CHAPTER 293: EVERYONE DREAM

Reinhard groaned, the sound emerging involuntarily as sensation returned. His eyes blinked open to the grey sky above, there were thick and heavy clouds with gaps where sunlight tried to penetrate.

He pushed himself up slowly, muscles protesting the movement while taking a further look around, and seeing the aftermath.

The pale tree was obliterated, where the massive trunk had stood, only a crater remained. Charred roots scattered across the ground, still smoking, while the golden architecture of Helios was visible now, no longer obscured by the tree’s bulk.

Buildings showed damage from falling debris, but pieces of the city itself had survived.

The forest beyond showed similar devastation. Trees near the pale tree’s former location had been consumed by the explosion. The roots that once covered the ground were gone, revealing actual soil underneath.

In the distance, he saw dead roots lying next to the normal trees, proof that the Dark Silence’s influence had ended with its source’s destruction.

It was then he saw movement and saw the others waking up.

Marie groaned, her platinum hair disheveled as she pushed herself to a sitting position. Joseph blinked rapidly, disoriented before clarity returned. Janus sat up sharply, looking around in alarm that faded when he saw familiar faces.

Amiya smiled despite obvious exhaustion, tears streaming down her face. Veryn checked herself methodically, ensuring all limbs functioned properly. Honor’s massive form stirred, the wyvern helm turning to survey their surroundings.

Reinhard smiles at the sight of them being alive, all thanks to the golden warriors who had saved them. Then his hand went to his pocket, and he felt the Star Jewel was still there, its presence warm and reassuring.

His other hand touched his chest, feeling the Herald Mark necklace beneath his uniform.

Both artifacts intact, both still radiating power, and then he smiled as finally everything was done.

The Dark Silence had ended.

Around him, his friends began realizing the same thing. Their expressions shifted from confusion to understanding, and then relief. They’d done it, against impossible odds, they’d actually succeeded.

Reinhard smiled despite the exhaustion weighing on every muscle, and he asked. "Is everyone okay?"

Marie held her head with both hands, wincing as if fighting a headache. "What happened? The last thing I recall is smashing the flower with Purging Lance."

Joseph blinked, confusion evident in his green eyes. "You did? But I recall my lance smashing into it."

Janus frowned, his hands checking his body for injuries while speaking: "That’s strange. I remember my claws tearing through the petals."

Amiya’s voice joined, carrying similar confusion: "But I was the one who struck it. I remember reaching the flower and attacking with everything I had."

Veryn’s purple slitted pupils narrowed thoughtfully. "No, I created barriers that compressed around it, crushing the flower."

Honor’s resonating voice added to the chaos. "My banner struck it. The black aura caused deterioration that destroyed the petals."

They all spoke over each other, each describing different versions of the final moments. Their expressions showed growing confusion as they realized their memories contradicted. Their eyebrows furrowed with some tilting their heads, and hands gestured as they tried explaining what they’d witnessed.

Reinhard chuckled in amusement mixed with exhaustion. "You all have different versions because you were trapped in an illusion by the roots. It was a trap set for us."

The others’ eyes widened simultaneously in shock.

Honor’s helm turned toward Reinhard and asked. "I’m guessing it used those First Class creatures to distract Ancestor Vlad, Miss Brunhilde, and Saint Lucian?"

Reinhard nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Their goal was for us to enter and trap the Star Jewel." He held up the artifact, golden light swirling within the sphere as if responding to being mentioned.

The others frowned, processing the implications, and then Amiya said. "Then that was a terrifying good plan."

Janus nodded with a groan, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "But how did we escape?"

Veryn’s gaze is fixed on Reinhard, her mind connecting pieces. "Did you do something?"

Reinhard chuckled again as he stretched his arms. "Nothing much. I just burned down the tree while having the Golden Melo Warriors carry us out."

Everyone paused before blinking, and then looking at Reinhard with expressions so blank they could have been carved from stone.

The silence stretched for three seconds.

Then they said in unison. "What!?"

But before Reinhard could elaborate, his eyes widened, and then a smile spread across his face as he pointed toward the forest. "Look! The roots around are starting to crumble and fall!"

Everyone turned, following his gesture, and their eyes widened before they began mirroring Reinhard’s expression.

Throughout Helios and the forest beyond, the roots were disintegrating. The massive tendrils that had spread over everything for three centuries crumbled like ancient stone exposed to sudden weathering.

They broke apart into fragments, then powder, falling to the ground in waves. The towering forest that had obscured the sky began collapsing, trees that were actually root constructs losing stability and tumbling down.

The crashes shook the area.

Each fallen section sent vibrations through the ground, creating tremors that suggested the earth itself was celebrating liberation. Dust clouds rose where massive root structures hit soil, creating temporary fog that caught sunlight and turned golden.

They watched in awe as centuries of roots literally fell apart before their eyes.

Amiya and Janus began cheering, their voices mixing in triumph. Amiya jumped up and down, her curly black hair bouncing with each leap. "Yes! This means the Dark Silence is finally over and done!"

Janus grinned widely. "We actually did it! We ended three hundred years of terror!"

Marie laughed, the sound carrying pure joy. Joseph’s smile widened until it threatened to split his face. Veryn allowed herself a rare expression of satisfaction while Honor’s massive form relaxed, tension bleeding away.

Then they heard voices which were distant but growing closer. Human voices, not screams or warnings but calls of greeting and relief.

They looked toward the sound, seeing figures emerging from between fallen root sections. Seekers in their black coats with silver crow insignias. Luminous Knights in white robes and black armor, their distinctive symbols visible even at a distance.

A dozen of them were all converging on Helios.

Marie blinked before gasping and saying. "I guess they were already on their way."

Amiya chuckled, her eyes tracking specific figures among the approaching crowd. "I see some of the people I learned under. They must have rushed here after the attacks stopped."

Joseph’s smile softened, carrying something more personal than simple relief. "After this, we can go look for her."

Reinhard nodded as he said softly. "Indeed."

The true reason why he, Marie, Joseph, and Brunhilde had come to Eastern Hesod. To search for clues about Joseph’s sister Vivian, with everything being a prerequisite to begin the search for her.

With the Dark Silence destroyed, they can finally begin searching without worrying about the roots or the night.

Don’t limit yourself to just asking or seeking help from your friends.

Expand your horizons, seek out more people, whether it be strangers or enemies.

Reinhard recalled these words, and he wonders if he can ask Vlad or maybe the Saint to help with the search.

At the very least, it would cut down on the time taken with just his friends and might also lead to better results.

The approaching Seekers and Knights began waving, their voices carrying across the crater where the pale tree had stood.

Some of them glancing around with a grin, others whistling in surprise, and the others tapping on the crumbling roots.

Then the ground exploded.