After gathering Violet's few belongings, the trio thanked and bid farewell to the temple monks, then headed outside.
"Wow… this thing is really heavy…"
Mela was dragging the broken blade that had belonged to the wolf-woman, scraping it along the ground and throwing sparks everywhere.
"And to think she held it up with one hand…"
Violet walked slowly and unsteadily, but Nainai stayed at her side, supporting her carefully so she wouldn't lose balance.
Once they opened the temple doors, the group finally stepped outside.
The light was strong, and Violet was briefly blinded.
Then the city appeared before her.
A cool, brisk wind brushed across her face, and Violet let it caress her skin as she inhaled deeply.
I'm… still alive…
Only now was Violet truly beginning to grasp everything that had happened to her.
"Good morning, Miss Violet."
The familiar voice caught her attention instantly.
"…Pal!"
At the foot of the short staircase leading to the temple stood the merchant, comfortably seated on a small cart.
Mela, still dragging the sword, struggled to walk past him.
"Here, Violet—this is our means of transportation."
With a wide gesture and every ounce of strength she had, the dog-girl lifted the massive blade and slammed it onto the back of the cart with a loud metallic crash.
Violet stared at the merchant, confused.
"And… what are you doing here?"
"I'm the one who called him!"
Mela rushed over to help Violet climb onto the cart.
"So you two… know each other?"
"Oh yes, of course! You know, it's thanks to Pal's help that I was able to open the inn."
The merchant, smiling, adjusted his mustache.
"When I arrived in town, I didn't know anyone. He let me work in his shop, and then he helped me find a place to open one of my own."
Violet's jaw dropped.
"Incredible…"
Descending the few steps with the support of Nainai and Mela, Violet approached the cart.
"It's been some time, Miss Violet. I'm glad to see that despite your ordeal, you're doing well."
Violet tried to bow, but the pain forced her to stop midway.
"It's a pleasure to see you too, Pal."
She suddenly felt guilty remembering how she had treated him the last time they met.
"Come on now, no wasting time. You need to rest!"
Mela was fidgeting, bouncing around like a frantic little ball.
The three climbed onto the cart.
Violet and Mela settled in the back, while Nainai sat beside Pal, who held the reins of an old gray nag with a dull, worn coat.
"Let's go!"
Mela tapped the cart, signaling Pal to start moving. With a quick pull of the reins, the man urged the animal forward; it began walking slowly, dragging the cart behind it.
Violet settled in as best she could, trying to find a position that wouldn't aggravate her pain. Mela was glued to her side, as if afraid she might disappear at any moment.
"A lot has happened these past few days, Miss Violet,"
Pal said, turning slightly toward her as he guided the cart.
"Really? What do you mean?"
Violet looked around to take in the city. Their passage was drawing a lot of attention. It seemed that everyone stopped to stare, point, and whisper to one another.
Pal continued:
"You've become quite famous. The news of Thelvaria's defeat spread like lightning. The whole city is talking about you."
People were gathering around them, watching the cart as it rolled by.
"Seriously?"
"Hey, don't get distracted! Keep your eyes on the road and try not to flip the cart like you usually do!"
Mela cut in sharply.
"What happened while I was asleep?"
Feeling all those eyes on her, Violet tried to hide, embarrassed.
"It was chaos!"
Mela grabbed her hands, her eyes shining with admiration.
"I heard the news on the street. At first I didn't understand what was going on—everyone was talking about how a commander of the demonic army had been defeated by one of the city's heroes. People were celebrating, and the guild even had to investigate to verify if the rumors were true!"
Mela waved her arms around as if recounting an epic tale.
"When they wouldn't let me into the temple, I went back. Then I heard people talk about a dwarf and a girl, so I ran to the guild, following the crowd to find out what really happened. It was full of people! Everyone was shouting and begging to hear the story, so the guild girls explained that a group of bear adventurers had brought back a girl and a dwarf, saying they had seen them defeat Thelvaria!!!"
"Well, actually I didn't do much… it was Nainai who defeated her…"
Violet looked at the dwarf's back as he sat silently at the front of the cart, just as always.
