"...Arthur's strength was amazing to see." Thennel spoke, trying to break the tension.
"Yeah." Deyric perked up.
"I wasn't expecting him to be that strong, but I did overhear that he was at least the level of a C-Rank mercenary back when he was trying to look for a job, but he's beyond that."
"I didn't really hear your conversation, but I did see Arthur taking down those golems with ease. They seem to be a bit hard to make just based on their composition and magic usage. How skilled do you need to be to take them down?"
"He can definitely rival the Crown's Blade, Sir Garran Vael of the Edged Vanguard."
"...Wouldn't that mean he's at least an A-Rank mercenary?... you would mean he's at the same level as Crimson Ledger's strongest mercenaries too? I believe there are only two groups that ever reached A-Rank…"
"The Silver Veil and the Gilded Tempest, the number one and two highest mercenary groups in the Kingdom."
"That's amazing…"
"When I first saw Arthur, I will admit that I was jealous of his armor…" Gorran revealed.
"...I just knew he was going to be handsome too. But my competition is that beautiful girl by his side…"
Deyric sighed at the comment.
"Even with that, now seeing him in action, you have to acknowledge his prowess."
"Even his physical attributes scream elegance, he's just as young as us yet battle-hardened and strangely experienced." Gorran nodded.
"You saw underneath his helmet?" Thennel questioned.
"Yeah, he said he isn't from around here, but he seemed to be a warrior noble. A foreigner."
"...Did he say what nation he was from?"
"I don't think we got that specific, did we? Is there a reason why you're asking?"
"...No… not at all." Thennel kept his mouth shut about the potion.
"Other than that… he's both strong and physically attractive, he definitely doesn't have any problem with women." Deyric seemed a bit jealous at the thought.
"...Deyric." Fenna eyed him.
"Precisely my point." He shrugged his shoulders.
"...Women do flock instinctively to strong men, especially if they've got good looks on top of that. I'm surprised you are not intimidated by his attributes." Gorran retorted, sending Fenna into a pout.
Thennel looked down at his hands and feet, as he then sighed.
"...Does that somehow bother you?" Gorran inquired.
"Not necessarily."
"There is something definitely bothering you and I think I know what it is." Deyric slightly smirked.
"Well, do you think Arthur would be that popular with women?"
"...Didn't I demonstrate my point a while ago?" He glanced toward Fenna as she pouted once again.
"In a practical sense, yes. His looks and his strength are just the tip of the iceberg. He also appears to be wealthy as well, considering his equipment. He has the full package, as one would say." Gorran explained.
Thennel sighed again.
"...Is there a girl you don't want falling in love with Arthur? Someone in Virelow Hollow perhaps?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"You'll be fine as long as you are honest and confess your feelings toward her." Fenna spoke up, finally contributing to the conversation.
"Stay persistent. It seems you know her well enough as well. You are the famed Apothecary from the Kingdom, so I doubt you will lose to Arthur in popularity." Gorran nodded.
"If you need support, just let us know. We'll help you out." Deyric said, shaking his shoulder.
Valien simply nodded, smiling at him. He seemed to pay more attention to Valen who was still sitting away from the group. It seemed a temporary distance had grown, but Valen was simply flashing back to his memories.
***
"P-please… why are you doing this?!" The older apothecary said, as one of his escorting mercenaries from the Crimson Ledger were instantly cut down by a pair of thin curved daggers, treated with embalming acid and a garrote woven from consecrated silk thread. The skin of the mercenary burned with the strike, screaming in agony before his death.
The other mercenary attempted to avenge his partner, but soon met a dagger that struck his eyelid, as he screamed in severe pain.
"...Wait, you're the Smileless…!"
"I want to know about the Mireleaf. You seem to be an apothecary from the Crimson Ledger, no?" The feminine voice spoke out.
"...Thennel?... why?!"
"I don't know where he is! I just know he went on his weekly quest like he usually does to gather materials for the workshop, that's all I know!"
"...And you don't know where… that seems like a lie."
"Sadly for you, I don't care that you don't know anything. I've already murdered a few of the other apothecaries that work with him and tortured them…"
"Why am I here right now?... I just love to kill people… it exhilarates me…"
The apothecary had a horrified expression as he attempted to run away into the darkness of an alley passage.
