It's been five hours after the attack, and the rebuilding of the imperial palace has been commenced. Emperor Darill, who is wearing the outfit of a researcher along with his crown, has the team in the main hall to congratulate them for defending the empire. The head researcher, Gertrude, has attended the ceremony along with the other researchers. She was elated to find out that the Candle mage job class that she and her attendants had restored became very useful, due to how it played the part of defeating the fiend of poison.

"I, Emperor Darill of the Caerenth empire, shall congratulate you all for saving not just my life but the empire and the earth crystal. A terrible horde of monsters, led by the fiend of poison, has attacked the capital and the palace in search of the earth crystal. That is, before you came and foiled their nefarious plan, the fiend of poison has cursed me into the form of a frog when I refused to give the location of the earth Crystal. You, Laura the black mage, have broken the curse and restored me back to normal. Again, you have my thanks for repelling the invasion of monsters" Emperor Darill announced.

"It is a pleasure, your majesty. I couldn't have done it without my teammates, especially Siegfried who had just defended the capital city from the monster hordes" Eric said.

"Then I owe him thanks as well, but I have one question to ask: why is he wearing only a towel?" Emperor Darill asked.

"I was originally a dragoon who came to the Blue moon for exploration, until I became a Scrubber by acquiring the Scrubber crystal fragment. At first, I was very embarrassed about walking around wearing only a towel, only to get used to it by the time I got used to its powers" Siegfried explained.

The Emperor nodded with curiosity, for he had learned that scrubbers come from the southern region of the volcanic continent that is home to the fire crystal. What he didn't know is that the Scrubber crystal fragment was made by a man named Cicero, who originated from that volcanic continent.

"Well, I have heard that the volcanic continent of Onsen is well known for its hot springs and it's fire crystal" said emperor Darill.

"This is our next destination soon as we leave here" said Eric.

Emperor Darill walked over to Siegfried, and handed him the crystal fragment that has a symbol of a jagged helmet as a reward.

"This crystal fragment that I gave to you contains the job class of the dark knight, a very ancient job class dated three thousand years ago. It was written that the first dark knight slew a shadow dragon that once terrorized this continent, and it was then that this empire was founded by dark knights in memory of the one who saved this continent. My family kept this crystal fragment for three generations, since it was made nine hundred years ago. Now it is yours to keep" the emperor explained.

Siegfrieds eyes lit up with surprise, he then bowed for Emperor Darill and thanked him. After that, the team left the ruined imperial palace and go into the inn to recover their mp. They stayed for the night before leaving at the crack of dawn, in which they traveled to the other side of the city to where the airships have docked. When they arrived, only one remained. It was revealed that the monsters have damaged the other airships to prevent the civilians from leaving, except for one that the imperial soldiers had to protect. Two soldiers have stationed to protect the last remaining airship, until the team arrives.

"Ah, saviors of the Caerenth empire has arrived" said one soldier.

"You know who we are?" Asked Eric.

"His imperial majesty has told us about how you repelled the invasion by defeating the fiend of poison, and he even instructed us to guard this airship until you arrive because he is lending it to you" the other soldier explained.

Then the guards cleared away from the entrance of the airship, so the team can enter. Inside it, there's the steering wheel to steer the airship and a button to let it fly or land. There are few benches along with doors that lead into the lower deck, where it has bunk beds. The team, however, wonders which one of them know how to pilot it.

"Does anyone know how to pilot this airship?" Asked Siegfried.

"I know more or less, because my father was a crack pilot back in the day" answered Laura.

"Then that settles it! Laura can pilot the airship" Siegfried said gleefully.

Sonya and Eric nodded in agreement, and after that, Laura took to the helm and started the airship. The airship itself started to move forward until it lifted off the ground, and sailed through the blue sky ever west to the volcanic continent of Onsen.

Meanwhile

Deep within the lunar subterraine, an armored mage was observing the events from the orb. He wasn't happy after the two monsters he had sent have been defeated by a team of humans, and struggled to control his anger.

"So, the team of adventurers have bested Wendigo within the Crystal Palace? I knew he wasnt up for the task since he wasn't strong enough, and even then, the old sage managed to turn him back into a normal Lunarian. Calofisteri, the fiend of poison that I had sent to steal the earth crystal, was also bested for underestimating the team of adventurers. She may have proficiency in curse and status ailment magic, but she got too cocky to the point that she didn't know that the earth crystal was in the tower near the palace" he grumbled.

"Lord Arnos, I am noticing that the team of humans are going to where the fire crystal is located" said the monster.

"Yes I can see that, but this time, they will not best the fiend of magma that have already dispatched" Arnos replied.

Authors note: what do you think of the foreshadowing of what comes in Onsen?