"His body...."
Arden had been bedridden for three weeks.
Of course, Berua had infused him with Divine Power every three hours, so all his broken bones had mended.
That did not mean his internal injuries had healed as well.
He would need to recuperate for at least several months to recover completely.
"Why is it even more...?"
That was why Berua was surprised.
Something that should have taken months to heal had recovered in only three hours.
There had not been any notable progress before then.
'Why can't I sense anything?'
Even after examining every corner of his body, she found nothing unusual.
For now, all she could tell was that his body had become sturdier than before.
It was a phenomenon that even Berua, who had received advanced education because of her position as a Saintess Candidate, had never heard of or seen.
"Is something wrong?"
Arden asked after Berua remained still for a long time.
She shook her head and withdrew her Divine Power.
There would be no point in continuing any further.
"Then I suppose there isn't. How long have I been lying down?"
Arden asked in a hoarse voice.
Berua handed him the lukewarm water she had prepared and answered.
"You were bedridden for a little over three weeks."
"Ah."
Arden nodded and gulped down the water.
Normally, he should have drunk it slowly, but his thirst was too severe.
"Hoo."
He put down the water bottle and stood up.
He staggered for a moment, but Kamer stepped forward from behind and caught him.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing. And this is a little different from what I heard. I'm glad you're all right."
"Huh?"
"I heard you fought hundreds of monsters, so I thought you were a monster too."
"What are you talking about? Right, where's Dylan...?"
"He's downstairs now that things are done. He asked us to tell him when you woke up."
"It's all right. I can go down myself."
"I knew you'd say that. Let's go."
Kamer smirked and supported Arden as they left the room.
"I'll be going now."
"All right."
After bowing to the old man, Berua followed the two.
CREEEAK....
Berua also helped from the side, just in case Arden fell.
When the three reached the first floor, Dylan noticed and approached them.
His arm was wrapped in bandages.
"Is your body all right?"
Arden, who had regained some strength, stood on his own and answered.
"Yes. And you, Dylan...?"
"As you can see, I am still being treated. The bones injured by those things have not set properly. In fact, you are the more astonishing one."
"Ah. What about the others?"
"Everyone's treatment is progressing well. But enough small talk... Sit down first. You must be hungry, so I will prepare food shortly."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Arden nodded and took a seat nearby.
The other two sat beside him.
"There's a delicious place nearby, so I'll bring something from there. I'll bring food for Lady Berua as well."
"What about me?"
"What an obvious question. Do not worry."
Dylan chuckled at Kamer's words and hurried outside.
Because of that, Arden's offer to help never left his mouth and merely lingered there.
—......
The room fell quiet in an instant.
Just as Arden opened his mouth to ask what had happened over the past three weeks—
"Um...."
CREEEAK.
A blond man limped inside with bandages wrapped around his leg.
It was Kane.
He looked around and spotted Arden.
"The captain isn't here, but someone even more precious is. Are you all right? Looks like you got up after three weeks."
"Ah, yes. I'm all right. And you, Kane...?"
"I'm more or less fine. They said I'll be all right if I work hard on rehabilitation. You're the more surprising one, though. Ah, right. I have something to give you."
CLINK.
"Take it. I kept it with me since I didn't know when you'd wake up, but I can finally give it to you."
"What is this?"
"Your reward. You worked hard. As an aside, your share is the largest."
Arden looked at the thick leather pouch Kane had taken out and asked,
"Can I take this?"
Kane smirked at the question and sat down.
"Listen, people need money. No, even Holy Knights need money. Eating, washing, and sleeping all cost money. Even if the Central Region provides support, personal expenses still come up."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. It's annoying to explain any more than that. You're going to be traveling all over, so take it right away when someone offers it. There are plenty of places to spend money. Seriously."
"Thank you."
"I'm only handing it over, so no need. Ah, there will probably be something else besides that."
"Yes?"
"This whole incident spread across the continent, so there'll be quite a few rewards."
Kane grinned widely enough to show his teeth.
"Of course, most of it is your share."
"What about everyone else?"
"They all refused. Since you did everything, they only took the minimum. Besides, the Central Region is covering treatment costs, and they'll receive pensions, so they don't need any more."
"Ah...."
"It's not over yet. There are more rewards. They'll probably... arrive soon."
