The moment after the Demon of Eye's death, the souls caught in its bewitchment snapped back to reality and dropped to the ground, dazed and confused. Mangled bodies surrounded them all across the land. Some had disfigured faces, clawed apart until there was naught but exposed flesh, and others still whole were stuck in a frozen expression of fear. It was a terrible sight, but perhaps the greatest tragedy of all was the demon's final gift.

Memories. They looked at their own quivering hands; and they cried out in grief, memories rushing forth of the terrible acts they had committed—of the people they had maimed during their madness. The demon did not let them forget what they had done. They were harrowingly aware of every second that passed whilst frothing and delirious.

How many were forced to rip apart their friends, family? The battle was technically won; the first of the Four Great Evils was even slain. But not a person celebrated. It came at too great a cost.

Lucius watched the sight unfold before him. By his estimate, half of the fortress's warriors and summoned players had perished here this day. Thousands of people: gone, just like that. The only traces of their existence were left to rot atop the bloody earth.

The only consolation, he supposed, was that the mission was now over. Those who remained could reap the spoils attained by climbing over the bodies of the sacrificed.

>[The Main Questline, Troubled Beginnings, has been completed. Most Valuable Player: Lucius Rose. Issuing rewards now…]<

>[Congratulations! You are first place in the contribution rankings. As a bonus, you will be given a random Apparel Box, as well as increased basic rewards]<

*(NEW!) 1000 Cosmic Coins

*(NEW!) + 10 unattributed status points

*(NEW!) [1] random Apparel Box

*(NEW!) Skill Rank-Up Card

Lucius's vision was becoming quite obscured with all these screens popping up before his face. Well, one matter at a time. Should he start with the status points? There were thirteen left—how should he distribute them… ah-hah! He had just the idea.

Lucius cleared his throat, and then spoke the first tea that came to his mind.

"Masala Chai."

Looks like the points were going into dexterity. It went up from forty-three to fifty-six in one go! Mighty impressive.

Next up on the list was the C-rank Skill Book and, supposedly, an Apparel Box. Did that mean he could potentially get some new, snazzy, gentlemanly attire? Perhaps so, perhaps so. He couldn't wait to find out.

*(NEW!) Obtained C-rank skill: Fancy a Flower, Perchance?

*[Rank C] Fancy a Flower, Perchance? (Growth Type): Upon physically touching a flower, you may register it to this skill and store it. Using this skill allows you to summon the chosen flower whenever you wish, but should it be used as an ingredient or is damaged, the flower will be unregistered. Only one flower may be registered at a time. Floral-type races are not accepted, as well as those of greater sizes.

Oh-hoh, now this was a charming little skill. Lucius had always lamented having no good place to store the buds that caught his fancy. He made do with nestling them in his pocket, but such treatment was much too stuffy and cramped than they deserved. How fortunate that his worries would be solved now; although he was quite interested in these supposed floral-type races. Perhaps he might have the opportunity of encountering one sometime.

After that, it was time for the main event: gambling! Lucius opened the Apparel Box and watched with great anticipation as the roulette spun and flashy visuals danced across his sight before eventually landing on… a top hat. How elegant.

(NEW!) Obtained [1] Gentleman's Top Hat

Description: A black top hat made out of high quality leather and styled with a curved brim, a flat crown, and a ribbon edge trim for additional comfort. Truly, a fit made for a gentleman.

Effect: Wardrobe Change!

Freely switch between different sets of clothing while wearing the Gentleman's Top Hat. You can register a set by saving your current appearance in a slot. You have three slots in total that can be saved; but should any of the clothes be damaged beyond repair, they will be unregistered, and you will have to reset the slot.

Lucius was really being quite spoiled now. Without any hesitation, he saved his current violet suit in one of those so-called slots. Now he could dress for the occasion whenever he so wished!

Last, but not least, was the Skill Rank-Up Card. The name spoke for itself. Apparently, Lucius could use it to upgrade one of his existing skills, and he knew the perfect one to do so.

Skill 'Teatime' has ranked up to [D]

*[Rank D] Teatime (Growth Type): Once per day, conjure up to two cups of tea of your choosing. You may choose to include a pair of chairs as well if you so wish.

Additional chairs for comfort: how quaint. Lucius wondered if the next rank would include a table—then could he truly have a proper tea party! But for now, he was satisfied with all his lovely rewards.

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The gentleman was as refreshed as one could be. His jolly mood contrasted quite starkly with the miserable air floating about, though. The players and paladins, understandably, weren't as satisfied with their current situation. They meandered across the field, uncertain what to do next.

The two Peers that were meant to direct them… were despondent, battered and covered in wounds. Ruggiero had neither the strength nor awareness to heal himself. He struggled to even breathe, panting and clutching his heart as the price of his final attack began to take its toll.

Ogier, meanwhile, stared out toward the fallen bodies of his comrades: the ones personally brought down by his own hand. Blood dripped from his shortsword, slowly—each drop echoing agonizingly loud amidst the eerie silence. A lesser man would have suffocated just by drawing near him. Ogier was surrounded by an aura of death.

Lucius walked up, and extended a hand to them both. "The fiend has been slain. You need not worry any longer."

