I enter the entrance area of the house and am a little disappointed that no one is waiting for me there. Of course that's not the case, it's the middle of the night and everyone should be asleep right now. Just because Elise has left doesn't mean she has woken everyone else up. A moment later, behind me, Elise enters her home. She moves carefully and hardly makes any noise. A big difference to Karina, whom I can hear much better. I suspect it's because Elise is a skilled hunter, while Karina is a frontline adventurer with a sword.

"Mark and Erik are still asleep. We can talk quietly downstairs," Elise suggests, starting to take off her gear. Karina follows her lead and agrees to the suggestion. I wait patiently and then enter the living room together with them. Once there, I independently find a seat and gesture to Karina to take a seat next to me. Elise doesn't sit right away and asks, "How about some tea and snacks?"

We agree and Karina asks if she can help in the kitchen. Elise doesn't mind and since I don't want to wait alone at the table I follow as well. Once in the kitchen, Elise has a nice surprise for me: She presents a glass container with an elongated creature inside, "I got this for you since I know you like exotic things. It is a shadow eel, which has been well preserved in this container."

My mouth waters as I look at the delicacy in front of me. I reach out my arms for it and Elise carefully hands me the glass container. I then eagerly begin to examine it, looking for a way to open the lid. When Karina sees my excited behavior, she can't help but giggle. After watching me for a moment longer, Karina suggests, "I can open the container for you, but I think we should wash the shade eel well first, to get rid of the preservative liquid."

The idea makes sense to me and I hand the jar over to her. A short time later, the three of us are sitting together at the table. Elise and Karina each have a cup of tea in front of them with some fruits in the middle of them. I have the washed-up shade eel on a plate. "Go ahead and dig in, you don't have to hold back," Elise proposes. I don't need to be told twice, and I guide one end of the eel into my mouth. I slowly work my way along the entire length of the eel, without stopping in between. Karina watches me surprised with wide eyes since in her presence I have so far only eaten the pre-processed biomass provided by my swarm.

I finish my meal quickly and give a short, satisfied purr as I successfully extract a new Strain. I greatly appreciate the effort Elise went especially for me. I have extracted from the shadow eel the ability to generate an electrical charge and deliver it to enemies on direct contact. I therefore call this new Strain Bio-Electric Discharge. It will be quite useful for future Sylv creatures.

(POV Elise)

I am so glad that Sylvia is back. I was so worried about her. In her absence, I often checked her small underground colony for signs of activity and had no luck each time. Searching for her in the woods was equally unsuccessful. I had already feared the worst when she suddenly reappeared. She did not appear alone but accompanied by another person. I am not sure yet how to judge her, but so far, she makes a good impression on me. Sylvia seems to trust Karina, but I am not sure if that is enough. We should definitely discuss some things in more detail.

After arriving back home, we all find ourselves together in the kitchen in order to prepare some drinks and snacks. Sylvia and Karina must be hungry and exhausted. Then I remember that I had ordered a shadow eel in town just before Sylvia disappeared. In the meantime, it arrived and I brought it home, I am sure that Sylvia will be positively surprised.

(POV Karina)

The conversation with Sylvia's adoptive mother is very informative and I have a much better picture of our situation afterward. The same goes for Elise, who learns what changes Sylvia has gone through in her absence. Sylvia gives an extremely enthusiastic account of what she has experienced, using her whole body to gesture or mimic certain actions. Sylvia has experienced much in the depths of the Everglade Forest and is in a good mood due to her special meal.

Toward the end of the friendly conversation, I asked Elise if she knows more about the Sylv, the species to which Sylvia belongs. As her adoptive mother, I'm sure she's already done her research. After a moment's thought, she confirms my assumption and then fetches a bestiary. I'm surprised, as it's unusual to see such an expensive book in a private home, but on the other hand, it fits in with the rest I've seen here so far. Elise and her husband seem to be making a good living.

Before I receive the book, I am informed by Elise that she cannot agree with the assessment of the entry, given her own experiences and therefore does not think much of it. In the bestiary, with her help, I quickly find the entry on the Sylv. As I read it with growing concern, I am closely watched by Elise.

