"Mister Falroe, here's the key for the house." ［Grey］

  A silver glint fshed in the surrounding as the gentle sunlight hit the metal key. It was a bright m yet the atmosphere around the house wasn't the same. Rather, there was a little bit of gloom looming here and there.

  It has been about a week since Kris and Aria's wedding and during the past few days, Grey and Yuna have been spending their spare times training both Zeke and their udent, Eldhart. It was in spartan style, of course.

  The days flew by and finally, it was time for the two to depart once again. Sihe wedding had already passed, they have no more reasons to stay anymore. While it was a good stay, they couldn't just tinue loving there forever. They still have a home to return to.

  "Are you really not going to stay any longer?" ［Falroe］

  "No, thank you for the offer but we still have other people waiting for us. After all, Galderia's still our home." ［Grey］

  "Un. But don't worry. We'll visit you anytime we ." ［Yuna］

  "Huhuhu, then I guess we'll have to look forward to your visit." ［Falroe］

  There was ughter, but there wasn't much spirit in it. Loneliness and sadness was still more evident. Grey and Yuna already said tless goodbyes to many people, but evehey still couldn't get used to such a feeling.

  They khey could still meet each other, but they still couldn't help but feel a little lonely. It was only a short while but the people in the vilge had already been put in a special p their hearts.

  "By the way, Mister Kris, Miss Aria, when are you two going back to Galderia? Or.. are perhaps thinking of settling down now that you're married?" ［Grey］

  Asked Grey as he ged the topic. Well, that and another reason. After all, Kris and Aria are a special part of Galderia. Befrey and Yuna arrived, they were the only ones who cleared high-rank quests. Losing them would be a huge blow not only to the Guild, but also the city itself.

  While Grey and Yuna could also take care of them, a problem would arise if they also aren't there. The guild could hold up if it's just a month or two, but any longer could be detrimental. It was also one of the reasons Grey and Yuna o hurry back.

  "Nah, not at all. We're still going to tinue our adventuring jobs. We'll probably be here for about a month before heading back." ［Kris］

  "Yes. And even if we did want to settle down, it's not like we just escape our responsibilities over there. The Guildmaster would really scold us if we did." ［Aria］

  "Tell me about it. That old man really be annoying whearts nagging. It's really a pain in the ass." ［Kris］

  Respohe newlywed husband and wife tandem. Having worked for years uhe guild, they already have a full grasp of their responsibilities and sequences of their as. Grey and Yuna could learn a thing or two from them.

  For a honeymoon, a period of one month is already more than enough for them. It wasn't too short nor unreasonably long. If they wao, they could even grow their family in that amount of time. But seeing their sweetness, they'll most likely still want to spend their time aloogether.

  "I see... A scolding, huh... Then I guess we really have to hurry." ［Grey］

  Well, it wasn't any of Grey and Yuna's busio interfere with their newlywed life. In fact, they wouldn't even mind them extending their stay. It was a humble gift they could give the two.

  "Fuu... No time to dawdle then, we'll have to get going now. See you ime, everyone." ［Grey］

  "Goodbye, everyone～! Oh, and Zeke, don't fet to train regurly, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! I'll make sure to shock you the ime we meet!" ［Zeke］

  "Fufufu, then we'll be looking forward to it then. Until ime～!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna's soft giggles resounding in the air, the silhouettes of gently waving hands slowly vanished from sight until they were o be seen. With ead every step the two of them took, their departure drew closer.

  Sihey've already talked many times the day before, their goodbyes were just short and simple. After saying goodbye to Falroe and his family, Grey and Yuna headed to a few pces to say farewell to a couple acquaintances as well. Time passed until there was only ohio do.

  The ground covered in flowers the color of rainbow as far as the eyes see, leaves gleaming like emeralds uhe m sun, and the fresh and refreshing breeze blowing ever so gently. It was really a rexing paradise.

  Leaving Yuna aloo enjoy the viey with the familiars in the beautiful garden, Grey headed towards the rge tree in the ter. It was of course the Tree of Life. He wao talk to Leif before departing.

  You've e, Holy Oo leasure do I owe you this visit? ［Leif］

  Still as formal as ever huh, Leif. ［Grey］

  This is just how I speak, Holy One. Five me if it makes you unfortable. I will do my utmost to ge my way of speaking if you ao. ［Leif］

  No, it's alright. It'd be even weirder if you started talking casually now. Just talk as you please. ［Grey］

  Grey has only been talking to Leif from time to time but they have already gotten fortable with one another. Although Grey still found it straalking to a tree, it's not like he could do anything about it. Leif does not possess the "Shapeshifting" ability like the familiars, after all.

