With the traitors tied up and currently their prisoners, Kane contacted Zoe and told her about the situation. After hearing the story, the Knight of the Valiant Guild instructed Kane and the others to bring in the players to further interrogate them. She also told them to bring Nick and his party, so they could have a proper conversation with one another.

If Hazel was right, Zoe could be using Nick's party as a way to get in contact with their guild so they could establish a meeting and see what they could do, and if they could form some kind of alliance. As for the situation regarding any potential spies within the Guild, like with what happened to Nick's party, Zoe instructed everyone to keep a low profile until they could talk about the matter in person and in private.

Once they were given their orders, Kane and the rest of the party collected Simon and Matthew before guiding them back to the Cargo Truck, so they could head back to the Valiant Guild's base. Before leaving, Hazel used the time to search the rest of the hospital to gather any medical supplies she could find, thus completing their original objective before getting caught up in this mess.

She was able to get this done quickly with the combined efforts of her allies, her Telekinetic mobility, and most importantly, her Astral Eyes that scanned all of the floors in search of the medical supplies that were likely somewhere within the building. Any monsters that they faced were easily eliminated and also discarded without a second thought.

After collecting the supplies, the group soon made their way back to the cargo truck so they could head home. While heading back, Hazel tried to contact Astrid to tell them what was happening.

[Hazel Thatcher: We're heading back to the cargo truck. Think you can meet us there?]

There were a few moments of silence without a single response from Astrid. This worried Hazel quite a bit before she finally saw her respond.

[Astrid Skogr: Yeah. I'm on my way.]

Hazel let out a soft sigh before replying.

[Hazel Thatcher: Are you bringing the other dark elf with us, or is she dead?]

Knowing that Olga was responsible for betraying Astrid, Hazel wouldn't put it against her partner to kill her former companion. If it were Hazel, she wouldn't hesitate to kill those who stabbed her in the back. Then again, that was her. Not Astrid.

She didn't know what the dark elf would do in her current situation. But all Hazel knew was that whatever choice she made, she wouldn't hold it against her.

[Astrid Skogr: She's still alive. She still has the information we need regarding Dolk.]

Hazel rubbed her chin as she mused. So, Olga was still alive. And according to Astrid, she still had useful information about Dolk. In that case, letting her live was the best move in terms of her wanting to go after the bigger fish, which was Dolk.

It only took a little while before the group finally made it to the cargo truck. Next to the vehicle, Astrid and Olga were already there. Olga was currently bound by rope as Astrid firmly held onto her. As for her weapon, Hazel didn't see it, so she figured that her partner stored it in her bracelet.

As soon as Kane saw the other dark elf, he spoke up about it.

"Another dark elf?"

"She's the one who attacked you and put a hole in the wall," Hazel told him.

She then spared a glance at Astrid before sending a new message.

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[Hazel Thatcher: How much do you want to tell them regarding Olga and Dolk?]

[Astrid Skogr: For now, only tell them that Olga has information regarding the identity of her Guild Leader, along with the location of their base.]

Instead of replying through the Chat Room, Hazel gave a slight nod before turning to Kane.

"She also might have information about the Guild Leader and the location of their base."

"Well, that sounds pretty useful. I assume Astrid will want to take charge of keeping an eye on her?"

"I do," Astrid said immediately and without hesitation.

Kane said nothing else after that and simply gestured for everyone to get into the cargo truck. One by one, everyone entered the vehicle and found a seat. Once all of the passengers were inside, the truck started up and began its trek back to the Valiant Guild.

While there were a few more people compared to before, it wasn't nearly as crowded as it usually was when the players were sent off to their checkpoints to deal with the spider horde. Even Hazel had plenty of space as she sat opposite Astrid and Olga. She did this to act as the last line of defense to keep Olga from escaping.

[Hazel Thatcher: Should we worry about her trying to escape?]

[Astrid Skogr: Not likely, though it would be beneficial for both of us if you kept your Evil Eyes ready in case she does attempt something.]

[Hazel Thatcher: Loud and clear.]

Keeping her word, Hazel then kept her eyes trained on Olga, prepared to activate her Evil Eyes on her at any moment if the situation called for it. Thankfully, her magic veil kept Olga from noticing...or so she thought.

"What is your relationship with Lady Astrid?" Olga asked while looking directly at Hazel.

Hazel was a bit taken aback by her sudden question and spared a glance at Astrid, not knowing what to do in this situation. Her dark elf partner quickly realized her dilemma and communicated with her.

[Astrid Skogr: You can answer her. It's not like we have anything to hide.]

[Hazel Thatcher: Got it.]

Mentally dismissing the chat room, she turned her gaze back on Olga before answering. "We're currently in a sort of partnership."

"A partnership?" Olga arched her brow suspiciously. "Are you sure you're not just using Lady Astrid?"

Even though Hazel was still smiling, deep down, she felt a strong urge to strangle her with Telekinesis or even feed one of her limbs to Nycteris. She couldn't believe the audacity that spouted from this dark elf's mouth, and judging from Astrid's stern glare directed at her fellow dark elf, she also couldn't believe it.

"In our little partnership, we are using each other. And I don't think you have any right to judge me, considering your history with Astrid, don't you agree?"

Instead of faltering like Hazel wanted and expected her to, the dark elf surprisingly held her ground, even maintaining eye contact with the witch.

"And what makes you think you have the right to have a 'partnership' with Lady Astrid, then?"

Hazel's smile deepened, causing the haughty dark elf to finally reel back in fear. "For one thing, I have no intentions of betraying her."

"Yet."

"At all. Why would I anyway? Without Astrid's help, I likely wouldn't have survived the Tutorial Dungeon. Anyway, why exactly do you care what kind of relationship I have with Astrid anyway? Didn't you lose the right to consider her your friend and ally after you stabbed her in the back and tried to kill her?"

Olga turned red with anger. "That doesn't-!"

"If you say that doesn't matter, then let me tell you right here and now that it most certainly does," Hazel shot back without giving the dark elf the chance to finish. "You judge me and accuse me of using Astrid's trust for my own gain when you and the rest of your treacherous allies, those that Astrid also put her trust in, betrayed her and even attempted to take her life as well. Sounds a bit hypocritical, don't you think?"

"We had-!"

"You had your reasons, yes, I know," Hazel said in a tired tone, clearly bored with this conversation. "But it still doesn't change the fact that you betrayed Astrid. And I think both of us know that she won't forgive you any time soon. It doesn't matter what your reason was, whether Kollr blackmailed you into doing so, and even threatened to kill you to join him. The bottom line is you betrayed Astrid's trust. You and the rest of your little, traitorous allies. So, before judging me and my intentions, I would suggest looking in a mirror first, lady."

After saying her piece, the rest of the passengers remained silent. Even Astrid and Olga were surprised by Hazel's hostile combat. Meanwhile, Hazel felt satisfied with her decisions and leaned back against her seat, pressing her back against the wall.

[Astrid Skogr: You didn't have to go that far for me, you know...]

Hazel glanced between the message and Astrid, noticing that the dark elf looked a bit embarrassed after what she said. This only made Hazel smile more as she sent a response.

[Hazel Thatcher: I know, but it sure felt good to let her know her place.]

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