After the mission was completed, and the ring was secured, the group managed to exit the underground without problem.


    It took them two hours to go back, considering they had walked quite deep underground.


    Orion was also in no shape to walk by himself, so it took a bit more time, but they made it out a few hours after noon.


    Near the entrance, two green heads were waiting anxiously when they heard from Tiohr-nam that it was done, but there had been one wounded.


    After waiting for ages behind the tree, finally, the group that was sent to accomplish the most ridiculous task managed to bathe once again in the rays of the sun.


    The rain had cleared long after they went in, leaving this beautiful and warm weather as a reward for their effort.


    "Hey, I''m back."


    Ring in hand, Orion waved to the twins, showing his success even though they already knew about it.


    Obviously, they also noticed his broken arm and the dried blood on his face.


    Knowing he had come back alive, they still received him with a smile.


    Yes, even Dramia, the coldest of the sisters.


    What Orion had pulled off was more than anyone could have done in these circumstances. Of course, they did not forget to thank Amelia and Karteira, who also played a major part in this success.


    After discussing and talking for a bit, they decided to continue after Orion had rested, so they made their way back to the manor.


    Orion returned to his room accompanied by Amelia, while Karteira remained with the Queens to discuss many matters while also checking on her mother''s condition.


    The day continued while Orion recovered his magic, and before the sun could set, he had already healed his broken body.


    After healing his broken rib first, he felt relieved knowing that he could breathe correctly afterward, and he sighed in relief a second time when his right arm healed correctly.


    Amelia, who watched this process once again, was amazed by how powerful this ability was.


    But Orion didn''t see it like this, as ultimately, he couldn''t rely on it in battle. This was too long of a process.


    Orion stretched his tired body and stood up.


    "This is bothersome."


    "What is?"


    "The fact that you''ve locked me up, refusing to let me out."


    "Seriously? You''re mentioning this now? I''m not having this conversation with you right now."


    He looked at her with a sly smile, but contained his thoughts and just dropped the matter.


    "You knew I was just joking. So, I''m getting hungry; want to eat something?"


    "Here, you can eat that."


    Amelia threw a strange brick on his bed, which he picked up and grimaced upon seeing what it was.


    "A protein bar? Do you want me to eat that? Where did you even get it?"


    "Isn''t this great for someone who worked hard?"


    Orion looked at her with a death glare. This wasn''t remotely funny to him.


    "Damn, you don''t have to look at me like that... I was joking. Of course, I wouldn''t let you eat that."


    "Even as a joke, it was brutal of you. How am I supposed to eat something else after tasting your cooking?"


    He threw the protein bar at her, which she caught effortlessly.


    "Flattery won''t give you more on your plate, but thank you. What do you want to eat?"


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    They discussed the dishes they wanted to eat with the ingredients they had, but someone knocked on the door before they could even move to the kitchen.


    Orion moved to the door and opened it. The one behind it was Karteira, like he expected.


    "How is your body? It seems like you''ve already been healed, but don''t force yourself."


    "What are you, my mother? Anyway, come in."


    With a little jab, he tried to let her in, but she shook her hands.


    "Oh, don''t worry about that. I''m just here to invite you two to dinner. The Queens prepared a feast after you came back, and it''s ready. They are waiting for you to come, so please go to the main room."


    The room where Tiohr-nam could be spoken with.


    He turned to Amelia and smiled sadly; their dinner together would be for another day.


    "Alright, we''re coming. Thank you for calling us."


    "It''s not a problem."


    Karteira waved and walked away, toward the room the feast was taking place in.


    "I suppose we should get ready too?"


    "Wait a second? Don''t you have other clothes than that? These are disgusting. Change to something cleaner this instant!"


    Amelia closed the door in his place and pushed his back further inside the room.


    "The moment you get that butt out of the room, yes. What are you trying to accomplish by forcing me to undress in front of you?"


    He turned around and faced her with a frown on his face. He grabbed her arm and pushed her gently outside.


    "Cheapskate, you showed your body to Karteira this morning."


    "And you saw it too, so why are you pouting like a child? You see this more than enough when I train. Now, wait here."


    He closed the door and left Amelia behind it.


    ''He never gives in. I don''t know how he can control himself so much. If I were him... Better not think about that.''


    Amelia was thinking about many unappropriated things for a lady before eating.


    But, she was right on something. He controlled himself really well.


    There was a moment in the middle of a fight that he lost his focus, but besides that, he usually maintained his cool.


    A few minutes later, the door opened, and Orion stepped outside.


    "Alright, I''ve changed. Is it fine with you?"


