"If... if there's anything, let's talk about it tomorrow!"
After Gorth led them back to the village, a belated blush crept across Alina's cheeks.
The girl dashed back into the wooden cabin and shut the door, leaving the lonely Black Forest Lord outside.
The cold wind swept up his robes, and Gorth's muddled mind gradually cleared under the stimulation.
"...I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"Though it is nighttime, I don't believe this is a dream."
A smiling voice came from behind him. Hellagur looked deeply satisfied.
The decline of the Wendigo bloodline had always weighed heavily on his old friend's heart, yet Patriot himself could no longer have descendants because of his promise.
Thus, it had become a vicious cycle.
Now, seeing another Wendigo and even contributing in some small way to the continuation of their kind—
It also eased some of his guilt over failing to save Grovazil...
Unaware of what Hellagur was thinking, Gorth turned and walked into the village with him.
"Thank you for your help. Without your guidance, I think it would have taken me a long time to face myself properly."
"It was merely a few words of assistance. You needn't concern yourself with it," Hellagur said with a smile.
"Besides... once the heart has agreed, the body's resistance is no more than paper."
Gorth nodded. He said no more polite words, but in his heart, Hellagur's importance had risen several levels.
The two continued strolling and chatting, soon arriving at Hellagur's current residence.
"...I should get you a new place to stay."
Gorth looked somewhat embarrassed as he gazed at the building before them.
It had been a standard wooden cabin built to house refugees. Looking at it now, it seemed rather shabby.
"There's no need. I'm already quite satisfied."
Seeing Gorth's concerns, Hellagur