The story continues the following morning as the people of Daekrahm City work alongside the ghouls to collect the fallen soldiers from both sides. In the city centre, Yory searches for the captain—the man who had led them into battle without evidence or justification. He questions knights and other citizens about the captain's whereabouts.

Meanwhile, in the western part of the city, Joe exchanges words with a female knight, and then he continues on his way. By noon, Yory and Joe find themselves at the inn, enjoying soup provided by the soldiers as a gesture of gratitude for their assistance in the battle.

Yory spoke between bites, “Did you find the putrid abomination?”

Joe, finishing a goblet of water, replied, “We’ll finish eating, then head to the northern gate to find him.”

Yory responded with a steely expression, “Good.”

An hour later, Yory and Joe made their way to the northern gate, only to find that the captain was nowhere to be seen. Joe approached a knight and asked, “Comrade, have you seen the captain?”

The knight smiled and replied, “No, comrade.”

Joe nodded and went back to Yory, who wondered aloud, “Where could he be?”

Shortly after, the knight Joe had spoken to earlier returned and suggested, “Friend, if you head to the market, there’s a chance he might be there.”

Joe smiled, “Thank you, comrade.”

The knight nodded and returned to his duties. Yory turned to Joe with determination. “To the market, then.”

After some time, Yory and Joe arrived at the market and began searching for the captain. With the help of a few merchant acquaintances and some inquiries, Joe eventually spotted the captain engaged in conversation with several knights. He quickly rushed to inform Yory.

As the captain discussed their upcoming duties with the knights—one of whom was Fon, a new friend of Joe—the other knights listened in respectful silence. Suddenly, Fon’s gaze shifted past the captain. Noticing this, the captain turned with a stern expression and asked, “Is something diverting your attention, knight? Or am I boring you?”

Fon didn’t answer as Joe grabbed the captain by the arm. When the captain turned around, he was startled to see Yory and Joe.

Before the captain could speak, Yory delivered a punch to his face. The captain staggered and then collapsed to the ground, clutching his face in pain.

The two knights exchanged glances, and Fon stepped in, saying, “They are our comrades; they’ve earned our respect, and I won’t stand in their way.”

The two knights nodded, staying where they were. Meanwhile, Joe approached the captain, who was on his knees and delivered a kick to his face, sending him sprawling back to the ground.

Onlookers, both people and knights, gathered around, watching with a mix of shock and curiosity as Joe and Yory continued their merciless beating. The captain's blood and teeth were scattered on the ground.

Joe then grabbed the captain, forcing him to his feet, and shouted in rage, “Arrest us? Here’s your damn arresting!”

Joe delivered a powerful punch to the captain's stomach, causing him to nearly topple over. However, Joe maintained his grip, and at that moment, Yory shouted, "ASSHOLE!"

Yory took hold of the captain's left ear and landed a forceful punch to his face, sending him crashing to the ground, bloodied and missing more teeth.

People watched in disbelief as Joe and Yory violently attacked the captain, who, despite his reputation for intelligence and tactical prowess, couldn’t mount a defence.

Joe lifted the captain and slammed him against the wall of a nearby house, shouting, “Do you think your rank will save you now?”

As the captain began to crawl, Joe grabbed him and delivered another kick to his face, sending yet another tooth flying.

Next, Yory lifted the captain and delivered a series of powerful headbutts, so forceful that Fon believed he heard something snap.

Following this devastating headbutt, the captain collapsed to the ground, gasping in agony. Yory turned to Joe and calmly stated, "Let's break his arms."

It was at this moment that the captain cried out, "It wasn't me!... I... didn't... order the arrest... I am... sorry."

Yory and Joe fell silent for a moment, processing the revelation, before Joe erupted, "You damn liar! Trying to worm your way out?"

The captain, still struggling to catch his breath, managed to say, "Falkor... he ordered me... to do it... I am sorry..."

Joe turned to Yory, who, though calm in tone, was clearly seething, "Falkor, that cursed priest."

With his face smeared in blood, the captain looked at them and began, “We were desperate... but...”

