It took her two days to heal after Grace administered her wound. Much to her relief—the pain subsided and the wounds closed first—then the inner healing began. It was to seal off any infection she might contract from the environment. Grace also seemed happy about it.

It was the first time she had healed such a large wound with passive regeneration, and it was a wonder. There was only a simple issue. Exhaustion.

By the time her shoulder and leg healed, Aeryth couldn't lift a finger. She should've expected such aftermath from the wounds, but, according to Grace, because Aeryth was not used to the feeling of mana exhaustion, she perceived it as physical exhaustion. It was not the case, of course. The ambient mana she passively absorbed, as every human did, was also used in regeneration.

She had been allowed to her room, the one she had spent two weeks for her initial recovery after that night. The church was not generous enough to allow such facility to everyone, but she was associated with Light, a darling of the church.

Aeryth also learned something interesting. Light had no ties with the church whatsoever, except for the healing service she performed out of kindness.

The church had one permanent healer, Priest Herbert. Except for him, most healers in this place were wandering travelers affiliated with a church and provided healing services in return for shelter and information. This saving allowed the church to be sustainable without reliance on the funds of noble families, though many donated out of generosity.

Aeryth had many questions. First, what the priest had said. Her body rejected healing magic because it deemed it inferior to what she possessed. If so, wasn't she doomed if she sustained a critical wound that required immediate healing?

It was something to worry about for the immediate future if she were to get into more fights. She had no such intention. The world didn't move in accordance with her end, so what she wished didn't matter. And that sight, while not as horrifying as the death parade, burned in her mind. Replayed hundreds of times over.

The sight of the half-burned man as he clawed the ward. His greed was his own undoing. But, it bared her a sight of humanity she had been sheltered from by her family. At this point, she couldn't see a difference between a real knight and an undeath knight, except one of them couldn't find solace.

Aeryth shook her head. It didn't matter anymore. I will leave this place and find a secluded place away from humans, to live my life without worries.

Beside the window, the lance lay, wrapped in white cloth. It sealed off the emitting power, but such a thing was unnecessary.

She had asked Grace if she had to pay for this protection. It was the best protection in the city, after all.

"As long as you can get here, at the house of Ella, you've paid the price, for without her blessing, one can never climb this insurmountable hill that you just did."

Or, in simple words, no. Aeryth didn't owe them any money. It was a relief to hear. But it raised the question. Why was the church so much better than the law-bending bastard noble, who was supposed to make the laws and govern the city? Sera informed her of Gingy, the assassin of the Regisrath Clan, who ruled the fourth district.

Finlay and Advisor were an unknown entity that Sera adamantly contended were here on Divine Author's call.

Is this the outcome they wanted?

Aeryth had asked. Sera sounded unsure, though she didn't believe it was. Perhaps, the small riot in the city, the clash between the knights and civillian mobs was what they truly desired, and this lance was insignificant to their ends.

Sera left after being healed. It had been two days since.

Aeryth wondered if everything was all right.

It was remarkably unlike for Sera to vanish for this long. Aeryth couldn't believe she had met Sera only a week ago, and these two days were the longest she had not seen her since.

"I will return once we have made preparations to keep this in our mansion. This is a big deal—anywhere but the church is not a neutral ground. So, right now, taking it to the mansion will start a war between noble houses. Don't give me that look! I am very well-versed in the complexities of power, I'll have you know. Anyway, I'll be back by evening. You'll probably also have to stay in the HeartGold Mansion, or, perhaps, you can return to the quarters to live a normal life. Only Lady Sia can decide that, though, not us. Sorry."

At this point, she was starting to worry that Sera might have met a misfortune. Everyone in the city saw her.

Don't think stupid things. Sera is strong enough to fight her way back here if necessary.

Aeryth sighed. She had exponentially underestimated Sera's true strength. The flames were not a novice mage's doing. The entire lane had melted, stone and building alike. It was being repaired. Aeryth didn't know if she owed someone for destruction.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," She said. Again, her heart raced in anticipation. Was it news about Sera? Her hand clenched on the sheet at that thought.

"Aeryth," Grace peeked inside. "Someone from House of Hearth has come to see you. Will you meet them here or in the main hall?"

"I'll meet them here," Aeryth wondered if that was the right choice.

