The journey back to the Blackrock Clan's Capital City didn't take too much time since the only ones that were traveling were Lux and Flamma.
Eiko had swallowed the four unconscious Dwarves, while Nora and Cora sat on Lux's shoulder.
According to the Transcendent Twin Flames, the Dwarves would remain unconscious for half a day because their bodies were still adjusting to the new powers they received.
When Lux asked the man clad in purple flames why he and Eiko didn't lose consciousness after absorbing the Pseudo-Transcendent Flames, the latter only told them that their bodies were already strong enough to withstand the powers that they acquired.
Lux didn't know if this was because he was at the peak of the Initiate Rank or because his body constitution was a bit special. Nevertheless, he was still satisfied with the power of the flames he received.
The two arrived at the city just before sunset. The Orcs had made a massive bonfire in the center of the plaza and seemed to be preparing to celebrate the end of the war.
However, before anything else, he made sure to visit the Orc Chieftain and report everything that happened in the Ancestral Grounds.
Before they left, the Twin Flames told Lux that if his Master, Randolph, Grandma Annie, Laura, or Livia needed to use their Primeval Flames to craft something beyond their current capabilities, they were free to come to them for help.
Of course, these extra services didn't come for free. In return, the Transcendent Flames said that they would ask Lux for a favor in the future in exchange for their help.
The Half-Elf didn't mind this condition because he was already joined at the hips with the Blackrock Clan.
Currently, none of the Orcs wanted to leave his Guild, and all of them were enjoying the Guild Buffs, as well as the Bonus Stats that they received when they joined.
Even the four Orc Warlords had insisted that they wouldn't leave, even if Lux were to kick them out of the Guild by force.
Of course, Lux wouldn't do that. After all, wouldn't it be a shame to kick out four Alpha-Ranked Argonaut Beasts that he could summon at any time to help him?
Only idiots would do that.
Lux wasn't an idiot.
The stronger his Guild Members were the better!
"It seems that the Twin Flames took a liking to you, Lux," Lady Avyanna commented after Lux finished his tale. "So, what do you plan to do next? Although the war against the Haca Dynasty is over for now, the other Pillars are still fighting against the other Kingdoms who planned to invade the Wanid Kingdom.
"Cornelia and her Dryads will be leaving tomorrow in order to assist them. They plan to rest properly tonight to recover their strength. Do you wish to accompany them? I'm sure that the other Pillars would greatly appreciate your help."
Lux firmly shook his head.
If possible, he didn't want to stand out too much in the Wanid Kingdom as that could make him gain more enemies than allies like the Blackrock Clan and the Dryads.
He and the Dryad Queen had made a compromise that she and her sisters, who were now "honorary" members of his Guild, would keep his secret.
Truth be told, he felt as though recruiting the entirety of the Blackrock Clan was already pushing it.
Never in his wildest dream did he think that the Dryad Queen, as well as twenty thousand Dryads, would become his Guild Members as well. Although they had been given the right to reject his request to help him during his time of need, having them around was still a good thing.
'I'm sure that the longer they stay in the Guild, the more they will want to be part of it,' Lux chuckled in his heart. 'Once you taste the forbidden fruit, you won't be able to forget it. It is only a matter of time before all the Dryads freely give me their cooperation.'
"There are still many things I need to take care of back in my hometown, Lady Avyanna," Lux replied. "However, if the Haca Dynasty decides to retaliate, I will return to the Blackrock Clan to lend my aid.
"Also, I would greatly appreciate it if you finish building the teleportation gate that will connect the Blackrock Clan's Capital to our Main Guild Headquarters as soon as possible. This way, you and your people will be able to travel to the Dragon Kingdom."
Lady Avyanna nodded her head in understanding.
"Worry not, Lux," Lady Avyanna stated. "Although we are far from the center of the world, we have heard of the majestic floating islands of Karshvar Draconis. We look forward to seeing this legendary Kingdom of the Dragon Race. Before you go, make sure to enjoy the celebration."
"Thank you, Lady Avyanna, I will."
"Good."
