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 your

he

at me, and Kevin

the situation around and reverse the trap by sending all of

tone that it made it seem as though he had dealt

how he

to die despite falling for

at

"What about Mal—"

up with you guys? Why do I feel

was interrupted by Kevin, who stood up and looked at us with a frown. After he waved his hand once, a shadowy radiance

his head

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

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

"Haaa…"

let out a long

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

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

gaze between Melissa,

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

"Is that so?"

but

at her arms and frowned. She

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

can't just get rid of it at the

had signed a contract. The demonic energy would linger

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

if there was anyone who was looking forward to the expiration of

traumatized me in ways that

again will I offer contracts to

lot of

all of this sorted, I'll have you guys rest in the rooms I have

and pressed the phone on

expires and you get over the side effects, you're

Clank—

"You called me?"

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

are you guys doing

"It's a long story."

Fixing his tie, he fell

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

"Uhh."

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

with

left. Standing up,

them before they

mind me, I still have something

pause and she turned

"It's alright."

once bothered to glance

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

…How petty.

Clank—!