"Shia, you also want to meet with Lord Kam and the others, right?"
"Yes. That being said, since the divine device for space transfer is set up over there, I can go there anytime... Come to think of it, Tio-san's hometown is a little further away in the northern mountainous area—on an isolated island outside the continent, right?"
Shia tilted her head, searching her mind for memories. Before leaving this world, Shia also hoped that Tio could say goodbye to her family, but the distance was too great and it might take too long.
"Hmm. That's true... But if I accept the Master's greatest punishment (love) before setting off, everything will go smoothly. My speed will be doubled! And I can even use the space gate on my return!"
"...My compatriots, who returned battered and bruised, somehow displayed an expression of ecstasy... This scene must have been quite shocking. I hope Miss Tio's family won't panic over this."
Seeing Tio grinning from ear to ear as she imagined the whip of Hajime's love, not only Shia, but Kaori and the others also kept a distance from her. Even though they had always known Tio's personality, the fact that she made people feel uncomfortable remained unchanged.
I wonder what the Dragon People will think when they see the disgusting Tio. The princess, who was once so majestic and graceful, has become a pervert after returning from her mission...
"What a tragedy..."
"Perhaps there will be casualties due to the heavy impact..."
"Hey, Xiang Xiang. Forget about Ling. To be on the safe side and revive the dragon people, Xiang Xiang should go with Miss Tio, right?"
"That guy, Nagumo, really should take responsibility. He should go and apologize directly."
"Are you guys going too far!?"
Just as everyone was chatting casually, there was a sudden noise outside the room.
The person who slowly opened the door and came in was Guanghui.
"So everyone is here...?"
"Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
Shizuku cast a probing glance at Kouki for a moment, but quickly concealed her alarm behind a smile and inquired about his health. Kouki smiled back. His expression looked gloomy and dark, perhaps it was just an illusion.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry for making you worry."
"Why are you still being polite at this point? I'm glad you're alright."
"Oh, it seems you've been resurrected. That's great."
"That's great."
Shizuku and the others were happy that Kouki was safe. Kouki smiled again, then looked around the room as if searching for someone. His expression became increasingly tense, as if due to nervousness. Kaori realized who Kouki was looking for and replied with a wry smile:
"If you're looking for Hajime-kun, he's in seclusion in another room right now, not here?"
"Hmm, is that so... I wanted to thank him for causing him so much trouble..."
It looked like Kouki wasn't going to turn against Hajime and attack him like he had when he lost control in the Trial Hall. His mental state seemed relatively calm. Honestly, it might be more accurate to say he was depressed rather than calm.
"Hajime-san, you don't think it's a big deal. As long as Kouki-san doesn't cause any trouble, I don't think Hajime-san will ask for an apology or anything."
"Miss Shia... maybe that's true, but after all... you know."
Guanghui hesitated, his expression dark as if he was trying to swallow the bitterness of his soul.
In reality, although Hajime felt that Guanghui's loss of control was troublesome, he really just felt that it was troublesome and did not harbor any hostility or grudges, so he had no intention of asking Guanghui to apologize.
For Hajime, the first thing he should take care of is Kaori's feelings, and then Shizuku. Although Kouki has murderous intentions towards Hajime, Hajime does not take Kouki seriously enough to insist on confronting her and hurting the person he is supposed to protect.
However, since he was told that there was no need to apologize, Kouki understood that Hajime didn't take him seriously, and he must have felt quite complicated.
"You look like you've regained your sanity. Or... do you still think Nagumo has brainwashed us?"
Shizuku narrowed her eyes slightly and asked in a stern tone.
The fact that Guanghui was safe and sound now was completely different from the situation when he lost control earlier. Even though Guanghui had the urge to kill Hajime, Hajime still didn't kill him. Hajime did this for Shizuku and the others. Shizuku, knowing this, would not allow Guanghui to lose control again.
Shizuku's serious tone and eyes made Guanghui quickly look away.
