The next morning, Nic headed straight to the Unity Temple early. Just as he was about to leave, Hinata and Aurelia approached him.
"Morning, Nic. I heard from Hinata that you're gathering everyone at the Unity Temple to share some information?" Aurelia greeted him.
Nic replied casually, "Morning. Yeah, that's right. I'm heading there first. Want to come along?"
"Of course!" Aurelia said as she held Hinata's hand, and the three of them walked together.
They chose to walk instead of riding, saying it was healthier.
"By the way, thank you so much, Nic," Aurelia said, her eyes starting to glisten. "Because of you, my friend Ochana… and even Hinata and her friends… they're together again. Their trauma is gone."
"T-that's true," Hinata added. "I honestly don't even know how to repay you."
Nic only smiled. "You don't need to. I did all of this because I wanted to, not because I was forced to. Just think of it as my own goodwill. There's no need to repay anything."
"But still, Nic," Aurelia said softly, "it feels wrong not to feel indebted. You literally saved their lives… especially Ochana's."
"I'm already happy just seeing them gather and become members of Unity," Nic replied.
Aurelia understood and nodded. She then spoke again, "Then… may I join too? I'm still curious and want to research rare flowers."
"That's even better," Nic said warmly. "Join us. Unity is open to everyone."
After walking for a while, they finally reached the forest and entered the massive Unity Temple.
There, the Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven and Flower were already present. People from the Kyushin Region were there as well—Kazumi, Meilin, Yami, Sayuri, Summira, Yuahue, Shuyin, and Ilya.
For some reason, they were all gathered outside the temple instead of inside.
They were chatting, but the moment they noticed Nic, they quickly stood straight and greeted him.
Nic blinked in confusion. "Hm? Why are you all outside? It's cold. It's still really early."
Kazumi stepped closer. "Ah, well… you said there would be a meeting and that you were inviting everyone you knew. I got worried this might be about something dangerous."
Meilin followed up eagerly. "That's right! And if something really happens, don't worry, Nic. We'll help. Honestly, the two of us alone could probably beat the hell out of that bastard Shen Akira!"
Nic laughed. "Haha, just go inside first and wait for the others. Relax. This isn't anything dangerous, so take it easy."
Sakura clapped her hands once. "Haha, seems like this was all a misunderstanding. Let's just do what Nic says. Come on, everyone, inside."
They all entered. Summira then approached Nic, looking shy.
"U-um, Nic… do I really need to join too? I'm just someone you happened to meet when you were fighting Meilin. I don't feel important enough to be here…"
"What are you talking about?" Nic replied immediately. "You defended me back in Shin, and you helped me get to the healing place. That alone is enough. You belong here too. Think of this place as your own home—your second family."
Summira blushed deeply and finally nodded before going inside.
Nic stayed outside for a bit, waiting for the rest, accompanied by Hinata, Lingmei, and Ochana, while Aurelia was busy chatting with the Flower Guardian.
"Wow, looks like we're going to meet all kinds of unique people Nic has met before," Lingmei laughed.
"Hehe, you're right, Lingmei," Hinata giggled. "Nic must have met so many unique people… and they're all girls, hehe."
She hid behind Ochana, afraid Nic might get mad.
"You two…" Ochana sighed lightly. "Anyway, we're definitely going to make more connections later~"
Nic just smiled.
Not long after, Rainzy—the Rain shaman—arrived.
Hinata froze when she saw her silhouette. It looked exactly like the figure worshipped on the mountain by the villagers for bringing rain.
"Y-you're the rain shaman who lives on that mountain? You're… real?" Hinata asked awkwardly.
Rainzy sighed. "Yes. Honestly, I'm uncomfortable being worshipped like that, but it already happened, so I let it be. I'm just continuing what my grandfather used to do…"
Hinata tilted her head. "But wait… why does the rain always stop at midnight? The villagers were really confused."
Rainzy pointed at Nic. "He told me to stop."
Nic raised his hand awkwardly. "Uh… I just didn't want to come home soaked in the rain at midnight, haha."
Everyone burst out laughing. Rainzy excused herself and went inside as well—she wanted to meet the Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven.
Lastly, Teacher Shiori Han and Teacher Shena arrived together with Iroha, Yao Lin, and Yurin, who Chloe had asked to come along.
Ochana finally reunited with her teachers.
"Teacher Shiori, Teacher Shena… it's been a long time since we studied biology together, hasn't it?" Ochana said brightly.
Teacher Shiori and Teacher Shena immediately hugged Ochana. Hinata and Lingmei were pulled into the embrace as well.
"Thank goodness… everything has returned to how it should be," Shiori Han said, unable to hold back her tears. "I'm so happy you can be Ochana again—beautiful and whole."
While they were sharing an emotional moment, Nic approached Yurin, who still looked a little afraid. The only one she truly trusted was Death Raven. Even seeing everyone as humans didn't completely ease her fear.
