Ebner Brian… Mobet and the elf Siatas had all heard this name. After all, the three official Extraordinary team members—Difo, Dawn, and Dasi—were sent inside by this very gentleman… Naturally, they had already pried quite a bit of information about the current holder of Groselle's Travels from the trio.
But now that they saw him in person, Mobet and the other five realized that the information they'd obtained was already outdated, because the gentleman before them was absolutely not some powerful Sequence 5—he was a genuine demigod!
And the truly terrifying one was the doll perched on this Mr. Brian's shoulder after finishing off the two frozen "seafoods." Mobet even felt that the pressure She gave him surpassed even that old man of the Soroyasder family.
At this moment, the "Notary" Difo—who had prior dealings with Ebner—exchanged a glance with Mobet, then enthusiastically greeted the newcomer before asking, feigning curiosity:
"Lord Brian, did you kill the 'King of the North'?"
Ebner naturally understood what they wanted to know, so he nodded and said with a smile:
"Ulyssan is indeed dead, and the 'door' leading back to the outside world has already opened."
The moment his words fell, the eight-person party before him—including the ascetic Snoeman—experienced a momentary pause in their breathing. Finally, it was the "Appraiser" Miss Dasi who trembled as she asked:
"Lord Brian… does this mean we can return to reality?"
Only the Lord knew how many years she'd waited for this day.
Ebner, who had been secretly observing their physical conditions since he appeared, first nodded. Then, under the hopeful gazes of Dasi and the other two, he slowly said:
"Difo, Dawn, and Miss Dasi can return without issue…"
As he spoke, he looked at Groselle's group of five and shook his head:
"But the rest of you likely cannot."
Before he even finished, the Loen soldier Frunziar spoke out, his expression trembling:
"Why?!"
In that instant, he even forgot that the man before him might be an angel.
Mobet and Siatas exchanged a look, then both fell silent. Yet the hands they clasped tightened considerably.
The "Ascetic" Snoeman, prompted by Ebner's tone, also turned to face the long-ignored question. He sighed deeply.
As for Groselle, he did not overthink things. Instead, he simply stood firmly by Frunziar's side—sharing the same advance and retreat.
Ebner took in all their reactions. Ignoring Frunziar, he turned his gaze to the gradually ambiguous Siatas and Mobet and asked with a smile:
"You two must have guessed a little, right?"
Upon being asked, Mobet brushed his sharp black hat with his free hand and offered a bitter smile:
"Yes. It has been thousands of years…
"I once heard a saying: 'Before a time older than the ancient itself, even death will fade.'
"Let alone us!"
Beside him, the elf Siatas' soft, exquisite features also showed a moment of daze:
"In fact, even as an elf, I feel like I have lived far too long."
Hearing his companions' words, the giant Groselle and the soldier Frunziar finally understood the true meaning behind Ebner's statement that they couldn't leave.
Yet the protagonist of this tale—though he appeared simple—understood clearly what was right and what was wrong. He declared firmly:
"Lord, I still want to go out. Even if I have to die, I want to die in reality. This place is not our home!"
The moment he finished speaking, Mobet, Siatas, and Snoeman all walked to stand beside him, wordlessly expressing their shared stance.
Dasi, Difo, and Dawn wore expressions of sorrow. Though they'd been together only a short while, the honest, straightforward, optimistic giant had already earned their admiration.
No wonder he is the 'protagonist' of this story… what a charismatic fellow.
Ebner was praised internally, but he did not rush. Instead, he smiled calmly:
"There's no need to act so tragically… your situation is not without a solution.
"What you cannot withstand is simply the 'erosion of time'… Under normal circumstances, yes, this is nearly impossible to resolve…
"But—miracles do exist in this world."
"Miracles…" Mobet repeated the word, and his eyes lit up. He exclaimed excitedly:
"My lord, do you know a Miracle Invoker of the Zaratul family?"
Siatas, Groselle, and the others might not understand what a "Miracle Invoker" meant, but seeing Mobet's sudden excitement, they sensed that this "miracle" Lord Brian spoke of might indeed solve their problem. Hope rose within each of them.
If one can live, who would choose death?
"I don't know a Zaratul Miracle Invoker, but I do know a certain 'Wanderer' of the Abraham family who is about to ascend to 'Miracle Invoker.'"
Ebner replied with a faint smile.
The Abraham family actually has the potion formula for "Miracle Invoker"?
