Hours later, right before sundown, Hannah arrived at Stonewall by carriage alongside Giselle and some construction workers they brought from Guardia.
There she found the Leonardo soldiers helping the recently-arrived surviving Stonewall residents clearing rubbles from all over the town. While Evelyn and the town chief were coordinating the effort.
Hannah rushed over to her daughter and hugged the young lady.
"EVELYN!"
"Mother, you made it."
"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?"
Evelyn smiled to ease her mother's worry.
"I'm fine, mother. As well as all of the soldiers. We managed to defeat all 22 gargoyles without losing anyone."
Hannah breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank Einsof! I somewhat knew everything would turn out well, but as your mother, I just couldn't help but worry."
"I understand, mother. Thank you for your concern." said Evelyn.
She then looked toward the townspeople.
"Unfortunately the people of Stonewall are not doing so well right now. Most of their town is in ruin. Many people lost their families. Some turned orphans and widows."
Evelyn reached to her mother's hand.
"They need help, mother. Financial wise, at the very least."
Hannah nodded.
"The Leonardo Barony have allocated some budget in case a tragedy like this happens. We can definitely cover for the town repair, which is why I've brought workers from Guardia to start the reconstruction. But I'm not sure we'll be able to fully fund the people who lost their families."
"My thought as well." said Evelyn. She then walked toward the town square. "Follow me, mother!"
Hannah accompanied her daughter as requested. She was led to the pile of gargoyle remains laid on the town square.
"I assume these were the demons that attacked this town?" asked Hannah.
"Yes. All 22 of them."
"Why are you collecting them like this and not just disposing them by burning them to dust?"
"Because we can sell these gargoyle remains for a lot of money, mother."
Hannah raised her eyebrows.
"Really?"
"Of course!" Evelyn nodded.
The young Leonardo brought Hannah closer to the gargoyles so she could inspect them more clearly.
"Once the corrupted orb inside the gargoyle was destroyed, the gargoyle returned to being a normal inanimate artifact. Each gargoyle artifact is made of valuable materials. We can sell them to the Imperial Magic Tower for a hefty sum and use the money to fund Stonewall's restoration."
"That's great!" Hannah kneeled down to inspect the remains even more closely. "How much do you think we'll get for all of these remains?"
"Five of them will be more than enough to cover the town repair and install a more secure walls. Another 10 will help the widows and the elderly get settled, and fund the orphans till adulthood."
"Is that so? Then what shall we do with the rest of the money?"
Evelyn walked closer to her mother, her gaze was serious.
"I'm sure you've read the letter I've sent you, mother."
"Yes. Other than bringing in the construction workers, the reason you asked for my presence is also because you have something you wanted to discuss with me immediately." said Hannah.
The Leonardo family head turned her gaze toward the Leonardo soldiers working around her.
"You said it was regarding what will follow after this extermination quest and your future plans."
Evelyn nodded.
"There are reasons why I was so adamant on participating in this gargoyle extermination quest, mother. Now I will reveal to you some of those reasons."