Chapter 661: Reunion
Evie slowly guided Onyx and told him in her mind to land just behind the men and Queen Beatrice. She kept her eyes on them as they turned around, excited at the thought of seeing her again. Then after Onyx settled on the ground, Evie nimbly leapt to the ground, waving her greetings at the men and her mother-in-law. Then she turned back and gestured for Zolan to get down as well. He had some slight difficulty in coming down from Onyx, as he had lost one arm and that affected his balance somewhat. However, after some maneuvering, Zolan jumped down sufficiently well for a one-armed man.
The vampires, except Queen Beatrice, were all standing there, eyes wide and paralyzed to the spot as they looked at that approaching figure. They stared at Zolan as though they were seeing a ghost. In fact, a couple of them even thought for a few seconds that it might be Zolan's ghost who was visiting them now.
None of them could even move until Zolan grinned and waved at them.
"I'm back!" he casually said, approaching them as the men raked him with their eyes from head to toe. It was that smart-ass grin and the bright lively glint in his eyes that made it all real for them. All at once, they broke out of their paralysis and swarmed over towards him, questions after questions flooding their minds but none of them could say anything yet.
"Z-z-zolan! Y-you're alive?!" it was Levy who managed to speak first.
"As you can see. I somehow managed to stay alive."
Levy ran straight for Zolan, crying out his name dramatically. Well, this time, the drama queen was not just being dramatic, but he was genuinely emotional. They all truly thought that their comrade was gone.
"Zolan!! You're really alive!" Levy hugged Zolan so hard that the man could not help but immediately complain.
"You're going to kill me Levy, you, dumbass." Zolan was laughing and as he said that he continued slapping Levy hard on his back, knowing that the man was literally crying right now.
"Do not grip him too hard you, dumbass!" Luc quickly pulled Levy off Zolan. "Can't you see he's hurt? Are you trying to kill him again? He just got back, damn it!" Luc was laughing helplessly as he dragged Levy back a couple of steps.
"I can't help it, dumbass!" Levy barked at Luc, wiping his tears.
"I know, but you're about to break his bones!"
While Luc and Levy were being chaotic again as usual, Reed and Samuel slowly drew nearer to Zolan. Reed's eyes were gleaming with tears as he hugged Zolan in a very careful manner.
"I'm... I'm so glad you're back!" Reed said in slightly shaky voice, while Samuel patted Zolan's shoulder gently. The big man was trying to be tough, but Zolan could tell how emotional their leader was right now with those tight set of his lips that could be seen. He could feel the overwhelming comfort and love from his fellow brothers no matter they voiced it out or not.
"And I'm glad everyone is here waiting for my return. I was so worried about you guys being too reckless... but it seemed that I should've been more worried about myself." Zolan joked, trying to cheer up his comrades.
"I've been telling you that for ages and you never listen." Samuel sounded like a naggy grandmother but at the same time relieved old man as he glanced at Zolan's empty sleeve where he had lost his arm.
Zolan just laughed while everyone starts asking him what had happened.
"They're really close to each other." Queen Beatrice commented as both she and Evie watched over the men's reunion.
"They've always been like that. They have such a strong brotherly bond." Evie replied with a soft smile, recalling all the times she had spent with these men, especially since her journey to Crescia.
But soon, the small reprieve had reached its end. They started to hear loud sounds, indicating that the giants were about to destroy the ice walls.
Evie then quickly touched everyone over their chest, imbuing them with a spell that would give them some extra protection like she always does whenever she parts from them.
"I wish I have some magic too," Levy said grinning as he was enjoying the shimmery feel of magic that was flowing through him at Evie's touch. "That way, I can give Your Majesty some protection too."
A small smile tugged at Evie's lips.
"You're already protecting me, Levy. Ever since the day Gav introduced you guys to me." Evie said, causing Levy and everyone to beam at her. They were blessed that their queen was so kind and always acknowledged their protection over her.
"I won't ask for anything else." Evie added as she removed her hand from Levy. "All I want is for all of you to survive this. So please be careful, everyone. I have only one order – you are all required to survive and return to me!"
"We will definitely survive so we can keep protecting you, My Queen!" Levy exclaimed enthusiastically and everyone nodded.
"Good. I believe in you guys."
Evie finally turned and faced Queen Beatrice again.
The men on the other hand went over to Zolan one last time. Of course, Levy did not hug Zolan dramatically again. This time, he was more careful with his actions.
"I see you guys now have a new member in our team. Is she supposed to be my replacement?" Zolan whispered lowly to Levy.
Of course, Levy immediately stiffened at the words he had just heard. His eyes were wide as he looked at Zolan. "Y-you know he's a she?!" he stammered. Whispering.
"I somehow could tell."
"Oh damn it. I forgot you always somehow sense a lady no matter how much they disguise themselves."
"No. You guys are just a bit too slow when it comes to observing people." Zolan replied nonchalantly when Levy suddenly hushed him.