The Author's POV

"Huh?"

"W-what?"

"Am I seeing things?"

The astonishment that we felt the instant that we set foot back on earth could not be adequately described using any words at all. I was so shocked that the after effects of the portal seemed like nothing to me.

Greeting us at the portal was Kevin. Everything seemed normal from that point. He was currently wearing a nice suit, which I had to say, made him look rather dashing.

I wasn't jealous.

That said…

"What did you do?"

As I emerged from the training area, I was taken aback to see that the headquarters was packed to the gills with individuals.

If that wasn't surprising enough, I couldn't believe how many people there were outside. When I looked out the window at the street below, I couldn't believe how crowded it was.

…It was as if the war had never started in the first place.

I was baffled, and so were the others.

'What happened in the time we were in Melandoir?'

"Surprised?"

Kevin looked at us with a smirk, leading us up toward his office.

"I won't hold you guys up for long. I just need to brief you on the situation, and you can all be on your way."

"Good morning, Alliance head."

"Have a safe day, Alliance head."

The manner in which people greeted Kevin on our way to his office was by far the most perplexing thing that I noticed.

Their eyes… they were filled with reverence.

My brows immediately furrowed when I saw this.

…I slowly started to get an idea of what had happened, and I felt my heart drop for some reason.

Everything seemed to be too good to be true.

"Come, relax in my office for a bit."

As we entered Kevin's office, he graciously offered us a few drinks before taking a seat in one of the chairs there.

"What happened?"

Jin was the first one to speak, asking the question that was lingering in the minds of everyone present.

I just quietly observed Kevin from my seat.

The more looked at him, the more I felt that things were off.

Nonetheless, I still quietly listened to the conversation. I could just be overthinking things, though I doubted it.

"We got lucky, and we managed to defeat all of the high ranking members of the Monolith. Of course, we didn't completely rid of the entire organization, as some went into hiding, but we were able to deal a large glow to them."

Kevin looked at me and smiled.

was no thanks to

he

looked at me, and

left, we would've fallen for their trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and reverse the trap by sending all

in such a nonchalant tone that it made it

I understood how

to

I looked at Kevin to ask,

"What about Mal—"

do I feel

with a frown. After he waved his hand once, a shadowy radiance began

his head to

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

far too thick over there. I

"Haaa…"

let out a long

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

we won the war, the situation is still rather sensitive? I understand you, since everyone knows you and they probably can't beat you,

between Melissa, Jin, and

demonic energy properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with me,

"Is that so?"

world, but I honestly didn't even

arms and frowned. She then turned

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

can't just get rid of it

demonic

when we were going to come back, the contracts will expire in a few hours, so you won't

forward to the expiration of the contract more than I was, it was going to be

in ways that

again will I offer contracts

the lot

Since we've got all of this sorted, I'll have

and pressed

the contract expires and you get over the side

Clank—

"You called me?"

an abrupt manner. As

are you

"It's a long story."

he fell

lot of them in a room. Don't bother asking any questions,

"Uhh."

gaze eventually fell on

then. Come with

and left. Standing up, everyone but me followed

them before they

have something

came to a sudden pause and she turned

"It's alright."

and she nodded. She never once bothered to

think of why she was acting the way that she was. Just a look

…How petty.

Clank—!