After entering the town's gate, as they had expected, there was a commotion.
Three extremely tall and beautiful humans!
Not only in terms of looks but also in terms of outfit, they resembled some wild prince and princesses of all the townsfolk's imagination—many even thought the three were of completely different species, given how different their bearings were compared to "normal" humans.
There was a completely different air about the three that made even crying children stop, and everyone from young to elderly just gaped at the evolved humans.
Some sharp-eyed people immediately recognized the three were the tall apes of the orphanage!
And so the words boomed and quickly spread across the entire town like fire spreading through a forest.
Lyria and Livy had red cheeks from how much attention they were getting. They didn't know why Eric was walking so slowly, but they didn't speak out and just followed behind him.
Eric was intentionally walking slowly to show they had returned, as he wanted some people to hear about it. It was also his final goodbye to the people, dogs, cats, and even the nonliving things of Ringwood Town.
As they slowly approached the orphanage gate, the crowd grew thicker. By the time they reached it, without much surprise, a mass had already gathered to gaze upon the rumored tall trees of Ringwood Town.
This was bound to happen, especially since it had been months since the tall three trees had shown themselves in public. Unlike their previous childish air, they had now become proper "responsible" adults—and not to mention, after becoming mana wielders, their looks and figures had drastically changed, all thanks to free permanent makeovers and a full-body polishing service.
Eric recognized quite a few of his "classmates" in the crowd—names he, of course, didn't remember, as he had rarely interacted with others outside the orphanage.
At that moment, a girl with short, curly blonde hair stepped out. With a gentle tone but sad eyes, she asked, "Eric, are you no longer going to visit school? We all miss you..."
Eric was speechless. Who the hell was she to ask the new Minor Elite Boss to visit a children's school?
He genuinely wanted to laugh. He had always been alienated because of his height and unfriendly look, not to mention he barely ever visited school except on final exam days.
Eric gently shook his head. "I am—no, we are—leaving the town and won't return again."
The girl had already felt it the moment she gazed upon Eric—he looked way too different, almost unreachable now.
She had an instinctive feeling this would be her last day seeing him, but she didn't want it to happen! She hoped she was wrong—that if she visited the orphanage again, she might still glimpse him from afar.
But now that Eric had openly admitted he was leaving—permanently—her heart shattered like fragile glass. She could no longer hold back; tears streamed down her fair cheeks as she turned and ran away crying.
Eric, Lyria, and Livy were dumbstruck.
What was that?
Though they guessed the girl simply didn't want them to go—after all, they were quite unique sights in this town.
At that moment, another girl, nearly twenty years old, stepped out.
She had long, flowing black hair, and her dress marked her as from a reasonably wealthy family.
She grasped Eric's hand. Tears already falling, she pleaded between sobs, "Eric, I... I... P-probably you don't remember my n-name, b-but can you promise me you'll return someday? I'll never marry... I'll wait for you... till you return... no matter how long... even if I'm old..."
Eric was confused again. Who the hell was this girl? She was clearly older than him. Was she suggesting she'd remain single and become a sage? Wasn't that admirable? But—
He felt he shouldn't lie. Unlike these girls with honorable aspirations, he was downright evil and had evil aspirations. So, he gently shook his head and replied plainly, "No!"
The girl also turned and ran away while sobbing.
Eric and nearly every man in the area stared at 'Eric' strangely...
'Damn, was he that big of a playboy?'
'Damn, was I such a big playboy?'
Eric truly didn't know either girl. Looking at the surrounding unknown weeping girls, even he felt he was scum for doing something he had no idea of.
And why the hell were women over forty and fifty crying too?!
Lyria and Livy didn't know what to say or feel. Strangely, they felt guilty—like they were stealing someone from behind these heartbroken girls.
They both stood awkwardly behind Eric, hoping he'd move forward so they could escape from the embarrassment and guilt.
The surrounding men were more 'realistic' and sensible. They didn't dare to step forward and proclaim their 'deep' emotions toward either Lyria or Livy, as they knew these girls were too far out of their reach. Also, these girls' heights... though very attractive, were equally deadly for their poor heights. And with the Blue-Eyed Demon present, they didn't dare to mess around.
While everyone in that area stood stunned by the sudden tragedy descending upon the town's pitiful girls—from young to old—Hannah pushed through the crowd and appeared before Eric, Lyria, and Livy with a sorrowful expression.
Seeing Hannah's expression, both Lyria and Livy's faces changed. Their eyes slowly turned melancholy.
Eric was fine.
"You three are finally back. Come inside first." As Hannah spoke, she glanced around the crowd and was utterly flabbergasted by the weird situation. "W-what's going on?" Why are the girls crying while the men having constipated expressions?
Eric shrugged. He equally had no idea what was happening. Maybe some drugs called hormones were causing this unique effect.
He ignored Hannah and proceeded toward the orphanage's main building—the same way she'd just come.
Lyria and Livy followed behind. Hannah also ignored the crowd and rushed behind them.
Soon, the crowd disbanded as the show had ended. The rare tall specimens had disappeared inside. The shocking news was that the three tall humans of the orphanage were leaving the town today, permanently!
