Chapter 165: The Sect Leader’s Invitation

Closing the Teleportation Gate was a breeze compared to the showdown with Saran Laine. After taking what could generously be called a "rest" amidst the hellscape, they found the portal to the Elemental Plane and sealed it shut. In doing so, they finally fulfilled the long-held wish of Devin Booker and his Freshwater Legion.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this place would no longer serve as an entrance to the Material Plane for Elemental Creatures.

After emerging, Ron and the others found You. The banshee would contact Aiksuuri to have the remains of the Sorol Fishman Paladin buried in the underground river. Born of water, it was only natural for him to find eternal rest in water, alongside his comrades-in-arms.

As for Wilson’s squad, it could hardly be called a squad anymore. The only survivors were a half-dead Wilson and a slightly better-off Spike; all their other companions had perished in the cave.

"I don’t think I’ll ever come back to Delusional Land," Wilson said with a faint, tragic smile from his crude stretcher, his voice barely a whisper. "This will always be a place of painful memories for me."

"Maybe someday. I’ll come back to visit," Spike sighed with the characteristic melancholy of a Bard. "I’ll come back to see my old friends."

Ron gave them a sum of money so they could return safely to the City-State Alliance, a gesture of goodwill toward his short-lived allies.

As for the Shadow Spirit Yelena...

"Can I make a trip to Green Swamp Town?" she asked, still trying to bargain with Ron and his group despite being trussed up. "I want to know what turned Ming Datiss and Saran into... that. Even just a single glance would be enough!"

"Don’t even think about it," Ron said, leaning against a tree. He fiddled with two Gemstones in his hand, one red and one blue, like a pair of stress balls. "You know, if you hadn’t stood with us against Saran, you wouldn’t still be alive."

"When we get back to the trading post, I’m handing you over to the first merchant that passes. Get as far away as you can. You don’t have any cousins or relatives left here. You’re not welcome."

"Then, our family’s staff..."

Ron was silent for a moment. "...You must still be dreaming! Don’t even think about it. What makes you think you have any right to take it?!"

"Our family name is engraved on it!"

"Just because your name’s on it, that makes it yours?" Quest interjected. "Does it answer you when you call it?"

Suddenly, Silvia’s hand twitched, and the Walking Stick actually vibrated!

Yelena looked innocently at the group, whose expressions were growing murderous. "I... haven’t called it yet?"

"Either way, it’s not happening. You’re not a Vampire," Ron muttered. ’What’s a Shadow Spirit doing trying to claim kinship with Undead Creatures anyway?’

"If you’re so determined to take something back, fine," Silvia said, glancing at Yelena. "This staff was found on the corpse of an Elf descendant from your family. If you’d like, you can take the body."

No sane person would agree to something like that—who would travel hundreds of miles to collect the corpse of a distant relative, for free?

However, Yelena’s eyes suddenly lit up. "Really? Oh, thank you so much!"

"I especially have to thank you, Miss Silvia! I take back all my previous slander and insults. You’re a truly good person!"

"Weirdo." Having been branded a ’good person,’ Silvia awkwardly turned her head away. ’I wasn’t trying to help her at all!’

"Oh, and as for you," Yelena said, turning to Ron. "You remember that I have a contract with a certain entity, right?"

"I remember. What’s your point? Does It want you to kill me?" Ron warily opened his Weaving Introduction, ready for Casting at a moment’s notice.

"It’s not that. It, uh, saw you through my eyes," Yelena hesitated. "It said It’s a little interested in you... and might want to have a chat."

A cold sweat instantly broke out on Ron. ’I knew it! Nothing good ever comes from this Shadow Spirit opening her mouth!’

"Impossible! I don’t have time for that!" Ron refused flatly. "I’ll send you away soon—no, I’ll release you right now!"

"Leave immediately! I have no intention of dealing with your Sect Leader!"

"Whether you release me or kill me, you can’t change the fact," Yelena said in a strange tone. "It won’t be coming to see you through me."

"What exactly is your Sect Leader?" Quest asked with a frown. "The Crow Queen?"

"That would be needlessly complicated," Silvia retorted. "I’m the one who’s a Spirit Type."

"Neither. It’s, uh... a great devil."

Ron: "...Maybe I should just kill you after all? Is this how you repay kindness, with malice? A devil isn’t someone you can just meet whenever you feel like it!"

"I already told you, even killing me won’t change anything," Yelena sighed. "It’s completely out of my hands."

The Shadow Spirit, having just dropped another massive problem in Ron’s lap, immediately received the treatment she deserved: she was hogtied, with a tree branch threaded through her bindings for easy carrying—the exact same treatment they had given the slave trader with the dark circles under his eyes.

Furthermore, on the journey back, she was guaranteed to receive the most unfair treatment—such as being made to sleep on the bare ground and eating her meals without any meat or seasoning.

Yelena accepted all of this calmly and without complaint. As an Evil Mage who dealt with devils, she knew just how dangerous this situation was. She deserved this treatment.

However, late that night, the Shadow Spirit tied up outside Ron’s tent suddenly began to cough rhythmically. Just as Ron was startled awake, the tent flap rustled and Quest ducked inside.

"Quest? What is it?" Ron was used to the man appearing at critical moments only to vanish again; having him travel with the group this whole time still felt a bit strange.

"Yes, there is," Quest said, nodding gravely. "It’s about something Miss Silvia has been worried about, and I believe you’ve had your own suspicions as well."

"I couldn’t reveal my true purpose before because I was tracking Ming Datiss. Now that he and his master are both in hell, I believe it’s time for me to be frank."

"You could have told me this during the day," Ron said, confused. "Is there someone in our group you don’t trust?"

"We’ve been through life and death together. No matter what you have to confess, I’m sure they can accept it."

"Were it about anything else, I wouldn’t doubt your judgment for a second," Quest said with a wry smile. "But this... I can only reveal this to you. And frankly, I have no idea how you will react."

"If you decide that there is no place for me and my kind here, I will turn and leave without another word. I won’t hold it against you or question your decision. Nor will I bring up any help I’ve provided in the past—that was simply me fulfilling my duty."

"So, are you prepared to witness the truth?"