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

is he

at me,

not been for your letter before you left, we would've fallen for their trap. Thankfully, we managed to turn the situation around and reverse the trap by

nonchalant tone that it made it seem as though he

everything. I understood how he defeated the elders, but

the type of guy to

I looked at Kevin to

"What about Mal—"

do I feel demonic energy all

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

turned his head

"Seriously?"

He wasn't impressed.

I shrugged.

demonic energy was far too thick over there. I wouldn't have

"Haaa…"

let out

"This is rather troubling."

He grumbled.

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

alternated his gaze between Melissa, Jin, and

their positions, they can't even hide their demonic energy properly. It's practically leaking out of their bodies. Thankfully, you're with me, and even if the others noticed,

"Is that so?"

because I became accustomed to the other world, but I honestly didn't even notice that they were leaking demonic

frowned. She then

"Get rid of it."

I was speechless.

of it

signed a contract. The demonic energy would linger until the

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

the expiration of the contract more than I was, it was

in ways that I thought

will I offer contracts to

lot

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

pressed the phone

the contract expires and you get over the

Clank—

"You called me?"

in an abrupt manner. As she looked around and noticed us, a

you

"It's a long story."

tie, he fell back into his chair and

lot of them 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 a sigh at that

with me for

and left. Standing up, everyone but

at them before they could ask

mind me, I still have something to talk

feet came to a sudden pause and she turned to

"It's alright."

never once bothered to glance

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

…How petty.

Clank—!