74. The Defense of Niren and Triumphal Return
I came to in a dimly lit room.
It was a space enclosed by stone walls.
"Nngh..."
Fam was kissing me. She must have been feeding me a mana recovery potion.
The soft touch of her lips felt so good.
I wrapped my arms around her and sucked back hard. She hugged me even tighter in response.
Just as I was about to heat things up further, someone thwacked me on the back of the head. I pulled away from the kiss and turned to see Cecily glaring at me.
"What are you two fooling around for, you idiot!"
"What, jealous?"
I tried to kiss Cecily too, but she dodged. No choice then—I grabbed her cheeks with both hands and forced my lips onto hers.
Cecily shoved me back with both hands.
"Idiot idiot idiot idiot! Everyone's watching!"
Her face flushed bright red as she turned away in a huff.
I looked around properly this time. Cecily was right in front of me, Fam on the other side.
Momoka was gaping at me, mouth wide open. Beside her, the rest of the New World party watched us in silence.
The air reeked of blood and sweat, thick with a musky intensity. Knights were everywhere—some full of energy, others wounded and collapsed, some receiving treatment, some writhing in agony, and some... not breathing.
Yeah, maybe it was a bit inappropriate. Why had Fam chosen a place like this to give me the potion?
"...So, where the hell are we, anyway?"
I asked no one in particular.
"Inside one of the bastion towers, ya know."
Momoka answered.
It seemed Rakushel's power had swept the monsters clean.
The soldiers who could still move stayed on the walls, keeping watch, but there were no further Big Hopper attacks.
After I passed out, Fam had apparently puppeteered me just like after the fight with the Wind's Blade—using me as her "two-man costume." Though, same as last time, everyone around probably saw right through it to Fam underneath.
"I've been practicing on you while you slept, Shu-sama, for a day like this."
Fam said proudly. So that's what she'd been doing while I was out cold. I hadn't noticed a thing.
"What are you talking about?! Ka-kkun, you were jerkin' around all creepy-like, super freaky!"
Cecily jumped in, jabbing at Fam.
Even after Rakushel vanished and the monster sweep was done, the cheers from soldiers and civilians hadn't stopped. Fam had kept waving my arms around in response.
But the movements were so unnatural that Cecily and Momoka had shoved us into the bastion tower to cut it short.
"No one noticed you'd passed out, Shu-sama."
Fam puffed out her chest, beaming with pride at her flawless performance.
"No, no, no, no..."
Momoka gave Fam an uncharacteristically hesitant retort, not her usual Kansai snap.
When I couldn't move, Fam was in charge. If she was satisfied, no problem here.
"Good job, Fam. Let's head back, then."
I patted her head lightly. She nodded.
"Hold on."
One soldier approached. It was the commander who'd collapsed on the bastion tower. He bowed deeply to me.
"We were on the verge of total annihilation. We owe you our gratitude."
I had no idea how to respond and glanced around for help. Momoka was chatting casually with her crew like it was none of her business. Fine, dump it all on her.
"N-no, we were just answering Momoka's request here. Thank her if you want."
"Hoe?!"
Momoka let out a weird yelp. Perfect—now everything today was her achievement.
The man extended his hand, so I shook it. It was awkward as hell; I wrapped it up quick and headed out of the tower.
Fam, Cecily, and Momoka's group followed.
Outside, townsfolk had gathered around the tower. Spotting me, they erupted in massive cheers.
The unfamiliar spectacle threw me off. I wanted to retreat to the tower, but it was the same inside.
No clue how to react, I just started walking toward the church where Mizuki and the others were.
The crowd parted smoothly left and right ahead of me, clearing a path. I walked through it.
Everyone was smiling. It didn't feel bad, but this spot was just as uncomfortable. I'd only summoned Rakushel, then watched in awe like everyone else until my mana ran dry. It was all her power.
People trailed behind us, cheering and swinging their arms in that bizarre rhythm, dancing. It looked just like the spasms when electricity shoots through your body—twitch, twitch. Eerily intense, like it might curse you or drain your mana.
"Is this some trendy dance in town?"
"Everyone's copyin' ya. 'Cause you were dancin' up on that bastion tower!"
I hadn't meant it as a joke, but Momoka shot back anyway.
"...Fam?"
I couldn't help glancing at her.
"...I'll practice more so next time it's perfect."
"No, that's not it! Mash, stop laughin' and make her quit it!"
Cecily snapped at Fam. She seemed genuinely remorseful, so expectations for next time.
We reached the plaza in front of the church.
Our little parade, with us at the front, kept going.
