The Returnee Wants Peace

Bababababababang!!

The deafening roar of ten simultaneous explosions engulfed everything in a raging inferno of flames and thunderous sound waves.

The sheer intensity forced those nearby to squeeze their eyes shut in unison.

However Rosha, controlling the amplification spell formations, kept her eyes wide open as she witnessed the audience seating crumble and collapse.

“Is it working?”

“Too soon to tell. Maintain defensive positions!”

As steps disintegrated and debris scattered, the supposed monster itself exhibited no overt hostility despite being the focal point of the onslaught. Since it was its territory.

‘…Suspicious. You never know when something will appear.’

Through the billowing flames, indistinct forms could be seen rising skyward, initially prompting guarded stances until their transparent, ethereal nature became apparent.

Ghostly apparitions, drifting heavenward with seeming indifference to those present.

“Sis, take a look through this. It’s one of my heirloom artifacts, a special lens that allows the perception of invisible entities.”

Who’s calling me ‘Sis’?

Just as Rosha was about to pose that very question to Yura, who had abruptly proffered the eyewear, a Snickers chocolate bar clutched in the girl’s other hand caught her eye.

“…”

So it was you – that discarded plastic wrapper.

After scrutinizing it briefly, Rosha donned the spectacles without further ado.

Sure enough, the indistinct forms now materialized as vaguely humanoid souls, their ethereal shapes faintly smiling as they drifted ever higher into the twilit heavens – unburdened by any lingering attachments to the terrestrial realm.

A line from the orb’s narration suddenly resurfaced in her mind:

-As the head of the family, Sordel Rodrigo, I have decided to seek a solution to circumvent the city’s destruction while simultaneously housing the citizens’ souls within this circular theater provided by the council.

So the circular theater had served as a repository for the citizens’ souls.

Confirming the theater’s radiance had yet to fully dissipate through the spectacles’ lens, Rosha gathered what minuscule mana reserves remained and shouted:

“Destroy the entire theater!”

Her judgment – by unleashing the confined souls, the ‘Playwright’ would inevitably be compelled to reveal itself.

Time Remaining: 20 minutes

They had to obliterate it entirely before time runs out.

Baaang!

Hajin unsheathed his sword, shattering the massive debris that had once formed the theater into gravel.

Cassis, Duke Feriel unleashed their sword energy. Lysithea and Joel, as well as Hereis, helped them.

Without exception, everyone willingly lent their utmost to destroy the theater.

As more sections crumbled, the radiance emanating from the spectacles’ view gradually faded until, at last:

The anomalous trial has achieved completion criteria and will now terminate.

You will be transferred outside the rift shortly.

A rather anticlimactic finale, all things considered.

With only five seconds remaining before the completion prompt, it had undoubtedly been a close call. But in the end…

‘…What became of this ‘Playwright’, I wonder? Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Phew, Rosha let out a soft sigh.

Sheathing his blade, Hajin approached her with a conflicted expression.

“Sis, will we ever meet again?”

“…”

“After you disappeared, our team gradually drifted apart. You had been our linchpin, and with only three of us remaining, we lacked sufficient numbers to sustain our group.”

He explained how the other members had formed their own raiding parties as well.

Expounding further, he mentioned the emergence of gargantuan rifts alongside the advent of ‘Anomalous Trials’ that unlocked upon entry, prompting Korea to periodically dispatch raiding parties in pursuit of clearing these newfound challenges.

“…Don’t worry. We’ll meet again someday.”

Rosha gently patted Hajin’s arm as she murmured those words.

While the purpose behind these ‘Anomalous Trials’ remained unclear, this particular journey had reunited her with Hajin and concluded without any casualties.

Despite the lingering dissatisfaction over unresolved narratives like the ‘Playwright’s’ identity, she could find contentment in this much.

‘That’s right. Unless I encounter that middle-aged man from the orb, how could I possibly unravel the full story?’

Yes, the one who looked precisely like…

“…Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

Froy promptly asked, his attentiveness piqued as they awaited their transfer outside the rift. However, Rosha found herself unable to respond.

