"No matter the outcome," Jyuzou muttered, raising Morio's hand and then sticking his out above. "Already too far into the fire for you to save me."

"Cheesy." Morio chuckled, and Chyuuichi's hand quickly smacked the two in the middle.

"What's all that without good ol' Chyuuichi?!" the Mirillian asked, sharing a similar beam. "I lived through worse!"

"Oh, my." Atomu breathed out. "N-Not even with any plan in mind?"

"As Mr Bancho would say." Morio raised a finger. "A story never goes according to plan."

Atomu mused. "I can't disagree now."

"Were you even planning on that?" Morio asked.

"N-No!" he hit the three hands in the middle, as Morio raised them with a joyous yell.

...which signified them veering off the course. No longer was it about 'rescuing' the Kabun Clan, as Sebastian or Kashmir said.

They were Demonears after all. Death could've only come in second to that strength.

***

On a rather calm day in Mokota, a knock sounded on the door to Rowan's tower. A few noises shuffled inside, with an obvious baby's glee which Ranpa managed to catch from the ajar window.

Soon enough, the wooden door opened, and the Tributal nodded, with the Paladian stepping inside.

"Your wounds heal yet?" Rowan asked, stepping around a few items. Dirty cloth, obviously, with a lot of trial-and-error bottles of milk next to a small chair that was now specifically assigned as the baby's.

The kid was wrapped in clean, comfy sheets, which Rowan fixed upon sitting back down and sighing out.

"Eh, Ranpa?" they looked up.

"Not really, although they don't hurt anymore."

"Then, the answer's a positive. Never underestimate my doctrine." they raised a finger, with a sly smile, before glancing back at the bandaged and unmoving Ambrosia, which also caught the other's attention.

However, not wanting to touch the topic, Ranpa sat down on the other side of the table. Rowan's eyes slowly drifted off the other Tributals, landing on their Guardian Demon pressed against the wall.

"A few days passed since. How are the others?" Rowan turned. "Satisfied with their weapons?"

"Believe it or not, most already received them except for the ones we care about." Ranpa shook his head. "Sam and Judy are still waiting, since Sandy has something great in store. Honestly, I'm just glad it's over with. That and... the thing you wanted to tell me."

"Staying on that topic." Rowan put their hand on their chin. "The others must've told you about Ambrosia, right?"

"Chyuuichi's got a bit of a runny mouth."

"Obviously." the Tributal shook their head. "More precisely, I'm mentioning this." they pointed to the item only a few meters away from the cobble walls. "Their Guardian Demon. It didn't come back when we rescued them."

"I-I heard some tales." Ranpa crossed their arms. "Didn't Bancho's horse use to come back to the man every time?"

"Great solution, although weapons don't move by themselves. Unless there was something else to motivate them."

"Motivate?" Ranpa scratched his head. "I am a little green in this Demonear business."

"Wrong, again. It has nothing to do with Demonears but the reason why you're here."

"Úgau leaves?"

"A byproduct, to be precise. Úgau itself is said to carry a certain magic that only occurs in nature. You could cite gigaliths here, but such are structures specifically created to house the dark arts instead. Úgau is the opposite, in that sense. Except for a plethora of properties, it's a conductor towards everything that might seem impossible to our world. Think of it this way."

The Tributal placed two leaves on the table, with one flying off and landing in the baby's curious hands. Rowan glanced over, sharing a small smile before their expression changed when facing the Paladian.

"You could easily equal this one leaf to one miracle that might happen when a witch or wizard gets involved. Much weaker, quite obviously, but still nothing to complain about. All you need is just... a little push."

Rowan pressed their finger against the back of the leaf, right as Ranpa grew closer. Something sparkled near the tip, and then, the other side was coaxed with red writing, which the Tributal quickly passed over.

Ranpa squinted his eyes. "Went to get bottles today. Treated Ambrosia's scars, and eventually waited for Ranpa to come by the hour. Still have to decide on a name for the baby, but I'm thinking of-"

"Okay, enough." Rowan snatched it from his hands, covering a flush. "You get the point, don't you?"

"Not really."

"When we inject different types of magic, especially as Demonears, the Úgau leaf changes accordingly. Evocation, in this example and as far as I have come with my research, creates something mentioned in only a few books in the King's library. Champagne letters."

"Champagne letters?" Ranpa asked.

