“Is Roger taking good care of you?” Harold asked his granddaughter as he sat down next to her bed. She was finally at the point where her own powers had been useful in healing some of her injuries, and she was looking all the better for it.


    “No, he’s a pretty terrible nurse. So far, he’s tried to steal the blanket twice,” Melissa replied.


    “Yeah, he’s always been a bed hog. So, for the first time in a while, I’ve got some really good news,” Harold said, deciding not to hold back on what they’ve recently learned. Melissa deserved to know this. No, she needed to know it. He was sure of that.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    “You won the war while my former employers had kidnapped me in order to torture and experiment on me?” she asked.


    “No, but I’m guessing we may have made some headway there. I’m now in these loops, and all ego aside, I am an extremely capable man, especially when motivated,” Harold answered. It was an understatement, and he knew it. He had enjoyed his quiet, paranoid retirement, but he understood why this mattered more, and he would give everything he had in this war.


    “You’re the scariest man I know,” Melissa replied, smiling.


    “Thank you, I think. But the good news. The captured ogres have surrendered, and we are working to disable their collars. Twonger knows where to get the technology needed, and within the year, we should have everything we need to free them,” Harold said, watching her face turn to astonishment. He had expected that. Soon, they would find Henry.