Marie giggled, the sound barely concealed behind a hand pressed against mouth. Joseph chuckled openly, making no attempt at hiding amusement.

Janus scratched the back of his head, a gesture suggesting sheepish acknowledgment. Brunhilde hummed noncommittally while Vlad and Amiya grinned simultaneously.

Reinhard's lips twitched again before he drew breath, organizing thoughts before launching into an explanation that would take minutes to deliver properly.

He began speaking with the words flowing steadily. He already told Vanna things before with them leaving off on the Luminous Knight talking about finding the Star Jewel. He started off with them going to Melo City and then the battle against the Golden Knight guarding it.

His narrative continued through meeting Dune, gaining the Star Jewel, and following the Saint plan, which led them to charge to the center. They summoned Commander Dune to help out and then received the Supreme Commander mantle. He described summoning Golden Melo Warriors, penetrating root structure, burning pale trees that sustained Dark Silence.

Then, the crimson-black tide's emergence, the panic, the gathering of light through Marie's Gathering ability, coordination with Forerunners' spirits, and living contributors. Creation of a massive spear, its descent, and ending the crimson-black tide.

Throughout the explanation, Reinhard carefully omitted specific details. Honor's betrayal became "casualties during the final assault." Saint's orchestration transformed into "unexpected complications from the tide's emergence." and his identity alongside motivations remained unmentioned. Only stating that the tide was dispersed through gathered belief channeled via the Star Jewel and Marie's skill.

Vanna fell silent with minutes passing without response as her expression shifted constantly. From surprise, to disbelief, to concern, to exhaustion, to resignation, all cycling across the face normally kept carefully neutral.

It was the first time Reinhard had witnessed her emotional control slip so completely.

Finally, her hand rose to hold her forehead after groaning and looking at him with a tired look. "How..." Her voice emerged soft, strained. "How is it that this expedition seems almost more ridiculous than the last one?"

Marie spoke up with a giggle barely suppressed. "Our luck just loves these types of things."

Joseph nodded in agreement, grin never fading. "Although it's far better than the second expedition."

The comparison to Phane City, where a Beast Spirit from the Throne of Myth descended. Before almost killing everyone, requiring a miracle, and Reinhard almost died. It truly can be considered somewhat worse than "merely" ending a three-century-old catastrophe.

Vanna groaned once more, but her gaze fixed on them through projection, grey eyes showing exhaustion matching their own. "I will report this to Principal Klaus, but for now, I agree with your plan of helping find survivors."

She paused, pushing glasses up the bridge of her nose while muttering words which Reinhard picked up as she counted down.

"In addition, you guys should continue the original mission."

Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph nodded simultaneously. Smiles appeared in relief at not being immediately recalled despite all the things that had happened.

"Now about the supplies." Vanna said softly. "I will prepare them, so in the meantime, you guys just focus on finding others, and then I will send the supplies over."

Reinhard's smile softened. "Thanks, Vanna."

Marie waved enthusiastically at the projection while Joseph added his own thanks.

Vanna shook her head slowly. "This will be a long report..."

The projection dispersed, and the light faded, returning Herald Mark to a dormant state. Silence fell briefly as the group processed the next steps.

Reinhard turned to Vlad, and he said. "Alright, let's get started."

Vlad nodded once before he straightened fully.

"Let's split up to find the survivors and bring them back."

Everyone nodded before they dispersed across the restored landscape. Vlad moved northeast by himself, his black Seeker coats creating dark silhouettes against evening light. Amiya headed west alongside Janus while Marie and Joseph took the southern route. Reinhard moved north with Brunhilde, Mimir perched on his shoulder, providing aerial reconnaissance.

The search began.

…

Reinhard and Brunhilde found the first group thirty minutes into the search. Three adults huddled in a hollow formed by a fallen root section; it was a man and two women. Their clothes were torn, faces marked with exhaustion and grime.

They'd survived through luck and desperation, hiding when the tide approached, emerging only after the transformation was completed.

The man looked up first before his eyes widened, processing Reinhard and Brunhilde's appearance.

