My final attack may have been excessive… but yes, the enemy has lost part of his power now.
(Leo) searched the area for his comrades. It appeared that (Zak) had carried them away and taken cover behind a massive rock.
He exhaled quietly.
"Good. I'm glad you're safe. Let's return quickly—much has happened while you were gone."
At last, the team headed back to the base.
The moment they arrived, crowds rushed toward them.
"Raaaym! Is he alright?!"
"(Vail)—please, answer us!"
(Leo) raised his voice sharply, forcing them back.
"They've been through more than enough. Let them rest first. They'll explain everything later."
The crowd slowly dispersed, returning to their routines.
(Raym) awoke sometime later, as he often did… and the first person by his side was, as usual, (Lonz).
Concern was clear on his face.
"(Raym), are you alright, my boy? I heard you were badly injured. Let me see your wounds."
(Raym) felt slightly embarrassed, unwilling to hurt the old man's feelings.
"Um… I'm fine, Sir (Lonz). Really, it was nothing compared to what (Zak) and (Vail) went through. There's no need—I don't want to burden you."
(Lonz) stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you joking? (Vail) recovered some time ago, and (Zak) walked in on his own. You, on the other hand… even the Vice Commander personally ordered that you be taken care of."
He sighed deeply.
"Listen carefully, (Raym). Every time you go out, you return covered in wounds and bruises. From now on, I'll accompany you."
(Raym) lowered his head.
"But Sir (Lonz)… can you really fight? I don't want anyone risking their life because of me."
Sadness flickered briefly in (Lonz)'s eyes.
"It's alright, my boy. I've been a warrior here for a long time. I have more experience than most. And I've already decided—you won't stop me, no matter how hard you try."
Trying to change the mood, (Lonz) added,
"If you can stand, hurry. Commander (Leo) is about to explain everything."
(Raym) smiled.
"Yes—let's go."
That night, everyone gathered in the training grounds, fires burning beneath the dark sky. (Vail) began recounting what had happened—like a tale of horror itself.
He spoke of (Number Four)'s madness… of (Gork) and his terrifying presence.
The listeners trembled, reacting as though they themselves had witnessed it.
Then (Vail) spoke of (Raym)—how, despite his injuries, he had brought (Gork) to the ground.
But he also revealed something (Raym) had tried to hide.
"He uses the Light element."
Shock rippled through the crowd. Some had never even heard of such an element. (Vail) explained everything calmly.
Praise and admiration poured in.
Among them stood a familiar figure who had been absent for some time—the elegant knight (Lyra).
Jealousy flickered across her face.
"Why are you all admiring this idiot?! I trained harder than anyone—I could defeat him easily in a duel!"
No one noticed her. Every gaze was fixed on (Raym).
Her irritation deepened… yet within herself, admiration quietly took root.
Their eyes met by chance. (Lyra) quickly looked away, pretending she hadn't noticed him, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Believing she was annoyed, (Raym) paid it no further attention...
Seizing the moment, (Raym) turned to (Vail).
"Sir (Vail)… I've wanted to ask you something. Why did everyone in that village disappear the moment we arrived?"
(Vail) stiffened. Slowly, he lowered his head and sighed.
"Alright, (Raym)… I'll tell you."
"We're considered rebels against the oppression of the SI Army. They've been hunting us for a long time."
"Our camps are hidden—thanks to Commander (Seroh)—but the SI Army believed some villages were sheltering us."
"So they punished them… tortured them… sometimes worse."
Silence fell. The air grew heavy.
And somewhere far away—
In a place unknown—
A man stepped forward as figures in strange robes bowed...
One voice spoke softly:
"Welcome back… (Araki)."