After escaping the forests of the Calamyr Mountains, Richard and Ryn headed southwest, making their way back into the territory of Central.
Once they crossed into Central's lands, Richard led Ryn to a nearby village.
Beasthaven.
The village was heavily guarded by soldiers and mages. This was likely because it stood near the heart of the continent—and because it was one of Central's largest livestock settlements.
Beasthaven bustled with life like any ordinary village, yet one detail stood out clearly.
Cows, horses, and all manner of animals wandered freely through the streets.
To the south, the village was enclosed by sturdy fences, inside which lay vast, well-organized breeding zones.
Elephants, tigers, deer, and countless other creatures were kept there, carefully separated and managed.
Richard explained the reason for this arrangement.
"Wild animals are disappearing fast," he said.
"If we don't start raising them ourselves, both they—and we—will eventually go extinct."
That was why this area required such heavy protection.
The two of them stayed in Beasthaven for the night. Even though they were already within Central's borders, it would still take several more days to reach their final destination.
After arranging a meeting point at the inn, Richard went off on his own, leaving Ryn to wander the village alone.
Ryn strolled through the streets, observing the peaceful routines of everyday life.
The weight of their harsh journey slowly began to fade from his shoulders.
He stopped to buy grilled tiger meat from a street vendor, then continued walking in silence.
Nearby, musicians and poets filled the air with lively songs.
Not far away, a dwarven blacksmith's forge rang endlessly with the clash of metal on metal. Red-hot steel glowed brightly as sparks flew into the air.
Several children ran past, laughing—until one of them accidentally bumped into Ryn.
He looked down and smiled gently.
The child froze in shock, then quickly ran back to their friends upon realizing Ryn was a stranger.
Ryn watched them go, standing quietly amid a peace he had nearly forgotten still existed in this world.
When it was time to return to the inn, Richard was already there, drinking. Ryn took a seat beside him.
"Order whatever you want,"
Richard said, handing him a pouch of coins.
Ryn accepted it and opened the bag—
It was filled with so many gold coins that his eyes widened in disbelief.
Never in his life had Ryn possessed this much money before.
"About the remaining share—"
he began, but Richard cut him off.
"Keep it. You've earned it."
Ryn nodded quietly and tucked the heavy pouch away.
"I've already reported to the Central Council that our mission is complete and that we're on our way back,"
Richard continued.
"From here on, we finally get some rest."
Before long, a young woman approached to take Ryn's order. He requested a meal and waited in silence.
At dawn, the two of them set out once more, heading straight for Central.
From the moment Ryn first stepped beyond Central's gates to the day he crossed them again, the journey had taken over six full months.
Yet what he had gained from it far outweighed the entirety of the fifteen years he had lived before.
"You head back first," Richard said.
"I'll report to the Council, then I'll catch up."
Ryn nodded and started toward Richard's residence—
When suddenly, someone crashed into him with force.
"Ow!"
A woman's cry rang out as she fell backward, landing hard on the ground.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!"
She stood up, brushed the dust from her skirt, and glared at Ryn with fiery anger.
"Hey!"
Her voice rose sharply.
"Aren't you going to apologize? How utterly rude!"
Her attire was strikingly different from the typical female mages of Central.
It was elegant, noble, and unmistakably expensive.
Before Ryn could even speak, a group of palace soldiers came rushing over in a panic.
"Your Highness, please do not wander off on your own!"
The young woman turned sharply toward the soldiers.
"Quiet! It's boring, that's why! I'm bored, bored, BORED! Do you understand?!"
Then she spun back to glare at Ryn.
"Apologize to me."
Ryn had no desire to invite trouble—especially after hearing the word princess.
There was no doubt now.
The woman before him was royalty.
He lowered his head and offered a polite apology.
"Hmph."
She scoffed, then turned away and walked off with her escort, never once looking back.
Once the princess was gone, Ryn returned to Richard's house.
He bathed, changed his clothes, and sat down at the same old table—
The table he had left behind so long ago.
For the first time in ages, he felt truly at ease.
Before long, Richard returned.
"Haaah… finally done,"
he sighed.
"I've reported everything about you to the Central Council. They had nothing but praise for your performance."
Ryn nodded, his expression calm and unreadable.
"For now, take a few days to rest,"
Richard continued.
"Then we'll decide what to do about your future."
Ryn's focus sharpened.
"Master, about the Divine Exam—"
"Rest first, rest,"
Richard cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"We'll think about it later."