However, Shizuku would no longer allow Guanghui to escape.
"Kui-ki, don't look away."
"Hmm...Okay. I don't have that thought anymore. I was just out of my mind back then."
Although Kouki's expression was gloomy, he did look at Shizuku carefully before answering.
Shizuku stared into Kouki's eyes for a long time, trying to discern his true thoughts from his gaze. This wasn't just Shizuku; Shia and the others felt the same way.
In the end, although she was not completely convinced, Shizuku nodded to indicate that she would believe what Kouki said for the time being.
"Really? That's good... Kouki, is there anything you want to ask?"
As the atmosphere became strangely awkward, Shizuku changed her mood and asked in a more cheerful tone.
Guanghui seemed to sense Shizuku's feelings and gave a slight wry smile before asking what happened after he fainted.
Then, Guanghui learned that everyone except himself had successfully conquered the Great Labyrinth. Hajime and Yue were already working on challenging the abyss of conceptual magic, and were currently secluded in another room to create a divine tool to return to Earth.
Guanghui sat quietly on the sofa, listening silently. His expression showed no change, but since he was the only one who had failed to capture the enemy, he must have been feeling uneasy.
Then, Kouki hesitated whether to ask the question he wanted to ask the most, and his childhood friend Shizuku knew exactly what he was thinking.
That was exactly why Guanghui lost control, and it was also the part where Guanghui ignored Shizuku's advice and made a wishful explanation for himself.
Shizuku waited quietly for Guanghui to ask, but judging from Guanghui's expression, he would most likely remain silent, so Shizuku decided to take the initiative to explain.
"Koki. I've fallen in love with Nagumo. I hope he treats me like a woman."
“──!”
Shizuku's words instantly contorted Kouki's expression. Hearing her childhood sweetheart, who had always been by her side, bluntly confess her love for another man was a reality Kouki found difficult to acknowledge, no matter how much she tried to sugarcoat it.
The image of Hajime appearing with Shizuku on his back, her face sleeping in complete peace and happiness, flashed through Kouki's mind, and he suddenly felt so uncomfortable that he wanted to scratch his chest.
Guanghui tried hard to control his emotions and spoke in a calm tone as much as possible:
"So... you mean to follow Nagumo from now on? Nagumo already has his soulmate, and Kaori is here... Shizuku, you should reconsider, right? I won't hurt you—"
Shizuku quietly shook her head, interrupting Kouki's words and telling him:
"Koki. I wasn't asking for your opinion. I was just making it clear to you. We're childhood friends."
"..."
Shizuku spoke with such conviction that Kouki, with an expression as if he had bitten ten thousand bitter insects, fell silent again.
He looked at Ryutaro and Suzu for support, then looked at Kaori with a look that said, "You can't compete with your best friend for a man."
But all three responded with calm and affirmative expressions. Of course, they were affirming Shizuku's words and her feelings.
No one wants to agree with themselves...
The expression on Guanghui's face gradually disappeared.
Guanghui realized that no matter what he did, he could not overturn the reality that did not suit him. Faced with the negative emotions such as irritability, anxiety, jealousy, hatred, and anger that he felt, he began to search for a solution.
However, Guanghui would not allow these emotions to get out of control.
Because the result of losing control is what we are experiencing now.
Unless there is some major trigger, Guanghui will not lose control immediately.
That being said, everyone could clearly see the dark and gloomy emotions simmering within Guanghui.
In the end, although this was a problem that Guanghui had to overcome on his own, Ryutaro and the others still looked at each other and thought about what he should do.
Even the caring attitude of his companions seemed like pity in Guanghui's eyes now, and it only irritated his fragile heart.
The emotions that had nowhere to vent did not get out of control, but turned into sarcasm and blurted out.
"Haha! Everyone's on his side. He's the kind of guy who would kill and abandon people so easily..."
“Kui!”
Shizuku unconsciously raised her voice. Shia and Tio narrowed their eyes slightly. Kaori's worried expression also tightened.
