Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Dreams Inscribed / Story
During the duty shift of the guards, the group quietly approaches the window of the hero's room.
With Changyu's assistance, the Gray Ravens successfully get through the window and appear before the hero.
However, what greets them is a scene completely beyond their expectations.
The traveling wizard, whom they anticipated to be indulging in delectable treats while inspecting his loot, is currently bound by ropes to a pillar.
The ropes tightly constrict his movements, leaving no room for his feet to shift, let alone his hands.
Who's there?
He immediately notices the unusual presence in the room, proving worthy of the name he once bore—"Nameless Sage".
The wizard squints his eyes, trying to discern the identities of the people hiding in the corner.
It's you? The heroes who suddenly disappeared years ago?
It took him just one glance...
He was the one turning us into this child form, remember?
In a way, he's the only one in this world who is capable of recognizing us.
However, this encounter seems to have ignited a surge of thrill within the traveling wizard. Ignoring your whispers, he struggles with all his strength in excitement, his body forcefully striking against the pillar.
Heroes, oh, my heroes, I miss you so much!
Whenever those people tied me up, I couldn't help but wish that you were by my side.
Seemingly triggered by your words, the traveling wizard casts an angry glare at the pillar.
Oh, I'm so pissed just thinking about it.
It seems that trouble's brewing again in the Realm of Dragons, and the king needs the help of heroes. But since you've disappeared, he can't find you, so here I am.
But... I thought being a hero requires some specific skills.
Huh? Oh, about that, I remember I mentioned it to you. Before you appeared, I was actually a hero myself.
Just think of it as a delayed retirement or a re-employment situation.
Forced by that bastard king.
With that said, the traveling wizard hurls another angry glare toward the pillar.
My heroes...
Having once played you for a fool with his tricks, the wizard is now giving you this pitiful look, his eyes welling up with tears.
Help me...
Following your command, the four of you immediately gather in the corner, huddling close together with your heads touching, as you exchange whispers quietly.
Looks like he is in real trouble.
But I remember he has friends, right? If that's the case, they should've been summoned here together with the hero.
I agree with Lucia. If all his friends are not around, this is likely a fraud.
Hold on, let me check my anti-fraud database first.
Should we make him take a polygraph test?
Ayla... The Supreme Goddess will definitely not allow it.
But I can compare his words with the fraudulent conversations recorded in my database to check for any duplicates...
H... Hello?
Your discussion continues for a few more minutes until a unanimous conclusion is reached. Once the decision is made, the four of you make your way back to the pillar.
Oh, it's very simple.
All you need to do is release me, and I'll go inform the king about your return. Then, I can help you make your way to the Realm of Dragons.
You're joking... You think we can solve the problem there in this state?
Easy, it's just an age-reversal spell. I've helped you remove it before, so what's the difference now?
Also, I wasn't just sitting around doing nothing all these years. I can cast a lot more spells every day now, so trust me, it'll be a piece of cake.
Thinking about claiming all the bounty again after reporting to the king?
Th-that's not true.
With Liv's wise guidance back then, I've already repented for all my wrongdoings, and I am now a different person.
So...
So, we're going to investigate first to see if your words can be trusted.
Having said that, Lee directs a gaze toward the rest of you. Following his signal, your group immediately walks away...
Don't do this to me, heroes. I swear I'm not lying.
We split the bounty fifty-fifty, alright?
Heroes, you can't just leave me to suffer all by myself here! Come on, help me, please!
Shush, the guards can hear you.
A clattering sound of metal comes from the corridor—apparently, a guard has risen from their chair.
Lucia moves a barrel next to the window and climbs on top of it, ensuring a secure escape route by opening the window.
Meanwhile, Liv, taking cues from your lead, begins delivering the prepared speech.
Well... you're the only one in this world who can recognize us.
So, it's only natural for us to consider silencing you forever, you know.
Outside the game world, Ayla operates the program to roll a die. The number shown, combined with Liv's character stats, will decide the success of her threat toward the wizard.
Winning chance: extremely low, and the result is... success! You got very lucky there, Liv!
