Two Waterfalls

In another place, a location known as the most dangerous spot in Kastia, Death Valley.

Right in front of the main entrance of Kirana's Shop, almost all the residents of the newly established Death Valley village gathered.

They all gazed at a single object emerging from the ground in the front yard of the shop.

It was a black chain that emanated a chilling aura, suddenly appearing and thrust the sky, with an end that seemed to lead to nowhere.

All they knew was that the chain kept extending high up into the sky.

Into outer space? Perhaps. They didn't know.

"What is this?" Mia asked as she approached.

"No, Miss Mia! Don't get close to the chain!" Ian quickly stepped forward to stop Mia.

He then instructed other knights to barricade the area around the chain, prohibiting people from approaching.

Ian had a sense of foreboding as he looked at the chain. And he wasn't the only one.

The other knights felt the same, as did Veronica.

The girl told the others that she could sense an evil aura emanating from the chain. The malevolence was so thick that Veronica felt suffocated when she stared at the chain for too long.

She was certain that whoever owned the chain was no ordinary person. In fact, she believed that figure surpassed any Champion she had ever encountered.

Now the question was, why did the chain suddenly appear? And where did the other end of the chain lead? Lastly, what connection did the chain have with the Shop Owner?

As the location suggested, those who were present there began to imagine that the Shop Owner must be aware of the existence of the chain.

After all, the man had been living in Death Valley for quite some time.

The villagers grew more curious about the eerie chain. However, it didn't take long for them to see the chain swiftly start moving back into the ground.

Clangggggg! Srangggg!

The movement happened suddenly, startling and panicking the people around. The knights even drew their weapons.

Fortunately, after a short wait, nothing happened. It was just the chain, seemingly retracting or pulling something unknown at the other end.

Mia and the knights exchanged glances.

They shared the same thoughts, worried about whatever was at the end of the chain.

Swallowing her saliva, Mia instructed the knights to stay alert and told the villagers to keep their distance. If they insisted on observing, it had to be from a safe distance.

Time passed, who knows how many hours had gone by.

The villagers, from children to the elderly, couldn't quell their anxiety as they watched the chain continue to move deeper into the earth.

They had even lost track of how many hours they had been fixated on the chain.

What did the chain bring? Everyone was afraid yet curious.

It took about another hour before they finally heard a scream from above the cloud.

"Aaaaaaaaa!!!"

Everyone looked up. They saw a human silhouette carrying a wooden box at the end of the chain.

Somehow the silhouette was very familiar to them. Even though they couldn't see his face, the large wooden box was a unique thing they saw when they sent off Cien.

""Lord Millard?!""

Everyone was startled and surprised upon seeing the figure being pulled by a terrifying chain.

But they were also relieved because it meant that it wasn't a dangerous threat approaching them.

"Um, will he be okay landing at that speed?"

Mia, who became aware after feeling relieved, started to worry again as she saw Cien's figure, which seemed like he could die upon impact with the ground.

Mia's question successfully woke up the people around her.

They immediately panicked as well. Cien was their leader in Death Valley. If Cien was gone, they felt they would lose their lives as well.

Afterall, they were currently safe because of the protective formation created by Cien.

So if Cien died, would the formation disappear too? Thinking like that, everyone became anxious.

They all started to think of creating a soft bed of leaves where Cien would land.

"Will that be enough?"

The majority was unsure.

"Aaaaaaaa!!!"

And Cien's voice grew closer.

"Move aside!"

Veronica shouted, giving orders. She had already recited an incantation, and in front of her hands, a circle of blue magic had formed.

"[Pool]!"

A block of water the size of a house suddenly formed, creating a cushion of water.

The [Pool] spell is a low-level water spell, or you could even say it's a beginner spell. So it's not surprising that Veronica can do it.

The difference with Cien is that he can only create a regular puddle with [Pool].

This is because Cien has very little mana. Meanwhile, Veronica is someone with great magical talent. That's why Veronica's [Pool] can form literally a swimming pool, and with great height or depth.

Even so, Veronica feels it's still not enough. She feels that the water's depth is lacking.

Finally, she climbs up to the store's roof and adds the [Pool] spell a few more times, creating a tower of water.

"Haa... haa... haa... I hope this is enough, Uncle Cien."

Brrrrrrrrr!

Cien, who has arrived, immediately plunges into the water. He is still being pulled by the chain but the speed seems to be slightly slower.

"Blub blub blub..."

Seeing Cien reaching the bottom or the ground's surface, Veronica cancels her spell, and the water tower instantly bursts, drenching all the knights and several people around.

