The fight with the demons and the battle inside the gate turned the night into the blessing of the golden sheen of the twilight. It was now another day. Time passes fast if not noticed, doesn't it? We were now gathered on the square in front of the basilica. About the gate? It crumbled as soon as we got out of it. Maria was brought to the temporary headquarters to get some treatment. Martha was there too, along with her goons. Though they were now restrained and put inside the room with a lock and anti-ability device built in, Martha was in a room guarded by Edelweiss.
I surveyed the area donned n a waking, golden hue. The sun was now starting to peek from the east.
"Even so… I have to say, I'm utterly speechless about this." I spoke honestly. This place was on the verge of collapse just last night, but today, not even a sign of fighting can be seen. No destruction can be observed. Not even a single death could be listed.
"As expected of the elites. And her, too." I shifted my gaze from the people gathering to the single girl with a petite build. She was lying helplessly on a bench prepared for her. She was exhausted beyond her limits. She could not even try to lift a single finger from her body. What an outrageous thing to do. That girl, Chisaki, was the one responsible for fixing everything here. From the destruction to the burns. She repaired all of those in just one night. I heard she hated herself for not being able to fight—but honestly speaking, she had more worth than she could praise herself. Just how much mana should one spend to repair all this? I don't know.
The underground city was deemed an important source of information. Miss Kyouka said that a squad specializing in information gathering would be sent there eventually. Now, for the time being, that place was sealed with magic. A countermeasure so that no one would tamper with any information from there.
Miss Kyouka and Reina were handling the explanation and pacifying the citizen. I have nothing to do. Well, even if I want to, I won't be able to help.
I heaved a sigh. My fatigue is reaching its limit. My wounds are already treated, so I was like a mummy wrapped in a white bandage. I wanna lay down, read some manga, watch some anime, and play some games. Sigh. Just how many episodes did I miss in this timeframe?
"You're sighing again. How many times has it been already? You're letting your happiness slip, you know?"
"Miss Loraine." I raised my head and met her nonchalant talk with my wry smile. "I was sighing like this exactly because I missed my happiness," I joked. She held her hand over her mouth to hide her smile.
"If you can joke like that, then that means you're fine. Isn't that nice, Miss Varvara?" She grinned as she turned her eyes to the girl behind her. It was Varvara, with her face looking rather haggard. Did she force herself so hard? I felt guilty because it was I who forced her to come along.
"Varvara…" my voice leaked softly. She stepped forward, wiping her eyes, which were overflowing with tears.
"Gleren… I'm glad you're alright." She called, tears still spilling out. I must have worried her. I feel bad. I want to comfort her by tapping her back, but alas, I cannot stand it. It's not that I am injured or anything like that; I just cannot move for some reason. And that reason?
"Ah, who is that girl?" Loraine asked, tilting her head a little. The same gesture was made by Varvara, as if a question mark were popping on her head. That's right, the reason I cannot move is because of this little girl, Leviathan—AKA Lev. She was using my lap as a pillow while soundly sleeping.
"What a carefree individual." I poked her cheek with my index finger, and she groaned as a response. A smile left my lips unconsciously.
"He is like a big brother, right?" Loraine said with a teasing grin.
"Ah, he is a real big brother, miss Loraine." Varvara corrected her. "Ah, you're right." Miss Loraine stuck her tongue out, as if saying she had forgotten. Though that was just her way of teasing me,
"Even so," she went on, "why is she with you? And who is she really?" Miss Loraine must have found it curious, too, since her eyes were now seriously trying to identify Lev's true identity. I played it off with the safest method.
"She is a lost child. I found her inside Solomon's Gate. She was unconscious there, so I thought it would be bad to leave her."
"Hm?" Miss Loraine stared at me dubiously. She must have found my excuse a little odd. A little push would do.
"I don't know why she was there," I said. Actually, I was not lying—just a little, "but if I leave her there, she would die for sure. That place is not suitable for humans, much less a little girl like her."
Seemingly satisfied, Loraine nodded slightly. Beside her, Varvara was tearing up again. "A-as expected. Gleren is really kind." Stop with that beaming figure… It's making me feel even more guilty.
"I get it. Okay," Loraine said, finally giving her understanding, "but, what is your plan for her?" she made a plausible question. But I already have an answer for that. After all, one can't be too prepared.
"I plan on presenting her to Jin. Then I will explain her circumstances. For the time being, I will take her in and act as her guardian. She will live with us, together with Sofy."
"That's a detailed plan, as expected for a man with a severe siscon (sister complex)."
"Oh, shut it, you!" I was relieved that she actually believed me, but she wasted no opportunity to throw a teasing line at me. This girl.
"Well, okay. I leave now. Miss Kyouka told me to check on you. I judge you are fine, so that's what I'll report. Should I include her in my report this time?" she jerked her chin to Lev. I shook my head.
"I will report it personally."
"Okay then." After nodding her head a little, Loraine left us. She tapped Varvara's shoulder before finally leaving.
"I'm glad you're really fine, Gleren." Varvara said, taking a seat beside me. The bench was originally a meter and a half long. But with Lev sprawled like this, it felt a little cramped. Varvara's body was brushing against mine as a result of that. I don't mind, though. I feel blessed instead—no, uh, I mean glad. She peered at me from the side.
"When you entered the gate, I felt really anxious. All my connection with you was severed. I was really worried. I know you are strong, but I just can't help myself to not feel anxious. I—I'm sorry." Why is she apologizing?
"Why are you saying sorry? I'm happy that you felt that way. No, seriously. I'm elated." A cute girl like Varvara was worried for me? Hell, I'm a winner!
"But it felt like I was not believing in your strength. Miss Loraine is still better. She told me to believe in you. Me, on the other hand…" she looked down at her feet. There goes her lack of confidence again.
I smiled at her and said, "It's only natural to worry about your friend. Sure, it's also needed that you believe in each other. But at the same time, no one can remove that feeling of worry from one's heart. I can tell, Miss Loraine might look like she doesn't care, but she worries about everyone the most."
"I-is that so?"
"Yes. So, don't worry. I am happy that you're always thinking of me." Hearing my words, Varvara's face went red all of a sudden. It even reached her ears.
"I-I-I-I-t's not like I was always thinking of you, okay? I-I-I-I was just worried!" She sprung out of her seat and left while still red in the face. It was as if just a little more would make steam will gush out of her. I tilted my head.
"So, which is it?"
A few moments after this, an arrangement for our return to Saint Isle was settled. Everything that was needed to be done was done. And all that needed to be followed up was already followed up. All that is really needed is to return. What an arduous journey this was! Well, in just a few, I will be able to laze once again. I greatly anticipate that moment.
"Oh, my beloved bed! I am now coming home to you!" Ah, if Sofy heard of this, I'm dead.