Mobet, well-aware of the Abraham family—strongest under the gods—was shocked. Just as he was about to ask more, Siatas seized the moment:
"My lord, just be direct. What must we offer to receive this 'miracle'?"
Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet her tone carried her characteristic impatience.
Good question.
Ebner nodded to himself, but outwardly, after sweeping his gaze across the group, he said calmly:
"My requirement is simple: after you return, you'll work for me for ten years."
He had intentionally revealed his power to establish authority and recruit the entire Groselle squad—especially Mobet and Siatas.
Talents are rare, and Beyonder talents even rarer. His current foundation was shallow, he had no time to train people, and if he truly wished to ascend to angelhood or even godhood one day, he would need subordinates—possibly even a church. Since ready-made candidates were right here, he had no intention of letting them go.
Within this team:
—Groselle had his own beliefs;
—Snoeman was a devout follower of the "Lord";
Neither were they ideal to recruit—contracts at best.
But Mobet and Siatas were different:
One had lost his nation and family.
The other species was nearly extinct.
With his connection to Cohinem, nurturing them would yield subordinates as capable as Elaine.
As for Frunziar, his characteristic was imaginary. Once he left, he'd be a normal man. Even if he became Beyonder again, his acting speed would simply be faster.
As for the three official Beyonders, Ebner also planned to recruit them—just not immediately.
At this moment, hearing Ebner's terms, Mobet asked cautiously:
"My lord, what kind of work do you require?"
"Don't worry. You'll simply manage some of my enterprises. I won't force you to do anything against your will.
"Besides, you have ample time to consider… the Abraham 'Wanderer' has yet to truly ascend."
Ebner didn't pressure them. These were stubborn-willed individuals; coaxing was better than coercion.
Thus, his tone shifted slightly as he looked at Siatas:
"Siatas, I believe you've seen this before."
He took out a golden goblet engraved with the word "Cohinem" and "sent" it to her hand.
"This is the Queen's favorite cup!"
Siatas recognized it at a glance, speaking with difficulty before she lifted her head urgently:
"Where did you find it? How is Her Majesty?"
Cohinem might still be an evil spirit, but She should be stable…
Ebner did not mention his cordial relationship with Her. He simply said:
"She is currently trapped within your people's 'Trial Cathedral.' Only a pureblood elf performing the 'Calamity Song Ritual' can release Her."
"The Calamity Song Ritual… I alone am not enough. It requires at least five 'Elven Songsters' or a hundred ordinary elves…"
Siatas murmured, then finally gathered her resolve:
"If this is true… I accept the deal!"
After learning that the Elven Court had fallen, she had already been ready to die. But hearing that Cohinem still existed gave her new purpose. She no longer wished for death.
This was exactly what Ebner intended.
With her agreement, Mobet naturally followed—ten years of labor for a miracle was a bargain.
Then, Frunziar and Groselle also agreed. Only the ascetic Snoeman refused, unwilling to serve another, given his faith in the Lord.
Fortunately, Ebner had no intention of forcing him. Even if he ultimately refused, Ebner would bring him out, consider it a favor to Mobet and Siatas.
Having made his calculations, Ebner outwardly only told them not to hurry—he would return and receive their final answer then.
As for Dasi, Dawn, and Difo, they were reluctant to abandon their companions and intended to wait for Ebner's next visit so they could leave together…
But under Mobet's persuasion, they agreed to go ahead, "test the waters," and confirm Ebner's claims.
Thus, after a simple farewell, the three were led by Ebner to the top of the snowy mountain, to the collapsed remains of the King of the North's cavern.
Ebner didn't immediately send them through the snow-covered double-door. Instead, he let the small "wand"—containing the Desolate Matriarch's characteristic—transform "vitality" and grant it to the three officials.
They had entered Roselle's dream-memorial twenty years ago. The food and water they consumed were conjured from the collective subconscious. In the dream and in Groselle's Travels, such materials counted as real food, so their bodies had endured.
But once they returned to reality, that "food" would vanish, as would the "nutrients" and "flesh" it had formed!
They needed vitality to cling to life, then fleshcraft to restore what would be missing.
Fortunately, the oldest among them was only in their fifties—still within salvageable lifespan.
But Groselle's group—if they exited—would collapse into bones instantly. No amount of vitality would help.
However, just as Ebner prepared to continue, he encountered a new problem…
The small "wand" was hungry.
It wanted to drink "milk"…
(End of chapter)