Chapter 23 - Return

Rizki sat astride his horse, his gaze fixed upon the screen of his phone, lost in contemplation. Three years had come and gone since he had last set foot in this place, and the changes in him were undeniable. The scar that marred his right eye bore silent testament to the journey of growth and maturity he had embarked upon.

In the tranquil embrace of the countryside, it was just Rizki, the open road, and the echoes of the past. His return to this place was no casual decision; there was a clear purpose behind his journey.

By his side rode Everyn, the youngest of the Danielle sisters. She had ventured into the countryside to seek him out, fully aware of his prolonged absence from the village. Her steed matched the pace of Rizki's horse as they journeyed together.

Taking a moment to reflect on the wealth of knowledge he had acquired during his absence, Rizki held his phone in hand and began to recount his newfound wisdom, often speaking his thoughts aloud.

"So," he mused to himself, "the Art of Awareness grants us the ability to perceive our enemies, the Art of Willpower bestows the strength to withstand any adversity, and the Art of Strength unveils our hidden potential within our vulnerabilities."

As he scrolled through the contents on his phone, he displayed images and illustrations depicting the various races that inhabited this world. "Here," he noted while pointing at the screen, mentioning each race one by one, "we have Humans, Elves, Orcs, Beastmen, Demons, and Fairies. Liora mentioned that Demons comprise a multitude of diverse races, with their hero being the Demon Lord. This designates me as their antagonist, while their leader becomes my adversary."

Continuing his scrolling, he revealed ancient paintings portraying Liora and her sons, along with her late husband. "Liora's husband, a hero among humans, managed to unite Elves and Humans," Rizki narrated. "He met a tragic end due to a conspiracy orchestrated by the Beastmen, who sought to profit from the sale of Elves as slaves to Humans. It's a truly heart-wrenching tale."

Rizki couldn't help but cast a glance at the jet-black bow resting behind him. It was a precious heirloom intended to be passed down to Liora's son upon reaching adulthood. However, with her sons now absent, Rizki had assumed the role of guardian for this invaluable artifact.

"But that's your family's treasure," Rizki protested.

Liora sighed, her voice laced with melancholy. "I have no one left in this world, Rizki," she confessed. "I've chosen you not because you share the same circumstances as the Danielle Sisters, but because you possess exceptional qualities. I'm willing to go against my own beliefs to guide you toward becoming a better person."

Suddenly, Liora's condition deteriorated, and a fit of coughing overcame her. Rizki rushed to her side, his concern plain to see.

"I have high blood pressure, Rizki," Liora disclosed, her voice trembling. "For a knight, high blood pressure is a deadly ailment that can strike at any moment. But you see..."

She went on to reveal the true cause of her shaking right hand. Alarmed, Rizki inquired, "So, this isn't related to shell shock?"

Liora nodded and continued, "You know, Rizki, knights are unshaken by trauma. Even though I primarily identify as an archer, I still consider myself a knight, and I believe that such experiences cannot truly harm us."

Rizki did his utmost to soothe her, his hand gently patting her chest. "First, let's get you settled down. You still owe me another month of training!"

Liora managed a weak chuckle. "You truly resemble Varian in his youth," she remarked.

The scene shifted back to the present as Rizki and Everyn urged their horses toward the Elf Village. Rizki had undergone a profound transformation during his absence, now clad in a leather jacket that exuded confidence and strength. His phone found its place in his pocket as he focused intently on the path ahead.

"You've acquired a wealth of knowledge in three years," Everyn praised, her admiration evident.

"I owe much of it to your grandmaster," Rizki acknowledged with gratitude. He had grown immeasurably since his last visit to the village.

Rizki then shared a thought with Everyn, saying, "You know, Everyn, sometimes heroes are born from broken individuals. By that standard, Liora is the true hero compared to me."

Everyn smiled warmly. "But destiny has its plans for you, Rizki," she said. "It's been three years since we last saw you. I wonder just how much stronger you've become."

Rizki remained humble. "I haven't progressed as far as you might think," he admitted. "There's still ample room for improvement, even though I grasp these concepts."

Finally, he couldn't help but inquire about something close to his heart. "By the way, have you all taken good care of my chain and gun?"

Everyn nodded with assurance, confirming that his cherished weapons had been meticulously preserved and maintained.

As Rizki approached the Elf Village, he couldn't help but feel the palpable energy of the place. It had retained its familiarity but was now infused with a renewed vitality. He was on the cusp of discovering just how much had changed during his three-year absence.

Both of them arrived at the heavily guarded entrance of the village, a sight that was quite familiar to Rizki. Memories of the day he had been arrested by Liora for illegal entry three years ago came flooding back.

"It's been three years since the incident," he reminisced. "I remember the day I got arrested by Liora for illegal entry. Now..."

Rizki gazed at the open gate, which now welcomed him with an unexpected friendliness. Everyn nodded in agreement, saying, "Things have certainly changed."

A chuckle escaped Rizki's lips as they entered the village. However, their return was marked by an unexpected interruption. A spear hurtled toward the gate, threatening to pierce it. With reflexes honed by his experiences, Rizki intercepted the spear, catching it mid-air before swiftly hurling it back in the direction it had come from. A cry of pain followed as the intruder was struck.

"What was that?" Everyn exclaimed, alarmed. She reached for a mirror she had at the ready.

Rizki, however, just chuckled, dismissing the incident with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about it; they won't be causing any more trouble."

With that, they continued into the village, revealing a bustling scene that Rizki had missed dearly. He couldn't help but announce with a sense of nostalgia, "Three years, Elf Village."