917 Returning to the Mansion
We decided to spend a day there for a good rest. Lucia didn't wake up the next morning so we decided to bring her back to the Mansion. That way, we can ask Almira for the new prosthetic arm of Lucia. We can't have to know whether it is safe for her to keep that arm for her.
When we were about to leave, Ragga returned to us to see whether we were okay and if Lucia was awake.
"You guys are leaving already?" Ragga asked as he saw us fixing the beds and carrying the unconscious Lucia.
"Yeah. We don't want to burden you by staying in your house any longer. And besides, we are still going to continue in our way and continue our little journey."
"Oh no, it's no trouble at all and I don't see you guys as a bother. In fact, I am very grateful to all of you for solving a problem that should be our problem to face. I even have my daughter cause trouble for you and your group. If we had known that you lot would be the ones who would help us solve our problem and also ultimately discover the hidden secrets those enemies were hiding for us, all of our dead friends and compatriots would have never felt rested enough, to begin with. I can't thank you all."
"Haha, not all. You guys did nothing to cause more problems for us anyway. In fact, we should be grateful that we were able to meet up with you all. If not, we wouldn't know the actions of the demons are quite rampant and their actions would have been devastating if it was fully realized."
"Is that so? Well, I don't truly realize the situation but if that is what you guys are doing then so be it, I will have to ensure those things don't go under again in our noses. We lost many great people in the process and we would like to avoid incurring more losses in the future."
"I am sure you guys will recover soon, you guys are resilient enough and I can trust you all that you will continue to strive for the best."
"Yes. But are you guys really leaving so soon? We planned to have a party for the successful job and the success of vanquishing the invaders. You guys are the ones who ultimately solved it, maybe at least stay for quite a while?" Ragga tried to convince us.
"Haha, thanks for the invitation but unfortunately, we will have to decline this matter. We still have other matters to attend to and our captain there would be scolding us for leaving without a word for a few days. You guys should party and celebrate instead. You guys did great," I looked at my companions and all of them agreed with my decision thankfully.
"That's unfortunate. But I can understand. You guys are going to chase clues about the works of the demons yeah? I can see that and I must say, you guys will have a long work due to you all."
"Yep. Good luck and have fun with the celebration later. We will be leaving. Hope you guys will be safe."
"Yeah. Thanks for the unexpected help, everyone. Hope we will meet you all again in the future."
We all nodded before we all spread out our wings and flew away from the camp. Zena who cannot fly carried Lucia behind her back and used her agility to jump away from the camp without even alerting the camp guards. As for us, we left flying while leading Zena in the process so that she wouldn't get lost as well. It was still early in the morning so only a few people had seen us fly away at that time but someone seemed to have seen us have decided to craft a story about us and our heroic exploits that eventually saved their lives and the camp. He then used it as a way to inspire the hearts of the kids to become protectors of their village soon enough but that will be another entire story.
In the meantime, we have returned to the mansion. Almira was indeed pretty furious when we arrived. She clearly wasn't happy that we left without updating our status for a few days and I admit that it's our fault.
"You little sh*theads. You guys only mentioned you all will be gone for just a day out but it's been three days already. You guys aren't even updating on us and everyone is also worried something might have happened to you all," Almira is totally angry. She puffed off smoke from her cigarette while she was glaring at us.
"Although it's fun to have an adventure once in a while, don't forget that we are here as well, waiting for some news. I felt nervous when you guys didn't return yesterday and we didn't receive any single news from you all, especially from you, Manato," My mother stood beside Almira and was also staring daggers at me. I can feel the intense gaze and I don't think I like to remain under that intense gaze for long.
"We are sorry about everything, Master, Mother. Just some unexpected things happened and we have been forced to remain for a while to recuperate. In fact, one of us has yet to recover. Don't worry, we will relay all of what happened during those days."
"You better be. Get inside. We will thoroughly treat your wounds."
Thankfully, Almira and Mother did not really press on the matter. Perhaps due to the injuries we have, we are currently under that mercy for now.
Riko and Rika both followed Zena who carried the unconscious Lucia to her own room and lay her down. Almira and Mother came in. Lina and Tina alongside Cotton also entered the room after they saw Lucia was unconscious.
"Now, care to explain why she was unconscious when you guys arrived?" Almira looked at us sternly.
"Allow me to retell the story then," Rika volunteered.
"Go on," Almira nodded.
Rika started to retell the situation we were caught in starting when we departed from the mansion and about the oracle. She didn't stop talking about the situation we got in and what were our suspicions. She also told us the plan we did that succeeded and allowed us to learn about the actions of the demons. She didn't omit the battle against the Black Dog Barghest and the situation about Lucia's arm. Everyone was shocked after learning that Lucia was now missing one arm and the current arm she had was not her real one.
Rika also told me the events that happened after I collapsed as well and I got to fully listen to what totally happened after the events even though I felt a bit annoyed that something escaped. But what could I have done if I was unconscious? It's not like we can do anything for that either.
After an hour of retelling what happened, Almira leaned on her chair and frowned.
"I didn't expect to learn about the Black Dog Barghest here and I must commend you all as you have even bested it in the process even after it became the black calamity."
"You know the Black Calamity, Master?" I asked.
"You bet I do. I fought it once."
"Really? How come you managed to survive the encounter? We barely even survived if not for Manato's sword," Riko frowned.
"Have you forgotten that even though I am a normal smithy, I still wield my weapons like normal and can fight head-to-head against enemies? The Black Dog Barghest wasn't that dangerous back then but it was still a tough enemy. And even then, we only managed to keep it on a tie as the f*cker escaped before I could even fight it to its fullest. I was also quite wounded and was bitten by the same ability that bit you, Riko. Don't think I didn't experience the pain you felt when I was also in the same boat as you."
"If that is the case, after the battle, this thing attached to Lucia's arm then?" Tina inspected the arm and she could feel the demonic presence on it. She frowned and slowly backed away after. Even Cotton does not dare to get close either.
Almira approached and checked the new arm of Lucia and frowned.
"Indeed. The aura of that f*cking monster is indeed present in this new arm. To think the monster that I fought back then would end up as someone's arm."
"Do you think we should remove it?" Rika asked Almira for her opinion.
Almira shakes her head. "Like what the oracle advised you all, it's the decision of Lucia instead of ours. This is now going to be her new arm and no one knows what will be her decision. Removing the hand is feasible but we also have to ensure that this will not affect Lucia in the long term and if we tried to remove it. I would wait until Lucia is awake."
After the explanation, I decided that everyone should also learn the real truth of the Primordial War. After all, there is a chance that the Goddess of Life is involved with the problem of the Tree of Life.
"Guys...I have something to share..."
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