The young man wallows in sadness as his servant is waiting outised since he said that he won't be drinking as he needs to be sober on the road. Kenji, a young man who spent his whole life training and gaining fortune so that he can ask for Rinko's hand for marriage or, during their duel, know this new Rinko he is facing, wants to know more about her adventures instead.
"This day is a day I'll curse in all of my existence..." Kenji declares as he drinks from the shot glass and he feels the alcohol burning through his throat. He hears the merry guys drinking there while the pub is thriving in such low lights and cheap booze. "I should change my business I guess. Maybe I should look for some good booze and go to another kingdom then..." Kenji thinking out loud as somebody sits right next to him.
"Well hey, if you can transition and make a great booze, maybe I will be your regular customer then." The speaker is none other the Exorcist, whom for some reason is dry even though the angry hitting rain are heavily drenching the road and the roof.
"You... What are you doing here, ruining my proposal and all?" Kenji ask angrily as he throws his shot glass straight to his face, only for Gran to catch it and ask the bartender to pour another.
"Well, apologies for that. Didn't know the lady is too harsh that she couldn't bring herself to think or remember you." As the bartender pours his drink, he gives the glass back to Kenji and proposes a toast, which the young man accept as both of them drinks their problems away for that afternoon. "Toast for the heartbroken crowd!" Gran declares as every man that's in that beerhole follow through.
"So you're saying you are heartbroken too? Tch, not gonna symphatize then..." Kenji smirkingly remarks as Gran grabs him and he then introduce the young man to the crowd. "Hey guys!! This guy is heartbroken! Let him be tossed in the air shall we?!" Gran have some pull in the drunkaes crowd as they then get Kenji from his seat and he is now being toss in the air.
"Hey hey unhand me you!!" But before he finish any words he is being tossed in the air and he feels good about it after the second toss. After the fifth toss he then gets off and he sees the Exorcist laughs at his face. "If you see your face in the mirror man..."
"Shut up! So, why are you hear for real? I'm not expecting somebody on her side to suddenly switch up after my pathetic display there." Kenji ask as Gran take a shot on his shot glass. "I see that you have low self esteem, I see that you have a good heart kid, waiting for a girl who didn't remember your promise..." Gran then looks in his eyes as his expression from cheerful changes to serious.
"Yeah, I can say in my whole being that is the moment I'll remember and treasure forever. Even though she says that she doesn't remember... I do want to..."
Kenji sobs and breaksdown as his tears just flows through his face. Gran moves close to him as he is rubbing his back, consoling him about what happen. "I won't invalidate or tell you to move on so quickly, just cry your heart out, nothing wrong with that." Gran says as even though Kenji views him as his enemy earlier, he feels his warmth and support that he needs at that moment.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I love her, truly..." The young man mutters as his whole ego collapse in front of the Exorcist. Every drunkard there are silent, as if they also empathize with the young man who lost in love. "Now now, just know that we are here..." Gran says as his mind hits a eureka.
His finger begins to flick as he prepares his vocals as he starts to doo wop. The crowd also hears this and, for some reason, follows Gran's doo wop rhythm.
"Woah Oh, oh, oh, For the longest time...
Oh, oh, oh, For the longest...
If you said goodbye to me tonight, there would still be music left to write. What else could I do, I'm so inspired by you. That hasn't happened for the longest time."
As Gran sings the song from Earth the other drunkards continue to doo wop, Kenji stops sobbing as he raise his head and ask the bartender for one shot of his finest drink. Kenji plans to joins.
"Once I thought my innocence was gone. Now I know that happiness goes on, that's where you found me, when you put your arms around me. I haven't been there for the longest time"
Then Kenji starts clapping as well and the crowd starts doo wopping in tandem through the beat.
"Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall, and the greatest miracle of all. Is how I need you. And how you needed me too. That hasn't happened for the longest time."
And the exchange part made Kenji smile as for a moment, he isn't thinking about his heartbreak as he is just getting along the song itself.
