Chapter 484: Clean, Quiet, and Orderly. (Bonus Chapter)
Slowly, the pale moonlight hanging over the Bleeding Desert began to fade, marking the beginning of a new day.
The three moons rose higher and higher, shining brightly over the desert world.
Inside Horn Lizard Town, both the humans and the Beastmen couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The previous night had been the most terrifying night of their lives.
None of them could sleep.
Even when they heard Thoren declare the death of the Horn Lizard King, their minds were not at peace.
The mere presence of the Grim Reaper inside the town placed a heavy psychological burden upon every single one of them.
Even the members of the Horn Lizard Clan did not dare breathe loudly inside their own town.
If their enemy had been any ordinary human, they might have thought about waging a life and death war against him.
However, looking at the carnage scattered throughout the streets, none of them harbored such thoughts anymore.
Going against such a devil was like throwing their lives away.
Worse, who knew if that demon might turn them into one of his undead servants after killing them.
That thought alone frightened them beyond words and many instinctively shivered.
Some even unconsciously touched their own necks as though confirming their heads were still attached to their bodies.
Walking through the blood-filled streets, humans and Beastmen silently watched the brutal aftermath while holding their breath.
The thick smell of blood still lingered throughout the town. Broken weapons lay scattered everywhere.
Pieces of shattered armor remained embedded within dried pools of blood. Several buildings still carried fresh battle scars from the previous night.
"What should we do? We can’t leave all these corpses here," a figure asked while staring at the horrifying scene before him.
His voice was unusually soft.
Almost instinctively, he lowered his volume as though afraid someone might overhear him.
"Of course, we are going to clear them. Not unless you want to go and call the Grim Reaper to come and clean the streets?"
Listening to this, the small group gathered in front of an inn immediately shuddered.
Several people quickly looked around in panic.
"Don’t play with fire. Who knows what will happen if you call his name like that," another figure warned with a trembling voice.
His face had already turned pale.
He instinctively stepped backward, increasing the distance between himself and the joking man.
"Let’s just clean our area and be done with it."
The terror of the Grim Reaper was something none of them could bear. Even his name frightened them.
No one dared mention it casually anymore. It was as though merely speaking his title might mysteriously summon him before them.
"What about his command to send a message to the Crimson Arc Guild? Has anyone gone out to deliver it?" one of the humans asked, glancing around at the others with a worried expression.
"Yes, I saw a group depart a couple of minutes earlier," another person replied while nodding lightly.
"That will be better."
"Let’s hope they can find them quickly and this nightmare will finally be over," another muttered softly.
Slowly, the number of people, both humans and Beastmen, inside the town increased as those who had remained hidden throughout the night cautiously stepped outside.
Even those who had escaped out of the town returned when they saw there was no more danger.
Horn Lizard Men collected the corpses of their fallen clansmen without making a sound.
Even without the Horn Lizard Guards securing the streets, the town remained quiet and peaceful, with no one daring to cause trouble.
It was even quieter than when the guards patrolled the streets to maintain order.
Taverns were shut.
Restaurants were closed.
Merchants’ stores were closed.
Everyone was on the streets, cleaning the town as if they were obeying an imperial order, silently removing corpses, broken weapons, shattered armor, and dried blood from every corner without anyone needing to command them.
No one complained.
No one argued.
Everyone simply worked in silence, hoping to erase the horrifying traces left behind by the previous night’s battle.
Clean, quiet, and orderly.
...
...
Deep within the desert, Solenne wore a grave expression as she stared at the two people before her.
"Guild Master, I can understand how you feel. But this is not the right time to be led by emotions," the female Twin said slowly.
Her calm voice carried genuine concern as she tried to persuade Solenne to abandon whatever reckless decision she had made.
Without Solenne speaking, she could already guess what she was planning to do from her expression.
The strong killing intent radiating from her body was enough to choke weaker awakeners to death.
Yet, she did not seem to care.
Her rage was overflowing.
Since she left her tent, her hands had never left the hilts of her blades, as though she might draw them at any moment.
When many saw her, they moved far away or chose another path.
"We are all lucky to be alive. Right now, we should find our way back to Mantis Town to recuperate, not start another battle that we cannot win," the male Twin added, his voice firm yet respectful.
"I deeply appreciate what you and your party have done for me and my guild.If fate willing, I will return this favor in the future," Solenne said sincerely as she inclined her head slightly, her voice carrying genuine gratitude despite the storm raging within her heart.
"But this, I must do it. Even if I’m going to die, I will not regret it." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for debate.
The Twins stared at each other and sighed, exchanging helpless glances.
They knew nothing they could say could change her mind.
Besides, they all understood how she was feeling, and if it were them, they knew they would have reacted in exactly the same way.
Just then, soft footsteps came from behind, accompanied by the faint rustling of sand beneath the heavy boots.
Turning their heads, they saw Kiera walking toward them with her massive axe resting on her shoulder.
"Guild Leader, the preparations are complete," Kiera said calmly, stopping a few steps away.
Since Riven was injured and Solenne was going for revenge, the leading role fell upon her shoulders, forcing her to temporarily set aside her usual battle-hungry nature and shoulder the responsibility of keeping the guild together.
"Very well. Return to Mantis Town and wait for my news," Solenne said with a grave voice, her gaze lingering briefly on every surviving guild member gathered around the camp.
"I understand."
"Be careful," Kiera said.
She wanted to go along with her but decided against it.
Right now, she had to stay back and hold the guild together until they returned to their headquarters.
Especially with many members seriously injured and their Vice Guild Leader still unconscious.
Just as Solenne prepared to depart, three men appeared in the distance.
Looking at them, everyone in the camp stared at them with solemn eyes, instinctively becoming alert after everything they had experienced throughout the previous night.
Several guild members unconsciously reached for their weapons.
Quickly, they closed the distance and appeared a couple of meters from the camp, breathing heavily.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Solenne asked, her hand already unsheathing her blade as a cold glint flashed across its edge.
"Guild Leader, we have a message from the Grim Reaper," one of them said quickly, raising both hands to show he meant no harm while trying to steady his breathing.
Hmm?
Everyone inside the camp was stunned.
None of them expected to receive a message from him.
Although Solenne was stunned and confused, she did not let it appear on her face.
"What did it say?"
"You’re to return to Horn Lizard Town and take control of it. The Grim Reaper has killed all the Horn Lizard Soldiers and their king." The young man said slowly.
"What did you just say?!" the female Twin asked, her eyes widening with disbelief as she instinctively took a step forward.
"The Horn Lizard King is dead alongside all his soldiers." He repeated.
What!
***
[AN: This Chapter is sponsored by: Scott_Berry_3382]