecil? Have you been here all this time?" he asked a familiar face who had been staring at the half wrecked house in front of her, looking longingly at it.

 "Oh, Larrus. I just got here. I was just remembering the times we spent here. I'm just a bit sad that it's destroyed."

"That so? You hungry?" he timidly said, trying to get her attention as he awkwardly scratched his head.

"A bit. But there's nothing to eat right now."

"Don't worry about it, come with me, I know a place we can get something fulfilling."

He led her towards the outskirts of the ruined city, heading for an open forest by a stream, teeming with green and fresh air, where the skies were blue and vast, as if it took their minds away from the tragedy of last night.

He made her sit on a spacious spot on the ground near a tree where the stream was beside it, flowing gently as it teeemd with a bit of life.

Equipped with his sword, he broke down a thin branch from a nearby tree, sharpening it, enough to be fashioned into a makeshift spear.

After that, he started a small fire where he begun cooking his catch of four fishes, sitting comfortably by the shade of the tree as they waited for it to cook.

"Cecil. What do you want to do now? I guess there's a lot of stuff out there, and I'm just not one to decide by myself since I have you with me."

"I want to help everyone. I've been thinking the whole night about this, but this revolution that's going around isn't helping anyone. It's only bringing pain and suffering to many. I want to put an end to that... so I was thinking of, you know, asking you if you would help me. I know I'm not the only one who wants that. Marco and everyone here in Zeal does as well," Cecil stared at Larrus strictly, pleading for him through her eyes.

"Ahh! Your making me guilty all of a sudden! Listen, Cecil. Whatever you want, it's dangerous, that much is a given after having seen and gone through so many things together. Marco asked me the same question, and now I'm stuck in the same predicament. I just can't decide the obvious."

"Larrus. What's holding you back? Is it... about that story you told me? The Larrus I used to know was always so straightforward and willing to help anyone in need, doing whatever he likes, not taking his word back, smiling and being carefree as he lived. But now, you've changed. And I refused to admit it seeing as how you were still the same person. Is there a chance that you'll be able to go back to your real self? You've been so full of doubts after that incident. I wasn't there, but it's not your fault," she started scolding him in her own caring way in a tame voice, saying what she had bottled up inside her, but with good intentions.

"I wonder where all this came from so suddenly?" he looked at her quizically as he took a bite on his meal.

"Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything bad from that! E-everything just came out all at once, and I couldn't help it. I'm sorry!" she said, lowering her head, genuinely regretful for her actions.

"Don't worry about it. I would've never known what you thought. You rarely speak your mind anyway, so this is a good change of pace. Change isn't that easy to come by, but I'll just have to do my best, right?" he ruffled her hair, smiling brightly at her.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Larrus... Thank you!"

"Sure, sure. Now eat. It's going to get cold."

Hours passed as the sun rose fully, and the relief effort went on as planned, organized by Marco and those that he assigned to help him divide the work through various means.

"Good. I'd like your team here where it's open. Report to me right away if you see something suspicious. Don't do anything rash. Next is the contruction team. I'd like you to work here, and only take what you can. Don't overexert. I've already assigned a guard team with you, and some magic users who can regulate the grow of the forest. Don't forget to plant the saplings afterwards. Lastly, the Medical Unit. How is the state of the injured so far? What else do we need?"

"A few rolls of bandages would be enough, but healers would do. Any food would be of great help as well, even to those of the elderly."

"Very well. Bernard! Will you call out these people that I've written. Ask them to go to the medic area after they've done their tasks. We are terribly short on healers and those who can properly use medical equipment, and medical equipment in general, so I want to make full use of those that are present. I'll find a way to reward them later."

Marco handled the various affairs of which he thought about merely a few hours ago, already finding many ways to get the city functioning temporarily, utilizing every available resource in his disposal, which was not a lot to begin with, seeing as how most of their important possessions had been burned by the fire and eaten by the monsters.

Many obeyed, not showing any signs of arguing and disagreeing with his orders, showing even more willingness and dedication than Marco could've have ever imagined in the first place.

"Uhm, Guild Master, how about us? What do we do?" asked Remuil along with his friends.

"Like I've said. Rest. I'll need you when you are all well-rested and fully prepared for anything that I might give you. I don't need to use a spell to see your constitution to tell that you and the others are still in bad shape. Now forgive me for I shall hae to decline your services. I will soon enough, but not now."

"I-I understand. But one last thing. Where are Larrus and Cecil? I haven't seen them since last night?" Claire asked

"Worried about them already? How envious I hve grown of your bonds which have been forged under a short period of time. He is out and about. Who knows where. There are times lately when he does that. He will return soon, I assure you."

"Thank you. Then we shall go now," Remuil and the others nodded, leaving with a downcast expression, knowing full well that what their Guild Master had said was the full truth, and that they were running ragged, having helped out much of last night, not getting any sleep at all.

"Guild Master. Pardon me for the disturbance, but I would like yo inquire of a certain someone named Larrus's location?" Rayleigh came up from behind Marco, having a few bandages rolled around her arms and legs, but otherwise looking fine enough to be walking.

"Well Isn't he the famous person. Even Rayleigh, the last person I could've ever thought. It's like a father seeing his daughter grow, ha ha!" Marco let out a teasing laugh, whereas she caught on fairly easily as to what he meant by that.