"Maybe this won't last very long, but you feel so right and I could be wrong. Maybe I've been hoping too hard, but I've gone this far, and it's more than I hoped for. Who knows how much further we'll go on. Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances, I forgot how nice romance is. I haven't been there for the longest time."
Then the others harmonize with Gran as the others doo wop. Kenji then harmonize with the Exorcist as well so he can test his voice limits.
"I had second thoughts at the start, I said to myself, hold on to your heart. Now I know the woman that you are, You're wonderful so far and it's more than I hoped for.
I don't care what consequence it brings, I have been a fool for lesser things. I want you so bad, I think you ought to know that. I intend to hold you for the longest time."
And the whole place erupt with cheers and shouting after the performance. Gran feels like a rockstar with such a song, but he drag Kenji as he points to him and both of them bows. "Remember, you can get through this my man." Gran positively states to him while Kenji views him the cool brother he never have. He then be determined to do something.
"Hey Gran, thanks a lot. I never imagine such a genuine man like you." Kenji says as he is flashing a high five to Gran. "I swear I'll be like you man!" Kenji adds as Gran smiles to him.
"No Kenji, be better."
With that last statement coming from Gran they focus on getting wasted as they drink the night away. It only takes them an hour before Kenji lose all of his senses as his servant carry him to the carriage to go home. Gran bid his goodbye to the coachman as he wobbles his way back to Iguro's mansion, where he is very much having a worse footing as the mud from the rain really makes it for him to traverse.
"Cursed old tech stuff, hope you all learn how to apply asphalt you brick pieces..." Gran complaints and he hics. He follows the light as he later see the big mansion nearby, and he happily opens the gate like he owns the place. "I'm home!! Wait what the heck am I doing?" Gran says to himself, but he later see Gina standing in front of the door as she's waiting for him.
"You seem have a good night huh?" Gina ask while the Exorcist nods and he approach her. "I'm really sorry my love... Can you help me? Your good for nothing boyfriend wants to sleep with you..." Gran drunkenly says as his cheer turns to sourness as Gina carry him. "I do say that but I'm no better. All what I'm thinking is to apologize as well... To you." Gran states as she's carrying him on her shoulder.
"Why do you feel like you shoulder all of the blame my love? I am equally to blame for this matter..." Gina answers as he notice something while they are walking.
"You're drunk as well love? Looks like we are a peas in a pod." Gran remarks as both of them wobbles their way up to their rooms. This whole event come to pass while Veronica and Rinko are looking through the window to stare at the moon. Both can't sleep as they are watching how Gran and Gina are huddling and loving each other.
"I can't believe how they become a couple within, what, several weeks? They looks too inseparable." Veronica remarks as Rinko leans her chin to her hands as she wonders. "Haaa... You know, that kind of romance is what I want to have. I think Leader have her soulmate beside her..."
As soon Rinko says that, both of them think of their missing member, Mayuri.
"I swear! If I see her I'll knock some sense into her!" Veronica declares as she's worrying more than anyone in that room. "I, miss her still..." As soon as Veronica utters that, she can't help but to shed a tear for her.
"Oh Veronica..." Rinko hugs her while rubbing her back to tell her that's everything's fine.
While they are having this heart to heart conversation, Mayuri is standing in front of the castle's door. She's shivering in cold and wet clothes but she doesn't want to relent as her minds is spiraling down further. She doesn't have any good memories in that place, but she remembers everything there.
"This all starts when Father and Mother works under the current King, King Roan. His rule is unremarkable at best, but one thing he excel at is having a good network of intelligence. I do see he became too lax this recent years, but I am feeling that his daughter wasn't a slouch herself."
Mayuri thought of that and later a small door at that enormous double wooden and metal gate opens as an old butler gets out of there and greets her. "Good evening lady, may I know what's you're reason for being here so late?" The butler ask as Mayuri closes her eyes and answers.