"Okay," Grace smiled. "As long as you're inside the church, no one can harm you. Relax. You're safe."

Her father used to say the same about the sacred ground. As long as we are under the shade of Sage Tree, no evil can hurt us.

She smiled back still. Grace left.

Aeryth waited, consoling herself it was not news about Sera. That Sera just forgot or was busy with something else. Another knock on the door.

Aeryth put on Sera's mask. "Come in."

The knob twisted. A man walked in. He was young, perhaps older than Sera, definitely older than her. Tall with an earring hanging off of his left ear. The earring had a slip printed with a rune on it—a black background with a red rune.

His slit gaze met her dull lightless eyes. He waved with a plastic smile. "Hello, Miss Aeryth. I am Gu Yuan."

"Hello," Aeryth uttered, awkwardly waving back at him. They both stared at each other for a moment.

He cleared his throat, entering the room completely. "Sera is busy with a different matter. I have been tasked with assisting you concerning the acquisition of the lightning bone marrow."

Aeryth let out a sigh, knitting her brow. "Sorry, I thought you were here for this lance?"

"About that. It is to be sent to the HeartGold Mansion by the hand of another escort, Cinder. He awaits us outside of the church group."

"Is auction today?" Aeryth asked, or had that already happened? She wondered since he was here to get her something worth a hundred thousand jade.

"It is not. We have no time frame, as of yet, concerning the auction. It is in talks, but the worth of a lance of this rarity is beyond what Lesterforge deals with in day-to-day trade. Hence, the delay. In the meantime, Lady Sia has arranged an advance to buy things that you require upon Sera's request. It will be duly deducted from the final proceedings of the auction, so it is not a favor. Sera said to say it if you refuse."

Aeryth lowered her head slightly. She looked at the lance.

The advance is fine. She told herself. "I am grateful for her generosity." She slipped off the bed. It took a moment to balance herself.

Light didn't come; I am leaving this place. She'll never return probably.

A part of her had dearly wished that Light would visit her since she was injured and no one else could heal her. In hindsight, it seemed stupid. Why would Light care if she was injured or not?

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Perhaps she's gone forever.

It's a good thing. Soon, I'll forget about her.

Aeryth picked up the lance. At her exhausted step, it proved to be heavier. "Let's go."

"I can help."

"I am fine," Aeryth said. Stepping aside from his extended hand. "I have already carried it here. Walking a little further is of no concern."

He nodded silently. He opened the door for her.

They walked out in silence, and her gaze met Grace. "Are you leaving?"

"She'll return once a few minor matters are taken care of," Gu Yuan answered in her stead.

"Why would I return?" Aeryth asked. The lance was going away. Why would she still occupy the church's limited hospitality?

He turned his gaze at Aeryth. "Light had left a note in the care of Lady Sia for you."

"What?" Aeryth's heart soared in a way it should not. "I didn't know..."

"It is nothing personal," his words were like a knife to her thumping heart. She nodded.

"Light stated once you get a hold of Lightning Bone Marrow and decide to complete your awakening, it should be on the church grounds, and the head priest should be present. You can ask Priest Herbert for further information."

Aeryth nodded. "I see. She didn't tell me anything."

Aeryth's hand clenched on the pole. Why couldn't Light talk to her directly?

I will bash her head with this lance if I ever see her again. But that might hurt her, so she decided not to. Would bashed Light still be Light?

"I am not aware of the reason. We shall proceed."

Aeryth didn't object, and after bidding a bye to Grace, she followed behind Gu Yuan.

Aeryth put on the mask as they stepped out of the church.

At the foot, there was a carriage parked. A knight stood, clad in black armor. Aeryth's step came to a halt as she looked at him. He was not a death knight. She told herself. It was still hard to believe. But he had to be a human. He stood calmly, staring far into the void.

Upon hearing their steps, he turned. He was taller than her. A crimson decorative high ponytail flared from his helmet, matching the red cape that broomed the ground. Far more tall than any human she had ever met. If he was bulkier, he would've looked exactly like the death knight who killed her.

They are not the same. He's a human.

Aeryth's brow twisted.

Is he a human?

Somehow he felt different than Sera or Gu Yuan beside her. Not an Undead, yet barely alive.

Stop it. It does not matter anymore. No, it does. I will avenge my village.

