CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: RECALL

- Nicolas POV -

Nicolas returned to the gathered students and professors, his expression tight.

"They’ve escaped," he said immediately, stepping up to the faculty. "Torwan left his assistant under an illusion spell, taking on his appearance. He should still be somewhere in Tharvaldur..."

Professor Daemar folded his arms. "We can’t all leave to search. We still have civilians with the slave mark here. We’ll wait for reinforcements."

"Let’s hope Redna arrives soon," Nicolas replied, lowering his voice. "And that everything at the castle went as planned."

The students of the three academies — Velmora, Luceria, and Valor — kept their eyes fixed on the more than fifty guards loyal to Torwan who were stationed outside the factory.

Fifteen minutes later, the sound of synchronized footsteps filled the enclosed streets within the mountain. Nicolas stepped forward, scanning the source, until he finally saw them.

Redna was at the front, flanked by Noriel and Balthor, the two dwarves walking side by side. Behind them marched the Councilor, the General, and over three hundred castle soldiers. Spears, swords, hammers, and axes glinted in the torchlight as they advanced with purpose.

Redna approached first. "Everything went well," she said. "For now, Noriel is acting as regent until Balthor’s coronation."

"Good," Nicolas began, but before he could continue, the Recall Sigil on his hand flared to life. Its glow was sharp, insistent — Noel was calling him. Urgently.

Nicolas’s tone shifted immediately. "Something serious has happened. Redna — help Charlotte give the blessing to the civilians. There are hundreds of them."

Without waiting for a reply, his figure blurred in a rush of mana, vanishing from the spot.

Redna turned back to Noriel and Balthor, falling in step as they entered the building.

Professor Daemar was already moving with the remaining students and staff, leading them toward the main hall. "On our side, things went smoothly," he reported. "Some nobles slipped away — they were tied to these activities — but we couldn’t risk chasing them and leaving civilians unprotected. Torwan’s guards are secured for arrest, and the parents of Tharvaldur’s students are safe. We also brought in other students who bore the mark."

Noriel gave a single nod. "Good. As for us, the puppet king was dealt with easily enough. No great mystery there — Redna’s power made short work of it." His eyes shifted to Balthor. "Now, I think our future king should give the order."

Balthor looked caught off guard. For a moment, it seemed he might refuse, but the silent expectation of those around him — soldiers, councilors, and citizens alike — pushed him forward. He straightened his back.

"Arrest the bastards who turned Tharvaldur into a pigsty and played with the lives of our people," Balthor said firmly. "And... help our citizens. Please, Redna."

The words were simple, rough-edged, but they carried more weight than anyone expected. Even Noriel’s brows lifted slightly — for all his flaws, the drunk, ill-mannered dwarf had just sounded like a ruler.

The soldiers, stirred by the order, moved at once. The last king — the puppet — had done nothing for them, serving only Torwan’s schemes. This was different.

Steel boots hammered against the stone floors as they marched into the underground restaurant. Students stepped aside, clearing the path. Moments later, the soldiers emerged, escorting the remaining members of Torwan’s faction in chains.

Redna found Charlotte near the far wall, the Sancta Veil still active.

"Come," Redna said, her tone brisk but gentle.

They moved together through the corridors until they reached the room where the factory workers had been gathered. The smell of dust, oil, and fear clung to the air. Redna quickly waved for the students without slave marks to leave, keeping only those still bound by the cursed sigils.

Facing the group, Redna raised her voice just enough to carry. "We’re going to help you," she said, "but I’d like to ask for a favor. Charlotte is the Saint. I’d appreciate it if you kept that a secret. Not many know yet, and I’d like to keep it that way."

Charlotte blinked, clearly not expecting the announcement. Her lips parted in surprise, but she closed them quickly, offering Redna a small, grateful nod.

Then she stepped forward, clasped her hands, and began the blessing. A faint golden glow gathered between her palms, spreading outward like ripples of light. The process was slow, deliberate — hundreds of marks to erase, one by one.

Redna positioned herself beside her, placing a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. A steady stream of mana flowed from her into the Saint, bolstering her strength. Without it, Charlotte might have collapsed halfway through.

Minutes passed, the air thick with the quiet hum of divine magic. Slowly, the cursed marks began to fade from skin and memory alike.

Nicolas reappeared in a dim, narrow street within Tharvaldur. He hadn’t been able to lock directly onto Noel’s location — he’d never set foot exactly where the boy was now — but he knew the general area. Without wasting a moment, he sprinted down the stone path, his boots striking against the uneven ground.

The streets were quiet, the kind of stillness that felt unnatural after the chaos of the past hours. It didn’t take long before he reached a side alley and saw him.

Noel sat on a low, flat surface, its edge darkened and wet as if it had been soaked in blood not long ago. His posture was calm, but there was a weight in the air that said this wasn’t over.

A few meters away, Noir waited in her wolf form, nearly three meters tall, her black-and-purple fur bristling slightly. She sat like a sentinel, eyes never leaving Nicolas as he approached.

At the sound of footsteps, Noel turned his head. "Hello, Headmaster Nicolas," he said evenly, as if the scene around him was nothing out of the ordinary.

Before Nicolas could reply, a faint shimmer of blue light appeared in front of Noel’s eyes, forming into crisp letters only he could see:

[Mission: Find the 5th Pillar and deal with him. Completed, congratulations!!!]

Reward available — claim now?

- Charlotte POV -

Charlotte slumped against the wall, her breathing unsteady. Elyra was at her side immediately, offering some water, while Marcus crouched nearby, keeping a protective watch.

Clara knelt in front of her, checking her pulse with gentle hands, while Laziel and Garron stood guard at the entrance. Elena lingered close, her amber pendant catching the dim light as she kept scanning the room.

Seraphina and Dior had joined them at some point, their presence quiet but reassuring. Yet among all the familiar faces, there was one conspicuous absence — there was still no sign of Roberto.

Outside, the sounds of joy and relief began to echo through the factory. The students of Tharvaldur were finally being reunited with their parents — men and women who had also been enslaved and forced to work here. Tearful embraces and hushed words filled the air as chains were cut and bonds were broken.

Charlotte closed her eyes briefly, letting the sounds of reunion wash over her. She had given everything she had in that blessing, but seeing families whole again... it made the exhaustion worth it.