Liv forms a V-sign with her hand and redirects her focus back to the game.
Feeling threatened by Liv, the traveling wizard falls silent. On Ayla's side, the die is rolling again, determining whether he will choose to surrender at this moment.
Uh-oh, an idea just popped into the traveling wizard's mind...
Hold on a sec, let's not even get into whether you would actually do it or not. I mean, in your current state, how exactly would you go about silencing me?
I-I...
Liv hurriedly scans the entire room, searching for any usable object, but her efforts prove fruitless. It seems that the guards have taken thorough precautions to prevent the traveling wizard from escaping.
While Lee remains stationed by the door, attentively listening for any sounds from outside, he clenches his fist and waves it defiantly at the wizard.
Unfortunately, that tiny little fist of his shows no semblance of menace, only looking cute.
Guards! I have something important to report to the king! Go tell him now!
Without hesitation, the traveling wizard unleashes a loud yell, successfully capturing the attention of the guards. In an instant, urgent footsteps can be heard approaching from outside the door.
At least 10, judging by the sound, Commandant.
How about we retreat first from where we came? We can ask for Changyu's help later to get out of the city.
I've confirmed the escape route. It's safe for now, but we have to move quickly.
Commandant?
You signal your team to gather around you, speaking to them in the lowest voice possible...
Commandant...
Are you sure about this...
I-I've never done this before...
The three of them exchange glances with each other and soon nod in agreement, their eyes filled with determination.
Following the encouragement session, the pressing question at hand is who will be the one taking the lead...
For Goddess' sake, what's the matter this time?
After unlocking the door, the guard captain enters the room, her expression tinged with resignation. Apparently, this is not the first time she has encountered such a situation.
Hm? Hold on, he's not alone. On your guard, everybody.
However, before the captain starts asking questions, Liv steps forward proactively to approach her.
She takes a deep breath, mentally preparing herself, and looks up into the captain's eyes...
Guard Lady, is he the hero in that picture on the notice board outside?
...
Oh my, look at you, young little one.
HUH?!
The tension on the captain's face immediately dissipates as her gaze settles upon Liv, who shyly speaks while gently grasping the edge of her armor.
Yes, he's the hero mentioned in the notice. But how did you kids get in here...
Before the captain can finish her question, Lucia "accidentally" makes a noise and falls over during her attempt to push the barrel, drawing everyone's attention.
Under the watchful gazes, Lucia sits on the ground with her head lowered, as if ready for the incoming blame for her mischief...
W-we didn't mean to do this.
Her "clumsy" attempt at distraction makes the guards burst into laughter.
Seemingly confused by their reaction, Lucia takes a step back with her vigilance heightened. Surprisingly, this unintentional action creates an unexpected effect on the situation.
Wait! They...
Shush, don't raise your voice. You'll scare the kids.
What?
After delivering her warning, the captain walks over to help Lucia get back on her feet.
Sweetie, this isn't a place where you should sneak in and play. How many of you have come here?
Four?
The guard carefully scans the room and eventually locks her eyes on Lee, who is hiding in a corner.
There's one here... Is there anything wrong, kid?
As Lee still has his head lowered, giving no response, the guard puts away her weapon and approaches him.
You know Lee
Desiring to get Lee out of the predicament, Lucia makes her way toward him, only to be carried up by a female guard, who seems to think Lucia may be up to more mischief.
...
Hm? Are you hurt?
Emm...
Kid?
As the guard approaches Lee, he cautiously steps backward, but his retreat is abruptly halted by the tough wall behind his back—there is no longer any space for him to escape in the corner.
(You can do it, Lee.)
Lee, I believe in you.
(Can you not make me do this...)
(Mmmph, it's too hard to break free. I can't get down.)
Kid...
Be careful. He's got a weapon!
Weapon?
Taking a deep breath, Lee composes himself and reaches for the large sea conch hanging from his waist. Under the guard's surprised gaze, he raises the conch...
And without a moment's hesitation, blows into it with full force.
Hooonk—hooonk—
Caught off guard by the abrupt occurrence, the guard takes a step back in shock. Her companion standing behind her has to place a hand on her shoulder, providing support to help her regain composure.