He never got to finish his sentence, as both Yory and Joe abruptly left the alley. The captain, with the assistance of Fon and the two other knights, managed to rise to his feet.

Turning to Fon, the captain expressed his gratitude, "Thank you... for not intervening... it could have been a bloodbath."

Fon nodded, gazing down the path Joe and Yory had taken, and pondered aloud, "Do you think we made the right choice? Letting the ghouls take the lord and Gyv, and involving Joe and Yory in the battle?"

The captain replied, "I don't know. All I know is that you need to take me to a nearby doctor or nun. I fear my chest and face are broken!"

Fon nodded and began to drag him towards a nun who was conducting tours and checking for any injured individuals.

Meanwhile, at the castle, Falkor, Eyva, and Christana discussed the next steps for aiding the city with the temple's support.

After their meeting, Eyva headed to the market to collect information on merchants who had suffered losses in the attack. The city and the temple planned to offer financial assistance.

As Eyva rushed to the market, Joe and Yory arrived. The female knight guarding the castle doors noticed them heading towards the entrance and stood in their path.

The female knight began to say, "Gentlemen, you can't enter right now becau..."

Her sentence was abruptly cut off as Joe struck her with all his strength, sending her to the ground.

"Enough playing by the book. We want revenge," Joe declared.

They proceeded inside the castle. After some time, they reached the second floor. A knight emerged from his room and shouted, "Hey! You can't..."

Yory interrupted, pointing towards the knight and uttering, "Wind magic: Təkan."

A powerful gust of wind propelled the knight back into his room, slamming him against the wall before he crumpled to the ground, clutching his head in pain.

Yory and Joe continued towards Falkor's office. Upon their arrival, a female knight looked at them and said, "He's in an important discussion with Christana the nun. Please take a seat and wait over there."

While Yory remained standing, Joe approached the female knight. With a cold demeanour, he warned, "Move or I'll break your fingers."

Meanwhile, Falkor was sipping on some honeyed juice. He then handed Christana a list of orders for other sections of the temple and instructed, "Chrisa, please deliver this to the temple..."

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the female knight tumbled beside it. Falkor and Christana were both shocked to see Yory and Joe enter the office.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Joe approached Christana, with Yory by his side. Yory raised his hand towards Falkor and, without looking at him, commanded, "Wind magic: Təkan."

A powerful magical gust hit Falkor, propelling him back against the wall with great force. He crumpled to the ground, holding his head in one hand and his chest in the other due to injuries sustained in battle.

As Falkor struggled to rise using his office, Yory strode towards him and struck him in the face with the goblet he had been drinking from earlier, the force causing it to shatter on Falkor's forehead.

Falkor then fell to the ground, still clutching his head and bleeding.

In response, Christana raised her hand and shouted, "Fire magic: alveolar."

Flames erupted from Christana's hand, heading directly towards Yory. However, Joe swiftly held a magical scroll, and moments later, a surge of water magic burst forth, countering Christana's spell.

Joe then turned to her and sternly stated, "Don't interfere."

Meanwhile, Falkor managed to rise to his feet, panting heavily. He looked at Yory and began to explain, "I didn't have a choice... You're a strong warrior, and we were in a dire situation... I did what I believed was best for this city. I didn't mean to betray you. I had no other option... I had to..."

Suddenly, Yory swiftly approached him and gripped Falkor by the neck, effortlessly lifting him with one hand. He thundered, "What the hell is wrong with you? I have no interest in your plans! I care nothing for the 'greater good' or your reasons! If this city crumbles to dust, so be it! I bear no responsibility or obligation to meddle in your affairs!"

Falkor yelled back, "If you were in my shoes, you'd have done the same! We were desperate! You can't understand! When someone's drowning, they'll clutch at anything that might save them! I exhaustively explored every solution, and you were the first option! When you're drowning, you'd grasp at anything! Even your closest friend or brother, just to see another day in this wretched world!"

Christana and Yory stood in silence, comprehending Falkor's words. This resonated deeply with Yory, who had witnessed the war with humans 300 years ago—the desperation, fear, hunger, betrayal, agony, and death.

