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The celebratory feast went on for two whole days and on the night of the second day, things were finally calming down and the adventurers started losing their grasp on their zeal and consciousness. With most of them being adventurers who had undergone near-death experiences and various kinds of hardships, it was no surprise that they could stay awake for two days straight.

However, even with the might of levels, the adventurers had their limits and each of them met their own. By the hour before midnight, a third of them had either returned to their homes or they were out cold right in the open square. The latter were more than the former.

Erin and her companions were part of the former category, though they would have been part of the latter if Erin hadn’t forced them to retire from the feast earlier than planned. Somehow, some way, Aera and Nivia were roped into drinking with Amyra.

Being a Fae, Nivia’s alcohol tolerance was low. Aera’s fate was similar as she had never touched a single drop of alcohol in her life until now. Nivia was down for the count with just two glasses while it took three cups for Aera.

Lyra was deep into her dozenth or so cup before she finally fell unconscious, but not before imposing on a great deal of others by challenging them to marksman competition, which resulted in her consecutive victory until she was defeated a one-star female adventurer who used throwing knives and stars.

Siv was, surprisingly, very tolerant of her alcohol. She had drunk nearly the same amount that Lyra had but she was still of sound mind. She spent her time at the feast in the company of her fellow Beast-kin. They talked about their homes and dreams. There were two Beast-kin who took the opportunity to court Siv but they were swiftly dealt with by Siv herself.

As for Lilian, she drank not a sip of alcohol in spite of the incessant persuasion by the other adventurers. They quit persuading her when Lilian cast aside her ever-present smile. Even Erin felt the chills from where she was seated. She continued telling her tales and adventures to the rooks until the closing of the feast.

Amyra was the sole person within Erin’s circle who was enjoying the feast to the fullest. She participated in the drinking games and the various competitions that made use of her physical strength and she won them all. She also drank the most out of everyone in the feast. She emptied a whole cask of mead by herself. As tough as she was, not even she could remain conscious after downing that amount of alcohol.

Erin herself had also abstained from drinking even a sip of alcohol. The experience she shared with Lyra and Iris was still clear in her mind. Though she didn’t hate the threesome they had, it was a regrettable affair for Erin as it was a decision she made while under the influence.

It was only by luck that the consequences ended with only a casual affair of a threesome. It would have fared terribly if her luck was any worse.

After the feast finally came to an end, Erin had to drag most of the girls back to the Grove with the help of a few servants from the manor who came to check up on them at the behest of Aedan. Olivia came along too and she single-handedly carried Amyra back to the manor.

Erin was about to step into the Grove when the winds shifted and she caught a scent that piqued her intrigue.

“Mistress, what’s wrong?” Siv asked when she noticed Erin was straggling while everyone else had already entered the Grove.

“Nothing,” Erin said. “You all head on back first. I got some business to take care of.”

“Is it—”

“It’s nothing serious, Siv,” Erin assured. “I’ll be right behind. Just tell Aedan… it’s nothing more than a swan.”

“...I understand, Mistress.” Siv nodded and disappeared into the translucent portal.

Erin turned away from the portal and walked down the adjacent narrow path that led her into a small area encompassing a few small dilapidated buildings.

The streets were narrowed and overgrown with weeds and wild plants. The area had once been a small thriving community but when it was discovered that a few practitioners of the dark arts had been secretly conducting their affairs here, the place has since been left barren.

Erin had heard this story from the manor’s maids and also during the tea with Melissa Valdrun as they talked about various trivial matters and tall tales.

Erin didn’t know how much of the story was true but she could feel the remnant traces of the dark arts. Even as she walked through the devastated path of this dilapidated place, she could sense the souls of the damned encroaching on her.

However, the moment she laid bare her affinity with the Spirits, all of the dark things were driven away.

As she trod deeper into the darkness-infested area, the abundance of Spirits swirling around her grew bigger and bigger until the entire streets were cleansed of the dark arts’ remnants.

Amidst the decrepit house, in the middle of the street, a cloaked figure revealed itself.

“Impressive,” the cloaked figure said. “Most impressive. You have grown so much in such a short span of time.”

Erin clenched her fists and prepared herself to summon her sword.

“I’m not here to seek conflict,” said the figure the moment they noticed the trace of hostility in Erin’s firm gaze.

“Then what are you here for?” Erin questioned. A few sparks of lightning crackled between her fingers as she uncoiled her fists.

“I didn’t come here with ill intent.”

“Is that why you’re dressed so inconspicuously?”

“...Point taken,” the figure said and pulled down its hood, revealing the striking red hair underneath. The figure was none other than Azaela, the Scarlet Blade and the leader of the Venerers.

“State your business.”

“I came here to apologise.”

“For?”

“For my actions, my approach, and my beliefs. I had been… crass and ungracious to you for unfounded and unjust reasons. I’m sorry.”

Erin stared at Azaela in silence for a while. “What’s with the sudden change of heart?”

“Your contribution in the defence of this city.”

“That’s all it takes to convince you?”

“Among many other factors.”

“And what are these factors?”

