Chapter 161 – Twilight

As the distorted world slowly pieced itself back together, Hermilla’s shocked face swam into view.

Ah, ah.

Hmm… I still can’t hear anything.

I forced a small smile and waved at Hermilla.

A strange mix of relief and bewilderment contorted her features. Behind her, the other Challengers mirrored her expression. I waved enthusiastically at Yuria, my closest friend among them.

After a hesitant moment, Yuria awkwardly waved back.

We continued this silent exchange for a while.

The warped, chaotic landscape finally settled, revealing the stark reality of Kartia’s devastation.

The eastern district was now a desolate wasteland. Deep gashes scarred the earth, a massive shield lay crumpled and warped. A reversed pentagram, grotesquely twisted around a faint sword stroke, marred the ground.

Amidst this scene of destruction, Kartia’s amused voice echoed in my mind.

[If it were me, I would’ve cleaved through that shield and the summoning circle in one go.]

“Ah, I just couldn’t control my power properly… Geez…”

…Honestly.

I’m ridiculously strong now.

If I couldn’t do it, Kartia probably couldn’t either, right?

Of course, I haven’t fully adjusted yet, so I’m not at 100%… but still!

[You’re comparing a dragon to a worm. In my prime, I could’ve done this half-asleep and still done a better job.]

“Yeah, right… Stop lying just because you can’t prove it…”

[If I showed you, you’d fall for me, and that would be problematic.]

Kartia’s smug laughter was cut short by a sharp voice.

“What… the hell is this…?”

The voice belonged to a twin-tailed mage, Delia, clutching a short wand.

[Oh shit. Twintails, and blonde? I told you. Everything you’ve seen is based on reality, not fiction.]

“Gah! Shhh! Keep your voice down!”

Delia shot me a piercing glare, having overheard Kartia.

“Eek…”

She turned back to where the Masters had stood, then tilted her head back to gaze at the sky.

“Amazing…”

[Oh? This twin-tails girl has good taste.]

“Her name is Delia, Kartia.”

Delia glared at me again before marching towards me.

“You’re Noah, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Her tone was incredibly harsh. Her expression, incredibly sharp. The atmosphere, incredibly intimidating.

It’s like that time… when I got mugged at the trampoline park… Ugh.

“How old are you?”

“…Twenty…”

“I’m twenty-five. I can drop the formalities, right?”

“…Yes.”

“You too, then.”

“Uh…?”

“Don’t want to?”

“N-No…”

“Did you complete your trial?”

“…Yeah.”

Delia crossed her arms and studied me for a moment before pointing at the fallen shield.

“That thing. Is it dead?”

“…No. I-I think it ran…”

I had no idea how it escaped, but it vanished without a trace.

At first, I thought it was dead, but I can still sense its divine presence…

It’s definitely still alive.

“And that? Did you delay the summoning?”

“Yeah…”

“By how long?”

“I’m not sure, but… maybe… a month?”

“I see.”

Delia nodded and sighed.

Then, she slowly reached out and asked,

“…Can I pat your head?”

“Huh…?”

Thump. Delia ruffled my hair enthusiastically, then beamed.

“Thanks. Really.”

“…Thanks?”

“You saved everyone.”

Everyone survived.

The words felt heavy.

She wasn’t wrong. Pushing back the Masters and delaying Brunhilde’s awakening gave the remaining people a chance to live.

But many had already died. Even here, lifeless bodies lay scattered across the battlefield.

Not just in Cartia, but everywhere. Countless places were now uninhabitable ruins.

All because of my stubbornness…

“Hey. Don’t make that face.”

Delia’s hand slid from my head to pinch my cheek.

“Ow…”

“It’s not your fault. Blame those Erden bastards. Honestly, you’re too soft.”

Delia tugged at my cheeks, then pulled out a small candy and popped it into my mouth.

“Did you kill these people?”

“No…”

“Did you just stand by and watch them die?”

“No…”

“See? Not your fault.”

“…Mm.”

Hermilla, after talking with the other bewildered Challengers, approached us.

“Hermilla!”

“You did well, Delia. And…”

“H-Hermilla…!”

