Chapter 74 : The Road Back

Chapter 74: Chapter 74 : The Road Back

Caelia lowered her head.

"I failed."

"If you hadn’t arrived..."

She didn’t finish the sentence.

She didn’t need to.

Damon smiled lightly.

"You’re alive."

"That’s enough."

"We can complain about the rest later."

She looked at him for a second before smiling back.

"...You’re strangely optimistic."

"I prefer not dying."

"It makes tomorrow easier."

She couldn’t help laughing.

"...Fair enough."

Meanwhile Damon had already fallen into thought.

Everything she described sounded familiar.

The Tempest Hollow.

The Frostveil Expanse.

Both Distorted Zones were becoming unstable.

Both had hidden passages.

Both had powerful guardian beasts.

Too many similarities.

His curiosity only grew stronger.

"...Interesting."

Caelia noticed the light in his eyes.

"You look excited."

"I am."

"This feels like one huge mystery."

"And mysteries usually hide good rewards."

She blinked.

"...That’s your first thought?"

"What?"

"I need motivation too."

He grinned.

"If I’m risking my life, there better be treasure somewhere."

Caelia stared at him for another second before shaking her head with a helpless smile.

"...You’re unbelievable."

Through his contract Damon felt Freya nodding proudly.

Exactly.

Treasure first.

Sylphie chirped happily in agreement.

Snacks first.

Treasure second.

Damon laughed.

"You two really have your priorities."

The two spirits puffed out their chests proudly.

Caelia watched the three quietly.

A human...

A Nine Tailed Lightning Fox...

And a Sovereign Roc...

The way they joked together didn’t look like a master and contracted spirits.

They looked like family.

Her gaze softened.

"...Thank you."

This time she said it properly.

"You saved me."

"You saved Snow too."

The Frost Lynx gently rubbed against her side after hearing its name.

Damon waved his hand.

"I just happened to arrive at the right time."

"No."

She shook her head firmly.

"You stayed."

"That’s different."

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Caelia looked toward the passage behind Damon.

"So..."

"You really came through another hidden passage?"

"Yep."

"What was the guardian on that side?"

"Stormreign Wyvern."

She froze as he replied.

"...You were able to defeated it?"

"After a very painful lesson."

Damon rubbed the back of his neck.

"It hit harder than I expected."

Caelia stared at him in disbelief.

The Stormreign Wyvern...

The Frostfang Tyrant...

He had defeated both.

No wonder the Frost Lynx had trusted him so quickly.

She finally understood just how strong he really was.

Then her eyes drifted toward Freya and Sylphie.

"They’re amazing."

Freya proudly lifted her chin.

Sylphie circled happily above Damon’s head.

Caelia smiled.

"I’ve never seen Spirit Elementals like them."

She hesitated before asking,

"...How do you even have two?"

Damon scratched his cheek.

"I wish I knew."

"They just chose me."

"I guess..."

He smiled helplessly.

"I’m simply special."

It wasn’t much of an answer.

But strangely...

It didn’t sound like he was hiding anything.

He genuinely didn’t know himself.

Caelia nodded.

"I’ll accept that."

"For now."

There was curiosity in her eyes.

But she didn’t ask again.

Some answers were better discovered naturally.

She stood up slowly.

"We’ve both had a long day."

"My family should be searching for me by now."

She looked at Damon.

"If you don’t mind..."

"I’d like you to come with me tomorrow."

"To my home."

"My family deserves to thank the person who saved my life."

She smiled.

"And..."

"I think what you’re looking for..."

"...might be connected to what we’ve been investigating."

Damon smiled back without hesitation.

"I was hoping you’d say that."

Looks like...

His little side quest had just become much bigger.

*****

The night passed more peacefully than either of them expected.

Damon and Caelia talked for a while, though neither spoke much.

Most of it was simple conversation.

Where they had grown up.

What they liked.

Small things that helped strangers become a little less like strangers.

Before long, Damon reached into his storage bag.

"You hungry?"

Caelia blinked.

"...You still have snacks?"

"I always have snacks."

She laughed softly.

"I’ll remember that."

He tossed a few packs toward her before taking out another handful.

"These are for Snow."

The Frost Lynx looked up immediately.

This time, it didn’t hesitate.

After a quick glance at Caelia, it happily accepted them and began eating.

"So you finally trust me."

Snow gave a small snort without looking up from the snacks.

"I’ll take that as a yes."

Nearby, Freya’s ears suddenly stood upright.

Sylphie also looked over at the growing pile of snacks.

The two slowly turned toward Damon.

"..."

"...Don’t look at me like that."

Freya narrowed her eyes.

Sylphie chirped accusingly.

Damon coughed.

"I already promised you two more."

Neither of them looked convinced.

Caelia couldn’t help laughing.

"I’ll buy plenty when we get to my home."

"As much as you want."

The two spirits immediately turned toward her.

Their eyes sparkled.

Really?

Caelia smiled and nodded.

"I promise."

That was all it took.

Freya happily rubbed against her leg while Sylphie landed gently on her shoulder.

Damon watched the betrayal happen right in front of him.

"...So this is how I lose my partners."

Freya ignored him completely.

Sylphie even chirped proudly.

Caelia laughed.

"I think they chose the richer person."

Damon placed a hand over his chest.

"...That hurts."

Even Snow walked over after finishing its snacks.

Soon the four of them were playing together while Damon simply watched.

"...Guess I got replaced."

The peaceful atmosphere lasted until they finally decided to rest.

Throughout the night, they took turns keeping watch.

Thankfully...

Nothing disturbed them.

*****

Morning arrived quietly.

The frozen land glowed beneath the pale sunlight as fresh snow drifted through the air.

Everyone packed up quickly.

Damon stretched before looking toward Caelia.

"Lead the way."

She nodded.

"Stay close."

The relaxed girl from last night disappeared.

Now she looked completely different.

Her eyes carefully scanned every corner.

Snow walked slightly ahead while silently checking the surroundings.

Every movement carried experience.

Damon immediately noticed it.

This...

Was the real Caelia.

An explorer raised inside the Frostveil Expanse.

She knew where beasts usually gathered.

Which cliffs were unstable.

Which valleys should never be crossed.

Several times they changed direction without explanation.

Moments later Damon noticed fresh beast tracks exactly where they would have walked.

"...Nice catch."