Arden tilted his head at the meaningful remark.
CREEEAK.
The wooden door opened, and Dylan came inside.
At the same time, a savory smell wafted in.
Having gone hungry for three weeks, Arden began salivating without realizing it.
What on earth was that?
Arden discreetly looked at the basket in Dylan's hand.
It was filled with food he had never seen before.
Reading his gaze, Dylan spoke.
"It's fried Northern chicken. Quite delicious."
"Captain, that again? You ate it for three weeks straight... Aren't you sick of it?"
"You'll eat it if it's served, won't you?"
"That's true. Is there some for me too?"
"Yes. I knew this would happen, so I brought yours as well. Let's fill our stomachs before we talk."
"Oh."
Dylan approached the table.
"Let's eat. Lady Berua, please eat as well."
As he unpacked the food, he continued.
"By the way, Arden. You have a visitor."
"A visitor?"
"It's me, Arden."
The moment Arden asked, a familiar voice came from outside the building.
A woman entered with a pure-white robe pulled deeply over her head.
Her face was not visible, but he could guess who she was.
"I heard the news. I'm glad you look all right."
It was the High Priest.
Fortunately, there were many people around this time, so she did not use the way of speaking she had before.
She was being excessively formal.
"We have much to discuss, but let's eat first. You must be hungry after waking up three weeks later."
She naturally took a seat as well.
The room became lively in an instant.
Arden smirked and immediately tore into two chicken legs.
"Uh, huh? Why are you taking two...?"
Kane looked at him with vacant eyes.
***
Twenty minutes later.
All the chicken had disappeared.
Everyone looked full.
"Shall we get to the main point?"
The High Priest wiped her mouth and spoke.
"Before that, can you tell me what happened?"
"Of course. I'll begin by explaining what happened in the meantime."
Ahem. After lightly clearing her throat, the High Priest explained everything that had happened over the past three weeks.
In summary, it was this.
—The story of how they protected the North had reached the Emperor's ears.
—The news had spread across the entire continent, leaving no one unaware of it.
—In recognition of their achievement in protecting the North, they had received the right to use the Imperial Storehouse once.
—Finally, the Arcane Temple would also grant a reward.
However, there was one thing Arden wondered about.
"But the Imperial Storehouse...."
The Imperial Storehouse, as its name implied, was located in the center of the continent.
They were still very far away from it.
How were they supposed to make use of the storehouse?
"Do not worry about that."
The High Priest smiled faintly, as though she had read Arden's thoughts.
"This is how."
She took something from inside her robes.
It was a gold coin engraved with a peculiar pattern.
She handed it to Arden and continued.
"All you have to do is break it, and you can travel there. Of course, after one hour, you will return to where you were."
"Is something like that even possible?"
Kane, who had been quiet, suddenly interrupted.
A vein popped up on the High Priest's forehead as she barely ignored him.
Of course, she did not ignore him completely.
After dealing with him in her own way, she spoke again.
"Ahem... Anyway, His Majesty said you may use it whenever you wish."
"All right."
Arden nodded and carefully put the gold coin into his inner pocket.
It seemed he could use it before leaving a village or while camping.
The High Priest looked at Arden.
"Now, only the last matter remains."
"The reward from the Arcane Temple?"
"Yes. I have the authority to grant the reward, so simply tell me what you want."
"Um... Perhaps an Elixir—"
"That is not something even the temple possesses, so I cannot give it to you even if I want to. You likely would not be able to find one even in the Imperial Storehouse."
The High Priest shook her head as she answered.
Her expression showed that it truly was unavailable. It seemed she genuinely could not give him one even if she wanted to.
"Is there nothing else?"
"...Even when I try to say it, nothing comes to mind."
Arden thought carefully before ultimately giving up.
There was nothing he particularly wanted right now.
He had already received a pass to visit the Imperial Storehouse, something he had only heard of through rumors.
No matter what he requested, it would be difficult to obtain something better.
The High Priest knew this as well, so she did not demand that he decide immediately.
"Let me know slowly when you think of something. I will inform the other branches as well."
"All right."
"Then the official matters are over...."
The High Priest stood from her seat and added quietly.
She wore a gentle smile.
Arden could only watch her without knowing how to answer.
What could she be planning to say when they were alone?