I mumbled her name around the candy in my mouth.

She tilted her head in confusion for a moment, then pulled me into a tight hug.

“Oof…”

Instead of Hermilla’s usual warm scent, the air was thick with the stench of dust and blood, overpowering even the smell of sweat.

“It’s been a while, Noah.”

“You too, Hermilla.”

“Are we dropping honorifics now?”

“Wah—No! That’s not—”

Hermilla’s hair swayed as she shook her head.

“Heh… It’s fine. It feels more familiar this way.”

She hugged me even tighter.

“You’ve been through so much.”

“You too…”

“Did you finish your trial properly?”

Like Serr and Delia, Hermilla asked about my trial.

Is this… a custom? Like giving toilet paper as a housewarming gift?

“Yeah. I finished it.”

I answered vaguely, tilting my head. Hermilla chuckled softly and released me.

“The outcome changes depending on how you complete your trial. That’s why we ask. Well… it’s more of a tradition now.”

“Ah…”

“Anyway, I’m glad it’s over. The trial, and the battle, for now.”

Her voice was heavy with exhaustion. She thanked me and stood.

“There’s so much I want to discuss, but we have a lot to do.”

“Ugh… I’m exhausted. Can we rest a bit?”

“We rest after we’re done. The others already left. Let’s go.”

“They’re all crazy…”

Delia shuddered dramatically and dragged herself to her feet.

“By the way, Noah. How’s Heinzel…?”

Her voice was hesitant, laced with concern.

“Uh… Heinzel’s… yeah. He’s pretty badly hurt, but… he’ll recover soon.”

The curse had been life-threatening, but killing the shaman had lifted it.

…I wanted to torture that bastard until he begged for death, but Heinzel might have died in the process, so I had to end it quickly.

“I see… That’s good.”

Delia tried to sound indifferent, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

[Hey… don’t tell me…]

Y-Yeah… I think so too…

[Oh, wow…]

“A-Anyway. I should get going.”

Delia turned and walked away, her steps much lighter than before.

“Hee hee… Cute, isn’t she?”

[The epitome of a girl in love.]

“Oh my? Kartia, you have two love-struck girls around you, don’t you?”

[What?]

Kartia scoffed, then her face twisted in disgust.

[Get your facts straight. Those aren’t love-struck girls. They’re monsters consumed by love.]

“…Pfft. You might be right. Hahaha…”

W-Who is she talking about…?

“Anyway… Noah, you’ve done enough. Get some rest.”

“I-I can help.”

“No. This is our job. Go and rest with Rubia.”

A firm but gentle refusal.

I nodded.

“Oh, and put up a sound barrier. We have sensitive ears around here. Hehe.”

“Sound barrier…?”

[Oh, here we go again, playing innocent.]

“Huh…? Why would I need a sound—”

Kartia held up both hands in a V-shape, grinning.

[You’ve been apart for so long. Obviously, you have to…]

She rubbed her fingers together.

[Rub each other senseless.]

“Oh my…”

“R-Rub… w-what… what… are you… TALKING ABOUT?!”

She’s insane.

Completely insane.

What kind of lunatic would say something like that so casually?!

[Not doing it?]

“This isn’t the time or the place!!”

[As if it ever is. Last time, you two went at it right after a huge battle.]

“Th-That was—! Ugh! Just be quiet!!”

I yelled at Kartia and turned away, mortified. Even so, my enhanced hearing picked up everything.

I dropped my greatsword, covered my ears, and curled into a ball.

I’m so embarrassed.

My face is burning.

I’m going to lose my mind.

This is crazy!

Why… why would she say that in front of everyone—

Poke, poke.

“Ahh! Don’t touch me!”

Poke, poke, poke, poke, poke.

“Ugh, seriously!”

Someone was poking me relentlessly in all my ticklish spots. Annoyed, I jumped to my feet.

I gripped the hilt of my greatsword and shouted,

“E-Even if we did… w-we’d go somewhere private… Huh?”

Standing there,

“Noah.”

Was Rubia.

With a gentle, warm smile.

“Or… has it really been that long for you?”

Hic!