Meanwhile, Ayla rolls the die again.
Lee's action is peculiar enough to arouse suspicion, yet as the other guard gazes into his big, innocent eyes, all doubt within her dissipates.
Okay, let's not scare the kid. You don't want to get punched by a sea conch elf popping out of that shell, right?
This boy reminds me of my nephew. He's also quite shy facing strangers.
Captain, they seem to be just some regular kids.
What do you mean by regular kids? You've seen irregular kids before? Don't report something so obvious.
Now, kids, did you sneak in through the window because you heard the hero was here?
Yeah... We wanted to see the hero from the stories…
Ah, those good childhood memories... When I was your age, I used to be a naughty girl, just like you.
However, it's very dangerous to sneak through windows like that. Promise me you won't do it again, alright?
Okie.
Good girl!
The guard captain affectionately lifts Liv into her arms while casting a glance at the dumbfounded traveling wizard, who remains bound to the pillar.
I wish someone could learn from the kids and stop causing us trouble.
A myriad of emotions flickers across the face of the traveling wizard, as if all the mysteries in the world converge within him, adorning his wrinkles with colorful hues.
After Ayla rolls the die for the eighteenth time, the wizard finally snaps out of his bewilderment.
Wait, wait! They are the important thing I was going to report.
You want to report to His Majesty... about some kids sneaking into your room?
They're not ordinary children. They're the heroes who returned from the Realm of Dragons! It's some age-reversal magic that makes them look like this.
Age-reversal magic?
The guard captain directs her gaze toward Liv in her arms. Feeling the weight of scrutiny, Liv turns her head away subconsciously.
The captain then locks eyes with one of the guards and signals for her to step forward. Recognizing the wand held in her hand, you and your companions finally notice the presence of this mage among the guard team.
As she casts a magic-dispelling spell, a gentle glow begins to envelop your bodies.
Rolling the die for Commandant... Attempt failed.
Liv swiftly begins surveying the room to memorize all the guards' positions.
Still held in a guard's arms, Lucia struggles for a moment, not with the intention of breaking free, but rather to poise herself. Once the age-reversal magic is lifted, she can immediately grab the sword hanging at the guard's waist.
Meanwhile, Lee appears nonchalant as he continues to fiddle with the sea conch in his hands, occasionally blowing a few notes into it.
...
However, even after the light has dissipated, and the gentle breeze has carried away the shimmering particles, your appearances remain unchanged.
Once activated, the [Time Escaper's Pocket Watch] can reverse time, erasing all wounds and curses inflicted upon the targets.
This is not something as simple as a curse or magic. Even I can't dispel the effect.
...Is it over? What's the conclusion?
Well... it had no effect, which means there's no magic or curse on them.
Finally... it seems you can take a breather.
Unless it's something more advanced. After all, we're talking about the heroes...
Or not...
I'm done with this. Move over a little bit.
Oh...
Kids, listen to me.
You see the hero who is tied... uh, leaning against the pillar? Has any of you met him before?
In response, the guard captain is met with the innocent gazes of four pairs of big eyes, as you all shake your heads and emit adorable denying sounds.
Okay, the case is closed, then.
After a crisp snap of her fingers, the captain deftly stuffs a piece of bread into the mouth of the traveling wizard.
It's about time to hit the road again.
Thought I could get some time to rest, but after all this...
Kid, call me Guard Lady one more time, will ya?
Guard Lady...
Ah, the Guard Lady is now good to go.
Okay, you two, get the hero onto the carriage. Make sure he's really tied up this time, alright?
Mmm-mph! Mmm! Mmph!
Excuse me? Sorry, I can't hear what you're saying. Quick, get him ready.
Following the captain's command, the traveling wizard is adeptly released by two guards, only to be soon bound tightly again with ropes, immobilized like a cocooned caterpillar.
The two guards, one in front and the other at the back, carry the wizard outside.
Meanwhile, Lee follows behind them, blowing his sea conch even louder.
Honk, hooonk, hoooonk—
