Twelve hours. That's the remaining time a Savior typically has in a Planar World after defeating the Abyssal Devourer. After that, the World's Will would forcibly expel them, returning them to the Sanctuary Void.
However, that rule had an exception: if the original protagonist and heroine of that Planar World had been killed before the Abyssal Devourer was eliminated, then the Savior was required to resolve all remaining "calamities" before being allowed to return home.
In other words, the death of the Abyssal Devourer didn't have a major impact on Charlie, Elena, and Wang Jian. They weren't pressed for time.
"Really? Charlie-san can take me to your world!"
Kei, who had just heard that Charlie received a special "bonus" from his two superiors, could hardly believe it. Her hand covered her open mouth, her eyes glistening with joy.
"That's right. After this Quest is truly complete, you just need to wait a moment when I'm summoned back to the Sanctuary Void. Once my business there is finished and I return to my original world, you'll already be by my side."
"Charlie-san!"
Unable to restrain herself any longer, Kei jumped into Charlie's embrace. The hug was tight, full of release from long-held fears.
Deep in her heart, from the beginning she knew Charlie was a temporary figure, she had always been haunted by the fear that their days together would suddenly end, leaving her alone in a world with nothing, aging and dying alone.
Kei knew Charlie would go somewhere unreachable. All this time, she had hidden that anxiety behind her smile and enthusiasm, not wanting to burden her lover's heart with the weight of separation.
"Welcome to the family, Kei." Said Aishia. The High Spirit remained expressionless, but her tone contained sincerity.
"..."
Est just watched silently. She didn't voice any objection. Like Aishia, she tended not to question Charlie's decisions. Unless Charlie asked her to take off her black knee-high socks that she always wore—that would definitely be strongly opposed.
"Charlie-san." Kei whispered, still with her cheek pressed against his chest before finally loosening the embrace.
She stepped back, hands placed behind her back, and a sweet smile full of secrets bloomed on her lips.
"I have a surprise for you tonight, just wait~"
The girl's mood was clearly very good. Charlie, seeing her attitude, could only smile. He placed one hand on his waist.
"Interesting. I'm looking forward to your surprise. But remember, you've already shown various exciting outfits during our journey. I doubt there's anything that can truly surprise me anymore."
Kei just smiled wider, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
"Charlie-san will definitely like it, I guarantee it."
Aishia and Est looked at each other, but didn't comment. After all, neither of them were the type of personality that liked to talk much.
"Oh yes, on my side the clearing is complete. My two colleagues, Elena and Wang Jian, are also entering the final stages of clearing. According to my estimate, this Quest will be truly complete in three to five days. Before that, let's use the available time to truly relax." Charlie said while stretching his body.
Raising her hand enthusiastically, Kei immediately suggested a destination location she wanted to visit.
"How about the Great Ocean Road, Victoria? Although I've never been there, I heard it's one of the most spectacular roads in the world. The scenery is amazing, especially the Twelve Apostles rock formation standing majestically on the dramatic coastline. Then, there's dense rainforest and white limestone cliffs along the road. It's the perfect trip before we return."
Charlie considered for a moment, then turned to his two spirit companions.
"Hmm... sounds interesting. What do you think, Aishia? Est?"
"I don't mind." Aishia answered in a monotone voice, but there was no refusal.
Est nodded slightly. "Everything according to Onii-chan's wishes."
Their answers were predictable. Both of them, basically, would follow wherever Charlie went.
"Alright, it's decided! Tomorrow we'll depart for the Great Ocean Road, Victoria!"
"Yay! Thank you for granting my request, Charlie-san!"
For Kei, who grew up in a family with a poor economy, a vacation abroad like Australia was an unimaginable luxury. So far, her best experience was only a school trip to another prefecture in Japan.
The last two years following Charlie around the world, traversing various countries was an unforgettable experience for her.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
That night was pitch dark. Thick clouds blanketed the sky, swallowing the light of the moon and stars, making the world outside the window feel like a void without life.
In the global silence still groping after the catastrophe, this planet called Earth, without the presence of bustling humanity, was indeed almost no different from other dead planets.
Inside a warm and bright condominium unit, Charlie leaned against the window frame, gazing outside briefly before his gaze shifted to the closed bathroom. That's where Kei was preparing the "surprise" she had promised. The sound of small splashes of water and rustling fabric occasionally could be heard faintly.
For tonight, Aishia deliberately didn't let Kei monopolize Charlie for one full night. She doubted Kei could "last" in a certain sense throughout the night.
At most one or two hours if Kei forced herself to exhaustion. After all, the real world wasn't a doujin where stamina and endurance seemed unlimited.
Of course, Charlie and Aishia themselves were outside the "normal" category. For them, a full night of passionate activity wasn't impossible.
(While waiting for Kei to finish preparing, I should check on my two colleagues' situation.) Charlie thought to himself.
He moved and sat on the edge of the soft bed. Calmly, he focused his mind and activated Senrigan, his blue eyes faintly glowing momentarily before his vision pierced through space and time.
First, his focus was directed at Elena. He saw the pale-skinned, brown-haired woman standing in the middle of a snowy field in Ukraine. Around her, the Ice Cavalry created from the Sacred Gear Absolute Demise were destroying hordes of approaching roaring monsters. Elena didn't even move from where she stood, just watching the clearing proceed efficiently.
Charlie then shifted his "view" across the ocean, toward the southern hemisphere.
What he witnessed next made his eyebrow raise a fraction of an inch.
In New Zealand, also shrouded in night, in a warm bedroom, Wang Jian was lying on his back on the bed. On top of him, Moeha with her clearly rounded belly from four months of pregnancy, sat with her hips moving rhythmically. Her face was flushed, occasionally biting her lip.
Meanwhile, Tsubame whose pregnancy had reached eight months, because her condition was already very heavy, didn't participate in the intimate activity.
She lay on her side next to Wang Jian, in a position that allowed the man who had "filled her for nine months with just one sausage and two eggs" to receive "service" in the form of fresh milk directly from the source.
"Wow... This Wang Jian really knows how to enjoy life in between Quests."
Charlie wasn't the type who had a hobby of peeking, especially watching people's private moments. As soon as he realized what was happening, without further ado, he immediately deactivated Senrigan. The faint glow in his eyes disappeared.
His gaze returned to focus on the bathroom door in front of him. The sound of water had stopped. A moment of silence, then small footsteps could be heard approaching from behind the door.