Second Life's Revenge

"Doctor Clint, we want to thank you once more. If you hadn't helped us back there, we might not have survived," Laura thanked and bowed. 

"It's my job as a doctor to help, and you were like the children we've always wished to have," Doctor Clint said, putting his hands on his wife's shoulders.

"Thank you very much," Erwin thanked and bowed. 

"Your Grace! Please don't bow," Doctor Clint panicked, but Erwin continued to insist.

Two days later, the Queen, Selphie, brought down a messenger to inform Laura and Erwin about their departure. After all, there is no other way to get out of the elf village unless someone could teleport them.

The messenger stated that the Queen would be using her powers to bring them out, so she asked where they wanted to be. At first, Erwin said to bring them back to Laura's estate, but Laura disagreed.

She wanted to go back to the underground market to find Zeke and Angelo. It was concerning as they haven't heard anything from them for so long. However, Erwin didn't like the idea, as he wanted Laura to be safe.

Safety was Erwin's priority since he didn't know whether or not they were still after them. It concerned him enough after he had almost died. He didn't want to make the same mistakes again.

Laura kept pushing Erwin to agree with her, and no matter how hard he tried to convince her, she didn't listen. In the end, she won, and they scheduled to depart today.

"I just brought you into my place because it is right to do so," Doctor Clint concluded.

"I would've given you something as a token of appreciation, but I do not have anything with me," Erwin disappointedly responded. "I promise the next time I meet you. I will reward you."

"We are honored," Doctor Clint bowed.

"Now we must depart," Erwin announced and carried a bag full of supplies given by the old lady.

"Let us see each other again," Laura said and wore her hood on.

The couple waved their hands as they watched Laura and Erwin's back walking towards the elf guard, who waited for the two to arrive. Re, on the other hand, went back to his house since he had chores to do.

Re was saddened in the beginning as he couldn't bid them farewell. But he knew the world isn't going to end tomorrow, and for sure, one day, they will see each other again. 

The elf guard asked Laura and Erwin to stand and not make any necessary movements. If they did, they might land on their bottoms.

Laura looked ready to leave this place but the truth was, Laura didn't want to go back to the underground market; however, she kept a promise with Zeke. Being chained forever in a place he didn't want to be in, Laura knew how it felt.

A light glowed under their feet without any announcement, blinding their eyes, making them both shut it tightly. When Erwin noticed the light fading, he opened his eyes, and they were back.

As expected of the Queen, however, it must be exhausting for her. Once again, they were back in phase one. However, they came back with a plan. The night before their departure, Laura and Erwin read the papers J gave them.

Some parts were crumpled and stained, making it hard to read. Still, it was a good thing Laura held the envelope tightly. If not, they wouldn't be able to get valuable information.

All the corruptions and wrongdoings of Marquess Rogen were all placed in the envelope. Around two pages were pieces of evidence about his doings and another two for nobles who had connections with him.

An unsettling feeling came across Laura. She was wrong when she said there must contain information about Tine or connection between her and Marquess Rogen.

Nothing. There was nothing to be found about Tine in the piece of paper. No connections, slowly making Laura lose hope. It was a mess as if Tine was one step ahead of her.

Frustrating as it sounded, Erwin pitied Laura, he really wanted to help her, but he himself was helpless. Erwin had the information and evidence to expose Marquess while Laura didn't have anything.

Even if Laura told him she's alright, it didn't seem so. Her eyes turned watery, and she clenched her fist, and her nails dug into her skin, leaving a small wound visible on her palm.

Moving on, Laura and Erwin arrived in the same location where Erwin got stabbed. It was not a pleasant memory to remember, but it came across into Laura's head. Good thing the sun was out, bringing downlight their paths.

Erwin checked their surroundings before moving. Remember that they were in the place where they got surrounded. Who knows the enemy will pound them at any moment.

"It's clear," Erwin confirmed, walking back to Laura.

"Then let's go to Zeke's shack. Who knows, they might be there," Laura assumed and took a step but then was stopped by Erwin.

"Remember this, Laura, if we ever get separated, just go to Zeke's shack, understand?" Erwin asked as worries filled in him.

"I understand," Laura nodded her head and was about to take a step not until they heard the bushes behind the brustling.

Erwin pushed Laura to his back and looked over the bush that brustled. His sense told him it was not an animal as he sees a strand of hair standing up though it seemed familiar.

"Who are you?" Erwin questioned, slowly walking towards the bush. "If you don't show yourself, I won't hesitate to kill you."

"I know this voice," Spoke the man behind the bush. He slowly stuck his head up, and his eyes widen to see a familiar person. "Is that you, Your Grace?

"Angelo?" Erwin asked in disbelief.

"It really is you, Your Grace!" Angelo exclaimed, running out of the bush with a smile.

"Are you hurt?" Laura asked as she examined Angelo's body.

Laura frowned, noticing Angelo wearing the same clothes from where she last saw him and noticed his pants' tip was drenched with dry blood. She blamed herself internally and kept quiet.

"I'm alright, Miss Laura. I'm in excellent condition. Not a scratch," Angelo assured and bowed. "I was about to call a search party. It's a good thing I decided to prolong the wait." 

"I'm sorry to worry you," Erwin sighed and turned his head at Laura, who he caught looking at him. "Is there a problem?"

"N-nothing," Laura stuttered, changing the topic as she asked Angelo. "What about Zeke?"

Angelo frowned and took a long pause. "He's on the verge of dying."

"How?" Laura gasped, pulling Angelo's cloak down and apologized for the sudden movement.

After he caught up to the enemy and killed him off, Angelo snuck into the lower underground market. Something was suspicious to him because he didn't see anyone at all, not even the two buff men.

But then, as he walked deeper into the hallways, he noticed a door opened, and there laid Zeke badly injured and unconscious, not only that he saw a familiar person who was J.

Angelo carried Zeke and J cautiously as possible, but he rushed out since time is pressure. He didn't bring them back to Zeke's shack because, for sure, they will be there waiting for them.

Instead, Angelo walked into the forest and found a well-hidden cave and resided there. It was almost impossible for Zeke to be alive after the amount of blood he lost. But Zeke was lucky to have Angelo treat his wounds. However, it wasn't the best as professionals.

Three days passed, and Zeke was still unconscious, and there were no signs of him waking up. After hearing the story, Laura blamed herself. Only if she didn't get to the extent of coming here, no one would've ended this way, she regretted it.

"It's not your fault," Erwin assured, telling Laura not to be burdened about it. It was not her fault, after all.

"I have another report to tell you," Angelo added. "His Highness, Prince Winston, got engaged."

Laura flinched and desperately asked, "To who?"

There was only one person in mind Laura had in mind, and it was nonetheless than Tine Alvarado. Laura did not expect them to get together because things weren't doing good between them.

Then what was the point of her coming to the underground market? The engagement between Tine and Prince Winston is what made Laura anxious. Then that means her life never changed from the beginning.

The sacrifices that Erwin and the other did were useless. To think that they got hurt because of her selfishness and desires. Why are things not going to what she wanted it to be?

Her heart was racing, and she felt like someone was pushing her down. She wanted to run away, lock herself out, and curl up into a ball. Her legs trembled, but she managed to keep herself up.

Not noticing Laura's distraught look, Angelo continued and answered, "Tine Alvarado."

Just what is happening now?