Lorelei's Return

***

Dimension Justice Base.

"Are you still gonna keep him locked up in prison? It's already the fourth day; his murder title is gone."

"It's pretty confusing to me anyway. I'm his friend, but why can't I see him? Is there something you've been hiding from me all this time?"

"Isabella, please calm down," Clara said, standing beside Isabella.

That morning, Alisha was already hosting her best friend in her office. Isabella's arrival was not for talking nonsense but for questioning Aaron's condition.

Since Aaron was locked up, no one, including Isabella and Clara, were allowed to visit him in prison. Alisha thought that Aaron's attitude was unstable and had the potential to hurt anyone or maybe even kill someone.

That was spoken as another reason to cover Aaron's leave to the safe house because if Isabella knew, she would get out of control and leave the base without Alisha knowing. That would put her in danger.

"It's still early, Bella. I haven't checked him yet."

"But, I promise I'll let him go when he's back to normal."

"You've been saying that since yesterday, but there's no sign you'll release him," Isabella explained.

"Did you kill him?!" said Isabella, upset until it was difficult to clear her mind. Clara had to take the trouble to calm the worries in Isabella's heart.

"I'm not going to do that. Aaron is a potential young man. He can become a great wizard in the future with his talent."

The door to Alisha's study opened, making the three women inside immediately cast their eyes behind them. Alisha frowned, asking the reason for her men coming over.

"Someone arrived at the south gate with Lorelei. She returned from the safe house."

"What?!" gasped Alisha.

'Is that Aaron? But why did he bring Liel? Doesn't he know that she's sick?'

Alisha quickly stood up and left her unfinished work. She asked Isabella and Clara to stay in her study with the promise that she would tell them everything about Aaron. Clara agreed, but it was different with Isabella.

After Alisha left, Isabella planned to follow her closely behind. Clara tried to stop her, but she was unable to resist Isabella's stubbornness.

She left with Clara trailing behind. A crowd gathered at the south gate, Isabella couldn't see clearly who was coming.

"Isn't he the young man with the red title? Why did the title disappear?"

"Lorelei has returned. Is he the one who cured her illness?"

"Lorelei's arrival can increase our strength in the monster raid this time. We'll definitely have great results."

High curiosity haunted Isabella even more because people were said to be talking about someone with a red title. There was only one person in this place who owned that title, he was Aaron.

Isabella walked inside, passing through the crowd's gap to pay for her curiosity. She saw Alisha's, seemingly talking in a high-pitched tone to those who came.

"Why are you here? Don't you realize you're sick? What if you die?!" insisted Alisha, looking upset and furious.

She made her way out of the crowd and arrived at the center. She was shocked with teary eyes when she saw the person who came was Aaron, along with a woman named Lorelei.

With no second thought, Isabella ran over to the young man and wrapped her arms around him. She buried her face in Aaron's chest and felt he was real before her, not an illusion.

"Where have you been all this time? I was worried about you," Isabella said, still hugging Aaron.

"There are a few things I need to work on. But the good news is that my murderer's title is gone."

"Yeah. I'm happy to hear that," Isabella explained.

The two released their embrace of each other, then focused their attention to the side as they watched the argument between Alisha and Lorelei.

They exchanged words, Alisha asking Lorelei to return to the safe house while Lorelei wanted Alisha to allow her to climb the floor. Two opposing opinions.

"Aaron!" called Alisha.

"Why did you bring her here? Don't you know about her illness? It can happen in ways we can't predict."

"That's right. But we can prevent it before it happens. I won't burden her mind and heart."

"Besides, I'm the only one who can treat the symptoms. If I let her stay imprisoned in the safe house, there's no guarantee of recovery for her," Aaron said.

"What exactly are you guys talking about?" asked Isabella, not knowing.

Alisha glanced at Isabella with an intense stare mixed with annoyance and anger. She was seen sighing to calm her heart; it would be better for them to discuss this in Alisha's study.

They agreed. The crowd was dispersed, and Alisha ordered Lorelei and the others into her study.

There, Alisha began to tell Isabella and Clara the whole thing, especially about the truth of Aaron's whereabouts and Liel's illness.

Isabella could only widen her eyes with her heart pounding wildly, not being in love but upset and angry at what Alisha was doing.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? Maybe Clara and I could have accompanied him there."

"I couldn't tell you. It would only make you anxious," Alisha explained.

"Then what about her illness? What exactly is she suffering from?" asked Isabella.

"I don't know. It must be related to the dark element she possesses."

Isabella turned to the side and looked at Aaron, who was sitting next to her. "Do you know anything about her, Aaron?"

"Yeah."

"She ate an Aranth fruit that was contaminated with dark elements. That made her poisoned or, in other words, infected with the dark element."

"Still, I was able to overcome it with my pure dark element. As long as she stays close to me, she'll be fine," Aaron replied, crossing his arms.

Alisha smiled with relief. Finally, the problem that had always bothered her mind was answered by Aaron's presence.

"I'm trying to find an item called Elemental Fading Potion. It's the only way to save her."

"Don't worry, Alisha. Aaron said that he could find an alchemist who could concoct the potion in the floor city. As long as that hope remains, I'll continue to stay close to him," Lorelei explained.

"That's good. Today, the monster raid will open. We'd better go to defeat the floor boss together."

Aaron turned his head to the side, looking at Isabella closely. Isabella nodded. The decision to go on the raid was entirely in Aaron's hands since he was the group leader.

"I probably can't participate in the raid this time. My accumulated punishment hasn't been done yet. The system forbids me from participating in monster raids," Aaron replied.

"Huh? But didn't your murderer title disappear?"

"That's another punishment. There was a certain punishment that caused me to experience this."

Alisha sighed long, even though she planned to immediately raid monsters with Aaron after the young man returned. 

Yet, if what Aaron said was true, Alisha would have to send someone else to explore the dark pillar maze this time.

"What about the next raid? Are you able to join?" asked Alisha. Aaron smiled, nodding in response.

"Alright. You guys should rest here first, I'll guarantee your safety."

"And as for Lorelei, I leave my sister to you, Aaron. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Aaron stood up and bowed his head, "No problem."