"Cough... cough!"

Cien, releasing the wooden box from his back, then kneels down, coughing and gasping for breath.

The strong dizziness and nausea hit him hard. Cien tries to hold back what's inside his stomach from coming out, but unfortunately...

"Lord Millard, are you al—"

"Bleghhhhhh..."

"..."

"I-I—bleghhhh..."

Veronica descended from the rooftop. She wanted to help Cien by patting his shoulder, but just as she passed by a wooden coffin...

Bam!

Veronica was startled as the coffin opened on its own, and a teenage girl emerged, rolling around.

"Haa... haa... Is this Death Valley? Wow, such a dizzying place—bleeeeehhhhh..."

"..."

Veronica fell silent immediately. The knights approaching also stood in awe.

They were stunned by the sight of two people, an old man and a teenage girl, simultaneously spewing waterfalls from their mouths.

Mia, who had been observing the situation from a distance, sensed that things were under control ahead and moved closer.

She jumped in surprise when she saw Cien vomiting.

"Whoa... That's so disgusting!"

"Aaaa, Miaaaaaa... help m—bleeeeehhhhh..."

Cien couldn't contain the relentless onslaught of fluids trying to escape from within him.

He had anticipated that the journey through the sky wouldn't be comfortable, but he never expected it to be this awful. Cien promised himself he would never do it again!

He felt like he was dying. He could only vomit endlessly.

Asking for help was difficult, and speaking was beyond his ability. Eventually, he ran out of energy and fainted.

Similarly, Lilinette, the young girl, fainted with a beautiful smile on her face, despite the traces of vomit still present around her mouth.

That smile... the girl must have thought she was dead and imagined ascending to heaven.

"..."

Mia and the others around stood silently, beholding the scene before them.

Disgusting puddles and two unconscious individuals covered in stomach fluids.

"Sigh... let's quickly help them. What in the world did Lord Millard do?"

Mia immediately instructed several knights to carry Cien's body and clean him in the outdoor bathroom.

Meanwhile, the women took Lilinette's body to be cleaned in the shop's indoor bathroom.

Once both were cleaned, they were laid in separate rooms within the shop.

Cien in his own bedroom, and the teenage girl, whose identity they had yet to discover, in the guest room.

"Sella, from now on, please keep an eye on them while Veronica and I will control the situations outside.."

"Of course, Miss Mia!"

And so, Cien successfully returned to Death Valley, accompanied by the bonus of a beautiful niece. Perhaps, if the girl didn't have a desire for death.

***

Four days later.

Cien, still lying in bed, began to open his eyes. He felt the sunlight illuminating his face. Warm and peaceful.

Cien looked around, realizing that he was currently in his room in Death Valley.

"Sigh... home. Finally, the few days in Ashur felt like years."

Murmured Cien while slowly rose from his bed, still feeling a bit weak.

He began stretching, loosening his stiff body. Afterward, he left the room with the intention of going to the bathroom to wash his face.

However, as he stepped out, he encountered his employee, Sella, who was writing a book at the dining table.

"Yo, Sella."

"Ah, Milord! You're awake!"

"Yeah, finally... How long did I sleep?"

"Four days!"

"...whoa."

Cien massaged his temples. He didn't expect to pass out for such a long time.

Then he mentioned his intention to wash his face to Sella, unaware that the girl rushed out to inform everyone that Cien had regained consciousness.

So when Cien felt refreshed and descended to the ground floor, he could already see people gathering.

Cien greeted them, assuring everyone that he was fine and urging them not to worry too much.

Cien also felt hungry. He didn't have time to cook and was too lazy to do so. So he went with a few people to Yelina's restaurant.

Upon entering, Cien was surprised to see Lilinette surrounded by children. Not only was his niece present, but Mia was also there, teaching the children.

Yelina approached Cien, who had just arrived. She shook his hand, greet while praying for his well-being, and offered him food. Cien gladly accepted.

He then walked closer to the children, who seemed focused on Mia's lessons. Occasionally, he glanced at Lilinette, who was busy reading.

"Hey, how do you feel?"

Mia asked, aware of Cien's arrival.

The children turned to look at him and immediately went to hug him.

Cien smiled sweetly at the children. Although in his mind, he began to think about their future.

Somehow, seeing the little children hugging him reminded him of the children at C-Owl, especially Casey. That's bad foreboding.

Cien shivered. Frown and then he glanced at Mia.

"You taught them how to think normally, right?"

"...huh? What are you talking about?"

"I'm not a hero."

"Did you hit your head too hard?"

"..."