As I looked at my accumulated monster diamonds in the Systems, it represent a substantial sum—sufficient for at least two or three years' expenses; covering more than I need and my mother and sister's medical bill.
As the sun's radiant glow pierced the building's windowless walls, I paused to check my reward on the System, savoring the breathtaking beauty of dawn after days of unending darkness.
Approaching footsteps announced visitors, though I sensed no malice.
My intuition proved correct; Bain and the surviving knights from Lance's raid party stood at the door.
"Sir Alstair! You've done it! You defeated those elite undead!" Bain exclaimed, his joy palpable.
Before I could respond, this jovial knight embraced me, his relief evident.
"Oh, God! I was so worried, sir! Facing the Voidwalker and Dreadspire—that was incredibly brave, incredibly risky!" He exhaled, shaking his head.
I chuckled. "I really remember ordering you to remain in the barracks with the wounded knights, didn't I?"
"O-of course, sir! But the Knight Application announced our victory! Dawn City is ours again! The nightmare is over! You're a hero, sir!" Bain declared passionately, gesturing to the assembled knights behind him.
"They insisted on personally thanking you, sir! They want to celebrate our triumph!"
The knights smiled, offering waves and nods.
Their relief was palpable; the mission's conclusion, though unexpected, liberated them from the moonlight's infernal curse.
Bain leaned in, whispering, "Lance is still confined to the barracks, sir. He's become dangerously volatile, so the other knights are keeping him secured."
Unsurprising, I mused inwardly, acknowledging Bain's report with a nod.
The mission's completion, regardless of its turbulent nature, marked the fulfillment of my System's quest.
My relief was immense; I could finally return home.
Suddenly, a woman's hushed, intimate voice—a silken caress against my ear—interrupted my thoughts.
"Alstair, I'm delighted..."
Before I could register her presence, her touch, light yet possessing, enveloped my hand.
Lisa.
Clad in the pristine armor of a Knight Healer, she stood before me, a vision of grace and healing.
Bain's inquiry, a low murmur, cut through the air.
"Sir, is this the healer who aided you in battle?"
Lisa, however, seemed to have anticipated his question, her response swift and confident.
"Indeed," she affirmed, her cheeks flushed a delicate rose. "We shared a night of profound intimacy, ensuring our mission's triumph. It was... unforgettable."
Bain's astonishment was palpable; his gaze darted to mine, questioning, curious.
I swiftly diverted the intensely personal exchange. "Enough. Let us return. Bain, ensure the entire surviving team follows, including that erratic Lance." My tone brook no argument.
"Yes, sir!" Bain responded, immediately springing into action, his obedience unquestionable.
***
Thirty silent minutes bled into each other as I sat beside my unconscious mother and sister, their forms still and pale in the sterile hospital room.
I clutched the Legendary Recovery Chalice, the key item I believed held the key to their recovery.
'One more step,' I vowed silently, 'Mother, Arlene, hold on. I'll bring you back.'
My contemplation concluded, I returned the chalice to the system inventory and rose, a resolute conviction settling in my heart, mind, and spirit.
The time had come.
My destination: the Abandoned Tower Dungeon.
My sole purpose: the acquisition of the Miracle Potion.
But first, a detour.
Avyanna awaited at the Knight Association headquarters; a guild evaluation ceremony since the Crystallice Guild had been rewarded for the successful Dawn City raid.
And, sadly enough, I should come to the ceremony because there will be a separated evaluation process for each knight.
To be honest, I inwardly groaned; such formalities were anathema to me, a tedious impediment to my mission.
As I'm on my way to the door, I just hoping those ceremonial and evaluation process is not that much wasting my time.
Opening the door, I was surprised by the elegant figure of Lisa, a brunette woman in a flowing blouse, bearing flowers, the kind typically offered to the sick.
"Lisa? How did you find me?" I asked out of curiosity before let her in.
"Intelligence gathering," she replied with a serene smile. "I understand your difficult situation, Alstair. May I offer my condolences and visit your family?"
