Ravel felt a shiver run down his spine and shook his head vehemently, indicating that he had been thoroughly well - behaved.

  Glen's gaze naturally shifted towards Tia, who had been keeping her head bowed all this while.

  The room descended into a brief silence, until the faint sobs of the little maid became distinctly audible.

  Ravel, too, turned his eyes in her direction.

  As if realizing that she could no longer conceal her emotions, Tia raised her hand and began to wipe away her tears.

  Glen remained silent. He was well - aware that the little maid was rather sentimental. Having spent numerous days in each other's company, they had forged a certain bond, and it was only natural that she would feel a sense of reluctance.

  He secretly hoped that the little maid would utter words to the effect of wanting to stay, in which case Glen would most certainly agree.

  However, that was the very place where Tia had grown up. Compared to this location, it was likely that she would prefer to return. There were her familiar companions and everything she was well - acquainted with.

  "Come now, there's no need for such distress. We shall surely meet again in the days to come," Glen eventually offered words of solace.

  "Truly?" Tia looked up, her face streaked with tears.

  "Of course it is true. Perhaps I could even come to visit you, and I'll bring you gifts," Glen said, wearing a tender smile.

  This seemed to offer her some measure of comfort.

  In fact, Glen could surmise that the moment Ravel returned to the Chanis manor, the lord would promptly whisk his entire family away, fleeing as far as possible. The farther from him, the better.

  The following day, Ravel had his luggage packed well in advance. It was unclear what he had stuffed into it, but the bag was bulging.

  This young nobleman was on the verge of reverting to his former life of affluence and luxury, yet there was little excitement in his eyes. Instead, a sense of bewilderment prevailed.

  This morning, Tia couldn't help but shed tears. She embraced and bade farewell to the elven lady and the others, as well as NightRoar, sharing a multitude of words.

  Glen sat in the deer - drawn carriage, waiting with great patience.

  Finally, when both of them had boarded the carriage, he inquired, "Are you both prepared?"

  The two within the carriage compartment nodded silently.

  "Then let us be on our way."

  Glen gave the reins a brisk flick, and the deer - drawn carriage slowly pulled away from the town.

  The elven lady and NightRoar stood outside the town, watching quietly as they departed.

  Perhaps having received prior intelligence, a detachment of private soldiers was waiting beyond the outer forest of Bayek.

  Babel was conspicuously among them.

  These private soldiers merely trailed behind Glen, maintaining a respectful distance. They were all well - aware of Glen's prowess and had no desire to court trouble.

  The familiar manor came into sight.

  Lord Chanis and his wife, Sophia, had come forth in advance to greet them.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Glen reined in the reins, and the deer - drawn carriage came to a halt.

  Ravel was the first to alight from the carriage and rushed to embrace his parents tightly.

  "My dear Ravel, I've been consumed with worry these past days. You have no inkling of how terrified I was at the thought of something befalling you. I simply didn't know what I would do..."

  Lady Sophia wiped away her tears as she examined Ravel's body.

  "Well, although his skin has darkened somewhat, he's grown considerably stronger," Lord Chanis patted his son's hand, struggling to hold back his tears.

  "What do you mean 'well'!? He's so dark, hardly the image of a proper nobleman!?" Sophia was quite discontent with her husband's words.

  "Noblemen who have seen the rigors of war are far darker than this. What do you know!?"

  The couple was on the verge of an argument.

  At this juncture, Tia stepped forward and softly addressed the lord and lady.

  Only then did they halt in time.

  "Did you subject Ravel to any hardship these past days?" Sophia asked in a tone befitting a mistress.

  This placed Tia in a quandary. Ravel had undoubtedly endured hardship, but admitting it would displease the lady. Yet, she dared not lie to Lady Sophia.

  However, Ravel spoke up first. "I didn't endure much hardship, Mother. You needn't worry."

  "Thank you for taking care of Ravel these past days. I shall bestow a reward upon you presently," Lord Chanis interjected.

  The little maid merely responded indifferently, not showing much excitement.

  Chanis didn't take it amiss, assuming that Tia had endured a great deal these past days and was thus in a melancholic mood.

  Just as the family was enjoying a moment of harmonious bliss, Glen's voice jolted them back to reality, almost making them forget the very source of all their tribulations.

  "Tia, I have something for you."

  Glen dismounted from the carriage and handed the semi-finished magic phone, originally intended for the elven lady, to the little maid.

  The elven lady hadn't made use of it last time and had returned it to Glen upon their return.

  Subsequently, he had modified it several times, bringing it almost to the quality of a finished product.

  "You should know how to utilize this, I presume. If anything untoward should occur, you can use it to get in touch with me. However, this device has a limited lifespan, so you must cherish every opportunity. Do you understand?"

  Upon hearing this, Tia eagerly took it and clutched it tightly in her hand. Her nose twitched, and she was on the verge of tears once more.

  Then Glen continued, "Do not shed tears so frequently in the future. If opportunity presents itself, I shall most assuredly come to visit you. I hope that no one will mistreat you."

  This statement was, in fact, aimed at the Chanis couple, to convey that if they ever lost their senses, they'd best not vent their anger on Tia.

  Evidently, the Chanis couple grasped the message. They swallowed nervously and regarded Tia with a noticeably different expression.

  Just as Glen was about to turn and depart, Tia grabbed his arm.

  He turned around, perplexed, and heard Tia say, "May I not have a hug?"

  Glen couldn't help but smile. He stepped forward and gently embraced the little maid's supple form before returning to the deer - drawn carriage. He waved and then turned around to leave.

  As Glen had anticipated, Chanis took his entire household, including servants and private soldiers, and left the manor that very night.

  The now - vacant manor was sold at a reduced price to a local wealthy individual.

  ...

  In a forest teeming with red - colored plants, the roars of magical beasts, some resounding, some hoarse, echoed in quick succession, accompanied by the sounds of trees splintering and soil churning.

  A colossal magical beast, its body adorned with bright red mane, its size reminiscent of an elephant, and its form resembling that of a giant lizard, was engaged in a fierce struggle with a figure brandishing a massive sword. The beast was covered in numerous wounds.

  The power coursing through its body was growing increasingly erratic, and the joints of its body were gradually stiffening. It seemed that the colossal magical beast was no match for its adversary.

  After yet another encounter, the magical beast realized that if it continued in this manner, death was inevitable. Thus, it harbored thoughts of retreat.

  However, the adversary had come with the explicit intention of hunting it down and was not about to let it escape, pursuing it relentlessly.

  Ultimately, due to its delayed physical response, the magical beast was pierced through the neck by the figure wielding the greatsword. It collapsed to the ground and bled to death.

  With the battle concluded, the victor did not hasten to claim their spoils. Instead, they sat down on the spot, retrieved the water skin from their waist, and took a sip.

  At this moment, the figure was caked in dirt, mud, and grass clippings, making it impossible to discern their true features. Judging solely by their build, one might assume they were male.

  In reality, however, it was a woman - Bloodaxe, the tall female warrior who had crossed paths with Glen in Dude Town.

  Since accepting Glen's commission, she had exerted great effort in tracking down the target and had finally obtained information regarding the magical beast she needed to hunt.

  Upon learning more, she discovered that it was a magical beast with transcendent power reaching level three.

  She herself was merely a hunter with level - two strength and should not have taken on such a challenge.

  Yet, she did so nonetheless.

  Although the magical beast's power far exceeded her own, a hunter does not rely on brute strength alone when facing their prey.