After hearing Livi's full story, Rian was stunned. The path Livi had taken was a dark one, born from the kind of pain that seeps into one's soul after losing a loved one. It was a pain Rian understood all too well. Vengeance could twist a person into someone they no longer recognized. He had felt that same pull himself, when he wanted to avenge Catty's parents.

Rian crouched beside the defeated scout and whispered, "Do you still want to live?"

Livi didn't look up. "What's the point? Even if I live, there's no place left for me," he replied, fully aware that his actions were unforgivable.

"I can arrange that, if you agree to follow my orders," Rian offered. "From now on, you will be my responsibility. Your safety will be in my hands."

A flicker of hope ignited in Livi's eyes. The awe he had felt during the battle, combined with this unexpected offer from the very man who held his life in his hands, was enough. He wanted to trust him. "Yes," Livi replied, his voice firm for the first time. "I still want to live longer, to redeem myself."

"Alright," Rian commanded. "For now, just follow the chief's orders. You will be locked up temporarily until they decide on your punishment."

After Livi was taken away, Rian went to help the chieftain organize the cleanup of the wolf carcasses. One by one, the villagers worked together, dragging the bodies to a single collection point until all five hundred lay in a grim pile.

"Where are we going to dispose of these, sir?" a villager asked the chief. "We can't just leave them here; the stench will reach the village."

Overhearing them, Rian provided a solution. "Let me handle that. Just help me cut the bodies in half, or at least to a maximum diameter of one meter. I will put them into my Storage."

"I am sorry," the Chieftain said, bowing his head in shame. "I apologize for calling your unique skill useless."

"It's no problem," Rian replied graciously. "You weren't wrong, sir. This ability of mine truly isn't meant for combat."

After clearing the battlefield, Rian walked back to the village alongside the Chieftain. The old lion, who had once dismissed him, was now awkward and silent.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Rian asked, mistaking his silence for worry. "I'm sure there won't be another wolf attack for a long time."

"Yes, you are right. May this village remain safe," the chief sighed. "I wish to protect it, but my strength is lacking. Yet I will never abandon this place until the day I die."

"I understand, sir. It is precious to you," Rian replied.

When they arrived at the house, Catty, RQ, and her mother were waiting. "Rian," Catty said immediately, "I think we need to talk." She pulled him into their guest room. "What's the decision on Livi?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"We haven't discussed it. I'll probably ask the chief tonight," Rian answered.

"If you can… I want Livi to live," Catty pleaded.

"Me too," Rian agreed.

"So, when are we leaving to continue our journey?"

"For now, I want to stay and make sure the village is truly safe. Is it okay if we remain here for a while?"

"Of course. I'll follow your decision," Catty said. She then gave him a sly, sideways glance. "So… what's your decision on RQ's offer? The one where she'll give you," she said, mimicking a dramatic tone while narrowing her eyes, "'anything you want, even her body and soul'?"

"I haven't thought about it at all," Rian said quickly. "You don't have to worry. You're the only one for me."

Catty froze, her teasing expression melting away. Rian's direct and sincere answer caught her completely off guard. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, and she quickly turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze. Her tail gave a slight, involuntary flick. "D-Don't just say things like that so suddenly, you idiot," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

Just then, RQ called from downstairs, breaking the sudden, charged silence. "Sirs, please come down for dinner. And Father wishes to speak with you, Rian."

They went down to the dining room. A feast was laid out on the table, mostly consisting of meat and fish. After the meal, as Catty helped RQ clear the table, RQ's parents turned to Rian.

"Sir Rian," the mother began gently. "Where do you plan to take our daughter?"

"I haven't decided anything yet," Rian replied. "For now, I was hoping to stay here, if that's alright?"

"Of course, son, you are welcome," she answered.

The Chieftain then rose and returned with an object wrapped in cloth. "This is one of our village's ancestral treasures," he said, presenting it to Rian. "If you hadn't been here, it would have been lost. I entrust it to you."

"I will take good care of it. Thank you for your trust," Rian said, bowing his head.

"We have one more request," the chief said, his voice heavy. "It may seem like we are going against our daughter's promise, but she is our only treasure. Could we… could we beg you not to take her away from this village?" Both parents bowed their heads in a desperate plea.

From the kitchen, RQ and Catty watched the scene unfold in silence.

"This is the moment," Rian thought. He sat back down.

"Chieftain, Mother RQ, please, there is no need for that," he began. "However, I also have a request. If it's possible, I want you to spare Livi from the death sentence. If you can grant my request, I will grant yours."

It was the negotiation Rian had been planning all along.

"What will he do in this village?" the chief countered. "The villagers will not accept him again, fearing another betrayal."

"You don't have to worry about that," Rian said, his voice steady and confident. "He will be my full responsibility. If he ever breaks a single rule of this village, I will be the one you hold accountable."

A heavy silence fell over the room as the Chieftain considered Rian's impossible bargain.