"Once your journey concludes, I extend an invitation to my home palace," Shiro stated, his gaze sincere. "There, I shall be your host, and you shall be my guest. We can engage in private conversations, for I am genuinely intrigued by your story. But... this is only if it aligns with your interests. I implore you to consider it, as you have selflessly aided our city without seeking anything in return."

"I accept, Your Majesty," Oliver replied as he smiled. He then glanced at his companions and waved them over. "Shall we proceed?"

Oliver's companions nodded in unison, confidence radiating in their eyes.

"Farewell," Shiro bid his goodbye. He then turned to the side and walked towards the Government House alongside the survivors.

     Oliver turns around, his feet propelling him forward. As he pivots on his heels, he stumbles upon Ari, his body dangerously close to colliding with Ari's face. Before his chest can touch Ari's nose, Oliver manages to halt his steps just in time. Oliver's eyes widen, and a gasp escapes his lips.

"Ari?"

"Hey, Mister..." Ari's gaze shifted bashfully to the ground, his cheeks flushed with a tinge of red.

"...Oli. Oliver."

"Mr Oliver, I want to thank you," Ari scratched his head, his bashfulness causing him to lower his gaze.

"Hm, no problem. You are always welcome," Oliver grinned.

Unexpectedly, Ari jumped towards Oliver and tightly hugged him around his waist. "Thank you... y-you saved my father. Without him... I... I don't know how I'll live... I cannot live as an orphan in an adoptive centre, waiting to be adopted by people who might only hurt and use me..." Ari's voice cracked, nuzzling his face against Oliver's warm chest where he could hear his faint heartbeat.

Oliver's mind drifted back to his harrowing past, causing a tear to leak from his eye. "Shh, don't cry... you'll be alright. And your father is safe now," Oliver gently placed his hand on Ari's head and kissed him on the forehead, his lips pressing against Ari's skin.

     Oliver's heart grew heavy, his breathing labouring under its weight. He huffed, attempting to steady himself as he hugged Ari back. Oliver closed his eyes and surrendered to the emotions coursing through him, feeling the warmth tingling from his palms.

     In the meantime, Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany stood in the background. They stood in silence, refraining from uttering a single word. As seconds ticked by, faint smiles graced their lips, and their gazes shifted downward, fixating on the ground.

     Ari gradually lets go of his warm embrace, his gaze locked with the Remaining Podeshire. Smiling, he meets Oliver's golden eyes, shimmering like the sun above them. Ari then steps to the side and nods at Oliver and his companions, bidding them farewell.

"Good luck," Ari said, stepping aside to allow the Remaining Podeshire and his companions to pass onto the road. "And stay safe."

Oliver returned the gesture with a warm smile, acknowledging Ari's words with a nod of his own.

     Oliver then steps forward, gradually picking up the pace. He places his hands at his back, lowering his head as he strides away towards the street. Following closely behind him are his loyal companions.

     Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany bid Ari farewell with gentle nods and warm smiles. Then, they begin to trail Oliver's footsteps along the long, cracked road bustling with wandering people. Carefully navigating the uneven pavement, they tread over the scattered stones and planks, following the Remaining Podeshire.

     Ari turns his head towards Oliver, his gaze locking onto him with a smile. He watches Oliver intently until the passing crowds obstruct his view of the man he yearns to see. Ari places a palm over his heart, feeling the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat.

     Despite the city's destruction, the sun bathes the remnants in a golden glow, casting rays of hope upon the devastated landscape. Buildings stand in ruins, their foundations scattered across the streets. Trees lie uprooted, and mini fault lines divide houses, with piles of rubble lining the collapsed structures. Yet, amidst the adversity, the sunlight instils in the wounded residents a belief in the reconstruction of civilization.

     After hours of marching through the enormous city, the sound of crashing waves reaches Oliver's ears. He halts, taking a moment to catch his breath. Glancing back, he waits for his spouse and friends to catch up, allowing them to join him by his side.

"Hey, Oli, don't you intend to fix the city like you did in the previous places?" Sophia queried as she stood beside Oliver.

Oliver paused, his eyes catching sight of figures ahead in their direction. "Well, no need," Oliver grinned.

Sophia tilted her head as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why not?" she pressed for an explanation.

"Behold," Oliver said, fixing his gaze ahead, inviting Sophia and the others to witness something before them.

     Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany followed Oliver's gaze. And to their surprise, they gasped in awe. Their faces lit up with broad smiles as they leaned in closer, eager to get a clearer view.

     Far ahead of the group stood two males and three females, their lustrous night-black hair flowing like a pool of darkness. Their golden eyes shimmered, mirroring the amber gaze of the Remaining Podeshire. The males wore simple knee-length robes with short sleeves, while the females donned elegant dresses with long trains. Their pale skin gleamed, contrasting against their crimson blush, and their hair was styled in high buns and top knots, adorned with petals that transitioned from violet to white.

     The two males took a few steps towards a building whose foundation had collapsed and exposed its interior. The two males then swept their arms forward, and the crumbled debris levitated and seamlessly fused with the walls, forming a sturdy and solid foundation. However, cracks still marred the walls.

     One of the females extended her hand towards the cracked wall, her touch invoking a gentle stroke through the air. As if by magic, the fissures and fractures in the foundation filled, mending the foundation—as if no damage had ever occurred. Meanwhile, the other females lifted their skirts and stomped on the ground with their sandals. Suddenly, thin, blooming bushes sprouted along the sides of the building, breathing new life into the surroundings.

Sophia's jaw dropped in admiration as she placed a palm over her agape mouth. "They have magic...?" she gasped.

Edgar's eyes locked on the males and females with glistening golden eyes. "Are they sorcerers or wizards? Like you, Greg?" he asked, whispering into Gregory's ear.

"No, they're..." Oliver's smile widened as he took a deep breath. "...Keans."

"Keans?" the rest of the group uttered in surprise.

"Like your... ancestor?" Gregory asked.

"Yes," Oliver nodded, his gaze stolen by the keans. "My ancestor... Osana... the mother of John Podeshire."

Oliver's companions peered at the keans, watching them skillfully repair and rebuild the surrounding buildings.

"Wow. They're magnificent," Sophia expressed, admiration filling her voice. "Look at their eyes; they resemble the eyes of the Defender of Asbranne."

"Hehe, yeah," Oliver grinned in agreement. Shifting the focus, Oliver pointed towards a wooden structure in the distance. "Anyways, look," he said. "It's a ship."

Oliver and his companions turned their gaze towards the port, where ships floated peacefully on the sea from the rear of the street.

"Great!" Bethany cheered, her grin beaming with excitement. But then, her smile quickly turned into a contemplative frown. "...Wait!"

"Hm?"

"How can we go to Kugi? We barely have money," Bethany said. "If we spend the rest of our coins, how will we be able to travel back home?"

"Don't worry," Oliver reassured her. "Just... trust yourself... and let yourself flow."

     Oliver marches towards the bustling port, and his companions follow behind. With each step, the magnitude of the wooden ships docked in the distance becomes increasingly apparent. The vessels loom large, their elegant frames standing proudly amidst the shimmering waters.

     The gentle sway of the ships creates an alluring rhythm—as if the sea itself dances to their tune. Their masts, tall and regal, reach towards the heavens. Sailors scurry around the decks, preparing for their journeys as the scent of salt fills the air.