Chapter 558 Return Home

Once Marcus had managed to get Lilia to open up about what had happened and got down to the reason that she was feeling down, he was able to slowly help her.

She had felt disgusted with herself for having chosen to sacrifice Marcus to bring Irene back, even if it had only been a simulation.

It made her feel ugly and like a monster that was ungrateful for everything he had done, and that she was no longer worthy of his kindness.

Still, he had managed to help her get through this at least to a certain degree.

Naturally this level of trauma was going to take some time heal, especially for Lilia who is only twelve years old.

After Marcus finished reassuring Lilia one last time, he approached the rest of their group and said, “I do not know how the rest of you feel, but I think I am done here for now. This dungeon has taken a toll on all of us, and personally I think I want a break before we come back.”

Giving their agreement, everyone was willing to wait and come back later.

Seeing the way that Lilia was right now, it would have been supremely cruel to push her to head deeper into this dungeon that forced you not only to fight incredibly difficult life and death battles, but also face the deepest and darkest parts of yourself..

“Yeah, I need to head back soon anyway. My extended break is going to be coming to its end soon, and I need to get back to my post as the leader of the sky knights. I really cannot afford to be going deeper in and not know when I will be able to return.” James said.

Everyone else then gave arbitrary reasons as to why they could not continue exploring the special dungeon, and unanimously they agreed to leave for now and come back at a later time.

With that decision made, they all gathered up and moved to the teleportation circle that would lead them out of this place.

Warping back into the starting room of the special dungeon, they found it looking exactly the same as it had, and the thirteen of them quickly exited and began the journey out of the crystal caverns.

It took them another four days to exit the expansive crystal cave following the way they had come.

During their return trip they did not look around very much or venture off of the path they knew would lead them back to the surface.

All of them had already had their fun, and now it was time to return home and rest.

Though on their way, Marcus made sure to look after Lilia’s emotional state by having the others talk to her and reassure her.

He did not want her to fall into a depression over something like this and wanted her to be her normal cheerful self.

Luckily by the time that they made it back to the entrance oft the ravine, she was doing quite a bit better. Thanks in large part to Zareen and Aurelia who Marcus never thought would come to his aid.

Still, it seemed they cared more for Lilia than they despised him, so they had done all they could to comfort her as her companions.

Eventually though their journey came to an end, as Marcus once again created a platform from his iron threads and pulled everyone up out of the deep ravine.

At least this time it was a bit easier on him since from his time in the dungeon he had gained two levels and was now level fifty-two.

As for the others, everyone gained a number of levels themselves, with James being the highest now at sixty-five, Fallon right behind at sixty-three, then Lyra who made it to fifty-eight. Followed by Mrazivý and Quillon who were both level fifty-five, then Eirwen who had reached level fifty, Lilia had made it level forty-three, Blitz who was at level forty-two, Aurelia and Zareen both at level thirty-eight, and Roxene still the lowest at thirty-one.

Of course, even with the lowest level Roxene still had the highest quality out of any of them and stood above all of the beast companions expect Fallon.

All of them had made a great deal of progress in the dungeon in increasing their levels and the strength of their skills.

Nevertheless, the quick progress had been fraught with life threatening situations, and emotionally draining scenarios that had left them all weathered.

So, it really was for the best that they left for now to recuperate before challenging the special dungeon again.

“Okay so the same flying arrangements as last time?” Mrazivý said as she hopped onto Eirwen’s back.

“Actually, now that Blitz can fly, he does not need to get on my back. So, anyone who wants to ride him instead can.” Marcus said

After that they decided on who was going to flying with who, and soon Quillon had taken his seat behind James on Fallon, while Lilia got on Eirwen with Mrazivý, and Lyra mounted Blitz.

For Marcus he still needed to carry the two golden lionesses who were not the happiest to be relying on him, along with Roxene.

Soon they were all situated and began making the flight back to the royal capital that the majority of them called home.

With impressive speed they soared across the sky and the landscape pass below them like a blur, until they spotted the walls of the royal capital.

‘Okay we have permission to enter. Though this time a squadron of gryphon riders is going to escort us since apparently last time we spooked a few people.’ James said to everyone over telepathy.

Continuing on their way, they flew over to the city and around eight miles out a group of two dozen knights mounted on gryphons accompanied them.

Naturally this sight was quite rare in the royal capital, and while their exit had garnered a large amount of attention, their return obtained even more.

Quickly they flew across the city and back to the castle, and once they had said goodbye to their escorts, they touched back down within an enclosed courtyard that James and Mrazivý had prepared for them ahead of time.

“Okay the coast is certainly clear. You can change back now.” James said to Marcus after doing a quick check to make sure no one was around.

His body shifting and changing, Marcus rapidly shrunk back down. and soon had taken up his form as Irene once again.

“Well, I will say that this has been fun, and I enjoyed getting to know all of you. But it is time that I return to master. Mrazivý what about you, will you be coming with me, or are you going to stay a bit longer?” Quillon said.

Smiling and moving up next to Lilia who she had been chatting with on during their return trip, Mrazivý said, “I will meet back up with you and our master in a couple of months. I want to get to know my future sister a bit better before leaving again.

Shrugging his shoulders Quillon was fine with whatever Mrazivý wanted to do and began making his way out of the castle grounds, so that he could head back and continue his training now that he was even stronger.

Once Quillon had left, they all slowly trickled apart. Going back to their own respective residences to rest and recuperate from their harrowing adventure.