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He walked with purpose, but his mind wandered as he surveyed the people around him. Some had begun to return to their routines, children playing in the streets, merchants setting up their evening stalls, and villagers chatting outside their homes. The shadows of fear had retreated, replaced by a cautious optimism that life could return to some semblance of normalcy.

[Vitaliara\'s voice echoed in his mind, soft yet playful.] [So, how does it feel to be Lucavion Renwyn, orphan of Veilcrest?]

Lucavion smirked, his eyes scanning the bustling market. "It has a certain ring to it, doesn\'t it?" he replied, the weight of his new identity settling comfortably on his shoulders. "Though it\'ll take some getting used to."

[You\'ll manage,] she purred, her presence warm against his consciousness. [You always do. But I have to say, this new identity suits you. A wanderer with no ties--free to go wherever you please.]

He chuckled under his breath. "I suppose it does. Though I doubt freedom ever comes without strings."

[True,] Vitaliara agreed, [but at least now you have the means to move more freely through the Empire. No one will question who you are.]

Lucavion continued down the main road, watching as the town\'s inhabitants began to relax, some even laughing as they passed by. The air felt lighter, and for the first time since arriving in Rackenshore, he noticed the absence of the oppressive weight that had hung over the town.

"The threat of the bandits is gone," Lucavion mused aloud. "The villages surrounding Rackenshore will be safer now. They\'ll be able to rebuild, and the people here can finally have some peace."

[Thanks to you,] Vitaliara added, her tone matter-of-fact. [You did more than just kill Korvan. You gave this place a chance to recover.]

Lucavion nodded, though he didn\'t dwell too much on the thought. While it was not like he was a heartless bastard, it was not like he did all this just to help the people around here. If not for the fact that Harlan had given him such a request, he would take his time rather than directly fighting like this.

The town\'s survival was a side effect of completing his mission, but it wasn\'t what drove him, that was definitely a fact.

As he walked past the market stalls, one of the merchants called out to him, a middle-aged man with a grizzled beard and tired eyes. "Hey, you there! You\'re the one who helped take down those bandits, right?"

Lucavion glanced over, his expression neutral. "I suppose so."

The man gave him a wide smile, his face creasing with relief. "You saved us all, you know. If it weren\'t for you and your group, we\'d still be living in fear of Korvan and his men. We owe you our lives."

Lucavion simply nodded, offering a polite but distant acknowledgment. "I\'m glad I could help."

The man beamed and waved him off, returning to his stall as Lucavion continued on his way, his thoughts turning inward once more.

[You\'ve made quite an impression, Lucavion Renwyn,] Vitaliara teased, her voice filled with amusement. [The hero of Rackenshore, whether you like it or not.]

"I\'m no hero," Lucavion repeated, his smirk fading slightly as he glanced at the bustling marketplace around him. "If not for the fact that there was something for me to gain from all this, I wouldn\'t have done it. Harlan\'s request, the reward, the opportunity--it\'s all business. That\'s what drives me."

Vitaliara\'s tail flicked lazily as she rested on his shoulder, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. [Really?] she asked, her tone light but probing. [Is that really the case? Would you have just stood by and watched while these people were taken advantage of?]

Lucavion\'s steps slowed for a moment as her question lingered in the air. He didn\'t answer immediately, his gaze sweeping over the streets where life had begun to return to normal. The children playing, the merchants hawking their wares, the villagers moving without fear--it all felt... different now that the threat was gone.

He remained silent, unwilling to engage in the argument. He wasn\'t some savior, and he certainly hadn\'t acted out of altruism. But there was something in the back of his mind, something he couldn\'t quite shake, a faint echo of a conscience he preferred not to acknowledge.

Vitaliara, sensing his hesitation, let out a soft purr. [You\'re not being honest with yourself, Lucavion,] she teased, her voice warm but firm. [You can tell yourself it was all about the reward, but I see through you.]

Lucavion chuckled, a low, almost resigned laugh. "Maybe," he muttered, a trace of amusement tugging at his lips. "But if I\'m not being honest, at least I\'m consistent."

[That\'s something,] Vitaliara replied with a playful tone. [Still, deep down, I think you care more than you let on. Even if you won\'t admit it.]

Lucavion shook his head, the smirk returning to his face as he resumed his pace. "I don\'t know what you\'re talking about," he said lightly, though the lingering weight of her words stayed with him.

As Lucavion approached the familiar inn, the building stood like a beacon of comfort amidst the winding streets of Rackenshore. The evening air was cool, and the sounds of the town settling in for the night filled the background. He reached for the door and pushed it open, stepping inside. The warm glow of the hearth greeted him, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.

The inn had changed in subtle ways since he had first arrived. People no longer stared at him with suspicion or fear. The atmosphere was lighter now, more welcoming, and that fact wasn\'t lost on him.

Elena, the owner of the inn and Greta\'s mother, was behind the counter when he entered. Her demeanor was noticeably different from when he first came to stay. Back then, she had been skeptical, even fearful, after seeing the scene with Ragna and witnessing his formidable presence. But now, after his involvement in the bandit subjugation had become known throughout the city, things had shifted.

"Ah, Sir Lucavion," Elena greeted him warmly, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. She came around from behind the counter, her tone filled with respect that hadn\'t been there before. "Welcome back."

Lucavion could not help but sigh inwardly at the change in her demeanor but offered a polite nod in return. "Good Evening, Miss Elena."

"Would you like a meal, Sir Lucavion?" Elena asked, her tone warm and welcoming, as she stood by the counter. The respect in her voice felt almost too much, but Lucavion understood it came from a place of genuine gratitude.

He sighed inwardly at the title, knowing there was little he could do to change it now. "One dinner, please," he replied, keeping his tone polite but measured.

Elena nodded eagerly, already turning to head toward the kitchen. "Right away, Sir Lucavion. It\'ll be ready in no time."

As she disappeared into the back, Lucavion let his eyes wander around the inn. The last week had brought a significant shift in how people viewed him. After word had spread that he had played a key role in the bandit subjugation, it wasn\'t just the locals\' stares that changed.

Elena and her husband had come to him the day after the event, returning the money he had paid for his stay, insisting that they couldn\'t take payment from the town\'s hero.

At first, he had refused, not wanting the special treatment. He wasn\'t one to revel in praise or accept handouts. But their earnestness had been palpable. This was their way of showing their gratitude, and to refuse would\'ve been disrespectful. In the end, he accepted their gesture with quiet humility.

[They see you as a hero, and that makes them feel indebted,] Vitaliara\'s voice echoed in his mind, her tone contemplative. [It may be a small thing, but for them, it\'s a way to honor you.]

Lucavion leaned back slightly in his chair, letting the warmth of the hearth settle over him. "I didn\'t do it for this," he muttered softly, though there was no real frustration in his voice.

[Of course not,] Vitaliara responded, her presence warm and soothing. [But that doesn\'t mean you can\'t accept their gratitude. Sometimes, letting people show kindness is part of the balance.]

He smirked slightly at her words, watching as Elena returned with a tray in hand. The meal was simple but hearty--a plate of roasted meat, fresh bread, and some vegetables. She placed it gently in front of him, beaming.

"Enjoy, Sir Lucavion. And please, if you need anything else, don\'t hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," he replied, offering a nod of appreciation. As she left him to his meal, Lucavion took a moment to savor the quiet, letting the reality of his situation sink in.

He may not have sought their gratitude, but for now, he would accept it. There was still much to be done, and this brief moment of calm was just a respite before the next step in his journey.

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