As the declaration of war ended, the warriors soon gathered around Stellaris, regrouping.

Although the war had indeed ended, the celebration was a silent one. No one cheered for the loss.

They simply enjoyed the silence. The very peace they fought for. The very mission thousands died trying to achieve.

Now it was in their hands. Now, the horrors and fear were gone. Now... They can honor everyone's sacrifice and finally mourn their deaths.

Samael quietly sat in a dark corner as he watched thousands of warriors being treated by medics. Some were being handed food and blankets.

Sure, there will still be some cleaning to do as there are still wolves out there along with the hybrids. However, most of those hybrids were slaughtered by Igram when Ajax sent him.

Speaking of Ajax, the Saint was still knocked out cold. His ethos was nearly depleted, so he had to be fed multiple dunamis of the enemy.

Icarius, on the other hand, took matters into his own hands. He fetched the general and understood the gravity of the situation. Right now, the traitors are being interrogated, or at least most of them.

Upon inspection of the lair, some of the Liesco knights were found there, dead and decomposing.

The only ones to remain are Lucas, who tried to flee during the war, and Seth, whom Samael caught.

With his testimonies and evidence, there was no escaping their sentences. However, the guild master strictly forbade Samael from revealing any of the information he knew to others.

Back to Samael, he swiftly refused any treatment as he was not injured in the first place. Besides, any wound he would have obtained was of no problem as he could just regenerate them.

As the sun slowly settled over the horizon, Samael found himself back in his tent as he sat down with a sigh.

Taking out a piece of paper, he started to write to the other scouts. By now, the news must have already traveled. Soon, the other sanctuaries will also know of the victory.

However, Samael must still tell the scouts of Yuin's fate.

The sounds of scribbling filled the room as Samael tucked the paper. Stepping out, he handed it to a guard.

"Please bring this to the scout organization," Samael said.

The guard gave a nod before leaving.

Samael's ears flinched as he heard someone approach him. Shifting his gaze behind him, he saw Icarius.

"I see you've grown stronger. To think you can already sense my presence is quite an achievement," the guild master praised.

"How may I be of assistance?" Samael asked.

"I just came to inform you that your mentor is already awake," Icarius said.

"That fast?" Samael asked, his eyes wide.

"Well, I made sure they allowed him to absorb the dunamis of the saint I killed," Icarius said.

"I see," Samael said.

"Go now; I won't hold you here any longer," Icarius said before making his way.

Giving the man a brief nod, Samael made his way to the medical bay, where he found warriors who were being treated.

After some looking, he eventually found Ajax's tent.

Entering inside, Samael saw a couple familiar faces, such as General Timeus, who was conversing with the saint. The man wore multiple bandages along with a sling holding his arm in place.

"Ah, your disciple is here," Timeus said.

Approaching Ajax, Samael asked. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine," Ajax replied.

It was quite amusing how he still wore his helmet even after all that happened.

"How about you, General?" Samael asked.

Timeus fell silent as he sighed.

"Grieving," he answered.

"I already lost my daughter, and to think I would still lose her lover... is a burden," Timeus said.

"But it's okay; I believe they are together now," he resumed.

"What are your plans now that the war is over?" Samael asked as he sat down.

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"Well, I'll probably retire now. I'm much too old for this sort of job. I will probably build a house and settle down," Timeus said as he leaned back.

"After all the sacrifices you made, I think you deserve that rest," Samael said.

After some more conversation, the general swiftly excused himself, leaving Ajax and Samael alone.

"So what's the plan now?" Samael asked.

"I... am unsure," Ajax said.

"Oh, that's something new. You're always sure," Samael said.

"Well, for starters, we rest. We will recover for now and probably head out to our next destination," Ajax said.

"Now that's more like you," Samael pointed out.

"What's the situation with the traitors? Timeus said Icarus took care of them," Ajax asked.

"That's right. Lucas and Seth are currently being held prisoner. With all the evidence we have, there's no escaping for them," Samael said.

"How about the church?" Ajax asked.

Samael fell silent when Icarius entered the tent.

"As of right now, I believe we still can't put the blame on them," Icarius interjected.

Shifting their attention at the man, he continued.

"Unfortunately, while all evidence points to these bastards as the moles, there is nothing pointing them to the ministry," Icarius said.

"The only thing connecting them is that the Liesco knights were part of the student exchange ten years ago. Other than that? None," Icarius said. However, Ajax's next words cut him off.

"I believe I may have something against them," Ajax said.

"Elaborate," Icarius said as he leaned closer.

"I was secretly investigating Lucas when I found a strange orb-like device in one of his cabinets," Ajax said.

"An orb?" Icarius asked.

"Yes," Ajax confirmed.

"How interesting..." he muttered as he flicked his finger.

Samael's eyes shifted in the shadows, where multiple silhouettes flew away upon his order.

"My men are already on their way," Icarius said.

