A cross-dressing anime, starting with Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.

"I understand."

She didn't linger, turned around and ran as fast as she could towards the guild headquarters.

Led by Grace, the group began to traverse the ravaged square.

Along the way, surviving adventurers kept casting their gazes at them.

Those gazes were complex and difficult to understand.

There was awe in the eyes of the Loki Familia's high command, astonishment at the return of the entire Astrea Familia, and awe at the presence of the goddess Artemis.

When their gazes fell on Lynn on Grace's back, many people's expressions changed.

"That's... Hero Lynn?"

"What happened to him? Is he injured?"

"Looks like he's badly injured... He can't even walk."

Discussions rose and fell.

A burly man from the Ganesha clan recognized them.

It's Hassanal.

His face, which always wore a kind smile, was now covered in grime and bloodstains.

He limped over, and when he saw Lynn on Grace's back, his eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Brother Lynn..."

He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

In the end, he simply reached out his rough, large hand and patted Grace's shoulder heavily.

"It's good that you're alive and back."

"Brothers, you're all watching."

Grace nodded silently, her steps never faltering.

Following this devastating victory, the entire city began a long and painful inventory.

Finn stood on the command platform, watching the people coming and going below.

He did not attend the victory celebration banquet, nor did he accept the cheers of the people.

He simply stood there quietly, as if trying to etch this scene of devastation into the depths of his soul.

A messenger hurriedly ran up the high platform.

"Commander Finn! The Astrea Familia and Loki Familia expedition team... has returned in full force!"

Finn's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

He slowly turned around and looked in the direction of the Tower of Babel.

"understood."

He waved his hand, signaling the messenger to leave.

Then he picked up another report.

There is another thing recorded on it.

"Report: The remnants of the Dark Faction have launched a small-scale riot in the west of the city, suspected of being a diversionary tactic."

"Their real purpose was to plunder several pharmacies belonging to the Mih family and the Dean Kate family."

"Among the stolen medicines were a large quantity of rare drugs used to suppress curses and calm the mind."

Finn's fingertips lightly traced over the line of words.

He raised his head and looked into the intricate shadows deep within the city.

Has the war really ended?

No.

Not yet.

Every step I took across the square felt like stepping on solidified sorrow.

The survivors' gazes, like invisible needles, pierced the hearts of every returning person.

Grace carried Lynn on her back, her steps as steady as ever, as if she were carrying not the weight of a person, but a monument that had to be protected.

Behind him, Ryu, Alexei, and Kaguya, each of them had shed the weariness from the depths of the dungeon, replaced by a more somber and solemn expression.

They were the victors, yet they felt no joy whatsoever.

They are survivors, yet they feel heartbroken for every one of those who have fallen.

“Grace”.

Riveria's voice broke the silence.

"Speed ​​up."

"Yes."

The marching speed of the troop suddenly increased.

They stopped paying attention to the stares of those around them and stopped looking at the horrific scenes.

Right now, there is only one most important thing.

The Astrea Familia's residence is located in the northwest corner of Yulari.

It was an elegant building with a courtyard, usually filled with the laughter of young girls.

But today, when they pushed open that familiar door, all they found was deathly silence.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard were neglected and looked somewhat messy.

A faint, acrid smell of burning wafted through the air, emanating from the main battlefield.

"We're back."

The goddess Astraea stood at the doorway and whispered something.

Her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

This is their home.

But when the whole city is bleeding, even home cannot isolate that sorrow.

"Mariu, Laila, prepare the best rooms, and bring out all the medicine and bandages!" Alexie practically roared as she gave the order, her usually energetic face now filled with anxiety.

"Iska, go boil some water! The more the better!"

"Selty, Noin, you two go and guard the gate. No one is allowed to come in except for members of the guild and people we know!"

The girls immediately sprang into action, and the once quiet camp was instantly filled with tense yet orderly activity.

Grace carefully carried Lynn into the most spacious and bright room and laid him flat on the soft bed.

When the cloth covering him was removed, everyone gasped.