"I reassure you, it's not named after the alcohol. Rather, a few islands off elsewhere where a good chunk of these trees grow. Champagne letters, as said right here..." Rowan scanned through a few words, etched in an uncharacteristic black and white, opposing the typical beigness of a page. "...carry over memories. Words that, perhaps, can't be said."

"Like the baby's name?"

"Ranpa!"

"Sorry." the other chuckled a little. "So that's why you wrapped Ambrosia in all those leaves?"

Rowan sighed, turning back around. "I'm not sure if there's a way for me to force them into casting a spell or whatnot, especially in this state. However, something happened a few nights ago." they pressed their hand against the chair's arm. "I don't know if it's the leaves-" they shook their head. "I swear though, I saw Ambrosia budge a little."

Ranpa blinked a few times.

"Figured I'd tell Atomu and Chyuuichi but they're not here, so I guess I'm just glad to relay the message. What I'm trying to say is, if you still have any of those leaves in your stash, keep them, Ranpa. Whatever, they can do it's definitely something."

"My pockets are overflowing." Ranpa shrugged, grinning. "Not a problem here."

"Then, if you do end up finding anything, you know where I am. Better yet, you won't need a message in case I leave."

Rowan split the earlier champagne letter in half, with its text immediately fading out. He passed the other half into Ranpa's open palm, as the Paladian focused.

"Is it... moving?" Ranpa asked.

"Slowly, but surely. In the direction of its other half. It won't slow you down, it's just a piece of paper. But, talking about something that doesn't have the will to resist it..." Rowan turned over to Ambrosia's Guardian Demon. "I don't know when it happened. The letter was lodged right between the ropes, with the other half glued to one of my arrows."

"Ambrosia knew?" Ranpa folded their arms.

"That's why I'm trying to understand, likewise with the baby's mystery. The book here says quite a lot, but most of it is in Old Manjuno. Takes a while to translate, but I'm getting there." Rowan smiled, turning to the Paladian. "We'll keep in contact."

***

With no plan for escaping the valley, after wrestling with a few thoughts of going back to those orcs, everyone decided to put their faith in Chyuuichi's words. That came about the time he tried to explain the seashell's magical property, but without much belief from Jyuzou and Atomu, it was only Morio who tried his best to imagine someone's voice there.

Well, he couldn't hear it but if Chyuuichi had at least a hunch on getting out of this fiasco, he clenched his fist and smiled.

The roads they trod led out of the general church area and towards the opening of the cave. As trees emerged and climbed away from the edges of the Oran swamp, weaving through several thick copses led to another stretch of the river they had seen earlier, much to their surprise.

More of the same stretch, with conifers painting the hills, and the peaks of the earlier Brown Mountains behind them, disappearing over the misty horizon. Light greens changed into heavier variants, puddles of thin water coated the edges of flowery cliffs, and after an hour or so of trying to climb up with the ponies back in stride, the four reached the turning point.

Chyuuichi quickly asked whether they'd believe his words now, but Morio was more focused on the task. Well, quite obviously. They could see it from here, a massive, crimson tower stretching away in the distant fogs.

Looking back revealed the mountainous landscape, but the road ahead was rather clear, and spotless, likewise with the areas they could see. No trees grew past this point, as Jyuzou inclined that these parts were a little too cold or high up for that to make much sense. Zooming past and avoiding yet another helping of the Klefsenders, they were at least glad that the Falklor Mountains were orcless.

Such came from a few, really old stories, almost lost to time. Back when humans first stepped foot onto land itself, Falklor was the only place where a natural, pink herb of the same name grew. They chucked a good chunk in the monster's direction, quickly realising that, for whatever reason, it stung them.

The stone structures present here were mostly a remnant of the times since such were soon replanted elsewhere, but either way, Atomu and Jyuzou stopped to pick a few leaves up, while the two others already moved ahead, down the road.

Surprisingly enough, the drop from Falklor towards the Kabun Clan wasn't as steep, and soon, even more things came into view. The treeless landscape made way for farms splattered at the sides, with gardens making haste towards the gated entrances.

For a second there, Morio thought of the warm Galliath. This time, however, it was either the season or the height of the task which made everything a little colder when they stepped ahead.

With a gulp, they left their ponies outside the gates and waited for a bit, staring up.

Five separated them from the obvious entrance, where stairs grew towards a massive, circular structure, with at least five roofs and lights hanging off the the sides, illuminating the smaller buildings placed at the sides.

Jyuzou fixed his glasses and followed with a heavy sigh. "It feels empty."

