I walked quickly down the streets toward the Central Church, passing by familiar buildings and shops.
Even as I hurried, I couldn't help but notice how much had changed—how much had been repaired.
One year's worth of effort... but for me, it was all in the span of an hour.
Time felt strange here because of two worlds moving at different speeds.
Finally reaching the Central Church, I stepped inside.
There, in front of the grand statue of Goddess Glyss, I saw her—Lady Saya.
Kneeling in prayer, her figure bathed softly in the colored light pouring through the stained glass.
I stood quietly in the background, simply watching her.
Her presence was calm, almost ethereal.
"Welcome back, Sir Alve," she spoke in her gentle voice, without even turning to look.
Still in her prayer posture, she opened her eyes and asked,
"How are you doing, Sir Alve? It's been a while."
"I guess so... but for me, it was only about an hour," I replied, stepping closer.
Breaking her prayer, Lady Saya turned to face me.
Her eyes locked onto mine, and with a serene smile, she said,
"Eyes that reflect mana... Seems the mana you absorbed from the Elder Lich and the dungeon core still lingers inside your body."
"Yeah," I nodded, "but... I think there's more mana inside me now."
Placing her hand gently on my chest, she closed her eyes for a moment, sensing something.
"Indeed," she whispered, "The sword... It has merged into your mana. It now sleeps within you."
"The sword?" I muttered.
Was she talking about _that_ crystal sword?
The one I pieced me after I absorbed the core?
"I need to speak to Goddess Glyss," I said urgently. "Can you help me contact her, Lady Saya?"
She shook her head slowly, turning back to the statue.
"I'm sorry, Sir Alve," she said softly. "Since the day you left, her voice has not reached me. The only message I ever received... was that _he will return soon_."
It finally clicked.
"So it really _was_ her doing," I muttered.
The way I died... only to wake up back home without any talks.
No questions, no words, just waking up after death.
"Lady Saya," I asked, my voice quieter, "is there anything else you can tell me?"
She turned slightly, offering me that same gentle smile I have seeing every time.
"As I have always told you, Sir Alve—believe in yourself."
Same words, so simple, yet carrying a weight of a smile that I feel going to bite me back.
Nodding silently, I turned and left the Central Church, the echo of her words following me out into the sunlit streets.