Nolan and the others walked over to the place where Sir Einicht had dispatched them at first.
Spotting Liana unconscious, the Guardian-rank quickly walked up to them.
"What happened to her?" he asked, his voice calm yet alarmed.
"Hit her head on the wall when attacked and then fainted." Nolan replied like he had been rehearsing for this particular scene all his life.
Sir Einicht walked over, raising her head slightly before turning back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This was supposed to be an easy task. Maybe she got carried away?" he muttered to himself.
It didn't take up to a minute for the other three members to start return.
Sir Einicht nodded as they gathered in front of him. "Well done. You all did splendid in your first mission. I believe you have all seen your capabilities and a glimpse on areas you need to improve on?"
"Yes sir!"
"Good. Mind you, these demons are low grades that didn't even make it to demon classifications. They aren't ranked. There are threats out there far greater than the minors you all fought today, but however it may be, a fire only grows if it's fed more wood. You have the skills already, now hone them. Feed that fire within you and grow into the ones strong enough to protect the world when we are no longer there."
As Sir Einicht continued his speech, trapping everyone in that moment of determination where they felt they could change the world with their own hands, someone was completely out of it.
Of course, it was Nolan. Who else?
His eyes were fixed on someone, not Sir Einicht. They were fixed on Sylvia Masett Volksnon.
'What is she doing here?' he thought. 'This doesn't make any sense, at all.'
This regression was the most unpredictable one Nolan had ever experienced and it was just the beginning.
Not only did he find someone completely unknown, that was absent in all other lives except this one—Alexander that is.
But… someone was in the wrong place.
Sylvia had never joined the Cerulean Guardians before. Ever.
He was oblivious to the fact that she and Alexander were in the team initially because he believed everything was the same, with only Liana and Cedric being the changes, but now that he knew it, he had a lot of unanswered questions surfacing.
Sylvia Volksnon always joined the Ember Guild of Kingdom Vaelen, never the Cerulean Guardians. And she rivaled him in countless lives before he eventually went beyond her reach.
Why exactly was she here in the Cerulean Guardians—as a Novice-rank even.
He knew very well she was at most Guardian-rank, but just why?
What exactly was it with this 'potentially' final regression?
… …
Five minutes later...
They were on the road back to Clover City.
Nolan insisted he would take Liana on his horse even though Cedric said he would, looking at how unhappy Nolan was when they came.
He didn't let the big man take her, for if she was to wake up and do or say something stupid, he would have to deal with an even bigger mess than what is already on ground.
She was sitting at the front, heading bobbing, rested on Nolan's chest as his horse moved. The scent of the perfume on her hair wafted into his nostrils.
Hundreds of lives back, he could have gotten intoxicated by the smell, but not anymore.
He lost the ability to see emotions for how they truly are.
Trapped in a constant cycle of losing loved ones, betrayal, tragedy and trauma, Nolan had learnt the art of not getting too attached to anyone, no matter the circumstance.
Because his most loyal servant today, may be his newest betrayer at the Spire tomorrow.
Every soul that was close to him was a liability he only carried on personal purposes and nothing more. For when the time came for fate to play its game, they'd laugh him in the face like he was the foolish one to begin with.
"Argh," Nolan shook his head. "Enough of that nonsense."
Cedric who was ahead, turned back. He slowed his horse so Nolan could catch up. "Are you okay?"
"Ah, yes," Nolan nodded.
"You sure?"
"More than."
Cedric nodded, his eyes landing on Liana before going back to the road as they got closer to Clover City, the fields of greens and blues growing closer and closer.
"Somewhat strange to say she's still unconscious, am I right?" he asked.
"Mm, indeed you are," replied Nolan, his eyes on the road.
He used a special technique he had learned from a renowned swordmaster, the Guild Master of the Dragon Crest Guild—one of the three private guilds and in two years time, the strongest combined force of humanity.
If anything, she was going to wake up in about thirty minutes from now, so he had to get her to a place where she wouldn't wake up and blab.
Their horses slowed down as they entered the capital city, walking majestically through.
The team received waves and nods, something that was incredibly enjoyable to everyone… except… yes, him.
As they got to the guild Sir Einicht said he'd relay their performance to the head of scouting and training. They could return the horses to the stables and go back to their quarters or stay and train in the guild premises. Whichever they chose, their future depended on.
Wasting no time, Nolan decided to take Liana back to their quarters.
Cedric said he was going to stay back and train, so he bade Nolan.
Nolan was still in his horse and by his side, standing still was Alexander. "Follow me," Nolan said.
Alexander followed Nolan on foot, till they reached the Artisan's Quarter. Then Nolan came down with Liana and told Alexander to take the horse back to its stable.
Dragging the horse back, Alexander didn't know whether to be angry or happy he was still breathing.
"Is this what slavery is like? At least I'm not dead, am I? Not like mother would care anyway," he muttered to himself as he walked the horse back.
Nolan picked up Liana in a bridal carry, going into their building.
Now that he looked at it, he was grateful for being at the bottom floor, because what in the steps was this?
The stairs spiraled upwards unnecessarily and here again, he had an extra weight added. Not to talk about how low his stamina was.
He took a deep breath and started up the stairs.
Midway, Liana stirred awake, her eyes slowly opening to see Nolan's sweaty face. "Eh?"
Nolan gulped, his legs feeling wobbly. "Please don't shake."