It was almost frightening.
Seeing Arden's face, the High Priest slowly approached.
Everyone wondered what she intended to say, but she was not careless in such matters.
"Um."
She lightly waved her hand.
WHOOOOOM....
A transparent barrier enveloped Arden and the High Priest.
She had erected a barrier to prevent sound from leaking out.
Arden clicked his tongue when he saw it.
To avoid being discovered over a long period, she had to go this far.
Regardless, the High Priest smiled faintly and spoke.
"It is about the village. You know as well."
"......"
The village... It seemed the villagers had joined Balkan.
If it concerned that, only the Red Hawk Bandit Gang could be involved.
The High Priest must have been planning to talk about that.
As expected.
The moment she saw Arden's face harden, she nodded as though she had been right.
"For now, we have accepted them all, so do not worry."
"That's a relief."
"However, we will have to speak about the Red Hawk Bandit Gang soon."
"All right."
"That will do. I will see you later."
As though she had finished what she wanted to say, the High Priest waved her hand once more.
The transparent barrier disappeared, and the sounds outside returned.
"What did you talk about?"
"Um... I wonder as well."
"It must have been important. The High Priest separated the space, after all."
As the conversation between the three was nearing its end, the High Priest spoke.
"I should be going now. I have much to do, and they should be looking for me soon... Ahem. I had a pleasant time. We will see each other again soon."
CREEEAK.
Because the High Priest left immediately, the others could not satisfy their curiosity and asked Arden.
"What did you talk about?"
"What did you discuss?"
"I am fine. It must have been important. Lady Berua, do not be too curious. Kamer, you as well."
Fortunately, Dylan shook his head, and the two backed off.
"Ah, that could be true. I'm sorry, Arden."
"Sorry... It must have been important."
"No, it's all right. Saintess Candidate, you're all right too."
Once their curiosity settled, Kane wiped away cold sweat and spoke.
"Wow, I almost died there. She's terrifying. Seriously."
"Yes?"
"Ah, no. Right... Where are you headed next?"
Kane shook his head vigorously and asked.
"For now, I'm planning to go to the next village. I have to cross the continent...."
"I see. Then this is as far as we travel together. Take this with you."
Kane took out a black disc slightly smaller than his palm from his inner pocket.
It was a little smaller than a Holy Knight's emblem, and two horses were drawn on it.
It seemed to be a Horse Pass that would let him borrow up to two horses.
Since Arden had a long journey ahead of him, he accepted the Horse Pass without refusing.
"You two aren't heading south?"
"We haven't fully recovered yet, and we have more things to do."
"Yes, it seems there is more to investigate. It is not especially dangerous, so do not worry. We are enough for it."
Kane and Dylan answered at the same time.
Arden nodded.
"By the way, are you leaving already?"
Seeing Arden prepare to rise, Dylan asked.
"Yes, my body is fine, so I should get moving. The sooner I move, the better."
It would take several more months to reach the far end of the continent.
The journey would be shorter if he took a carriage or borrowed a horse, but for now, he had assumed an average pace.
He did not know what might happen in the meantime.
"That is true. Travel carefully. I hope we meet again someday. Until then, stay healthy."
"You too, Dylan."
"What about me?"
"Of course you too, Kane."
After exchanging lively conversation, Arden rose from his seat.
Kamer stood as well.
"Your bag is upstairs, so wait a moment. I'll get it."
"You don't have to...."
"Enough."
Kamer went upstairs and brought down the bag.
Arden slung the bag, which had become heavier than before, over his shoulder. Just as he said goodbye and stepped outside—
"Arden, please wait a moment."
Berua hurried out after Arden and spoke.
"Do you have something else to say?"
When Arden turned to look at her, she nodded.
"Ariel... I mean, the orphanage director."
"Why is my mother...?"
The orphanage director's name had come up suddenly, and Arden urgently asked back.
Had something happened?
But the temple had told him not to worry about her health.
They had said they would check her condition every day and provide treatment accordingly.
Then what was it about?
Arden's thoughts became complicated in an instant.
He could not think clearly.
Berua's voice was not dark, but the word orphanage director had shaken Arden's mind in an instant.
That was not all. He had only recently woken up.
"Please examine this."
Berua soon took something from inside her robes.
Arden stared at it with vacant eyes.