>[Congratulations! The second of the Great Evils, the Ears of Envy, has been slain! With this, the emergency quest is now complete]<

*(NEW!) EXP + 250

*(NEW!) 1500 Cosmic Coins

*(NEW!) [1] Weapon Enhancement Card

Your 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 and a table as well if you so wish.

Lucius didn't land the final blow this time, but the mission's rewards were generous nonetheless. His skill even ranked up — how dashing! What drew his attention however was the new weapon enhancement card, which when inspected allowed him to upgrade his cane sword. He didn't hesitate and used it immediately.

Gentleman's Cane has been enhanced to Gentleman's Cane (+1)

Gentleman's Cane (+1): Increases strength while wielded based on how elegant the user is (up to 20). Also passively gives the user + 5 endurance.

Very nice. While the effect was rather simple, the extra stats were a lovely addition to his already pristine physique. Thus, after a satisfied nod, he walked to his fellow's side.

Sir Renaud stared at the demon's fading remains. His eyes, once so fierce and bitter, had softened; and he turned his head to face Lucius with a newfound peace. The man had emerged victorious against not only his demonic captor, but his own demons, the memories and resentment he once held stubbornly close all these years. There was no other way to describe it: Renaud was truly beautiful.

And also wounded.

The Peer grunted and fell onto one knee whilst clutching his chest. His attire was bloody, so Lucius quickly helped attend to him, removing the soaked rags, bandaging his injuries, and treating him to a nice refreshing cup of iced tea.

"You have worked hard, my friend," Lucius said. "Let us return to the others, hm?"

The man let out a bright chuckle and bid the gentleman to lead the way. "Yes, I've had far too much excitement for one day. The bed's call is particularly alluring at this moment."

"Hoho, don't fall asleep just yet! Once the others hear tell of your triumphant slaying of the Evil, no doubt you will be showered in the finest of praise. This achievement is solely your own — no one can take that from you."

"Hrm, I suppose you're right…"

Renaud paused for a moment and hung his head back. Despite the promise of glory awaiting him, the very reason he set off on this journey in the first place, the man had no more yearning for it. He merely wished to rest, to find what it was that would make him truly happy.

Renaud was no longer bound by his obsession, his envy. To him, the celebrations and cheers of the people were no different than the swaying wind.

"I apologize, Sir Lucius, but may I ask you for a favor?" the man said.

"Of course! How may I be of service?" Lucius replied.

Renaud bid him a gentle smile. "Please claim the honor in my stead. I would rather have the people believe that you slayed the demon, and that in my helplessness I was merely rescued."

Now that was a curious proposal. "Are you certain about this? If this tale were to be spread, I'm afraid your repute as a noble Peer would be sullied."

But the man nodded confidently. "I care not how the people see me, not anymore. My pride blinded me into believing my abilities more than I was capable; and because of it, many died who were undeserving. Perhaps it was not entirely my fault, but the fact remains that had someone more competent taken my place, then this expedition would not have nearly been so perilous. I do not wish to claim glory for a mistake I caused."

"I see. Well, if that's what you desire, then I shall respect your will," Lucius said, giving the man a hearty pat on the shoulder. "What do you wish to do after this, Sir Renaud?"

"After, you say?"

"Yes. Once we return to the capital, those of Sir Roland's faction will no doubt prevent you from taking up another position of importance. I'm sure scandal and hearsay will follow your wake, and for the rest of your life you may never succeed in restoring your reputation. Will you still choose to work in the castle?"

Renaud pondered to himself for a little while, before responding with a mischievous grin. "I have an idea, but you shall have to see it personally once we return."

"Oh? I will look forward to it."

And with that, the jolly duo made their way out of the crumbling castle and emerged back onto the blackened plain of what once was the forest. There, the Franks and players eagerly awaited their return; and Lucius was immediately met with the friendly gazes of his companions

"Holy crud, you actually rescued him!" Mili said, looking at Renaud and giving him a thumbs up. "I figured you were all fine and dandy after we got the system message, but how'd you manage to kill the demon thingy alone?"

Lucius briefly glanced at the Peer in one last act of acknowledgement, before turning back and availing the crowd with a heroic rendition of his rescue. "It wasn't difficult, really. The thing's main strengths were its trickery and deceit. How could I call myself a gentleman if I were to be fooled by such meagre things? Thus, after a long chase, I finally drew close and put an end to its miserable life with a swift plunge of my blade!"

The field erupted into applause as Lucius bowed before them with an elegant flourish. They cheered his name and soon flocked to his side, bidding him a hero's welcome. They had completely forgotten about their true leader, and Renaud was left to watch from the sidelines — alone. Yet, content.