"We meet again… after that unpleasant rooftop encounter," Nic said.
Yurin still remembered and was annoyed that Nic had called her Yurei back then. Without small talk, Nic admitted the truth.
"I'm Death Raven."
"W-what…? You're Death Raven? Prove it," Yurin demanded.
Nic glanced at Hinata and signaled for everyone to go inside.
Hinata understood immediately and ushered Teacher Shiori and the others inside as Nic had instructed.
Soon, only Nic and Yurin remained outside.
"Why did you send them in?" Yurin asked.
"Because if they saw me in that form, they'd be terrified," Nic replied—and the moment he said it, he transformed swiftly into his Death Raven form.
Yurin's eyes widened in shock, then fascination. Nic looked exactly like the monster she had always imagined… yet somehow, that monster felt incredibly awe-inspiring.
"A-amazing… I believe you now!!" Yurin said, her eyes sparkling.
Nic placed his heavy hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to see everyone as monsters anymore. Just think that there's only one monster—and that's me, Death Raven. Got it?"
Yurin nodded vigorously. Nic then reverted to his normal form and invited her inside.
---
Inside the main hall of the Unity Temple, everyone had gathered in a large circle. Nic stood in the center, silent for a moment.
Everyone waited, curious about what he would say.
"Seems like one person is missing," Nic said.
They looked around, confused.
That's when Hinata realized—Marin hadn't arrived yet.
Meanwhile, Marin hadn't even gotten ready. She thought she wasn't invited. Hinata called her and told her Nic was waiting.
"Huh?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Don't joke around! WHY WOULD I GO THERE, HINATA?!" Marin shouted while sipping her tea.
She remembered meeting Nic—how she had once left him behind even after he bought fishing rod for her. She felt like she wasn't special at all, just someone who kept him company for a short time.
Then Hinata's phone was taken over by Nic.
"Hey, fishing maniac, what are you talking about?" Nic said firmly. "You're my best info girl. Thanks to you, I was able to help so many people in kyushin. You're important—never think otherwise. Hurry up. I'm waiting."
Everyone heard it.
They realized Nic truly considered everyone important—even those who had only helped him a little.
Marin's face turned completely red. She rushed out immediately, running as fast as she could to the location Hinata sent.
She arrived panting, and Asamine had already prepared a drink for her.
Hinata waved her over and gestured for Marin to sit nearby.
Embarrassed and flustered, Marin quietly sat down.
Once everyone had finally gathered, Nic began.
"First of all, I'm really glad all of you are here and have joined Unity…"
"I'll be leaving Eastern… and heading to the Northern region."
Everyone was shocked and confused. Only Hinata, Ochana, Lingmei, and Marin already knew—Nic had told them he would leave to capture Shen Akira—but they were still surprised by his destination.
Kazumi stood up. "Nic, the Northern region is extremely dangerous. The climate there is brutal!"
Nic raised his hand, stopping her.
"Listen, Kazumi. Since all of you are members of Unity, I won't hide who I really am anymore," Nic said, pointing at Yurin.
Yurin stood and spoke clearly. "Nic is Death Raven. Anyone who's seen that figure knows what it means."
Ochana, Yao Lin, and Iroha immediately recognized it—they had seen him before.
Ochana stood. "I've seen him. If that's true, Nic… then we don't need to worry. His aura is incredibly strong—far beyond normal humans. Are you really that powerful?"
Nic nodded. "Simply put, I have the power to do good, not to rule. You don't need to fear me. I just want all of you to rest peacefully here, to have a place like this. I'll go and capture Shen Akira. While I'm gone, you can stay here without worry. I'll also expand and improve the Unity Temple later so you'll have more space to gather."
Aurelia raised her hand. "Why are you doing all of this, Nic?"
Nic smiled gently. "There's no special reason. If I have the power to do it, why not? If I can change someone's fate, why not? If I can make someone happy in this cruel world… why not?"
"From now on, you're all part of Unity. Unity forever. No conflicts. You are one, and you help each other. Just remember—don't do pointless things, and stay humble. That's all I wanted to say. You stay here safely… while I leave."
They finally understood.
Applause filled the hall as they thanked Nic.
After that, everyone started chatting and getting to know each other better, while Nic began designing the blueprint for the expanded Unity Temple. With the powers of the God of Painting and the God of Building, he renovated the temple alone in no time, leaving all the girls staring in awe.
The Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven could only smile.
"He really isn't an ordinary person."
They laughed and spent joyful time together with Nic—his last day before departure.
---
The next day, after saying his farewells, Nic was fully prepared to leave. He stood at the harbor, ready to head to the Northern region aboard a massive ship.
Nic wore the necklace of the Natural Tree of Heaven, a charm given by Sakura.
Smiling, Nic stepped onto the ship, joining others who were reckless enough to head to the Northern region for their own reasons.
His journey would not be peaceful—the dangerous ocean lay ahead before he could reach the North.
To be continued…