Where Friendship Was Made

Look, the Blight Tide has ebbed away!

We did it, Endmin.

It's over... This long hunt that began in Valley IV has finally come to an end.

Mmm...

My fear wasn't of defeat... In fact, when she attacked the Main Pillar, I felt a measure of relief.

Mmh ... the Blight Tide has subsided, and the Xiranite Dam still stands strong.

Now that Nefarith has fallen, those Bonekrushers and Stockade turncoats are bound to disperse. It's only a matter of time.

Nefarith and Ardashir ... just why are they so obsessed with the Ætherside?

You've been directing the Xiranite alone, and you just fought a fierce battle... Tianshi Zhuang, you should get some rest.

Don't worry. This isn't the first time.

It's just that looking back at what happened feels chilling, especially after I let my guard down.

My only real fear was for Wuling and the harm it might suffer.

Tianshi Zhuang, are you hurt?

It's okay. I'm just ... a bit tired.

Myself?

I knew you stood with me. So I believed ... "There would be a way".

Fangyi, quick, come here! You're not hurt, are you?

Is anyone hurt?

We're fine, really.

You always say you're fine. We're stretched thin today, but come see me tomorrow. I'll schedule a full check-up for you.

I will keep that in mind. Physician Cui ... how are the casualties?

There are quite a few injured, but it's still manageable. We've been through this for ten years, so our procedures are solid.

Alright, if anything comes up, contact me. I will take care of any problems for you.

I will. Go check the other areas! We've got the wounded covered.

Any damage here, Watchguard Liu?

Not a scratch! All those years of training really came through for us.

How about everyone else?

Oh, better than fine! Aunt Tian and the others have already got a mahjong game going.

Uh-huh. For people around here, chaos is hardly something to fear.

Hehe, what a lively bunch.

Oh, Tianshi Zhuang, once the damage assessment is complete, the captain will submit the full report to you.

Thank you.

Whew... Thank you for joining me on this inspection tour, everyone.

And with the AIC's support, Wuling should recover pretty soon.

I hope this brings some peace to Li Zhiyan...

Who's there?

One more thing. The Sui Regulator has learned about the battle at the Marker Stone. Reinforcements to Wuling are on the way.

Right. The Stockaders were left behind like pawns, while the Landbreakers withdrew in an orderly fashion.

An enemy commander likely remains active. However, further pursuit was not possible. We must return to the North Wuling Exclusion Zone immediately.

Given this involves the Endministrator and Project Xiranite, we must request that the Endministrator remain in Wuling for a few more days.

It's a relief to see the city holding up. Things look better than we thought.

Let's not talk about the Captain like she's already dead.

You are from the Yinglung Special Task Force...

Summit. Here to report to Tianshi Zhuang.

The Endfield Crisis Team's cleared to listen. Go ahead.

...The enemy forces were routed under our pursuit.

Seventeen leaders down, the rest captured — one of ours is escorting them to Hongshan now.

Among the enemy forces we engaged, most of the Cangzei Pirates surrendered, while the Landbreakers fought as they retreated. Most of the captives are also Cangzei Pi —

They are Stockaders.

No need to. As long as they stay away from Wuling, that's enough.

Your service is noted.

Involves the Endministrator and Project Xiranite? May I ask which Tianshi is being sent?

Only one person. And not a Tianshi.

She won't arrive in Wuling for a few days. However, she's already used the residual power within the Marker Stone Scroll to rescue the Captain.

Wha?! Li Zhiyan's fine?! Why didn't you say so from the start! This is huge!

How is it huge if she's fine?

Ahhh, the way you talk is killing me. Just tell me where she is.

Chen, ease up. Summit has just returned from the front lines...

Ahem... It seems you remain as concerned for her as ever...

Honestly, "fine" is an overstatement. Her life is not in danger, at least.

Please follow me.

Li Zhiyan... What happened to her?

The Captain's Originium Arts are incredibly strong ... but the strain on her body is equally unimaginable.

Defeating Ardashir at the Marker Stone would've cost you dearly. Even if you had won, what strength would you have had left to protect Wuling from Nefarith?

I agree. Arcane has no visible injuries.

Time flows differently within the scroll. It's hard to say how long the Captain fought.

You never change...

...So she's just exhausted and asleep...

From my perspective, the Captain's choice was sound. And you ultimately proved her right.

...Something isn't right.

Huh? You're right...

She overexerted herself with her Arts, but she's out of danger now.

When the Ink Spirit brought her out of the scroll, she was barely conscious.

Don't tell me ... Ardashir didn't even fight back inside the scroll? This is strange.

I've seen the Captain pushed to her limit only once. The Aggeloi remains that day could've covered the entire Wuling City.

Could Ardashir truly be...

Speculation is pointless. We can only wait for the Captain to wake up.

You have a point.

Endmin, let's move elsewhere. Arcane needs to rest.

Is that ... Lifeng?

Yeah... I'm fine. I just came to help bring the wounded here.

