At dawn the next day, Caden Albright and his group finally returned, bathed in the morning light.
They were all High-level Star-Marked Beastmen, so avoiding a mountain fire was not difficult. However, when they returned, their brows were knitted with gloom, their expressions even heavier than when they had faced the fire the night before.
This somberness did not dissipate even upon seeing that Evangeline, Lachlan, and Drake were safe and sound.
Evangeline took the soundly sleeping Bunny from Caden Albright's arms, her fingertips gently stroking the cub's soft, silver hair.
The corners of her eyes lifted slightly as she asked softly, "What happened?"
Caden Albright turned to gaze at the distant horizon. The sunrise dyed the sky a magnificent color, just like the lava from the mountain fire the night before. But when this brilliant morning light fell into his amber eyes, it reflected not a single trace of warmth.