According to the entry, the Sylv are an organic Hive Mind composed of various creatures. Sylv creatures are easily identified by their purple chitinous armor. Then there is some more information that I already knew, like that the Sylv do not like direct sunlight. They are described as a fast-growing threat to human society and reporting a Sylv colony to the adventurer guild for eradication is rewarded handsomely by the kingdom. It also states that killing the bigger Sylv Synapse creatures, like a Hive Queen, yields high-quality magic gems, which can be sold for a good price.

After reading the entry, I close the bestiary again with a worried expression. Sylvia looks at me with her big naive eyes and Elise still has that appraising look. Everyone is waiting for me to say something about what I have read, to give my opinion. I clear my throat and then announce: "I agree with Elise, what is written here is clearly wrong. I have spent enough time with Sylvia to be able to say with certainty that she has no malicious intentions toward people. She is not a danger to society and to report her would be wrong."

My statement seems to reassure Elise and Sylvia replies, "I knew I could count on you. After all, we are good friends and something written in a book is not going to change that anytime soon.". The Hive Queen then takes a step toward me and hugs me. I almost flinch but manage to control myself. What I said and what I think are not in harmony with each other, but there is no way I can show that in the current situation.

Unlike Elise, I haven't seen as much of Sylvia's softer side. Instead, I have repeatedly watched her and her Sylv swarm in battle. I still have images of the blood and carnage running through my mind as the Hive creatures mercilessly slaughtered the humanoid Goblins. I remember clearly how the giant Hive Commander gives me those hostile looks and how Sylvia herself is not at all harmless. In truth, I agree with the entry in the Bestiary, the Sylv are a rapidly growing threat that is exceedingly dangerous.

On the other hand, Sylvia has always been kind to me, she saved me in the forest and without her, I wouldn't have made it back. I owe her and it feels wrong to betray her trust in me. But I also have to think of my responsibility to my fellow man. It is my duty to report threats to the kingdom. Besides, I could use the money, especially since I desperately need new equipment. I'm not sure what I'll do when I get back to Westerville. Anyway, here at Elise's house, showing my indecision is not an option. Here I am surrounded by a dangerous Sylv swarm and a woman who is clearly on Sylvia's side. I don't know what these would do if I posed a threat to them.

While I'm still lost in thought, Elise asks me, "What are your plans?"

Not wanting to seem suspicious and giving myself more time to think, I reply, "I'd like to stay here for a few days and then leave for Westerville. Would that be all right, or would you rather I leave right away and find a place to stay in the town?"

"As Sylvia's friend, of course, you are welcome here. I'll prepare the couch in the living room for you if that's all right?" she replies.

"Of course, that's fine. Thank you so much for your hospitality!", I reply a little embarrassed.

After that is settled, the necessary preparations for my temporary accommodation are made and Elise, together with Sylvia, retires to the upper floor. I am curious about what the next day will bring.

(At the same time in the Adventurers' Guild in Westerville)

Jennifer and Michael, two acolytes of the Inquisition, enter the anteroom and go to the rear area designated for Guild personnel. As usual, they request the recent reports and begin to review them. With a look of satisfaction, Jennifer comments, "The extermination of the surviving Sylv creatures continues steadily. No intact nests have been found for weeks and there is no evidence of surviving Synapse creatures. Further proof of humanity's superiority! If this continues, we can soon pack up here and leave."

Michael is not quite so confident, "Don't be so hasty. The Sylv are very resilient and good at hiding. Their high intelligence makes it all the more difficult. I doubt that everything is as good as it seems. The fact that we can't find anything just shows that we're not looking hard enough. If we leave here and something happens later, we will be held responsible. You know that the Inquisition and especially Lord Darkhammer does not tolerate failure!"

"Of course, you are right Michael. We are servants of the Inquisition and should not take our mission lightly. We are the bulwark of humanity! We defend the kingdoms from threats within and from without. Glory to the Inquisition and glory to humanity!", Jennifer speaks in fanatical zeal.

"Humanity above all.", Michael replies with the credo of the Inquisition, not quite as enthusiastically as his colleague. The acolytes then continue in their quest with renewed zeal.