"It's not what you think it is! I came here finding him on Roland's behalf. What reason should I have for seeing him?!" she started acting flustered, trying her hardest to keep her dominant composure.

"I thought it was plainly obvious from my point of view. Plus I could read minds as well," said he with a stern face, cencelling out her erratic actions, followed by a surprised look.

"Was it truly that obvious?" she spoke in a low voice, unforseen for her personality and character, whispering even, acting as if she were a normal maiden.

"Truly I am surprised! I simply teased you about my mind reading since I thought that you were playing along, but I was mistaken. If he has made Rayleigh fall, then this must mean that he is coming back to his senses slowly but surely! This is an amazing development! I must tell you, Rayleigh, chase him and don't let this chance fade away, otherwise you'll be left alone forever. I've known you ever since you became a member of the guild, and I know very well that the chances of you finding someone to be with for life is nearly nonexistent."

Rayleigh simply looked at him with her deadpan expression, unable to believe that she had fallen into his lure, forcing her thoughts out which should have been kept inside her locked up consciousness, only to be known by her and only her. But now the scales have been tipped.

*Ahem* "Please forget what you have heard before I resort to using a mind wipe spell which I have been training with. I believe that my title of prodigy isn't simply for show," sternly she said, inciting a bit of anger as well, emitted to Marco with hostile intent.

"Hmm? What do you mean? I don't recall you ever saying anything."

"Good. Now enough fooling around, Guild Master. Where is he?"

"I don't know myself. He should be roaming the outskirts if my guess is correct. That is just how he is sometimes."

"Very well, then I shall search for him on my own. Farewell and good luck with the endeavors. I shall help more once I return," Rayleigh fluttered her cape, turning away from Marco, and heading to the outskirts of the city.

"Marco, what happened to her? She looked really angry, and terrifying," Bernard came up timidly, holding a few parchments and papers in his hands.

"Nothing too serious. Just a refined woman going through her phase. What did you need anyway?"

"Oh, I just wanted to know what you're planning for the city. Nelson's still recovering, and now you're incharge of the whole operation. Won't this be too overwhleming for you?"

"Nothing is too overwhelming for me. All challenges are simply tasks once I become serious. So no need to fret, Bernard. Everything is under control. But as for the plans, I've decided to start with the economy. Well, it's down the river at this point, but I've assigned skilled people from our guild to act as caravan guards to nearby merchants. Then we'll use the money to buy food from Farron's territory. I've divided how it will go, so let's see how it'll unfold."

"S-sure, if you insist."

"So, the first thing on the list should be investigating this whole thing. I don't really know anything about this revolution, but it'll at least give us a clue on where to begin."

"How do we do that? We don't have any equipment to use, plus we don't really know where to begin."

"We'll have to go journeying for a bit. I know some cities out there still offer a lot of jobs. Let's save up for a bit, then buy what we need. Then, let's investigate. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me. What do you think, Cecil?"

"It's missing something here and there, but I think it'll work, after all, you thought it up. I don't honk you've ever failed to do something you've decided on."

"Alright! Let's go right now!" he stood up, pumping his fist into the air with an exhilarating face that is as refreshing as the cold morning wind upon the plains.

"Right now?! Shouldn't we help the city, or tell Marco that we're leaving? Or shouldn't we prepare something at least?!" Cecil protested at his sudden recklessness, waving her hands at him in objection.

"There's nothing to prepare, remember? We'll make up what we're missing on the road.  C'mon, there's no time to lose," Larrus started walking off, leaving Cecil in his pace.

"W-wait for me, Larrus!" she stumbled forward, but regained her balance, trotting of beside him.

Exiting the nearby forest, they saw the vast expanse of land filled with green and blue, and beyond that are the view of the mountains that reach the sky, piercing the clouds.

"Ahh! This is what I love seeing! It's starting to make me tear up."

As they stared at the view in front of them, a voice called out to Larrus from behind, making him stop and turn.

"Larrus, correct? My name is Rayleigh, one of the three that you saved last night. Do you remember?" her long skirt fluttered with the wind along with with her tunic and hair, emphasizing her charms rather effectively, more so as she wore spectacles that used the ante.

" Oh, its you. Yeah, I remember you. Don't think it's that easy to forget your face after what happened. Need something from me?"

"I simply wanted to thank you for saving me and my companions. Without you we might have gone early."

"You're pretty sophisticated aren't you? Well, thanks. I'm just glad I got back in time. Are you alright now? You look like you're still recovering."

"Oh, if you're referring to these bandages, I have no need for them. I can say that I have recovered considerably from my injuries. Besides, it's nothing compared to those other two. They still lie in bed as we speak. And speaking of those two, they both wanted to see and thank you as well, yet could not, seeing their state."

"The hyperactive and irritated types are the ones that never sit down in one place. I bet he's trying to stand upright now. Well, if that's everything, we have to go do something."

"What is that exactly?"

"Just a long errand. Tell Marco and the others that we'll be back in no time. See you!" he smiled brightly at her, running as fast as the wind, making Cecil run her hardest in order to catch up to him.

Before she could realize, he was already far away from her, making her realize one thing that lingered within her mind.

"I missed my chance... Wait! What am I saying?!" her Guild master's words echoed, resulting in her to overthink at the last second, making her freeze up, unable to reply at the spur of the moment.