As the Vindicators finished listening to Maria's story, a mix of emotions filled their thoughts. Ji-Eun was sobbing quietly in the background, leaning her head on Cyrus's arm and holding onto him tightly.

"Is your sister still alive?" Elliot asked, breaking the silence.

Noah immediately swung his blue yo-yo, hitting Elliot's thigh. "Hey, watch out. You're hitting my thigh," Elliot said, realizing Noah's intention to signal that it was a sensitive question.

Maria smiled at Noah's gesture. "It's okay, my sister is still alive," she reassured them. "She is actually staying in one of the rooms here at the inn." Maria stood up and gestured for them to follow her. "Come, follow me," she said warmly, guiding the Vindicators up the stairs.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6f/Isabetta_sleeping_in_her_bed.png]

They walked down a narrow hallway to a room at the end. Maria opened the door, revealing a very young girl sleeping soundly on the bed. Isabetta had long, wavy brown hair that framed her cherubic face, her large hazel eyes closed in peaceful slumber. Her frail form was evident even under the covers, and her fair skin looked almost translucent.

"She is so young," Elliot murmured, having assumed that Isabetta would be closer to Maria's age.

"She's currently five years old," Maria said, breaking all assumptions.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/4c/Kim_Ji-Eun_in_an_emotional_moment%2C_with_tears_streaming_down_her_face%2C_showcasing_her_vulnerability_and_depth_of_character.png]

"She is so young and has to suffer," Ji-Eun said, getting emotional again as tears streamed down her face. Seeing Ji-Eun's tears, Cyrus and Elliot were taken aback by the depth of her emotion, contrasting with her usual fierceness in battle.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9d/Isabetta_on_bed_opening_her_eyes.png]

Ji-Eun's crying unfortunately awakened Isabetta. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked around for her sister. "Sorella, do we have visitors?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.

"It's okay, Isabetta. They are guests of the inn," Maria reassured her. "This is Cyrus, Ji-Eun, Noah, and Elliot. They are good people and have come to see you," Maria said, introducing the team. The Vindicators waved back with friendly smiles.

Isabetta's face lit up with joy at the sight of visitors. "Thank you for staying at the inn and supporting my sorella," she said sweetly. "I'm sorry I can't stand up to serve you all, but I really appreciate you staying at La Dolce Vita!"

Noah stepped forward, his voice gentle. "You get some rest, Isabetta. We really love the hospitality your sister has shown us."

"Yes, Isabetta, you don't have to worry. Get some rest," Elliot echoed.

Cyrus signaled the team to give the sisters some privacy. "We'll go down to the lobby and let you rest," he said, leading the way out.

Maria stayed behind, comforting Isabetta. "It's okay, cara. Everything is okay. You can rest now."

The Vindicators returned to the lobby, their minds already working on how to help the De Luca sisters. As they waited for Maria to come back, they huddled together for a discussion.

"There are three things we need to do to help Maria and Isabetta," Cyrus began, his tone serious and commanding.

"I say we wipe out the loan sharks so they stop harassing the sisters," Ji-Eun interjected, already gripping her kitchen knife, ready to strike.

"That is not the solution. We can't stay here forever," Cyrus responded calmly, his logic prevailing over the impulsiveness. "Let me list the three things first before interrupting me!" he said, glaring at Ji-Eun.

"Sorry, Cyrus," Ji-Eun apologized, realizing she had angered the man she loved.

"First, we need to find a way to stop the loan sharks from harassing the sisters. Second, we need to investigate the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light, which aligns with our purpose for being here," Cyrus continued.

"You think the miracle healing has something to do with the Sword of Light?" Elliot asked, connecting the dots.

"I believe it's highly possible," Cyrus nodded. "And lastly, we need to help La Dolce Vita get back on track."

"Out of these three, I believe the last one would be the easiest," Elliot said.

"Yes, I can help promote them on social media," Noah chimed in, already thinking of ways to use online influence to attract more customers.

Before they could discuss further, Maria came back down the stairs. "I forgot you all haven't had your dinner yet because of the commotion! I'll start preparing the food now!" she said hastily, putting on her apron.

"Can I ask you a question?" Noah asked. "In the kitchen, you have so many tools like frying pans, knives, and even a wooden rolling pin. Why did you choose a toothbrush as your weapon? Wouldn't those other tools be more effective for defending yourself?"

"Those cooking tools are my livelihood and are meant for the kitchen. I can't afford to lose them; they hold memories of my late father," she explained.

A flicker of realization dawned on Noah's face. He understood the weight Maria placed on her cooking utensils, the memories they held, and why she'd opted for the toothbrush.

