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Return of the Fallen Volume 5 Chapter 64

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Author: Blue_Rat

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ch64

Dinner was going as usual. Asuna and Nunully were drinking with one another. At first, it was over Kazuki but as the days turned to weeks and weeks into months, they soon just drank and chatted about their day. Kimi as well would join in with them and the three would cackle together. Tsura and Lamia were now close and had fun chatting and eating. Sam, would silently listen to Shin’s stories and every once in a while he would smile while Shin ate sloppily and laughed hard.

Kazuki would join in every now and again while Etora and Mei would race to see who could devour the quickest as well as eat the most. In the end, though, Etora always won, leaving Mei to pout for a bit. That is until the dessert was served.

Glacious like always ate quietly, watching, and listening at the head of the table. The only odd one out was Tilly.

Tilly would often joke around and tease everyone while enjoying one drink after another but after she and Glacious got into an argument over the golem’s, she’s been eerily quiet. She would still drink but instead of dowing several bottles of alcohol a night, she had cut way back. Now she consumed a single bottle. Not only that, as soon as she finished her meal she would quietly excuse herself before leaving and secluding herself in Glacious’s workshop.

Once inside, she would not come out unless it was for a meal. Otherwise, it was presumed that she was doing research. No one could understand her flip in personality, her mad obsession with the golems Magic core. Well, no one except for Kazuki and Glacious.

Glacious understood holding onto one thought, one goal when he was imprisoned by his own father for more than 100 years. Kazuki was similar. Although he’s calmed down a lot, he still desires for one thing. His brother murdered in front of his eyes, his very own Mage core being stolen and he himself almost being killed. The betrayal from the one he called mother for so many years, the absolute hatred he felt for both her and his sister Fera. Even when he thought he had finally found peace and began to cherish his granny master, when she was killed, the flame of hatred reignited within him.

Kazuki and Glacious both recognized the look Tilly had and Kazuki had asked Glacious if he would reconsider letting Tilly take a look at the magic cores within the golems but Glacious had refused again. Kazuki wanted to somehow help Tilly before she became lost but Glacious was the complete opposite. He was becoming more and more annoyed towards Tilly. He had welcomed her as a guest and yet her greed for his things was to no end. Still, he didn’t step in.

“Tsura.”

Glacious called out to Tsura, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“Senior…Dragon.”

Glacious pat his mouth clean with a napkin and the room grew quiet.

“Your food is delicious as always.”

“Thank you senior dragon.”

“Big bro is that all you wanted to say. Please don’t interrupt a lady’s conversation over just that.”

Lamia chuckled playfully as she said that. Mei as well chimed in.

“Right right, mister dragon is right. Mama’s cooking is the bestest. Now that Mama’s got the tastiest ingredients, her food’s gone up to a whole nother level.”

Etora downed a large bowl of soup and licked his lips.

“Little bird is right. Tsura, ever since you started making the meals, I feel like my mouth is in the heavens. Before I would just simply eat because I wanted to fill my stomach. Now I look forward to all the food specifically so I can eat your fantastic grub.”

Tsura felt a sense of pride at these compliments but then Glacious’s next words were like a cold bucket of water being dumped on her head.

“Yes the food is delicious but tomorrow take a break, as a matter of fact, you can rest easy for a few weeks. You don’t have to cook.”

“Eh!”

Tsura felt her pride deflated like a bubble being popped. Lamia got mad for Tsura.

“Big bro what are you saying? Are you really insulting Tsura like that? How can you be so mean?”

Etora as well couldn’t understand Glacious and yelled.

“Big bro, what is the meaning of this!? Are you trying to take food away from me!? You may be my big bro but you go too far!”

“Mister dragon, you don’t like mama’s cooking?”

Three people along with the rest misunderstood. Glacious felt a headache coming on and rushed to put out the fire.

