Chapter 27: Closure

-GEO Telmaris branch-

"The request I have given {Fate Threader} has successfully been completed. With just one day, he and his party uncovered some kind of monstrous research that could lead to future disaster and prevented it from happening. What's more, they have retrieved a forbidden relic that was stolen from us a year ago."

Gringar sounds very satisfied and proud about the achievement that Zephyr and others have achieved within just one day. After all, he had high expectations and they were met.

The council listening to Gringar's report has been quiet so far due to the fact that they, themselves, could not believe that such a mission could be done with just a single run, and with just a few hunters. Truly, the rumored leadership of the one and only {Fate Threader} is not only a telltale.

To summarize the whole ordeal with its result: The |Cave of Echoes| started to reform as it finally stopped being a habitat for the monsters. The GEO will take over after a few days and will turn it into a greenery. The |Moonlight Cave| was cleared solo by Zephyr after making the boss of the dungeon retreat, leaving the dungeon empty resulting in it to reform. Likewise, the GEO shall take over the said dungeon and will reward Zephyr separately for clearing it on solo, unlike with the |Cave of Echoes| which has already been cleared. The dungeon created by Alice however, disappeared right after the Chimera's defeat as it has nothing to hold it together anymore. Hence, the clean up crew of GEO only witnessed a wide deep hole in that certain area. Regarding the hut, after confiscating the artifact that is responsible for turning it into a miniature dungeon, it returned from just being a normal lodging. The papers, documents and research materials are all confiscated by the GEO and will be used at their discretion. Lastly, regarding the matter with Alice and the sealing ring–

"What do you mean she's not found!?"

"You heard me right. That's what the party's report said." Gringar stares at the council with a resolute expression, making sure that they will all know that he's serious.

"But…that's too bad…We could have gotten more information from her."

"Hm. Really huh…" Gringar frowns. It's as if he's sensing something amiss. He might be part of the GEO and a high ranking officer at that, but he's still wary of the purpose behind the confiscation of the research materials that [The Unforeseen] has left behind.

"According to the report, however, the little genius is already at death's door before escaping. Also, it turns out that she's turned old after using the ."

"Ah, so that's the price of using it." The elder massages his beard. After a while, he asks:

"Are we really fine giving such a dangerous artifact to {Fate Threader}?"

Gringar smirked.

"Oh trust me on this. That decision is the best we've made so far. He's the only one I know that can handle such a beast." He then stares at the window with a high point view of Telmaris. "Most of you probably didn't know of this yet but, we are fortunate to have [Grim Fate] on our side.

– – –

A gentle knock on the master's room was heard.

"Excuse me, Master Zep."

The room where Zephyr is currently enjoying his luxurious rest has been breached by Anastasia who is seemingly kind of worried about something.

"Pardon my intrusion. It is after all past Master Zep's waking time, so I'm worried if you're having a bad morning."

'Ana, it's the contrary. This could have been my best morning if I could just have a little bit more time to relax.' The heavy burden of responsibility was then hammered to him as he saw Anastasia holding a bunch of documents for him to review.

'Ah. I can already foresee it. My future is grim, the weight of responsibilities will squash me like a bug.'

"Master Zep..? Is there something wrong? I would like to help you if I can."

"Ah. It's fine Ana–" Zephyr then notices that Anastasia was holding the documents tightly. "Uh-huh, you know, yeah I could use the help. I'm not that good at storytelling after all, haha." He scratches the back of his head as he chuckles. This made Anastasia display a tiny smile on her face as she nodded towards Zephyr.

The two have moved to their guild office in order to sort out the documents they needed to file. Said documents are reports of their mission that is to be safekept in their guild for their future use if any related conflicts are to rise.

"Master Zep, about the woman we let loose."

"Hmm? Oh, the old lady huh…"

"What should we write about it? Should we write the truth, or make it like what we submitted to the GEO?"

"We write the truth of course. No one can access our guild's files anyway."

And so they write what they did and how Alice's story reached its conclusion.

After the defeat of the Moonlight Chimera, Zephyr and Anastasia quickly evacuate the dungeon with Alice being carried by Zephyr, as the dungeon begins to disappear.

