When you all return to the apothecary, Anna quickly goes to work and develops the cure for Furbane Fever out of the minotaur horn.

While you were gone, it was Elder Illya and Chief Ginta who watched over Anya and the Mystfox, giving them healing potions when their health points decreased. They assuringly nod to you and your crew the moment you step into the building.

And following an excruciatingly long wait, the alchemist comes back with two pale potions.

[Cure Disease Potion]

Description: A pale white concoction that cures even the most tenacious of diseases.

Quality: Legendary

Weight: 0.5

She administers the cure to the infirmed duo and everyone silently watches as their complexions gradually improve.

As you patiently sit beside the Mystfox and await his recovery, the small chance of failure looms over your head. This is your only shot, and if it doesn't work, you don't know what you'll do.

Suddenly, you feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn your head and see Elder Illya wearing a hopeful smile.

"If you expect the worst to come, Gaia will hear your thoughts and mistake them for prayer," the old woman notices your despondent countenance. "So instead, hope for the best. Preparing for the worst is fine, but never let it consume your mind, Nameless Seer."

"Elder Illya..." you snap out of your gloom. "Mm, you're right. Thanks."

You cannot calm your racing heart, however, and you squeeze your thighs as seconds become minutes. The elves also share in your restlessness and they fidget about in their own ways.

Then a noise disturbs the silence. "H-hngh..."

Anya's eyes flicker slightly and they gently open, revealing her bright green eyes.

Fidri immediately rushes in and hugs her. "Anya!"

"E-eh..? F-Fidri?!"

"Don't worry me like that you dunce of a sister!" his voice trembles as he tears up. "I thought you were a goner!"

"Huh?! What happened..?"

"You passed out in the Garden Beast's bedroom remember? And you were infected with the same disease I had as a baby!"

"A-ah... I can vaguely recall that... my memory's a little fuzzy though..."

At the same time, the Mystfox's tail begins wagging up and down, and your worries are laid to rest. You lean in and wrap your arms around his neck without saying a word. Bringing him closer, you begin to cry.

"I'm so sorry for ignoring you this whole time," you quietly mouth. "Please... never leave my side again. If anything ever happened to you I'd..."

The animal responds by resting his chin on your shoulder and letting out a forgiving whine. Feeling your loving embrace after all this time, he forgives you instantly.

"Ahaha... the duality of reunions," Anna jokingly remarks. "Well, all's well that ends well, eh?"

"Actually," Leronil strokes his beard, "there is something that puzzles me about the disease..."

"Hm?" the woman turns to her ex-apprentice.

"Why did it make Anya more inclined to help out the Garden Beast? And why did it conversely make the Mystfox less willing to spend time around her?"

"Ah... well, from what I know," Elder Anna places the empty bottles on a nearby table, "as this disease targets animals, it rewires the host's brain and increases the love they have for fellow members of their pack. This makes it so they hang around them more, which also means more hosts to infect! Scarily smart for a disease, I must say..."

"Wait," Leronil redirects his attention to Anya, "doesn't that mean she considers Nameless Seer and the Mystfox as part of her pack?"

The young girl promptly blushes upon hearing that and lowers her head. The entire room erupts in laughter.

"Aha, I mean," Anna chuckles, "she is practically a part of our village at this point."

"Yeah, she is an honorary member of the Elderwood Scouts, even if it's technically disbanded..." Fidri adds.

"Bwahaha!" Celia bursts into more laughter. "Stupid disease thought we were animals it could infect!"

"That's not what we're laughing at here, blockhead," Leronil retorts.

And you can feel the love in their gazes. The kind expressions one would give their friends, and your heart feels immensely warm. There's no denying that you're a member of this pack; the Elderwood Village. It fills you with joy knowing they feel the same way you do.

But that only reminds you of your inevitable departure from this home of yours.

Unable to hide it from them any longer, you finally steel yourself and tell them everything.