Guanghui didn't notice the change in attitude. Even if he had, in his childish state, he wouldn't have stopped talking and continued to speak without restraint.
"If I had known this, I would have been the one to fall off the bridge—!"
Those are thoughtless and hurtful words no matter who you are talking to.
Therefore, Kaori, the girl who was most heartbroken in that incident, took physical measures to stop Kouki.
"Pah!" A loud sound was heard, and Kaori's hand hit Guanghui's cheek.
Kouki blankly reached out and touched his slapped cheek. Kaori didn't retract her hand, but spoke with a mixture of anger and sadness on her face:
"...I consider Kouki-san an important childhood friend...so...don't make me hate you."
"...Ka, Ori."
Guanghui was speechless, as if his words and his cheek had been slapped. Kaori's expression was seared into his retina, indelible. Even so, he had to say something, and just as he was about to open his mouth...
At that moment, a violent storm roared past. A massive amount of magical power, giving the illusion of such force, burst forth through the wall. Though it should have not undergone any "impact conversion," the magical power within him reacted and felt the impact—this was such overwhelming magical power.
"This is... Hajime-san! Yue-san!"
The magic power that burst forth was an unmistakable red and gold. Shia, upon seeing this, rushed out of the room.
This has never happened since the beginning of the creation of the artifact.
The fluctuations of magical power continued to spread intermittently like a pulse.
Seeing this scene, it's natural to think something unusual has happened. Kaori and the others, having only just come to their senses after seeing Shia rush out, also rushed out of the room in panic.
The closer you are to the room where the magic circle is located, the stronger the fluctuations of magic power will be and the higher the density will be.
Everyone felt as if they were in the eye of a massive typhoon. If they weren't careful, they'd be swept away by the raging surge of magical energy.
Despite this, Kaori and the others still managed to reach the room where the magic circle was located.
The door to the room was open. It looked like Shia had already gone in.
Even though the violent storm of magic hit their faces, Kaori and the others stepped into the room after making up their minds.
What comes into view is...
The magic of red and gold transformed into a spiraling torrent.
And, in the center, Hajime and Yue were kneeling on the ground, facing each other.
The two men remained motionless, their eyes closed, their hands clasped. Encased within their palms was a crystal emitting a bluish-white glow—perhaps a divine crystal. Several minerals could also be seen.
"Shi-Shia! What's going on now..."
"I don't know. But either way, it seems like nothing's wrong with the two of them."
The rabbit ears fluttered a few times. Perhaps hearing Hajime and Yue's heartbeats, Shia looked relieved. The two people in the center of the room seemed completely unaffected by the outside world's commotion and were in a very stable state.
Kaori and the others looked at Hajime and Yue who were in the center of the storm.
Indeed, he looked very peaceful. He looked quite serene and extremely focused.
The two of them didn't even notice Shia and the others intruding, and sweat dripped down their foreheads. It was obvious that at this moment, they were pouring all their energy into creating conceptual magic.
"...Since everything is alright, it seems best for us to go out."
Shizuku said this after a sigh of relief. Tio and the others nodded in agreement.
"Yes. If our relationship fails because of me... we will be punished."
"Don't talk so cheerfully now, Miss Tio."
Everyone lowered their voices and retreated back to the door to avoid disturbing the two people.
Among them, only Kouki was still staring at Hajime intently.
There was no trace of emotion in his eyes. Instead, it felt like he was suppressing his passionate feelings, which made him look very dangerous.
"Glory."
Shizuku called out to Kouki, but Kouki didn't answer and instead made a move to take a step forward.
“Kui!”
"Hmm."
Shizuku grabbed Kouki's hand just in time. She held on tightly and stared at him straight in the eyes.
Facing Shizuku's gaze, Kouki flinched and wavered, and just as he was about to take a step forward, he took a step back.
The next moment──
"!What's this!?"
"Shadow?"
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