The taxi continued through the streets of Soraeg.
Ryke remained quiet for most of the journey.
After what had just happened with Kaelira—
he had decided that silence was probably the safest option.
Kaelira, meanwhile, was happily examining the earrings she had bought.
Every so often—
she would touch one of them.
Then smile.
Pythia noticed.
"You really like those earrings, don't you?"
Kaelira nodded.
"Yeah."
She glanced toward Draven.
"Now I can talk to Master whenever I want."
Pythia looked out the window.
"Don't abuse it."
Kaelira smiled.
"I won't."
Aldric scoffed from his seat.
"That was an effortless lie."
He glanced toward her.
"You're basically incapable of not abusing it."
Kaelira looked at him.
"I won't."
Aldric shrugged.
"Sure."
Ryke remained silent.
*Don't get involved.*
*Just keep your mouth shut.*
He looked out the window.
*Especially around Kaelira.*
---
The taxi continued deeper into the city.
Eventually—
the familiar streets surrounding The Silver Wings came into view.
Ryke recognized the building almost immediately.
"We're here."
The taxi slowed.
A moment later—
it stopped in front of the hotel.
**SKRRRT.**
Ryke looked toward the others.
"Back to the hotel."
Draven nodded.
"Good."
He opened the door.
The group stepped out one after another.
Kaelira immediately stretched.
"Finally."
She looked up at the hotel.
"I'm exhausted."
She rolled her shoulders.
"I can't wait to kick back and relax."
She glanced toward the taxi.
"At least I got to rest a little inside the motor."
---
Aldric remained inside for a moment.
The driver looked toward him.
Before the man could say anything—
Aldric placed a hand on the back of his head.
His eyes immediately began glowing crimson.
The driver's expression became blank.
Aldric leaned closer.
"It's best if you forget what happened today."
The driver's eyes remained fixed ahead.
Aldric reached into his pocket.
"But today is your lucky day."
He pulled out a gold coin.
"Since you got us here and I have plenty..."
He placed the coin into the driver's hand.
"Here."
The driver's arm slowly rose.
Aldric stepped out.
"No need to thank me."
He closed the door and followed the others into the hotel.
For a moment—
the driver remained completely still.
Then—
his eyes suddenly returned to normal.
He blinked.
"Huh?"
He looked around the taxi.
"What just happened?"
His gaze dropped toward his hand.
His eyes widened.
There was a gold coin sitting in his palm.
"...What?"
He picked it up.
He stared at it for several seconds.
"Wow."
"A gold coin?"
He turned it over.
"No way."
"Where the hell did this come from?"
He looked toward the hotel entrance.
Then back at the coin.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Well..."
He pocketed it.
"I'm not complaining."
---
The group entered the hotel.
The familiar atmosphere of The Silver Wings immediately surrounded them.
Compared to the chaotic Night Market—
the hotel felt almost peaceful.
Ryke sighed.
*Thank God.*
*No more black markets.*
*No more people staring.*
*No more nearly getting killed.*
He paused.
*Hopefully.*
They entered the elevator.
The doors closed.
For several seconds—
nobody spoke.
Then—
Kaelira suddenly looked toward Ryke.
"Ryke."
Ryke's body stiffened.
"Yeah?"
She smiled.
"Don't you dare call me that again."
Ryke's face went pale.
"Trust me, I wasn't planning to!"
Kaelira nodded.
"You'd better."
Ryke slowly exhaled.
*Why did she have to bring it up again?*
Aldric chuckled.
"At least you learned."
Ryke glared at him.
"Shut up."
Aldric's smile widened.
"It seems you're getting quite brave now, aren't you?"
Ryke immediately looked away.
"...Sorry."
"I take it back."
The elevator continued upward.
Then—
**DING.**
The doors opened.
They stepped into the hallway.
Ryke walked toward Gold Room #7.
Draven followed.
Pythia and Kaelira came behind him, while Aldric remained at the rear.
Ryke stopped in front of the door.
He took out the room token.
Then—
he placed it against the lock.
**CLICK.**
The door unlocked.
Ryke pushed it open.
"We're back."
His voice echoed through the room.
For a moment—
there was no response.
Then—
small footsteps could be heard from deeper inside.
Kaelira's eyes immediately lit up.
"They're awake."
She quickly stepped inside.
Draven followed at a much calmer pace.
The moment he entered—
his gaze swept across the room.
Vaelith was still there.
Lyriana was seated nearby.
And Nia remained unconscious where they had left her.
Vaelith immediately stood.
"My Lord."
Draven nodded.
"We're back."
Two small bats were resting around Vaelith.
One was perched on top of her head.