Her grace and genuine concern disarmed me.
How can I say no to this?
"Of course," I replied, ushering her inside.
She bowed slightly before quietly replacing the wilted flowers beside my family's beds.
As she did, a subtle energy—a faint mana flow—emanated from the blooms, a fleeting yet unmistakable sensation.
The energy held no malevolence; it felt… benevolent.
"I've heard about your mother and sister's inexplicable condition," Lisa said softly, her voice a gentle balm.
"It must be harrowing. But you, a magician of extraordinary talent, possess the potential to resolve this, a challenge that even the Knight Association has yet to overcome. But you know, Knight Association is not that helpful as they should be. They even might disturb your effort, in worst case scenario, of course."
Her words, though simple, were filled with profound insight.
Looking at the past, where she had suffered depression, I never though Lisa can be this mature.
The observation struck me; her calm, her perceptiveness—a stark contrast to the mental anguish that had once threatened to consume her.
I found a strange solace in her recovery.
"For my family," I declared with unwavering conviction, "I will move mountains, Lisa. Even it means to oppose Knight Association."
Lisa smiled hearing my determination.
Despite my resolve, Lisa's apprehension resonated deeply.
She eloquently articulated the inherent risks: "The Knight Association, while unconventional, might resent being bypassed, especially by a low-ranking knight like yourself. Acting independently to save your family could perceived dangerous for Knight Association."
Her words held weight; I possessed a unique key to the Abandoned Tower Dungeon, usable only once.
Disclosing my plan to the Knight Association would likely result in them assigning a more powerful knight – a far cry from me, a C-rank knight teetering on the brink of global blacklisting.
"My family's safety transcends any Knight Association mandate," I declared, my tone unwavering.
"I will save my family with my own way and I confident with my capability."
I leveled a pointed warning at Lisa: "Don't misinterpret my resolve, Lisa. Your support during your struggles is invaluable, but obstruct my path, and you become my adversary."
A heavy silence descended, punctuated only by the intensity of our mutual gaze, a blend of apprehension and veiled threat.
Lisa's soft chuckle broke the tension.
"Of course not, Alstair. I wouldn't disturb your efforts, especially regarding your family's well-being. My intention was merely cautionary."
However, her concern deepened.
"Many knights had a strong hostility toward you, Alstair. Worse, they're aware of your family's vulnerability. Fueled by their spite, they might target your family, not you."
Her assessment was chillingly plausible, leaving me speechless.
"So, you'll help me?" I pressed, seeking clarification.
A subtle smile played on Lisa's lips as she glided toward me, her silver necklace glinting.
With a delicate touch, she removed it.
"Precisely," she whispered, halting before me.
"This necklace facilitates instantaneous magical teleportation to this location. I've placed a concealed alarm on those flower I just put in. If there's dangerous threat to your family, the alarm will warn you and enable to utilize the necklace. If you activate the necklace, it will allowing you to summon this teleport and arrive instantly."
Her revelation left me utterly speechless, profoundly moved by her unwavering support.
Lisa's hospital visit wasn't a casual affair; it was a meticulously orchestrated plan to safeguard my family.
The mana flowing from her flowers, connected to her crystal necklace, now made perfect sense—a sophisticated signaling system.
Astonishment overwhelmed me.
"Lisa, that was brilliant! Your plan to protect my family was truly exceptional," I exclaimed, genuinely impressed.
Intrigued, I questioned her dedication: "Why go to such lengths for my family?"
A smile played on her lips as she fastened her silver necklace around my neck. "Alstair," she explained, "it's your fault for saving me. You vowed to be the reason I continued my difficult life; this is my fulfillment of that promise." "
I assumed your offer of assistance was limited to the Dawn City raid," I countered.
"Oh, it's far more extensive than that," Lisa chuckled, her hands closing around mine, her gaze intense, hinting at an impending kiss.
Is Lisa really want kiss as her reward?