Because the Fairy Queen had to re-establish the protective barrier, Roland did not linger long in the Star Dew Forest.

After asking Estelle everything he wanted to know, he slowly departed the forest that was filled with the glow of Star Dust.

Looking back, he saw the area that had been shining brightly in his vision, a stark contrast to the surrounding gloomy wetlands and swamps. As the protective Magic reactivated, it once again fell silent.

From its outward appearance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

It was as if the homeland of the Pikachu had silently hidden itself away in another plane of Space-Time.

Gently shaking his head, Roland stroked the hilt of his sword and set off on the journey home.

Though he hadn’t found a way to leave the Land of Mist, the trip had not been for nothing.

At least he now understood part of the reason why this land had become what it was.

"During its prime, Magic City Jiles had two Demon Wells that served as the source of pure Magic Power for the entire city."

"The reason this region is now filled with mist brimming with Magic Power is precisely because someone used a crude method to restart the Demon Wells."

As he mulled over Estelle’s parting words, Roland couldn’t help but knit his brows tightly.

’It seems, then, that the one who restarted Magic City Jiles must be that Witch Demon. But what is his purpose? Is he seeking the magical secrets and vast knowledge hidden in this ancient city?’

’But if that’s true, he could have done it all in secret. Why would he deliberately show his hostility and bait the River Domain into attacking?’

Shaking his head slightly once more, Roland’s gaze fell back to the Mithril Longsword at his hip.

’’A Treasure Tool’... I never expected the item King Morne casually bestowed on me would be such a treasure. So... did King Morne know that this weapon was a ’Treasure Tool’?’

Just as Roland was lost in his thoughts, a crisp, joyful cry suddenly echoed by his ear.

"Roland! Roland!"

Tress the Pikachu darted around Roland like a dancing butterfly, circling him nimbly.

From her light, buoyant trajectory, it was clear she was in an excellent mood.

"Hurry up, Roland! Avril promised she’d save some black bread for me!"

Looking at the cheerful Pikachu before him, Roland broke into a smile.

The gains from this journey also included this new partner.

After the crisis in the Star Dew Forest was averted, Roland had assumed the lively Pikachu would choose to stay in her homeland.

But he didn’t know what she and Estelle had talked about; in any case, when Roland left, the tiny fey creature followed him once more.

In her own words...

"Roland, the Fairy Queen said you’re a good person! Following you to see the world can’t be wrong!"

Recalling the sight of Tress with her hands on her hips and a dead-serious expression, Roland helplessly shook his head.

He didn’t mind Tress joining him, however.

Regardless of whether she could one day master a Casting Ability on par with the Fairy Queen, her innate ability to vitalize the surrounding Elements was already of great benefit to Roland’s own Casting.

The only thing that perplexed Roland was...

"Tress, do you really like black bread that much?"

The food, made from a coarsely ground mix of rye and other grains, had an incredibly rough texture. One could even feel the granules scraping their throat when swallowing.

Even Roland, who had never been picky about his food, found it hard to stomach the unpalatable taste.

But Tress was an exception.

Perhaps because she had never tasted human food, after trying black bread just once, she had come to consider it a supreme delicacy...

At this thought, Roland’s gaze toward the Pikachu on his shoulder couldn’t help but be tinged with a hint of pity.

"Roland!"

Sensing his gaze, Tress wrinkled her little nose cutely and mumbled in displeasure.

"What are you thinking? It’s rude to stare like that!"

"Sorry, sorry..."

Roland waved his hand dismissively, continuing onward as he carefully surveyed his surroundings.

"I was just thinking... what sort of sumptuous feast I should prepare for you when we get back to the Royal Capital of the River Domain."

"A sumptuous feast..."

Hearing this, the lightly fluttering Pikachu immediately landed on Roland’s shoulder, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Is it something you humans eat often? What kinds of things are there?"

"All sorts of things. For example..."

The man and the fey chattered away, their feet never slowing.

The sun rose, its light piercing the mist to dispel the Darkness of night, and then it set again, casting an orange-gold halo upon the land.

At last, at dusk on the second day, the outline of the army camp gradually came into view at the edge of Roland’s sight.

However, unlike the rather quiet atmosphere when he left, inside the camp now...

...bursts of clamor could be heard. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Sensing something was wrong, Roland’s brow tightened. He signaled for the Pikachu on his shoulder to be quiet, then crouched low and crept forward with caution.

But as he drew closer, his knitted brow slowly began to relax.

For the clamor was not the sound of panicked screams, but...

Deafening cheers.

"Hm?"

After confirming that he hadn’t misheard, Roland and Tress exchanged a puzzled glance.

’Could it be that Graham has already returned victorious? But the speed... it’s a little too fast.’

He carefully scanned the surroundings. After confirming that there was nothing else out of the ordinary besides a multitude of new, jumbled human footprints in the mud, he straightened up and walked briskly toward the army camp.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

Looking at the unfamiliar faces guarding the camp entrance, clad in pristine blue-and-white Armor, a thought instantly flashed through Roland’s mind.

’Is it... the reinforcements sent by Derek? How did they get over that towering mountain range on the perimeter?’

Suppressing his astonishment, Roland gave his name as procedure required.

A few moments later, several patrolmen who had been left behind by Graham hurried over.

Compared to the Guards at the entrance with their gleaming armor, their own Armor was caked with mud, showing cracks and damage in several places. But despite their weary faces, they were brimming with heartfelt joy.

"So it’s Mr. Roland."

After a brief Negotiation with the Guard at the entrance, the patrol leader led Roland into the camp.

"Avril Shadow Envoy instructed that upon your return, you must first proceed to the Central Army Camp."

"Thank you."

Roland thanked him and was about to ask for details, but the patrol had already hurried off.

Seeing this, he exchanged a glance with Tress, who was curled up inside his hip pouch, and could only start walking toward the Central Army Camp.

And what he saw along the way further confirmed his guess.

Soldiers in pristine blue-and-white Armor were everywhere.

Some polished their gleaming Longswords. Others gathered around roaring campfires, talking and laughing boisterously as they shared hot food.

The air was filled with the aroma of roasting bread, the scent of ale, and a long-absent, uplifting spirit of impending victory.

The weary patrolmen and the new reinforcements clapped each other on the shoulder, their laughter and cheers rising and falling in waves, dispelling the oppressive feeling brought on by the mist.

It was as if new life and vitality had been injected into the entire army camp.

"There are so many people, Roland!"

Tress’s small head peeked out of the hip pouch, her eyes darting about curiously.

"And... it’s so lively!"

Influenced by the relaxed atmosphere, Roland’s nerves, which had been pulled taut for days, finally began to unwind.

He took a piece of freshly baked, steaming bread from a passing soldier, handed it to Tress in his hip pouch, and then continued on toward the Central Army Camp.

He hadn’t yet reached the tent when a familiar voice drifted out from within.

"A Pikachu, a creature that roams beyond the mortal world and exists only in legends and ballads, was actually won over by Roland’s sheer presence? Wonderful! Simply wonderful!"

"Is this not the most potent proof of destiny? The hero I have chosen is truly extraordinary! Even a fey is won over by him! This shall become the most dazzling Chapter in my next song of prophecy!"

The words had barely faded when a melodious song began to rise, echoing above the boisterous army camp.