"Hey, guys..." you let go of the Mystfox and take a deep breath. "I need to tell you something."

The room becomes still and you can sense the uneasiness in the air. It is as though they know what you're about to say.

And what you say confirms their fears. "Tomorrow, I'm leaving."

The elves don't react much and simply smile. Though there is an indescribable sadness in their expressions.

"Yeah," Elder Anna casts her gaze downward. "We know."

That was all that was said that night.

The next morning, news of your leave-taking reaches the ends of the village. And both dwarves and elves alike say their goodbyes as you prepare to leave with your Mystfox friend in tow.

First, you visit the council chamber to say your goodbyes.

Elder Anna, Elder Alimarc, Elder Leronil, Elder Illya, and Chief Ginta sit on their thrones, anticipating your arrival.

You and the Mystfox admire these great halls one last time before kneeling in front of the elders. Chief Ginta motions you two to stand up and heartily guffaws.

"There's no need to be so stiff, Garden Beast!" the Chief says with a grin. "We're all friends here!"

"You say that but..." you keep your head down, "I still want to show you my respect. By allowing me to stay here, you've provided me with experiences I could have never imagined when I was holed up in my poky little farmhouse. I can't thank you enough for your leniency."

"Hah, as humble as ever! We owe you more than you'll ever know. Saving our people from starvation, facilitating a deal between us and the dwarves, and even fighting a minotaur to save one of our own from a disease... the list goes on..!"

"I only did those things because I wanted to. I don't deserve the praise..!"

"Regardless of what you think, we're eternally grateful for your actions Garden Beast," in a surprising act of deference, Chief Ginta bows his head.

"C-Chief Ginta?!" Alimarc exclaims in horror as his leader bows down to an outsider.

And Anna, Leronil, and even Illya follow suit, baffling the old priest. The Mystfox puffs his chest out and claims the praise as his own.

"You guys..." you're touched by their gesture. "I'll miss you a lot."

You then shift your gaze toward the grumpy old coot that refuses to submit.

"And as much as I hate to admit it, I'll miss you too, Elder Alimarc," you tilt your head and smirk at the man.

"Hmph!" Alimarc crosses his arms and averts his eyes. "Good riddance! With you out of the picture, maybe things will finally return to normal around here."

"I doubt it. After all, Anna and the Elderwood Scouts are still here," you reply.

"Gahaha! True that!" Anna agrees with your comment.

Seeing her, you're reminded of the gift you had in your belt bag. And you bring it out and toss it to her.

"By the way, heads up!" you shout to the alchemist, who effortlessly catches the item.

"Hm? This is..."

"My healing potion. The only one remaining from my last batch. I thought you could have it as a memento of my apprenticeship."

The woman's eyes widen as she stares at the bubbly pink concoction in her hands. And she beams brighter than the morning sun.

"I'll treasure this forever..." she happily utters.

"Ehehe... don't mix it up with your healing potion though, teach!" you give her a thumbs up and wink. "Ah, speaking of which. I should probably go see Grimdal about now. He wants to spar with me, you see?"

You incline your head once more and leave the place, waving back to the elders as you approach the exit.

"Garden Beast!" Leronils voice reaches you, prompting you to turn around. "Thank you for not killing us back then, during our first encounter."

You reminisce about that moment in time and realize just how much has happened since then. What was a little over a month was more eventful than decades of your life. Coming to terms with that, you look forward to a long journey beyond this region.

"You're very welcome," you chortle at the man's words.

And you head over to the sequestered precipice past the trees, where you and Grimdal usually train. The eyepatched old man awaits you there with a wooden sword in his hand. He greets you by handing you the weapon and taking a few steps back.

"Show me what you've learned, Nameless Seer," he says. "Only then will I consider this apprenticeship done."

You clench your wooden sword and ready yourself. "Alright, teach. I won't hold back."

"That should be my line."

And you face one another with unwavering conviction.