  Thankfully, Grey had already informed Yuna about Leif ahead of time. She was very surprised wheold her, but quickly calmed dowement over her eyes. They tried versing using telepathy, but sadly, it didn't work.

  Well, what was important was that Yuna knew Grey could verse with Leif. He doesn't care about what anyone else thinks of him, but he didn't wao think he had gone crazy, talking to a tree and such.

  Anyway, we won't be here for too long. We're be departing back to Galderia soon so we wouldn't be seeing each other for some time. ［Grey］

  So that's the case... I see... Then I suppose the reason for the Holy One's visit is to vey your farewells? ［Leif］

  Well, yeah, that and ahing. Leif, if it isn't too much to ask, I'd like to request something of you. ［Grey］

  There's no such thing as too much. Holy One, you just o say it, and this one will fulfill it. ［Leif］

  Although it was a little unfortable and troublesome with so mualities, Grey was still happy and thankful that Leif was willing to lend a helping handー Err... Or a helping bran this matter.

  All jokes aside, Grey's request retty simple. He only wanted Leif to watch over any ges between the bance of aether and corruption. And if possible, tell him ime if Leif finds out somethied to the topiing the "Essence of Creation" and the sorts.

  The Former had already asked Leif how long it has been aware, and to his surprise, it has actually been a long time. While Leif only became se retly, it has always been somewhat aware of what's happening to its surroundings. Although it was only a vague uanding, it was still very helpful.

  It was thanks to its awarehat Leif was able to make clusions about the current state of the world. Now that it has gairue intelligend sentie could do even more.

  Of course, please leave such matters to me. It would be my greatest pleasure to be of assistao the Holy One. ［Leif］

  Alight, thanks. ［Grey］

  There wasn't much to think about. Since Leif couldn't really move from one pce to ahere were only so many things it could do. Grey's request would not only allow it to help him, but also relieve its boredom. Two birds with oone.

  Then I guess that's all for now... It was nice chatting with you, Leif. Then, we'll get going noー ［Grey］

  Ah, please wait a moment, Holy One! ［Leif］

  Yes...? ［Grey］

  Before you go, I have something to give you. ［Leif］

  Grey's mind was filled with question marks as he tilted his head in fusion. While he uood that Leif was trying to give him something, he couldn't fathom what. In the first pce, they already got a lot of things from Leif.

  Just the other day, they were given a lot of leaves, petals, and fruits from Leif. Be it making tea or eating them as desserts, they would as they wish with them. Sihey have "Iory", there was no problem about the loss of its effects over time.

  Whilst Grey remained puzzled, Leif's roots and opy started glowing dimly. Soon, wild leaves sprouted on the ground aiful, white flowers blossomed with grace. Flowers also blossomed on the opy, soon turning into fruits and dropping trey's position.

  Grey swiftly caught the fruits falling towards him, not missing a single ohey looked about the same as the fruits they received just retly, but something about them felt off, and Grey was right.

  Shock stered on Grey's face as soon as he appraised the fruits. They were of the highest quality and several times more potent than what they received before. They had the effects of Superirade potions and elixirs bined.

  As for the flowers, they 't be ied directly but they are precious ingredients to make Superirade items, a sial easily costing several thousand kiels. The whole gift amounting to millions upon millions of kiels. Aravagant gift.

  "Oi, Leif, these are..." ［Grey］

  Grey was so surprised that he voiced out his thoughts out loud rather than vey it telepathically. But the gifting didhere. A couple of the flowers atop the opy still tinued blooming, getting brighter and brighter as time passed.

  Soon, the flowers shattered intments of warm light, leaving only golden fruits behind. Golden fruits which had intricate marks and patterns all over their surface. They soon fell like the other fruits, nding trey's hands.

  ??Appraisal?? ［Grey］

  -----------------------------------

  [Item]

  [Name] Divine Fruit of Miracles

  [Grade] Divine

  [Description]

  A fruit from the Tree of Life taining the densed essence of several decade's worth of aether. It is one of the most precious, invaluable items in the world, having the bined effects of a Divine-Grade Potion and Divine-Grade Elixir. If its extracts are densed into a single drop, it even resurrect the dead.

  -----------------------------------

  Petrified, speechless, and bewildered. Grey was about to faint after reading the fruits' descriptions. Not eveems God had given him could pare to it, and he was given six of them.

