After the end of the 8th wave, no one could truly rest easy.

The tension in the air was so thick that it could choke anyone who dared to breathe in too deeply.

The fear of the unknown was slowly creeping its way into the hearts of even the bravest Sloth soldier who spent their entire lives on the front line.

Was it even necessary to mention how the fresh new soldiers and recruits pushed into the first line of defense were feeling?

Let's just say that the Dandelions were literally swarmed by the younglings looking for any kind of support.

And it wasn't just because of Shank's presence either.

"You know Ure-ure? This really affirms my conviction that I would like to create a place for kids without a home."

The black-haired elf, Lairs, smiled gently as she made sure that the last child is tugged in, and whispered to the big woman who was checking up on the other children in the meeting hall that got turned into one big bedroom since none of the young soldiers were able to fall asleep in their cramped quarters.

"Lairs, I'm happy for you but that still is a pretty rude thing to say... they all do have a home."

The large woman made a complicated expression and whispered back.

"True... fine. I want to make a place where kids wouldn't have to be so scared for their lives that they won't be able to fall asleep at night."

The elven mage shrugged her shoulders and muttered.

"...yes, that would be nice..."

That made Uresha sigh and nod.

"...I can't believe that this is the place where our Shanks grew up. Well, not here exactly but you know what I mean."

She fidgeted and made an awkward smile as she changed the subject.

"Yeah... though I found it crazier that he managed to escape this place when he was still a child! Could you imagine that?"

Lairs shuddered at the thought.

"Yes, after seeing what is going on in this place, I can finally understand why he was so twitchy and careful for the first few years in our village."

The big woman rubbed her forearm and looked down dispirited.

"I wish I knew earlier..."

She added.

"Well, I don't."

Lairs shrugged her shoulders and responded bluntly.

"...?""

Which made Uresha raise her brows in confusion.

"Hey, I'm not a softhearted girl like you, Ure-ure. I'm not going to bullshit you, if Shanks told me back then that he was a runaway noble from the territory where the weakest monster can kill the strongest person I knew back then with ease, I would have noped the fuck out and never tried to talk to him again!"

Lairs once again shrugged her shoulders and opened her arms with an expression that clearly stated that how things were.

"Lairs, you are cursing again."

Uresha sighed and pointed out.

"I am? Fuck... no! I meant fudge...!"

The elf flinched and clicked her tongue.

"...this whole kids-friendly way of speaking might be over my capabilities after all... not to mention that trying to be an elf who doesn't curse reminds me of my bitch of a mother to boot!"

She clenched her fists with a scowl.

"You want to talk about it? The boys should be able to manage the situation without us now, right?"

Uresha asked and looked around with a smile.

All the young soldiers were asleep, and in fact, the same went for the male half of the Dandelions' group.

Both Shanks and Rotte looked like they were deep asleep while completely surrounded by the youngest and most clingy children.

Rotte was the one surrounded by most kids, but whether it was because he wasn't as intimidating as Shanks with his right to rule passive, or simply because Rotte's built was more similar to a cuddly teddy bear compared to the skinny Shanks - it was hard to say.

The two women smiled at each other and left the crowded meeting hall.

"Do you think that after their special quest is over, the Wraths will start looking for young lady Cranberry and Zombie again?"

...but as soon as they made sure that no one is listening in on them their conversation topic and the tone of their voices shifted into very serious ones.

"Yeah, Ure-ure, that's more than certain. Their family reputation is at stake."

The women looked at each other and let out a synchronized sigh.

"I'm quite happy that young lady didn't tell us anything about where are they planning to go, at least I can't accidentally let it slip."

Uresha let out a weak embarrassed smile.

"Whether we know her whereabouts or not isn't the problem! I was pretty calm about those royal investigators looking for them because I was sure that if worse come to worst, the two of them would be able to deal without any problem. But that ashen-haired girl... you've seen her fight off all those enormous monsters, right? Would young lady Cranberry be able to do the same? What if the two will end up fighting?"

Lairs furrowed her brows and crossed her arms.

"...honestly, after what Shanks, miss Mary, and young miss Mika showed us today, I am no longer certain about young lady Cranberry's chances..."

Uresha made a worried expression and breathed out.

"If they will catch her and bring her to the capital, there will be a huge uproar... we shouldn't have listened to her and burn the guilt confession she wrote instead of giving it to the adventurers guild..."

Lairs complained and clenched her fists.

"Yes..."

Uresha nodded.

"We might have started on a bad note and she ended up blackmailing us but... for fuck's sake it's thanks to her that I am here... fuck me.. young lady Cranberry might be fucked up in the head like no other, but the one thing in which she is better than anyone else is keeping her word... fuck, am I going crazy? When we were traveling together I always wanted her to just fuck off, but since she's missing I'm worried about her as if she was one of us..."

Lairs complained and ducked by the wall shaking her head in disbelief.