"Cinder. The lance will be in your care." Gu Yuan said.

The knight moved. The metal clacked and groaned as he did. Elegant and smooth, he walked to this side of the pavement, and yet, Aeryth felt her heart hammer in her chest.

He looked down at her and then at the lance. Extended his hand.

Don't give it to him. He'll run away with it. A voice in her mind said, distrustful.

No, he has come all the way here just to help me get off this burden. Without them, it's nothing more than a reason for my doom. An execution sentence. Without them, I would not be alive. I will trust them.

She suppressed the voice in her mind. Distrust came naturally, even more so in the presence of a black armor knight. She couldn't live like that. She held out the lance. He clasped his metallic, claw-like finger around it and took it from her hand.

After a nod, he turned. A horse manifested beside him. Tall and mighty, covered in armor and robe. He climbed up and dashed away.

Her lance was gone. And she had no way of knowing if that was the right decision.

Maybe, Gu Yuan would kill her and throw her in some alley now. Maybe, he was not part of the house of hearth at all. But, someone who captured Sera and learned everything about the situation.

She looked at his emotionless eyes. He didn't look particularly excited about the idea of killing her, perhaps, he was used to the work.

"The Carriage is not allowed into the church's ground."

Aeryth nodded.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck! That hurts!" Finlay screamed.

"Put on some clothes, will you?" Advisor grumbled.

"You heartless piece of shit, I am dying from pain, and that's all you're concerned about?"

"Who said take the brunt of a mythical class weapon on your thighs?" Advisor scoffed, staring at the purple flesh. "Even refused to accept that priest's healing."

"What else can I do? If you were in my situation, your knees would've shattered." Finlay complained.

"I don't know... maybe, use that weird magic power of yours. I am pretty sure that girl couldn't use magic, or it was a secret so big that she was willing to die and lose her treasure before using it."

"Fuck me, I will not use my super awesome magic on a girl who didn't even have mana senses or basic principles of magic, that's just lame and boring," Finlay fell on her back, hissing as the pain of her back hurt.

"And yet, you were beaten blue and black by the same," Advisor loosened on his chair. "Why the fuck did we make that trip and spent four days waiting, if you had no intention of seriously pursuing it?"

"Ruyi..." Finlay groaned. "You understand me, right? It feels wrong to use skills against someone who cannot. Just plain wrong."

"I don't," Ruyi uttered calmly. Advisor looked at her with a frown. "I fail to make head or tail of your actions, Finlay. Why did you leave the tower? Had I not asked you to guard this place? You failed. Fortunately, not trusting you was the right call. A mythical weapon is something that even I would not pass on," Ruyi patted the katana beside her. "Yet, you decided you will handicap yourself. Do your actions have a semblance of cohesion? Nevertheless, they all twine into an expression—Fool."

"Ruyi..." Finlay groaned. "Stop accusing me, I could've sworn that girl was as young as you."

That got the Advisor's attention. He smirked, "So, dear Finlay had her asses handed by a fifteen-year-old again. Is that your thing now? Holding back against little girls and let them beat the shit out of you?"

"Take that back, you bastard! Why didn't you shoot her even after I allowed you to? And I didn't let her beat the shit out of me. I lost a fair game because she somehow a was monster in close combat. Like who the fuck uses an injured shoulder to haul someone. And I could've sworn that momentary explosive strength was unnatural as fuck."

Advisor shook his head. "I was going to. Unlike you, I have no qualms about killing people as long as there's an incentive. But that pyromancer was bad news. She's stronger than me, and her idiosyncrasy—" he sighed, "I glanced at it once, and only managed to understand one thing, that shit makes no fucking sense."

"So, you didn't understand horseshit," Finlay said. "I wonder what that girl's power is. Once she learns them, it'd be fun to fight."

Ruyi clanked her sword twice on the wooden desk to get their attention. "Regardless, it's in the past. Today, the lance has securely reached HeartGold mansion. The chapter is finished, though it begs the question, what did the Seers seek?"

Finlay's entire body shook. Ruyi hated Seers from her heart, a hatred so bloody that Finlay could taste it in the air. "Are you suggesting we go on a heist in The HeartGold Mansion?"

