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.

thanks to

is he

at me, and

situation around and reverse the trap by sending all of our high ranking members out. It was a risk, but it paid

nonchalant tone that it made it seem as though he

that didn't explain everything. I understood how he defeated the elders, but what

to die despite falling for

I looked at

"What about Mal—"

guys? Why do I feel

at us with a frown. After he

turned his head to look at

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

choice. The demonic energy was far too thick over there.

"Haaa…"

out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

while we won the war, the situation is still rather sensitive? I understand

alternated his gaze between

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

"Is that so?"

but I honestly didn't even notice that they

looked at her arms and frowned. She then

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

of it at the snap of my fingers,

had signed a contract. The demonic energy

come back, the contracts will expire in a few hours, so you won't have to wait

was looking forward to the expiration of the contract

whole experience traumatized me in ways that I

again will I offer

the lot of

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

pressed the

get over the

Clank—

"You called me?"

abrupt manner. As she looked around

you guys

"It's a long story."

smile. Fixing his tie, he fell back

the lot of them in a room. Don't bother asking any questions, they probably won't

"Uhh."

expression appeared on Emma's face. As she turned her head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and

with

around and left. Standing up, everyone

waved at them before they could ask

still have something to talk

a sudden pause and she turned to

"It's alright."

at her, and she nodded. She never once

need to think of why she was acting the way that she was. Just a look in Kevin's direction, and I knew

…How petty.

Clank—!