Everyone moved through Naraku as a group while seeing the town showing signs of rapid recovery. New timber is already being fitted into damaged structures, debris is being cleared into organized piles, and people are working together with efficiency born of doing this many times.

They found Nigen wiping sweat from his forehead with a cloth. The debris around him had been completely disposed of, leaving clear ground. His white hair was damp with exertion, and his grey tunic showed dark patches from labor.

"Uncle Nigen!" Amiya called out, quickly running toward him.

Janus followed with a grin, his black-blue coat flaring with movement. Both reached Nigen simultaneously, their words tumbling over each other. "We have something to ask you."

Janus and Amiya launched into questions about the City of Melo. They ask what he knew, what stories had been passed down, whether there was truth to the golden pillar, and if he could provide directions or maps.

Nigen's expression grimaced as the lines around his eyes deepened, and he shook his head firmly. "No."

"But Uncle-" Amiya started.

"No." Nigen repeated, more firmly. "I won't answer questions about Melo."

Janus stepped forward, his voice carrying pleading tones. "Dad, please. It might help the town-"

"I said no." Nigen gritted his teeth while gripping the cloth tightly. "Do you understand how dangerous it is around the City of Melo? The path is filled with Phantasm Beasts, not just the normal ones but root variants we don't understand. Combine that with the fact that people haven't visited that place in decades. Who knows what's there now?"

Amiya tried again, her violet eyes wide with earnest appeal. "But if we can find the Star Jewel-"

"Star Jewel?" Nigen scoffed. "Children's stories and old legends. You're talking about risking lives for fairy tales."

"The Luminous Knights are searching for it," Janus argued. "Saint Lucian himself-"

"I don't care if the Saints and all the Luminous Knights in the world are searching." Nigen's voice rose slightly, frustration bleeding through. "I won't send people to such a dangerous place, especially the people from my town. The answer is no, and that's the end."

Nigen turned and walked away, his shoulders tense, while Amiya sighed in frustration, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

Janus raised his hand as if to call after his father, then halted. The hand dropped slowly, and resignation appeared across his face.

Reinhard and the others approached.

Joseph spoke first, his green eyes thoughtful. "I can see why he's reluctant. But we really need confirmation, or we potentially waste a trip."

Amiya frowned before her face shifted into determination, and she narrowed her eyes."We'll ask him again later, and then tomorrow. No matter what, we will force him to give up the information."

Janus's eyes widened in surprise at her.

Marie laughed, the sound bright and delighted. "It seems our Amiya is motivated?"

Amiya nodded firmly. "Of course! How can I rest knowing there's a potential path to ending the Dark Silence and finally letting everyone have a normal life?"

Brunhilde smiled. "I agree. But let's go help out with the cleanup and getting rid of the Phantasm Beast bodies still lying around."

Everyone nodded before they split up and moved to different areas where work remained.

Reinhard headed toward a collapsed building where several townspeople struggled with a particularly large beam. He reached it, gripped the wood alongside them, and lifted it easily, leading to grateful looks from the workers.

Brunhilde moved to where injured people were being tended. She helped bandage, treat, and mend the people using her medical skills and knowledge. While also taking this time to teach the town clinics in her new way, and giving them advice.

Marie went to help the workers move timber in place before the buildings began setting it up. Then she would help out in fixing the broken fences and removing some of the rubble that was way too big.

Joseph went to help clear debris, using Wind Drift to move lighter pieces efficiently. The wind carried wood and stone to designated piles, accelerating the process significantly.

Amiya returned to where the Phantasm Beast corpses lay and dragged them out of the town. Then her scythe appeared, and she swung her scythe, leading crimson-black flames to rush over them and consume them.

Janus stood apart for several moments, staring toward where his father had disappeared. Then he shook himself and joined the cleanup efforts, throwing himself into physical labor with almost desperate energy.

The afternoon wore on as Naraku recovered one beam, one pile of rubble, one repaired wall at a time.

…

Later, Reinhard and the others sat in the inn's common room. The space was warm, lit by oil lamps hanging from wooden beams. Long tables filled the area, and the scent of Nigen's famous soup filled the air.

It was rich, savory, with herbs that grew uniquely in Eastern Hesod's forest.

Reinhard lifted his wooden bowl, steam rising into his face, and then took a sip before shivering in delight. The soup was excellent, filled with broth, chunks of vegetables and meat, and some other things he wasn't familiar with. But all of it made him constantly move his spoon, and only stopped when he remembered he should savor the taste.

Around them, townspeople continued approaching their table, gratitude evident in their expressions and words.

An elderly man stopped beside Marie, his weathered hands clasped together. "Thank you for protecting us and helping out. We might have lost so much more without you."

Marie laughed as she waved her hand dismissively. "It was no big deal. We had the power and time to help, so we just did, simple as that."

A woman in her thirties with flour staining her apron laughed at Marie's words and said. "I'm glad little Janus found some good friends. We were worried when he left that he'd be bullied."

Janus blushed as his orange eyes widened with indignation. "I'm not that fragile or weak!"

A burly man at another table laughed, his voice carrying across the room. "Were we? I thought we were scared he'd be friendless?"

Janus blinked in shock, then shouted, "I can make friends!"

A woman near the counter laughed, nearly spilling the drink she was pouring. "Last I checked, it was Amiya who befriended you. Hahaha! You were so shy that you always hid behind Nigen's legs."

Janus groaned, his head dropping to the table with a thunk while the other townspeople laughed. Reinhard and the others continued drinking their soup, listening to this with smiles on their faces.

Later, after taking a shower using buckets of water from the pump in the back courtyard, Reinhard walked through the inn's second floor. His hair was still damp, dark strands sticking to his forehead.

The hallway was quiet, most rooms already occupied by tired workers recovering from the day's labor.

Reinhard passed Joseph's room and noticed the door standing open. Through the doorway, he saw Joseph sitting on his bed, staring out the window.

The sunset painted the sky in brilliant oranges and deep purples, darkness creeping at the edges as night approached.

But Joseph was staring out with a dazed look while his shoulder slightly trembled.

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