"Someone actually found us? Did you guys… Were you guys the reason behind the tide stopping?"

Brunhilde nodded. "The Dark Silence is gone, and it's safe to leave."

Reinhard nodded. "We're gathering survivors and establishing settlements close by." He extended his hand. "Can you walk?"

The man grabbed the hand before pulling himself up. While two women held on to Brunhilde, who pulled them up, and then they began crying to each other. Reinhard faintly smiled as he knew they were overwhelmed with relief at being found, at not being forgotten in the aftermath of the catastrophe.

"We thought..." Once the woman couldn't finish, voice broke completely. "We thought no one would come."

"I understand, but it's okay now." Reinhard said simply. "And we'll make sure everyone here gets back safely."

…

Marie and Joseph found a larger group. Seven adults sheltered in a partially collapsed building, a structure that had survived Dark Silence only to suffer damage from the tide's passage before transformation.

They'd been trapped by debris until they heard voices outside.

Marie's light sense detected them after feeling the sun touching them from the illumination reaching through cracks. "There are people inside!"

Joseph's elemental control moved rubble. Earth shifted with stone fragments rolling aside under invisible force.

The opening revealed faces peering out with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

"The tide..." An elderly woman's voice emerged hoarse. "We saw it turn gold, and then the forest grew back. What happened?"

"The nightmare ended. " Marie said while smiling softly. "Everyone worked together, and that's how it all happened. Your homes are now free."

The group emerged slowly.

Some limped from injuries sustained during the collapse. Others moved with vitality, suggesting they'd escaped relatively unscathed. All showed expressions mixing shock, relief, and gratitude.

One man waved enthusiastically despite exhaustion. His grin was wide, genuine. "About time someone showed up! We were getting bored waiting!"

Joseph laughed at bravado covering fear. "Well, we're here now. Let's get you somewhere with actual shelter."

…

Vlad encountered Seekers. Five warriors in black coats, silver crow insignias still visible despite grime and damage. They'd maintained defensive formation throughout the ordeal, protecting a civilian group of four who huddled behind them.

The Seekers cheered when they recognized Vlad.

Voices rose in triumph, mixed with exasperation.

"Ancestor Vlad! What took you so long?"

"We've been holding position for hours!"

"Did you stop for tea on the way?"

The complaints carried affection beneath mock anger. The warriors who'd trusted leadership would come, validated in patience despite circumstances.

Vlad chuckled, crimson eyes showing warmth. "My apologies for the delay. I was slightly occupied with saving the entire continent."

One Seeker's expression shifted to curiosity. "What actually happened? We saw the tide turn gold, then everything transformed..."

"Long story," Vlad interjected with a grin. "We'll explain at settlement, but for now, let's move."

The civilian group emerged from behind Seeker protection. Their faces showed gratitude toward warriors who'd maintained defense despite an overwhelming threat. One elderly man clasped Seeker's shoulder; no words were needed to convey appreciation.

…

Amiya and Janus found Luminous Knights.

Three warriors in white robes and black armor, standing at the forest clearing's edge. They'd watched transformation occur, witnessed corruption becoming healing waters, seen forest regrow in accelerated time-lapse.

They smiled with relief as Amiya and Janus approached. Recognition was immediate as they knew the duo were two figures that their Saint considered important to his plan.

"It's over?" One asked, voice carrying the need for confirmation.

"Completely." Amiya confirmed with a grin. "Thank you all for helping out and taking on a good amount of the burden off us."

The Knights laughed before saying. "It's our duty to help those who were willing to help us, think nothing of it."

Another Knight inspected the surroundings with wonder evident in posture. "The transformation... It's miraculous. Grass growing from where the tide rushed through, and trees rising back up from the ground in mere seconds…" His hand touched the bark of a nearby tree, feeling the solidity of life return. "How was this accomplished?"

"It was a miracle, I suppose… All achieved by everyone working together." Janus said with a chuckle.

The Knight's eyes widened. "Unity across all divisions... Perhaps that was the true key all along."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.