Chapter 373: Time To Rest

"It’s indeed good news." Soren smiled, glancing out of the tent entrance at the sky. He couldn’t see anything but a vast expanse of pitch-black darkness stretching across the heavens, devoid of stars or moon, a stark reminder of the massive forces clashing above.

’...Let’s wait till the end.’

He hadn’t contacted Malakor again because he feared that if his bond was engaged in serious combat, a sudden mental communication might break his concentration at a critical moment and put him in danger.

Still, he couldn’t suppress the small sigh that escaped him. Part of him was disappointed to have missed the battle between Emperors. Their fight must have been on an entirely different level from his own.

’...I’ll ask him about it later.’ He decided.

As a mental-type magic beast, Malakor was fully capable of using illusions to project his memories, which meant he could share the entire battle directly into Soren’s mind later on. Observing how Emperors usually fought through such a vivid playback would offer invaluable insight into high-level combat tactics.

With that thought comforting him, Soren settled in to wait patiently alongside Aya until Malakor’s voice finally resonated in his mind.

’Master, it is over now.’

’Good job, but are you ok? Did you get any injuries?’

’Unfortunately, yes, but nothing too severe.’

’Then come down here; I will give you an elixir. There’s a healer too.’

Understood...’

A few minutes later, three figures descended from the sky and landed beside the tent. Among them was the sleek form of a black panther, Malakor, his fur singed in several places, with faint smoke curling from his flanks. Beside him stood Commander Ervin, his armor scuffed and dented, carrying the unconscious body of an enemy combatant slung over one arm.

Aya snapped a salute and ordered the healer to treat them right away.

Soren stepped out of the tent as well, his eyes sweeping over the arrivals. Commander Ervin met his gaze and nodded, relief clear in his eyes. "It is a relief to see you standing, Mr. Everly."

"Likewise," Soren replied, pulling a vitality elixir from his storage and offering it to the commander. "Thank you for your assistance, and here, this should help with your injuries."

Ervin accepted the vial with a word of thanks and uncorked it immediately. Soren then turned to the black panther. Smiling softly, he reached out and patted its head, feeling the warmth radiating from its coat.

"Open up," Soren instructed gently.

Malakor parted his jaws, letting Soren tilt another elixir into his mouth. He then swallowed the liquid in a single gulp, the faint burns along his dark hide already beginning to soothe under the potion’s effect.

’Thank you, Master.’ He bowed in gratitude. ’Right. Shall I teleport you to Lady Ethea’s side now, Master?’

’Yes, but let me wrap things up here first. In the meantime, you can rest and recuperate.’

’Understood.’ The panther nodded and blended into his shadow. Soren took a deep breath, stretched his stiff shoulders, and turned back to Commander Ervin. "Commander, may I ask about something? Did you notice any other suspicious individual?"

Ervin shook his head.

"Then what about that guy?" Soren pointed at the unconscious body of the enemy emperor.

"Actually, he’s not affiliated with the Outcasts. He is a criminal hired by the traitor to help the Outcasts. His ability helps him find anybody, as long as he knows how they look and has a faint trace of their mana signature."

Soren’s eyes sharpened as the pieces clicked into place. ’So he was the one who pinpointed our location and guided them directly to us...’

As for how they got his mana signature, it must be leech’s work since he absorbed his mana back then.

"Unfortunately," Ervin added, "we could not extract any further details before he lost consciousness."

"I see. Thank you for telling me," Soren said, shifting his posture. "Is it alright if I take my leave now? I would like to check on my wife."

Ervin gave an understanding nod. "Of course. Rest and recover with peace of mind, Mr. Everly. My men and I will secure the area until the situation is fully resolved."

"I appreciate it." Soren nodded toward Commander Ervin and Knight Aya, taking his leave as he stepped back toward the main corridor.

Just as he reached the entrance, the space around him blurred, and his form vanished entirely.

An instant later, he materialized inside the bathroom of their hotel room. ’Thank you, Malakor.’

’It is my duty, Master.’

’Mm...’ Soren took his clothes off and stepped into the shower. ’Dear, I’ll take a quick bath first.’

’...Alright.’

───────

’...Alright.’ Ethea stared in the direction of the bathroom, her heart still pounding from worry. She knew he didn’t want to show her his injuries and was trying to wash away the blood before coming out, but waiting alone here only made every second feel agonizingly long. A persistent dread lingered within her, a stubborn anxiety that refused to subside until she could wrap her arms around him and see him whole.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait that long, as Soren soon opened the door and entered the room. At a glance, he looked completely fine, with no visible injuries on his skin apart from a few faint pink traces. Yet her observant gaze instantly caught the subtle detail: he had deliberately put on a high-collared, long-sleeved shirt, clearly meant to hide any remaining marks from her view.

She swallowed her worry and chose not to call him out on it.

"Dear..." She called out, showing him a relieved smile. "You’re back."

"Mm." Soren offered her a gentle smile as he crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Reaching out, he carefully helped her sit up, supporting her back with steady hands.

As soon as she was upright, Ethea leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his torso, holding him gently without pressing too hard against his chest. She said nothing, resting her cheek against his shoulder as if to confirm he was truly here.

Soren returned the embrace, wrapping his arms securely around her, letting her feel his pulse and the steady rhythm of his breathing.

They stayed like that until Ethea recovered her composure. Then she pulled back slightly and looked at him.

"Dear, you should lie down and rest now."

"Mm. Let’s do it together."