All of the reinforcement party went back to the warfield. The look on their faces looked like a mouse that had lost its cheese. How are they not? They fought to their utmost, but they couldn't achieve the result they wanted, and with the amount of blood spilled, it could not be any worse. They are looking for any remains of the so-called ancient giant, but there is nothing left other than weak monster corpses and their former teammates who have died.
Kairos looks at the remains of the old man who has looked after him since he was a child—the one and only factor that could get them through until the end. Everyone was prepared to die, but seeing somebody close to you die is not. You won't know sorrow until you find yourself in a situation where you are hopeless. Now that the monsters are gone, he can't hold back his tears anymore. Cithrel comes to him and consoles him; she finds the necklace still in tact on the ground. She takes it, and while giving it to Kairos, she says,
"I've just known him for a bit of time, but I know he was a kind man," Cithrel said.
"He was the one that helped me get through my childhood. He introduced me to knighthood when I was in my teens. He did a lot, and yet." Kairos mourns.
There was a bit of silence, then he wiped his tears, trying his best to recollect himself.
Kairos said, "We need to go back. We still have many things to be done."
Both of them went back to the stronghold and went to Sir Lionel's camp, but the camp is strictly protected by the order of the knights.
The knight said, "Both of you can't enter for the time being by the order of Sir Lionel."
Kairos said, "What? Tell them Kairos is the one who wanted to enter. We want to give Sir Lionel our report."
The knight replied, "Yes, I'm afraid no one could enter. Every single person isn't allowed to enter this section. You could go to the section opposite this one. I will deliver the message to Sir Lionel, and he will personally approach you outside."
Then they both went in the opposite direction, walking to the camps they'd been guided to.
Cithrel said, "Was the leader of the knights this strict before?"
Kairos replied, "No, Sir Lionel was a crude man as long as I knew him for years."
It's true that Lionel isn't the type who will not let him in as long as he knows. They walked to the opposite side and found a familiar face shouting at him.
"Over here!"
It was Icarus. He was sitting in front of a campfire. Behind him is a small camp that could shelter at most four people. His body was covered with bandages all over the place.
Cithrel asked, "Are you all right?"
Icarus said, "It's only a scratch. No worries."
He was slammed by a big giant all over the place. It was not just a miracle, but his Lumina's handling skill was top-notch, defending himself from any blunt impact to the ground or from the Goliath himself. And of course, the late bishop was the big factor that has helped him.
Icarus continued, "If it's not because of Bernard, I won't make it alive."
Kairos swiped that statement and asked, "Is Meyeri inside?"
Icarus replied, "I thought she was with you guys. I didn't see her anywhere."
It was then that the situation appeared improbable. The strictly protected camp is one thing, but the absence of Meyeri signifies the other. But after encountering some tough nuts-to-crack situations, Sir Lionel walked in to them. He looks composed.
Lionel said, "Could you both leave me alone with this young knight?"
Cithrel and Icarus then walked out of the place. Then they both sit on a bench made out of wood, side by side. It was the bench Icarus had just sat on before.
Lionel said, "When I recruited you back in the day, I thought you were just such a spoiled brat. But then you show me extraordinary guts."
Kairos replied to him, "I'm fine with you being blunt. Right after I held that thing off from stepping, both she and that monster disappeared with no trace. We've looked everywhere and found nothing."
Lionel talked like he was continuing Kairos. "She walked back alone, approached me, and wanted to remain isolated."
Kairos replied, "Are you kidding me? What is with the childishness?"
Kairos then stood up, preparing to walk to the strict camp to find Meyeri, but Lionel held Kairos's hand, preventing him. He said,
"Do yourself a favor and not poke around too much. You're not in prime condition; everything will be revealed when we meet the king."
Kairos replied, "But..."
Lionel replied, "You are the leader of the reinforcement party, but I will always treat you as my own young brat. After all, your late foster father entrusts both of you to me, and I can't fail him."
Kairos then brushed Lionel's hand, then sat again. Lionel smiled. It's not the bright, loud smile that he normally gives, but it's a sympathetic smile. It reminded Kairos of his foster father. Kairos nods.
The days passed by as they tried to go back to the capital through the forest.
"Creeeaaaaak!"
It was the sound of a goblin getting killed. With the knights there, the goblins could not create a scratch for them. Meyeri is still in the carriage and remains isolated through the journey. They made it through the forest and arrived at the capital. The civilians greeted them with flowers. It was truly a bright greeting for the heroes who saved the city. All of the reinforcement parties replied to them with waving hands and even bowing gestures.
The royal palace was informed and really happy with their arrival.
The King's said, "Let's hold a banquet in the capital."
Then Sir Lionel's personal knight came in at the right moment.
"I'm here to deliver a message from Sir Lionel to your majesty."
The king's guard took the letter, approved the royal knight's sign, and gave the letter to the king. He read the letter and frowned.
"I guess we can hold the banquet for tomorrow. Call Sir Lionel and the reinforcement leading party here this instant and set aside anyone who wanted to come into the palace."