Lucius wasn't one to exclude another from the fun, however, and he dashed to the Peer's side before dragging him back into the festivities. "Come now, my friend. Even if you wish me to be the main star of this play, surely you aren't forbidden from mingling with the others, right? Let us celebrate as fellows do, after we treat your injuries, of course."

The man huffed a sigh. He appeared annoyed at first, but hidden underneath was an undeniable gratitude. He had been alone in his plight for a long time; now was the chance to step forth and open himself up, even if only a little.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," he said.

"Splendid! Allow me to do the honors."

With a snap of his finger, Lucius summoned a large banquet hall where the surviving expedition members could drink, eat, and be merry to their hearts' content. It was a nice distraction away from the lives lost to the demon. Players and Frankishmen alike soon collapsed themselves atop a wide assortment of lounge chairs, while a few others took the chance to visit the homemade spa.

Renaud sought treatment in the meanwhile and, fortunately, suffered no lasting wounds. In a few days he would be right as rain. Perhaps even sooner once he visited the bathhouses.

Lucius on the other hand took a moment to enjoy the view. He sipped on some herbal grapefruit tea and made himself comfortable as Marco, Mili, and Harper lazed about with him.

"Sometimes, this doesn't feel… real, you know what I mean?" Harper said while indulging in a pineapple cocktail. "One moment you're fighting for your life, and the next everything's just, well, done with. We've gone through so much so quickly that it's hard to realize just how much we've lost."

"I know what ya mean," Marco grunted. "There were a couple of buddies I was talkin' with during the first few days of the expedition. They're dead now, most of them. How many players are left — about half? I remember talking to that soldier fella, Cain, just a day ago. Turns out the unlucky guy got crushed under some rubble. Couldn't even use his skills because of the demon. To think a tough nut like him would die like that… really makes you realize just how suddenly one of us could kick the bucket."

Mili took out her guitar and mindlessly fiddled with the strings. "It was worse at the fortress. Back then there was just so much death and misery and stuff that it felt like you were being drowned in it. Now? We got used to it. I try to live in the moment, y'know, but there's definitely something changing in me and I'm not sure I like it. Maybe I'm going crazy, or my heart's turning colder, but it kinda makes sense. How could anyone stay the same after all this craziness? Maybe the only reason I haven't gone completely bonkers is thanks to you guys."

The group laughed amongst themselves and turned their gazes up to the sky.

"Yeah, it's strange like that," Harper said. "It's honestly a miracle the four of us managed to stay together through all of this. Truth be told, I'm a little scared. I'm scared to talk with other people or make new acquaintances because I never know when they'll become a victim of this damn game; and it's not like I haven't seen my fair share of loss. Comes with the job of being a firefighter. You turn up to fight disasters, and sometimes you realize you're too late to save anybody. But this is different. The disasters keep popping up every few days and you're left with little time to breathe before you're dragged along the next mission or tragedy. It's exhausting, knowing you've gotta be on edge at every moment."

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"Well, not all the time," Marco muttered. "When I'm with youse folk, I can relax and unwind. It's funny. Everyone else I can't help but stress about, but it's not the same with the four of us. It's a—how do I say it—certainty. Like no matter what comes our way, I know we'll get through it. I can't even imagine any of ya dying."

Mili laughed and agreed with him. "You're right about that, big fella. Being around you guys is the only time I feel like my old self. Can't quite put my finger on it though… maybe it's because of Lucius?"

The gentleman tilted his head and pointed at himself. "Me, you say?"

Harper nodded. "She's right. You're a real calm guy, Lucius. I don't think I've ever seen you break a sweat, not once. You're always composed even if everything seems hopeless; and you're usually the first one to come up with a plan. It's almost spooky in a way. The whole world could come crumbling down and I bet you'd still be somewhere casually drinking your tea."

Mili suddenly snapped her fingers and stood upright. "I've got it! You're the anchor."

"The anchor?"

"Yeah, the backbone of our group. It's exactly 'cause you never panic that the rest of us can ground ourselves."

Lucius didn't quite know what that meant, but it was apparently a positive thing and the others nodded in agreement, so who was he to disagree? If it made his companions happier to think of the gentleman as such, then he would gladly serve as their supposed anchor.

"Yep! So you better not die, Lucius," Mili said. "Or else we'll all go sinking with the ship."

"You are in luck then, my dear. For I have no plans of doing so in the near future."

