"!"

When Orsted heard the Corrupted Viola speak and call his name, his eyes widened.

He'd never revealed his name to the Jewel Fetus.

Though he'd fought Revis before, she didn't know his name, as she called him an "unknown person" earlier.

And Asfi had only called him "Teacher" since the Corrupted Viola emerged.

Did the adventurers' cheers reveal his name to the Jewel Fetus?

But Orsted dismissed the idea.

It spoke again.

"Orsted, I've finally found you. Merge with me!"

Orsted's eyes shrank further.

This echoed what the Spirit clone said to Ais in the Anime.

What did it mean, "finally found me"? Did it know him? Impossible.

As a pure-blooded elf, he had no connection to spirits.

Why claim it had waited long and wanted to merge?

What was this? Despite his confusion, Orsted didn't stop.

Excalibur burst, unleashing a small golden torrent that engulfed the tentacle-less Corrupted Viola.

Without its tentacles, a modest blast sufficed.

In an instant, the torrent turned the area into gold.

After a few seconds, sensing the Corrupted Viola's destruction, Orsted recalled Excalibur into Avalon.

The golden light receded, revealing a massive crater.

The Corrupted Viola was gone.

Before Orsted could relax, louder cheers erupted nearby.

He turned to see adventurers on the cliff, dancing and jumping, more excited than him, as if they'd defeated the monster.

Rolling his eyes, Orsted didn't bother greeting them.

He vanished using instant, searching for Ais.

He hadn't checked on her fight with Revis.

With Ais's upgraded strength, Revis was no match.

Would Ais kill her? In the Anime, Revis escaped.

Soon, Orsted found Ais.

Her breathing was rapid, but her clothes and armor were intact, unlike his own tattered state.

She'd clearly just finished fighting.

"Orsted," Ais nodded.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"She's stronger than before. I couldn't take her down quickly," Ais said, frustrated. "After your attack, she got scared and fled."

Even with her current strength and tempest, Ais had suppressed but couldn't kill Revis.

When Revis fled, Violas blocked Ais, letting her escape.

Orsted sighed.

Revis was too resilient. She survived his unrestrained attack and now escaped Ais.

Plot inertia? Was she fated to survive?

No matter—Revis wasn't a major threat.

"Let's regroup with Asfi and head back to the surface," Orsted said.

Ais nodded, following him.

Before finding Ais, Asfi, with Falgar's help, had killed the wounded Olivas and awaited Orsted and Ais.

Adventurers surrounded them, buzzing with talk of Orsted, filled with respect and admiration.

Seeing Orsted, they waved excitedly, greeted him, or bowed respectfully, brimming with enthusiasm.

Having watched his fight, they'd become his fans.

Some greeted Ais, but her curt nods ended their attempts.

Orsted responded briefly, citing a task to leave.

The adventurers didn't press, waving goodbye with smiles.

"Teacher, you're quite popular," Asfi said with a faint smile as they joined her.

Ais glanced at Orsted, surprised by the title.

"Don't call me Teacher!" Orsted corrected, rolling his eyes.

"Enough nonsense. The situation's clear. Let's go back."

"Yes, Teacher!" Asfi replied.

"Don't call me Teacher!"

---

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