After a lengthy discussion, Rayden finally decided to release the restraints binding Elder Snowden. Thalassa expressed deep gratitude for the leniency granted and then guided them to an opulent chamber designed to entertain distinguished guests.
Rayden and the three women at his side settled on a long sofa, with Rayden seated in the middle. Meanwhile, Thalassa and Snowden took their places on a separate small sofa. Their discussion was brief but fruitful, reaching an agreement that Snowden would explain everything directly to the guild master in town. The fate of the dryad tribe and the reconciliation process would be managed by Snowden.
After about ten minutes of pleasantries, Rayden bid them farewell, disregarding any offers extended. Before stepping out the door, he paused momentarily and looked back. "Don't forget, include my name in your discussions," he instructed firmly.
"Understood, Sir," Snowden replied, nodding slightly with a hint of nervousness, striving to respond with utmost politeness.
Upon leaving the village, Rayden paid no heed to Thalassa's earlier surrender. He conjured a wormhole portal using gravitational power, swiftly transporting them to the outskirts of the adventurer's city.
Eschewing the use of a horse-drawn carriage, Rayden manipulated the gravitational field around them. He lifted a compacted piece of earth beneath the four of them. A brief loud crack resonated as they soared low through the air.
At a moderate speed, Rayden controlled the movement of the elevated earth by manipulating the gravitational vectors. Within a minute, they arrived at the city's main gate.
"Wow—Mom, look at that! That brother and those sisters are flying in the air on a piece of earth!" exclaimed a little girl, full of enthusiasm, pointing towards Rayden and the three women at his side.
It wasn't just the little girl; even the local residents were astonished by the phenomenon unfolding in the city center.
Five minutes later, they arrived in front of the adventurer guild's building. Rayden executed a perfect landing on the street in front of the guild, then disembarked along with the three women at his side. Once everyone had alighted, Rayden once again mobilized the piece of earth with gravitational field manipulation, sending it soaring high before compressing it into a marble by creating a strong gravitational pull at the earth's core.
With a light gesture, Rayden hurled the marble at high speed out of the city area, shattering large rocks in a single move, thanks to the marble's high mass after compression.
Back inside the guild master's building, Rayden now engaged in a more cordial conversation with the guild master in a much-improved room compared to his first visit to the adventurer's guild.
"So, you're saying that a great elder dryad intends to cooperate and personally apologize to the town's residents?" the guild master inquired, seeking reassurance from the information provided by Rayden.
Rayden merely nodded in response, sipping the warm tea available on the table.
"It can be said that this matter has been resolved well. Moreover, the source of the problem also wishes to collaborate for the benefit of both parties and ease the tension," Rayden explained with a straightforward voice.
Nevertheless, he did not mention that there was still a hidden anomaly likely orchestrating the various issues at hand. For him, as long as the city was safe, his personal interests would remain undisturbed. He felt no need to involve himself in matters whose benefits and detriments were unclear.
Satisfied with Rayden's work, the guild master summoned the guild receptionist, who brought in several large sacks containing thousands of gold coins, along with a recommendation letter from the city's largest merchant guild.
"As per our agreement, 75,000 gold coins and a connection with the best merchant guild in the adventurer city," the guild master stated while handing over the gold coin sacks and the recommendation letter to Rayden.
Rayden nodded in satisfaction, accepting the rewards gladly, then handed them to Anastasia to store in her extra-dimensional storage.
The guild master extended his right hand in a gesture of handshake. Seeing this, Rayden spontaneously met his hand, and they shook hands earnestly.
"Pleasure doing business with you," the guild master remarked with a hoarse yet slightly sincere voice. His gaze reflected an honor distinct from their initial meeting.
"Of course, earning credibility through your trust is an honor for me," Rayden replied politely, emphasizing his achievements and superiority, characteristic of a shrewd businessman.
After a fruitful conversation lasting over half an hour, Rayden and the women at his side took their leave. They then stopped by the guild's special inn to check on the condition of Chloe's mother and aunt.
Upon reaching their destination room, the four of them observed that both Chloe's mother and aunt had fully recovered, even experiencing the rejuvenating effects of enhanced beauty. Chloe's mother bore a striking resemblance to Chloe, with long, shiny black hair and bright sapphire blue eyes. The difference was that Chloe's mother possessed the allure and body of a very attractive adult woman.
Meanwhile, Chloe's aunt had beautiful silver hair, with light blue sapphire eyes identical to Chloe and her mother.
Seeing Rayden's return, Chloe immediately leaped toward him, hugging him tightly. "You're back, Brother Ray!" she exclaimed joyfully, her face beaming as she looked at her family's savior.
Witnessing her daughter so familiar and happy with Rayden's presence, Clara, Chloe's mother, was utterly surprised. After Chloe released her embrace, she quickly explained that her brother Ray was the one who had healed her mother and aunt.
Upon receiving this information, Clara and her sister, Celine, Chloe's aunt, stood before Rayden. They expressed their gratitude in a sincere manner, bowing 90 degrees, causing their ample bosoms to sway slightly due to the sudden body movement.
"Mere words of gratitude seem insufficient to repay the kindness you've bestowed upon our little family," Clara spoke in a velvet-soft voice, embodying the essence of a loving mother. "From saving my daughter from those vile adventurers to curing us from the deadly plague."
Rayden merely nodded lightly, a simple gesture of acknowledgment. "Stand up. Think nothing of it. Everything I did was for Chloe's sake."
Rayden's hope that his words would ease the two women's minds proved mistaken. Clara and Celine exchanged meaningful glances, as if engaging in wordless communication to reach a decision that would change everything.
Without warning, they shed their garments in a synchronized motion that caught everyone off guard. All that remained were their time-worn white undergarments.
The scene created waves of shock among the witnesses - Rayden, Chloe, Anastasia, Sylvia, and Miranda. No one had anticipated these women would display such boldness before a man.
"My, my... how naughty," Miranda commented with a teasing tone, her voice devoid of any displeasure. "So that's your plan... you intend to repay his kindness with your bodies."
A gentle nod from both women confirmed Miranda's assumption. Their gazes returned to Rayden, filled with unwavering determination.
"Our savior," Clara spoke, representing herself and Celine. "Please use our bodies as you see fit. This is all we can offer in return."
Not a trace of hesitation or reluctance could be detected in their voices. Their faces radiated deep tranquility, ready to surrender everything they possessed to satisfy their savior's desires for their beautiful forms.