Vlad informed them to rest for the next day. "Lucian will be appearing tomorrow, and the operation will start then." His crimson eyes swept across them one final time. "Prepare yourselves. What comes next will test everything you are."

They returned to the inn as evening approached, and the common room was quieter than usual.

Townspeople eating in subdued silence, processing the day's violence and the rumors already spreading about the Star Jewel.

Reinhard entered after Janus entered first and stopped. Reinhard looked past him to see Nigen standing near the counter with a tired expression mixed with hope. Then he saw Nigen shift his gaze before his eyes lit up, and he rushed over.

Nigen crossed the room in quick strides and pulled Janus into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around his son, holding him as if he might disappear. "I'm glad you're safe and back."

Janus laughed, the sound muffled against his father's shoulder. "Everything is fine, Dad." He pulled back slightly, grinning. "Not only did we get back safe, but we found the key needed to stop the Dark Silence."

Nigen's eyes widened, and his entire body went rigid with shock. Then he trembled, his hands coming up to grip Janus's shoulders softly, as if confirming he was real. "You did?..."

Janus nodded, his grin widening. "In addition, the Saint himself is coming, meaning we'll have the Saint and the Seekers all working together to help with the Dark Silence! We'll soon be able to live in Eastern Hesod without worry or fear!"

Nigen trembled even more violently before a smile broke across his face, mixing with tears that gathered but didn't fall. "All thanks to you."

Janus nervously rubbed the back of his neck, color rising in his cheeks. "It wasn't just me..." He trailed off, then asked. "What do you plan to do now?"

Nigen sighed. "I plan to listen to the Red Priest's plan."

Janus blinked in surprise. "Another Luminous Knight is here? Never mind that, what's their plan?"

Nigen smiled, something lighter entering his expression. "He wants us to evacuate the children and teenagers tomorrow."

Reinhard blinked in surprise, having moved closer to hear the conversation. "How will he do that?"

"The Mori Empire will have people come in, and once they arrive, they'll begin heading out with the kids and teenagers." Nigen gestured vaguely toward the town's edge. "Then the next day it'll be elders and those who are sick. And the day after that, we adults. Then the town will be empty."

Reinhard hummed thoughtfully. "That's a good thing then. With most of our attention going to be on the center of the forest, there might be a chance the roots, Chimeras, or Phantasm Beasts will attack here."

Nigen nodded with his frown returning. "That's why I agreed we should go... You were right, Janus, and I was wrong for not listening to you." He looked at his son with undisguised pride. "You and Amiya are slowly paving the way for the Naraku townspeople."

Janus blushed deeper, rubbing the back of his neck again while Amiya giggled beside him, her violet eyes bright with happiness.

Reinhard left them to their moment, Marie and Joseph following. They moved through the inn's corridors, the wooden floors creaking softly under their boots.

Veryn appeared ahead, waving them over with urgent gestures. They approached, and she led them to a room where Casseo stood beside another figure.

The figure standing before them was two inches higher than Reinhard, yet the difference felt vast, as though he loomed from another world. Pale silver robes draped his form, and a helmet shaped like a wyvern's face covered his head. Black spikes pointed upward from the helm's crown.

Through the eye sockets, amber eyes shone with internal light. The armor beneath the robes was similar to Casseo's own, black plating mixed with cloth.

"You can call me Honor." The figure said, voice resonating through the helmet. "I am the Red Priest of the Luminous Knight."

Marie's eyes lit up immediately, curiosity shining. "Is the Red Priest a different faction or rank?"

"Both." Honor said lightly. "The Red Priest is in charge of the Crimson Lights, who focus on combat and battle."

Reinhard blinked in surprise before nodding.

Marie hummed thoughtfully. "How interesting. I really want to visit Aya one day."

Veryn smiled, moving to Marie and holding her hand. "We would love to have you. If you ever do visit, let me know, and I can be your guide."

Marie beamed at Veryn while squeezing her hand, and Casseo nodded in agreement.

Honor said. "It seems you have gotten close. But I guess that is expected. I have heard from Veryn that you helped out a lot. For that, I thank you." He paused, amber eyes studying them through his helm. "But I am curious, why did you ask to come?"

Reinhard spoke simply. "Our friend needed help, and so we decided to help them."

Honor hummed thoughtfully. "Even if there might be a high chance you will die?"

Marie smiled as she stared deeply at Honor. "That means there's a high chance they would be in danger of dying. How can we sit back and let them take that risk without helping?"

Joseph nodded firmly. "Letting them go off alone doesn't sit right with us."

Honor's voice came out softer. "I would have called you all naive for your words, but you all moved through the forest and experienced some of its horrors. So for you to say all of this even after experiencing that is a good show of your will." He shifted slightly, posture changing. "Then let me ask a question… Are you willing to put your friends down if it comes to it?"

Reinhard's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you talking about the roots appearing on their bodies or them bleeding out from the roots invading them?"

Honor nodded. "We are going to be invading the center of the forest, the place where the Dark Silence originated. There's a high chance many of us won't make it back, or some will be put in dangerous situations. If your friend was put in that situation, are you able to put them down and continue their mission and goal?"

Marie crossed her arms, her expression firm. "No way."

Honor sighed. "So you will-"

"I'm saying there's no way that situation will come," Marie interjected, her voice carrying steel beneath its brightness. "All of my friends will be returning to Naraku alive, and all of us will continue making memories. A future different from that one is one I have no interest in."

Honor said softly. "But there's no guarantee you can keep them safe while having to worry about yourself and making sure you come out alive."

"I know." Marie said before she grinned. "Which is why I have faith in my friends to not fall behind me and die. I'm sure you know the feeling. Surely you have a friend whom you have so much faith in that you trust them not to fall?"

Honor fell silent as the amber eyes behind his wyvern helm studied Marie for several seconds. Then he turned around and headed toward the door.

Honor paused before leaving, his hand on the doorframe. "There is..." His voice carried a softer tone. "And you're right. I also would join if my friend was going on such a mission, just to make sure they'd be fine."

Then Honor left the room, his silver robes trailing behind him.

Veryn and Casseo quickly followed, the Luminous Knights departing to continue their preparations.

Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph stood in the suddenly empty room. Outside, the sun continued setting, painting the sky in oranges and purples.

Tomorrow, the operation will begin.

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