Three days had passed since the deadly battle in that underground cave. One could say that Connor's rescue mission was a success, but that didn't mean there were no casualties. Many of the adventurers had fallen, as had knights from the Ostheno and Videno factions. Eric gazed at the winter night sky through the window beside him. He was in the city center, reflecting on the events that followed the battle with those mad villains.
James kept his promise, fully compensating those who participated and covering the losses suffered by the participants, particularly providing financial aid to the families left behind by their loved ones who had fallen in battle. As soon as possible, James would pay his respects by holding a final funeral for those brave souls.
The Videno family was deeply grateful to the Ostheno family for saving and bringing Connor home alive. Dorothea immediately embraced her beloved son the moment she saw him. Connor also wept, finally able to return to his parents' embrace. Dianne, Jonathan, Dorothea, and Connor hugged each other, weeping uncontrollably. Seeing this, the others—even the Ostheno family—chose to leave them alone for a while.
From the Ostheno family, Melissa was also overjoyed, tears streaming down her face, to find her entire family home alive. Especially her reaction toward Eric, after learning that Eric had also helped save Connor. Melissa scolded Eric relentlessly, and the older man in Eric stiffened but still listened to his mother.
Everyone in the mansion was in an uproar upon hearing the news, and James ordered that priority be given to tending to the injured, including Eric. But he simply replied, "I'm fine. Just wanna sleep." and ignored his parents' nagging, heading straight to his private room without changing clothes or showering… and he slept like a log.
It wasn't without reason, he was truly exhausted and simply needed rest. He didn't wake up until the next day, surprising James, Lucas, and Laurene because Eric had fully recovered as if nothing had happened to him. Unlike Lucas and Laurene, who had been attacked by Ted—though they had healed from their burns, their bodies still ached slightly, so they couldn't move as freely and easily as usual.
James, assisted by Lucas, handled the administrative and investigative aspects of the incident, while Eric went through his usual routine: morning physical training, eating, a bit of studying in the library, sleeping, and so on until three days had passed.
Back to the present, he was sitting in a high-class restaurant in the city center, wearing a noble-style tailcoat. He wasn't hiding his identity this time, so the people who saw him recognized him. Not only that, but he had slipped out secretly as usual to get here.
After waiting a few minutes, his trusted teammates finally arrived. Unlike the clothes they wore on their adventures, this time Eric's teammates had coordinated their outfits to match Eric's.
Rudy and Ferguson wore long black formal coats draped over their shoulders. Meanwhile, Emilia and Millie wore light-colored dresses with fluffy wool coats that looked elegant.
"Here." Eric picked up a glass from the table to indicate where they should sit. The four of them looked at him and approached him. Silently, they sat at the table Eric had reserved.
"Good, that's how you dress for a joyful occasion like this." Eric praised, satisfied with their outfits. Rudy scratched his head nervously, while Emilia, Millie, and Ferguson bowed slightly, looking a bit awkward.
"Thank you... Sir Eric, for inviting us tonight." Millie thanked him with a touch of awkwardness. Eric waved his right hand casually, signaling her and the rest to relax.
"Take it easy. Tonight's dinner is on me. As a personal token of appreciation for your work." Eric glanced aside. The waiter and waitress were bringing a cart to their table. A full-course dinner consisting of appetizers, a main course, and delicious, warm desserts from the restaurant.
Rudy and Emilia were surprised by the array of luxurious dishes. Ferguson and Millie felt the same. This was their first time dining at such a luxurious and upscale restaurant, but seeing their employer's relaxed expression made them feel a little more at ease.
"I've rented out this entire floor for our dinner. Forget about table manners and other hassles. Just enjoy our dinner tonight!"
Eric's words made them look around, and sure enough, there were only the five of them on the third floor. At the top of the stairs, there was only a waiter on duty, making the atmosphere around them even more peaceful and intimate.
They finally began eating as Eric had instructed. Rudy and Ferguson dove straight into the main course, Millie chose to eat the desserts first, while Emilia opted for the appetizer.
Overall, the atmosphere at the table felt light, with occasional brief exchanges among them. After they finished, the waiter and waitress cleared away the empty plates, leaving only a few drinks in their glasses.
"Um… Sir Eric…?"
"Hm?"
"If I may ask… back when you were fighting those cultists… the black sphere… that was your doing, right?" Millie mustered the courage to ask. Eric drained his drink.
"You're right, that was my doing."
Emilia replied in a flat tone. "That nasty feeling was really uncomfortable. How were you able to do that?"
"That's right, Sir Eric. I've heard the details of your strange ability from Mister Ferguson… but you should've needed to touch us, right?" The old man simply nodded when his name was mentioned by Rudy.
Eric twirled his finger on the glass. "It's called Domain Expansion. In short, it allows me to create a barrier that can envelop my designated target. My innate technique will be infused within that barrier."
Eric paused, taking a breath. "Within the domain, any techniques are improved and... any activated techniques are guaranteed to have a hit effect." The four people widened their eyes upon hearing that explanation.
"G-guaranteed...?"
"That's..."
"This is the first time I hear this...even the Radiant Church teachings don't cover this knowledge..."
"Hm...so that's why when you deploy that technique...our souls are automatically touched by your technique..."
Rudy, Emilia, Millie, and Ferguson shared their thoughts one by one, while Eric simply nodded as he poured himself another cup of warm drink. "But that doesn't mean I'm invincible. There are many ways to nullify the guaranteed hit, but for people in this world… the straightforward choice is to destroy the barrier."
