CHURCH OF VIVVILY, NATUNNIA MAIN BRANCH.

  Sophia is sitting silently on the wooden chair, slumped on the table and waiting for any chance of her grandmother gets a semblance of lucidity.

  It's been her 4th day and so far, she still didn't get any update. Yet, Sophia is determined to have a chance to talk with her dearest that she's willing to wait however how long it might take.

  Sophia feel someone walking behind her and place a thing on the table. When she looks, it's a hot soup with a inticing smell that works wonder on Sophia, who not eaten for a while.

  A young nun sits in the chair in front of her and gives a warm smile.

  "Please eat Miss Sophia."

  Sophia look at the nun and smiles slightly.

  "Thank you sister."

  Sophia picks the wooden spoon, takes scoop then blow some air into it to cool it down before eating. Sophia chews the delicious mix of vegetables and meat.

  "It's delicious." Sophia's compliment.

  "Hehe... I'm glad Miss Sophia like it." The nun smiles, brimming with confidence.

  Sophia silently eat the soup for a while, then the nun breaks the silence by asking a question.

  "Miss Sophia. Who is Grandma Isther to you?"

  Sophia stops eating and stares on the young nun who feel abashed.

  "E-eh... I'm just c-curious Miss Sophia. J-just ignore it if you don't want to talk about it."

  Sophia chuckle as she find the embarassed reaction of the nun cute.

  "Don't worry about it."

  The nun gives a sigh of relief.

  "To answer your question, Grandma Isther is like the closest thing I have for a parent."

  "Really? That close?"

  "Yes." Sophia takes another spoon full of the soup.

  "That's new to me. How you become an orphan Miss Sophia?"

  "Hmm? There's no way I remember but according to Grandma. I just placed in front of an orphanage as a baby one day. And there, the orphanage became my family."

  "I see... So you must not have any memory of your real parents."

  "Exactly. But to be honest, I don't really care about them. Well, I understand on why they give me away." Sophia take a bite of just meat, chew it and smile before continuing talking.

  "But the point is. I can't really say that they are my parents now when they're absent most of my life. Besides, I already have a family."

  "I wish I can do the same like you Miss Sophia."

  "You can do it." Sophia smiles.

  "You see Miss Sophia... Unlike you, I have happy memories of my parents until they decide to leave me behind on this city."

  "You still clinging on the happy memories you have with them?"

  The young nun nods.

  "Then how about thinking on the happy memories you made with your new family?"

  The nun went silent, look at Sophia with nostalgia then gives a warm smile.

  "I can try that. Thanks a lot Miss Sophia."

  "You're welcome Ninna."

  .

  .

  "Ehh?!"

  Ninna feel shy and embarassed for some reason after Sophia call her by her name.

  "Y-y-you still r-remember me Miss S-sophia?!"

  Sophia makes a hearty laugh.

  "There's no way I would forgot my cute Ninna. It's been a while."

  Ninna hides her face on her palms.

  "And here I am talking to you like you don't recognize me at all..."

  "Hehe. So that's why you talking to me so formally? How cute."

  .

  .

  .

  The empty bowl of soup is placed on the table. Ninna meanwhile is leaning into Sophia's shoulder.

  "I miss you Sister Sophia."

  "Same here."

  "But sis. To be honest, I advise you to stop hoping for grandma to have a moment of clarity."

  "How you can say something like that?"

  "Because... I believe grandma is already far gone. You just gonna get hurt clinging on such hope." Ninna speak with sadness on her voice.

  Sophia at first wants to get angry at Ninna as she say something unbelievable. But Sophia knows that Ninna have more interactions with Isther on that ward and so...

  "It must be painful watching Grandma slowly change Ninna?" Sophia said with complete understanding. Ninna makes a silent cry.

  "Yes."

  "You did well Ninna. But I'm sorry, I really want to have one last talk with Grandma even how long it takes before that to happen."

  "But... You just going to get hurt."

  "Hehe... Worry not. I'm a lot stronger than you think." Sophia pats Ninna's head who just went silent.

