All three of us got up only at lunch time. We took shower, had lunch and went out to Black’s house.

There, we saw old man Bark and some other people.

“Oh, you’ve come” Bark greeted me. His face doesn’t look very easy. I thought he is worrying about Larry.

“Yes, we’ve come,” I said, “By the way, where are Larry and Black? Have their condition become better?”

Exhaling a heavy sign, Bark said, “I’ve prepared the best medicine and arranged the best medic available in our village. I hope they can overcome this crisis.”

‘Well, I know that they would receive the best treatment available in the village. These two are the governing body of the village. Why are you telling me those very common things.’ I complained myself.

“How is their served arms? What is the situation with it” Rey asked.

“Served arms? There is no more bleeding from those places. But they are in a real bad shape. Although the riders applied their own medicine to Larry and Black, those medicine were not meant to heal the wounds. The medic says those medicine might be things like pain killer. But, now, medical lotion has been applied there. And those wounds have been cleaned and bandaged well.” Bark replied.

“Those arms are not smelling bad, right? You know, I mean…” Rey continue.

“Hold your tongue. If you continue, I don’t know if I would kill you?” Bark said clearly in an annoyed tone, “none of them are smelling bad.”

“Have they caught high fever?” this time, I asked.

“Yes, their body temperature is pretty high. But I’ve arranged people to nurse them. They would take care of both Larry and Black all the time.” He answered.

“I hope they get well soon” I wished out loud.

“They will, the medic said they would regain consciousness within a week.” Bark said.

“May we go and look them? I mean I want to see them with my own eyes.” I requested.

“It’s okay. I’ll take you there.” Bark replied.

Three of us and Bark went to a room in the house. There are two bed and two bodies on them. One is Larry and one is Black. As of now, both of them are unconscious. I looked them for a while and got out of the room with Bark.

“Let’s go out and talk about something” Bark suggested.

I made Rey and Brick wait for me in the house while I went out with Bark.

Breathing the cool fresh air, Bark said, “I know that you want to talk about reward. I can arrange a suitable amount of reward for you. But I suggest that you wait for Black and Larry.”

“Why?” I asked

“Because I know you would leave when you get the reward. I think both Black and Larry would want to see you again before you leave the village.” He replied.

Well, I really don’t mind staying a few more days or, one or two weeks. Our party has been on a high tension mission. I think it is a good time to relax. I hope he would solve our monetary problems.

“By the way Mr Bark, it looks like you are an influential person in the village. It’s not easy to organize those arrangement without prior knowledge or experience. But during my stay, I haven’t seen nor heard you.” I asked.

“I used to be the vice headman. But I usually don’t get involved in the village’s affair anymore. My old bones need to relax.” He signed heavily. “It was me who appointed Black as the headman. I thought that brainless fool would change his mind when he experience society in a different way. He used to be a free soul. He didn’t care about other’s feelings. He did what he wanted to do. But he still has good points. And he is a capable man. That’s why I appointed him as the headman.”

“I don’t know because my decision went wrong or that fool is too stupid, even though I indirectly sent Larry to him, she ended up being his assistance and nothing more.” he said.

“Is that so?” I said.

“Well, young man, there is one more thing I need to talk to you. It is another reason I wanted you to wait in the village. I’ve sent someone to Cyclop city. About one or two weeks later, officials from Cyclop city will come here and bring the prisoners. And you have to answer some of their questions” Bark said “your party’s contribution in arresting the riders is quite huge. So, you would also get some reward from them. If you leave now, you would miss that reward.”

“Is that so? Then, thanks Mr Bark.” I exclaimed. I didn’t know that. But if the officials from Cyclop city comes, if they go back to the city, we can follow them. It would a safer route. Besides, I would be able to inquire the official about “qualified soul master”. But wait, old man Bark said he was vice headman. He might know something about qualified soul master.

“Hey Mr Bark, do you know anything about qualified soul master?” I asked.

“Qualified soul master? It is a question most of the travelers ask. Some people have asked me that question in the past. I’ve also tried to find the answer. One of the officials from the Cyclop city who visited our village said that one must first have 3 soul fusions to become a qualified soul master.” He answered

“Is having three souls enough to become a qualified soul master?” I asked. But deep within me, I know I’m asking a foolish question. If having 3 soul fusion is enough, an average traveler won’t have to take an average 3 year to come back to earth. But it can’t be helped.

“No, having three fusion is not enough. According to that official, one has to be able to fluidly control all three soul fusion simultaneously. If one can fluidly control the three soul fusions, there is another stage. But I don’t know what it is. You should ask when the official from Cyclop city arrive. He should know better than me.” Bark answered me.

Just as I expected. Having three soul fusion is the basic. But I don’t know what it means by fluid control over three fusions. Well, I’ll know later.

After that, we talk these and those but nothing important. Then, he gave us some money to last one or two weeks. Bringing Rey and Brick, I went to buy some clothes and this time backpacks too.

About a week has passed. During this time, we went to the headman’s house every day. We found that villagers love both Larry and Black. Many people came to ask their wellbeing every day. Old man Bark and our party has become more and more familiar.

We helped him manage the village’s affair here and there. Since both Larry and Black are not conscious, it would be too troublesome if Bark is doing everything alone.

On the fifth day, Larry regained her consciousness. On the seventh day, Black regained his consciousness.