Chapter 393: Unexpected Reunion [Part 3] "It’s good to see you again, Dim Dim," Elaine said as she picked up the little bun with both hands. To its delight, she then kissed its cheek. "Dim Dim!" Dim Dim giggled, happy to see Elaine, one of its first friends in the Town of Thaloria, once more. Meanwhile, Cairo was chatting with Alex, asking him what he was doing there. "I plan to go to Slime Paradise, Master," Alex answered. "So I took a quest as close to it as possible. "After much deliberation, Dim Dim chose this quest because he wanted to help the villagers. How about you, Master? Why are you here?" Cairo smiled faintly. "We also came because of a guild commission. Although it’s not profitable, I can’t turn a blind eye to those who need help." Alex felt proud of his Master and once again realized why Cairo became the Heaven’s Sword of the Clawford Tribe. He was the strongest swordsman among the Catkins, a warrior who had traveled the continent hunting demons and their worshipers. His life’s work was to ensure the common people could live in peace. "Well, then. Why don’t you introduce me to your girlfriend?" Cairo teased. "I’m not his girlfriend, Sir Cairo," Lumi answered. "I’m just acting as his bodyguard and making sure to collect evidence of his philandering ways." Efa smirked after hearing Lumi’s reply. She was wondering if the young fox lady was one of Alex’s Queens, whom he had told her about before they had parted ways. As a lady and a scout, Efa naturally noticed the sidelong glances Lumi was giving her. It was very obvious that the fox lady was also observing her closely, as if trying to understand her relationship with Alex. "Alex, don’t be a philanderer, okay?" Cairo commented. "Or else, I’ll cut it off." "Master, I am not a philanderer," Alex replied, looking very wronged. "Lumi is just sprouting nonsense." "Hmph!" Lumi scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. Clearly, she was very displeased with whatever she was seeing. Cairo patted Alex’s shoulder before looking at the corpses around them. "Let’s go back to the village," Cairo suggested. "We can worry about the goblins in the morning." No one opposed his proposal. They headed back to Oak Village, which was now on high alert after receiving Mark’s warning. When the guards saw Alex and the other Adventurers, they hurriedly opened the wooden gate to let them in. "Where are the Goblins?" Mark asked. "They should be on the way, right?" "The Goblins retreated," Alex answered. "At least for now. My Master and my friend here defeated the Goblin Warlord, so their morale dropped. After that, we killed more of them until they decided to retreat and call it quits." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮 The Village Head of Oak Village, Simon, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that the Goblins had retreated. He profusely thanked his guests for helping them in their time of great need. "Please, eat well and rest well," Simon told Alex and his friends. "We have watchguards assigned through the night, so we’ll quickly get notified if the Goblins return." Alex didn’t reject the invitation to eat and rest since he was indeed exhausted. Even Lumi felt she had already reached her limit after scouting nonstop throughout the day. When the rooms were about to be assigned to them, Efa volunteered to share a room with Alex. However, this was immediately shot down by Lumi, who declared that she would be the one sharing a room with the young man. To her surprise, Efa didn’t insist and gave Alex a knowing wink. Lumi kept telling herself that she had to safeguard the other ladies from Alex even though she didn’t know anything about them. A few minutes later in Alex’s room... "It’s not like I’m sharing this room with you because I want to be with you," Lumi declared. "Don’t get the wrong idea, okay?" "Yes, Ma’am," Alex answered. He had already removed his bloody clothes earlier and replaced them with comfortable ones meant for sleeping. Even Lumi was in her pajamas, ready to conk out. It didn’t take long for the two of them to fall asleep. In fact, they were out like the light the moment their heads touched their pillows. That was how tired they were from their expedition. Dim Dim looked at the two sleeping teenagers before closing its eyes. It was also very drained from its adventure. It even snored softly as it rested on its small basket. In another room, Elaine and Efa lay on the bed together. "That girl seems to be very close to Alex," Elaine said with amusement. "You’re right," Efa replied. "But I’m glad that Alex seems to have gotten stronger after entering the academy." "Indeed." Elaine nodded. "He looked very cool earlier." Efa agreed with Elaine’s statement as a gentle smile tugged at her lips. She had many questions to ask the young man. One of those questions was whether he was happy in the academy and enjoying his life as a student. She and Alex had made a promise to each other. They were supposed to meet after Alex’s first year in the academy had ended, so Efa would have enough time to reflect and sort out her true feelings for Alex. Whether she liked him as a benefactor who had saved her from the Goblins. Or whether she liked him as a man whom she wished to spend her life with. In truth, Efa wished to support Alex’s love and even planned to become his wingwoman so he could get close to his Queens. Even if they didn’t become a couple, she believed that she would be happy as long as Alex was happy. These complicated thoughts swirled inside her head as sleep claimed her. Efa dreamed the same dream she’d been having as of late. In the dream, her mother’s arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace, giving her a safe, comforting warmth. All the worries in her head disappeared at that moment, replaced by a lasting peace that calmed her heart. Efa’s mother sang her a lullaby, not caring whether her daughter was already twenty-one years old. "Enjoy your journey, my darling," the beautiful woman said softly. "The circle closes not to imprison you but to show that you have always been whole." These words resounded faintly inside the dream, but Efa wasn’t able to hear them. She was busy dreaming a dream within a dream. A dream where light and shadow wove together like a dance... maintaining the balance that allowed "Efa" to continue her existence.