"Hey Maria, let's help you with the cooking to speed things up. What do you say?" Cyrus offered.

"And Ji-Eun here has crazy cutting skills," he added, bringing a smile to Ji-Eun's face.

"Okay, but promise me you'll follow my instructions to prevent any bad food," Maria agreed.

"Yes, madam!" the Vindicators chorused as they moved into the kitchen to help Maria prepare dinner.

In the kitchen, Maria assigned tasks to each of them. Cyrus handled the pasta, stirring the sauce with a careful hand. Ji-Eun showcased her precision, chopping vegetables at lightning speed, her movements a blur. Elliot and Noah busied themselves with setting the table and making sure everything was in place.

"You're quite the chef, Cyrus," Maria commented, watching him work.

"I've had some practice," Cyrus replied with a modest smile. "We need to eat well to stay in fighting shape."

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Ji-Eun beamed as she chopped away, clearly enjoying the praise. "And you're doing a great job, Ji-Eun," Cyrus added, making her blush with happiness.

Meanwhile, Maria was busy preparing Pizza Quattro Formaggi, the famous dish that her late father had perfected and proudly served to delighted customers. She worked with a blend of nostalgia and determination, hoping to emulate her father's success and bring a taste of the past to their meal.

Finally, after an hour of hard work, the meal was ready. They carried the Italian food to the dining area, setting it down with pride. The spread included the beautifully prepared Pizza Quattro Formaggi, rich Penne Alla Bolognese, and various other delightful dishes. Maria looked at the feast, her eyes welling up with gratitude. "Thank you all so much," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "This means more than you can imagine."

"It's okay, we're hungry too!" Elliot joked, his stomach growling loudly, causing the group to burst into laughter. They sat down to enjoy the meal they had prepared together. The food was delicious, each bite filled with rich flavors and comforting memories.

"Why is it so delicious but no customers?" Elliot asked, talking with his mouth full of food.

"Yes, the food here is great, just like Mr. Giovanni recommended. I'm surprised," said Cyrus.

"It's probably the loan sharks. They want me to sell the inn, but I refused. They've been scaring customers away," Maria explained.

"Don't worry, Maria. We'll handle them!" Noah said confidently. "Just keep doing what you're good at. People will come to support you eventually."

"People may have doubts, and results may not show immediately, but if you are doing honest work and can answer to yourself, that is enough," Cyrus added, offering words of wisdom and encouragement.

"Thanks, guys. I can't express how much gratitude I have for your help!" Maria said, her voice choking with emotion.

The Vindicators shared smiles and continued eating, their bond strengthening with every shared bite and story. Maria's heart warmed, not just by the delicious food, but by the kindness and support of her newfound friends.

As they finished their meal, the Vindicators insisted on helping to clean up to reduce Maria's workload, despite her protests. "You all have helped me enough. Please return to your rooms to rest; it's quite late, and you all are the inn's guests too!" Maria said, trying to take over the cleaning.

"We'll leave after cleaning the plates," Elliot responded firmly, scrubbing dishes in the basin. The rest of the team followed suit, wiping down tables and tidying up the kitchen.

When they were done, they bid farewell to Maria in the lobby. "Goodnight, Maria. We'll see you in the morning," Cyrus said with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you again, all of you. Sleep well," Maria replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

The group ascended the stairs, fatigue finally catching up with them. "We shall discuss our next plan tomorrow. It's quite late now," Cyrus said as they reached their rooms.

Everyone agreed, eager for some much-needed rest. As they entered their shared room, Ji-Eun turned to Cyrus with a hopeful look. "Cyrus, we're sharing a bed, right?" she asked, not ready to give up.

"No, you sleep in your own bed!" Cyrus replied firmly, glancing at the three beds lined up in the room. He chose the left side bed, placing Noah in the middle and Ji-Eun on the right side, to protect himself from Ji-Eun trying anything funny.

As the room fell into silence, both Cyrus and Ji-Eun quickly fell asleep, but Noah lay awake, unable to drift off. The excitement of their trip to Vatican City had his adrenaline still pumping, and he longed for an adventure. Unable to sleep, he quietly slipped out of the room and decided to take a stroll.

Walking down the stairs, he noticed Maria had not gone to her room. Instead, she was snoozing at the reception desk, looking uncomfortable and weary. Seeing Maria not resting properly, Noah approached her with the intention of advising her to go to her room.

"Hey, wake up!" Noah said softly, gently shaking her shoulder.

Maria rubbed her eyes and blinked, trying to focus on who had woken her. "Yes, Noah? How can I help you?" she asked, still dazed.

