After exiting the underground Realm Domain and setting foot on green grass under the beautiful open sky, Raven let out a sigh of relief.
"I will contact my father and let him know we have finished here," Luna said calmly as she took out her phone and dialed a number.
After talking with Old Dan for several minutes Luna put her phone away and turned to face the rest.
"My father has several things to take care of within the Realm Association so he won't be able to pick us up. However, he said he will send Thomas here so we only have to wait."
"Argh! Finally!" dropping down onto her butt, Mia showed an exhausted smile to which Oliver and Alex looked at each other and laughed weakly before they too sat down.
While Raven didn't know this, Luna and her party had been inside the Realm Domain for almost over a week, collecting all kinds of goods while also fighting hundreds of Mutated Nightshades, each varying in Rank.
During this time, except for stopping to rest for a few hours, they have barely slept. After all, if they failed to find the Realm Core in time, there was the risk of the Realm Domain opening, allowing every abomination within to get free and wander Earth's surface which could lead to chaos with ease.
Watching with a calm expression how everyone started to rest, Luna looked at Raven and tugged him gently.
"Can we speak for a sec?"
"Yeah, sure." Raven nodded and while ignoring the intense stare he got from John he followed after Luna under a tree where no one could hear them.
"Sit here." Luna patted the spot beside her softly.
Raven nodded and sat down, only to be surprised a little the next second. When he sat down, Luna placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"I want to know everything. Let it be the smallest detail, I wish to know what happened." Luna mumbled quietly, her voice almost akin to a fly's buzz.
Upon hearing the soft voice with which Luna spoke and the relaxed expression on her beautiful face Raven smiled and leaned against the tree behind his back, his golden eyes staring at the clear sky above.
Time passed just like that and more than an hour later, he finished talking.
"And that is how I have come back." Raven sighed and waited for his little sister to talk, however, even after waiting for several minutes he got no reply.
"Lulu?" Raven lowered his gaze at his little sister, only to be shocked to see tears flowing down her cheeks in silence.
"I... I thought you have died..." grabbing Raven's arm and clenching it through which Raven was able to feel her sorrow, Luna cried and sobbed quietly.
"...When I saw you like that... With those wounds, I wished nothing more but to help you. Yet... Yet I couldn't."
Raven listened in silence, his face is currently as calm as a crystal-clear pond of water. Then, after sighing deeply and pulling Luna closer, allowing her to cry even harder than before.
Everything she had kept inside for three entire years now flooded out like a torrent, only becoming stronger with each passing second.
Meanwhile, Mia and the rest watched the two of them from the distance, the young woman's eyes flickering with various emotions.
"Who knew Lady Luna could show such a side of her," Oliver mumbled quietly.
"She always shows she is cold and indifferent, not caring about anything and anybody. The only thing she has in her eyes is to become the strongest, so seeing her like this is truly something new." Alex nodded.
"Well, considering her brother had gone missing for three years and how close she was with him, it is only natural for her ice mask to finally break." Mia sighed before a joyful smile appeared on her face.
"Though, looking at them like this, I must admit they look cute together."
"Tsk."
"Oh? We are a little jelly, aren't we~?" Mia looked at John who at the moment clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Upon seeing John turning away and mumbling something under his breath Mia giggled softly before she shifted her attention back to Raven and Luna.
Time passed just like that and after a few hours later Thomas finally arrived with a large but luxurious vehicle.
"Lady Luna, Young Master Raven. It is time to go home." Thomas said to the two under the tree while he couldn't help but show a soft and heartfelt smile.
Finally, after three years, he was able to see Luna show other emotions except for coldness and indifference.
...
After arriving before the Black Moon Guild Luna and the rest went to report back about their mission which later on will be sent to the Realm Association, allowing them to collect their rewards in three days.
"When will we do another mission?" once they took care of everything and were outside the guild, Oliver stretched his arms and asked as he looked at the rest beside him.
"We will take a two days rest before we apply for our next mission," Luna stated calmly, her arms clinging to Raven's.
"I see. Then I will see you guys in two days!" Oliver waved his hand and without hesitation used the Zeusbridge to teleport away.
Alex and Mia did the same a few moments later, from which the latter looked at John with a teasing look, who stated he will decide to stay in Black Moon City until the next mission.
"See you, John." Luna smiled at John before she dragged Raven away, back to the mansion.
"What will you do now?" once, inside the mansion, Luna looked at Raven curiously.
Raven pondered for a few seconds before he took his Backroom Key out and said, "I will go and shop a little."
Upon seeing the key in Raven's hands Luna's eyes brightened like stars before she raised a finger and as she pressed it against his chest she said, "Wait, please use my Astral Cores and buy me something good."
"Huh?" Raven was surprised when he felt a warm sensation sweep through his body before something popped up before his line of sight.
[Currency: 286,800 Astral Core]
'...'
Seeing how the amount of his Astral Cores had literally doubled Raven felt stupified for a second before he asked;
"What about the bell I have given you?"
"Oh, that?" Luna lowered her gaze slightly as if she felt guilty, "During one of my fights, it had been broken..."
"It... broke?" Raven was shocked as he didn't expect such a thing.
"But don't worry. I made sure to cut the one who broke it into thousands of pieces when I had the chance." Luna quickly added, further dumbfounding Raven.
"I-I see..." Raven mumbled and after clearing his throat he asked, "And what do you want me to buy?"
Luna placed her index finger on her lips and after pondering for a few seconds she said, "Either something that can assist me in fights or an armor. If it is the latter, the lighter the better."
"Noted." Raven nodded and was ready to use his key when Thomas appeared at the corner.
"Young Master, please wait a second."
"Thomas? Did something happen?" Raven asked, thinking something must have happened why his butler come at him so hurriedly.
"No, in fact, I hope you can help us, the Black Moon Guild."
Raven raised a brow, however, when he saw Thomas place a finger on his chest he seemed to understand what was really going on.
[Currency: 4,926,790 Astral Core]
'...'
The fuck?
Almost give million Astral Cores!?
Raven felt the world spinning around him a little before realization dawned on him.
'Well, considering it had been collected under three years, it is not that of a huge surprise.'
After calming down, which in reality lasted for a single second, Raven looked at Thomas and asked, "What should I get from this amount of Astral Cores?"
"Here. Everything you need to know is in this. Also, take this. It will help you store everything you buy." Thomas said as he handed Raven a small device and a small ring.
"Huh? When did you have time to jot down all this?" Raven was shocked when he saw numerous item names within the device.
"I had quite the time in the past three years." Thomas showed a soft smile to which Raven wished to reply but decided not to and instead nodded.
"I see. Then I will be off." Raven said calmly and placed the key into the keyhole on the door.
"Oh, I forgot to say, but please make sure you acquire the ones that are highlighted. The rest are all secondary and not that important." Thomas quickly added to which Raven nodded and turned the key.
And just like that, the familiar feeling swept through his body before he found himself in the large room filled with all kinds of goods.
"And here I thought I will never be able to see you again, Raven."
Upon hearing the familiar voice Raven couldn't help himself from showing a small smile and looking around.
"It's also good to see you again, Dinas. Or should I say hear you again?"