Aria nodded, her expression somber. "Yes... But it took everything he had. He's lucky to be alive."
The two girls moved closer, their concern for Adrian evident in their eyes. Well, he saved their lives after all.
Irithel knelt beside Aria, her hand reaching out to touch Adrian's shoulder gently. "We'll keep watch," she whispered. "You should rest too, Aria."
Aria shook her head, her eyes never leaving Adrian's face. "I'm fine," she replied softly. "I will stay with him."
"..." Irithel wanted to say sothing as she opened and closed her mouth a few tis. "Alright. Then we will go and tell the others and return soon."
"Ok. Don't forget to put that monster's body into your storage rings." Aria shortly replied as Irithel and Rhea left.
About half an hour later, the girls returned, with all the others, from their teammates to the herbalists they needed to rescue.
Kairen, Ardel, and Aurelius were finally awake though Kairen and Aurelius were walking with the help of Lila and Aurelia. Ardel seed fine after the 'nap' and healing session he took from Aurelia.
Fortunately, Adrian was also awake by the ti they ca. He woke up just a few minutes ago though.
"Since the mission is completed, let's return to the city, the academy. We can arrive if we hurry before the sun sets," Adrian said.
Aurelius, though visibly weak, managed a smile. "You never cease to amaze , Adrian. Even after a battle like that, you're still thinking about the mission."
Adrian chuckled, wincing slightly from the pain. "We have a duty to complete. And besides, I think we all could use a bit of rest and proper healing."
Aria helped him to his feet, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure you can move?"
"I'll manage," Adrian replied, leaning on her for support. "But we need to get everyone back safely. We can talk later or tomorrow as well."
The others nodded their heads, agreeing to his words.
Then they started walking to the other side of the Myrandor mountains, where the carriage driver might be waiting for them.
The clearing beca eerily silent as everyone left. Only the faint rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filled the void where the battle had taken place. Monts later, a shadow flickered in the center of the clearing. Slowly, a figure began to materialize where Adrian and Aria had been standing a while ago.
It was Selene.
She stood there silently, her eyes fixed in the direction they had gone. Her expression was a mixture of frustration and resignation.
"My mission is also over," she muttered to herself. "I failed... I lost my subordinates..."
A wry smile tugged at her lips as she recalled Adrian's offer, the mont he had given her a choice.
"Should I have chosen to leave?" she wondered aloud, her voice barely more than a whisper.
The mories of what she saw after she had left the clearing replayed in her mind. Aria's arrival, her fierce protectiveness, their kisses that looked natural, and the way Adrian had looked at her.
"So he already had a girlfriend, huh," Selene murmured, a touch of sarcasm in her tone. She realized she misunderstood everything from the start. "Then... he was acting all that ti, huh..."
"How dangerous... A peculiar man..."
She sighed deeply, the weight of her failure pressing down on her. For a brief mont, she considered her next move, her mind drifting to the consequences of her actions and the choices she had yet to make.
What should she do now? Return to the organization? Probably... Even if she didn't want to... She still had to... Moreover, she had a feeling their mission wasn't entirely as it was told...
There were many odd things about it...
With one last glance in the direction Adrian and his group had gone, Selene turned and began to walk away, her figure slowly fading back into the shadows.
If fate had more plans for her, she would et Adrian again. But for now, she had her own path to walk, fraught with uncertainty and the weight of her decisions.
As Selene vanished into the shadows, Adrian and the others pressed on through the Myrandor mountains, their spirits lifted slightly despite their exhaustion.
Fortunately, both the drivers were still at the entrance of the mountains, right where they parted ways.
"Ah! It's you guys!" One of the drivers, the middle-aged one that accompanied Aurelius and his group shouted, recognizing them as soon as he noticed them. "How did you guys get out of there?"
"Hmm.. you seem more worried about this than our safety, aren't you, Sir?" Aurelius comnted, his expression suspicious. He heard a few 'things' from Adrian on their way back after all.
"Ah! Right, I apologize. Are you guys safe? It happened too suddenly, thankfully I wasn't near it when it happened." The middle-aged man laughed.
Irithel cut off the driver's laughter with a sharp remark, her eyes narrowing. "Ah, we thought it was you who did it."
The middle-aged man stiffened for a mont, his expression betraying a flash of panic before he forced a disappointed look. "I helped you co here and guided you through the mountains, yet you are accusing ?"
Aurelia laughed sarcastically, her voice dripping with disdain, maybe for the first ti. "Yes, you guided us, but straight into your trap, you two-faced man."
The middle-aged man's eyes widened in confusion. "What are you saying?"
Before he could react further, a sudden surge of magic enveloped him, and ice began to form around his body, restraining him up to his chest. Ardel appeared beside him, his expression grim as he checked the man's neck. Right under his collar, a faint but distinct mark was visible—the sa tattoo as the scout who committed suicide. An insignia of the sa organization.
"This confirms it," Ardel announced, his voice cold. "He's one of them."
The middle-aged man struggled against his icy restraints, his eyes darting around in desperation. "You're making a mistake! I'm not who you think I am!"
Adrian, still leaning on Aria, stepped forward. "Enough lies," he said, his voice tired but firm. "We know you're part of the organization that took over the bandits' hideout and kidnapped these people. Your mark is just a proof."
The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, realizing he had been caught. He had countless questions in his mind, did they fail? Did anyone sell him out? And so on.
'Damn it! I hate to die in this way but it is better than dying in the hands of the Black Hand...'
"Hehe, so what if you found , you can't get anything-!"
Thud-!
'!'
The last mber of Selene's team had a confused expression as he fainted before he could consu the poison.
"We aren't going to fall for the sa trick twice."
Ardel muttered right after hitting the man on the back of his head.
"Good job, Ardel." Adrian praised Ardel for his quick judgnt and action. "Tie him up and put him in the carriage, we will give him to the academy."
"Alright." Ardel nodded and started the task.
The others faced the second driver who had a bewildered expression the whole ti. It was clear he couldn't process what was happening.
"P-Please, spare ! I'm not with them! I-I was waiting for you as you told to!"
"Haha, don't worry Sir, we know you aren't with them." Adrian chuckled. "Anyway, can you take us back to the city? My friend will drive the other carriage."
"Ah! R-Right, of course. Everyone can get on board. I'll get you back to the city quickly," the second driver stamred, visibly relieved.
With the unconscious middle-aged man securely bound and placed in the carriage, the group began their journey back to the city. The atmosphere was tense but hopeful, each mber reflecting on the events that had transpired and the narrow escape they had experienced.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the horizon, the group finally saw the city walls in the distance. The sight was a welco relief, a promise of rest and recovery after their harrowing ordeal.
Their mission was really over.
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