"Yes, but you faced her!"
Mela was ecstatic.
"That's not something ordinary adventurers do! Most people would've kept far, far away! Instead you two went straight for her! What I still don't understand is why you accepted such a dangerous mission…"
Mela tilted her head, puzzled, bringing a finger to the corner of her mouth.
"Uhm… it's a long story…" Violet tried to divert the girl's attention. She had no intention of telling her that, in reality, they had been headed somewhere completely different.
"You made me worry sooo much!" The dog-girl looked like she was about to cry again.
"There, there… it's all fine now." Violet let herself be held. She would have liked to pat her, but the girl's grip made it impossible.
"By the way, miss…"
Pal, still focused on the road, spoke up again.
"That broken sword… unless I'm mistaken, is it the weapon of the wolf-woman?"
Violet stared at the blade by her feet. The hilt was long, and even though the blade was now only a fragment of the original, it still looked sharp.
"Yes. It's called Fang of the East, I think."
Pal pondered for a moment.
"I see… and would you be willing to sell it to me?"
Sell it? And why? In the end, it was just a broken sword.
"Well, I…"
Mela cut him off again.
"Listen, you! That is Violet and Nainai's sword! It's an invaluable war trophy!!! Why on earth should they give it to you?"
"Well, it was just a simple question…"
"Anyway, as I was saying…"
Mela clung to Violet again.
"The news spread first through the whole city, then the entire province! Even the governor — Baron Sprunfald — was impressed! He sent a letter to the guild saying he wants to come meet you. And he wants to give you a reward!"
Violet jolted.
The Baron??? A reward???
"Yes! He's already given orders, and the entire town is preparing for a big celebration!"
Violet felt faint. Everything was happening too fast.
"Feeling weak?"
Mela noticed Violet's reaction and hugged her even tighter.
Violet was simply relieved to be alive, and everything Mela was saying sounded exaggerated and absurd. She leaned against the girl, suddenly feeling very tired.
"We're almost there, Violet. As soon as we get to the inn, I'm putting you straight to bed so you can rest."
The wait was short. The cart followed the road and eventually reached the small clearing in front of the inn.
"All right, we're here!"
Pal stopped the cart right in front of the building's entrance.
Violet climbed down with Mela's help, who then did the same for Nainai before retrieving the sword.
"Thank you, Pal…"
Violet bowed slightly to the merchant, who returned the gesture with a sincere smile.
"It was a pleasure, Miss Violet. It's not every day one gets to cart around a real hero!"
Hero… Violet was still surprised every time she heard that word.
Pal climbed down from the cart and helped the girl get off from the back, supporting her.
Mela, settled on Violet's other side, let the sword fall into Nainai's hands — who, surprisingly, carried it without the slightest effort.
Entering the inn, Violet felt relieved.
Somehow, that place had begun to feel like home.
They reached the upper floor, and once inside the room, Mela helped Violet lie down, tucking the blankets around her.
"Now rest. When you wake up, you'll find a nice bowl of stew waiting for you."
Violet, now settled, relaxed and let herself sink into the comfort of her bed.
"Thank you, Mela…" she whispered softly.
"Just focus on getting better, I'll take care of the rest!"
Mela closed the window to leave the room in dim light, then lit a small candle and placed it on the nightstand beside Violet.
"Miss Violet, I hope you recover quickly. If you need anything, I am at your full disposal."
The merchant adjusted his mustache and smiled at her.
Violet was surprised by all the attention and care from everyone who had looked after her.
"…Thank you…"
"Come on, let's go. Let's let her rest."
Mela pushed the two men toward the door, guiding them out of the room.
The dwarf gave the girl one last look before the door closed before his eyes.
Violet noticed that the expression on his face was a mix of worry and relief.
Left alone, Violet sank into sleep.
Her last thoughts drifted to Mela's words, to the Baron, to the celebration being prepared.
And to the voice.
That strange voice that had spoken to her deep within her dreams, back at the temple.
Then sleep.
mfmfmfmfmfmfmf… pssssssssssssssss.