"No, I am reminding you that you've messed up your one chance. No more sneaking out of the tower. No more fighting strangers for fun." Her hand clenched on the sheath, "I have not come this far to play games. Our focus is Duskwoods and Duskwoods alone. Any more distraction," She pointed the sheathed blade at Finlay's nose, "I'll cut you off."

Finlay scooted to Ruyi's side, "Calm down, you big frowning baby," she cooed, gently massaging Ruyi's shoulder. "Noe will be fine. I am as worried as you are. But, there's nothing we can do."

"If you were really worried," Ruyi's face turned to her. Abyssal eyes filled with anger. "You wouldn't be playing around like we are on a holiday."

Finlay gulped. "Easy, easy. You're going to give me heart with those scary glares. I mean, letting our skills rust, waiting here is bad. There's a realm traveling commission in the forge, we got some juicy information in return," Finlay turned to Advisor, "Why won't you say anything!"

"I was dragged by you. I am as much a victim as she is," he replied.

Bastard! He's probably enjoying this. Just you wait, I will show you piece of ratass.

"What I am trying to say, if the search is taking so long, we can place another quest for information in the Duskswood," Finlay paused. "What if that thing already moved on from there."

"It has not," Ruyi shook her head. She pulled out the pendant, "If he leaves Duskwoods, I'll feel Noe's presence again."

Finlay nodded, "Then, we can only wait. Should I put another quest in RTC?"

Ruyi shook her head. "A cheap search will only lead the weaker traveler to their demise. I no longer have money. Hiring a ranked traveler is beyond our means. If I don't get a confirmation by the end of the week, I'll go alone."

Finlay's jerked up in shock, slipped and fell on her butt. "Ouch. That hurts," She stood again, hissing in pain, and looked seriously into Ruyi's eyes. "You will not. I am not allowing you to enter that place alone, Ruyi."

"She's right. We are not allowing you to venture inside alone," Advisor said. "We will come along."

Finlay shot him a glare. Bad assist! We are going to die along with her if that happens.

"I guess that's our only option," Finlay sighed. I hope we get something from them.

"Now, I am starting to regret not stealing the lance." Finlay sighed. " I am stupid."

"You made the right call. It would only bring us trouble. We don't have the energy to spare for noble clans of the forge and their army. Neither do I desire to fight them."

"Won't he help?" Advisor suggested.

"Oh, he would," Ruyi looked at him. "By ending our misery."

Finlay stepped away and hissed as the muscle contracted in her thigh. "We need a healer."

"They are very sparse in this part of the world. You will need to visit Church," Ruyi said. "Why did you let her hit you."

"I was just trying to gauge her strength." Finlay felt heat creeping up on her face, as Ruyi let out a suffering sigh.

Ruyi said nothing. "I watched her. And she's weak. If slightly stronger than an average unblessed human."

"If that's true, then I must be pretty weak myself."

"But that burst of explosive strength that she managed to peak for a microsecond was unnatural. Her constitution is akin to a beast, rather than human."

"Hey, what does that mean? I thought the constitution was shit like how often you get ever or resist

Ruyi nodded. "That's the traditional explanation. If I am being bold, someone with a constitution higher than you, but a strength slightly lower will always prevail unless magic is involved. The constitution allows you to draw out your fullest potential. Constitution is one of the complex attributes. It affects your overall capacity to take a hit, how fast you recover from that, and the burst of explosive strength, or in other words capacity to use more stamina than you will use otherwise."

Finlay sighed. "I guess... I am stupid."

"Still, it's not too late, focus on your constitution for a few months, and it should be fine. So should you, Advisor." Ruyi monotonously spoke. The information that unavailable to street bums like Finlay.

Ruyi looked out of the window, lost in her own thoughts as she spoke.

"Are you still worried about Noe?" Advisor asked.

"No." A lie, Finlay could smell it. Yet, she had nothing to soothe her concerns. "Your injuries are not the ones that will heal on their own. I will seek out a healer in the forge."

"You don't have to."

"Letting a wound simmer is foolish, and as you've said, I have nothing better to do." Ruyi opened the glass window and hung her leg over the vast expanse below.

"Why don't you train?" Fiilay suggested. She had a feeling that Ruyin was not in a good mood, and her bad mood meant death and darkness. For monsters on a good day.

Ruyin looked at her.

Yeah. It's late now. Finlay said in her mind.