With that, the four of them conversed amongst each other for the next hour before gradually breaking off to do their own respective activities. The expedition had initially planned to leave today; but after all the fuss, they decided it better to wait until the next morning. Harper and Mili went to soak in the spa for a bit while Marco flopped onto a chair and began snoozing away.

It was when the good Lucius had a rare moment to himself that Sir Renaud emerged from the bathhouses looking quite satisfied. He sat silently next to the gentleman and looked up at the dimming sky.

"Be wary of Uncle Ganelon, Lucius," Renaud said. "The two of us knew briefly of your presence, but once we return he will no doubt view you with greater caution."

"Is there naught you can do to change his mind?"

He shook his head. "More so than I, uncle is a deeply tormented man. We two found kinship as fellows terrorized by his late Holiness, Pepin the Blood-Slurping Reaper of the Desecrated Mortal Hells, but the pain I suffered cannot possibly compare to his great hatred. Even now, the shade of the former emperor haunts him. I will try to appeal, but know it will likely be useless."

The man's warning was good-natured, but for Lucius he only grew more and more intrigued with each word. Ganelon… such a curious person! The gentleman would love to get a good look inside his head sometime, but alas such an opportunity had yet to arrive. Right now there were more pressing matters.

Such as those two flying figures in the distance.

"Hm?" Renaud muttered, squinting his eyes to get a better look. "Ah, I see they've finally arrived. I wondered as much when I first beheld the demon, but to think it would take this long."

"Do you know those blurs, my friend?" Lucius asked.

Renaud nodded and slowly stood up. "They are the ones responsible for tracking the Ears to begin with."

As the figures approached, their appearances gradually became more clear, until Lucius was met with the bold visage of a large golden chariot. A young man and a formidable woman rode upon the impressive vehicle, and a faint bickering could be heard amongst them. Fortunately, Lucius's hearing was in tip top shape, so he discerned their conversation quite easily.

"Are you sure this is the place? There's nothing to see but ash, and dust, and even more ash. Some kinda hellstorm must've swept through. Why the heck would the Ears come here?" said the younger boy, who appeared to be in his mid twenties and wore a lightly armored vest of silver.

His female companion, fitted head to toe in a bulky jet black plate, on the other hand was of similar age to the other Peers. "We have checked everywhere else, Astolfo. This is the only location left. Though, it does worry me how such a blaze came about in the first place. I worry for Maugris and Renaud's safety. Their expedition was supposed to pass through here a week ago."

"Really? Yeesh, let's hope they got out then. I doubt even the Demon King would've been able to survive something like this—wait, what's that? Is that a castle?"

"By the Stars… there are people over there. Astolfo, quick, let us make our descent! Something surely must have transpired in this land."

"I think that's putting it mildly…"

Soon, the charming duo swiftly plunged through the air and landed their chariot right in front of Lucius. They walked out in awe and beheld the furnishings laid about, gawking at the people and the lounges as if they had just entered some sort of alternate reality.

"Angie, can you pinch my cheek?" the man known as Astolfo whispered. "I think the demon must've messed with my brain or something."

To that, the woman responded by landing a solid slap to his cheek. "Manners, Astolfo! You cannot call me that in front of others."

"I apologize, Lady Angelica, but I really don't think this is the time for semantics."

While the two engaged in a brief, civil joust, Renaud slowly walked up to them and bid the newly arrived paladins a respectful bow.

"Mm, you are late," he said with a slight twinkle in his eyes. "But better than never, I suppose. Welcome, Sir Astolfo and Lady Angelica. It is a comfort indeed to have more of the Peers in our company."

Contrary to his polite greeting, Astolfo's jaw dropped open, and he fearfully stepped back in alarm.

"Angelica, get away!" he shouted. "That… that can't be Renaud. He didn't even call me a wretch or a cur — it must be a demon in disguise!"

The female paladin shook her head at her young companion's outcry, yet there was no denying that she too was somewhat disturbed. Just how did Renaud act before that a sliver of friendliness would cause them to react in such a drastic manner?

"Sir Renaud?" she asked cautiously. "Is it truly you?"

"Must I cast insults for you to believe me? I would be more than happy to do so."

"No, no! It's just, well, you seem quite different than before. Softer. I think it's a good change."

Angelica glanced at the camp and then toward the castle. Many questions eagerly sought to part her lips, but eventually she settled on just one. "Why are you here?"

Renaud shrugged. "I had no choice. The demons assaulted us from all sides. Had I not invoked the Fires of Sinai, we would have surely perished from the swarm."

