...

A few moments later, Menerva managed to calm down.

Not too long before she did so, One Shot Brick's group arrived on the scene, and Meng Jiang left to greet them, leaving Izroth alone with Menerva.

In the end, Meng Jiang was too far away to hear what Izroth and Menerva were discussing; however, she believed that it was for the better that she did not know. After all, based on Menerva's previous actions alone, it was not difficult to understand a thing or two.

"Have you calmed down?" Izroth asked.

Menerva gave a slight nod in response. She remained silent for a while before finally speaking out.

"I have revealed to you an unsightly blemish. I am aware that my present position is not ideal when it comes to requesting a favor. However... I beseech Palace Master Izroth to retain the accounts of my life nearer to his mind than to his lips." Menerva spoke softly.

"Rest assured; I am not in the habit of needlessly spreading around the history of others. However, it was ne-"

"Necessary—I am aware." Menerva chimed in before Izroth could finish speaking.

Now that she collected herself and organized her inner thoughts, Menerva quickly pieced everything together.

Menerva released a small sigh, "Your methods are not gentle, Palace Master Izroth. If you failed, there always existed the possibility that I would never have recovered. Your actions were too rash."

"It's true, that may have been the case—if you did not have something that you must protect at all costs. It takes a firm will to never submit. But, when one lacks the strength to steer their own fate, it requires a strong heart to submit for the sake of others. How could such a heart give way?"

Of course, even if he failed, Izroth did not plan on allowing Menerva to suffer. There were plenty of methods at his disposal; however, this was the fastest. Not to mention, he was confident that Menerva would not permit herself to slip into oblivion.

'I have witnessed a myriad of atrocities in the Seven Realms. In a world where the strong decide what is right and what is wrong, this place is a paradise in comparison. Nevertheless—it appears that this world has its own cruelties.'

In this world, no matter how strong a mortal was individually, they could never face the world with their strength alone. All it took was one accident, one bad day—and it was all over. In a way, Izroth found that part of this world much crueler than that of the Seven Realms.

After all, in the Seven Realms, at least one could cultivate the power to go against their fate and stand face to face with the heavens. But, here, one had to stand face to face with their own weakness—their own mortality. Menerva closed her eyes as she contemplated Izroth's words.

"So Palace Master Izroth was that kind of man all along. If it's him, then..." Menerva thought to herself as she came to a realization.

Menerva opened her eyes with a new look of clarity contained within them. Since things had progressed to the point of no return, it was too late to turn back. Now, all she could do was keep moving forward.

"I know that it is shameless of me to ask for a second request as I reflect upon everything that I have put Palace Master Izroth and Sacred Beasts through. However, since you have acquired detailed information regarding my past, I assume you are informed of my present circumstances as well."

Izroth nodded and replied, "The orphanage."

"That is correct. As long as the orphanage is under his influence, there is no action I can take. I do not fear the danger to my life as it is a choice I have made and am prepared to live with. But, I cannot risk the lives of those at the orphanage. That's why-"

Menerva stood straight as she gently placed one hand over the other before bowing formally.

"Please, lend me your assistance. Your price—I will bear it." Menerva said without a hint of regret in her voice.

Izroth did not respond immediately as he silently observed Menerva. She hid it well, but Izroth could see that Menerva's hands were trembling.

Even if she put on a brave front, Menerva herself understood that if she did not seek Izroth's help here and now, that there would be no chance to do so in the future.

"One time... At least one time—I want to trust myself." Menerva stated without lifting her head.

From a logical standpoint, it made close to no sense.

In the end, Izroth was a stranger that owed her nothing. Why would he go out of his way to help her and bring potential danger upon himself? The safer choice would be to beg Vault for a second chance; after all, even if he were enraged, at the very least, he would not toss her aside until he achieved his goal.

But, for once in her life, Menerva wanted to go against her mind.

The world was an unfair place; this was something Menerva learned at a tender age. So once... Just once, she desired to see a path that led to more than pure darkness.

Just once, regardless of how dim or distant—she wanted to see the light on a path she'd taken.

'I want to trust myself... Is it?'

Trusting yourself may seem a simple task on the surface; however, self-doubt lurked within even the most brilliant of minds.

No, to be more precise, those with brilliant minds often doubted themselves more than others because they were aware of just how little they knew in the grand scheme of things.

True wisdom is the knowledge of how little one knows—a realization that enables them to begin asking questions to approach the hidden truth.

Just now, Izroth witnessed Menerva take a critical step down the road that led to those hidden truths.

Izroth pointed her in the direction she must take with his actions and words; however, it was up to Menerva to complete the journey itself. Once she reached that end...

'Her growth will become limitless. In this world, perhaps such a beast was better left to its slumber.'

"The current you—I doubt my price is something that you can bear," Izroth stated.

Menerva tensed up.

"I see... Of course, he would not entertain such an unreasonable request that produces zero benefits... Ah, it ceased..." Menerva internalized as she noticed that she was no longer trembling.

For some reason, even after hearing Izroth's response, she was not disheartened. Instead, she felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. This feeling... It was one that she never wanted to forget.

"However-"

Menerva suddenly snapped out of her deep thoughts when she heard Izroth continue to speak.

"That does not mean this will always be the case. The future is filled with various uncertainties. The opportunity may just have yet to present itself. Nonetheless, it is a gamble I am willing to take." Izroth said as a carefree smile formed on his face.

Menerva was momentarily stunned as she shot up straight with an expression of disbelief.

A gamble he was willing to take? Then...!

"And, you should know—I've never lost a bet." Izroth followed up.

Menerva remained speechless. She tried to find the perfect words to weave together into a sentence that represented her gratitude; however, at that moment, even she came up empty-minded.

But, there was no need for complicated words. That's right... After all, weren't there two simple words that embodied her feelings?

"...Thank you," Menerva said softly as she bowed once more.

It was only two words, but for Menerva, these two words gave birth to something she was experiencing for the first time in her life—hope.

...

Somewhere in RML...

Crash!

A wooden chair shattered to pieces as it was thrown to the ground. However, it did not cause much of a mess, considering the already destroyed state of the room.

"I want him dead! You hear me?! F***ing dead!" Vault yelled. He was infuriated!

Never before had he lost so much face and been humiliated to that extent!

"B-Boss-" Doctor Dark tried to calm Vault down; however, he was quickly silenced.

"Shut up! Not just him! Everyone close to him! Put out a bounty on everyone associated with that bastard's Mystical Realm Palace! And find out his true identity! He must think he's safe just because he can hide behind his avatar; I'll show him what happens to those who dare go against me!!!" Vault shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Yes, I'll put it out at once! I'll personally inform the others!" Doctor Dark responded with haste as he headed towards the exit.

"Wait!"

Doctor Dark halted his steps and turned to face Vault.

"That orphanage—send the Mad Dogs. Tell their leader I'll owe them a favor. I still need her abilities, so don't mess her up too bad. As for the others, they can do whatever they want with them. I'll show that b***h what happens when she fails me..!" Vault said as his gaze turned cold.