"I want to speak with the Princess." Mayuri says as a silhouette of somebody regal appear behind the old servant and a man with two blades appears behind the rogue deserter. "Depending on what you will say I will end your life here." The man standing behind her is a man known as the Hero of this world.
"Is that a way a Hero or a Sword Saint should talk? I didn't think that you're not too popular with women then." Mayuri answers as she looks at him. The man is Van, the Sword Saint. "So, what is the meaning of this Miss Rogue? I always see you with your entire party..." The princess of the kingdom, Princess Lucy, speaks as she wants to also know the reason why she's here.
"I do want to honor my Father and Mother's wishes. I wish to be of service of your Highness..." Mayuri answers as she kneels in front of the Princess and she remembers her past there, a past full of pain and darkness.
"I started to have my training as a Rogue since childhood. I'm not sure if I can speak or read at the time but my parents train me to the bones until I manage to learn the fundamentals. Back then it is a mixture of academic learning, rogue training and learning espionage so that I can be a real asset for the crown." Mayuri thinks of her past as she remember the words her Father and Mother use to say to her.
"A true spy would choose death over spilling everything out to anybody." She remembers her Father saying that.
"A spy is both elegant and loyal to the cause." Her Mother teach her as she strictly taught her about academics.
Both of them aren't registering to her mind as she can't recount any memories from them. She later hears the Princess to have her let in as she wants to know more about her and her history.
Mayuri stands up as Van walks pass through her first as he's wary of her since he doesn't believe anything she's saying. "Hey, what's the meaning of this? Do you happen to leave your party behind out of the whim?" The Sword Saint ask as Mayuri plans to keep her lip sealed, but the sound of the breezing wind and the steps they are taking are somehow getting on her nerves.
"All of this is because of the man you have fought last time in the arena. He and Gina become lovers." Mayuri answers and Van burst out laughing. "Van, please keep your voice down. It is middle of the night now." The Princess scold her fiance as he just hang his head down and agrees.
"But if that's enough reason for you to leave your party..." Van's lethality flares up as he draws his shorter sword to point it to her neck, which makes Mayuri to draw her dagger to defend herself. "Stop! Why are you suddenly going on your throats?! If you can't contain yourself then go out there and continue your training or investigation Van!" Princess Lucy commands as the Sword Saint withdraw his blade quick as Mayuri sheathes back her dagger.
"Apologies Ms. Mayuri. Van is somehow too fiercely loyal to a fault. I'm not one to question your loyalty and whatnot, but what I seek is competence and utility. Yesterday I have assembled a ball in order to learn how many nobles are loyal to our side or not." The princess states to the deserter. She's silent as she is trying to know what happened.
"I do expect nobles from near Apolonis and Aluteria to be loyal... But the nobles from the South, Kairan, didn't appear. There are also nobles from the west that doesn't attend the ball as well. For the current crown they didn't mind the incoming disaster of the Demon King Revival."
As Lucy is explaining about the ball that happen yesterday, which Mayuri sees that several workers are wrapping up the event hall's materials and fancy table clothing. "The Demon King... I've asked about the monstrous appearance of this being from the state Oracle, and the old lady says that we need to prepare." Then the group walk past through the Event Hall as they enters an office.
"If you like, you can take a rest first. I can see that you're not in... Tip top condition right now. I do want to know your history with Father once you are well rested." The Princess offers as she ask her servant to prepare her a room and a meal. Mayuri just bows as she accept her hospitality. Van, even though asked by his fiance to stand by and behave himself, are still looking to Mayuri with alertness and contempt.
"Please Sword Saint, do well and behave yourself." The rogue taunt Van as he backs off from looking at her and he shifts his eyes to Lucy, who's looking too tired and she relax her shoulders. "Van can you try to carry me to my room? I'm too tired to move." Lucy ask of the Sword Saint as soon as Mayuri leaves her office. Van sighs as he just carry her in a princess carry.
