The next day.
Gobu Yue and Lin Tian waited alone in an empty room.
They stood quietly in the palace square, awaiting news of the others.
Gobu Kuang and the rest had fully recovered from their injuries, showing no signs of further trouble.
Even the Dwarf Empire seemed stable.
The kingdom, too, had regained its peace.
"Boss, Lady One-Eyed Owl and Lady Alice left so decisively… do you really… really think they'll come back?"
Gobu Yue asked, deeply concerned.
From a practical perspective, there was no reason for them to return.
They'd barely been gone two or three days, after all; no one would expect them to come back so soon from their journey.
Especially since Alice had even threatened to kill Lin Tian if she ever saw him again.
Just thinking about it made Gobu Yue shudder.
Lin Tian was also uncertain.
"Hmm… It may seem unlikely, but the curse on me is gone.
I think they'll all come back.
And even if they don't, you and I will carry on together, won't we?"
Just as he said this—
They saw a group appear at the palace gates, carrying heavy bags and bundles.
It was none other than the One-Eyed Owl and the others who'd left before!
"Hey, kid!
Miss me?"
the One-Eyed Owl called from afar.
Behind her, Osius, Grugia, and the others looked on, faces full of joy and nostalgia.
Lin Tian smiled slightly and replied, "What do you think?
Without you here, my machine's been rusting!"
"What machine?"
The One-Eyed Owl looked puzzled.
Beside them, Gobu Yue also seemed confused.
"Machine?
What machine, and what does it have to do with Lady One-Eyed Owl?
Shouldn't that be Master Bill's area?"
"Hahaha, Brother Tian, isn't Gobu Yue keeping you company?
And then there's Alice, Lia…"
Osius and the others teased.
Suddenly, they noticed something strange: the palace was unusually quiet!
Logically, Alice, Lia, and the others should've appeared by now, knowing they'd returned.
Yet only Lin Tian and Gobu Yue were present.
Upon hearing this, Lin Tian explained everything to them.
"Big Sis, can you tell me why you wanted to go on this journey?"
"Huh?
Why?"
the One-Eyed Owl thought for a moment.
"It just suddenly felt like something I had to do.
But as quickly as that urge came, it left, so I came back."
Lin Tian listened carefully, realizing just how vicious and insidious this Curse of Envy had been.
It could compel them to leave with no apparent reason.
He nodded and explained, "Believe it or not, you were all cursed because of me.
That curse made Alice leave me as well, and she even swore to kill me if we ever crossed paths again."
"What?!"
"Lady Alice left too?
And she said something so hurtful?"
"A curse?!"
The One-Eyed Owl's face showed her shock and fear.
"So… has it been lifted?"
Lin Tian nodded.
"Yes, or else we would never have seen each other again."
The members of the Dragon-Slaying Guild took a sharp intake of breath, faces marked with a lingering fear, realizing how serious it had been, yet they'd sensed nothing.
Suddenly, the One-Eyed Owl let out a relieved chuckle.
She patted Lin Tian on the shoulder, "Well!
It's over now.
You really didn't want us to leave, huh?
Alright, alright, I won't leave you again!"
Everyone relaxed, joking and teasing each other.
Lin Tian smiled faintly, letting his silence speak as his answer.
Then he seemed to remember something.
"By the way, did you all get too caught up in celebrating to remember something important?"
"What do you mean?
You dealt with the one who cursed you, didn't you?"
the One-Eyed Owl asked, clearly aware of the issue.
Everyone fell silent, listening intently.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed as he spoke darkly, "The one who died was just an accomplice.
The true mastermind—the Great Demon King of Lust, the Great Demon King of Wrath, and the other six Demon Kings from the Uninhabited Zone—are still out there."
"Bang!"
A sharp burst of energy erupted!
The sound was piercing, almost painful to the ears.
Around the One-Eyed Owl, the ground within a meter had cracked, emitting a fierce aura of killing intent and battle lust!
She stretched her neck and cracked her knuckles.
"Is that so?
So, when do we get to take those damn demons down?"
Seeing her enthusiasm, Lin Tian felt reassured.
"Soon.
Let's wait a bit more.
There are still many who haven't returned yet."
In the distance, Lia and a group of elves appeared, clambering over the palace walls rather than using the main entrance.
Near the gate, Goblin Slayer—dressed in heavy armor—stood tall.
She had trained with Gobu Yue in magic, studied combat techniques with the One-Eyed Owl and Alice, and mastered all the Goblin abilities.
Her power now rivaled that of a Demon King, boasting an astonishing combat strength of over 15,000.
"Your Majesty!
Forgive us.
We lingered at the edge of the Uninhabited Zone for so long, unable to decide… but in the end, we've returned.
Will you… will you still have us?"
Lia spoke with deep remorse, half-kneeling before Lin Tian.
The other elves quickly followed suit.
Lin Tian replied, "Welcome back.
For as long as I'm alive, I'll always watch over you all."
After all, these elves had been the foundation of his progress, the cornerstone of his strength.
They'd shared some of their intelligence with even the most primitive goblins, aiding the production of hundreds, if not thousands, of goblins, which had been essential to overcoming those challenging early days.
How could he ever forget all they had done?
Lia's eyes filled with grateful tears.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"It's good to have you back," Gobu Yue said warmly as she stepped forward to take Lia's delicate hand and help her to her feet.
At that moment, Goblin Slayer slowly removed her helmet, allowing her long, flowing hair to fall free.
A fresh, fragrant scent drifted on the breeze, calming and refreshing.
Lin Tian turned to her.
"How was it, living as a wanderer?
Not as glamorous as you'd expected?"
Goblin Slayer teased him back, "Oh, don't tell me you're jealous.
My wandering was all within the city, after all, not away from you.
No need to be so possessive."
Lin Tian, eager to welcome her, spread his arms in a grand gesture.
"Alright then, my queen, welcome home."
Goblin Slayer's royal blood had once allowed him to control and manage vast numbers of goblins, leading them efficiently.
With her aid, he had been able to conquer the Great Tomb and secure victory on the Laiyang Plains.
Goblin Slayer laughed softly, "Good that you know your place~"
Suddenly—
A dragon's roar tore through the sky, scattering clouds!
Two shapes, one red and one black, streaked down like meteors from the horizon.
The One-Eyed Owl looked up in amazement.
"Such speed!
Could that be… Spark and Little Black?
Have they grown this much already?"
The two dragons were massive in size yet moved with incredible speed—a sight hard to believe.
With a thunderous crash, they descended.
"Father!!"
Little Black bolted toward Lin Tian with a childlike excitement, like a little girl running to her father.
But her claws and spines made Lin Tian wince in pain.
"Alright, Little Black, if you keep hugging me like that, you'll be sending me to an early grave."
Nearby, a young dragon with vibrant orange hair that burned with a soft flame stood bashfully.
His scales were pressed tightly against his body, reminiscent of a shy plant folding in when touched.
He watched Lin Tian, his face a complicated mix of emotions, unable to approach.
…
Not gonna lie, it's actually touching that the Curse of Envy couldn't affect Gobu Yue's loyalty to Lin Tian.