Anduin sat at his desk in the town square, scribbling on parchment, while half a dozen girls outside gazed at him dreamily, whispering and sighing like starstruck fans from Sean's past life.The Healer's Touch"Lord Sean, how was the hunt?" Anduin greeted, setting down his quill.
"Productive, beyond expectations," Sean smiled. "But we come with wounded."
Anduin nodded, casting Quick Heal on Windsor and Monica. Golden light bathed their injuries, sealing wounds instantly.
Cain, watching from behind, tensed. As a Silver Sand mercenary, he knew Church healing magic well—but this was different: faster, more precise. Is this man truly Black Rank? Or a Silver Rank priest in disguise? His respect for Anduin surged.The Limits of MagicAnduin turned to Cain's stump, frowning. "I can't restore the limb, but I can stabilize it."
Sean intervened, "No need—Benjamin can reattach it in Yorn. Just prevent infection."
Anduin nodded, casting Lesser Heal to halt bleeding without closing the stump, preserving it for future treatment. Cain marveled at the spell's control—Sean's priest is far stronger than he lets on.
Lilith, feeling her wounds ease, bowed gratefully. "Thank you, My Lord. Your healer is a miracle."A Hero's WelcomeSean waved off thanks. "You're heroes for slaying the undead wizard. A victory feast—"
Cain and Lilith exchanged glances. "We're too weak to celebrate, My Lord. Rest is all we need."
"Of course." Sean gestured to Henry. "Rooms in the best lodgings. Dinner will be sent to your quarters."The Hunter's BargainAs they departed, Sean added, "As thanks, your mercenaries will pay 20% less hunting tax when entering the forest from Riverside."
The captains brightened. Normally, mercenaries entered the forest west of Yorn, near the Mage Academy, but Riverside's reduced tax made it profitable to set up a branch here.Order RestoredWith the wounded settled, Sean and Windsor stayed to discuss town affairs. Anduin flipped open his notebook:
Security Update:
Recruited 20 guards, armed with staves, to confront rowdy settlers.40+ ruffians attempted rebellion, but Anduin's Divine Shield-boosted guards routed them.Ringleaders were enslaved to work the fields; others received idle farmland to till.
"Idle hands breed trouble," Anduin said. "Giving them purpose curbs unrest."
Sean nodded, impressed. Anduin's efficiency was a godsend—without him, governing would drown me in chaos.The Price of PeaceAs night fell, Cain and Lilith rested in their chambers, bandages clean, wounds stable. Outside, the town buzzed with newfound order—guards patrolled, settlers slept safely, and Anduin's admirers had been gently shooed away by Monica.
In his study, Sean reviewed the day's gains: 315 EXP from the wolfpack, plus the alliance with two Silver Rank mercenaries. Every step forward, every ally gained—Riverside was no longer a vulnerable hamlet.
But Cain's stump and Lilith's scars were reminders: the forest held greater dangers, and the Count's scheming hadn't ceased. Still, with Anduin managing governance, Kyle mastering magic, and Windsor growing stronger, Sean felt confident.
Let the Count plot, he thought, glancing at the dragon egg's countdown—3 days until hatch. By the time he strikes, Riverside will have a dragon… and a few holy surprises of its own.
The grind continued, but now with a new certainty: in the balance of healing and harm, order and chaos, Sean's little town was becoming a force even Gold Rank beasts would think twice about challenging.
And as Anduin's popularity soared, one thing was clear: in Riverside, faith in the Light wasn't just a belief—it was a weapon, wielded by a lord who understood that sometimes, the best healing wasn't just for wounds… but for a broken world.