After bidding the Orc Chieftain farewell, the Half-Elf returned to his temporary residence and asked Eiko to release the Dwarves, so he could carry them to their own beds.
When this task was done, Lux decided to take a nap for an hour or two before joining the celebrations.
The journey to the Blackrock Clan's Ancestral Ground wasn't that long, but he still felt exhausted.
It only took Lux ten seconds after laying his head on the pillow to fall asleep. Eiko, on the other hand, slept on Lux's chest.
Just like the Half-Elf, the Baby Slime was also tired, so it didn't take long for her to fall asleep as well.
While this was happening, Gerhart and Cethus were having a chat near the bonfire and talking about their future plans.
"You said that you want to follow us to the Sacred Dungeon, but that's not possible," Gerhart said as he cracked open some nuts. "This place that we are going to is a restricted area controlled by several Kingdoms. The quota is restricted, and Lux can't freely bring a random stranger inside the Domain of the Fallen. It will be best if you return to Karshvar Draconis and resume your duties as a Royal Guard."
"Don't tell me what to do, Low Lander." Cethus snorted. "You just want to hog all the rewards for yourself, right? Do you really think I'm that ignorant? I already said that I am going. Your words mean nothing to me."
Gerhart chuckled before drinking the Orc Mead that tasted of herbs and spices.
"There are some things that you can't get even if you want them," Gerhart commented after drinking half of his mug. "The same applies to the place that you want to go to but are unable to go to due to the restrictions. I'll be honest with you, the only people that Lux will bring to the Sacred Dungeon are his people. This means that he will only bring those he trusts.
"I admit that you are strong and your presence will help his cause greatly, but at the end of the day, you are an outsider. You are not part of Lux's Guild, and there is no merit for him to bring you to the Sacred Dungeon. Instead of bringing a Dragon Born, he might just bring other people, like old man Randolph or Grandma Annie."
The Dragon Born scoffed after hearing the Half-Elf's words.
"Those Dwarves are weaklings!" Cethus stated. "Why would he bring a bunch of weaklings into a dangerous Dungeon? Wouldn't they just drag them down?"
Gerhart didn't reply right away. Instead, he drank the rest of the mead in his mug before pouring himself another one.
"You make it sound as if Lux needs us to fight his battles," Gerhart replied. "In this war, he fought on the front lines with his Summons. The two of us simply played supporting roles in the war. While we also charged at the enemy's army, it doesn't change the fact that even if we weren't there, the result would have been the same.
"Since that is the case, he can bring anyone he wants with him and let them gain the rewards for clearing the mission. The Dwarves you called weak were merely Apostles when they joined Lux on this journey. Now, look at them. They are already Initiates.
"How old are Laura and Livia? Do you know what their ranks are? They're still young, yet they are already halfway to becoming Initiates. I think you're making a big misunderstanding here, Cethus. Lux doesn't need us. We need him. You understand this too, right?"
A few months ago, Gerhart wouldn't have said such a thing. Back then, he believed that he could become a Ranker with his own two hands, which was certainly true.
However, after joining Lux on his adventures and fighting alongside him, he realized that he had unknowingly become part of something big.
Something extraordinary that he never thought was possible.
Being a member of the only Mythical Guild in the world, as well as gaining incredible resources by just being part of it, was like a dream come true.
In fact, there were several times when Gerhart thought that he was dreaming. However, he knew that what he was experiencing was real.
This made him want to strive and become stronger than ever before so that someday, he would not only stand on the shoulders of Giants, but also become one of those Giants that could make the entire world tremble under his feet.
Cethus quieted down after hearing Gerhart's words.
He couldn't find any words to refute the green-haired Half-Elf's words because Lux really didn't need their help in the previous war.
They had just ridden on his coattails and, although they had also fought hard for the Blackrock Clan, it wouldn't change the fact that it was the red-headed teenager that took the brunt of the enemy's attack.
The Half-Elf and the Dragon Born, who were always arguing with each other, drank in silence, while the Orcs danced to the beat of their drums beside the bonfire, celebrating their victory in the war that had ended several days ago.
