"You should go back to the memorial. Get yourself treated there."
Illya announced.
At the moment, Evelyn's memorial was most probably the safest place in Holy Britannia.
After all, Imperial Army officers and Guild rankers were attending.
A slight unease crept up on Illya.
The entire fight, she had realized something.
'He wasn't trying at all.'
The moment they started fighting, the boy had never even looked her way.
As if the boy was merely gauging their strength.
No, not boy.
Greed.
***
Raven's mind was plagued, thinking back on the situation an hour ago.
The situation was....
[Quest Complete!]
[Join Amelia and the others in grabbing refreshments.]
∎| [Shadow] Proficiency + 5%
——[Sovereign's Will]——
[Name: Raven Blackheart]
[Mana Core: Tier 4]
[Status: A+]
[Innate]
∟ Assassin's Rush
——[Status]——
∟ STR: A+ —[44%]
∟ MP: A- —[22%]
∟ DEF: A —[13%]
∟ AGI: S —[15%]
∟ INT: A —[12%]
∟ CHA: S —[72%]
[AVG: A+]
————————
The absurd quest again that didn't make any sense.
Furthermore, it didn't even end there.
[Quest Complete!]
[Approach the boy.]
∎| [Shadow] Proficiency + 2%
.
.
∎| [Shadow] — 44% — [LVL. 4]
"Kh...!"
And once again, the same effects followed.
Whenever he completed a quest, a sharp migraine would occur.
But this time, there was something else.
As if the entire world glitched, Raven saw a vision.
Just a miniscule of a second.
"Akh!"
Of his head getting severed.
"...."
The hell?
"You alright?"
"U–Uh?"
Standing next to Raven was Brandon. The two stood behind the rows, while Amelia and Belle debriefed Bellion about the sudden ordeal that occurred an hour ago.
"Yeah, just a headache."
Brandon stared at him and frowned. Realizing that it was probably nothing, he shook his head dismissively.
From what they uncovered, they were all attacked by the same person simultaneously.
Which led to an obvious conjecture.
'The Archbishop of Greed can split himself.'
In that case, it explained why he wasn't up to par. Most probably, his power halved due to splitting himself up.
Apparently, Illya dealt with him easily. For Brandon, it posed a bit of difficulty.
If that were the case, then how strong would he actually be if he didn't split himself up?
Incomprehensible.
If the Archbishops were that powerful, then Brandon had to get stronger fast.
"Hey, I'm stepping out for a bit."
Hands pressed to the side of his head, Raven walked towards the entrance.
"Uh, sure. But the ceremony is about to start."
"Yeah, I'll be back. Just need some air."
Brandon tilted his head belatedly, staring at Raven's departing back.
"Air, huh?"
It was still raining.
"...?"
But as Brandon scrutinized, he saw it.
There, a single strand of Raven's hair at the back of his head was white.
***
—But she was. Evelyn saved more people than any of us could count, and she did it without ever expecting anything in return.
Vanessa took a breath, composing herself.
—I met Evelyn years ago, when we both joined Incandescent Flames. Back then, she was.... distant, cold even.
She paused, remembering those early days.
—I didn't take it personally at first. She was like that with everyone. But I don't know, I guess I just... wanted to break through. I wanted to be her friend, even if she didn't want one.
A sad smile appeared on Vanessa's lips.
—She ignored me at first. I'd talk to her, and she'd barely say a word. But I kept coming back. I kept talking, kept trying.
The room was silent, except for the faint sound of rain pattering against the windows.
Everyone listened intently to Vanessa's words.
—And eventually, Evelyn opened up. Not all at once, but little by little. I got to see who she really was—a kind, thoughtful person who cared so deeply about the people around her. She just didn't know how to show it.
She wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek.
—She never asked for recognition. She didn't want to be praised for what she did. She just wanted to help people, quietly, in the background.
Vanessa's gaze shifted, landing briefly on Brandon, who sat in the back.
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment.
—She was a mentor to others, too. She guided people when they needed it most.
Brandon felt a tightness in his chest. But his expressions remained calm, even indifferent.
Amelia, sitting next to him, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
She glanced at him for a brief second. Upon realizing the blankness in his face, she remained silent.
A few more minutes passed, and Vanessa stepped down from the podium.
Her legs trembled as she made her way back to her seat.
Brandon closed his eyes, allowing the mourning that ensued to reach his ears.
Soon after, he stood up.
"Where are you going?"
Amelia asked.
"Stepping outside for a bit."
He gave her a smile.
Amelia was just about to say something, but Brandon was already walking away.
His lips may have moved, but his eyes weren't smiling at all.
He felt distant no more than ever, leaving Amelia unsure of what to do.
***
*Puff*
The suffocating heat entered his throat.
"Bitter."
He muttered.
Soon after, a figure stepped outside the ceremony hall too.
It was Illya, standing right next to him with her arms crossed, leaning on the wall.
"You're smoking now?"
"Helps keep my mind at ease."
"I really can't read you."
*Puff*
Allowing the smoke to dissipate in the air, Brandon stared at the rain.
"So you've fought Greed too. What do you think?"
He asked.
Illya looked at him with her usual stoic expression.
She held up her hand.
"...?"
She held it once more, leaving Brandon confused.
"What?"
Illya tilted her head and frowned, her pink bangs swaying to the side.
"Oh."
Brandon realized. She was asking for compensation.
"Didn't I already pay in advance?"
"You're paying extra since I saved them."
"Isn't Amelia your friend? Wouldn't you save her for free?"
"She's free of charge. You're paying for the others.... I don't even remember their names."
Brandon blankly stared at her back for a brief second before an idea popped up in his head.
"Any discount?"
"Sure, zero percent off."
"...."
"Fine, I'll wire it."
"Thanks."
Illya walked ahead. It was still raining, but she didn't use an umbrella.
In fact, the rain seemed to slip from her figure, leaving her dry.
"You're going?"
"I'm not too close with Evelyn anyway. I'll feel out of place."
"That so?"
"Yes, goodbye now."
Brandon mumbled to the side. "You're just shy."
Illya paused for a second, as if she heard it. Then, she continued walking.
"Hey."
Not until Brandon called for her.
Turning back, she tilted her head, her expressions remaining stoic.
"...?"
"Don't die."