  As the two bond. Sophia notice a familar face entering the isolation ward.

  "Sir Hilgurd?"

  Sir Hilgurd at first is mildly surprised then he connect the dots quickly. Ninna sees the old man walk towards them so she excused herself to give the two a space to talk.

  "I gotta go now Sister Sophia. See you later." Ninna waves her farewell which Sophia replys in kind

  Hilgurd sit far from Sophia and have a calm silence.

  "What are you doing here Sir Hilgurd?" Sophia ask as she never understand why such old established man doing on a place where his fellow aged people are now resting until their last time on the mortal realm.

  "Just visiting a friend. You, why you're not on adventure with the rest of your friends?" Despite already knowing the reason, Hilgurd just want to properly start the conversation.

  "I decide to have a break."

  "To have a talk with someone here?"

  Sophia nods. Hilgurd sigh.

  "Look. Not to destroy your hope I believe is in your best interest to surrender that idea."

  Sophia gives a pained smile.

  "I understand your appreciation Sir Hilgurd but I'm dead set on having one last talk with Grandma."

  "Did you try to see her?"

  "Not yet. The fellow sisters said that it's dangerous."

  "There's a reason why such precautions are set you know?"

  "I understand, because senile people with such powerful mana are prone on unleashing powerful magic out of whim. That's why they're got quarantined here inside the chapel for the safety of the public and themselves."

  Hilgurd nods slowly as Sophia's answer is correct. But he follows up a correction.

  "But that's the main part that's dangerous. But I think the emotional effect to the love ones should also be reconsidered."

  "What do you mean Sir Hilgurd?"

  "Because people suffering on such condition can speak the most painful and heartshattering words to the ones they love without them knowing. All of it are just reflex but the damage to the recieving end can be varied. Partnered by sudden agression and sometimes, attacking them. No one knows how the relative can process such change of relationship."

  Hilgurd gives a deep sigh.

  "The reciever can just view it as effect of their condition but for the emotional weak, that's gonna cut deep."

  Sophia listen to Hilgurd with a very serious expression on her face.

  "Do you experienced it Sir Hilgurd?"

  Hilgurd makes a light scoff.

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  "Yes. She suddenly cast a powerful magic into me while also asking who I am and why I'm entering her home. I guess she really not remember me anymore."

  "I'm just curious Sir Hilgurd? Who is this friend you visiting?"

  "The same one you waiting to talk with. Isther."

  Sophia's eyes widen as she's surprise to learn that the Guild Master and Grandma Isther have some sort of connection.

  "Eh? You two are acqueintances?"

  "Yes."

  "But how?"

  "It's quiet a long story. I think it's started 60 years ago."

  "60 years ago? That's queit a long time Sir Hilgurd. How you and Grandma Met?"

  "Hmmm? I met her during the a Dragon Subjugation quest. You remember it as the time we defeated the Dragon of Sands."

  "No way... I can't believe Grandma is involved on such amazing achievement."

  Hilgurd chuckle lightly.

  "Yeah. So be proud that you become an adopted daughter of such amazing lady."

  Sophia nods slowly with a smile. Hilgurd stand up as he's going to leave.

  "I'm returning to the guild now. It seems that Isther is not also getting a lucidity today."

  "Do you had a chance to talk with Grandma before Sir Hilgurd?"

  "Yes. But it's already a long time ago. She must be really on late stage of her condition because Isther's moment of clarity are becoming even more rare."

  "I see..."

  "But you're determined to have a talk with her so my advice is just wait for her to get a moment of peace, and never meet her unless she have lucid thinking. I wish you good luck Sophia."

  "Thank you Sir Hilgurd. I will put that in mind."

  Hilgurd leaves the ward leaving Sophia alone. She see Ninna from the distance bringing towels and foods alongside older nuns. They have stressed and serious expression on their face as Sophia finally understands the struggles they dealing with.

