As they entered the lord's hall once again, their eyes fell upon Chieftain Qunaria and Altheack, who were seated in the same positions as before. Altheack's expression held a mixture of relief and guilt, emotions playing across her features.

"It's not normal for her to sit on her ass," Mike's bitter comment punctuated the scene.

Sophia's gaze softened, and she added with a hint of sorrow, "You know how hard it was for us to lose mom... both of them." She continued ,”We can't be too hard on her. So, let me do the talking, okay?" Sophia negotiated with Mike, seeking compassion.

"If you can get her out of this mess, I'll leave it to you," Mike relented, a rare show of support for Altheack.

Chieftain Qunaria, bore a stern expression, though a subtle shift in her demeanor hinted at something different. "Your actions have demonstrated you are more than mere words, you have saved Eldoria. While your deeds have been tainted by darkness, my daughter has attempted to persuade me that there is a chance for redemption," she stated, her tone carrying a weight of consideration. Her gaze flickered towards Altheack, before cutting back to the armorless Valicar. As Chieftain Qunaria spoke, a sudden and overwhelming sensation washed over Valicar, causing them to clutch their stomach in distress. Their vision blurred, and dizziness swept over them. "For the sake of my city, however, I cannot condone necromancy. It is an unforgivable crime against the gods. You remind me too much of that human your Uncle Valicar kept around, James... that wretched warlock," The chieftain's words seemed to take on a sinister meaning as Valicar's condition rapidly worsened. Unbeknownst to them, the poison had been cunningly introduced into their meal. With a sickening lurch, Valicar collapsed to the floor, wracked with pain.

"James," they both recognized the name immediately. However, in the chaos that followed, two A-rank adventurers, who had been suspiciously absent during the previous battle, swiftly moved to capitalize on Valicar's vulnerability. The special guards, typically tasked with protecting the royal family, were now poised to end Valicar's life.

"Fucking knew we couldn't trust them," Mike's voice boomed with rage, his aura radiating fury. Drawing upon the immense power of his Dominic pact, he channeled his abilities to counteract the poison coursing through Valicar's veins as onlookers stared in shock.

"Lasdu" Sophia began to chant, her magic unraveling the toxic effects of the poison as she purified Valicar's system of the rest of the toxins.

While the danger to Valicar was abated, the situation took a dire turn. "You are too dangerous to be kept alive, let alone leave my daughter in your company," Chieftain Qunaria's declaration carried a chilling finality. Valicar, now on their feet and determined to confront the adventurers, was met with Altheack's swift response. In an instant, Altheack left her mother's side transforming and standing before Valicar, a protective shield between them and the approaching threats.

Without hesitation, she used her formidable nature magic to launch a massive owl bear's paw at one of the adventurers, sending him hurtling through the air. The second adventurer quickly retreated, reassessing the situation. "Val, are you okay?" concern colored Altheack's voice as she checked her friend's well-being.

"I'll be fine, especially now that you're away from her," Mike's words were edged with anger as he glared at Chieftain Qunaria with unabashed fury.

"Altheack, you must choose! This human has committed a cardinal sin not just among our people, but among all civilized races. She must be part of Death Tooth to practice such dark magic. Who else would have more to gain from the fall of the Northern Pillar if not that dreaded cult? You must choose between her or your people!" Chieftain Qunaria's authoritative voice reverberated through the hall, an ultimatum that hung heavily in the air. Altheack's internal struggle was evident, torn between loyalty to her friend and her responsibility towards her people, a conflict that spanned years.

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But Altheack's resolve was unwavering. "She... They are good people. The choice was made the day you abandoned me," she responded with a fire in her eyes, a mixture of determination and hurt. With a swift, purposeful motion, she transformed into something new: a griffin. "Ikasbalu!" she chanted, her limbs spreading and growing fur and feathers alike, taking a resolute stance alongside Valicar.

Amidst the growing fear in the guards' eyes, they remained resolute, continuing their advance alongside the A-rank adventurers. But then, a piercing scream shattered the tension, followed by a victorious roar. Gorlion had finally appeared, his sword impaling both the throne and Chieftain Qunaria in a single, devastating strike. "I, The Indomitable Hero of the East, declare your reign over! In the name of the Adventure Guild, I grant Valicar the rank of S-class and declare her The Hero of Eldoria. As a member of my party, I cannot tolerate such betrayal, Qunaria," his voice resounded with finality as he withdrew his sword, Qunaria's lifeless body falling to the ground. Her guards, who had moments ago been poised to attack, were now second-guessing themselves in the face of the man who had saved their city and had an army of orcs amassed outside their walls.

Gorlion's presence was undeniable, the city's de facto leader in all but name. Yet, this didn't prevent Altheack from releasing a piercing cry as she lunged toward her mother's murderer. With a firm, unyielding hand, Gorlion intercepted Altheack, a massive fist made of rock sending her reeling away from the fray.

"What have you done!"Sophia called out in shock and outrage.

"What the fuck?!" Mike confused grappled with conflicting emotions as the woman he had despised met her end, while the woman he cared for was left unconscious. He readied himself for battle, torn by the situation.

"Peace, Valicar! Altheack will understand and take her rightful place when she awakes. I genuinely wished this could have ended differently, but fate had other plans. The innocent lives she could put in danger outweighed her own." Gorlion said raising his hands in a sign of surrender. "In any case, welcome to the party. My last group was disbanded, so it seems we'll need a new name," Gorlion declared continuing, waving to the stunned audience and guards, urging them to disperse. The room was filled with shock, yet compliance followed. Even the cleaning staff moved in to attend to the body and blood, a silent testament to who truly controlled the city.

"Your concern is for a name... after killing her in cold blood like that?" Sophia's voice dripped with disgust, deeply troubled by Gorlion's cavalier attitude towards such a grave and violent act.

Gorlion raised an eyebrow, his expression strangely composed amidst the chaos and outrage. "You shouldn't be so quick to cast judgment, Valicar. Your reputation for taking lives is not only renowned but also something I've witnessed firsthand. While it's clear that you carry a certain... instability, you must also grasp the moral weight of preserving innocence at any cost, even if it means ending the life of a king or a peasant. Regardless, we must now focus on establishing a name that will amplify our reputation so gaining allies from now on will be easier, we will need all the help we can get to defeat the church," he spoke, his tone a blend of conviction and pragmatic acceptance.

"How about Death Tooth," Mike's voice dripped with sarcasm, a reaction to Gorlion's callous demeanor. Sophia's mind churned, grappling with the weight of Gorlion's response.

Gorlion's expression remained cautious. "Perhaps not something so laden with history," he replied, a wary glint in his eyes as he considered the suggested name.

Sophia's gaze was distant, her thoughts occupied with concern for Altheack. She absentmindedly suggested, "Dragon Tooth." With a spell, she reached out to check on Altheack, her physical injuries quickly healed. Yet, the emotional toll ran deeper, harder to assess.

"Dragon Tooth, hmm, that could indeed work," Gorlion mused, the name finding a foothold in his thoughts as he exited the room.

"What the hell are we going to tell Altheack?" Sophia's voice was tinged with uncertainty as they gently guided her friend to her new throne,. The hole in the stone stood as a stark reminder of the gruesome murder that had unfolded in this very spot, despite the efficient cleanup of the blood and body.

"I don't even know what the fuck just happened," Mike's words carried the heavy weight of exhaustion, the surreal events of the day taking their toll on him.