Getting Back For Some Rest

(Rylle's POV):

Our group traveled through various places in a high speed without making a stop towards anything. We simply rushed back to the palace because Robin said something about preventing chances of getting swarmed in any other place.

"T-That was a long trip..." - Ridley

"It only lasted for a day though?"

"But it felt so long... Like what the heck?" - Ridley

Currently, I am sitting down outside the palace with Ridley staring at these empty houses.

"What are these for I wonder?"

"Dunno, probably former residents?" - Ridley

"True, mainly because Denzel was damaged by traitors right? So I somewhat expected the traitors being forced to stay in those comfy looking houses."

"I should ask around on him as to why he had these two houses built..." - Ridley

"Oh? Pretty sure you'll forget it pretty quickly."

"Hahaha, very funny. I'll have you around as my memory chip there." - Ridley

"Damn..."

After talking for a long time, Ridley left and tried to look for the others who are resting. We're simply staying here for a single night so we practically cannot complain on what to do for the most part.

"Well, I guess I should head back now."

I returned to my room thinking of collecting some rest before Robin continues the journey toward the next biome on the far west.

I moved to my bed and just slept pretty quickly without problem.

(POV Shift: Jay's POV):

"I guess you'll be staying back here now Kaede..."

"What's wrong Jay?" - Gayle

"Well, we will still have to be separated for a while... Robin said he's gonna make some preparations so we can stay in the palace whenever we want..."

"Really? I guess we may have to wait for them to finish up their work first then. Looking forward to it?" - Gayle

"Mhm!! I want to be able to stay by Kaede's side again!"

Me and Kaede are currently in her room resting together. I managed to drive Lester away earlier and forced him to sleep somewhere else. The victorious feeling came with something bad since Lester looked really mad. I didn't really care much since I could sleep with Kaede again.

"Jay, please act kinder to Lester..." - Gayle

"But he's!"

"Shh... Don't be too loud here..." - Gayle

"A-alright... But he isn't even there when you need him. He's just going deep into his career and not even care about you most of the time..."

"Jay, it's okay... I'm pretty much used to it so there's no need to worry..." - Gayle

"B-but..."

"Besides, even if he isn't there everyone is back, so I don't have to worry that much about myself." - Gayle

"O-okay..."

"Jay, I know that you're still insecure about it but please hold on alright? Don't worry about me, and go on a nice adventure with Robin for the time being." - Gayle

"Alright..."

In all honesty, I feel sad from the fact that I can't stay by Kaede's side for a while longer. I was seriously considering of staying behind but it would be bad if I entered here without permission... Robin wouldn't like it if I get in trouble either so it can't be helped...

"Kaede..."

"Hmm?" - Gayle

"....Never mind... Just read my head..."

Kaede smiled as I think about how much I missed her during the long time we were separated. It's been a year since I last saw her and been with her so I really feel happy when we were finally reunited but, we still have to go and wait for the preparations to be done...

"Shall we sleep?" - Gayle

"Sure!"

"Good night..." - Gayle

"Good night Kaede..."

Both of us slept together in her room for the night peacefully.

(POV Shift: Grace's POV):

I'm currently in Terrence's room cuddling together with him. For the longest time, I haven't been able to do this with him due to my strict parents who want me to excel in everything... So I had to be with Terrence in secret just to feel happy.

"Terrence..."

"Hmm? Something wrong?" - Terrence

I feel calm being in his arms for the longest time. The reason why I have trouble feeling comfortable is that he's actually shorter... The only way I could rest myself with him is when we're lying down together. It's an unfortunate part but it's still enough to have him with me.

"Well, you're going to be staying here... While I'm going on a dangerous trip..."

"Yeah... And we still have to wait for Denzel's recovery so we can ask him to allow everyone to become residents here." - Terrence

"Yeah... This place is quite huge..."

"True, how was your time in the palace though?" - Terrence

"I didn't really go around much... Specially when I just snuggled in your room for the entire first day..."

"Yeah, but the second day you did go around with us." - Terrence

"Mhm... I have to say it again... This place is really spacious and huge, it's like living in luxury..."

"In all honesty, I was extremely shocked when Robin said that this was all handmade..." - Terrence

"H-handmade?! How long?"

I started to learn various things about this palace and tried to memorize all the rooms at least once. There's just so many rooms and floors to the point where I might become like Ridley.

"Well, I guess we'll need a proper tour along with the owner which is Denzel to know which rooms is which..." - Terrence

"Yeah... How was your time so far?"

"I didn't have that much time to train because I was mostly stuck with the group within Lester so..." - Terrence

"I see... Once everything is done we should stay in one room..."

"Why is that?" - Terrence

"Well... I'm sure you already know why..."

"Yeah, we can't be this close in real life before we finish schooling and college..." - Terrence

"Mhm..."

"Let's sleep?" - Terrence

"Alright~..."

Both of us slept together for the night before I set out on another adventure with Robin and the others...

(POV Shift: Robin's POV):

After the rushed travel, we had finally returned to the palace once again but it was almost dusk. Everyone had already gone into their rooms and just rested themselves for the day. I went to May's room and called her out for some short discussions.

"Yo, it's been like... A day?"

"Robin? That was quick... What happened?" - May

"We did manage to collect the ore but there was a lot of scuffle..."

"I see... How was your trip?" - May

I explained the entirety of what happened to May and she felt pretty worried about the clash and escape against a huge number of Praetorian members...

"Are you sure you're alright?" - May

She starts checking for injuries and ailments as her eye color changed. After some time, her eye color returned to normal and sat back down on her bed.

"Well, I'm glad you're alright. Now, you said something about seven higher ups on the Praetorian right? Are they strong?" - May

"One of them is not exactly powerful, he has the erratic childish behavior but he has the zodiac sign Scorpio. Which is actually a very dangerous item if used against any other member aside from me who has immunity to all forms of status effects."

"I see... You shouldn't exactly try to risk yourself still. He's pretty much a powerful opponent still." - May

"I'm glad you're worried though but I think I can handle him."

"Then why'd you retreat?" - May

"Alone."

"Oh, then I guess he had something that made you retreat?" - May

"Yep, and it's not my thing to fight against an entire army, that's Denzel's expertise."

We started talking about the wellness of the other members and the fact of getting these guys in my side to become residents here.

"What do you think? Can you ask Denzel if he could accept them as more residents?"

"I don't think he would mind, specially since you have good recognition on them. He would let them have full use of the palace." - May

"I see... We should still ask him just in case. It feels a bit rude just letting them barge and tell Denzel once he recovers: Yo, you got new residents. Right?"

"Mhm... Leave the talk to me if you're busy alright?" - May

"Sure, how is he by the way?"

"We're actually progressing slowly, he's responding more and more to our words and he's slowly eating more by himself. Lilith is still staying around with him and is actually not leaving him alone for the time being. At least there isn't that much problem anymore." - May

"I see... Then I no longer have to worry about it."

I feel relieved from the fact that Denzel is somewhat alright now. I was seriously worried that some things will be pushed back due to Denzel breaking down and getting corrupted so I was seriously thinking of asking Seymour about the angel feather immediately.

"Ah Robin, I think you should sleep now. You're only staying here for the night remember?" - May

"True, I have to return to the castle too because I need to prepare all the items required for the next trip. Good night!"

"Good night Robin." - May

I returned to the unused room after seeing May's smile once again. I then thought that it will be a major trouble to try and get something going on with the next trip because we will need a huge amount of air supply.

May we be safe in our next journey...