  Then she thought of Ninna who must be seeing her Grandma Isther slowly withering away daily and she must also recieve the thing Sir Hilgurd warned her about on more frequent basis while also remembering the explanation Mateo give about Dementia.

  "It must be really really painful Ninna." Sophia's pained expression as she remembers how Ninna sob as she lean on her shoulder.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Deep in the Savagery Forest, in one of the towns of Frihelm. Inside the tree house are two elves looking at the elven crafted guns on the table.

  "What do you think? They're look magnificent right?" Yhio, Shirna's white elf friend said. Brimming with pride and smugness as she knows that her crafts would pass Shirna's standards.

  Shirna inspects the upgraded sniper rifle. Unlike the previous gun, the designs and craftsmanship are more refined and confident as it now follows the body structure of the guns she copied from Earth. There's even intricate designs unlike the crude and shabby appearance compared to past alterations.

  "Its... AMAZING! You're really good at this Yhio!"

  "Hehe no sweat."

  "Should we try these?" Shirna is full of excitement.

  "No Shirna. Trying them now is out of option."

  "Huh? Yet you seems proud earlier? Is the designs incomplete?" Shirna tilt her head slightly.

  "It's not that. I personally tested them myself and they all working fine. It's just."

  Yhio looks around. Like she's being aware on something.

  "The sounds are garnering unwanted attentions. If we're not careful. The others will surely find out. Just recently, I feel like I'm being watched."

  Shirna understands the seriousness of the situation and beclme aware.

  "Do you think someone might hear us?" Shirna's question as he understands the natural keen hearing abilities of elves like him.

  "I don't think so. I ensure that the walls of this workshop is secured. Besides, this town is bustling with sounds so pinpointing this house is gonna be difficult." Yhio taps the walls as she ends her sentence.

  "You surely prepared everything huh Yhio?" Shirna smugly smiles.

  "You're the one that begs me to ensure that this is just a secret. Anyways, why you don't want the others to find out about this technology?"

  Shirna just smile. He wants to say that such technology from another world will surely alter the course of history but there's no way he can utter such words.

  "Geez... You're being secretive again. By the way, here's your bullets."

  Yhio lifted a heavy wooden box and place it on the table. Shirna opens it and see the assortments of ammunation for different guns.

  "I kinda increased the power of the bullets for the Sniper Rifle and the new Shotgun. They're gonna pack a punch so hard that you might get surprise."

  "I just wondering Yhio. What's inside the bullets? Is it gunpowder like I sent to you?"

  Yhio scratches her head.

  "Well, I tried the recipe you sent to me and manage to gather the materials. Even the bat poop, ugh. But."

  "But?"

  "I find it unsatisfactory."

  "Huh? Then what you used for these bullets?"

  "Mana stones. Grinded mana stones of varied quality. Plus you notice that the bullets casing are etched?"

  "Huh?"

  Shirna never mind such details but now Yhio introduce the topic. Shirna picks one of the bullets and just like what Yhio said, the casings are engraved.

  Engraved with runes.

  "What are these runes?"

  "Just basic runes to successfully ignite the mana powder and cause a contained explosion. Took me a while to even perfect the design due to how small it is."

  "Then it must take a huge amount of time to engraved the runes one-by-one on each bullet?"

  "Well it also take a long time for you to return. I pretty much just engrave those bullets as a hobby to past time these days." Yhio chuckle.

  Shirna's mouth are open as she learns the ingenuinity of his friend.

  "Unbelievable. No wonder the guns are unreasobly powerful compared to its counterparts." Shirna mumbles.

  "What?"

  "N-nothing. Anyways, those mana stones must be worth a lot?"

  "You don't say. That's why can you give me some money please? I don't have more funds." Yhio ask with her pleading eyes which make Shirna chuckle.

  "Hehe fine. Since you did a great job."

  Shirna pulls his BoS and bring out a clothe bag full of gold coins.

  "Here. Thank you so much for your good work."

  "T-Thank you Shirna! I can finally eat good food and not just bread for another week!" Yhio hugs the bag and sniff with tears of joy.