"There they are! Magnificent battle, you two! That was so unreal!" David and the others surround the two and assist them in any way they could.

"As expected, you made it look too easy. It also feels like you're still holding back, not using every power at your disposal."

King Crow observes all the relics that he could see hanging around Zephyr.

"Haha, I think I've used all my powers already."

"Still withholding your secrets hm. It's understandable, don't worry."

"But to think a Prism ranked monster was successfully tamed by a human…it's insane." Meiren shows concern as it was indeed alarming. If this matter wasn't dealt with, she thinks that it will cause the imbalance of order between humanity and the monsters where the humans that could command the monsters will be the one reigning over Navea.

"Looks like everyone is in your debt this time, {Fate Threader}. A future catastrophe was prevented because of your keen observance."

"Of course. Master Zep already foresaw everything right from the start."

'Guys, I literally planned on leaving it all to you back then while I lay on my bed all day. And it all started because of an old lady who lost her cat.'

Athy then nudges Zephyr while staring at the dejected Alice.

"Lord Zephyr, what do we do with her?"

"We'll have to turn her over to the GEO. They'll know what to do with her. Also, I think she's already lost all thinking capabilities." Fiona suggests.

Zephyr knelt down in front of Alice as Anastasia followed suit.

"Hm? Ana?"

"Master Zep…is she going to be fine with the GEO?"

"Well, handling her to them would be the most logical choice–" Zephyr then thinks to himself: 'But I guess that means she'll be punished harshly, the lady caused quite a lot of trouble for them after all. '

Zephyr then looks at the Enigmatic Sealing Ring he is currently holding. He tried and wore it back then, however, he felt like his mind was being attacked while wielding the ring. It did not affect him much, but he can tell that the price for it is the sanity of the owner. Additionally, as Zephyr took ownership of the ring, Alice returned to her younger self. Zephyr on the other hand was not affected by the price of wearing the ring.

'Hnng…one bad habit of mine is listening to my stupidly bad instincts. And my instincts say that giving her to the GEO is a bad idea. Wait, she's a researcher right? And a young one at that judging by her looks. I heard Sophia is in need of an assistant.'

"Hey there, what do you say about working for a better cause?"

Anastasia's mouth opened up a bit, although she's not that surprised as she knows Zephyr would not let a chance to help someone turn a new leaf. Just like how he did not give up on her back then. (That is how she sees it.)

Alice slowly looks up, her gaze falling into Zephyr's eyes in the process.

"What…do you mean…?"

"You're going to…recruit her, {Fate Threader}?"

'Well technically yes, so Sophia will finally have an assistant and won't come to me whenever she wants advice about something I really don't know. Alright, time to make a speech about potential or something to make it more sincere.'

"She has potential, I think she only made those actions because she's not fully aware of herself. I can tell after wearing this ring."

Zephyr then remembers something.

"Oh, also we will be members of a Clan right? I think it will be fun to have more members. Though I plan on having Sophia take care of her in the shadows."

Zephyr then looks back at Alice with calm eyes and wholehearted smile which is normal for him.

"I will not force you though, you're free to go wherever you want."

A single drop of tear just hits the ground as Alice's eyes begin to tear up.

"I…I do not deserve such kindness."

After a while, a hand gently taps Alice's shoulder. It was Anastasia who was looking at her with a determined expression.

"Master Zep was the one who made me realize that my curse is not only for hurting people. He gave me a chance to use it for the better. And I feel that we two will have that in common, should you accept his offer."

'Now I'm feeling guilty. Ana, is that how highly you think of me? I'm literally taking her in to be Sophia's lackey and take away that responsibility from me.'

Alice brushed off the tears from her eyes and nodded. She steadily stands up and holds both Zephyr's and Anastasia's hands.

"I will dedicate my whole life to repay you."

And thus, a new member (assistant) was added to the ranks of [Grim Fate]. The young genius, Alice.

Meanwhile Athy:

"EXCUSE ME!? WHAT ABOUT ME! AM I STILL TEMPORARY!?"