  They are only humble gifts, but I hope the Holy One appreciates them. ［Leif］

  Humble... Such a word resounded inside Grey's mind over and ain. It was because said "humble" gifts were items which are even more valuable than the Divine-grade items he possessed, whi themselves are already invaluable.

  Grey wao retort so badly to Leif's words, but he couldn't. It's not like he could expect Leif to uand what values people pced iems it just gave away so casually. Trees and people are different, after all.

  "Grey, is there something wrong? You've been making some strange expressions for some time now." ［Yuna］

  "Ah, not really. It's just that, you see..." ［Grey］

  With Grey's brief and simple expnation, Yuna quickly got a grasp ohings. But while she may have been surprised at first, after a sudden realization, that surprise quickly turned iement.

  "Wait! Thehat mean we'll get to have all these flowers?! All these herbs, just for us?!" ［Yuna］

  The girl who was gung-ho about medial herbs and alchemy has e out once again. She didn't even care if the herbs cost thousands or millions. What mattered to her was that she now has more ingredients to use in her alchemy.

  Grey could only sigh in resignation as he observed how much joy aement could be seen on Yuna's face. Her eyes were literally twinkling brightly as her head turned left and right, looking at all the flowers she could pick.

  Leif, just for firmation, we have these, right? ［Grey］

  Yes. Please gather as much as you . If that still isn't enough, I make more if the Holy One wishes it. ［Leif］

  No, this is more than enough. Thank you. ［Grey］

  Just by a single g was easy to see there are more than a hundred flrowing by Leif's roots. By rough estimate, each flower is valued at about a huhousand kiels, then it would mean 10 million kiels in total at the very least.

  If Grey were to ask for more, he feels like he's going to get retribution from heaven. He also doesn't wao expend its precious energy for their sake. It was best to not be too greedy, after all.

  "Yuna, Leif says you take as much as you want." ［Grey］

  "Really?! Yaay～! Thank you, Leif!" ［Yuna］

  A delighted expression looming over her face, Yuedly picked the flrowing beside Leif's roots. She also had the help of the familiars, gathering and pying at the same time.

  It may just be Grey's imagination, but with Yuna's thanks, Leif's branches and leaves swayed gently and a tender breeze swept through the garden. Grey might just be overthinking it, but it may have been Leif's way of saying "you're wele".

  The happy atmosphere tinued and after a few minutes of pig, Yuna mao gather every single flower there was, not leaving a single one behind. If oo search for the definition of "h", Yuna's name would really be there.

  Then, Leif, we'll really be going now. See you ime. ［Grey］

  Farewell, Holy One, and to Lady Yuna too. I hope you have a safe and wonderful journey ahead of you. ［Leif］

  Yeah. Thanks for everything! ［Grey］

  A final goodbye resounding in the air, Grey and Yuna headed a little distance away from Leif. A few moments ter, the familiars were called back to their shadows, all except one. Only Sirius remained.

  There was no need for a and. By her own will, Sirius ged back to her true form and her magnifit pair of wings spread proudly in the air, her ptinum scales shimmering brightly lime a creak showered with sunlight.

  "Sirius, we'll be imposing on you again." ［Grey］

  "It's my pleasure, Master." ［Sirius］

  It was the usual. With a single hop from them, Grey and Yuna quickly rode Sirius' back. The sed she fpped her wings, he immediately soared high up into the sky, dominating it as if she was its queen.

  The higher she soared up, the more vilgers noticed their ast. There weren't any traces of fear nor pani their faces, only a little bit of surprise, but even more so with admiration and astonishment as they watched her soar with bright eyes.

  Boooommmm

  The sound barrier was quickly ruptured with a single fp of Sirius' wings. Now that she has reached S-rank, she is even faster than before, easily surpassing her previous speed more than twofolds.

  "Waah～! It's a dragon!"

  "See you ime, Lrey, Lady Yuna!"

  "We wish you a safe journey!"

  The people's cheers and wishes eg loudly across the vilge, Sirius tio soar in the air, darting through the clouds and leaving a white mark like a speedi dominating the vast blue sky.

  ood in Sirius' way as she soared freely in the sky. While there were a few beasts and animals flying from time to time, they quickly parted away as soon as they noticed Sirius nearing them. The journey tinued smoothly.

  Time passed and Grey and Yuna soon arrived back at the Haltea Great Forest, and so, they decided to stay in their old house for a day before tinuing their jouraking their time to rex and enjoy one another's pany.