Emilia remembered something, "Just like those lunatics… they destroyed your barrier."
"Exactly. The barrier was designed to trap someone inside, so the interior is stronger. But from the exterior? That's where its weakness lies." Eric looked at his teammates.
"There are many kinds of techniques." Eric continued, leaning back in his chair. "Some can cleave and dismantle the invisible, someone can summon 10 'familiars', manipulate space so the user is impossible to touch, control blood, and so on."
"Can those people expand their own domain, Master Eric?" Ferguson asked this time. Eric replied calmly, "Not all of them can. There was someone who was unable to fully complete his domain and some domains also aren't life-threatening but still guarantee a hit effect."
"The most astonishing thing is… there's someone capable of expanding his domain without a barrier." Eric said, recalling a certain man.
"W-without a barrier?" Rudy stuttered.
"That's right. He deployed his domain without a barrier… but still retained the guaranteed hit effect." Eric emptied his glass. Emilia furrowed her brows upon hearing that, "So those trapped inside can escape because there's no barrier?"
Eric smiled wryly as he looked up at the sky. "In exchange there's no barrier, the radius and the power-up offered by the technique are boosted significantly. Not to mention the option to 'destroy the barrier shell' becomes nonexistent since the shell itself is not present in the first place."
"You're right..." Millie murmured hopelessly. Rudy, Emilia, and Ferguson thought so too. Eric changed the subject to something more important. "About the funeral tomorrow, will you guys be coming?"
Rudy and Emilia nodded confidently. "We'll be there, Sir Eric. Even though we've only been in this city for a few days, we've already gotten to know many people. And among those people are those who have passed away." Rudy replied in a firm tone.
Millie fidgeted in her chair. "I want to come too… even though I didn't really know those who have gone to the Goddess's side… Dad?"
"Hmmm… as you wish." Ferguson let out a big sigh upon hearing his daughter's plea. Eric accepted their confirmation. "Okay. Your presence will certainly be appreciated."
The five of them continued their dinner in a comfortable and lighthearted atmosphere, and before they knew it, the day of the funeral the following morning had arrived.
***
The next day, in the northern part of the city of Themeus. A crowd of people filled the spacious cemetery grounds. They were dressed in black as a sign of respect. The biting winter wind did nothing to deter them from attending the funeral.
Priests from the Radiant Church were busy offering prayers over the rows of coffins. On a podium, James and his entire family stood solemnly, and not far from them stood the Videno family.
"This morning, we have gathered to bid farewell to those who fell during that harrowing rescue." James looked around. Commoners, adventurers, and knights alike were staring at him.
"Thanks to their courage, we managed to bring the Videno family's child home safely. For that, you who have gone to the other side… and you who stand here, you have my utmost gratitude." James gave a knight's salute, clenching his right fist and patting his chest.
Then he continued, "For those of you left behind by your loved ones… children, wives, fiancées, mothers, fathers, parents… Lord Videno and I will take full responsibility. We will provide substantial compensation to the families left behind by those brave souls..."
"May they rest in peace by the Goddess's side, and may those left behind carry on the flame of life with courage." James slowly concluded his speech, "Let us pay our final respects."
One by one, people began to approach the coffins containing their loved ones. An elderly woman trembled as she stroked a coffin, a young boy asked his mother why his father was sleeping forever, a young couple sobbed in front of a coffin...
Eric watched it all, his warm breath leaving a trail of white vapor in the cold of the season. He recalled that his father had governed this region well, so the people generally held a favorable view of him.
Just like Jonathan Videno. Although his position as Financial Chief in the Aldeno Empire was quite high, the two of them treated both the commoners and the nobles under them with respect. Even so, of course there were always people who disliked them and hated them.
The coffins began to be lowered into the graves that had been prepared beforehand. After they were closed, a priest from the Radiant Church led a communal prayer. Once the prayer was finished, the mourners placed flowers on the headstones bearing the names of their loved ones. Eric watched as Rudy and Emilia placed some flowers and chatted with a few people.
Millie placed flowers on a headstone with a heavy heart, while Ferguson chatted casually with an acquaintance. The funeral proceeded peacefully and quietly. People began to disperse after offering their regards to the Ostheno and Videno families.
The two families remained there until everyone had left, then they prepared to return to the Ostheno mansion. The knights and servants began busily preparing for the return journey, but Eric's words broke the peaceful atmosphere.
"Connor should have had enough rest today." James, Melissa, Lucas, and Laurene stopped in their tracks. Jonathan, Dorothea, Dianne, and Connor also turned around. Everyone looked toward Eric, who was standing at the back of the group.
He waited until a few knights and servants had moved a little farther away. "I was planning to do it before you guys left, but I overslept back then."
Dorothea and Melissa were confused by his words. "Dear son? What do you mean?" The look on Dianne's face also began to show irritation, but she said nothing.
"You all came here originally to seek treatment for Connor, right?" Eric looked at each person around him in turn. "One of those rumors about me is true."
Jonathan's eyes widened as he looked at Eric, who acted as if it were no big deal. With both hands still in his pockets, Eric let out a sigh. "I'll heal Connor, until he can walk and use magic again."
His words startled everyone present. Meanwhile, Eric muttered to himself.
"It's time to face this brat's past."