For the very soul of that man was now drifting directly towards her, rather than ascending skyward like the others.

What’s this? Why is it approaching me?

Rosha instinctively stepped back.

As Hajin shot her a perplexed look, evidently in the midst of bidding his farewells, Froy grasped her arm firmly.

Simultaneously, the man’s soul passed through her like a fleeting mirage before the surroundings abruptly plunged into darkness.

* * *

-Do not be surprised. I merely wished to address you due to a familiar item you possess.

Rosha opened her eyes at the sudden voice.

Yet she could see nothing.

A vast, empty void illuminated solely by that gruff, wizened tone laced with both sensitivity and brusqueness as it reached her ears.

-Upon glimpsing the necklace you wear, I guesses you must have encountered Queen Arzhena. It seems even she couldn’t withstand the demonization in the end.

While the phenomenon was unexpected, the voice exuded no malicious intent.

Rosha longed to ask further, but found herself muted, unable to vocalize a response.

-Anyway… I wished to express my gratitude for rectifying my past mistakes. Regardless of the city council’s request, tampering with the citizens’ souls had been a grave mistake.

-Had you delayed any further, I too would have fully monstrified, forever trapped within the trial’s confines…

He proceeded to lament his own errors and regrets.

But as his presence grew increasingly faint, Rosha could not simply stand idly by – for a singular, burning question demanded an answer before this fleeting opportunity dissipated.

“Demoni…zation?”

-Hoo.

Having strained to utter that one word, the softly marveling voice responded:

-So demonization piques your curiosity? It began when certain individuals spontaneously transformed into demons one fateful day.

-The phenomenon then spread like a contagious airborne pathogen, proliferating rapidly. Upon subsequent investigation, we discovered that these newly monstrified beings had been systematically targeted by unknown parties.

-We referred to them as the ‘Betrayers’. Exercise caution, because they may still walk among the living.

He didn’t forget to add a piece of advice, as if bestowing a favor.

Of course, I couldn’t readily understand what he said. Putting aside the ‘Betrayers’, how old were the person to still be alive?

However, there was no time to ask about that.

-Hmm… My mind was hazy due to demonization, but now it couldn’t be clearer. It took a very long time to enter eternal rest…

-Thank you for listening to my final ramblings. Take care.

Rosha slowly opened her eyelids as she heard his voice fading away.

Her reddish-gold hair, partially covering her face, trembled slightly. She felt someone’s strong arms supporting her back and knees.

Now she realized she was being carried in someone’s arms, moving quickly.

‘…What’s going on, suddenly?’

As she rolled her eyes to assess the situation, Koko, who was perched on her chest, opened his beak.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

At that, the man carrying her stopped moving.

Froy’s purple eyes, which had been as hard as cold steel, gradually softened like lukewarm water.

Rosha asked in a husky voice.

“Did I lose consciousness?”

“Yes. For about a minute or so.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t for long.

She slowly looked around. It was the first-floor corridor of Marquis Lycaon’s mansion, which now felt more like a villa.

It seemed to have been late autumn when they left, but more time had passed than she thought, as white snow had piled up on the window sills.

‘…I couldn’t say goodbye to Hajin this time either.’

Rosha then looked at the people noisily following behind Froy.

Cassis, who had caught up in a hurry, finally spoke up.

“Duke, it’s a bit improper to carry my sister without saying anything, don’t you think?”

Seeing that the quick-moving Cassis had only just arrived, it seemed Froy had used his ‘teleportation’ again.

“My lady! You’re awake!”

“What pleasant news to hear, ho ho.”

The area around her quickly became bustling with people who had rushed over.

It was rather fortunate. If it’s noisy around her, she won’t be able to fall into deep thoughts for a while.

It was around that time.

‘…What’s that?’

Feeling a gaze from somewhere, Rosha turned her head.

Just then, a well-built noble gentleman coming down the central staircase was staring at her with wide eyes.

At that moment, Lysithea, who had arrived late, exclaimed with round eyes.

“Father!”

…Did she say father?