"Now, forgive me for eavesdropping, but regarding your question of what next? Well, I'll have to inconvenience you two for a bit more," he resumed.

"What do you mean?" Samael asked.

"As you two already know, Tera's Saint is currently missing in action," Icarius said.

"But the story goes deeper than that," he resumed.

"Stop hinting and just explain it," Ajax said.

Icarius nodded as he spoke. "Tera's saint is dead."

"What?" Samael and Ajax said in unison.

"How?" Ajax asked.

"I know it's surprising, but he was not murdered by the ministry or anything," Icarius clarified.

"Tera's previous saint, Lara, died in battle when she fought another saint-ranked beast coming for the sanctuary. This was before the invasion occurred."

"We got intel of a snake-like abomination heading straight for the sanctuary, so we dispatched her. Unfortunately, we were too late. When we arrived, she died of the aftereffects of the poison of the beast she fought," Icarius said.

"So what's going to happen to Tera now?" Samael asked.

A sanctuary without a saint was a sitting duck against a sea of monsters.

"That is the part where you two come in," Icarius said.

"As you two know, you, Ajax, are a saint without any affiliations. You're technically perfect for the position of the guardian of Tera," Icarius said.

Ajax tried to speak, but Icarius swiftly followed.

"But! knowing you, I know you're just going to refuse, so here's my proposal," Icarius said.

"I want you two to head to Tera and act as a temporary guardian for the city until a buddy of mine returns from his mission," Icarius proposed.

"We? act as guardians? Don't we have a mission of freeing the sanctuaries and investigating the church?" Samael asked.

"That's why it's only temporary. But do not fret. With Tera's victory, the supplies will start to flow normally again and the situation should somewhat stabilize. This will give you two enough time during your stay in Tera," Icarius explained.

"All your expenses will be covered by the guild. Besides, a little vacation won't hurt," Icarius said.

Samael fell silent, and Ajax too fell into deep contemplation. After some time, the saint spoke.

"How about the aristocrats?"

Icarius fell silent for a while before he replied. "That... I cannot do anything about it."

"You know full well they're going to treat us like outcasts," Ajax said.

Samael's forehead creased as he asked. "How is that any different when we were traveling?"

Ajax fell silent upon Samael's question.

Hearing this, Icarius sighed.

"May I? Ajax?" he said.

"...Go ahead," the saint said.

"All right," Icarius said as he shifted his gaze at Samael.

"Your mentor, Ajax, is not just a normal man who became a watcher," Icarius said.

"I know that much. But so what?" Samael asked.

"His full name is Ajax... Azureborn," Icarius revealed.

Samael's eyes widened as he muttered. "He's a noble...?"

"Yes, he is the sole heir of the Azureborn family. An esteemed clan—."

"Once... an esteemed household," Ajax intervened.

Icarius remained silent upon hearing the man's word.

"My family... They were envied by many nobles. So when they saw the opportunity to take us down, they took it," Ajax said.

"They took our land and our properties and gave us so much debt that we had to sell even the smallest things just to pay them off."

"They laughed at us, scorned us, and called us outcasts. When my mother and father fell ill due to intense labor just so we could eat, we had nothing to treat their sickness," Ajax said, his grip tightening.

"Even when we begged, they did not even raise a single finger. Nobles they are," Ajax sneered.

Samael's face fell grim. His family faced a somewhat similar fate as Ajax did. Perhaps that's why he was drawn to him?

"...But I know we can't just leave the sanctuary on its own. Even if it is a place ruled by nobility, we cannot just leave its people to die," Ajax added.

Icarius shot a look at the man.

"I know this may sound insensitive, but perhaps this is a chance to restore your family's honor. Knowing you are of noble blood will allow for a much smoother reentry in aristocratic society," Icarius said.

"No," Ajax replied.

"I do not wish to prove my family's worth to these dogs. I do not have to do anything for them."

"What I'm doing, I'm doing for the people," Ajax said.

"How about you, Samael?" Icarius asked.

"Where he goes, I go," Samael said.

"Very well," Icarius said.

"Just say the word and I will set up a transport for you two. Although I do respect Ajax's opinion of not proving himself, I can't just go ahead and let you two wander in and take charge. So I will make sure they know the power you hold—the power the guild holds," Icarius said as he rose up.

However, midway before he left, he halted his steps as he called.

"Another thing, there is one more reason why I asked the two of you and not only Ajax to do this mission," Icarius said.

"Seeing your age and impressive prowess, Samael, I need you to take on a different mission."

Casting a glance over his shoulder, Icarius resumed.

"We have a rather important figure in one of the biggest social events held in Tera. They're mainly composed of nobility, so you should prepare your etiquette and clothes."

Samael's brows furrowd as he asked.

"How does this concern me?" Samael asked.

"I need you to protect that person," Icarius said.

"And who is that person?" Samael asked.

"You'll know," Icarius said before leaving.