The Returnee Wants Peace

Froy’s words were certainly right.

‘Compared to 3 years ago… it’s almost unfair to compare.’

Unlike during the first trial when people trembled and couldn’t move as demonic beasts attacked the capital, now, although they were a bit surprised, not a single person had fallen into panic.

Rather, those with the ability were already using their powers to clear away the debris from the collapsed ceiling.

“You lift the left side, I’ll lift the right.”

“One, two!”

Thanks to their coordinated movements, the building fragments blocking the banquet hall were quickly moved.

Huge rocks that couldn’t possibly be moved by strength alone were lifted by the magic of an unfamiliar elderly lady.

The elderly lady wearing an elegant dress up to her neck was pale as if about to collapse, but a boy stopped her while glaring fiercely at Rosha.

‘…What’s that about?’

They were both unfamiliar faces, was she seeing things?

Anyway, Rosha slipped out of Froy’s embrace and muttered while looking around the banquet hall.

“Time really flies.”

“That’s because you were away for quite a long time. Humans with intellectual abilities would naturally develop.”

Though a bit cynical, his words were true.

The ‘trials’ were certainly, true to the meaning of the word, tremendous hardships for humanity.

It was Rosha and a few brave individuals who saved people who should have died scattered in extreme despair and helplessness.

Their activities planted this thought in people’s minds: ‘It’s a crisis so great that we should worry about humanity’s survival, but it’s not something we can’t resolve.’

They could have settled for relying on the power of a few ability users, but fortunately, after Rosha left, people took action.

The establishment of the concept of a ‘conquest party’.

The creation of the Magic Academy and the invention of magical tools.

Even the existence of Illien, favored by the God of Prophecy.

Due to the spark of change Rosha left behind, the current world was running in a fairly ideal form.

“Everyone does their part. Because it’s a world where we can’t survive otherwise.”

Froy murmured while gazing at the people cleaning up the banquet hall.

Rosha glanced at him.

His nature of not helping people remained the same, but in the time she hadn’t seen him, warmth had appeared in his gaze.

Not hot enough to burn your hand, but not as cold as ice either, a lukewarm temperature like a person’s body heat.

‘Well… even if I told him, he probably wouldn’t admit it.’

He was changing little by little, just as people had changed.

It seemed to be in a good direction, and she found herself smiling gently without realizing it. Seeing her like that, Froy also slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.

“…”

Their gazes met as if by appointment.

Was it her imagination? Somehow, a different temperature seemed to have settled in his eyes compared to earlier.

Thump, thump. She felt her heart pounding for no reason.

With each beat, she felt a ticklish excitement like feathers, a trust that she could rely on his back, a sense of camaraderie of bearing the weight of heavy responsibility together.

In an era of loss and regret.

In this world where ethics degenerate amidst pain and helplessness.

They were silently feeling each other’s presence just through their gazes.

It was then.

“Ahem.”

Cedric, who had approached without notice, cleared his throat.

Only then could Rosha return to reality from their world of two. Quickly grasping the situation, she asked as if nothing had happened.

“Brother, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Well, I’m fine. Her Majesty the Emperor predicted this situation in advance, and it was the Magic Academy side that did the hard work. Especially Headmistress Minerva who worked very hard… Ah, you probably don’t know who that is.”

As it turned out, the elderly lady who had been clearing large rocks with magic earlier was the headmistress of the Magic Academy and the caster of the formation.

“It was a powerful formation mixed with ability. We were trying to catch that magician for sure this time. Though it almost broke when you came in midway.”

“…Haha.”

“Well, we should blame ourselves for not calculating that you would come in around that time. Anyway, it’s fortunate that we caught him like this.”

“There are things to be done now, so I’ll take care of that fellow for a moment.”

Froy opened the floor and stored the magician who was still trapped in the illusion. It was probably an empty room used as a prison in his mansion.

By the way…

“Things to be done? Don’t tell me this event is continuing without stopping in the middle?”

“Of course. Why would we stop for something like this?”

“But… the ceiling has completely collapsed?”

“It’s half outdoor-like, quite charming in its own way, isn’t it?”

Froy spouted sophistry. But people really didn’t seem to have any intention of ending the event over this.

The master of ceremonies, who had received instructions from the Emperor, cleared his throat and shouted:

“Then we will continue with the ceremony. Since Lady Roshanak has arrived just in time, please come up to the platform.”

The subject of recent talk that swept the capital and the protagonist of numerous rumors.

People who confirmed her appearance began to whisper one by one.

Though they couldn’t step forward recklessly now with the Emperor present, it was clear that some kind of storm would blow through one way or another.

Regardless of that.

Rosha looked incredulously at the platform that had partially collapsed from the attack’s aftermath and asked:

“You want me to go up on that platform?”

“As long as you can stand, it’s fine.”

Hearing Froy’s reply, she was dumbfounded.

What on earth had happened to this country in the past 3 years?

The spirit of ‘as long as you go somehow, it’s fine’ was shining all around, even for imperial ceremonies.

“…Geez.”

After a brief moment of bewilderment.

Seeing Illien gesturing for her to come quickly, she couldn’t help but laugh weakly.

‘Still, since it’s an official event, I should keep up appearances somewhat.’

Rosha spread her magic lightly as she moved towards the platform.

The disheveled carpet laid itself properly and fallen objects stood up. Debris and stone fragments that people hadn’t yet cleared away flew off in an instant, and dust settled calmly.

“Ooh…”

“It’s magic. She really has come back alive.”

Rosha slowly walked down the path people had made for her.

Warm sunlight and pale pink flower petals carried by the spring breeze flew in from the collapsed ceiling.

She saw familiar faces here and there. Seeing them sobbing, relieved, and joyful, she finally felt like she had returned.

‘So… now I have to protect this place.’

Standing on the platform and looking around at the people, her fists clenched.

Although three years had passed, there were still so many people here that she needed to protect. And one animal too…

Wait.

‘Where did Koko go in all this commotion?’

* * *

“Tch, what a fool!”

Koko, who had left the banquet hall, flapped his wings vigorously.

No matter how many situations had overlapped, to forget about the sniper who had slipped out of the formation midway was inexcusable. It was beyond reproach.

‘Hmm… well, it was understandable.’

A short-haired woman with a long rifle and transparent goggles.

She had an extraordinary skill of disappearing like smoke at some point, as if she had good instincts.

Moreover, though it was just a guess, she seemed to have an ability that went beyond hiding her own existence to making others temporarily forget about her.

But…

“Still, it won’t work on me.”

Who did she think she was dealing with?

A delicate body crafted directly by a god, with the best archmage skills counted among the top even in the old era.

Flap flap!

Koko, who had quickly left the imperial palace, chased after the sniper who was trying to leave the capital. He just intended to note which direction she was going.

As it entered the forest near the capital like that, at that moment.

Flash!

A white light flashed before his eyes.

It was a brilliant radiance that momentarily turned his vision white, despite it being daytime with the sun high in the sky.

He already knew what this light was.

“…Sword aura. And the one who can produce this level of sword aura is…”

Koko’s eyes narrowed for a moment as he recalled someone from the previous world.