  "Everyone, sorry it took me a long time to visit. I hope you're all at peace..." ［Grey］

  And while they were there, they took the ce to visit the graveyard once again. Now, it wasn't only Yuna, Grey and the familiars were also with her. The familiars paid respect to the people resting there even though they didn't know them well.

  "And Mister Folsen, Missus Ristelle, you leave your daughter in my care. I'll make sure to protect her smile." ［Grey］

  A gentle smile bloomed on Yuna's face as she watched Grey talk with her parents, her hand approag his, holding it tightly with their fingers iwining. She then joined in with him and also had a lengthy chat with them, telling stories of the ret.

  Time quickly passed by and they soouro their old home, resting the night away in each other's warm embrace, waiting for the night to pass by and listening to the forest's nightly symphony.

  The winds burst forth with every fp of Sirius' wings and the clouds tio part with every passing sed. The sun bridged over the sky and a golden hue ainted in the sky as the afternoon was ing to an end.

  After five days since leaving the Malus vilge, a familiar sight could be seehe horizon. High walls eng a rge city, just as domineering as the first time they saw it, enshrined in golden sunlight. It was Galderia. It was home.

  As usual, they didn't just straight up head towards the city. They nded in a nearby forest before unsummoning Sirius. They gave her their thanks before heading towards the city, a very long line greeting them upon their return.

  While they did miss the city, there was ohing they couldn't say they did. It was the stares of some people and the guards as they saw the two line up behind them. It was only then that they realized something they had totally fotten.

  "Right... There was this, wasn't it?" ［Grey］

  "Un... I totally fot..." ［Yuna］

  It has been about a month and a half sihey left Galderia, and it had totally slipped their minds that they were still treated as heroes iy. Even though some time has passed, their popurity was still as high as one be.

  Words quickly spread and with each passing sed, many people looked at their dire with eyes of curiosity, excitement, admiration, aions one ot simply describe. It was quite the iing wele.

  "Grey... Should we just skip the li's getting unfortable..." ［Yuna］

  "Alright. Let's do just that. I'm also itg to have a rest... What do you think of hamburg steak for dinner?" ［Grey］

  "Un! I'd love that!" ［Yuna］

  No choices left, Grey and Yuna decided to use their privilege for ond skip the line, giving their greetings to Dale and a few acquaintahey chatted for a little bit before the two headed inside of town.

  Golden sunlight grag the city, a warm and familiar sight weled Grey and Yuna as they stepped foot ihe gates. It has been quite some time sihey've such a sight and they felt a little emotional as they weled it back.

  Well, everything would have been perfect if people didn't start staring and pointing at the two of them. It was obvious that they had already figured out their identities, not that the two of them could be bothered to put on their disguises now.

  Hurriedly, Grey and Yuna headed back to their home over the southeastern district. The further they headed in, the less people and houses there were. A couple more minutes of walking and a weling sight greeting them.

  Creeaaakkk

  A sharp creak echoed in the air as the gates were slowly opened. Grey and Yuna headed in, another creak resounding as the front door ened and their fatigue quickly went away as they stepped in. The fort of home.

  "We're home～!" ［Yuna］

  Aement-filled voice filled the air as a certain young girl jumped towards one of the couches. Her face was filled with delight as she hugged the pillows and lied down without much care in the world.

  Grey could only shake his head lightly at Yuna's reckless as. The girl was drowning in disfort from people's stares and was now as eic as one be. Well, he only found it adorable of her. He was a fool for her, after all.

  "Then, I'll head to the kit now. I'll be cooー" ［Grey］

  A sudden tug on his ade Grey stop on his tracks and words. It was, of course, her than Yuna who was now wearing an adorable sulking face fod-knows-the-reason-why. Grey could only be puzzled.

  "Don't go... Cuddle with me..." ［Yuna］

  The reason was just as adorable as she was. Grey didn't know what triggered her gy mode once again, but it's not like he would find out the reason even if he thinks it over. All he could do was resign to her wishes.

  "Haah... Really, what am I gonna do with you..." ［Grey］

  "Hehehe!" ［Yuna］

  A blooming smile on her face, Grey sat down on the coud enjoyed Yuna's pany. They pyed some bames, card games, cuddled with the familiars, and chatted merrily to pass time.

  The only time they stopped pying was when they cooked and ate diogether. After which, they tinued zing about, letting themselves loose as they wasted their time away, a thought lingering on their minds.

  Home really is the best.

  CHAPTER 155 END