“I’m surrounded by dull beings in a tiny world. I never thought my life would take this turn. Before things dive off a cliff everyone be quiet for a moment and listen to my words.”

Glacious’s tone became serious and the murmurs died down and he continued.

“First off, I already said the food is delicious and I meant it. So everyone calm down. Secondly, the reason why I said she didn’t have to cook for a few weeks has nothing to do with her. In my territory, all of the ingredients for the healing concoction have been completely used up. My golems have picked the land clean, therefore, the cauldron can not be used for the time being. For the next several weeks my golems will have nothing to do so I thought it would be nice if Tsura could have a break as she has been making every meal nonstop for a few months now. I thought this would be nice but Tsura you tell me, do you wish to continue to make food or not?”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Tsura was not being kicked out of the kitchen because Glacious was being an asshole, rather he was trying to give her a break since his golems no longer had anything to do.

Tsura as well felt a weight off her shoulders.

Lamia nudged Tsura.

“Go on, tell big bro you want to stay in the kitchen.”

Tsura thought for a moment.

“Senior dragon, I would like to continue to make the meals.”

Tsura paused for a moment before she added.

“Maybe a small break wouldn’t be bad though. How about this, I’ll keep making dinner and the golems can make breakfast and lunch. I haven’t gotten to spend much time with Mei lately and she’s been talking my ear off about having a picnic at a great spot. Senior dragon, how does that sound.”

Mei’s big eyes lit up and she began to cheer.

“Yay yay yay. We’re gonna have a picnic we’re gonna have a picnic. Mama, I’m gonna take you to the bestest spot and we’ll eat delicious snacks and we can fly over the mountains together and go super super high and…”

Mei began to prattle on in excitement. Glacious on the other hand nodded.

“Good, then it’s decided. You will keep making dinner for us and my golems will handle breakfast and lunch for a while.”

Shin as well became excited and rubbed his hands together greedily.

“Teacher, if the golems are going back to making food and the cauldron can’t be used for now, does this not mean we’re getting a mini-vacation?”

When he said that, All of the lady’s eyes lit up. Glacious raised a brow.

“Hmm, who said anything about taking time off?”

Kimi though couldn’t help but stare at Sam and whispered in his ear.

“Doesn’t that mean we can go on some dates alone?”

She whispered it but in a room where everyone had above and beyond senses, how could they not hear that. Even Lamia’s ear twitched and she didn’t have super hearing.

Nunully and Asuna couldn’t help but call out at the same time.

“A date.”

They both stared daggers at one another while out of their peripheral they sneaked peeks at Kazuki, who seemed indifferent.

Lamia as well looked at Kazuki but she hid nothing as she licked her lips in delight.

(If he’s not training, doesn’t this mean I can finally relieve some stress and let loose, fufufu.)

Glacious shook his head.

“Just because you can’t use my cauldron, it doesn’t mean you can all suddenly slack off.”

Lamia snapped at him.

“Big bro, are you a slave master or are you their teacher. Everyone knows you can’t continuously push someone. If you don’t give them a break every once in a while, their spirits will be crushed and they’ll build up fatigue. They must be allowed to have some time for relaxation.”

“Um, no little sis, the cauldron get rid of their physical fatigue. It’s impossible for their bodies to break down with the cauldron.”

Lamia shook her head in defiance.

“You just said the cauldron was a no go right now. Plus, I was talking about mental fatigue. The only way to recover the mind is with proper rest and play.”

Glacious thought for a moment and everyone was at the edge of their seats. Finally he relented with a nod.

“Little sis, what you say makes sense. I suppose they can relax for a bit. Yes, this will be good. Young Kazuki and the others will only need the cauldron a few more times anyway before I prep them for the 4th stage. A little relaxation before they attempt to enter the 4th stage may be the perfect reset for their minds. A peaceful mind and a calm soul will be beneficial towards their attempt.”

Shin and the ladies all cheered before they all realized the bombshell Glacious just dropped.

