After the fierce battle finally came to an end, silence immediately took its place.
Everyone stared at the fallen body of the Calami Minotaur sprawled across the ground, too afraid to move, as if the monstrous beast might rise again at any moment.
After some time had passed and it was clear that the creature would not move again, cheers of victory erupted throughout the army, completely shattering the heavy silence that had lingered before.
Soldiers and mages clasped hands, embraced one another, and laughed in relief, grateful that the nightmare they had just endured was finally over.
Ryn limped toward Goran, who was still lying on the ground while mages worked to treat his injuries.
"Hey," Goran said with a teasing grin.
"You look like hell, hero."
Ryn could only smile in relief, glad that his big, troublemaking friend was still alive.
Alize quickly ran over to check on Ryn, her face filled with concern, as the cheers of victory continued to echo around them.
Then, the commanding voice of the warden Divine rang out.
He announced an immediate withdrawal, worried that more dangers might still be lurking in the area.
The celebratory mood gradually faded. Soldiers began escorting the wounded away from the cave, while the massive corpse of the Minotaur was left behind.
This victory…
Though it had been hard-won, no one wished to stay any longer than necessary.
Even though there was still enough time to return to Central within the same day, the warden ordered the army to set up camp once they had moved a safe distance away from the cave.
The reason was clear—too many were injured to continue marching.
The area was an open plain. While it still felt dangerous, it lay within Central's territory, where Calami were rarely seen, offering some degree of safety.
Even so, guards were posted carefully. No one lowered their vigilance.
Not long after, a soldier delivered a report from the commander and announced to the entire army that, although the mission could not be considered a complete success, it was a relief that no soldiers had died.
Only Theron and his assistant had lost their lives.
Cheers of relief rose once more.
Some laughed, while others collapsed to the ground in sheer relief after surviving a mission that had seemed simple—yet nearly cost them their lives.
Ryn sat alone, his body still aching from his wounds. He gazed at the scene before him with mixed emotions as Richard's words surfaced in his mind.
"There's no need to go chasing after complicated power. Humans are already strong… because we have minds."
Ryn found himself understanding his master's lesson more than ever before.
Soon, Goran dragged his badly injured body over to sit beside him, and Alize followed, settling in close.
The three of them sat quietly, watching the soldiers and mages chatting happily in the distance.
"Hey," Goran finally spoke.
"How did you even survive going into their nest alone?"
Ryn only smiled, offering no answer.
Alize spoke next, her voice filled with worry.
"Do you know how scared I was when you walked into that cave by yourself? I know you're strong, but going in alone was still too dangerous."
Goran immediately added,
"Yeah! I almost stopped breathing. I thought you'd never come back out. But when you did… man, that felt good."
Ryn understood what they meant.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"For worrying about me."
Goran nodded, then changed the subject.
"By the way… what that bastard Theron said—about Sir Richard once fighting King Arthur. Is it true?"
Ryn shook his head.
"I don't know. Master never told me anything about it."
"But I do,"
Alize said quietly.
Both of them turned to look at her.
"My teacher told me. He was there."
She continued,
"They say King Arthur suddenly went mad and began slaughtering civilians across the land. The Council sent Sir Richard and the Grand Sage Aurelia to stop him. My master was summoned as well."
Ryn lifted his head, listening intently.
"The battle ended quickly,"
Alize went on,
"because Arthur stood alone. But what was terrifying was the power he wielded—far beyond what any human should possess. Even Sir Richard and Arch, along with several elite warriors, struggled to withstand him. In the end… King Arthur escaped."
Ryn and Goran remained silent, listening as the camp echoed with laughter and celebration around them.
Yet the story of the past left a quiet shadow in their hearts.
At dawn, the army broke camp and began the march back to Central, arriving shortly before noon.
Upon reaching the city, the warden dismissed the forces immediately. Soldiers and mages dispersed to report to their respective duties.
After finishing his report, Goran hurried straight to Ryn.
"Hey,"
he called out.
"When's your next mission? I'll wait and go with you again. Somehow, I feel like I survive more often than I die when I'm with you."
Ryn shook his head slightly.
"Not sure. Probably not for a while."
Moments later, Alize walked over to join them.
"You know,"
she said brightly,
"I only need one more trial to become a High Mage. You two better hurry up and catch me."
She laughed, waved goodbye, and walked off.
Goran turned to Ryn and said,
"See you around, hero."
Then he headed off in the opposite direction.
Ryn stood there for a moment, watching them leave.
At last, he turned and made his way back to Richard's house, to report the results of the second trial to his master.
This journey had come to an end.
But the road ahead of him…
was still long.