  Shirna then replace the old guns inside of his BoS with the new improved ones and also put the bullets.

  "I just gonna arrange these bullets later."

  "You're going out now?"

  "Yeah. I promise to our party leader that I shall return after 7 days."

  "Eh? Maybe I can treat you some food. Let's have a farewell dinner? Please? I have so much to talk with you." Yhio speaks as she blushes.

  "Well... I'm kinda hungry so why not? Let's go Yhio."

  Yhio is delighted after Shirna agrees on her proposal.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  The two is now eating on an elven restaurant serving assortments of cooked food fresh from the forest itself.

  "How is your apprentinceship?" Shirna casually ask as he eats a well cooked piece of meat.

  "The usual stuff. Nothing out of ordinary." Yhio happily answers.

  "Really? I thought being a druidess is such a prestigeous work. It's a Light elf thing afterall."

  "It is. It's just I don't find it interesting at all."

  "Crafting is more interesting then?"

  "Exactly. To be honest, I might be spending more time in the workshop than the sanctuary." Yhio speaks with smug.

  "How do you even manage your time?"

  "The answer is. I only choose to have apprentinceship on the milder position." Yhio bites on her salad.

  "You're not aiming to become a Druidess?"

  "No waaaay! I can't handle the strict regimen required for that. That's why I just choose to become a scribe. Easy and flexible."

  "Isn't your parents want you to become a Druidess."

  "Well... They can't expect much if my results doesn't show any promise as a Druidess." Yhio smirks.

  "You rascal." Shirna chuckle as he knows that Yhio intentionally undersells herself in order to prevent being picked as a Druidess.

  "Hey you turned me this way." Yhio also chuckle.

  After their soft laughs fades off. The two resumes eating.

  "Say Shirna. What kind of people is your party members?"

  "They're amazing and strong people." Shirna honestly smile.

  "Really? What they look like?"

  "Hmmm... One of them is a foodie priestess who loves to eat delicious food. Other is a chick magnet of a knight, our mage is a very curious lady who's easily intrigued on any stuff who caught her interest. And our leader."

  "Your leader" Yhio asked as Shirna suddenly went silent.

  "He's kinda looking serious most of the time but it doesnt mean he can't have some fun. He's a great guy." Shirna honestly anwers.

  "Your party seems a rowdy bunch." Yhio gives a gentle smile.

  "For real. Our knight and mage are mostly bantering with each other. Our priestess is very energetic. Our leader is like the only one that setting us straight." Shirna gives a sigh of satisfaction.

  "What's their name?"

  "Our priestess is Sophia, our mage is named Claustrine, our knight is called Beltrand and our leader is named Mateo."

  Yhio's eyes slightly widen after hearing the name of Mateo. She don't know why but the name have slight pang on it.

  "So that's the name of your friends outside of this forest. Shirna, can you tell us some stories of your adventures with them?" Yhio asked with ethusiasm.

  And thus, the two spend time just talking happily. Shirna telling stories while Yhio listens as she marvels on the adventures of his dear friend.

  .

  .

  "Ahhh... That's amazing."

  Yhio and Shirna just walking on the business street where a line of shops are selling assortments of things, from plants to materials. The place is filled with elves with some human merchants and beastfolks looking on the goods.

  "Indeed."

  "Well then. I hope you have a safe journey back to your dear friends Shirna. I promise that I gonna improve your weapons even more." Yhio declaration.

  "I'm excited for your next crafts." Shirna smiles.

  Yhio gives Shirna a quick hug.

  "See you again Shirna. Bye." Yhio gives her farewell. Shirna hugs back swiftly then he smile and walks away, into the entrance of the town.

  "Bye Yhio. Lets meet again." Shirna waves back then he's gone on the woods. Leaving Yhio looking at the entrance with a calm smile before she walks away to return on her workshop.

  .

  .

  Shirna is strolling the woods when he feel something is observing him from a distance. Which instantly disappears when it seems that Shirna is getting suspicious.

