As Naggarot and his army secured the battlefield, Orvell, Beatrice, Minerva, and Raven rode back toward Iron Hall with their forces. Along the way, they stopped by the sea to bid Raven farewell.


    “Well, this is goodbye, Raven,” Orvell said.


    Raven smiled, embracing each of her newfound friends.


    “Will we ever meet again?” Minerva asked.


    Raven smirked. “I''ll be around—sailing, trading. Maybe I’ll drop by.”


    Before boarding her ship, she turned back. “I know the quest sheet said no reward, but this is from my own graces.” She handed them each a gift: a king’s jewel for Orvell, a finely crafted azurite crown for Beatrice, and a new wand for Minerva.


    The three watched as Raven set sail, her ship disappearing into the horizon before they turned their steeds toward Iron Hall.


    Upon arriving, they paused atop a hill overlooking the city.


    “Well… this is it,” Minerva murmured.


    The three shared a bittersweet embrace before Beatrice wordlessly descended toward the city gates.


    Orvell and Minerva lingered.


    “Orvell, do you remember when we first met? I underestimated you so much,” Minerva admitted with a nostalgic smile.


    Orvell chuckled. “Yeah, you were stubborn and in such a rush to climb the ranks.”


    They laughed, recalling their adventures—moments of triumph, hardship, and camaraderie.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    “You’ll still visit, right?” Orvell asked.


    Minerva wiped her tears and nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”


    “Are you going back to being the protector of Spellcaster Forest?”


    She shrugged. “I don’t know. I think my adventuring days are over. Maybe… our adventuring days are over. Don’t you think so?”


    Orvell exhaled, glancing at the city below. “Yeah… I think this calls for retirement.”


    They shared a laugh, but before Orvell could leave, Minerva stopped him.


    “Here, I want you to have this.”


    She reached into her pouch and pulled out her worn adventurer’s badge, etched with “Rank 99.”


    “Since we’re retiring and all… I want you to keep it. As a reminder that you helped me reach the highest adventurer rank. Well, almost.”


    Orvell hesitated but knew how much it meant to her. He accepted the badge, clasping it tightly before embracing her one final time.


    Back in Iron Hall, Orvell stepped into his castle, where his children ran to greet him. He knelt, wrapping them in his arms, his heart swelling with relief. He had feared he would never see them again.


    Later, in his armory—a room filled with trophies, artifacts, and keepsakes—he carefully set down his Damascus sword and iron shield. Beside them, he placed Minerva’s first wand and her badge.


    Beatrice entered the room and smirked. “Don’t forget about me.”


    She laid down her first greatsword and her own badge alongside his.


    Orvell took out his own adventurer’s badge, studying it. The metal was chipped and scuffed, worn by years of battle, but the words were still visible: Mystic Knight – AR 100.


    He and Beatrice locked eyes. Without a word, he pulled her close, holding her tightly.


    “I guess this is goodbye to the adventurer’s life,” he murmured.


    Beatrice sighed, resting her forehead against his. “Yeah… It was nice while it lasted. Are you going to miss it?”


    Orvell chuckled softly. “Maybe. But deep down, I know… I will always be an adventurer.”


    The end…