Dorian walked at the front of the group with confidence.

That is to say, he was walking in a more or less straight line.

Which, considering his level of intoxication, already counted as a legendary feat.

His steps were only slightly unsteady. Barely.

Just enough for Max to watch him with extreme suspicion as they made their way through the streets of the black market.

"I cannot believe you’re still functional after everything you drank," Max muttered.

He placed a hand over his stomach.

"I’m already feeling much better, but honestly, I think if I’d taken one more sip, my soul would’ve left my body."

Chloe walked beside him, observing their surroundings with renewed curiosity.

"I told you not to drink from the jug like it was water."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"It was only two sips."

"Two enormous sips," Chloe corrected.

Max thought about it for a second.

"...That is also true."

Ahead of them, Dorian dramatically raised one hand without turning around.

"That is called natural talent," he declared.

His voice sounded dangerously proud.

"Some are born to heal."

He took another step.

"Others are born to drink absurd amounts of alcohol without dying."

He lightly stumbled over a stone.

Recovered immediately.

"...And I was blessed with both gifts."

Max pointed at him.

"That movement did not inspire much confidence."

"It was intentional," Dorian replied with complete seriousness.

No one believed him.

A little further behind them, Neros carried Seraphine over one shoulder like an extremely elegant and dangerously flirtatious sack.

The mage was still completely drunk.

Her hair spilled messily over the cat-man’s back while she calmly mumbled things with total emotional recklessness.

"Neros..." she murmured, lightly resting her head against his back.

The cat-man’s ears stiffened.

"Yes?" he replied, visibly nervous.

Seraphine smiled sleepily.

"You’re still just as strong as when I first met you."

Neros nearly stopped walking.

Max turned his head slightly to observe the scene.

Chloe did the same.

The two exchanged a silent glance.

Ah. Romantic drama in progress. Excellent evening entertainment.

Seraphine kept talking as if nothing was unusual.

"Maybe even stronger."

Neros swallowed.

His cheeks began turning slightly red beneath his fur.

"...Thank you, I suppose," he managed to reply.

Seraphine let out a small laugh.

"You were always bad at accepting compliments."

Neros slightly clenched his jaw.

He did not respond.

Max smiled faintly as they kept walking.

"He’s suffering," he whispered to Chloe.

Chloe watched Neros for a few seconds. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Severely," she replied quietly.

Both of them let out a small laugh.

As they walked, Chloe kept observing every corner of the black market like she was processing for the first time that this place existed even when nobody was actively trying to sell her.

The streets were still full of movement.

Businesses open.

People shopping.

Creatures negotiating.

Nothing seemed to have changed much despite the massive criminal arson incident they had left behind.

Which said quite a lot about this place.

Chloe glanced at a stall full of daggers, curved knives, and weapons that were clearly illegal.

Further ahead was another stall selling vials of fluorescent liquids, steaming potions, and suspiciously toxic powders.

A particularly small goblin accidentally bumped into an orc.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Then kept walking.

A few seconds later, the orc touched his belt.

"MY POUCH?!" he shouted indignantly.

The small goblin had already vanished into the crowd.

Chloe blinked.

"...He just robbed him," she said.

Max nodded.

"Yes."

"In front of everyone."

"Yes."

"And no one did anything."

Max gestured around them.

"Welcome to the black market."

Chloe observed how literally no one seemed surprised.

Life simply continued.

A pricing argument.

Someone selling stolen mechanical parts.

A dwarf trying to convince a demon to buy something that was very clearly fake.

It was as if chaos was simply part of the local ecosystem.

"What a horrible place," Chloe murmured.

Max smiled faintly.

"Yes."

He paused.

"Though I have to admit, it’s fairly efficient in its own criminal way."

"I’m not sure that’s a good thing."

"Neither am I."

Dorian continued guiding the group as if he were perfectly sober.

After several minutes navigating alleyways, market stalls, and staircases, they finally arrived at a far less crowded area.

A discreet corner.

Damp stone walls.

An old wooden door embedded between two worn-down structures.

The door was covered in carved runes.

They glowed faintly with a soft blue hue.

Max raised an eyebrow.

"Ah."

He pointed at the door.

"Secret magical exit portal. Very convenient."

Dorian smiled proudly.

"You see?"

He dramatically placed a hand over his chest.

"I told you this place had class."

Then he approached the door.

Placed his palm in the centre.

The runes immediately began glowing brighter.

A soft light spread across the wooden surface.

A magical humming sound filled the air.

The lock released on its own.

Dorian slowly pushed the door open.

And on the other side, there wasn’t another alleyway.

Nor another room within the black market.

Instead, it was the familiar small chamber inside the enormous hollow tree just outside the Great City.

The same place they had entered through hours earlier.

Chloe’s eyes widened.

"...I still hate how casually all of you treat magical nonsense like this," she muttered.

Max nodded.

Dorian stood still for a few seconds in front of the open portal.

The amused smile he had maintained for most of the walk slowly softened.

He looked at the doorway.

Then at the softly lit room beyond, illuminated by moonlight filtering in from outside the tree.

And let out a quiet nasal laugh.

He wiped his face with a sleeve.

"...It was good to come back," he murmured.

His voice sounded strangely calm.

Max watched him silently.

Dorian lowered his gaze slightly.

"My first home," he said.

He paused.

"And also... I got to see Finn one last time."

His eyes became faintly wet again.

But he smiled.

"I suppose that counts as emotional closure."

Max didn’t say anything.

He simply placed a hand on Dorian’s shoulder.

Dorian inhaled deeply.

Quickly composed himself.

Wiped away the tears as if they had never existed.

And returned to his usual absurdly energetic smile.

"But enough depressing sentimentality," he announced.

He pointed ahead.

"We have responsibilities."

Then turned toward the group.

"We must return to the castle before anyone notices that we literally stole back the king’s favourite pet, burned down an illegal business, and probably altered the local criminal ecosystem."

Max thought about it for a few seconds.

"...When you put it like that, it sounds like a very productive night."

"It was," Dorian replied proudly.

Chloe crossed her arms.

"I was kidnapped, chained up, auctioned off, and rescued."

She looked at Max.

"For me, it was a very long day."

"Fair enough," Max replied.

Neros adjusted Seraphine more securely over his shoulder.

The mage was still half asleep, mumbling incomprehensible things.

"...Don’t stop training..." she babbled.

"...I like it..."

Neros stiffened all over again.

Max had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

Dorian saw the scene and smiled widely.

"Oh, this just keeps getting better."

"Be quiet," Neros growled.

"With pleasure," Dorian replied, clearly having no intention whatsoever of doing so.

Without waiting any longer, the elf stepped through the portal first.

Disappearing through the magical doorway with complete confidence.

Max followed, with Chloe right behind him.

Neros went last, still carrying a far-too-comfortable Seraphine over his shoulder.

And the door slowly began to close behind them.