After Ryan listened to the dwarf’s words regarding the difficulty of moving the elven village, he smiled with a confidence that left no room for doubt.
He knew the challenge was imnse, but having the right person standing in front of him was the necessary first step toward achieving the impossible.
"So you believe it’s possible. That is enough for now," Ryan comnted while watching the dwarf continue to analyze her surroundings with critical eyes.
The dwarf let out a loud guffaw that echoed among all of them. She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, though her expression showed she found the challenge stimulating.
"Of course! Although I’m not entirely sure anyone has ever asked for such a task in the entire history of my people," Runa replied.
The dwarf observed her surroundings thoroughly. She saw the elven soldiers standing guard with their bows and the natural harmony of the settlent.
"Since this is an elven village, I assu you sought out at the suggestion of an alchemist. Only soone who works with the essences of relic power would know that a dwarf’s knowledge is required for sothing this massive," Runa added.
"That is correct," Mika, the village alchemist, interjected.
She took a step forward with an expression of professional respect for the newcor.
"I suggested that because I do not believe I am capable of achieving such a feat on my own. Not without the knowledge of a dwarf who understands the physical structure and material resistance under spatial distortion," Mika explained in a calm tone.
Runa approached the elven alchemist and looked her up and down.
"So it’s you. Heh, how interesting. To be honest, it would take many years if I tried this alone, but having an elven alchemist changes things. It seems you had everything planned out for this to work," the blacksmith comnted.
She smiled obsessively, with the exact sa look Ryan had noticed back in the tower when they first discussed her talent. Runa turned to Ryan and extended her calloused, strong hand toward him.
"You are very bold, and quite honestly, I don’t care about the trouble you’ve caused outside. It’s not like I’m very happy with the Church either. I want to protect my life, yes, but I also don’t want a boring existence devoid of challenges that match my skills," Runa stated firmly.
Ryan grasped her hand tightly, maintaining eye contact. He noted that the dwarf’s grip was firm—the grip of soone who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to achieve a goal.
"I will help you, and we will manage to transport this village wherever you want. But I will set one condition. Until we finish, don’t die, and prevent all of us from dying in the process," Runa added in a tone that mixed warning with loyalty.
Ryan smiled at the woman’s frankness and released her hand slowly.
"And you call bold? Haha," Ryan laughed out loud, thoroughly enjoying the attitude of their newest mber.
He looked at Karol, who was watching the scene from a short distance with a mocking smile.
"It turns out dwarves are as brave as they say after all, wouldn’t you agree, Karol?" the young man asked.
Karol nodded her head, keeping that expression of tranquility she always displayed around strangers.
"I suppose she has guts. At least more than those other dwarves we saw crying in the basent," the mage replied smugly.
At that mont, Alicia reappeared. The assistant approached the group with hurried steps and stopped in front of Ryan to deliver her report.
"Lord Ryan, I have already notified the elders of the council. They are waiting for you at the usual eting place to discuss our next steps," Alicia inford him with a polite smile.
Mirian, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, smoothed her hair and adjusted her gear. She didn’t seem very interested in participating in the political eting that was about to begin.
"I will continue patrolling the periter. This is the ti I usually head out every day while you’re away to make sure we don’t receive any unspeakable guests," Mirian comnted with her usual flirtatious yet confident tone.
Helen let out a snort and tapped the ground with the tip of her boot, showing her impatience.
"I will go with her. etings with elders bore to tears, and I prefer to be outside just in case so monster or Church soldier tries to get close. Besides, I need to move after being locked up in that dungeon for so long," Helen added impulsively.
’But it’s not like you were just playing around in the dungeon; how much more do you need to move?’
Ryan nodded, granting them permission to leave. He knew Mirian and Helen would make a lethal team on the outer watch.
Karol, Irina, and Alicia began to walk toward the center of the village, moving a few ters ahead.
Ryan lingered behind for a mont, but just as he was about to step forward and catch up with them, he felt a firm tug on his coat.
He stopped and turned to see who was holding him back. It was Beatrice. The demon looked at him with a noticeably flushed face, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Beatrice, what’s wrong?" Ryan asked, puzzled.
She didn’t answer imdiately, nor did she let go of the fabric of his clothes. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her fingers tightly gripping Ryan’s coat.
Karol and Irina realized that Ryan had stayed behind and glanced over their shoulders; upon seeing the scene, they decided to keep going to give them a little space, though Karol let out a small cynical laugh.
Ryan sighed and stepped a little closer to the demon. He placed his hand under Beatrice’s chin and gently lifted her gaze to force her to look him in the eyes.
"What is it? Are you feeling sick from the training?" Ryan asked again.
Beatrice averted her eyes to the side, and her lips ford a small pout—an expression Ryan never expected to see on a demon as proud as she was.
"It’s just that... you didn’t greet properly when you returned. You went straight to the others, and you didn’t even exchange words with in the dungeon," Beatrice murmured in a very low voice, almost like a whisper.
’She is acting very cute. I think I really like this side she shows sotis,’ Ryan thought.
He didn’t reply with words. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her directly.
Beatrice tensed for a mont out of surprise, but she quickly returned the kiss, closing her eyes and letting go of the coat to seek support in Ryan’s arms.
The kiss was long and calm, marking Ryan’s return in the way she needed.
When they parted, Beatrice wore a much more relaxed expression, although the blush on her cheeks had not disappeared.
"I watched you fight in the dungeon as I approached. You’ve beco very strong, Beatrice. Your speed is impressive," Ryan comnted with a tone of sincere recognition.
She looked at him with a sweet smile, one that held none of the cold formality she usually displayed in front of others.
She leaned in a bit and gave him another quick kiss before pulling away for good.
"I will work harder. I don’t want to be left behind forever when things get difficult," the demon said with determination.
After that private mont, both of them moved forward at a quick pace along the village path.
They caught up with the rest of the group, who were already near the large wooden structure where assemblies took place.
Alicia opened the door for them, and everyone entered the eting place, where the elven elders were already sitting in a circle, awaiting the words of the man who intended to move their entire ho through space.
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