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

is he

looked at me,

trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and reverse the trap by sending all of our high ranking members

spoke in such a nonchalant tone that it made it seem as though he had dealt

understood how he defeated the elders, but

was the type of guy to die despite falling for an

I looked at

"What about Mal—"

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

frown. After he waved his hand once, a shadowy

his head to look

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

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

"Haaa…"

out a long

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

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

his gaze between

they can't even hide their demonic energy properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with

"Is that so?"

because I became accustomed to the other world, but I honestly didn't even notice

looked at her arms and frowned. She then turned to

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

of it at the snap of

demonic energy

since I already knew when we were going to come back, the contracts will expire in a

looking forward to the expiration of the contract more than

me in ways that I thought

I offer contracts

the lot of

I'll have

pressed the phone

over the side effects,

Clank—

"You called me?"

after that, Emma burst into the room in an abrupt manner. As she looked around and noticed us, a change

you guys doing

"It's a long story."

said with a smile. Fixing his tie, he fell back into his chair and lazily

Don't bother asking any questions,

"Uhh."

on Emma's face. As she turned her head, her gaze eventually

Come with me

around and left. Standing up, everyone but

before they could ask

mind me, I still have something to talk to with

sudden pause and she turned to

"It's alright."

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

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

…How petty.

Clank—!