"...Running won't save you." She then laughed as she chased after him. She then quickly rushed up to him as she then stabbed into his chest and threw him into the ground.
Loud screams were heard from the alley passage as the apothecary was brutally murdered to death.
*
Father Wyrnn then used the relic, Echo Tongue, in a ritual that brought the now-dead mercenaries into stronger undead monsters. They were rotting flesh with pieces slowly falling off their reanimated skeletons.
"Your Echo Tongue really is amazing…" Veyra commented.
"You fooled around a bit too much, Veyra. These bodies are falling apart."
"My apologies, Your Holiness."
"No matter, they were still in fact enough that I was able to strengthen them twice as strong as they were before. This relic is informally known as the Tongue of Death, for excellent reason, a relic that the Holy Dominion of Solmira fears."
"We, the Hollow Choir, have been preparing for the undead invasion of the Kingdom of Draevarr for years, starting with the capital city of Virestone Keep. We'll turn this nation into a kingdom of death upon which we rule."
"If I am able to complete my work, not only will I become immortal, but I will be able to turn the entire city into a pit of death and work toward the destruction of our destined enemies, the Dominion. We must work with haste before they realize our plans and send upon us the Host of the White Dawn."
The Host of the White Dawn was the monster-hunting, heretic suppression and anti-corruption force of the Dominion of Solmira, one of the military units that made up the elite Seven Holy Hosts. Dressed in pale armor, faces hidden behind smooth, expressionless masks and trained from youth to resist magic, fear, and corruption. Known to cleanse entire towns if tainted by curse or heresy.
"Obtaining this relic before its destruction was quite the task before the White Dawn caught the scent…Many of our members lost their lives in an instant."
"...You may continue your…murderous work. It will benefit us as we will be able to create more of the undead, now that we have perfected the spell necessary."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Veyra smirked at the thought as she then hummed, walking away.
***
Day came about and the sun rose. The Marks of Purity continued their journey toward Virelow Hollow, as they traveled uphill.
"This area has such a great view. Not bad." Fenna said, breaking the awkward silence.
"...Shame we have to walk in formation like this, I wanna admire the view."
"...Please tell me you're joking. I shouldn't have to remind a ranger how important it is to remain on guard."
"...Your greatest enemy is your own carelessness…"
Gorran nodded at Valen's comment, agreeing.
"I hope we don't bump into Ashbinders anymore, since now they are wary of Arthur." Valien spoke up.
"...In ancient times, I've heard monsters and even dragons have ambushed caravans or escorts like this all the time… I'm thankful the Seven Divine Apostles erased them, so the mythology says." Gorran spoke.
"The Seven Great Heroes of the world."
"...I should be very wary of the Apostles if they still remain in this world… including this One God that the Dominion worships. I wonder if he truly is the god of this world or just a powerful individual with the power to rival nations on his own…"
"It's just a little further up until we reach Virelow Hollow." Thennel announced on his horse.
"...Woah. Those weren't there before."
"...It seems the Paladins did aid the village to an extent, without it seeming like an outside nation had any participation…"
Virelow Hollow, once a fragile frontier village on the edge of obscurity, has subtly transformed into a quiet bastion of resilience — its reinvigoration the result of unseen hands and unspoken influence.
Though no grand wall encircles the village, the perimeters now bear well-placed timber watchposts and strategically reinforced earthworks, artfully disguised as simple agricultural embankments. Hidden within these rustic defenses are trap mechanisms and concealed sentry positions manned by rotating volunteers trained far beyond what any local force could normally muster.
As the group approached the village, Fenna raised her hand up as some armed villagers visibly appeared. Some manned the watchposts while others emerged from the tall grasses around them.
"Who are you guys?" One of the villagers shouted, aiming their bow.
The men and women of Virelow Hollow no longer hold just tools — they grip sharpened farming implements repurposed into polearms, and bows made of surprisingly fine craftsmanship for a place with no fletchers. Their movements show coordination hinting at disciplined drills rather than mere self-taught defense.
"...I'm somehow proud…"
"Bandits?"
"No, they seem to be the inhabitants of the village. But they are definitely trained."
"What seems to be the problem?" A young woman approached one of the armed villagers.
"Ah, chief. We seem to have visitors." He pointed.
