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

me,

to turn the situation around and reverse

tone that it made it seem as though he had dealt

I understood how he defeated the

type of guy to die despite

there, I looked at

"What about Mal—"

you guys? Why do I feel demonic energy all

us with a frown. After he waved his hand once,

head to look

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

too thick over there. I wouldn't

"Haaa…"

out a

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

the situation is still rather sensitive? I understand you, since

his gaze between Melissa, Jin, and

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

"Is that so?"

to the other world, but I honestly

arms 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

demonic energy would linger

were going to come back, the contracts will expire in a few hours,

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

in

again will I offer contracts to

the lot of

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

pressed the

expires and you get over

Clank—

"You called me?"

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

are you guys

"It's a long story."

he fell back into his

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

"Uhh."

she turned her head, her gaze eventually fell on Amanda, and she let out

with me for

Standing

at them before they could

mind me, I still have something to talk to

feet came to a sudden pause and she turned

"It's alright."

nodded. She never once bothered

she was. Just a look in Kevin's direction, and I knew she was still holding a

…How petty.

Clank—!