“The battle is over. Open the gate.” Otsupain announced loudly to the guards managing the temple gate that the fight had ended.
“You all worked hard. The battle here is over, but we have no idea what the situation is elsewhere. Safety is not guaranteed, and there’s a possibility of the enemy reappearing. Leave some guards on watch, and the rest of you, rotate and take a break to prepare for the next battle.”
“Yes!”
In response to Otsupain’s call, the temple gate opened, and she indicated the immediate direction for the Holy Knights.
“Well then, these people must be treated as prisoners. Someone take them to the temple dungeon.”
“Understood.”
Otsupain instructed the Holy Knights to take Cedric and the captured Duchy’s Army Soldiers to the dungeon.
“Come on, move!”
“Ouch! That hurts!”
“Don’t pull me!”
“Ah, there, no!”
The Holy Knights, following Otsupain’s orders, dragged the bound Duchy’s Army Soldiers towards the dungeon.
“Kent, it seems my revenge ends here. A complete defeat.”
“Hey! Don’t stop. Keep walking.”
“Guh! Treat me with more respect.”
Cedric, among them, stopped briefly in front of Kent and gracefully admitted defeat. He was then led away by the Holy Knights towards the temple building.
“Older brother.”
Rachel, who had been watching Kent, called out to him.
“Hm?”
“In the previous world, you risked your life to save me. And this time too.”
Rachel began to speak to Kent with a serious expression.
“Perhaps, at that time, you could have been cut down and died. But that you would risk your life twice to save me for my sake… thank you so much. And I apologize for the trouble my thoughtless actions caused.”
Rachel thanked Kent before apologizing.
“I believe I understand how important the terminal you have is. I don’t know how to apologize for it being broken just because you saved someone like me.”
“Don’t say ‘someone like me.’ It’s fine. I’m happy just knowing you’re safe.”
In the previous world, Kent’s desire to save his sister came first, and he had tried to save her from being hit by a truck without regard for his own life. This time, his feelings were the same. As a result, he lost the terminal, but he saved his sister’s life. Kent felt as if the lingering regret of not being able to save her in the previous world had finally vanished.
“Master!”
“Al!”
“Mike!”
Just then, Al and Mike, having finished their work, leaped into Kent’s and Rachel’s chests respectively.
“Al, you did well.”
“Mike, you’re tired.”
Kent and Rachel stroked the heads of their respective fairies, commending them for their hard work.
“A-a-and, by the way, Mike.”
“What is it, meow?”
After finishing stroking their heads, Rachel called out to Mike.
“When did you steal my wallet? You thieving cat!”
“Was it on the way here, meow?”
“Go retrieve the money you threw away immediately!”
“You’re a demanding mistress, meow.”
With veins bulging on her forehead, Rachel interrogated Mike and ordered him to go collect the money she had thrown away during her battle with Sara.
“Well then, shall we go report to Gordon and the others?”
“Ah, that’s right. We also need to report to the Saintess that the battle is over.”
“Let’s head to the Saintess’s office for now.”
Kent and his companions decided to head to the Saintess’s office to report the end of the battle to Gordon.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap*
“Wh-what’s this?”
As Kent and his companions entered the temple through the main door, they were greeted by loud applause.
“Kent, Rachel. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Whoa, Marie! What’s gotten into you?”
“Marie, it’s too tight! This chest is deadly.”
Marie rushed over and hugged Kent and Rachel. Her large chest acted like a cushion, and a soft sensation spread to Kent and Rachel.
“Welcome home. We heard you splendidly defeated the Duchy’s Army. We were all savoring the joy of victory.”
“I’m glad everyone is safe. Sniff, hmm?”
Josette and Caro were also there to greet Kent and his companions. While Josette was savoring the victory, Caro looked puzzled, glancing alternately between Kent and Otsupain.
“We were just about to head to the Saintess’s office.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Seeing your faces just made me so happy. Right, reporting is important.”
When Kent announced they were going to the Saintess’s office, Marie hurriedly pulled away from them.
“Then, we shall accompany you.”
Marie, Josette, and Caro joined Kent and his companions, and they proceeded towards the Saintess’s office, passing through the residents who were overflowing with applause.
“Kent! I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Whoa there, Gordon, don’t just tackle me like that!”
As they entered the Saintess’s office, Gordon hugged Kent.
“Oh, my, Gordon. You seem so happy that Kent has returned safely,” Patty said, approaching them with a smile.
“Yes, yes, let’s separate for a moment,”
“Ugh, I understand.”
Gordon seemed like he might continue hugging Kent indefinitely, so Patty grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him away from Kent.
“Welcome home. I’m glad everyone is safe… Huh? Emily isn’t here.”
“About that.”
Patty, looking at the people who had returned to the office, noticed Emily’s absence. As it was an important matter that couldn’t be ignored, Kent resigned himself to tell them.
“Kent, welcome back. Otsupain, you must be tired too.”
“Catherine, are you alright?”
Just then, Catherine entered the room, supported by Yuria, with a shaky gait. She didn’t look well, so Kent put the matter of Emily on hold for a moment and spoke to Catherine.
“Are you alright? If you ask me, I’m not very alright. However, compared to the efforts of Kent and everyone else, my contribution is negligible.”
Catherine’s complexion was not good, and she had an exhausted look on her face. With Yuria’s assistance, she sat down in a chair by the Saintess’s desk and answered Kent’s question.
“So, about Emily…”
Kent told everyone about how Marie’s Bakery had been destroyed and Emily had vanished.
“Emily… I see.”
“You’re lying, right?”
“The shop is precious, but for Emily to be gone…”
“Ugh…”
Upon hearing this, Josette, Caro, Marie, and Patty grieved for Emily’s disappearance.
“And, look at this.”
Kent said so and placed the broken terminal on the reception table.
“There were various circumstances, and it broke during the recent battle.”
Kent, being considerate of Rachel, revealed that the terminal he cherished had broken without explaining the circumstances.
“I can’t order any more goods now. Marie, I’m sorry.”
“Kent, anything with a form will eventually break. I can’t say ‘don’t worry about it,’ but you don’t need to apologize to me.”
Marie was the one who benefited the most from Kent’s terminal. Without the use of this terminal, she wouldn’t be able to order the merchandise she sold, nor procure ingredients, which would prevent her from selling her signature “Fluffy Bread.” Marie understood this, but she replied in a gentle tone so as not to worry Kent.