"Why are you sleeping here and not resting in your room?" Noah asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I need to stay on guard here in case any of you have any issues. I want to be here to help solve them, like now," Maria explained, her dedication clear despite her exhaustion.

"Argh, there's no need for that!" Noah said, feeling pity for how hard Maria was working. "Why are you not asleep then?" Maria inquired.

"I couldn't fall asleep. I wanted to go out of the inn to take a stroll," Noah admitted.

"Hmm, it's late now and it could be dangerous if you get lost," Maria cautioned.

"Tell you what, why don't you follow me for a stroll nearby? Then it would be safe," Noah suggested, trying to convince Maria to join him.

"But what if your friends and Isabetta need me?" Maria asked, her concern for the others and her sister evident.

"It will be at most 30 minutes, and we'll be back!" Noah insisted.

"But..." Maria stammered, hesitating.

"No buts! You also need to de-stress. You look like you haven't left the inn for days, and we'll be back within 30 minutes," Noah said, gently taking Maria's hand and pulling her towards the door.

Maria reluctantly agreed, wanting to lock the front door. "Trust me, it will be safe. Since no one came to the inn, and we don't want to lock the front door in case of an emergency," Noah reassured her.

As they stepped outside, the cool night air was refreshing. The streets were quiet, the moon casting a gentle glow over the cobblestone paths. Noah and Maria walked side by side, the tension slowly melting away.

"You know, you work too hard," Noah said after a few moments of silence. "You need to take care of yourself too."

"You look young too. How old are you? Why are you following the team around?" Maria asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"I'm 15 years old," Noah replied.

"Oh, then you would need to call me sorella too! I'm one year older than you," Maria teased, a playful smile on her face.

Noah chuckled. "The things you go through must be hard for your age, having to care for the inn and your sister all by yourself."

"You're trying to switch topics," Maria noted, her curiosity not satisfied. "I want to know why you're following Cyrus and the others around."

Noah sighed, feeling a bit more comfortable opening up. "I never told Cyrus or the others this, but my parents are quite rich. They're always busy working, though. They usually get me whatever I want but never spend time with me because they're so busy."

"So, you're often alone?" Maria asked gently.

"Yeah," Noah admitted, his voice softer. "I don't think they even know I've traveled out of the country. They're too caught up in their own world."

Maria's expression softened with empathy. "That must be hard, Noah. Feeling like you're not important to the people who are supposed to care the most about you."

"Yeah, it is," Noah agreed. "That's why being with the team feels different. We look out for each other. It's something I've always wanted."

Maria nodded, understanding his sentiment deeply. "I can see that. And I'm grateful that you all are here now. I can feel the support and care from all of you."

They continued walking, the night air cool and refreshing. Noah shared recent stories about himself, including how he met Elliot. Maria enjoyed Noah's company, laughing at his anecdotes and feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. However, their happy moment was abruptly interrupted.

The five men who had been beaten by Noah earlier appeared on the street. "Well, well, what do we have here? A couple out for a stroll," sneered one of the men.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/73/Noah_spinning_his_yo-yo_up_and_down.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/49/Maria_De_Luca_Profile.png]

Noah quickly stepped in front of Maria. "Have you not had enough of my yo-yo? Want to try again?" he challenged, taking out his blue yo-yo and spinning it up and down, displaying his readiness for a fight. Maria, standing behind Noah, gripped her blue toothbrush, prepared to defend herself if necessary.

"This is the brat who beat you all? Incompetente," a voice said from behind the five men. A figure slowly emerged from the shadows. "Yes, Blaze, that's the boy," one of the men confirmed.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/34/Antonio_Russo_Profile.png]

Antonio "Blaze" Russo stepped forward, his presence commanding and intimidating. He had bright blond short curly hair and intense black eyes that seemed to pierce through the night. His triangle-shaped face was marked with a proud and arrogant expression. Wearing nothing but red jeans and red and gold armbands on his wrists, his muscular, medium-toned physique was on full display. In his hand, he held a Cinquedea, a short sword with a wide, tapering blade that gleamed in the moonlight.

"I will be your opponent, ragazzino. Show me what you've got!" Blaze declared, his voice dripping with confidence and challenge.

Noah’s grip on his yo-yo tightened. He glanced back at Maria, who nodded her support. "If anything happens to me, please run back to La Dolce Vita and find my friends," he whispered to her, knowing this fight wouldn't be easy. With a deep breath, he turned his full attention to Blaze.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/27/Yo-yo.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/dd/Cinquedea.png]

A fight ensued as both got ready—the battle between the yo-yo and Cinquedea was about to begin.