Chapter 405: Chapter 403 – We Can Rebuild.

“It doesn’t look that bad…”

“... I guess some of the walls are still standing.”

Roland responded to Elodia as he reached through a fist-sized hole in his house wall. Numerous similar gaps adorned the structure. The Eldritch Horror encounter had left his entire compound in ruins, with tendrils and tentacles wreaking havoc. Virtually everything suffered some degree of damage; most wind generators were destroyed, and the side workshop where Bernir liked to work had collapsed.

He couldn't help but feel a smidge of regret as he surveyed the destruction. The once peaceful and well-kept estate was now a chaotic mess of debris and broken structures. However, amidst the wreckage, there was an odd sense of relief that they had survived the encounter with the Eldritch Horror. The fact that Gideon and Loreena from the Solarian Church were present during the battle added another layer of problems to the situation.

It became evident to him that the church's involvement was not a mere coincidence. They had set a trap to draw out the cultists, and the ensuing chaos was the outcome. Their commitment to the holy war against unholy forces took precedence over concerns about collateral damage. Although he had contemplated collaborating with them, this revelation underscored the need to approach the alliance cautiously. The presence of Agni had opened a new path for him. Without the 'Sacred Beast,' it wouldn't be surprising if he found himself behind bars, awaiting interrogation by a determined Inquisitor.

“Well, at least no one died, that’s what is important.”

“I guess so, at least the dorm survived and for some reason, the Alchemical building remained unscathed… at least Rastix won’t shout my ear off about it…”

He glanced toward the dorm intended to house orphans from within the city. Roland felt uncertain about the idea, especially after the recent cultist encounter. However, if things proceeded favorably, perhaps they wouldn't need to alter their plans. Although he wished for his wife to stay within the safety of their home, he understood that if Elodia deemed it too dangerous for the children, a separation might be necessary. They wouldn't be living too far apart, and he could always visit to ensure they remained connected.

The course of events hinged on the decisions of the church and their plans for the area. Despite Roland's discussion with the Solarian paladins, many details remained unclear. The soldiers were not decision-makers; higher authorities needed to weigh in for any decisive actions. Due to the High-Inquisitor’s tough schedule, the decision was given free leave, at least for the time being.  

Roland had been released, but some of the junior paladins maintained their vigil around his home and patrolled the city. The potential for another cultist attack, akin to the one during his gold rank test, was a real possibility. However, another reason was the happy-looking puppy that was sprinting his way.

“Awoo!”

“Hey, Agni.”

Roland waved at his 'Sacred Beast' companion as he approached. With the secret revealed his form remained that of a Sunlight Wolf. The wife and husband duo entered through the hole in the wall created by the cultist, momentarily confusing Agni. However, as soon as the holy wolf spotted them, he charged toward Roland with impressive speed.

“He looks happy.”

“Yeah… a bit too happy… Hey, SLOW DOW… gUH”

Despite Roland's superior physique, he was unprepared for the tackle and found himself taken down to the ground. Almost immediately, something moist hit his face repeatedly as Agni began to shower him with enthusiastic licks.

"Hey, get off me!"

"He really likes his master."

Elodia chuckled as she observed the squirming Roland, attempting to push the fiery wolf away. The flames that danced around Agni's body intensified, signifying his heightened joy at reuniting with his master. These holy flames were warm to the touch and harmless to anyone Agni didn't intend to harm.

“Okay, that’s enough you had your fun…”

With determination, Roland began pushing back, forcing Agni to stand on his hind legs. After a brief struggle, Roland managed to free himself from the licking onslaught. However, the aftermath left his face carrying the distinct aroma of Agni's mouth. Fortunately, creatures like Agni were impervious to cavities, so while it wasn't a pleasant experience, at least there were no concerns about pungent smells.

“Worf!”

“Stop jumping around, as you can see I’m fine.”

Agni circled around his long-lost master a few times, trotting around in a rather comedic fashion. The Golden Order paladins observed from a distance, somewhat taken aback by the scene. It might have seemed peculiar to witness their holy beast acting like a dog, enthusiastically welcoming his master. However, the display solidified Roland's claims about their unique and genuine relationship.

“Have they been treating you well?”

“Awoo~!”

“I see, that’s good then.”

The mutual understanding between them was evident, and Roland could sense that no harm had befallen his ruby wolf. In a delightful surprise, a small shrine had materialized in front of his front door. On it, a collection of rather expensive meats had been placed, remaining untouched for now. Agni was smart enough to refrain from accepting offerings from unfamiliar sources. He wouldn't consume anything unless it came from someone he trusted or he hunted it himself, wary of the potential for poison or tampering.

‘I see that he has leveled up a bit, just like me…’

In their recent encounter, Roland and Agni faced a formidable group of cultists, three of whom merged to create a monstrous entity. While they didn't land the final blow, their collaborative effort produced an imitation sun spell that dealt significant damage to the monstrosity. The Golden Order later intervened to finish off the being, as it surpassed their level. The experience gained from slaying such a formidable foe was substantial, equivalent to perhaps several months' worth of dungeon experience.

---