"...That seems to be the young mother I saved when I was previously here…"
"Serenya?" Thennel called out.
"Thennel!" She waved happily.
Born the only child of Darnan Elrow, the elder of Virelow Hollow, Serenya was raised in a world of toil, humility, and quiet fortitude. As a girl, she helped her father manage village affairs and learned to read the land, the people, and the unspoken language of survival. When her father passed under the strain of his burdens, she took up his mantle — not out of ambition, but necessity. She was later saved by Valen Arthas Eidryn when she attempted to cover her young child.
She had long chestnut-brown hair, usually tied in a loose braid. Soft green eyes, once filled with youthful dreams, now steady with maturity. High cheekbones, gentle smile, and a weathered beauty shaped by hardship and grace. Wore practical garments with symbolic embroidery inherited from her father's time, and a modest necklace—a carved token from Thennel.
"That girl is definitely the one he was talking about…" Deyric smirked.
"Absolutely." Gorran nodded.
"...I did hear of a healer from Darnan that he seemed cautious about… I never thought it'd be Thennel that he was referring to…that cautiousness must come from Thennel's interest in his daughter…"
"Wow, it's been a while. You feel different somehow." Thennel smiled.
"...A lot has happened, as you can see." She chuckled nervously.
"We should talk…" Thennel said, as he got off his horse. Serenya slowly nodded.
*
"...What?!" Thennel exclaimed, as Serenya finished explaining what had happened.
"...I'm sorry about your husband."
"It's fine… it was an arranged marriage since we were childhood friends. We did have a child together though… It was hard explaining to her what had happened, that she lost her father. I still have to push on and raise her."
Thennel wanted to comfort her, but felt in his heart, it was not the right time.
"Yeah, you're right… though if you need anything, I'll help you out in any way." He tried to articulate that he cared for her, but it seemed to blow past her mind.
"Thank you, Thennel. I'm glad that you're here." She smiled.
"Other than that, the village itself seems different as well." He said as he briefly looked out the window of the elder's house they were in.
Many of the homes now featured stone foundations and fire-resistant roofing, a notable improvement masked as communal rebuilding efforts. The village well has been deepened and magically purified, and its storage barns are better insulated and organized with military precision—subtle signs of logistical expertise.
"Yeah. Some soldiers from Eidryn, I believe they were Paladins, assisted the village with reconstruction, primarily with defense. They were sent by His Majesty. I was eventually chosen to be the next chief after my father delegated the role to me."
"I see…"
"I do want to meet him again, if he ever comes back to this village." She said, having a smile on her face.
"...And do what?" Thennel briefly hesitated but corrected his speech.
"Hm? I want to thank him properly… he is my savior after all."
"Tell me about him. I could possibly find him with my contacts at the Crimson Ledger."
"Really?... let's see, he's a mage swordsman and his magic skills were amazing. With one brief attack, two bandits fell in an instant. He used some kind of magic skill that caused one of them to… implode… on themselves."
"Implosion… he could use a spell like that?"
"Is that amazing?" She inquired.
"Absolutely, it is rare to be able to use a magic spell that can instantly implode someone at a distance. Especially if he had no physical contact with them. It's as rare as the resurrection magic casters that the Dominion recruits."
"I knew he was strong, but if a talented magic caster like you is even commending him, that's even more amazing."
"And even based on what you've told me… he may be as strong as the Seven Divine Heroes, the Divine Apostles from Solmira, told in the world's mythology."
"He also seemed to be talented in healing magic and compositions. He had passed around green potions to villagers he personally met."
"...Did you just say green?" Thennel had a flashback to the green potion that Kaela had given him back at the Crimson Ledger.
"Arthur…" He murmured to himself.
"...But from how she described him, they seem polar opposites of each other, from even their armor and their weaponry, but they're both talented mages and martial artists…the green potion is the absolute proof that he's him…" Thennel began whispering to himself as he connected the pieces.
"...I've been trying to investigate a person like that… I could've been killed…"
"Are you okay? You've been whispering to yourself for a bit." She said, shaking him as he was knocked out of his trail of thought. He then stood up abruptly.
Thennel then ran out the house as fast as he could.
Serenya then shrugged her shoulders, confused as to why he was acting strange.