The airship hovered menacingly above the village.
Villagers gathered in awe, pointing at the massive flying vessel.
A grand entrance. A terrifying presence.
Everyone braced themselves for a powerful enemy.
The tension was thick.
Then—
A figure leaped from the deck of the airship, descending with an elegant flip.
She landed with ease, boots clicking against the cobblestone street.
Melphira Duskbane, one of the Demon Empire's most feared generals, had arrived.
Her crimson eyes scanned the village.
The crowd fell silent.
Selene tensed, already reaching for her sword.
Lily adjusted her glasses, calculating her next move.
The villagers held their breath.
And then—
Melphira marched straight up to Reed.
Ignoring everyone else.
Her expression twisted in visible frustration.
And in a sharp, demanding voice, she declared—
"REED ASTORIA!"
Reed flinched.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU WAIT FOR ME?!"
---
Silence.
The entire village stared.
Selene froze.
Lily blinked.
Yuna perked up with interest.
The villagers whispered excitedly.
"Oh-ho! Another one?!"
"I wasn't expecting the demon general to be in the harem!"
"Reed, you absolute madman!"
Reed, already exhausted, pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…Wait for you? What are you talking about?"
Melphira's expression twisted into a pout.
"Seven years, Reed! SEVEN YEARS!"
Reed blinked.
"…Huh?"
Melphira crossed her arms, looking genuinely upset.
"You promised me!"
Reed stared blankly.
"I did?"
Melphira's eye twitched.
"You seriously don't remember?!"
Reed thought hard.
Seven years ago…
A promise…?
---
Flashback: 7 Years Ago – The "Heroic" Rescue
A younger Reed, 18 years old and freshly promoted to A-rank adventurer, stood dramatically under the moonlight.
His long coat fluttered in the wind.
His eyes gleamed with intensity.
His arms were crossed as he observed his 'foe.'
Before him—
A group of masked assassins lay unconscious, sprawled across the ground.
At his feet—
A young demon girl, barely 12 years old, stared up at him in complete awe.
Melphira Duskbane, the noble daughter of a powerful demon house, had just been saved.
Reed, completely in his chuunibyou phase, grinned smugly.
"Hmph. You are safe now, young one."
Melphira's eyes sparkled.
"W-Who… are you?"
Reed, dramatically tilting his head, smirked.
"Heh. I am but a wanderer of the night, a blade unswayed by the laws of fate."
Melphira blinked.
"…Huh?"
Reed raised his gloved hand, pointing at the stars.
"But worry not, little one. For I have cast my shadow upon this realm to protect those who cannot protect themselves!"
Melphira gasped softly.
"You're… a hero?"
Reed flipped his coat dramatically.
"Tch. A mere title. I am simply a lone guardian, drifting through the sands of destiny."
Melphira, who was 12 and easily impressed, was absolutely amazed.
"W-Wow…"
Reed turned his back slightly, letting his coat billow.
"You need not fear, young lady. One day, when you are older… if fate wills it… we shall meet again."
Melphira clutched her tiny hands to her chest.
"R-Really?"
Reed grinned, his eyes shining with dramatic energy.
"Of course. Should the moon weep and the stars fall from the heavens, I shall return to you."
Melphira blushed, absolutely believing every word.
"Th-Then I'll wait for you!"
Reed smirked, giving her a final nod.
"Then wait well, little one. For destiny… never forgets its debts."
He then vanished into the night.
---
Present Day – Back to Reality
Reed snapped out of the memory, face pale.
"…Oh no."
Melphira crossed her arms.
"Oh yes."
Reed held up his hands.
"Wait, wait, wait! That was just—! I mean, I was going through a phase—"
Melphira glared.
"A phase?! YOU GAVE ME A DESTINY MONOLOGUE!"
Reed covered his face.
Selene stared at him, mouth slightly open.
"…What in the world is WRONG with you?"
Yuna, smiling ear to ear, nearly doubled over in laughter.
"Oh my~! Reedy-kun, you were such a dramatic boy~!"
Lily, expression blank, pushed up her glasses.
"So let me get this straight. You saved a noble demon girl, gave her a monologue straight out of a tragic opera, and then disappeared for seven years?"
Reed groaned.
"…I regret everything."
---
Melphira pouted deeply, her arms crossed.
"You said you'd come back. I waited!"
Reed rubbed his temples.
"Look, I didn't think—"
"I EVEN PRACTICED MY DRAMATIC ENTRANCE FOR YEARS!"
Reed blinked.
"You… what?"
Melphira turned slightly red.
"I spent years training so I could do an awesome landing when I saw you again!"
Reed stared.
"You… practiced airship landings for seven years?!"
Melphira pointed at him angrily.
"YES! AND YOU DIDN'T WAIT FOR ME!"
The villagers lost it.
"This is the best day of my life."
"Another harem candidate appears!"
"Reed, you fool, why did you leave her waiting?!"
Reed covered his face again.
"I hate my past self."
Yuna patted his shoulder, grinning.
"Oh my~. Reedy~. You really have a talent for making women wait~."
Reed sank into a crouch.
This was definitely not the peaceful retirement he had imagined.
---