Morio put his hand on his forehead, before rubbing some sweat off and throwing out the ache he felt. Turning back to the others, their expressions didn't seem so sure, but further along the way, they motivated them to move on.

If the letter was a ruse, they'd be the bad guys. However, they doubted it, and there was no other way but forward. Morio took Gloria and Victis out of their sheaths, before storming forth.

Soon, the others joined, passing through the gates and stepping onto the first grasses. The gardens from earlier stretched at the sides, with lakes appearing accordingly, here and there.

"There they are!" a voice announced, as someone stepped off the stairs in front of them and weaved their hands back and forth. They fixed some of their short red hair before staring at the four. "Another great chunk of intruders trying to push through the 'evil' Kabun clan. Whose side are you on, foul demons?"

"T-The right side!" Atomu yelled, stepping forth, with Morio sticking his hand out.

"We came to get back what's ours," Morio muttered, with furrowed brows. "What the Kabun Clan has taken away."

"Same old. At this point, there is no conversation to be had." the man shook his head. "The old man said it's gonna be proof if I push off the bad guys again. I can't wait for my reward."

"Right after you, Eran." Morio pointed. "We'll push through even harder."

There was no doubting it anymore, at least at first. Jyuzou breathed out, Atomu readied his weapon, and Chyuuichi took a defensive stance.

"Hehe!" the Eran in question crouched, placing a long, thin bat over his shoulder. "Name's Callem, Morian!"

...and as his voice ensued, something growled behind the buildings. The four focused, as a figure moved out of the darkness cast by the sun and stepped into the lakes, moving ahead towards the four.

"An orc?!" Jyuzou asked, taking a stance.

"An orc is underestimating Muddy's power! Show 'em, brother!"

The orc groaned again, with a few noises that perhaps resembled the common Manjuno speech. With another step, its nine-meter height and stocky build came into view, with smart eyes locking with the four standing there.

"Yes!" it announced, before slamming down a massive wooden club at the four. With a quick zap, jump, ice roll and some ground to cover, they managed to avoid the strike, with their abilities immediately fading within seconds.

"It can speak?!" Jyuzou yelled.

"Demonears?" Callem asked, quietly, moving further ahead. "Then, there's no need to hesitate, Muddy!" he yelled. "Push all out!"

"Bad guy alert!"

"Me, seriously?!" Chyuuichi asked, right as the weapon waved in front of his face. Atomu ran at the sides, grabbing him, while Morio and Jyuzou focused on the Eran, once again, fixing his short, red hair.

A drop of sweat rolled down his face, but otherwise, he pushed on with another grin.

"Atomu, Chyuuichi. You guys take care of the orc. Leave the tweep to us!" Morio beamed, while Jyuzou pointed the spear forth.

Callem took an unsure step back, waving his bat around in front of the two, missing each shot. Morio struck from the side with Victis, as the shot barely avoided the Eran's feet when he jumped. However, that's when Jyuzou took the initiative and created a big enough gust for the man to fly towards the first roof and crash into the window.

A few yells and commotion occurred inside, with another swing of the massive club almost hitting the two Morians.

"Watch where you swing that!" Chyuuichi pointed, with the orc immediately turning.

"Bad guys." he inclined again, now chasing after the Mirillian towards the side of the building.

"Ch-Chyuuichi!" Atomu followed, clenching his sword tightly, as Callem coughed and rolled down the crimson bricks.

Now, without a warning or a word added. His bat hit Jyuzou's chest, but barely avoided Morio's shoulder, leading to the Morian zapping in a different direction, appearing above the Eran.

When he wanted to strike, the other was strangely fast enough to dodge his move and roll off the grass.

"Jyuzou, come on!" Morio announced, as the other Morian immediately retaliated, throwing his spear forward.

"Missed, ya idiot!" he yelled, sticking his tongue out, as the weapon pierced the grass in front of the gates and created a massive wind which sent him flying up. Callem yelled in a panic, before hitting the ground again and immediately crawling towards the stairs.

He chucked the bat at the two, with Jyuzou now easily catching it and picking his weapon back up. Another roll of sweat caused him to flinch before he sighed and ran for the doors.

"He's not very strong without his orc, is he?" Jyuzou asked, fixing his glasses.

"Told you I could do it." Morio mused. "We can't waste much energy, though. After him, Jyuzou!"

The two sprinted forth, and right as the doors were to close, they pushed through.