Reunion with an Old Friend

"Augustine? You actually came back? Gods, I thought I'd never see you again until the Undead were defeated!" The two, who had been constantly taking in the unfamiliar sights around them, were interrupted by a voice filled with surprise.

"Arnold, it's me. I'm back." Even Augustine's calm voice carried an indescribable excitement.

"Is everyone all right? Where's Roderick? We have business with him. And this is...?" he continued.

"I am an envoy from the Scarlet Crusade. I hope to meet your leader, Knight Roderick, as soon as possible." Abbendis, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke.

"Everyone's doing well. It's just Chris... He can no longer fight alongside us." Thinking of his comrade, whose head had been cut off by a Murloc the moment they went into battle, Arnold grew somewhat downcast.

As Roderick's appointed adjutant, Arnold quickly recovered. "Roderick is in the room ahead. I'll take you there."

After speaking, Arnold walked over to Augustine and cautiously whispered, "Be honest. Is this knight your girlfriend? I couldn't tell! You brat, fighting the Undead in Northrend and still finding time to get yourself a wife. If I'd known, I would've gone to the Silver Hand with you back then. Southshore is nothing but men..."

Only then did Augustine realize that, beneath the seemingly mature young knight, Arnold had not changed at all from the playful man he had once been. Smiling, he said, "Don't talk nonsense. She's an envoy of the Scarlet Crusade, and I'm a knight of the Silver Dawn. Ahem, I can't explain it to you. In any case, don't make wild guesses and let outsiders look down on the Dark Raven Knights."

Since it concerned the honor of Southshore and the Dark Raven Knights, Arnold hurriedly put on a stern expression, as though he had not been grinning foolishly just moments ago.

To Augustine's surprise, the Scarlet envoy beside him, who usually never let him off when she had the upper hand, did not mock him this time. Instead, a faint smile appeared on her face.

Even though she was a powerful female knight, she was still a woman by nature. And women were always so mysterious and unpredictable, Augustine quietly concluded.

"After the autumn harvest, continue closely monitoring Undead activity in Silverpine Forest. We must also remain vigilant against the Syndicate forces and Ogre tribes in Alterac. Urge the craftsmen to speed up their work. Once the wheat is harvested, the mill must be completed. As soon as we receive the grain supplies, we will dispatch Dark Raven soldiers to..."

The arrival of the three interrupted the speaker. Aside from two Dwarves, everyone in the room was a young human officer.

"Augustine, you're back?"

"Don't leave again this time!"

Those who knew Augustine greeted their friend, whom they had not seen for years. After a brief introduction, everyone's attention shifted to the Scarlet Crusade envoy at his side.

Wrapped in a black cloak, Abbendis kept her gaze fixed on the young knight seated in the place of honor. He was even younger than she had imagined. His black hair was cut barely an inch long, his skin was pale, and his face even bore an unhealthy pallor.

He was tall, with long limbs, but the most unforgettable thing was his pair of brown eyes. Sharp as swords and deep as the sea. The gaze he cast at her was almost too piercing for Abbendis to bear, but the pride of the Scarlet Crusade's grand general made her stare back at his face without yielding.

Roderick calmly rose to his feet, and the surrounding clamor vanished without a trace. He slowly walked toward Augustine, looking directly into his eyes with a subtle gleam. Almost at the same time, the two raised their right fists and slammed them together with a bang.

Abbendis was somewhat surprised. Weren't they old friends who had not seen each other for years? Why did they act like enemies upon meeting? But she soon understood what this was about.

"Didn't die in Northrend, huh? You've improved quite a bit."

"You stayed in Southshore, yet you're even stronger than before."

The two embraced, instantly warming the atmosphere. Everything needed no words. Roderick then turned to Abbendis with a smile and said gently, "Thank you for coming, and thank you to every Scarlet warrior for the sacrifices you have made for the kingdom. We will not forget them."

Abbendis, who had fought the Undead countless times, immediately felt that she had found a kindred spirit upon hearing Roderick's words. Scarlet Crusade representatives had been met with indifference in both Dalaran and Stormwind City. Only here did someone remember the great contributions the Scarlet Crusade had made in Northrend.

Waves stirred within Abbendis's heart, but her expression remained calm. "Friend, may the Holy Light be with you."

"Let our guests who have come from afar rest here for a day. Tomorrow, we will hold a banquet in Southshore to welcome our guests from the Scarlet Crusade and celebrate Augustine's return."

"Notify Antoine and Adrian. They must not miss this. Our friends of Stormpike are also welcome to join us. There will be plenty of strong liquor for everyone."

After arranging these matters, Roderick had someone lead Abbendis away to rest, and the Scarlet envoy began her journey through Southshore.

Several warhorses galloped along the road leading to Southshore, kicking up clouds of dust. Feeling the hard, broad road beneath her, Abbendis could not help thinking of Tyr's Hand's terrible road system. The difference was truly obvious.

The land developed around Southshore far exceeded her expectations. The crops produced here in a year were enough to feed the Crusaders of Tyr's Hand for several months, and Roderick planned to further expand the Dark Raven Knights' cultivation efforts next year. It was truly enviable.

Augustine was also shocked by the changes around Southshore, but his calm expression revealed none of his inner thoughts.

By the afternoon, they had reached the outskirts of Southshore. Even though Augustine had prepared himself mentally, when he saw that the Southshore cemetery had completely vanished, sorrow appeared on the face of the steadfast warrior.

His father, who had returned home wounded, and his mother, who had died of illness, were both buried there. But now, nothing remained.

No emotion could be heard in Roderick's voice. "All the skeleton fragments were burned into ashes. They can no longer be separated from one another. A memorial will be built in town afterward, and the urns will be placed beneath it. The site has been chosen on the eastern hills. The sunlight and view there are both excellent, and they can see the distant sea. They will surely like it."

Augustine could only bury his sorrow in his heart and silently nod.

When they arrived at the Southshore inn, Augustine found many familiar faces. Mayor Heni, whose hair had grown even thinner; Uncle Bass, who had lost an arm; and Albert, dressed in Dalaran mage robes, smiling as he nodded to Augustine. Beside him stood a young girl wearing similar mage robes. Who else could it be but Remilia?

The girl did not warmly call his name as she had in his memories. Only after Roderick scolded the pouting Remi did she stand beside him and dryly say, "Brother Augustine." After that, she ignored the knight who had returned from afar.

Years had passed, and everything had changed. The clingy little girl from back then had grown into such a lovely young woman, while the little girl who had once followed at his heels would never return.