Chapter 154: Epilogue 3

Somewhere in a house in Tyros

“Mama, when is Eliza coming back to visit?” <Weyn>

“I don't know, Weyn. As far as I know, she's not in Tyros at the moment and it could be a while before she returns.” <Lirella>

“How do you know that? Was she here while I was away in the smithy? I don't like that.” <Weyn>

“No, don't worry. She wasn't here. You didn't miss her. But she wrote a letter.” <Lirella>

“What does it say?” <Weyn>

“She's visiting her family.” <Lirella>

“Her family? But why is it taking so long? Tyros isn't that big, is it?” <Weyn>

“Eliza isn't from Tyros, so her family doesn't live here.” <Lirella>

“Eh?” <Weyn<

“Don't be so surprised, Weyn. Eliza never talked about her family, let alone visited them. So I'm not surprised she doesn't live here.” <Lirella>

"Oh, well. How long will it be before she comes back? Will she be back for New Year's?" <Weyn>

“Probably not. She wrote that she wants to spend this year with her family.” <Lirella>

“That's too bad. Nothing we can do about it. I'm going to my room, Mama.” <Weyn>

Lirella watched her son trudge off to his room, visibly sad. It was good that she hadn't told him the whole truth. If he had known that Eliza's family was currently in serious trouble, he would have worried unnecessarily. He was still too young and should be able to focus on his education. For her, however, the situation was different. She was worried. Eliza hadn't said a word about her family for years, and now she had written about family difficulties in her letter. Lirella had to think about what she would tell Weyn if Eliza didn't come back. The thought of it gave her stomach ache. Weyn was very fond of Eliza and she hoped he wouldn't revert to being the introverted boy he used to be. She hoped and prayed that Eliza would come back to visit soon.

Somewhere else in Tyros

“Dad, come on, I want to finally meet her and thank her.” <Girl>

“Calm down, we'll be at the guild soon. We'll find out more there.” <Man>

A short time later in the hall of the Adventurers' Guild

“Please be quiet while I talk to the lady at the reception desk. And behave yourself.” <Man>

“Yes, yes.” <Girl>

“Hello, welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. How can I help you?” <Receptionist<

“Good afternoon. We're looking for a woman who is registered here as an adventurer. The guard told us that you could help us.” <Man>

“Of course. What is the adventurer's name and why do you want to talk to her?” <Receptionist>

“Her name is Eliza and she's super strong. She protected me from evil robbers and rescued me!” <Girl>

“You should behave yourself. Sigh. Please forgive my daughter. She's been so excited all day.” <Man>

“No need to apologize. It's no problem at all. Eliza, you say? Yes, we have an adventurer named Eliza. And you say she saved your daughter from robbers? When was that?” <Receptionist>

“It was last year. The city guard can confirm our story.” <Man>

“Is she here? When can I finally meet her?” <Girl>

“No, I'm sorry. We don't know if she's in Tyros. The last job she took was many months ago, and she hasn't been active in our branch since then. Maybe our colleagues in the capital know more.” <Receptionist>

“What? But why...” <Girl>

“There's nothing we can do. Sorry to bother you.” <Man>

“No problem at all. I would have liked to help you. Have a nice day.” <Receptionist>

Outside the guild

“I'm sorry. It looks like your savior isn't in town right now.” <Man>

“Wow, I don't like that at all. Dad, we'll come back next year. I'm going to meet her, even if it's the last thing I do.” <Girl>

“Calm down. And stop scaring me. You have plenty of time to find her. You don't have to rush. You're only 10 years old.” <Man>

“Yes! You can count on it, Eliza. I'll find you!” <Girl>

“I hope that works out.” <Man>

“Did you say something, Dad?” <Girl>

“No, no. Come on, let's go to the inn. We can ask again tomorrow, and if she's not here, we'll go home.” <Man>

“En.” <Girl>

Somewhere in Lightburgh

“Tomorrow is the day. Our last searchers will be returning.” <Man 1>

“Yes, Your Excellency. Unfortunately, the searchers who have already returned have had little success. We have never found so few children as we have this year.” <Man 2>

“Then we must expand our search radius. If there are hardly any people with an affinity for light left in the empire, we must search outside.” <Man 1>

“But that will be difficult. Our closest neighbors are the Free City-States, and there they send their children with an affinity for light to their academies.” <Man 2>

“Then we must resort to other measures. Without sufficient offspring, we will run out of priests in the future. Call the inner circle together. We must devise suitable countermeasures and draw up a plan.” <Man 1>

“Very well, Your Excellency.” <Man2>

“You may leave now.” <Man1>

“Very well.” <Man2>

‘I'm getting closer and closer to my goal. In fifty years, maybe a hundred at most, it will be done. It's taken long enough. Then the Church of Lumos will be beyond saving, and I will have my revenge.’ <Man1>