    "Heh?"


    He took her by surprise, and she slightly flinched when she looked at him.


    He changed from his black pants and white shirt to a more relaxed outfit. Simple blue jeans and a sleeveless dark gray t-shirt, showing how toned his body was.


    "I didn''t know you had such an outfit on you."


    "I don''t wear this typically. I do prefer somber colors when I''m hunting. But now and then, this might not be so bad. I''ll be wearing that for the next three days."


    Amelia''s face froze in a ridiculous facial expression, half-smiling, half-frowning.


    ''I''m going to die if you do! A new look!''


    "Alright, let''s move, Amelia. We can''t make them wait for us any longer."


    Ignoring her weird face, Orion walked past her.


    "Right!"


    He walked forward, and Amelia followed right after. They walked side by side, ending the usual romance mode Amelia was in at the same moment, unknowing to Orion.


    ...


    Once they arrived, they entered the room.


    Inside were Karteira, Dramia and Drania, and even Motirion. They were around the table, displaying countless and various plates with food, waiting for the last two to sit.


    "Just come in. Let''s eat! I can''t wait anymore!"


    Drania was being restrained by her sister.


    "Sorry, we''re coming."


    They both took seats in front of the twins, Amelia next to Karteira and Orion next to Motirion.


    "Well, since everyone is here, feel free to eat! There''s plenty more, so just enjoy!"


    Motirion stood up and said those words, removing the lid from the plates. Many mouth-watering dishes appeared in front of everyone: chicken, stew, roasted vegetables, and lots of other good delights.


    "Sis! Let me go now! I can''t wait anymore!"


    "Don''t you dare act like a child. I swear, if you do it, I''ll just strap you to the chair while I eat."


    "Demon!"


    The sisters were having a friendly discussion.


    "What do you prefer, Karteira? I can get you what''s on my side; just ask."


    "Is it fine? Well, could you give me a piece of the chicken, please?"


    "Yes, wait a second."


    Amelia and Karteira were acting like they usually did, their friendship strengthening with each passing second.


    "I was thinking about something, Motirion. Why haven''t I seen any of the others like you? You said there were others being assigned to the Queens before."


    "Ah, that... They got scared of you and refused to come to work anymore. Since the hill incident, to be precise."


    Orion smiled dryly.


    "My bad. Do tell them I won''t attack. They just have to be careful not to be disrespectful."


    "That matter still hurts, you know?"


    Orion and Motirion were enjoying the evening, laughing and drinking moderately.


    The night continued with them talking about the exploits the group made, what the realm was going to become now that the threat of the corrupt beasts had disappeared, and many other topics.


    When the night grew colder, Orion, who was drinking a glass of wine alone in front of Tiohr-nam, felt a call in his soul.


    ''Here it is.''


    He placed the cup next to him and closed his eyes.


    He opened them, finding himself in the middle of a growing forest.


    Thousands of saplings had replaced the endless field of withering grass, and Orion realized what it was: the next generation of fairies.


    "Thank you, Orion."


    He approached the giant tree like he usually did before, but this time, the Avatar was already waiting for him.


    "You''ve gotten back a few years of your youth, but I expected something more, like, beautiful? What''s happening?"


    The Avatar was still greatly weakened.


    "Even though you have managed to accomplish my inconsiderate request, there was nothing I could do about the damage already done. I am still dying."


    Orion sighed and approached Tiohr-nam''s Avatar, an old lady with bleached green hair.


    "You wouldn''t have called me only to congratulate me. There is something you need to ask me about, isn''t it? Have you found a way to heal?"


    Tiohr-nam nodded.


    "I do have a way, but I do not feel right depending on you once again."


    "It has something to do with that seal in your eyes, right?"


    Silence fell upon the vast expanse. After assessing the situation, Tiohr-nam decided to stop hiding her thoughts.


    "Yes. The seal is the mark we Remnants possess; it is our brand. Stealing that brand would give you the same power as I. Obviously, it would kill me in the process."


    Surprised by her sudden honesty, he looked at her with great interest.


    "You''ve hidden it so well, I could only see it for a split second. But if it kills you if you separate from it, what does it have to do with your survival?"


    The Avatar shook her head.


    "You are thinking wrongly, I can tell. I never said I would give you my brand."


    Closing and opening her eyes slowly, the brand gleamed in full view. It was a symbol of a green leaf with golden outlines. It was quite mystifying.


    "Oh, assuming is not a good thing to do. But, right, I did think about that. If you can''t give it, what are you supposed to do then?"


    "I will plant a seed that feeds on your life force."