It was already noon, and Renee had just opened her eyes. When she checked the white surroundings, she immediately remembered that she was in the hospital. Some parts of her body that the healer couldn't handle also still felt a little sore.
Her gaze then turned to Elise, sitting on the chair and still asleep. Smiling, Renee whispered. "Thanks."
Renee had heard everything, that Elise had planned all of this. Elise wanted Renee to open her eyes, that another opportunity was waiting. Even though Elise might just want Renee to have a few friends to go on an adventure with, Renee felt like she got something more than that.
And because of Elise, Renee faces off against her father's most outstanding student, who is respected by his peers and even his opponents. Renee fights on par with that guy. This means that her combination of martial arts and magic is something extraordinary. Renee wanted to explore it further.
Even if she has to give up her dream of becoming a wizard
Yes, all of that had to be paid a heavy price because Charles was gone. However, Renee didn't blame Elise at all. Elise wouldn't have known that something terrible would happen. Renee blamed herself for not being able to save Charles.
As Renee wiped her tears, there was a knock on the bedroom door. "Renee? It's me, Pierre."
"Ah, come in, Pierre," Renee answered when she was sure that her tears were gone.
Pierre came in carrying a small wooden box with a red seal. "I didn't know what to bring, and I was getting busy. So, I brought one of my things. Hopefully, the hospital will allow it."
"Ooh, you are so sweet, Pierre. You know that I need alcohol after everything that happened." Renee accepted the bottle of wine with a big smile. "Thanks very much."
"My friends say hello to you," Pierre spoke again, then greeted Elise, who finally opened her eyes. "They are very busy too."
"Is this related to the existing power vacuum?" Renee asked in a serious tone. The power vacuum that exists is not something official. With Charles' death, the chance for criminals to take over this city is even greater. "You want to be the head of a criminal organization? You and your friends were the children of the top criminals before Charles arrived, right?"
"My father's men asked me to carry out this task." Pierre took a deep breath. "Well, it turns out that my father's big name still has power. Even though I hate it. My father was terrible. Honestly, I was grateful when Charles killed him."
Seeing the worried look on Renee's face, Pierre chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't be like my cruel father. Hell, I won't be like Charles either. Even if he's better, he's still intimidating the people in this town. I'll just fill in the blanks without thinking about profit. So, if you're still in this city, I ask you to watch over me, so I don't go down the wrong path."
"Really?" Renee raised an eyebrow, looking dubious. "How do you do that?"
Pierre shrugged. "I don't know yet, but I'll think of a way. I don't want to be a cruel person. I've felt it myself. My shop has to pay a hefty deposit in Charles' regime."
"I see." Renee was speechless. She hoped that Pierre really didn't become like Charles, who had the same goal: to be better than the previous thug leader.
"That's it. I have to go now, Renee, Elise." Pierre waved his hand. "Like I said, I've been busy because of various things."
"All right, Pierre. I wish you success in achieving your goals." Renee smiled again. "And pass on my thanks to the others."
"Take care, Pierre." Elise joined in.
Alain and Lauren entered the room. After greeting the two, Pierre finally left.
"Good afternoon, Renee. This is for you." Smiling broadly, Lauren handed a brown envelope to Renee.
Renee frowned, looking at the envelope lying on her lap.
"That's your reward for defeating Charles' group," Alain said while folding his arms across his chest. His mouth also formed a smile. "Fortunately, one of the top police officers turned out to be a big fan of yours. So, withdrawing money is fast, and they don't dare to cut it. Well, I saw that he put something else in the envelope anyway. Maybe it's a love letter."
Confused, Renee turned her head to Elise.
"That was our deal, Renee. They'll be willing to see you fight Charles' group and will also be willing to help if something bad happens." Elise explained.
"As long as the money from the mission to beat Charles' group goes into our pockets," Alain added.
"But we changed our minds," Lauren spoke again. "We are amazed by your unique and effective way of fighting. We accepted the offer with the tendency that we would help you. So, we thought we deserved to be rewarded. But, in the end, it was you who finished off those thugs."
Renee shook her head. "But, I don't intend to earn any money from defeated them…."
"Shhh..." Lauren put her index finger to Renee's lips. "If you don't want to accept it, I will burn this money."
"Ugh..." Renee was at a loss for words. "I think that's too much."
Lauren then winked at Alain, who immediately cleared his throat.
"I apologize for underestimating you, Renee." The archer sighed and looked out the window. "That ability of yours is not something to be taken lightly. Yes, the thugs weren't very well trained, but there were plenty of them. Not to mention their leader who is known to have the ability to fight on par with A-class. However, you can beat them all."
"We can't turn a blind eye to your talent and ability." Lauren sat on the edge of the hospital bed, smiling again. "So, we decided to recruit you."
Renee was at a loss for words for the second time. He looked at Elise again. The warrior just smiled and nodded his head.
"I'm very flattered by your offer." Renee closed her eyes, smiling too. "But, I already have a party."
Elise choked.
Lauren nodded her head, also looking at Elise, the warrior. "I see, so you prefer Elise, huh? Well, she was the one who played the most part in all of this. She is the key that opens your eyes."
"Huh? But…" Alain stopped his protest as Lauren shook her head lightly at the archer.
Elise could only look down. This all happened not because of her. All the ideas came from Raymund.