The group crossed the portal, and after five minutes, the whole thing disappeared, leaving only the troll’s base behind and a lot of corpses as well. The group fell on their butts while breathing roughly. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"... Thank you, everyone," George said. "My guild, and I will never forget your help."

"Considering your words, it seems that we are dying here or something," Terry said.

As the temperature began to rise, the snow clouds gradually dissipated, revealing patches of clear, blue sky. George and his guild members felt a sense of relief as the warmth of the sun touched their skin after enduring the freezing cold for so long.

The transformation in weather seemed almost surreal, considering how a single portal had turned a significant part of their country into a frigid landscape resembling Antarctica. The sight of the blue sky brought a glimmer of hope to their weary hearts, reminding them that there was still a world beyond the frozen wasteland they had been trapped in.

The group prepared to leave the frozen realm behind and return through the portal, feeling grateful for the small respite. The journey ahead was still daunting, but with the ice troll overlord defeated and the weather clearing, they knew they had to press on, continuing their fight to save Earth from the threat of the overlords.

With the threat of the ice troll overlord vanquished, the guild masters led their group back to the territory of the snow guardians’ base. They decided to leave the cleanup and restoration to the other guild members, who were eager to contribute after witnessing the successful mission.

Chris and Ruth, in their usual playful manner, began to pester Rebecca, urging her to join in the fun and play with them. It was a rare moment of respite for her, and they wanted to make the most of it. Rebecca, who had been focused on her duties and combat, couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. She agreed to join in their games, enjoying a much-needed break from the intensity of battle.

Meanwhile, Vanessa and the other guild masters opted to rest in their respective rooms. After the grueling fight against the ice troll overlord, they needed to recover their strength and energy. It was crucial to be ready for whatever challenges awaited them next, and they took this opportunity to recuperate.

"I am bored..." Terry thought while watching the ceiling of his room while he was resting.

Despite the injuries, Terry felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment after defeating the formidable foe. He had proven his strength and skill, both to himself and to the other guild masters. However, he knew that rest was essential for his recovery, and he found a moment of respite in his room.

As he rested, his body gradually healed from the strain of the battle. The wounds were still there, but the pain was bearable, and he felt the healing process underway. Terry knew he couldn’t afford to rest for too long, as there were still more challenges ahead. Still, he also understood the importance of taking care of himself to be ready for whatever came next.

"This didn’t take long at all, but we should return soon and decide the next portal that we should close," Terry thought.

Terry and the group spent the next two days recuperating and resting in the base. The wounds they had sustained during the battle with the ice troll overlord were not to be taken lightly, and they needed time to heal and regain their strength. As they rested, Terry observed George preparing his semi-old military airplane for departure. The aircraft was filled with a collection of magic staves, evidence of their success in the mission.

While it might not be the newest or most modern aircraft, Terry knew that it would suffice for their needs. He didn’t require anything extravagant; the focus was on getting the job done and ensuring the safety of his guild.

"You will need a pilot for that, and I don’t think we have one in our guild," Rebecca said once they were finishing the preparations to return home. "One of George’s guild members will bring that to us, but after that..."

"We will do something about it," Terry replied. "It is already something good that we don’t have to rely on Louis to move around. Come to think of it, I have some issues to deal with... I can’t wait to find him and break some of his fingers."

As the preparations were completed, the guild masters bid farewell to George and the others they had come to know during their time at the base. Unlike Terry, who focused on the mission and practicalities, the other guild masters had forged alliances and friendships with some of the locals. They exchanged warm farewells, promising to keep in touch and offer their assistance if needed in the future.

While he was dedicated to the mission and the greater cause, they had taken the time to build relationships with the people they encountered, understanding that unity and cooperation were crucial in their quest against the overlords.

"Thank you once again for the help," George said, offering Terry a handshake. "If you need something from us, you can contact us without holding back."

"I will keep that in mind," Terry said after he accepted the handshake.

As Terry boarded the military plane and settled into his seat, he couldn’t help but contemplate the interactions with George and the others. He recognized the kindness and camaraderie they had shown during their time together, and a part of him wondered if George’s intentions were purely for the sake of maintaining a good relationship and, perhaps, acquiring one of his powerful armors in the future.

However, Terry quickly shook those thoughts from his mind. He knew that making assumptions based solely on others’ potential motives was unfair and prejudiced. He didn’t want to become like those he disliked, who acted solely for their own benefit without considering the greater good.