The carriage continued for several more minutes in relative silence, the steady rhythm of wheels on the road providing a soothing backdrop. Then Rosaria straightened, her expression becoming more serious.

"Brunhilde." She said, her tone shifting. "Please put up a seal. I don't want our words reaching outside this carriage."

Brunhilde nodded before raising her hand, and golden words began forming in the air around them. The letters glowed brilliantly before dissolving into a shimmering barrier that spread across the interior of the carriage. The sounds from outside, the rumble of other carriages, the marching of soldiers, and the calls of merchants all became muffled and distant.

Once the seal settled into place, Rosaria leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Her crimson gaze swept across each of them in turn. Marie's curious expression, Joseph's anticipation, Janus's nervous look, Brunhilde's calm smile, and finally Reinhard's steady composure.

"Now." Rosaria said. "I want you to explain exactly what happened. From the very beginning, all the way to when I arrived. Everything, and don't leave any important things out."

Marie and Joseph exchanged glances while Janus blinked. Reinhard took a slow breath, organizing his thoughts. He knew with Janus here, he couldn't talk about the extra Beast Spirit yet.

Maybe later he will, but for now, he will just keep that a secret, and then he begins.

"We entered Eastern Hesod through the designated checkpoint," Reinhard started, his voice steady as he recalled the events. "While we were heading towards Naraku town, night was closing, and so we found shelter. Then we slept through the Night Terror during the night."

He continued methodically, detailing their journey through the corrupted landscape. He described learning about the towering tree at the forest's center, the coordination with the Luminous Knights, and the discovery of the Star Jewel's location.

His narrative flowed through the battle against the Golden Knight, who had been guarding the precious artifact, and then entered the chamber where the Star Jewel rested.

Marie picked up the story when Reinhard paused, describing meeting Dune and watching as Reinhard received the Supreme Commander mantle. Joseph added details about organizing the charge toward the center of the forest, his green eyes animated as he recalled the tense preparations.

Reinhard's voice grew heavier as he described summoning the Golden Melo Warriors, penetrating the massive root structure, and finally burning the pale tree that had sustained the Dark Silence for so long.

"Then the crimson-black tide emerged," Reinhard said, and the temperature in the carriage seemed to drop slightly. "Honor betrayed us. He took the Star Jewel from us and passed it off to the Saint."

As Reinhard continued describing his fall into the tide that held billions upon billions of curses, his encounter with Angra Mainyu itself, his escape through the help of the warriors trapped within, Rosaria's expression never changed.

But her hands, resting on her knees, began to tremble slightly. The air inside the carriage grew colder, frost beginning to form at the edges of the windows before slowly melting away and returning to normal.

"The Saint was Charles," Reinhard said, watching Rosaria's face carefully. "The Founder of the Seekers himself."

Marie took over, explaining Charles's twisted plan to use the crimson-black tide to destroy all physical remnants of the Forerunners, erasing Eastern Hesod's past completely. Then, to use the Star Jewel to strip away the memories of everyone there about the past, allowing them to focus on the future.

Joseph described Reinhard's plan and Marie's incredible use of her Gathering ability to collect light from everyone present. Brunhilde detailed the coordination with the Forerunners' spirits and the living contributors, all working together toward one impossible goal.

"We created a massive spear," Marie said, her light-gold eyes shining with the memory. "Golden and radiant. When it descended, it pushed away all the corruption, hatred, and suffering. Then the destroyed forest began to slowly be restored."

"After that, we helped with cleanup and recovery efforts until you arrived." Reinhard finished quietly.

Silence filled the carriage.

Brunhilde giggled softly, seeming amused by the tension. Rosaria, however, groaned deeply and rubbed her head with both hands.

"There is a lot to unpack here." She said, finally, her voice strained. "And Klaus is going to be the one dealing with most of it." She lowered her hands and fixed them all with a sharp look. "But I have two immediate concerns."

She held up one finger. "First, do you have the Star Jewel?"

Marie nodded immediately, reaching into her pocket. She withdrew the golden orb, its surface containing what looked like a captured dawn sky. Tiny stars shimmered and swirled within, and sharp metal pieces shaped as crescent blades encased it. She handed it to Rosaria, who held it up briefly, examining it with an unreadable expression before tucking it carefully into her jacket.

Rosaria looked at them all with a peculiar expression, something between concern and resignation, but sighed deeply. "The second thing." She said, her crimson gaze locking onto Reinhard. "Is my present concern. Which is you, Reinhard."

Reinhard blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... are you angry about my reckless actions-"

Rosaria shook her head, cutting him off. "I want to know how you feel after dealing with all those curses. After facing Angra Mainyu itself." Her voice was softer now, genuinely concerned. "How are you, really?"

Reinhard met her eyes steadily. "I'm fine," he said. "Like I told Mimir, I'm not sure how the future will be. But for now, there's nothing wrong. I feel... normal."

Rosaria studied him for a long moment, searching his face for any sign of deception or hidden pain. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Then we'll deal with it if you start having nightmares or freak out in the future. I won't make a big deal of it now." She leaned forward slightly. "But you have to promise me something, that you will not keep it a secret. At least tell me if something changes. Can you do that?"

"I promise." Reinhard said without hesitation.

Rosaria nodded, seemingly satisfied. Marie beamed at the exchange, practically glowing with happiness, while Joseph, Janus, and Brunhilde smiled warmly.

"If this keeps up." Marie said cheerfully, "Rein will become Rosaria's favorite student. Maybe even her favorite person!"

Reinhard's lips twitched in amusement while Rosaria leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. "You should all take a nap." She said, her voice returning to its usual businesslike tone. "You're going to be questioned extensively when we arrive back."

Janus flinched before asking. "How extensive?"

"Probably all day." Joseph said with a defeated look.

Marie's expression immediately shifted to horror before groaning and slumping in her seat. "Just like last time... That went on for the entire day until midnight!"

Joseph scratched his head nervously, his gaze drifting to the side.

"Then you'd best get some sleep now," Rosaria said firmly, her eyes still closed.

Marie nodded reluctantly and closed her eyes. Joseph followed suit shortly after, his exhaustion catching up with him. Janus tried to stay awake, but he too fell asleep, and then Reinhard glanced at Brunhilde. She gave him an encouraging smile before his eyes drifted closed.

As darkness began to overtake his consciousness, Reinhard could hear the soft murmur of Rosaria and Brunhilde talking quietly to each other.

Their voices became distant and indistinct, fading like echoes in a dream, until finally the gentle rocking of the carriage and the warmth of rest pulled him completely under.

for opportunities."

Marie settled back in her seat, a thoughtful expression crossing her beautiful features. "At least it means Eastern Hesod will recover quickly. All that investment and attention will help rebuild what was lost."

"True enough," Rosaria agreed.

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