Today ... was my first time on a real battlefield. I'm just glad I was fighting alongside Uncle Ji and the others.

No need to worry about that.

...Really?

But today, I finally understood how different it is to fight a real person compared to training... The difference is night and day...

Lifeng...

The rest of the city...? Roger... If you say so, I'll just do it then.

If this is what I'm training for ... would Mom and Dad want to see me end up like this...?

The senior watchguards really watched out for me. I only hope I didn't disappoint them...

And seeing my seniors get wounded like that ... I just felt awful.

Oh, right. There might be people near the array who need help. I'll go take a look.

Good luck.

Ah! Tianshi Zhuang! And the Endmin!

Are you hurt...? Wait, you seem fine.

You look like you've lost your spark.

When they look at you, their eyes spark with nothing but pride and thrill. Maybe even ... a little jealousy.

Go ahead and keep your doubts.

Every Tianshi, every watchguard, grows by taking a hard look at their own responsibilities.

Everyone believes in you. But perhaps ... it's time you left this place and check out the rest of the city.

It's all over, Li Zhui... We're safe now...

Ah! It's Tianshi Zhuang! Li Zhui, stop chanting, you've called both Tianshi Zhuang and the Endmin here!

Endmin... Tianshi Zhuang!

I-I held them off! None of the Aggeloi got into the Bureau of Swordmancers...

Just now, Li Zhui took on three Aggeloi alone and saved two trapped citizens!

It... It was nothing! Any guard would've done the same!

You did very well. Now, get some rest.

Yo! Look who's here!

The heroes of Wuling City — Endmin, Perlica, Chen Qianyu!

Oh, please. We couldn't have done it without your help.

I see you're cleaning up. Do you need any help?

Nah, it's okay. Just thinking of opening early. Everyone's been on edge for so long, they deserve good food and a proper break.

Honestly, you shouldn't be asking me. Ask the citizens of Wuling. Ask the Stockaders. Ask your own heart.

...Engineer Pan, you really don't need a hand? Surely moving the tables and chairs won't take long.

And let's not forget our pillar, Viceroy Zhuang!

Tianshi Pan.

Uh-oh, easy with that title. Nothing good ever follows.

I just wanted to ask ... did I make the right choice this time?

This time? If you ask me, girl, you never had a choice. Our enemies would've come for Wuling regardless of the course of action you chose.

But maybe I could've handled the Qingbo situation better. Maybe Nefarith wouldn't have had the chance if I'd...

Zhuang Fangyi, drop the "maybes". They never existed back then, and they sure don't exist today.

Ah, you flatter me! I was just doing my bit.

If you really want to help, why not stay for a meal?

Or better yet, ask the Endmin!

Listen, Endmin. She may look strong, but deep down ... she needs someone to walk the path with her.

Nah, you've got bigger things to do!

...Very well. Endmin, we should head back. I still have things to discuss with Endfield.

Bye then, Uncle Pan!

See ya! And make sure you come back. We've got grand reopening deals!

Now that Arcane is also safe, we can truly consider this chapter closed.

Feels like so much has happened!

At least the feud from Valley IV is finally put to rest!

Endfield's mission, however, is not over.

Our ultimate goal here is to advance Project Xiranite and contain the Wuling Very Large Rift.

Exactly! Summit also said HAS sent reinforcements!

Then let's not waste any time...

Project Xiranite is important indeed, but progress cannot be forced.

You have been helping Wuling non-stop since your arrival. Some downtime is not only deserved ... it's also necessary.

Feels unfair that I'm the only one being told to rest.

I promise.

So, for today at least ... or the next few days, I ask you to remain in Wuling City as guests. Consider it a brief respite.

Everyone at Fangxing Avenue would be delighted to host you. We can resume work once research on Xiranite has progressed.

Tianshi Zhuang has a point. Well, I suppose I could use the time to organize my reports...

Mmm... That still sounds like work to me...

Then it's a deal.

...There is still time.

Boss.

Hm? Why the serious face?

I just feel ... if you were gonna risk yourself as bait, you could've at least taken me with you.

Let's focus. How are things here?

Perfectly fine. Just fighting these guys wasn't satisfying enough.

Many "civilian volunteers" stepped up during the battle... I'm grateful they were willing to take the risk.

What do you think, Mi Fu?

Since we are here, we might as well stop by Fangxing Avenue.

It's nothing.

Isn't a watchguard's duty to protect the city?

My duty is to protect you.

You just went through an intense fight ... are you sure you're okay?

As you can see, I'm completely fine.

And I must thank the Endfielders. I wouldn't have made it alone.

Fine...

I'm just a bit tired, nothing to worry about.

The Landbreakers are like walking corpses. All dead inside, no spark at all.

Indeed. And by the way, the watchguards will resume patrol rotations soon.

We'll be sure to properly thank ... these "volunteers".

The watchguards are helping citizens resume their lives.

And how are you holding up?

As for the traitorous Stockaders ... they're just pathetic. Can't even use their fists to do the talking like that little kitty.