Chapter 228: Chapter 228- Relief

Joe stretched, still grinning despite the dirt and bruises covering his face. "Man, I must’ve been way too exhausted. Guess I just... passed out, huh?"

Julian narrowed his eyes, ready to unleash a scolding but his body swayed before he could say a word. The world spun for a second, and his knees buckled.

"Whoa, hey!" Joe quickly caught him before he hit the ground, supporting him with both arms. He laughed softly. "Easy there, man. Don’t get mad, or you’ll pass out for real. Just rest on my back."

Julian gritted his teeth weakly. "No. I can walk by myself."

Joe raised an eyebrow, half amused, half concerned. "Don’t be stubborn. You’ll just collapse again, tough guy."

"I said no," Julian muttered, trying to shrug him off, but his limbs refused to cooperate. Joe sighed dramatically, then crouched and hoisted Julian onto his back in one motion.

"Relax already," Joe said, adjusting his grip with a grin. "Let’s head back together. Don’t you miss the girls waiting for you?"

Julian groaned. "Shut up, you damn lizard."

Joe barked out a laugh. "Still got some bite left in you, huh? That’s good. Means you’ll live." He walked forward through the ruins, his boots crunching against the cracked ground. "Too bad I didn’t get to beat that bastard Leo myself. So, what happened to him in the end?"

Julian’s voice came low and tired. "...He blew himself up."

Joe whistled, impressed. "Hah. He always looked like the type to go out with a bang."

Julian exhaled sharply, his tone cold and bitter. "Leo was a coward. He threw his life away that easily... after all that talk about victory."

Joe snorted, shaking his head as he trudged forward. "Yeah, that idiot. Guess the world going to hell was too much for him, drove him completely mad, HAHAHA."

A faint laugh escaped Joe’s throat, echoing in the quiet aftermath of battle. When they finally reached the others, Zoe was the first to notice and the sight of the usually composed Julian being carried on Joe’s back almost made her burst out laughing.

Julian caught her smirk immediately. "Don’t laugh, Zoe."

Too late. Zoe let out a quiet chuckle, covering her mouth. Rafael wasn’t so kind he threw his head back and laughed out loud.

"Put me down, Joe," Julian muttered darkly.

"Nope," Joe replied cheerfully. "You’re not heavy, and I’m feeling better already."

Glain, still bandaged and leaning on his staff, raised a brow. "Oh? So my healing worked after all?"

Joe grinned. "Of course not, old man. It’s the dragon regeneration kicking in!"

Julian gave him a deadpan glare. "No, it’s because this damn lizard slept through the fight. He’s the only one who got a full nap."

Glain chuckled softly. "Hoho... Joe, while everyone else was fighting for their lives, you decided to take a nap? Impressive dedication."

"Hey, that’s not my fault!" Joe protested, feigning innocence. "I didn’t want to sleep, I just... passed out! Totally different thing."

They walked slowly through the wreckage, the silence broken only by the faint crackle of fading lightning in the distance. Glain adjusted his robe, his breath still uneven but steadier than before.

"I’ve already contacted someone to pick us up," Glain said, his tone weary but calm.

Julian glanced at him, eyes sharp despite his exhaustion. "Good. Because I’ve got a question for you, old man. That trick Leo used—the one that let him absorb the core and become almost like that whale itself... what was that?"

Glain frowned, the deep lines on his face shadowed by the fading light. "Honestly... I’m not entirely sure. I never thought Leo would go that far. Using the core on himself was beyond anything I anticipated." He lowered his gaze, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I apologize for that miscalculation."

Rafael stepped in gently, his voice soft but firm. "Don’t worry about it. What matters is that we’re all alive."

Julian’s tone hardened. "No. I don’t accept that. We almost died out there. None of us expected Leo to merge with the core like that. Because of our lack of preparation, we were nearly wiped out. You owe us more than just an apology, City lord."

Joe immediately perked up, nodding enthusiastically. "He’s right! We took care of your little monster problem, so I think a nice, big reward is in order, old man."

Glain sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Julian’s right, you deserve something valuable. Consider it both payment and gratitude... for defeating Leo."

Then he turned to Joe, his expression turning serious. "But as for you, Joe... you won’t be getting any reward."

Joe blinked, his grin fading. "Wait, what? Why not?"

Glain’s smile turned knowing. "Because this was your atonement for almost stealing from me. Remember?"

Joe froze, eyes darting away. "Ah... right, that..."

Glain chuckled softly and said, "Still, Joe fought hard too. I suppose that counts for something. Perhaps this time, we can build better alliance between us."

Joe’s eyes lit up, his exhaustion instantly forgotten. "Now that sounds interesting. I’m in, old man!"

Before Glain could respond, Zoe—her tone calm but flat—spoke up. "Our ride’s here."

A low rumble echoed across the barren ground as several armored vehicles approached, kicking up clouds of dust. The rescue convoy stopped a few meters away, and the doors swung open. Clarissa was the first to step out, waving energetically toward Julian and Zoe. Behind her came Noah and Don, followed by a squad of medics carrying stretchers and supplies.

Julian exhaled, relief flickering across his tired face. He turned to Joe. "Put me down."

Joe grinned teasingly. "You sure? I was starting to get comfortable—"

Before he could finish, Julian had already slipped off his back, landing unsteadily on his feet.

"Hey, careful—" Joe started, but his words were drowned out by Clarissa’s footsteps. She sprinted toward Julian and, without hesitation, threw her arms around him.

"W-wait—easy," Julian muttered, his voice weary but gentle.

Clarissa didn’t let go. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "I’m sorry... are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Julian gave a faint smile, his tone dry but soft. "I just need some rest, that’s all."

But Clarissa, clearly unconvinced, kept checking him, her hands brushing across his shoulders, arms, and face as she scanned him for injuries, her expression a mixture of worry and relief.

Zoe, watching from behind, let out a quiet sigh. "She’s not going to stop until she’s sure you’re still in one piece."

Joe smirked. "Guess our hero’s got his own private medic."

Julian shot him a glare. "Shut up, lizard."

Joe just laughed.