“It’s—”

“If you tell me that it’s complicated or it’s a long story, then this conversation is over. There will be no need for rules and laws if a simple apology is all it takes to fix a mistake.”

Azaela lowered her head. “You’re right… That was not very… sincere of me. Very well, I shall tell you.”

“Go on. I’m listening.”

“While you, your companions, your… retainers, and fellow adventurers were busy risking your lives to save the city and its good people, my very own siblings in arms and faith were so distracted with the benefits and demerits of helping the city to fend off the dark forces.”

“Yeah. Most of them were deep in the nobles’ pockets.”

“Aye… they were. And they weren’t supposed to be. Moreover, a fellow compatriot of mine was… extremely and unjustly hostile towards you, leading to delays that caused the lives of many.”

“Is this person still one of your compatriots?”

“No, not anymore. I saw to his expulsion myself. And I have made sure that he’s being held responsible for his incompetence.”

“Hmm… We shall see.”

Azaela sighed upon seeing Erin’s unchanging expression that spelt unfriendly and unsympathetic since the beginning of their conversation. “I know it doesn’t mean anything now but I want you to know that I’m truly sorry for my late arrival. I’m sure I could have saved many more if I—”

“Don’t,” Erin cut her off.

Azaela raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t wish to hear your excuses. It’s all in the past now. Prove that you can be better in the future. I don’t want your solemn vows or your sincere apologies. They’re just words and they could only mean so much. I trust that my companions and I will not be harassed by your peers in the future without any proper justifications.”

“That’s…”

“You can’t guarantee that?”

“I cannot,” Azaela admitted. “The teachings of Ruva, it was meant to teach people the good and the merit of being altruistic and magnanimous. However, the meanings were lost on many believers and followers. They had misunderstood or taken the teachings to an extreme level, giving births to zealots.”

“Are you not a zealot too?”

“If Her Grace suddenly commanded me to kill a newborn without any reason, I would turn on her first thing, not that Her Grace would ever give me such a command.”

“Or so you think,” Erin scoffed.

“I can’t guarantee you that all of my siblings in faith would cease their… supremacy view. However, I give you my word that I will change Ruvanity for the better.”

“Is that all that you can promise?”

“Anymore will be nothing but a mere hollow oath. I don’t intend to make an empty promise.”

“How reassuring.” Erin snorted. “Now, if there’s nothing more that you wish to say, I’ll be taking my leave and you should make yourself scarce too before the big man notices you.”

“Wait,” Azaela stopped Erin who was already turning around.

“What is it?”

“The ball in a week’s time. Will you be attending it?”

“Why does my presence matter to the Scarlet Blade?”

“I wish for everyone to see that we do not have a belligerent relation and maybe, it will convince my sibling by faith to leave you alone.”

Erin chuckled in derision as she snapped her gaze towards Azaela. “Your peers' terrible treatment and unsavoury attitude isn’t something unique to just me and my companions.”

“I’m aware but I’m afraid I can only start with small changes. I implore your understanding, Lady Erynthea.”

Erin said nothing and simply scoffed silently, before turning her back to Azaela once again.

“Wait, you still haven’t given me your answer.”

Erin stopped in her tracks. “You already have them,” she said and resumed walking away.

“Your absence will only stir the ambitions of the nobles even more.”

“Then that will be a chance for you to prove yourself, Azaela. Prove that you’re not just an oppressor of the weak.”

Azaela balled her hands into fists. “I’m not an oppressor.”

“Tell that to all those that you have apprehended just because you had an inkling of suspicion.” Erin did not stop as she only walked further and further away until she was out of Azaela’s sight.

Once Erin was sure that she was completely out of Azaela’s range of perception, she leaned against a lamp pole that had its bulb long burnt out. Erin let out a huge breath that seemed to contain all of her strain and stress from her meeting and confrontation with Azaela.

She had only looked composed and domineering on the surface but in truth, she was afraid Azaela would just toss aside any attempt at being reasonable and simply cut her down with her blade. Thankfully, the Scarlet Blade was more reasonable and sensible than Erin expected.

“You’re unharmed,” came a soothing and calming voice from in front.

“Aedan,” Erin muttered as she approached him, who was standing just beside the portal to the Grove.

“What did you two talk about?”

“...Forgiveness.”

“Really?” Aedan raised an eyebrow with a faint smile that spelt his disbelief. “You’re being serious?”

Erin frowned at him. “What makes you think I was joking?”

“I just never thought a Ruvan is capable of admitting their blunders and faults.”

Erin cast a sidelong glance. “Pot, kettle,” she mumbled and walked towards the portal.

“Are you really not going to attend the ball?” Aedan asked as Erin was a step away from the portal.

“Do you want me to attend? I didn’t know you were fond of the nobles.”

“I am looking forward to seeing you give those coots a good thrashing should you choose to attend the ball.”

“Hmm… that does sound tempting.”

“Isn’t it?”

“But not tempting enough,” Erin said and disappeared into the portal.

Aedan sighed. “Well, it’s worth a shot.” He shrugged. “I had my fun.”

And Aedan, too, disappeared into the portal.