"In truth, I was slightly injured during the escort mission because I overused spiritual energy," the captain admitted. "We were ambushed halfway by the cultists. The opponent was the leader of the cultists. These cultists have been keeping an eye on the royal family for decades."
"Is Eli okay?" Linda asked, then she regretted and turned towards Eric, realizing he might not know about Eli's identity yet.
"It's okay; I know Eli is the Princess," Eric admitted, acknowledging his awareness of her identity.
Linda felt sad. "It isn't that we don't want to tell you, but her identity has been kept hidden by the royal family . Her life was in a dangerous situation every time. So, we didn't disclose her identity to anyone."
Eric nodded at her words about Eli being a princess. Her life had been very tough and hard from a young age. Since King Arthur III didn't have other children, he hoped Eli would become a good Empress. Due to the royal family being eyed by cultists, they hid Eli's identity.
Then, they listened to the captain's words.
"It was dangerous. The leader of the cultists personally arrived. I had to fight with her for many hours. She was at the Ninth Form Of Materialization and I was at the Eight Form Of Materialization. Because of my 'A' grade artifact I am still alive. If not I will be dead. the captain said. "Don't worry, Her Highness is safe. She didn't even lose a single hair."
Linda smiled and expressed her gratitude. Eric, however, sighed in relief. But, he couldn't understand why recalling details about Eli seemed challenging, as if his memories with her were limited. It occurred to him that he might not have retrieved all of Eric's memories.
Checking the time, it was almost five o'clock. Contemplating going back home, he recalled his depleted funds. Upon asking the captain, he was advised to take the money kept in his office's drawer. Retrieving five gold coins, he expressed gratitude to Linda and Leo, acknowledging their injuries caused by his situation. Leo, as a Punisher member, affirmed that punishing evil was their duty.
The next day, Caroline slowly opened her eyes. She found the captain standing in front of her bed, staring intently. She then noticed a shift in the captain's expression.
"Why did you engage in combat with the cultists?" the captain inquired.
"I am sorry. We initially went after the zombie, but a shadowy figure was already engaged in a battle with it. I had to confront that figure," explained Caroline.
"Zombies? Is it necessary?" questioned the captain.
Caroline nodded, confirming, "Yes, our new member got entangled with a zombie. He recently awakened his cursed blood, putting him in a precarious situation, and the reason was the zombie."
But still you are hurt, said Captain.
"I am aware," replied Caroline. "But I couldn't stand by while others were in danger. It was my duty to protect our members."
You! The captain sighed inwardly, you are just like your father. Always Stubborn, you can't just wait to put yourself in danger.
Then, the captain said, "You're like a daughter to me. You're the person I care about the most in this world. If something were to happen to you, I wouldn't know how to face my late friend, Patrick."
Upon hearing her father's name, Caroline's expression shifted. Her father and the captain had been best friends. Losing her mother at a young age, her father took care of her, and the captain supported them during difficult times. However, her father also met with an unfortunate accident and passed away sixteen years ago. The captain has been taking care of her for decades.
Coming out from her predicament of thoughts, she took out a wooden box from her space ring. The box was filled with symbols and runes on it. Passing it to the captain, she said; Happy Birthday Father.
Today was her late Father's birthday but she always celebrated it with the captain making him her father.
Father! Hearing her calling him father, Captain became emotional. These were the words he wanted least to hear. She always calls him, father on her Father's birthday.
Showing his smile the captain asked, What's this?
Caroline smiled and said, A chance.
"A chance!" The captain couldn't understand her words, so he opened the box. A red crystal illuminated the room.
This! 'Facet!' The captain was stunned by the gleam of the red crystal. A sense of predator staring at its prey feeling went behind his back. But Despite the ominous feeling, the joy 'Facet' brought outweighed the fear. The captain immediately forced himself out from the illusion of the 'Facet' and closed the box. Caroline also regains her senses. She was frozen when the 'Facet' illuminated the room.
The captain turned towards Caroline, his gaze reflecting a mixture of confusion.
Caroline nodded, her eyes conveying a shared understanding with the captain.
"How did you come across it?" the captain asked, his hands trembling because there is a way to become the top powerhouse of the world on his hand.
"From Eric," Caroline replied, revealing the source of the crystal.
"From Eric?" The captain was puzzled by her words. "How can a normal mortal possess this 'Facet'?" Eric wasn't even a Materializer. He just recently joined here.
Caroline then narrated everything that transpired with Eric, explaining why she went after the zombie. She also told that the 'Facet' was stolen from the cultists by that zombie. So, she wanted to kill the zombie and safeguard Eric. It was also her duty to protect her members.
Hearing this Captain laugh uglier. That Zombie did a good job. If he didn't steal that 'Facet' the leader of the cultists would have advanced in the Tenth Form Of Materialization and I would be dead.
Father! Caroline said angrily.
Okay... Okay.... I am joking. How can I just die like this? Captain laugh.
Father, If you return this 'Facet' to headquarters, you will get the potion for Ninth Form Of Materialization, Transformation. And maybe you can gain your looks back. Caroline said in expectations.
Hearing this Captain George stopped his laughing. There was a expression of regret and sad on his face.