Sanctuary: Safe Haven

When Canna emerged from the portal, it was as if he had been transported to an entirely different world again. The sky was a clear, vibrant blue, and lush greenery spread out in all directions. He stood there, mesmerized, for a full five minutes, just at the entrance of the dungeon.

He inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh, unpolluted air, a stark contrast to the musty confines of the dungeon he had known for so long.

This was the first time Canna had set foot outside without immediately having to engage in combat. He stood barefoot, feeling the cool, soft earth beneath him. Since arriving in this world, Canna had never worn footwear, preferring the direct connection with the ground. Even when offered, he had declined, finding comfort in the tactile sensation of the dungeon's floor, and now, the natural earth.

Canna took a few tentative steps, relishing the feeling of grass underfoot. The sun was climbing higher into the sky, casting warm rays that felt rejuvenating on his skin. He turned to his left and noticed a large, robust tree—his first encounter with the flora of this world. Excitedly, he approached it, eager to examine it up close.

"It's just like back on Earth, but it has mana. Mortem, why does this tree have mana? It's not like it can cast spells or anything," Canna remarked, a mix of curiosity and awe in his voice.

From his shadow, Mortem emerged, causing the nearby grass to wither slightly under his necromantic presence. "Master, in this world, anything with life has mana. This tree might not be able to cast spells, but the presence of mana makes it much sturdier than any tree you knew on Earth," Mortem explained.

Canna nodded, knocking on the tree trunk a few times, noting its resilience. "A tree like this could fetch a high price back home," he mused, impressed by its toughness. After satisfying his curiosity, Canna lay down beside the tree, enjoying the shade provided by its large, leafy branches. After all, what good is a big tree with ample shade if you don't lie under it?

Kael, unable to contain his exasperation any longer, approached Canna and tapped him on the shoulder. "Canna, why are you lying here? We haven't even started our journey yet, and you're already resting? The sooner we begin, the sooner you can find a more comfortable place to rest," he chided.

Canna sighed, a smile playing on his lips. "Back on Earth, there were three scents I loved the most. Can you guess what they were?" he asked, looking up at Kael with a teasing grin.

Kael, confused by the sudden reminiscence, humored him with a sigh. "Knowing you, you were probably always sniffing around animals... or maybe women?" he guessed, scratching his head.

Canna burst into laughter. "Idiot! Smelling women? That's your best guess?" He chuckled again before answering, "The three things I loved smelling the most were the scent of rain hitting the ground, gasoline, and a good medium-rare steak with potatoes on the side, lots of gravy. Oh, and I loved the smell of fresh dirt—my mother taught me horticulture."

Kael frowned, shaking his head. "That's four things, not three. And I only understood the rain part. I have no idea what gasoline, potatoes, or whatever horticulture is," he grumbled.

Canna relented, amused by Kael's confusion. "Fine, fine. Let me enjoy this a bit longer, and then we can continue our journey."

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At the Kingdom of Avaloria - Throne Room

The throne room of Avaloria was unusually crowded. Knights wearing armor emblazoned with various insignias and crests filled the space, representing three different kingdoms that had sent elite forces in response to Avaloria's distress call. Additionally, at least nine groups of mercenaries had arrived, drawn by the promise of combat and reward.

Upon their arrival, these reinforcements had expected to find Avaloria in ruins, overrun by monsters. To their surprise, the kingdom stood intact, with repair efforts already underway. Their initial suspicion that the king had exaggerated the crisis was quickly dispelled by the locals' accounts.

The stories were consistent and remarkable: a single man had turned the tide of battle, vanquishing the monstrous horde.

The reinforcements were skeptical until they spoke with the king's grand mage, who corroborated the tales. The accounts were so compelling that even the most cynical among them began to believe. The idea of a lone figure defeating such a formidable force seemed implausible, yet the evidence was in front of them.

The presence of mana cores from slain great calamities added credibility to the reports, further confusing and intriguing the newcomers.

The other kingdoms and mercenary groups, intrigued by the prospect of such a powerful individual, decided to stay. They hoped to meet this mysterious savior, perhaps to recruit him or at least to confirm the stories for themselves.

However, nearly five months had passed without any sign of the white-haired man returning to claim the mana cores, leaving the assembled forces in a state of frustration and impatience.

The king, understanding their concerns, called for a formal meeting in the throne room to discuss the situation. The gathering aimed to decide on a course of action if the mysterious figure did not appear soon.

As the discussions began, the atmosphere was tense, filled with anticipation and the unspoken question: who was this man, and what did his actions mean for the future of Avaloria and its neighbors?

As the meeting progressed, the attendees debated the implications of the stranger's power. Some saw him as a potential ally, others as a threat, while a few considered the possibility of him being a pawn in a larger, more dangerous game. The room buzzed with speculation, strategies, and contingencies, each faction vying to position themselves advantageously for whatever might come next.

And so, with the kingdom's future hanging in the balance, the leaders and warriors of Avaloria and the surrounding lands awaited the arrival of the man who had single-handedly changed the course of the kingdom's fate.