Astolfo interrupted him with a still-leery eye. "You even used your family's treasure? Huh, must've been real desperate. I'm guessing you holed up in that castle there afterward, but… uh, how'd you make it so quickly, anyway?"

To that, Renaud gestured over to Lucius. "I did nothing. That honor goes to my otherworldly friend and his peculiar magics. He summoned the castle and gave us shelter."

The gentleman chuckled and tipped his top hat before his new fellows. "How do you do? My name is Lucius Rose, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The two Peers beheld him with wariness at first, but their expressions softened after looking at something on Lucius's forehead.

"Ah yes, you are the one Ruggiero and Bradamante spoke about," Angelica said while exchanging a cordial handshake with him. "My sister-in-arms mentioned that you were a man of honor. It appears her words hold true."

Astolfo bid him a wide smile and performed a bow of his own. "You must be a saint, tolerating Renaud all this time. I would've strangled his throat after the first day."

"I prefer that you mock me whilst I am not present, at the very least," the man in question said dully. "But yes, I owe Sir Lucius much. He was also the one to slay the demon you two fools failed to keep in check."

The two Peers both gasped in unison.

"So the Ears really did assault your expedition?" Angelica muttered. "Curses, the fault is ours. We were tricked by its auditory schemes before we could realize its absence. It fled in a rush, almost as if compelled by some unseeable force. Astolfo and I attempted to track it afterward, but with neither trace nor hint of where it might be, we were left to wander the regions until eventually we drifted here."

"Yeah, that thing's notorious for being crafty even among the other Evils," Astolfo said. "How'd you manage to kill it? I doubt Maugris was of much help since the Ears prevents priests from casting, but that would mean you managed to slay a great demon of all things without any help from a Peer."

The young man spoke innocently, unaware that he just inadvertently mocked the good Sir Renaud. Or perhaps it was on purpose. Regardless of the intent, Renaud didn't seem bothered by it and merely idled by as Lucius once again recounted the (fake) tale of his clash with the demon.

"Woah, that's impressive!" Astolfo said. "I can't imagine how difficult it was dealing with all its tricks alone. I guess, physically, it's not all that strong compared to a paladin, but Angelica and I could never manage to get close to it."

"What can I say? Perhaps I was lucky."

Angelica humored him with a laugh of her own. "Maybe so, but the result is cause for celebration nonetheless. I am surprised that Maugris is nowhere to be seen, however. He ever does love his festivities — was he injured?"

Renaud's expression suddenly darkened, and he lowered his head in shame. "Maugris perished honorably in battle against the demons. It is thanks to his sacrifice that many of ours still live."

Lucius did not refute him. The truth was a much more tragic affair, one that would have led to Maugris's memory being sullied in the eyes of history. Renaud didn't wish for that. Even if the two had been enemies for many long years, there was no denying the friendship they once cherished; and so the man uttered a little white lie.

Angelica clenched her fist and somberly nodded. "I see. I will ensure he is inscribed in the memoirs as the hero he was."

"To die for the sake of protecting another… there's nothing more respectable than that," Astolfo whispered through shaky breaths. "I just never thought it'd be this soon. He looked so confident before setting off, and now I'll never hear his voice again. Damnit, what do I tell Roland?"

"What about the mission?" Angelica tried to change the topic, but it was clear her friend's passing still weighed heavily on her.

"Successful, of course," Renaud said whilst patting Lucius's shoulder. "We eliminated the origin of the irregular demonic movement and also received a memento containing the Demon King's fragment. Sir Lucius has it safely contained within his person now, but I advise any else from beholding it until we return to the capital."

Angelica acknowledged him and then saluted Lucius with a sign of the Hallowed Blade, which was meant to confer formal respects to accomplished military figures. "Very well, then I believe all that's left is for us to return. Do not worry about safety. With the Ears dead, Astolfo and I shall serve as your escorts back. All I ask is that you let us rest in your quarters. It has been a rather, shall we say, stressful period this past week. I've had scarce chances to sleep."

Renaud walked to the side and bid them proceed with a wave. "Relax as you see fit. I will ensure the rest of my lot are suitably prepared by the morrow."

With that, Angelica cracked her back and let out a tired groan as she made her way to one of the lounges. Astolfo followed soon after, and so it was that the expedition gained two new, albeit temporary, members.

The next day, everyone would finally go back home.

"I guess all those stories about the Beast Lord turned out to be fake, huh?" Astolfo innocently mentioned before he left. "I doubt something so powerful as that would let its forest burn so easily."

Lucius and Renaud briefly glanced at each other, before departing without another word.

Some things were too bizarre to explain.

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