"How about the houses? The village is still a mess," Edgar pondered, gazing down from the mountain peak.

"I bet this village used to be so beautiful," Bethany remarked, her voice tinged with guilt and sorrow. "It's heartbreaking to see it destroyed..."

"Yeah, it's going to take a while to rebuild everything," Sarrah added, sighing.

Lee, who had been eavesdropping, interrupted their conversation. "Ah! Don't worry about that. We can fix it," he said confidently.

"I can fix it," Oliver chimed in.

"Oh?" Lee raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Oliver's statement.

     Oliver forcefully stomps his right foot on the ground, causing a stream of white sparkling elements to descend from the mountain. The magical particles weave through the air, reaching out to every household and establishment in the village. The shimmering elements disperse in a circular pattern, gradually enveloping more and more ruins along their path.

     The elements radiate and sparkle like celestial stars as they touch each broken structure, breathing new life into the devastated remnants. The torn houses witness their debris floating back and effortlessly attaching to the walls. Shattered glass scattered across the streets resists gravity's pull, congregating towards a square hole in a building's foundation, gradually forming complete windows.

     The houses restore themselves through magic, erasing any trace of damage and leaving the walls flawless and unblemished. Roofs that had collapsed replenish as the white elements pass through them, filling the void with fresh materials. The transformative magic extends to the rest of the village, its radiant glow mending and repairing every structure it touches. The once-dilapidated settlement underwent an instant metamorphosis—as if untouched by the devastation, bathed in the brilliance of the Remaining Podeshire's glittering power.

"Thank you! Thank you! Oh~" Lee exclaimed, leaping forward and wrapping his arms around Oliver.

Oliver was startled. "Oh!" His body stiffened in surprise.

"Mhmh," Sophia giggled in the background, witnessing the affection between the two men.

"Alright, that's enough!" Gregory interjected, stepping forward and gently pulling Oliver away.

Lee moved closer to Oliver. "Oh, thank you! Ojhori thanks you, sir!" he said.

Gregory positioned himself in front of Oliver, shielding his spouse. "Hehe, he's welcome," Gregory snickered.

"You're welcome," Oliver nodded, resting his eyes as he smiled.

"Please, let me repay you with gold!" Lee offered.

"Oh?" Oliver raised an eyebrow.

"Sir, for the good deeds you have done for my people and our village, I wish to reward you," Lee said, politely smiling. "As the chieftain of this village, whom you saved, I would like to present you with a generous amount of gold!"

"Oh, uh," Oliver glanced at his friends.

"...Pardon? Don't you desire gold?" Lee inquired. "Would you prefer other valuable items instead? We can offer ordinary gold coins!"

"No, I mean," Oliver declined with a kind smile. "I do not need any."

"You mean you're not seeking wealth? Perhaps exotic items, then?" Lee questioned.

"Eheh, no," Oliver shook his head.

"You mean you need land?" Lee asked.

"No," Oliver smiled.

"Oh? You mean you're looking for..." Lee's smile turned mischievous as his glance lowered. "...Pleasure?"

Gregory's anger simmered, but he concealed it, clenching his teeth. "Alright, that's enough, sire," Gregory stepped forward, his face contorting into a scowl. "He. Has. A. Spouse..." he growled.

"Oh," Lee gasped upon hearing Gregory's deep, authoritative voice. "Forgive me—" Lee's voice trailed off.

Gregory firmly held onto Oliver's hand. "Hmpf."

"Oh, forgive me. I was unaware," Lee apologised as his eyes fell upon the two men holding hands. "Excuse my behaviour..."

"Mhmh, it's okay," Oliver said.

"Right, right... then, uh... if you won't accept anything, sir, the village will still find a way to honour you," Lee stated.

Curious, Oliver sought clarification. "For how exactly will the village honour me?"

"Ah!" Lee raised a finger and explained. "A magnificent monument will be erected in the heart of the village square, dedicated to your bravery and selflessness. And atop that monument, a beautifully crafted stone statue of you shall proudly stand!"

Oliver's face lit up with a bright grin. "Wow... I must say, that's... incredibly thoughtful and meaningful of you."

Lee shook his head, a humble smile spreading across his flushed face. "No, sir, it is you who has shown true thoughtfulness and meaning by saving our village from the clutches of a natural catastrophe. We are forever grateful to you!" Lee smiled. "With that said, would you allow me to give you a tour of our village?"

"Hm! With pleasure!" Oliver replied.

     Oliver and his companions followed Lee's footsteps as they traversed the winding paths along the mountainside. Clouds lazily hovered over the cliffs with sturdy wooden railings. As they ventured deeper into the village, they crossed hanging wooden bridges that swayed with the wind, causing some of them to grip the ropes. Undeterred, they continued to explore the enchanting village.

     The landscape unfurled before them, revealing a network of wooden bridges suspended across the mountains, resembling a captivating maze or labyrinth of pathways. The village's houses stood tall, their stone walls painted with intricate red geometric squares and patterns. Most village structures boasted roofs that soared towards the sky, tapering to elegant points. A majestic row of trees lined the streets, their vibrant green foliage braving the cold, gusty winds.

     To Oliver's eyes, the village appears both intricate and unique. Its architectural designs carry an air of antiquity, with buildings featuring ornate pillars and curved doorways. Oliver's gaze wanders, and he spots roofs displaying a striking brick-red hue that reflects the sunlight. His gaze trails over, and he notices small statues of armoured warriors with swords adorning the rooflines.

"Ojhori is a diverse country, divided into small tribes and villages. One of the well-known villages in Ojhori is ours, Numura, renowned for its archaic designs and placement on the mountain ranges!" Lee explained as they wandered around the streets. "Our city predates the expansion of the Geverian Empire to other continents, which is why our architecture appears intricate compared to the modernizing world. It certainly attracts a significant number of visitors each year!"

"Hm, I find the architecture incredibly ancient," Oliver remarked, his gaze unwavering as he met Lee's eyes. "In a good way," he ventured.

Lee nodded in agreement. "Indeed!"

"...When you mentioned Geveria, a thought sparked in my mind," Oliver stated as they halted in their tracks. "May I ask you a question, sir?"