Claire's tears cascaded down Momonga's robes, falling to the floor and forming tiny, shimmering puddles. She wept uncontrollably, her sobs wracking her body as she was consumed by the horrifying memories and flashbacks of the torment she had endured within the hideout. Each recollection sent her spiraling further into an abyss of despair that seemed to have no end.
However...
"It's alright, Claire," Momonga whispered gently, placing a comforting hand on her back and drawing her closer. His voice was steady and soothing, like a warm balm to her wounded soul. "No matter what, I will never let this happen to you again. I swear on the name of Momonga that anyone who dares to harm you again... will know the true meaning of pain."
Despite having singlehandedly dismantled the entire slave ring, Momonga couldn't shake the nagging feeling that someone was lurking in the shadows, orchestrating something far more sinister. Perhaps what he had discovered was merely the tip of the iceberg, and there was a much larger force at play.
Lost in thought, Momonga pondered the potential consequences of this revelation. However, his focus was quickly broken as Claire's crying gradually subsided.
'Whatever the case may be, my main priority right now is Claire and gathering information. I'll worry about that issue later when it becomes my problem, if at all. Ah! I almost forgot, Claire is still injured; I need to go ahead and heal her.'
Momonga extended his right arm, opening a luminescent purple portal. He reached inside and retrieved a red potion.
'In the past, I always carried potions for PvP or PvE, not for my own use, but for my guildmates. It turns out, my diligence in collecting them has come in handy once more. Although these items aren't considered highly valuable by YGGDRASIL standards, at least healing potions exist in this world. I witnessed Donadrond the examiner using one, so I know it's possible to resupply. However, I still have no idea how effective their potions are. Ugh! I need to focus on more pressing matters instead of letting my thoughts wander!'
"Here, Claire," he said, gently guiding her head toward the health potion. "This is a potion of healing. It'll help to restore your physical body." His voice was so calm and reassuring that Claire knew he was telling the absolute truth. Regardless, she wouldn't have doubted her savior and friend in this case.
As the liquid flowed down her throat, the potion's healing properties swiftly took effect. Within moments, a green glow enveloped her, and her wounds appeared to vanish entirely, as though she had been graced by an angel's regenerative touch. In reality, it was the remarkable effects of the potion working its magic.
'There that should've done the trick it'll heal her physical body but her mental state is a different matter. That she'll have to conquer on her own since I really don't want to use anything relating to memory alteration, at least not on her.'
Claire slowly looked up at Momonga, her face swollen from the excessive crying. Yet, she appeared relieved, as if all her pain had vanished upon realizing how much Momonga cared for her.
As Momonga began to stand up, he reached out his hand to her. "Let's go, Claire, we have important things to do," he said, to which Claire responded by grasping his hand and pulling herself up. She noticed a brief sensation of coldness from his hand but quickly dismissed it.
Claire then looked at Momonga, his red mask still somewhat chilling to her, but she continued. "Where are we going?" she asked, as straightforward as possible.
"Hm?" Momonga responded. "Oh, we're heading to the center of this floor. I'll tell you more about this place soon," he said, a sense of pride resonating through his confident voice.