Lynn's body did not appear to have any obvious external injuries, but his face was frighteningly pale, his lips were chapped and bloodless.

He lay there quietly, his breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible, as if he might dissipate into the air at any moment.

“Lynn…”

Chunji knelt by the bed, reaching out to touch him, but stopped in mid-air, afraid that her touch would shatter him.

Tears silently streamed down her beautiful fox ears.

Kaguya stood in the corner of the room, her hands gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She stared intently at Lynn on the bed, saying nothing, but her eyes, burning with anger, betrayed the turmoil within her.

273. That... old... elf

The air in the room became stagnant, and everyone breathed cautiously.

Chunji's tears fell onto the bed sheet, spreading a small dark stain.

Alexie bit her lower lip tightly; her eyes, usually full of energy, were now filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"Mariu!" she suddenly shouted, her voice hoarse with excitement, "Use your magic! Quickly!"

Maru, whose name was called, was startled and quickly stepped forward, clasping her hands together. A soft green light began to gather in her palms.

"A superior, bountiful harvest of fine wine!"

This was her most powerful full-body recovery spell, yet she concentrated all its power on Lynn alone.

The warm light enveloped Lynn's body, yet his pale face remained unchanged.

The light faded, but everything remained the same.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Maru's forehead as she shook her head in disbelief. "How could this be... it didn't work... the magic was completely deflected..."

"Let me do it."

Rivera stepped forward and touched Lynn's forehead with her long, slender finger.

The pure magic probed in, but it seemed to sink into the sea without causing any ripples.

Her expression turned serious. "His body doesn't reject magic, but... it doesn't absorb it either. His life force field is in a state of absolute silence."

This conclusion plunged those who had just begun to have a glimmer of hope back into despair.

“What does ‘silent state’ mean?” Alexandra pressed.

"It means he's not dead, but he's not alive either," a detached voice explained.

Frilian walked to the bedside at some point. She reached out her finger and gently touched Lynn's cheek. The skin there was cold, without the warmth a living person should have.

“He’s just asleep, in a very, very deep sleep.” Frilian withdrew her hand, her tone flat. “Ordinary healing magic is used to repair damage. But he’s not damaged; he’s empty.”

She paused, then explained in a more straightforward way.

"An empty bottle, no matter how much you repair it, it will still be empty. What you need to do now is not to repair it, but to fill it up again."

"Fill it up?" Liu frowned, her long golden hair swaying slightly with her movement. "Fill it up with what?"

Frillie did not answer immediately.

Her calm, green eyes swept over everyone in the room.

The gaze swept over Haruhime, whose face was streaked with tears; over the anxious Arisha; over Kaguya, who was gripping the hilt of his sword; and finally, it landed on Ryu.

“You all go out first,” Frilian said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “No one can be present during the next treatment.”

"Why?" Alexandra retorted immediately, "We won't bother you!"

"Yes," Freya replied succinctly.

Her attitude was resolute. Riveria glanced at her, then at Lynn on the bed, and finally nodded.

“Let’s go out. Frilian is a very powerful mage; her judgment won’t be wrong.”

With Riveria's words, the others had no choice but to comply, no matter how unwilling they were.

Kaguya was the last to leave. As she walked to the door, she turned back and glared fiercely at Frilian.

"If you can't cure him, I'll break your bones."

Frillie didn't react at all; she just watched her quietly.

Kaguya snorted and slammed the door shut.

Only Frilian and Lynn, who was lying on the bed, remained in the room.

And then there were the goddesses Artemis and Astraea, who had secretly followed them in.

"Your Excellency Frilian, is there really a way?" Astraea asked worriedly.

Artemis looked at her too, and the goddess of the hunt's face was filled with the same concern.

Frilian walked to the window, opened it, and let the wind in.

“There are some ways…” she said slowly. “His situation is very special. His body’s energy has been completely drained, and even his soul fire has become weak. This is probably related to his various skills.”

She turned around and looked at Lynn.