Chapter 157: Another Farewell
Since Gara wanted to see Madha off to town anyway, he took the chance to say goodbye to the Liners.
When he reached the front of their camp, the Liners were busy loading the last of their belongings into horse carriages.
Gara bid them farewell. This final batch consisted of Liners who actually admired and respected him, so he didn’t feel the need to be petty with them.
Last came Kian and Mohan.
Mohan—the head of the investigation team, who had never shown Gara any warmth except at their very first meeting—extended his hand.
"Thank you for all your help. I’ve explained everything to Loka. About Narin, and that woman’s sly tricks in fooling him," he said without an arrogant or commanding tone.
Gara shook his hand like a gentleman but didn’t respond to the part about Loka. There was no further small talk.
Instead, Kian suddenly pulled Gara into a hug. The heart icon above the young man’s head read 20%. Gara had no idea when or how it had increased.
"I hope we meet again," Kian said as he released him. "I really want to be good friends with you."
Though a little confused, Gara nodded.
"Oh, right! Sir Rian from the Raksa County Alchemist Association praised your anti-toxin pill," the emerald-eyed man went on enthusiastically. "He’ll be coming to Falopo Town for the Awakening Ceremony. He said he’ll make time to meet you and talk about your pill."
Gara only returned a stiff smile. He had no desire to draw anyone’s attention. His intention in making the Vena Pill had only been to help the villagers return to normal life more quickly.
Now, he would need to think of a way to avoid meeting Sir Rian or anyone from the Alchemist Association at all.
Their talk drifted to other things, and Gara realized Kian genuinely wanted to be his friend. Gara wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t reject the idea.
After all, Kian had never made things difficult for him. He was professional, and unlike the others, he hadn’t joined in when everyone had ganged up against Gara.
That attitude carried weight, especially coming from a member of the investigation team among the Liners stationed here.
By then time flew by, everything had been loaded onto the carriages. Still, the Liners decided to walk all the way to the village gate.
Villagers followed alongside, some even handing over small parting gifts.
Reaching the gate, the Liners loaded to the carriages, Kian and Mohan atop their horse. Then, the Liners’ carriages and the guards’ wagons slowly rolled out of the village.
Gara raised his hand in farewell.
From atop his horse, Madha turned back for one last glance. Even from a distance, Gara stood out, his beautiful figure unmistakable among the rest of the villagers.
Madha’s thoughts wandered back to the beautiful and hot night he had shared with Gara. It still felt like a dream come true. One he had long wished for.
His gaze shifted to the carriage carrying Loka.
There were many who adored Gara, even willing to do reckless things simply because they believed it was his will. Madha realized he wasn’t so different. He too could never turn down Gara’s words.
With a heavy sigh, he knew choosing to be with Gara would never be as easy as it was for ordinary couples. But that didn’t mean he would give up.
Four hours later, the group finally arrived in Falopo Town.
The guards headed straight for the barracks, while the Liners made their way to the Mayor’s Hall, except for Mohan, who went along with the guards.
Madha approached the carriage carrying Loka, pulled him down, and marched him inside.
"This time, you won’t escape," Madha said in a low voice.
Loka narrowed his eyes. This time? Hadn’t he already lost everything before? His rank had been stripped, he was expelled from the investigation team. It was ruinous and humiliating.
But Madha had no idea what Loka was thinking. He went on, "Gara won’t forgive you again. And no matter how much Mohan tries, there’s nothing he can do."
Loka’s face twisted in confusion. "Wait—Mohan helped—"
Before he could finish, they arrived at the temporary prison inside the barracks. Madha swung the cell door open and shoved him in.
Without another word, Madha left and hurried to the office to file his report. There was something far more important on his mind.
After finishing all the works, his steps carried him toward one of the busiest streets in Falopo Town. Alrova Shop was there, but that wasn’t his destination.
He stopped at a jewelry shop instead. As he stepped inside, the clerk immediately greeted him with recognition.
"Your order is ready, Sir Madha."
"Let me see it," he replied.
He was led into a private room. The clerk brought out a polished wooden box, gleaming with a clean, luxurious finish.
Madha opened it. Inside lay a ring, set with a hazel-colored crystal.
His smile spread wide at the sight.
...
The package Hilda had sent from town finally arrived. Carrying a wooden crate just a bit larger than his own head, Gara couldn’t hide the grin on his face.
Behind him, Fian followed with another sealed box. Unlike Gara’s, this one had no opening save for a pinhole so small even ants couldn’t crawl through, appropriate, since the crate was meant for ants.
"Master, I managed to track down Darfa rats," said Hilda before, explaining it. "But they’re not immune from poison anymore since they’re no longer living in the swamp. I won’t send them to you. Instead, I found Zegan ants. I’ll send those to the village."
So the box that Fian carried was filled with Zegan ants. He delivered it straight into Gara’s lab.
Meanwhile, Gara carried his own crate into his room. Inside, with Fian—who had already set the ant box safely aside—he carefully opened it, nerves tingling with anticipation.
Inside were several items: Orman’s enhance crystal, which he had traded for an earth-element one found in a cave, a cloak Hilda had won at auction, and a few books about enhance crystals.
...