The other flew lazily around her.
Kaelira's expression immediately brightened.
"Hey, Elenya."
She looked toward the flying bat.
"And Lucifer."
The bat circling Vaelith suddenly began to change.
Black fur spread across its tiny body.
Its wings disappeared.
Its form shifted in midair—
and became a small black wolf.
Kaelira's eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
The little wolf dropped toward her.
Kaelira immediately reached out.
She caught it in midair.
"Got you!"
The small wolf squirmed happily in her arms.
Kaelira laughed.
"There you are."
She lifted the little wolf slightly.
"Did you miss me?"
The wolf wagged its tail.
Kaelira smiled.
"Yeah."
She hugged it against her chest.
"I missed you too."
Kaelira continued holding the little wolf in her arms, gently rubbing the top of its head.
"You got bigger."
The little wolf looked up at her.
Its tail continued wagging.
Kaelira smiled.
"Or maybe I'm just remembering you wrong."
She tilted her head.
"I guess you've changed."
Her eyes softened.
"You're a wolf now."
She gently squeezed its cheeks.
"A cute little wolf."
Draven stared at the scene.
He remained silent for a moment.
*I didn't even know she played with my siblings.*
His gaze shifted between Kaelira and the little wolf.
Vaelith watched them quietly.
"They have been restless since they woke up."
Kaelira's eyes immediately brightened.
"Really?"
She looked down at the little wolf.
"You missed me that much?"
The wolf gave a small bark.
"Woof!"
Kaelira immediately grinned.
"I knew it."
She hugged it against her chest again.
"You're such a good boy."
The little wolf happily buried its head against her.
Draven glanced over.
"That's not right."
Kaelira looked toward him.
"Huh?"
"But he missed me."
Draven sighed.
"He's supposed to be a girl."
He walked closer.
"That's Elenya."
Kaelira's expression changed.
"Oh."
Draven reached out and took the little wolf from her arms.
He held the small creature in front of him.
"Ele."
The wolf looked at him.
"How are you?"
Draven gently rubbed her head.
"Do you miss me?"
The little wolf immediately leaned toward him.
Then—
**LICK.**
Her tongue swept across Draven's cheek.
Draven blinked.
"...Yeah."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I missed you too."
The little wolf suddenly began glowing.
Her body shrank.
The black fur disappeared.
Her paws transformed into tiny hands.
Her ears changed.
Her tail vanished.
Within moments—
the little wolf had transformed back into a baby.
Elenya smiled brightly as she grabbed Draven's face with both hands.
Draven stared at her.
Then—
he gently held her.
Kaelira's eyes widened.
"So that's Elenya."
She glanced toward Vaelith.
"And that's Lucifer?"
Her gaze shifted toward the small black bat sitting quietly on Vaelith's head.
Kaelira blinked.
"Wow."
She looked between the two babies.
"How can you tell?"
Pythia answered immediately.
"Of course my lord can tell."
She glanced toward Draven.
"They're his siblings."
Her expression remained calm.
"And it's pretty much obvious."
She pointed toward the bat.
"Young Master Lucifer is always the quiet one."
Kaelira stared at Lucifer.
Then—
her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
She nodded.
"You're right."
She slowly moved closer.
Lucifer simply sat on Vaelith's head.
He didn't move.
He didn't make a sound.
He didn't even blink.
Kaelira leaned closer.
"You're really quiet."
She tilted her head.
"Not even blinking."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You must be shy."
Kaelira raised one finger.
Then—
she gently poked Lucifer.
"Tell me, Lucifero..."
Lucifer didn't react.
Kaelira poked him again.
"Are you shy?"
Nothing.
Lucifer remained completely still.
Kaelira stared at him.
"..."
She poked him once more.
Still nothing.
Her expression slowly became confused.
"You're really quiet."
Lucifer continued sitting on Vaelith's head as if Kaelira wasn't even there.
---
Meanwhile—
Ryke stood beside one of the beds.
He glanced toward the others.
Then—
his eyes returned to Nia.
The girl was still unconscious.
Her breathing remained steady.
Ryke placed a hand near his shoulder.
"She hasn't woken up yet."
Pythia looked toward her.
"She'll wake eventually."
Ryke nodded.
"Yes."
He paused.
"But how long do you think it will take?"
Pythia didn't answer immediately.
She walked closer.
Her gaze settled on Nia.
"She's recovering."
She remained silent for a moment.
"That's enough."
Ryke looked at Nia again.
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
His gaze remained on her.
*As long as she's recovering...*
*I guess there's nothing else we can do.*
The room became quiet again.
For the moment—
everyone simply waited.