Kazuki as well felt his mind numb.

“Senior, did you just say we’ll be attempting the 4th stage soon?”

“That’s correct. Your physical bodies are nearing their limit. later on, it will be incredibly difficult to increase your body’s physical abilities with simple heavy lifting and a magic cauldron. You all should be able to handle ample amounts of magic coursing through you and you can all attempt the 4th stage by my estimate within 1 month and a half. First things first, little brother, I’ll need you to make a trip to the outside world. I’ll need you to gather some supplies for me.”

Etora lifted his head from his plate and swallowed a large chunk of meat with the bone still in whole. He saluted playfully.

“Leave it to me big bro.”

With that Glacious quickly wrote up a list and handed to Etora along with some gold.

Everyone chatted happily and discussed what they would do with their free time while Tilly quickly stepped away.

After dinner when Etora was alone, Tilly approached him.

“Hey, wolf.”

Etora turned and saw Tilly walking over with a drink in hand.

“Little bat, are you looking for me? You almost never call out to me.”

Tilly nodded before passing a piece of paper to Etora.

“Hmm, what is this?”

Etora unfolded the paper and found a list of many strange items and ingredients.

“A list, what is this for?”

“I was wondering if you could get those items for me. Seeing as how you’re already headed to the outside world anyway. I would really appreciate it if you could do me this favor.”

Etora was a little taken aback. He never knew Tilly to ask for favors.

“Hmm, I don’t know. Is anything on this list bad?”

Tilly shook her head.

“Bad, what nonsense. Those are simple items that will help me with my research and nothing more. You know what Glacious said. If I ever decided to leave this place I would have to wait possibly years to reenter. I guess that rule only applies to me though. I could have sworn he said he couldn’t reopen it at whim but I guess he was lying.”

Etora’s eyes turned cold hearing that.

“Big brother doesn’t lie.”

His aura came out and Tilly felt a heavy pressure surround her. She quickly recalled her statement.

“Sorry sorry, my mistake. You’re right Glacious doesn’t lie, I’m just a little tired these days and I’ve had a bit too much to drink. Please forgive this old tongue of mine. It wags far too much.”

Etora stared at her for a while but said nothing. Finally, Tilly could take it no more and pulled something out of her storage ring.

A large bright blue fruit.

As soon as she did, Etora naturally pulled his aura back and his eyes went wide.

“This, do you know what type of fruit this is wolf?”

Droll began to fall down Etora’s mouth as he smacked his lips.

“Gamcha fruit. I recognize that smell. I once smelled it 30 years ago and by luck, I managed to eat one. It’s super rare and super tasty. You actually have one. How?”

Tilly shook her head.

“I as well got lucky. During the Eden fall war…Never mind that, it doesn’t matter. Deal or no deal?”

Tilly tossed the blue fruit from one hand to the other and Etora’s eyes followed it closely. He looked over the list for a moment and found nothing out of place and saw no downside. Get a few cheap items for a super rare treasured fruit. There was no need to think.

Etora nodded repeatedly.

“Deal deal, super deal.”

“Good, a man’s word is his bond.”

Tilly then tossed him the fruit. Etora practically inhaled it and the fruit flew into his mouth. Chewing it a few times, his body trembled in pure delight.

“Little brother hurry up!”

Glacious called out to Etora from afar and Etora ran over blissfully.

“Hmm, why do you seem so happy?”

“Hehehe, big bro I just had a super tasty fruit.”

“Oh, just food again, of course, why am I not surprised. Whatever, are you ready.”

“Always.”

Glacious grabbed at the empty air and opened a rift in the sky. Etora smiled and jumped through, his voice echoing as the space rift began to close.

“See ya soon big bro.”

Glacious said nothing and quickly closed the rift. A few coughs escaped his mouth and he felt the mark on his soul, stealing and feeding on his power.

Tilly watched this for a while before turning and walking away with a devious smile.

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