"Why this pose? You want to feel like a hero? Mr. Hero?" The princess ask as Van just put his face near hers. "Well, I do want to do some... Overtime." Van replies as Lucy grabs something from him, which confirms her suspicion. "Oh please, just take a shower first." Lucy answer back as the Sword Saint pulls his face back as he carry her and deliver the royalty to her room, an ornate room with a large bed.
Meanwhile...
The dead of night is making the monster's steps burying in shadows as he hears a bunch of growling when he is now getting closer to a city. This small city is known as Herase, a place where a kid with darker complexion is hiding along with a bunch of noisy and drunk Adventurers. The smell of booze permeate on his nose as he is asking the Lady Receptionists if they have any leftover food that he can eat.
"Here, my special recipe. You never get leftovers here remember? All of this meals I cook are masterpiece!" The receptionist brags about while Louis accept the plate of food that she serves on the counter. He doesn't complain or voice anything about it, but between her cooking and the ingredients the receptionist uses, he can't complain. "My God, is it all green and soup? I'm so tired of this..." Louis thinks as he brings his plate to a nearby table.
The priest wearing Soli is able to feel Louis' presence as he is approaching the gates of Herase. The guards calls him out to a halt and being ask to identify himself. Soli ignores there call out and warnings and they take up their arms to stop him, something that make Soli shift his gaze, and they begin to sweat profusely. "You... What are you doing here? You shouldn't be..." The armored guard states but Soli doesn't let him end his words.
Raising his right hand Soli reconstruct the metal on his armor and he reshape it to pierce the man inside, making him like inside an iron maiden, but worse. The others doesn't hesitate as they lunge through the monster, only for them to become a statue, meet the same fate as the first guard or being skewered by a soil spire. The gate opens on its own as Soli destroy the locks.
"I really miss you Louis... Now, lets talk about what true and eternal beauty means..." Soli thinks out loud as he walks through a crowd of armed guards as he opens his arms and exude a terrifying aura. While all of this happens, the mood inside the Adventurers Guild change as the adventurers starts arming and preparing themselves as the kid is also been ask to get ready to leave.
"It seems the man you are speaking for are approaching here, fast. Please go to the back as the carriage and coach are called now!" The lady receptionist says but she begins to convulse, her mouth opens as it foams over. Louis looks in horror as to what is happening, only for her to seems to be choking and he turns around. Louis eyes widen as his horror comes to fruition.
"Hello Louis. Good evening. It seems that we are fated to meet each other again." Soli greets with a smile, a horrifying smile that scares the living lights out of Louis. He runs to the back as instructed by the receptionist earlier. He goes out but he later see that the coachman is leaning on the right. The kid check if the coachman is still breathing, only to see what happen to him.
"Hey... Why you run away? You say that you want to see the true beauty right?" The smiling Soli approach him as he grabs his shoulder. "Well, we have all of the time in the world to discuss what beauty is." Soli adds as the trembling kid tries to answer him, but his words can't come out.
Soli then put his right hand on the kid's head. He alter some of the synapses on his brain as he suits him to not be afraid of him, which he manage to do in a flash. The kid looks at him and nods. Soli smiles as he then leads the kid back to the Adventurer Guild's HQ while the whole city itself is destroyed, not with explosions and destructive force, but with Soli reconstructing anything in that city.
"Looks like the moon will shine out again Louis! Want to capture this moment with a painting?" Soli ask of the kid as he leads him out of the deconstructed Herase. The next day, when several merchants are having schedule to sell their wares in Herase, they are all shocked and refusing to believe that the city itself is gone, like a pile of sand.
"What in tarnation happen here? Who could've done this?" One merchant ask as this sends several notice and news to the capitol so they can be warned about somebody who can make such city to disappear.
The next day...
"Do you find your room to your liking?" Princess Lucy ask of the green haired rogue as she is standing and ready to tell her the history of her family with the crown.
Meanwhile these are happening, Gran is running full speed as the others are sitting on a carriage with their hearts and mind set to one thing, take Mayuri back.