Then, suddenly, Joe chimed in, glaring at Falkor, "So what? Does that justify sending us to our deaths? You said earlier that if we were in your shoes, but have you ever considered if you were in ours, and we were the ones sending you? Would you still cling to this 'greater good' bullshit!?"

Falkor remained silent, and Yory released his grip, allowing him to drop to the ground. Christana looked at Yory and implored, "Yory, please leave him be. We have the means to compensate you generously, and we pledge to never resort to this again."

Yory turned to Falkor, his face bloodied, and asked bluntly, "Tell me honestly, would you do it again?"

Falkor met Yory's gaze and said, “If I faced such dire circumstances again and you refused to help, I’d do the same! It’s my duty to assist those in desperate need, no matter your feelings about the temple—which is your prerogative! My priority is the well-being of people. I have a moral obligation to help anyone in distress, regardless of their race or appearance. As a priest, I’m even willing to risk my life to protect others!”

Yory and Joe looked at Falkor in silence, not forgiving him, but grasping the conviction behind his words. They knew he also understood their perspective.

Then, Joe spoke, his gaze fixed on Falkor, "You will compensate us for this chaos, for endangering our lives, and grant us noble treatment and privileges the next time we set foot in this city."

Falkor nodded and agreed, "I can arrange that. It falls within my authority to grant your requests."

He then turned to Yory and offered, "If you wish, we can provide you with a superior cart and horse."

Yory met Falkor's gaze and replied, "Just supply me with high-quality vegetables, scrolls, and meat, and we'll consider it settled. My cart and horse hold great value to me."

Falkor nodded and then looked to Christana, instructing, "Have the servants fulfil Yory and Joe's requests."

At that moment, Eyva entered the office and surveyed the scene: the knight on the ground, a pale-looking Christana, Joe and Yory looking dishevelled, and Falkor covered in blood. She inquired, "Did I miss something?"

In the afternoon, Joe rode in a cart with two castle servants to the storage area to collect the rewards that Falkor had either granted them or was forced to provide for their participation in the battle, however you see it.

Meanwhile, Yory went to the temple and searched until he spotted the little girl sitting and happily munching on an apple.

Yory approached her and gently asked, "How is my little princess?"

The girl turned in surprise, then leapt from her chair and ran into a big hug with Yory. He smiled and said, "Did you miss me? I'm very happy, little princess."

She looked at Yory and offered him the apple she was eating. Yory took a small bite and said, "Thank you. I'll never eat anything else in my life."

The little girl smiled, and Yory said to her, "Now, what do you say? Shall we wait for Rod to come and take you, or perhaps we could bring you to the temple, where my friends will look after you?"

She thought for a moment and then took hold of Yory's hands, signifying her trust in him to make a good decision.

Yory looked at her and then said, "I'll take you to the temple. If you don't like it, we can wait for Rod to come, alright?"

The little girl beamed and continued eating while Yory held her in his arms and began walking towards the castle.

After a bit of walking, Yory arrived and saw Falkor and Christana conversing with Eyva outside the castle. Eyva, looking weary from her efforts to aid the city and its people, greeted him, "Good afternoon, Yory, and the little girl too! What brings you here?"

Yory replied, "The little girl is an orphan, and I want her to have a happy life..."

He paused when he noticed Christana and Falkor were listening intently. Yory looked at them, then back at the castle and the city, and finally said, "After some thought, I've changed my mind."

Falkor remained silent, but Eyva asked Yory, "Yory, what happened? Why did you change your mind?"

Yory responded, "Look at this city, look at this guy right here, consider all of this! You'll never have time for this kid, and I don't trust that man to do right by her."

He pointed at Falkor, who remained silent, feeling a tinge of sadness about how their paths would diverge.

Eyva then inquired, "So, where are you going to take the girl?"

Yory regarded Eyva with a serious expression, thinking about Rod. He realized Rod was likely occupied with all the children he already cared for, and those he still had to look after. Yory lifted the little girl into the air and smiled, asking, "Would you like me to take care of you?"

