A gentle knock catches Frederick and Gregory's attention, causing them to turn their heads towards the entrance. They watch a maid open the door, revealing a man on the porch. Gregory places his teacup on a table and stands up quickly.

"Oli!" Gregory cried in relief as he dashed across the lobby to the front door.

"I'm home!" Oliver called out, removing his coat. "Also, we have—"

Before Oliver could finish his sentence, Gregory jumped at him, embracing his friend tightly. "I'm glad you're safe, my friend..." Gregory whispered as he brushed Oliver's hair with his fingers.

Oliver's eyes widened slowly. "I'm glad to see you, too," he hugged back and closed his eyes.

As Gregory opened his eyes, he noticed a blonde lady standing behind Oliver, smiling at them. "Good day, my lady," Gregory said, bowing and reaching for the lady's hand to kiss it.

Sophia quickly withdrew her hand before Gregory's lips could touch her skin. "Greg—" Her tightened lips turned into a smirk.

"Greg! We have a visitor. It's Sophia! You remember her, don't you?" Oliver leapt.

"Sophia...?" Gregory said, squinting at her face. "Oh! Sophia! Your former fiancée, Oli, if I'm not mistaken!" he chuckled.

"Greetings, Greg," Sophia said, raising her eyebrows. "We all meet again, but I'll appreciate it if you stop referring to me as Oliver's former fiancée. Thank you."

Frederick approached them with a kind smile. "My. Isn't this the same thing I witnessed before in the park? Three friends... and still friends until now," he said.

Sophia walked forward and curtsied to Frederick. "Good day, Mr Frederick," she addressed him politely. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Good day, Sophia," Frederick replied with a nod. "You don't have to bow to me again, for I am no longer the mayor."

"But I shall always love to offer respect," said Sophia.

"Sophia. You cannot imagine how eager Oliver and I were to speak with you again," Gregory told Sophia.

"I feel the same way. That's why I travelled a long way to search for my dear friends," Sophia said, smirking as she tilted her head.

"Oh! Allow me to recount how Sophia found me, Greg," Oliver stepped forward, patting Gregory's back. "You will be impressed by the effort she put in to locate me."

"Please do tell," Gregory responded with a broad grin.

Sophia stood next to Frederick and whispered into his ear. "Also, Mr Frederick. The new mayor mistook Oliver for Albert, hehe."

"Well, I can't blame him," Frederick whispered back with a friendly grin. "Oliver and Albert do bear a strong resemblance, mhmh."

"Heh," Oliver scoffed upon overhearing Frederick and Sophia gossiping.

     With a loud pop, the cork of a champagne bottle flew across the room, causing a surprising bop-like noise. A maid then took the bottle and poured the bubbly liquid into four crystal wine glasses on a silver tray. Carefully, she carried the tray to the green drawing room where Oliver, Frederick, Sophia, and Gregory had gathered. With a kind nod, she handed the drinks.

"Thank you," Oliver smiled at the maid and took a slow, light sip of his champagne.

Gregory cleared his throat before speaking. "So, Sophia knows martial arts now?" he asked.

Sophia nodded. "Yes. After Oliver and I called off our arranged marriage, my parents and I returned to Hannsbarnne, and I decided to start training once I was back home," she explained.

"And she's been training for a year now," Oliver added, taking another quick sip of his drink.

"That's impressive," Frederick thought.

"Indeed, it is," Gregory said, enjoying his champagne.

"Oh! Do you have new adoptive parents, Oli?" Sophia asked curiously.

Oliver glanced at Frederick, his adoptive father, and smiled. "One adoptive father is enough to raise me well," Oliver raised his glass.

Frederick smiled back at Oliver with pride.

"I can't even imagine what it's like to be the adoptive son of the first mayor of Asbranne," Sophia said as her eyes sparkled.

"Well, I can't imagine how to be like you, Sophia," Gregory smiled at her. "You're so strong and determined to travel a painful trek to find us. And you have fought the Pyro Void Monsters with Oliver. I'm sincerely amazed!"

Sophia smiled modestly, grateful for the compliment. "Aw, thank you, Greg."

"Oh, the Pyro Void Monsters?" Frederick questioned, looking at his adoptive son with worry. "Are... are they real? Did you and Gregory discover something in the lake, Oliver?"

"Yes, Dad," Oliver replied. "Gregory and I saw a massive hole in the lake, presumably the entrance to their lair."

"Yes. And it was huge," Gregory stated. "And when we were about to return home, Oli jumped out from the carriage— and ah! I am repeating the same story..." Gregory then sighed as his back fell onto his seat.

"Yeah. I did jump out of the carriage because... I felt something pursuing our vehicle. It turned out... there was a Pyrovoidian," Oliver said.

"And there were two of them," Sophia added.

"What now? Are we all safe now that we know of their existence?" Frederick asked, his breath quivering.

"Don't worry, Dad. I warned the government, and I'm sure they're sending troops and the entire military to surround Asbranne Lake," Oliver told Frederick.

"Phew..." Frederick wiped his forehead in relief. "With that in mind, would you like to stroll around my front yard, lady and gentlemen?"

"I'd love to, Mr Frederick," Sophia nodded.

"I'm in," Oliver finished his drink and stood up.

"I'll catch up with you guys in a moment," Gregory drank his champagne and rose from his seat. "I must relieve myself in the restroom first. Now, please excuse me!"