  Shirna shakes his head and just continue walking, disregarding the observer who he thought harbor no ill intention as he never sense bloodlust on its stares.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  UNKNOWN LAYER, REVERSE TOWER OF JULZIHAR

  Grand Ecstasy, Wanderer and Helyna is still walking on the nothingness. This time, with a clear goal in mind as they're now following the pink primate. Still, It's been a days of non-stop exploration now and there's still no rest on sight.

  "Unbealivable. It doesn't even want us to rest~" Monica's complaint.

  On their previous attempt on setting a camp, the Monkey just continue walking. Completely ignoring their rest day. They have no choice but to cancel their camping and just continue following the ape.

  "Helyna is lucky." Boltz chuckle as he feel the sleeping Helyna on her back that he carry with ease.

  "She's heavily injured. Helyna needs that rest." Claustrine stare on the sleeping Helyna as she walk alongside Boltz.

  "Is that thing even gets tired? Thinking that it doesn't just make me even more scared." Graham speak with doubt.

  "On how proud it strides despite walking non-stop. I say it's either have a huge stamina or worse, infinite." Mateo commented as he stare on the back of the clothed Monkey.

  "Huh? Is that a house?"

  Everyone jolts after hearing Claustrine's question. They're in deep need of any stimulation and change after staring the green and blue nothingness. Any change of scenery is a huge improvement.

  And huge improvement it is as the group finally see something different. It's a log cabin. Behind it is what seem a farm. Segmented by plants of variety.

  "What is a farm doing in such isolated place?" Mateo's amusement and confusion.

  Everyone finally reach the log cabin and the Monkey opens the backdoor where they enter the well maitained kitchen.

  "Elven Ironwood..." Mateo recognize the wood used on the home after touching it. The same solidity and texture he well versed of.

  "Is this where you want to bring us?" Claustrine asked the Monkey who just stare at her and then walk further inside the house.

  Everyone finally reach the living room. It's really cozy looking with a relaxing vibe. Carpet on the wooden floor, a fireplace, a well crafted chair and bookshelves full of old books and scrolls surrounding everyone.

  "What the hell?" Mateo is in disbelief.,

  The Pink Monkey open one of the doors and then stare intently to Boltz.

  "You want me to enter?" Boltz asked.

  The Monkey didn't answer. Instead it leave the door open and walks outside the cabin in silence. Boltz still carrying Helyna enters the room with worry only for him to get greeted by a bed.

  "I-I see... Thanks."

  Boltz gently place the sleeping Helyna to the bed then he quiely leaves the room. Glad that Helyna is now getting a comfortable rest.

  The parties regroup on the living room. Unsure on how to process the convoluted turn of events. They look for comfortable spots to sit in which they easily find through the few chairs and the carpet itself. Except Claustrine who focused on reading the books on the shelves.

  "I'm so jelly on Helynaaaa. I also want to rest on that bed. It look so soooft~." Monica imagines how squishy the bed might be.

  "You already sitting on that comfy chair. Isn't that enough?" Graham asked with disbelief as he's sitting legs crossed on the carpet.

  "I don't understand what that Monkey is thinking at all. Still, thanks for him we finally find a safe resting place." Boltz commented with doubt and gratitude as he sit on one of the wooden chairs.

  "So what's our next move Mateo?" Claustrine casually ask as she opens some few books. He discovered that the books and scrolls are literary records and fictions. Some written work she recognized was written 1,000 to 800 years ago.

  Few books are more modern especially one being a book written by modern adventurers which consist of reports and journals. But most of written works are scrolls and books she she can't really recognize.

  "We should rest now. We're walking non-stop for days now before we reach this place. It's a perfect chance to recover our energy." Mateo's order as he open his BoS and starts pulling his pillow and blanket.

  "Agreed. I'm actually really tired now." Graham then makes a very long yawn.

  Thus the group falls asleep to garner enough energy for tommorow. Outside of the Cabin is the pink monkey harvesting few crops on its garden.