"Ah, finally done." I murmured, stretching my arms above my head.
I wasn't exhausted, but a lingering weariness gnawed at me, a testament to the recent events.
"Honestly, I wouldn't have minded if it lasted a little longer, though."
As I mused aloud, Welf and Mikoto whispered behind me.
"…Welf-dono." Mikoto began.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think… we were even necessary in this fight?"
"Don't say that. Sure, I lost count of how many times I thought, 'He could've handled this alone,' but hey, we contributed at least a bit to the win, didn't we?"
"…I suppose you're right."
I decided to leave them be. Anything I said might just end up making them feel worse.
Diverting my attention, I searched for Bell and Lili. Not far off, I found them talking, Bell crouched to Lili's eye level, both beaming as they exchanged words.
Better not interrupt that. I could always tease, no, ask, about it later on the ride home.
"Bell, I'm heading back to the city ahead of you!" I called from a distance.
Bell turned, waving back with a bright smile.
I regrouped with Welf and Mikoto, who were ready to head back as well, and together we started our journey to the city.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Reflecting on the recent ordeal, I couldn't ignore one truth: I wasn't as active this time.
Our differing affiliations made collaboration difficult. Bell and I were only together due to a shared start as adventurers. Our paths often aligned by chance, but luck like this wouldn't last forever.
…Perhaps it's time to involve myself in another world, one I've deliberately avoided. The world I once left behind.
No, I wouldn't return to assassination. This was about information, knowledge that could tip the scales.
I scoffed at myself, feeling the weight of responsibility. My hands, once empty, now held family, friends, acquaintances… and above all, a lover. Losing any of them terrified me.
…What would my idolized figure do in this situation? I didn't need to ponder long. That person would face any challenge with overwhelming strength, deflecting, countering, and obliterating it.
But I'm not them.
That's why I'll protect what I hold dear in my own way. I'll grow stronger, not just for myself, but for them.
Clenching my fists, I gazed at the flawless sky above. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Returning from the War Game, we took a day-long ride back to Orario in a guild-provided carriage.
Orario greeted us with cheers and smiles, a hero's welcome. Bell and the others waved back awkwardly, mirroring the crowd's joy.
After parting ways with Bell's group, I reported our victory to Hermes and the Familia, though they likely already knew.
On my way to thank the Loki Familia at the Twilight Manor, I was intercepted by Bors.
A Goliath hunt on the 18th floor, right after a War Game? I was ready to refuse, but he gave me no choice. So there I was, facing the monster the following morning.
Defeating it wasn't a struggle this time, we had the numbers. But the aftermath, the dispute over spoils, was a headache. Though I was there by request, my entitlement was challenged.
With no desire for prolonged arguments, I joined their auction and successfully secured the Goliath's magic stone.
Afterwards, I returned to the surface, cashed in the stone, and finally made my way to the Twilight Manor.
There, I faced questions from Riveria about the Rea Laevateinn and received cold glares from Lefiya, for reasons beyond me.
In the end, the post-War Game chaos left me more exhausted than the game itself.
As for the Game's aftermath, Hestia-sama stripped Apollo of his wealth, dissolved his Familia, and exiled him indefinitely from Orario.
Her fury was evident; one could almost picture her twin-tails flaring as she sentenced a grimacing Apollo.
Thus, the War Game between the Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia came to a close.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
A figure cloaked in shadowy robes entered a dimly lit chamber, approaching another who had their back turned.
"I've returned, Sensei." the robed figure, a young man, announced.
The man turned, revealing himself as the one called "Sensei." who had once interacted with Toki.
"Welcome back, Regos. You've done well."
At those words, Regos's tense posture eased.
"And? What did you see of Toki?"
Hearing that name, Regos's expression darkened, but he composed himself, recounting the events of the War Game.
As he listened, Sensei's face lit up with a grin, a manic glint in his eyes.
"Hahaha! My instincts were right!"
His voice brimmed with elation and madness.
"Toki is the one. My masterpiece. The one who will fulfill my desires!"
Turning back to his work, he completed his task, revealing a figure garbed identically to Regos: Toki.
Sensei touched Toki's chest, whispering words of activation. Slowly, Toki stirred.
"Yes, this will suffice. With a request from the Kingdom of Rakia waiting, it's time we acted. Regos, gather the others."
"As you command."
With a bow, Regos vanished into the shadows.
"At last." Sensei murmured, caressing Toki's cheek, though his gaze seemed fixed elsewhere.
"I'll bring you back, Toki."
In the dim room, more figures resembling Toki stood silently.
"Let the true War Game begin!"
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Author's Note: And so, we conclude the War Game arc.
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