Ch.340Chapter 340: Epilogue – Return

The return to Night Haven, combined with the transport of two prisoners, proceeded smoothly.

With the long-standing confrontation between the Solarium Empire and the Magic Realm at the northern edge finally ending in the Empire’s victory.

Sanguin and Rust, who belonged to a faction that was nothing short of mortal enemies… Though they would vehemently deny any connection to the Magic Realm if questioned.

In any case, there was no need to treat these important figures from the enemy faction as prisoners when their side had already fallen.

If the highest authority on site, my sister, had the will to take their lives, their existence would have been snuffed out like a dying lamp in no time.

“Let’s take them with us. That demon aside, the ruler who governs the Night Clan should have much to offer us.”

Thanks to my sister, who instantly calculated the political advantages and ordered their transport, their lives weren’t ended on the spot.

Considering the Empire’s policy of embracing and integrating different races since its founding after the Great Holy War.

It was clear that my sister saw an opportunity to bring even the ruler of the night-governing clan—who had rejected the Empire’s hand and joined the Magic Realm—under imperial influence now that they were captured.

Whether it would work out or not remained to be seen.

But considering their situation with nowhere else to turn, if the Empire offered appropriate incentives, the long-standing hostility with the Night Clan could likely be easily resolved.

“…Haha.”

The empty laughter from Sanguin as he walked revealed his mixed emotions, all traces of his former dignity and power now gone.

“To think the Magic Realm, which seemed like it would last forever, could collapse so easily. What will become of our clan now…?”

Seeing him sigh deeply while worrying about his clan’s future, my prediction that negotiations with the vampire clan would proceed smoothly was increasingly becoming a certainty.

Anyway, thanks to Sanguin’s compliant behavior despite being bound with ropes, as if he had completely accepted his fate, the prisoner transport back home didn’t seem too difficult.

“ARGH!! Let me go!! If you release me now, I’ll pretend this never happened!!”

Rust, still unable to grasp his situation, was increasing the mental fatigue of our party by shouting and struggling against his restraints.

Even after getting a taste of my sister’s and Shizu’s wrath, he still hadn’t come to his senses.

“Grrr!! If I weren’t injured, I could break these pathetic ropes in an instant!!”

Though Rust continued walking, he maintained his uncooperative attitude, constantly threatening the escort personnel and putting on airs.

“…You’re noisy.”

Whenever Rust acted up, Shizu, who had kept her holy sword summoned throughout the escort, would coldly reprimand him while giving him a terrifying glare, which immediately subdued him.

I swear by the great beings in the high heavens.

The expression with which Shizu looked at him, as if he were less than a worm crawling on the ground, was more frightening than any look I had seen in countless timelines stored in my memory, including before my regression, when I had to face Shizu due to mistakes or unavoidable choices.

I’m not sure if I can adequately express it in words, but if I were to add a description, it was as if she was shooting holy swords with her gaze?

Whenever that ice-cold expression and even colder gaze emanated from her, Rust would desperately avoid meeting her eyes and remain docile.

“…Heh heh.”

Even Wibel, the leader of Umbra who had volunteered for the Magic Realm invasion despite his important duty of guarding Princess Lukius, expressed his amazement with a light chuckle at Shizu’s demeanor—her current appearance was truly awe-inspiring.

Though she couldn’t yet perfectly control the divine power dwelling within her.

The sight of her using it in a limited form to subdue a greater demon was overwhelming enough to inspire reverence in anyone who witnessed it.

Even I initially felt some of that reverence while watching, but such feelings didn’t last as long as one might expect.

‘…She’s really angry.’

I could see Shizu slightly puffing her cheeks whenever she glared at Rust—a detail so subtle that only someone like me, who had spent a long time with her, could notice.

While emanating a fierce aura that could cut Rust in half with just her gaze, she was also showing restraint, reminiscent of a butcher eyeing livestock that had entered the slaughterhouse.

“…Sigh.”

When she exhaled softly while looking at Rust, who kept his head bowed to avoid eye contact, she was clearly revealing her personal feelings toward the intruder who had ruined a precious moment of our memories.

…Though it was impressive how she managed to keep those feelings from being too obvious behind her overwhelming public demeanor.

I didn’t have good feelings toward that guy either for ruining our chance to spend some quality time alone together, but I was trying to suppress those feelings, understanding intellectually that it would interfere with our official duties.

Seeing Shizu express her personal feelings so subtly while performing her official duties perfectly filled me with an indescribable tenderness.

When we return to Night Haven, I should pat her head and stay by her side to show my appreciation for her hard work.

Anyway, the sight of a greater demon—who had given even Desire trouble—being subdued by Shizu’s gaze was fascinating not just to me but to everyone on this return journey.

“Oh…”

Excel let out an indecipherable exclamation of admiration as he alternately looked at the docile Rust and Shizu, who was glaring at him like he was an insect.

“If a war correspondent were here, they’d have material for feature articles for days…”

Even my sister, who usually avoids casual talk during official business, had such a reaction.

The sight of Rust cowering before Shizu was providing fresh entertainment to all observers.

Perhaps sensing the gazes directed at him despite keeping his head down.

“…Nngh!!”

Rust could only let out a suppressed groan on the verge of explosion without raising his head.

“…Tsk.”

But thanks to Shizu clicking her tongue and revealing a subtle killing intent, his antics were instantly quelled.

…I never thought I’d use the expression “gentle lamb” to describe that madman, but like the others in our party, I found it refreshingly novel.

#

It had already been an hour since the prisoner transport and return journey began.

Though there was no tension, the expedition party’s footsteps, which hadn’t given up on haste, had already reached the summit area of the mountain range, which could be considered the halfway point.

Reaching the summit of this massive mountain range in just an hour—a journey that would normally take ordinary people at least two days even with professional equipment and knowledge—was possible partly because our party moved so quickly.

Although climbing this Dragon Claw Mountain Range would normally be an extremely risky endeavor even in areas far from the Magic Realm.

“When we crossed this before, I was so tense I thought I’d go crazy, but now it’s the opposite.”

“…Don’t you think your voice is disrupting our otherwise calm march?”

Excel casually twirling Keraunos above his head without tension, and my sister reprimanding him in a tone milder than usual.

“YAAAWN-!!”

And the rest of the party expressing their sense of liberation through yawns now that the important mission was over—all these indicated that this return journey was proceeding exceptionally smoothly.

As mentioned earlier, the perfect control over the two prisoners who were to serve as spoils of war played a part in this.

With the collapse of the Magic Realm, our long-standing enemy, the magical beasts that we might have encountered during our journey had vanished.

The insane climate that symbolized the harshness of the northern regions outside Night Haven had also disappeared.

The volcanic ash that used to start from the summit and frequently make the northern skies gloomy wasn’t scattering at all.

The cutting wind that had felt like it was slicing through flesh when first perceived had somehow changed into an unseasonably warm breeze, making this return journey the very definition of smoothness with no obstacles to speak of.

Moreover, something was about to make this already smooth return journey even easier.

“Ah…!!”

Having reached the summit area not long after entering the foothills and continuing without rest, my sister suddenly exclaimed as if remembering something.

“I forgot about this.”

With these words, she took out what appeared to be a flare from her pocket and set it off, signaling for assistance that was approaching from the distance.

Rising from Night Haven, which had been faintly visible since we reached the summit, and slowly flying toward us.

It was an airship.

This welcome presence announced that the day—which felt like it might be the longest of my entire life—was finally coming to an end.