Aldric's expression twitched.
"Yeah."
"It would've been nice if you explained that before we did it."
Pythia spoke from nearby.
"This was the only choice."
"There was nowhere else for the transfer to connect."
Aldric immediately looked toward her.
"Shut your mouth."
"Don't explain what has already been explained."
"It just makes you sound stupid."
Pythia stared at him.
"I'm just putting it in a way someone like you will understand."
Aldric's eyebrow twitched.
"Damn rat."
"And what exactly do you mean by that?"
Pythia didn't answer.
She simply grabbed onto Kaelira and began descending.
Kaelira chuckled.
"She's basically calling you stupid."
Aldric's expression darkened.
---
Draven held onto Nia as they began descending.
Vaelith was already moving downward beside them.
Her wings remained wrapped around herself, protecting her from the fading sunlight.
Draven followed her descent.
Behind them—
Pythia continued flying downward with Kaelira.
Lyriana also descended while holding the artifact securely in her arms.
Then—
she suddenly looked back.
"Don't forget your friend."
Aldric glanced behind him.
His eyes landed on Ryke.
"...Who the hell is friends with who?"
He immediately flew toward Ryke.
Ryke's expression changed.
"Wait—"
Aldric grabbed him.
Ryke's body stiffened.
Aldric pulled him closer.
"Shut the hell up."
His grip tightened.
"Unless you wish to turn into red paste."
Ryke's face went pale.
"...."
He wisely said nothing.
Aldric carried him downward.
🙁🙁🙁
---
One after another—
the group descended into the forest below.
**FWOOOSH!**
Branches shook as they passed through the treetops.
Leaves scattered into the air.
Then—
**THUD!**
Draven landed gently on the forest floor.
The moment his feet touched the ground—
he released Nia.
Nia stumbled slightly before regaining her balance.
Draven immediately turned toward Vaelith.
She slowly descended nearby.
Her wings remained tightly wrapped around herself.
Then—
she slowly opened them.
**FWUMP.**
Draven's eyes immediately fell upon the two babies in her arms.
Elenya.
Lucifer.
Both were completely unharmed.
Draven's expression softened.
Relief appeared across his face.
"...Good."
The cat sitting on top of his head let out a quiet—
"Meow."
Draven glanced upward slightly.
The cat simply remained there.
---
Nearby—
Pythia and Kaelira landed gently.
**Tap.**
**Tap.**
Kaelira immediately looked toward Draven.
Her eyes narrowed.
"That isn't right."
She pointed toward the cat sitting comfortably on Draven's head.
"How come it's still standing on your head even after all that?"
The cat's ears twitched.
Kaelira stared at it.
"...Seriously?"
Before anyone could answer—
something suddenly fell from beneath her cloak.
**Plop.**
Kaelira looked down.
A small slime had fallen onto the ground.
She stared at it for a moment.
Then—
her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
"There it is."
She crouched down and picked it up.
She inspected the slime carefully.
"So it did manage to hold on."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Good."
"I didn't lose it."
The slime simply wobbled in her hand.
Kaelira placed it safely back beneath her cloak.
---
**THUD!**
Aldric landed.
He immediately released Ryke.
Ryke dropped onto the ground.
**Thump.**
"Ugh..."
Ryke slowly pushed himself upright.
He released a long breath.
"..."
For several seconds—
he simply remained there.
Then—
he looked around the forest.
*Since I met these people...*
*I've lost count of how many times I've almost died.*
He rubbed his face.
*Seriously...*
*What the hell did I get myself involved in?*
Aldric ignored him.
He looked around the unfamiliar forest.
"So..."
He crossed his arms.
"Where the hell are we?"
Pythia stepped forward.
She reached into her belongings and pulled out a small object.
The moment she activated it—
**VMMMMM—**
a holographic map appeared above her hand.
Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward it.
The glowing map displayed the surrounding regions.
Pythia examined it for a moment before speaking.
"We're no longer in Eirundor."
She pointed toward the displayed territory.
"We're now in the Kingdom of Heliospal."
Everyone remained silent.
Pythia continued.
"This region is known as Earldom."
She moved her finger across the map.
"It's a border territory."
Aldric nodded.
"Alright."
He turned away from the holographic map.
"Let's get going."
But—
before anyone moved—
Aldric suddenly glanced toward Draven.
Draven was standing a short distance away.
His black wings were folded behind him.
His black eyes remained unchanged.
Aldric stared at him for a moment.
Then—
his expression became slightly confused.
"What's with that?"
Draven looked toward him.
Aldric pointed toward Draven's eyes.
"Are you going to return to normal?"
He paused.
"Or is that a thing now?"
Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward Draven.
Vaelith looked at him.
Pythia looked at him.
Kaelira looked at him.
Ryke looked at him.
Nia looked at him.
Lyriana looked at him.
Even the cat stared.
Draven remained silent.
He hadn't really thought much about it.
The change in his eyes hadn't exactly been on his mind.
*I didn't think too much about it.*
*It wasn't something I cared about.*
But—
the moment he focused on it—
something suddenly happened.
Draven's vision blurred.
His surroundings became distorted.
"...?"
His eyes widened slightly.
*What the—*
The forest suddenly tilted.
The trees blurred together.
The ground seemed to shift beneath him.
Draven's body lost its balance.
"—"
He suddenly collapsed.
Lyriana moved instantly.
**FWOOOSH!**
She appeared beside him and caught his body before he could hit the ground.
"His Highness!"
The cat on Draven's head was startled by the sudden movement.
"Meow!"
It immediately jumped away from Draven's head.
The cat landed neatly on Lyriana's shoulder.
Lyriana held Draven securely.
Ryke's eyes widened.
"What?!"
He pointed at Draven.
"His death?!"
Everyone stared at him.
Pythia's expression changed.
"My Lord!"
Kaelira immediately moved closer.
"Master!"
Ryke looked at Draven's unconscious body.
"He suddenly died?!"
Aldric's expression twitched.
"Shut up."
He walked over and looked down at Draven.
"He's just unconscious."
Ryke's mouth opened.
"But—"
"Shut up."
Ryke immediately closed his mouth.
Kaelira looked toward Lyriana.
"So... I mean, Master is okay?"
Lyriana carefully examined Draven.
She remained calm.
"His Highness has only lost consciousness."
She adjusted her grip around him.
"Nothing more."
Kaelira released a small breath.
"...Good."
Pythia stared at Draven silently.
Aldric narrowed his eyes.
The sudden collapse had caught everyone's attention.
For a brief moment—
no one said anything.
The forest around them remained strangely quiet.
And Draven—
remained unconscious in Lyriana's arms.