Ruggiero uttered a hoarse chuckle and propped himself back up with Lucius's help. "I shudder to think what would have happened here without your aid, Sir Lucius. You have accomplished a feat none have succeeded in for ten long years."

"I scarcely did a thing compared to your valiant efforts, Sir Ruggiero. And Sir Ogier as well."

Lucius turned his head toward the giant man. "Sir Ogier?"

He did not reply. A haunting chill shrouded his face, and his eyes glazed over, unable to accept the reality before him.

"... Forgive me, Sir Ogier." Lucius stepped up and delivered a hardy slap to the man's rotund belly. That seemed to do the trick; and Ogier snapped out of whatever daze had consumed him.

"I—" he mumbled, swallowing a deep gulp. "I have committed a great sin."

Ruggiero grimaced and clenched his fists. The two had done what they could to minimize the casualties, but there was no stopping the enraged paladins then. They surged forward even when ripped of limb - slashed and swung while bone jutted out from their sockets. No one could blame Ogier for what he had done, but that didn't stop the guilt nonetheless.

"... The fortress still stands thanks to your effort, Ogier," Ruggiero said, hoping to provide the bearded man comfort, even if little. "Many more would have perished. I am sure the fallen paladins are grateful that you stopped them from harming their own."

Ogier shuddered, and tried to stay the trembling of his throat. He roughly ran a hand over his face and scratched his neck. He needed to occupy his mind; and only pain seemed to work well enough.

"I know," he replied, eventually. "But it does not excuse me. I have broken my commandment, drawn the blood of my fellows. It matters not that I did it out of desperation—a sin is a sin regardless of the intent. It is my responsibility to bear the consequences."

Ogier hung his head back and looked up at the purple sky, so far away, so distant from the affairs of mortal men.

"... We will conduct the funeral rites. That will not change," he said, though his tone now was less out of duty. He simply wished for a distraction. "We will recite every name, including the otherworlders. It will be long. No one will leave until the souls of the fallen are given rest."

Ogier flicked the blood off his shortsword, and then trudged away. All that could be seen of him now was his back—weighed down, chained, and burdened by an obligation he could never escape.

Ruggiero watched the man disappear into the fortress. He shook his head, and then clasped Lucius's hands. "I will do what I can to alleviate his mind. Meet us in the courtyard when you are ready; this shall be our final night here. It is only right that we pay the proper respects."

With that, Ruggiero left as well. Lucius strolled back to his collapsed companions and dusted them off. It didn't take long before they regained consciousness; and they rose up with a groan, grabbing at their aching bodies.

"Ugh…" Mili grumbled. "Sorry for calling you names, Lucius. Thought you were one of those loser punks I fought with back in my school days."

Marco replied with a similar, ashamed tone. "Yeah, was the same for me. Used to have these real damn stubborn preachers come up to my door: tried to fill my kids heads with nonsense. I can deal with a fella actin' rude, but when you start targetin' the young 'uns? I ain't gonna let that slide."

Harper, for her part, laughed and brought the two sorry fellows in for a big hug. "It's all good. As long as you're better, right? Honestly a damn miracle we all managed to get through in one piece. Gotta count your blessings while you can."

With the party reunited and in brighter spirits, they walked back to the fortress, along with the survivors. Lucius's companions had managed to emerge unharmed thanks to the gentleman's intervention, but the other players weren't so fortunate. They all looked just as broken as when they first arrived in this land.

The horrors of the Tutorial were supposed to be forgotten, healed. But now, a new trauma buried deep in their hearts. This was their new reality.

This was the game they were thrust into.

That night, Ogier recited the names of the dead for two long hours. He did not stop to pause, or rest. He went down the list with a hushed whisper and continued until every last corpse was fluttered away into the somber evening sky.

The remaining players bowed their heads in solidarity, comforting the woeful paladins forced to bid goodbye to far, far too many.

When the ceremony ended, and all were finally given leave, Ruggiero and Ogier alone were left out on the lonely court.

And Lucius. He hid nearby.

"Ogier, you must not blame yourself," Ruggiero said, pleading to him. But the man didn't wish to hear it. He sagged over and drowned himself in as much drink as he could: drinking, and drinking, and drinking. He littered the area with countless lazily-thrown flasks, and he drank even further until his body could take it no more and he retched out all that bubbled in his stomach.

All that was left was a sad, tired old man. One ever forbidden from showing emotion. He had to remain strong, stalwart, for his shaken subordinates. It was only in the presence of Ruggiero and the moonlit sky that he could finally let free his tears and mourn the ones he had failed to protect.

"... I want to be left alone. Please, do me this favor."

Ruggiero tried to object, but it was no use. The bearded man would not relent.

"Very well," Ruggiero said, turning away. "I will always be here, should you need the comfort of a friend."

He left, and so too did Ogier after a few minutes. He struggled to stand up, face red with drunkenness rather than rage, but somehow managed to wobble back to his lonesome cabin.

Lucius could feel it: The conflicting emotions, the truth once buried now threatening to break free. The Peer could no longer hold it back. He had to face what laid within him.

It was time for Ogier to bloom.

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