Wanderers stood before the obelisk. In the center was Karupana in her usual black veil. Seeing me, they all dropped to one knee, heads bowed.
The crowd behind us cheered even louder at the sight.
"Lord Mash, congratulations on the victory. We watched Rakushel-sama's battle from afar."
I took her hand and helped her up.
"You're no good at this stuff, right?"
I gave a wry smile at Karupana's words. If she knew, she could've stopped them—but she was doing it for her people who'd fought. They'd joined because I decided to fight; I had to respond in kind.
"We could fight because we had wanderers at our backs we could trust."
Karupana and her folk bowed deeply again at my words.
Then she lifted her veil just enough for me to see her face. Seeing it somehow put me at ease.
"Is everyone okay? The wanderers?"
"Did you think we'd lag behind against mere bugs?"
Karupana smiled. I nodded vaguely. Better not mention our desperate retreat into the church.
"But we did take casualties. Myra-san and Ira-san at the church healed us."
She grinned mischievously. She knew we'd struggled and was teasing. Her expressions had softened a lot since we met.
And Myra was awake. Hopefully Mizuki too. I wanted to see them both soon.
Then I remembered why I'd sought her out.
"Come to the church tomorrow morning."
I whispered in Karupana's ear.
"Yes. Is something the matter?"
"There's apparently a hero from 100 years ago sleeping underground here. Did you know?"
She shook her head.
"That was the goal of the ones who started this mess. I wanna confirm with Momoka and her crew here."
"Understood."
Karupana nodded.
We passed Karupana and kept going.
At the church entrance stood Mizuki, Myra, and Ira.
Seeing Mizuki and Myra safe and sound brought fresh relief.
I fought the urge to run and approached slowly instead.
As I got closer, Myra knelt in prayer toward me.
Closer still, she looked up.
In front of her, I struck a pose—hand on hip, all dramatic. Ira beside her furrowed her brow, eyeing me like I was some weirdo. Guess it didn't land cool.
"Welcome home, my brave hero."
Myra said. Her playful tone contrasted with the earnest gaze she fixed on me.
"Responding to your feelings is seriously tough work, you know."
"Yes, but you'll overcome everything with us by your side."
Myra replied, a smile playing on her lips. It felt like a joke, but was it really?
Hard to tell which was the real her, so I figured I'd tease her a bit to draw out the truth. Letting her have her way unchecked felt unsatisfying.
"By church standards, you'd be disappointed in me."
"Mash, you're tolerant of my faith. I'll accept your ways too. But let's fight sometimes. We're not gods—we're people. I want to connect that way."
I held back the jab about gods fighting in myths too; not the time for that argument.
"Truth is, you and Fam shining like that is a bit dazzling."
She added playfully.
Her sincere response had me beat, but I wanted to knock her down a peg anyway, even if off-topic.
"I went and summoned Rakushel, and you're still snoozing."
"Sorry for being late to the party."
"Not forgiven. Penalty: Stick with my adventures from now on."
I spread my arms wide.
"Yes!"
She jumped up and into my chest.
I caught her, hugging tight so she couldn't go anywhere.
"This might be our first time like this."
She pressed her hand to my chest, cheek against me, in my arms.
"Mash. Right now, I'm living the fairy tale I always dreamed of."
I released Myra and looked at Mizuki.
Amid the joyful crowd, she alone stood apart, refusing to blend in.
No—surely plenty had her expression, wounded or grieving lost family. But they weren't joining the throng.
"I-I don't need a hug here. When we're alone is fine."
Mizuki said. "Don't hold back."
I spread my arms teasingly.
"I said no."
I placed a hand on her shoulder. She forced a smile, face twisting.
Her reaction worried me. I wanted somewhere private to talk ASAP.
"Got it. Let's move somewhere else for now."
Mizuki nodded. Looking back, the crowd still surrounded us.
"Let's stay at the church tonight. The high priest gave permission for the guest rooms."
Myra said. No sexy fun at a church, though. Even I hesitated. But inns would just be chaos.
I nodded to Myra, gave the crowd a final one-armed wave. Cheers boomed back. Then everyone started that dance.
Myra and Ira's faces darkened watching it.
"Are they cursed? I hope healing works..."
With cheers and dancing at our backs, we entered the church.
We parted with Momoka's group there.
The building bore scars from the battle. Doors removed where destroyed, walls patched hastily. Fallen pillars lay as-is, but no risk of ceiling collapse.
The floor was a field hospital.
Wounded lay waiting for treatment.
"I'll help out. Mash, rest in the guest room."
I nodded, and Myra and Ira joined the injured.
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