"That bastard used a teleportation technique and reappeared in front of them," Charlie said, holding his broken ankle.

"You can't even hold an Awakener in the Foundation Realm," Nyx clicked her tongue in disappointment. "I will deal with you later. Kevin, finish them."

"Fo-forgive me... ma'am," Kevin said, his breath heavy. "I'm out of arrows and... huff... huff... I don't have enough Soulforce for that move."

"Tsk, both of you are useless."

"El Dorado, remember my face!" I screamed, tears rolling down my cheeks. "This is the last thing you will see when you die."

Sam wiped his tears, picked up Edrick's body on his other shoulder, and continued the retreat.

"Vi-Vivi, activate... Vyaghra's blessing," I murmured, barely conscious.

"Initializing Host's request..."

"Activating Blessing of Vyaghra..."

"Alert! Host is in contact with another person.

Would you like to spread Vyaghra's blessing to the person in contact as well?

[Yes] [No]

Note: Doing so will consume a larger amount of Soulforce."

"D... do it and... keep the blessing activated... even if I be-become... unconscious. And also do something to stop the bleeding from my limbs."

"Initializing Host's request..."

"Blessing of Vyaghra is set on autopilot."

"Forcefully closing the Host's wounds."

Within a couple of seconds, the black tiger spirit covered both of our bodies, and our presence completely disappeared.

"Where did they disappear?" Nyx demanded, already halfway there.

"Si-sir Morning Star, what just happened?" Sam asked, confused.

"Just keep... moving," I murmured. "Do-don't use Soulforce..."

The mental exhaustion from Ruru's blessing and Edrick's death took over me. Without even realizing, I had already fallen unconscious.

"Sarena, you should rest," Aris nagged. "We will prepare the food."

"Yeah, listen to Aris," Silvia added. "It's not good for the baby if you stress yourself."

"B-but there are so many guests coming," I insisted. "I can't possibly let you two do all the work."

"We aren't hearing anything!" Both of them hissed, grabbed me from either side, and took me out of the kitchen.

The hall was already filling with guests.

"Congratulations on your baby shower, Miss Sarena," Uncle Daniel said, offering me a small gift-wrapped box.

"Thank you, Uncle Daniel," I replied with a smile, accepting the gift. "Please take a seat."

Following him, various people from the mines came and offered me gifts.

Surprisingly, Sir Strong also arrived and brought the largest gift among the guests.

"Wishin' ya a healthy pregnancy, Sarena," Sir Strong said, touching my head lightly. "Can't wait to meet the lil one."

"Th-thank you, Sir Strong," I replied, completely flustered. "Sir Night didn't come?"

"If he had come, nobody here could've enjoyed the party," Sir Strong laughed before moving to the food stall that Aris and Silvia were filling with all their might.

Strangely, when Sir Strong touched my head, all the nervousness I had due to the upcoming delivery vanished. It felt as if God themselves had blessed me.

It was the first time so many guests had come home. Thanks to Sir Morning Star, we were able to afford this big house in the city and host this party.

The occasion was clearly one of happiness; however, since last night, I had been having a strange feeling in my heart.

"Dear husband, you only left yesterday, yet I miss you dearly," I murmured. "I wanted to share this joyous occasion with you. I hope you are also doing well."

"Oh! Are you missing Daddy too?" I asked, feeling a soft kick in my stomach.

Soon, the ceremony began, and the hall filled with laughter and enjoyment. Uncle Daniel began singing a beautiful song while Aris and Silvia took the center of attention with their graceful dance moves.

As the celebration reached its zenith, suddenly the door of the hall opened and Uncle Diego burst in.

His eyes were terrified and his whole body shivered as he ran straight to Sir Strong.

"S-si... sirrrrr..." he muttered and fell to his knees, unable to form the words.

The singing and dancing stopped as everyone's attention shifted to Uncle Diego.

"Calm yourself before speakin'," Sir Strong said. "Someone bring him the damn water."

Uncle Diego tugged at Sir Strong's pants tightly before continuing, "S-sir Morning Star... has... returned b-but h-he..."

Before Uncle Diego could complete his sentence, Sir Strong jumped off the chair and bolted outside the hall.

Seeing Sir Strong running like that, everyone followed him and moved outside, murmuring in confusion.

"What's happening?" I asked, reaching Aris and Silvia.

"Sarena, wait here," Silvia ordered. "I will inform you once I find out what the commotion is about. Aris, stay with her."

"No, I must come," I insisted firmly. "Uncle Diego said something about Sir Morning Star returning. Edrick was also with him, so he must have returned as well."

"Sarena, you are already in your eighth month so—"

"I can't stay!" I snapped. "My heart is beating so fast. It won't calm until I go myself."

Both of them sighed, giving up, and held me by the arms, taking me outside the house.

We had bought the home at the city's border because it was easier for Edrick to move in and out of the mines from there.

In front of us, almost half of the city's population had gathered around the city's main gate.

Despite the big crowd, everyone was strangely silent. Not just silent—utterly petrified.

I hadn't even seen people this frightened when I was captured as a slave.

As soon as the people saw me walk in, strangely all of them silently stepped aside, paving the way for me.

"What's happening?" I wondered, confused.

Each step I took forward made my heart beat even faster.

At the end, before the main gate, Sir Strong stood with his back towards us, his hands carrying a hint of tremble.

To me, Sir Morning Star was like a god: a protector, yet so distant and unapproachable that I hardly dared to breathe in his presence. I had only talked to him once, and that was when he saved my dignity and life in the tunnel.

Meanwhile, Sir Strong was like an angel. He was more approachable, always talked to everyone casually, and—undoubtedly, as his name—very strong. He was like a father figure to me.

Yet that very man, whom I never thought anything could shake, trembled.

"Si-sir Strong, what happened?" I asked, sweat pouring down my forehead as I softly tugged on his sleeve.

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