Eric and the girls entered the main building and headed upstairs.
Hannah arrived beside Eric, who was walking ahead.
"How is Grandma holding up?" Eric asked gently.
Hannah didn't utter a word—just shook her head sorrowfully.
Bella Noll had long reached her end, yet she quietly held on for months while waiting for Eric, Lyria, and Livy's return.
Day by day, her health visibly deteriorated—yet she still smiled at visitors. Only the workers cried silently, looking at her withered state.
Eric sighed quietly and sped up slightly.
It was time to send an old friend to sleep.
Eric arrived at the door. After knocking once, he entered without waiting for any response.
Bella Noll slowly opened her eyes while lying on her bed. Everything in front of her eyes was hazy and blurry. She smiled, as she knew who had just returned—a person who never waited for her to say 'Come In' and walked straight in after a single knock ever since he was just a little boy.
She tried to sit but couldn't gather any strength. Her physical body, though still that of a Rank 3 Mystical Knight, had long depleted its energy—just a tiny wisp of mana she was barely holding onto; otherwise, that too was mostly gone.
She had been through hell, still held onto her promise—to see the three little children one last time, bless them one last time, and smile one last time...
When Eric, Lyria, and Livy entered, they froze at the sight—a skeletal, shrunken, dried figure barely 3 to 4 feet tall.
Not only had Bella Noll been reduced to bare skin and bones, even her height had reduced from 6 ft to this.
She looked far worse than she had just eight months ago.
Livy covered her mouth in shock, disbelief, and pain. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
Lyria was similarly heartbroken. She sniffed quietly.
Seeing Bella Noll struggling to sit, they quickly came and gently helped her up.
Bella Noll smiled happily, watching how both Lyria and Livy had grown up in just eight months, though her vision was still blurry.
Eric sat at her feet and asked softly, "Grandma, how are you? Do you need my help?"
Bella Noll nearly laughed but coughed instead. "Damn, young man—at least let me look at my daughters before you kill me with silly jokes." Her voice was tired, slow, with laughter mixed in.
Eric smiled. He was indeed offering his help to end her suffering. In a sense, it was also a joke—a joke perhaps only two of them would laugh at in this world.
Bella Noll gazed deeply at the two beautiful young girls beside her. She slowly lifted her shaky hand, which took her immense effort.
She gently touched Livy's wet cheek, then Lyria's. She could only lift a single hand.
Neither Lyria nor Livy helped, letting Bella Noll do it herself. They only stared at her as tears silently fell from their eyes.
"D-don't cry... Parting sometimes comes with everything; one should smile and not be sad about it. Every present moment is what we should cherish. I don't know what else to teach. Lyria, Livy, you have filled my heart with everything I might have lacked."
Lyria and Livy placed Bella Noll's hands on their cheeks and wept silently.
"I am now satisfied with being able to see all three of you for one last time. Now I can go with ease and happiness. Just promise me… you will live well and keep your smiles in your hearts."
Eric, Lyria, and Livy nodded in promise.
Bella Noll chuckled softly. "At least say it verbally… let me hear your voices... one last time."
"Yes!"
Eric's voice was soft, while Lyria and Livy's were heavy—they couldn't bring themselves to say another word, or else they might really burst out crying.
Bella Noll smiled and nodded weakly. Even as she nodded, she almost couldn't raise her head back up.
Eric knew prolonging her life would only extend her suffering. Though he also didn't know what else to say, so he smiled brightly at her.
Through her blurred vision, Bella Noll noticed Eric smiling at her, so she also beamed back.
"One last request... bring my Juliane to me. Then please leave and close the door for a moment..."
Eric took a deep breath. He stood up and fetched her blade, Juliane, from the table and placed it beside her.
Bella Noll whispered, "Thank you..."
Eric quietly patted Lyria and Livy's shoulders.
They knew by instinct what was about to happen and didn't want to leave in fear.
Eric gripped their shoulders firmly to stop delaying the inevitable.
Lyria and Livy wiped their tears and smiled at Bella Noll, though she was no longer looking at them and was gazing down at her blade.
Lyria and Livy stood up quietly.
As they stepped back, Bella Noll murmured, "Thank you... for coming into my life. F-farewell. M-my blessings will always be with you..."
Lyria and Livy nearly rushed back to hug her—but Eric pulled them out, saying, "Old woman, don't worry. We'll live well for your sake too—and who knows? Maybe we'll meet again someday."
As he spoke, Eric closed the door behind them, leaving Bella Noll alone in her room.
Suddenly, Bella Noll found some strength to raise her head and turn to the closed door. After a short pause, she started laughing loudly and joyfully, to the point she nearly had tears in her eyes, as if she heard the most amusing joke of her life.
As she laughed, a bright white light erupted from her body, engulfing almost the entire room, including her blade Juliane, which was quietly lying beside her.
The light only stayed for a brief few moments, then slowly and silently faded away.
Eric reopened the door.
Seeing the scene inside, he sighed quietly.
Bella Noll, her blade, her everything... all had turned to ash.