The spirits of the villagers howled wildly and worsened. “They’re probably upset that the Count managed to ascend in the spirit garden while they’ve been stuck here for years. Is there really no other way?” Asked Charmy.

“Hmm… I might know someone who can fix this problem, but I can’t guarantee that—“

Sounds of galloping horses interrupted the tumultuous sounds of the haunted village. An order of paladins arrived at the scene, including Alasdair and Zathrian. They also brought a cleric with them. Seeing them both in good condition has put my mind at ease. Especially Zathrian. He’s here. Breathing. Alive. Not in any other form, but as himself.

Our eyes immediately met. “Lili—“ but he stopped in his tracks when he saw I was with someone. He was probably as worried as my brother. He made an order to bring me to safety only to find me in a place like this with a stranger.

Alasdair climbed down his horse. “I gathered my men when we were informed that the Chosen Maiden left with a foreigner on the way to the Goulcrest Forest. What are you doing here and who is this guy?” He pulled out his claymore.

Threatened, Maximilian blocked me with his body and pulled out his claymore as well. “Lili, stay behind me.”

Even Zathrian unsheathed his sword. He already looked exhausted after battling against the Forsaken Order, but it seemed he was still ready for more. He looked at Maximilian the way he did when he was slaughtering the Forsakers.

“Max, no—he’s my brother,” I said in a panic. “Please put down your weapons! I’m with the hero who defeated Diabolos Apocalypsis! Did no one tell you that? We went here to track down the man under Astaroth’s possession, and he’s already dead.”

Charmy floated beside me. “Lili’s right! The citizens were so happy when Max won against the demon god! So I don’t get why you want to hurt us!” She exclaimed.

Alasdair remained with a stoic face. “Hero or not, we don’t know his real intentions. The members of the Forsaken Order have been rampant in the kingdom lately, and today they summoned a demon god to terrorize the capital. We only want to make sure we’re putting our trust in the right people.”

“Then please trust me with my words, brother. Aren’t I the one who saved Prince Zathrian from a forsaker over a month ago?”

The paladins agreed. Alasdair thought about it for a moment before raising his hand. “Alright, put down your weapons. We’ll return to the capital after we retrieve the body. This village is dangerous. Where is it located?”

“There’s no need. We’ll be finished by dawn if we retrieve the body where we found it. So we decided just to take his important belongings to be sent to his family.” Me and Maximilian shared a meaningful look. We can’t tell them that the domain has magically disappeared, together with everything inside it.

“I’ll get her,” Zathrian announced out of the blue. He walked towards us holding his sword.

“Tough-looking guy. That’s him, isn’t he? The guy you were dancing with.” Asked Maximilian.

“Right. He’s Prince Zathrian of Valencourt.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“A prince, huh?”

Zathrian stopped in front of us. I’ve never seen him this serious since I got him mad in the tavern the first time we met. He pulled me to his side without breaking his gaze from Maximilian.

“Let’s go, Lilivienne.” I could only look back at Maximilian and Charmy as we walked ahead of them to where Alasdair stood.

“I guess I’ll treat you next time then?” Maximilian kept talking behind me.

“For sure.”

Zathrian stopped in his tracks before turning to us with a sinister look. Charmy hid behind Maximilian’s shoulders, terrified by his emanating aura. I could only sigh. I know I did something wrong and he was tired from fighting, but why was he acting so weirdly?

“When is the next date?” He suddenly asked.

“What date, Your Highness?” I had to repeat his question.

“Isn’t this the first?” He smirked, full of mockery. What is he trying to pull?

“Pardon?”

“I see. It doesn’t look like a date anyway. This place looks dead for such an occasion. Your chemistry fits more for a funeral.”

“I’m really sorry about him, Max.” I couldn’t imagine what my face looked like upon hearing what he said, but I knew I was red as a tomato. I glared at the back of his head. “Can you stop being annoying?” I hissed. He didn’t spare me a glance.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

“This is…!” I handed Count Gaston’s belongings to Alasdair—his hat and handkerchief—including the black jade necklace. “How are we going to tell Father…”

“Wait! But what about the spirits stuck in here?” Asked Charmy as we were preparing to leave. Maximilian was untying the bubotabbies from the fences. “Can the cleric do something about it?”

“No, she can’t. Putting this village to rest is not part of our objective for now. Not today.” Alasdair answered, tucking the belongings into his saddlebag.

“Oh, right! As I was saying, I think I know someone who can help us. Though, I’m not confident with her skills yet. After all, we only shared a boat on the way here.”

“We totally forgot about her! Didn’t we agree to return to our original meeting spot after defeating the demon god? Do you think she’s still waiting for us?”

My heart dropped to my stomach. They were talking about Runathea, the girl they accompanied to Evermore. In Remembering World, Maximilian agrees to meet her on a street near the plaza once he defeats Diabolos Apocalypsis so they can tour Regalopolis together. But that night, Maximilian was escorted to the palace as the king was expecting his arrival. After receiving a plentiful reward for his heroic act, he returned to the street where he agreed to meet Runathea but she wasn’t there anymore. When he returned to the inn, the innkeeper handed him a letter from Runathea where she talked about going on her own journey. This part of the story raised some thoughts from the players, claiming it mirrors the backstory between her and Zathrian.

“I don’t think so. She followed us here. But why didn’t she show herself?” Maximilian scratched his head as he glanced at me. “I guess she’s shy around another girl.”

She followed us? Why? This wasn’t part of the original story. She was supposed to wait for Maximilian on that street.

Zathrian blocked my view with a grumpy expression. “Get on the horse. Now.”

“What are you on about?” I looked at Alasdair for help, but he was busy talking to the paladins.

“She did?” The two kept on talking.

“She was hiding in the church, Charmy. You didn’t see? Look! I guess she’s still here.”

Everyone looked at the church of the Goulcrest Village. A young woman with silver hair in an olive green dress could be seen standing in the middle of the church holding a wooden staff in hand. She was whispering a chant to herself as flowers would bloom on her feet. My eyes immediately turned to observe Zathrian’s reaction. As expected, he was already looking at her with utter disbelief. “Runa…”

“There she is, Runathea. Careless as ever.” Maximilian pulled out his claymore once again. “It’ll be nice if the paladins can lend us a hand, won't they?”

Zathrian dropped my hand.

Without looking back, he walked towards the church. I watched him forget my existence despite being worried sick about me this whole time. I guess I may have changed something in the story but I cannot change what his heart truly desires. It was probably one of the things I truly cannot defy in this world.

Alasdair and the paladins prepared their weapons to engage. Even though there was some unexplainable ache in my heart, I have to think right in this situation if I want this village saved.

“Please help them. Protect the girl at all costs.”