I wiped the nonexistent sweat off my imaginary brow. “All packed.” I tapped my pantry with pride. I put all the ingredients I could think of in that bad boy. The ice box, and I mean a literal box of ice, worked as a crude refrigerator for stuff that would perish easily. Einar had more than enough to last him for at least half a year. Was that ludicrous amount necessary? Absolutely not, but I did it anyway.

The castle’s security was thick as usual, and the same could also be said for the forests surrounding my castle. Those demons would have a pretty bad time invading my territory. After properly testing the strength of my undead summons, I was much more confident in their abilities. I threw my hands on my waist in anticipation of seeing Isaac, but I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t miss Tina and the gang. The idea bounced back and forth in my mind like a tennis ball. One player hated the fact that some dumb-fuck came along and messed up our relationship, and especially rued the thought of sucking up her pride and apologizing. The other player smacked that immaturity back so hard that it made me feel like I really only had one choice.

I’d be the bigger dumbass if I let Tina slip through my fingers like that. Sam, although he had his past and prejudice, still attacked from a place of love. At least I hoped so. Well, the fact remained that he was a strong adventurer – even if he was hasty – and I didn’t want to return to being Lonely God Deidre.

I decided to visit Perseverance once more and hope to goodness gracious that Sam wasn’t with them; the awkwardness I could do without. I whipped up a portal to Tina’s house, where all the amulets I gave them were, and kept my fingers crossed as I went through.

Of course, life wasn’t that forgiving. Tina’s father and Sam got along splendidly. Guess he really did save his life. Ugh, should I go over there? I stood up somewhat in the shade of a corner. Tina and her party were there, and of course her parents were there as well.

Solina got up and strolled towards the house’s back entrance, then suddenly turned my way and put the pedal to the metal. That lunatic tackled the shit out of me like a hulking rugby player. “You bitch! You thought you could hide from me?!” She grabbed me by my robe’s collars with fury laden in her eyes, then began sobbing? “I, missed you!” Her sob then turned into a unignorable cry. If she didn’t have their attention by her crazy antics before, she definitely had it now.

I sighed, somewhat chuckled, and gently patted her head. “Yeah, I’m sorry for hiding. Now uh,” I wheezed dramatically, “if you’d allow me to get up, that’d be great.”

We made our way over to the outdoor dining table, where everyone gathered. There were some faces welcoming me, and a couple of looks filled with apprehension. Ugh, exactly what I didn’t want. Let’s just do this and get out of here. “Pardon the interruption. I came here because I have something to say.”

Edurne giggled. “Don’t we all?” A warm, yet scary smile gave off a feeling of unknown danger. A somewhat agreeable grunt sounded from Adam, so I assumed he was of the same mind as Edurne; whatever mind that might’ve been.

Tina’s father and Sam weren’t very happy to see me, but there I was anyway, making stuff weird. I scratched my cheek. “U-um, I just wanted, to let you all know that I completed the dungeon. And,” I felt like I was sweating bullets in front of them, “I’ll be, going away for a while. I’m not sure how long it would take.”

Silence smashed the mood like hail would destroy windscreens. When I realized that no one was saying anything, I began to raise my hand to make a gratus and bolt the fuck out of there, but Edurne came to my rescue. “Tina told us about you, my dear. Thank you,” she paused a little, “for saving me from eternal torment in that dungeon.” She was pretty specific with how she said it. “If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never seen my loving family again.”

Okay, what the fuck’s going on here?

Tina and her father were flabbergasted. The man pointed weakly at me, and eyed Edurne for confirmation, which he got when she nodded at him. She placed a comforting hand on her husband. “I didn’t want to say anything without my savior’s permission, but if she could come here just because she felt obligated to tell you of her departure, then she must think the world of you.” Edurne tittered. “Did you really think I’d leave my family behind like that? Though, I suppose it makes sense to think me dead if I go missing for that long.”

Tina’s father cleared his throat. “P-perhaps, I was a little too harsh on you. I humbly apologize for accusing you of Tina’s death. I tend to get a little antsy when it comes to my daughter. And, of course, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for returning a wife and a mother to her family.”

My eyes were ready to pop out. That’s some frightening spouse power, lady. You’ve only been here for a few days… “It’s only natural.” You should thank Einar, not me. “Uh, Tina, if you don’t mind, can we…” I gestured over yonder.

“Yes,” she stood up, “of course.”

Finally, I had her all to myself, at least for a while. She fidgeted, barely able to look me in the eye. Her fingers dug into her dress. “I’m sorry! I was being a huge ass! You only ever looked out for us, but I still doubted, I still said unnecessary things to you. I was angry, and I didn’t think it through. I’m sorry, Deidre.”

I scoffed and chuckled. “Well, you beat me to it. I’m sorry too, Tina.” My mind passed on Isaac. “I only saw what was in front of me and decided to label Sam as dangerous. I even had my suspicions about him saving your father; I should’ve believed you. Can you forgive me?”

She burst out in cachinnation. “Here I am, making up with a Death List monster. I must be going crazy. Of course I forgive you, Deidre.” She wrapped her arms around me. “I missed you so much.”