The little girl's eyes sparkled with pure happiness. She hugged Yory tightly, and he smiled, saying, "That's settled. I won't hand you over to that wicked priest and those unsightly nuns."

Christana, Eyva, and even Falkor chuckled. Yory nodded to Eyva and remarked, "Thank you, Sister Eyva. I hope we meet again someday."

Eyva smiled and replied, "Me too. Have a safe journey, my merchant friend."

Yory nodded and then turned to Christana and Falkor, saying, "Christana, take care of yourself. Falkor, try not to get yourself killed."

Both Falkor and Christana nodded. Yory then began walking towards his cart, with Eyva, Christana, and Falkor waving goodbye.

On the way to Yory's cart, the little girl gently grabbed Yory's ear and tugged on it slightly.

Yory noticed and asked, "Are you hungry?"

The little girl pointed with her finger towards an old alley. Yory looked at her and said, "No problem, you want to show me something?"

The little girl nodded, and Yory followed her to the alley. After a few minutes, they arrived at an old, dilapidated house—the same house the little girl had slept in when the people were evacuating the city.

Yory entered the house and gently placed the girl on the ground. She began to walk, and Yory watched her carefully to ensure she wouldn't get hurt. The little girl started climbing the broken stairs, struggling to ascend the second half that wasn't damaged. Yory swiftly picked her up and effortlessly leapt to the intact portion of the stairs. He asked, "You climbed up and down these stairs every day? That must have been tough on you. Did you ever get hurt?"

The little girl smiled and nodded, indicating that she sometimes fell but also had scraped knees from climbing.

Afterwards, the little girl led Yory to a room and opened the door. When Yory entered, he found a spacious, clean room, devoid of dust or shattered glass. Only scorch marks marred the walls, and there was a neatly made bed.

Yory looked around the room and then asked, "Was this your room?"

The little girl nodded and went to the bed, searching for something. After a moment, she walked over to Yory and handed him a childlike painting of her holding both of her parents' hands, all three of them smiling.

Yory took the painting and gazed at it. He then turned his eyes back to the room, commenting, "A large fire started, and your family passed away. Yet, you still kept this room clean and took care of the painting."

The little girl smiled, but a tear rolled down her cheek. She was small and young, only three years old, but she had lost her family and was now alone. Despite it all, she continued to smile and show great bravery, living each day to the fullest.

She took Yory's hand and gently led him to another room, which was just as spacious as her own. It was clean, and there was a large, neatly made bed.

The little girl showed Yory the wall beside the bed, where there was an engraving. Upon closer inspection, Yory could read the words, "Sib and Lina Kinuwitchi and our beloved daughter Lana, we will love you forever our little princess."

Yory looked at Lana and said with a sad smile, "Are you ready to leave?"

The little girl shed some tears, then walked to the engraving on the wall and kissed it before looking back at Yory and taking his hand.

Yory smiled, lifted the little girl into his arms, and walked out of the room. After leaving the house, he turned to face the building with Lana in his arms, saying, "Sib and Lina Kinuwitchi, I will take care of your little princess."

Lana hugged Yory tightly as he began walking towards the cart.

Three years earlier, a man entered the house carrying a bounty of fruits and meat. He climbed the stairs to the second floor, entered a room, and saw a beautiful woman cradling a baby.

In a worried tone, the man asked, "Is my daughter safe? Is she healthy? Please tell me, dear Lina!"

Lina smiled and reassured him, "Sib, calm down. Our little princess is healthy and safe."

Sib looked at Lina and said, "Eat some fruits. I'll prepare a delicious soup. Just relax and rest."

Lina smiled and expressed her happiness, saying, "I'm grateful I married a kind man like you."

Sib smiled as he began to leave the room, but Lina stopped him, saying, “Wait, Sib, I need something.”

He turned back and asked, “What is it?”

Lina smiled and replied, “Get a knife. Let’s engrave some words here as memories.”

Sib grinned and said, "We could use paper, but I love your idea even more!"

After engraving heartfelt words on the wall, Lina smiled and said, "Our little princess, Lana."

Then Sib embraced both Lina and Lana, wearing a broad smile, and declared, "We will love you forever, our little princess."