anwhile, Vaenyra and Aurelya arrived at the camp, where Lumberling was waiting, and beside him stood Liraeth.
The mont the two won saw her, they both paused. Sothing about Liraeth was different. The air around her felt calr, yet stronger. She stood taller, her posture confident, her eyes clear and bright. The nervous, uncertain woman they rembered was gone. Even her Knight Stage had advanced, she was now at the Peak of Knight Apprentice Stage.
Aurelya narrowed her eyes and walked right up to her, studying her face closely, almost nose to nose.
"What is it?" Liraeth asked, blinking at her.
"You changed," Aurelya said softly.
"Hmm? Did I?" Liraeth smiled, a little too easily.
Aurelya turned sharply toward Lumberling. "What did you do to her?"
"What? Why ?" Lumberling raised his hands in defense, looking completely lost.
"He did do sothing," Liraeth said with a playful flick of her eyes. "Didn't you, my love?"
Lumberling froze. "L-love? Wait… that's the first ti you called that." His voice cracked a little, but a grin crept across his face.
"Oh right," Liraeth giggled, "that's sothing for the future."
"Lumberling!" Aurelya snapped, glaring at him. "What did you do to her? Don't tell you…"
"I didn't do anything!" Lumberling said quickly, waving his hands.
Vaenyra stood quietly behind them, her sharp eyes fixed on Liraeth. There was sothing… unsettling about her. For a brief mont, Vaenyra felt as if Liraeth could see straight through her.
…..
Days later, Duke Hadric's army and Lumberling's group returned to Stonehaven City, victorious. The city gates swung wide open, and cheers echoed through the streets as soldiers and citizens celebrated their triumph.
Inside the Duke's office, the atmosphere was calr but still filled with pride. Lumberling and his group stood before Hadric, Thessalia now among them.
"I can't express enough how grateful I am for your help during the battle," Duke Hadric said sincerely, his tone warm. "As promised, I'll grant you access to the Hadric Conversation Art, along with the scrolls, manuals, and cultivation techniques tied to it."
Lumberling bowed slightly, a polite smile on his face. "You're too kind, Senior. But… there's actually one more favor we'd like to ask."
Hadric raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Oh? What is it? If it's within my power, I'll gladly help."
Lumberling turned to the four won beside him—Vaenyra, Aurelya, Liraeth, and Thessalia. "I'd like to ask for your help in carving artificial ridians for them."
Hadric paused for a mont, then nodded. "Vein engraving, is it? That won't be a problem." A small smile tugged at his lips. "We can begin whenever you're ready."
"Thank you, Senior." Lumberling bowed slightly, his tone respectful but calm. "And… one more thing. The lady beside has sothing to say."
Vaenyra stepped forward, her movents graceful but firm. "Duke Hadric," she began, eting his gaze steadily. "Would you be interested in forming an alliance with us?"
Hadric blinked, taken aback. Soone of Vaenyra's power offering him an alliance was sothing he never imagined. He went silent, then he sighed softly.
"I would be honored, Lady Vaenyra," he said, a small smile forming. "But I fear I have little to offer for such an alliance. The cultivation arts and manuals I possess are my only treasures, and you already have access to them."
Vaenyra shook her head slightly. "There's sothing else you have, Duke Hadric. Sothing only you can do."
Hadric tilted his head, curiosity lighting his eyes. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Lumberling stepped forward, standing beside Vaenyra, a calm smile on his face. "If you would, Senior, please take so of our n as your disciples."
Hadric raised a brow. "You want to train your people in martial arts?"
"Yes," Lumberling replied with a nod. "We may possess the cultivation arts now, but we lack the experience to truly master them. Unlike you, Senior."
"I'm quite old now," Hadric said with a soft chuckle, leaning back slightly in his chair. "I don't really take on disciples anymore. I just want to live a peaceful life in my remaining years."
Lumberling smiled, unbothered by the refusal. "If you say so, Senior. They don't necessarily have to be your personal disciples. You have many skilled masters here, the Elders, for example. Having even one of them guide our n would already an a lot."
Hadric paused, considering, then nodded slowly. "That… I can agree to." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Then it's decided."
He extended his hand, and Lumberling clasped it firmly. The gesture was simple, yet it marked the beginning of an alliance between their sides.
"Then we'll take our leave for now, Senior," Lumberling said politely. "We'll visit again tomorrow for the vein engraving."
Hadric nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Very well. Rest well, you've all earned it."
…..
As Lumberling and the others returned to the guest compound, the rich aroma of freshly cooked food greeted them. When they stepped inside, a long table stretched before them, piled high with steaming dishes and colorful plates.
"Woah… what's all this?" Lumberling asked, blinking in surprise as he turned to Thessalia.
She crossed her arms proudly, a playful smile on her face. "A small celebration for your victory. I cooked it myself."
"You can cook?" Lumberling raised a brow.
"I can," Thessalia said, smirking. "Now stop talking and sit. Try it before it gets cold."
Without protest, they all took their seats. Soon, the room was filled with laughter and chatter, the warmth of the food easing the exhaustion of battle.
After a while, Thessalia glanced up from her plate. "So," she said between bites, "who are you planning to send here for training this ti? Don't tell it's that gray-skinned goblin again?"
"Skitz?" Lumberling chuckled. "Well, if he wants to, he can co. I was thinking of sending so of my captains and a few elite soldiers."
But before he could say more, Liraeth spoke softly.
"Don't."
Everyone froze mid-al, their eyes slowly turning toward her.
Lumberling set his cup down, studying her. "Hmm… why do you say that?
Liraeth t his gaze steadily. "I had a dream," she said quietly. "This place… it won't be safe for long. A disaster is coming."
The table went completely silent. Even Aurelya and Vaenyra paused. It was the first ti they had heard Liraeth speak like this.
After a long pause, Lumberling nodded slowly. "Alright," he said, breaking the silence. "We'll leave once the vein engraving is finished tomorrow."
Aurelya frowned, confused. "Wait… what are you two talking about? We were just talking about sending your subordinates here."
"Well, I guess not anymore," Lumberling said, turning his gaze knowingly toward Liraeth. "It's your choice whether to tell them or not."
Liraeth smiled softly. "It's fine. I'm not trying to hide it."
She faced the elves, calm and steady. "I can glimpse into the future."
Her green eyes shifted, golden rings forming within them. They spun slowly, like the hands of a clock, glowing with quiet, mysterious power.
Everyone stared, their eyes widening in surprise. A faint golden light radiated from Liraeth, the divine energy so strong it made their skin tingle. For a mont, each of them felt as if she could see straight through them, into their thoughts, their hearts, even their past.
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