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.

no thanks to

is he on

at me, and Kevin

to turn the situation around and reverse

that it made it seem as though he had dealt with

how he defeated the

the type of guy to die despite

looked at Kevin to

"What about Mal—"

you guys? Why do I feel demonic energy all over your

Kevin, who stood up and looked at us with a frown. After he waved

turned his head to

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

energy was far too thick over there. I wouldn't have made them sign a

"Haaa…"

out

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

do know that while we won the war, the situation is still rather sensitive? I understand you, since

between Melissa, Jin, and

practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with me, and even if the others noticed,

"Is that so?"

other world, but I honestly didn't

and frowned. She then turned to look

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

do know I can't just get rid of it at the

signed a contract. The demonic energy

to come back, the contracts

anyone who was looking forward to the expiration of the contract more than I

whole experience traumatized me in ways that I thought

again will I offer

the lot of

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

stood up and pressed

and you get over the

Clank—

"You called me?"

after that, Emma burst into the room in an abrupt manner. As she looked

are you guys

"It's a long story."

said with a smile. Fixing his tie, he fell back

a room. Don't bother asking any questions, they probably

"Uhh."

appeared on Emma's face. As she turned her head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and she let out a sigh at

Come with

turned around and left. Standing up,

at them before

me, I still have something to talk to with

to a sudden pause

"It's alright."

her, and she nodded. She never once bothered to glance in my direction

why she was acting the way that she was. Just a look in Kevin's direction, and I knew she was still holding a grudge against

…How petty.

Clank—!