Chapter 278: Dekan and His Companions’ Tale
A town in the northern part of the Holy Country.
As dusk fell, the sky tinged with a faint purple, and from a large tavern wafted smoke and the aroma of dinner meals.
People packed the tavern, making it so lively it could almost deafen the ears.
The tavern owner brought out secret recipe fiery liquor for everyone, and many warriors with bandaged bodies choked and widened their eyes after taking a sip.
In the aisles, soldiers danced strange dances, heating up the banquet’s atmosphere.
The tavern’s waitresses bustled around like spinning squirrels.
Laughs, songs, drinks, and more chaos ensued.
And the most noticeable of all was certainly the knight captain clad in heavy armor standing at the center of the tavern.
He raised his cup high and enthusiastically shouted:
“For our victory, our feats of war, for this town, for the Holy Country…”
The knight captain’s gaze swept over the group of city-state heroes gathered in the tavern, all of them covered in injuries.
“And, for the heroes who have retrieved the Dark Saintess, cheers~!”
Led by the knight captain, knights, mercenaries, and adventurers cheered in unison, raising their glasses and drinking them empty in succession.
This was already the fifth or sixth celebration toast, but no one cared.
They hadn’t even let the blood splattered on them during the battle dry when they gathered at the tavern to celebrate boisterously.
This was a great triumph.
They, who had long been fatigued and fearful of the demon races.
Today, they received a morale-boosting message.
The Dark Saintess had been miraculously rescued.
The Dark Saintess not only possessed eighth-rank combat strength but was also one of the top researchers in the Holy Country.
She was not only proficient in dark magic and poison magic but also possessed an extraordinary understanding of magical engineering.
Under a long period of low morale, they were filled with great enthusiasm today and pushed back the demon race’s assault team all the way.
The strike force composed of more than a hundred demons were entirely routed.
Though they were various high-tier beings, they were no match for the high morale and sufficient numbers of the city’s defense force.
Of course, the city’s defense force had not escaped unscathed.
There were always those with bad luck.
Therefore, they celebrated even more extravagantly. It was also a commemoration for the fallen soldiers.
Because since everyone was voluntarily participating in the fight against the demons, tomorrow, it could very well be their turn.
Not just them, some clerks and merchants also came to the tavern as usual, making the banquet very grand.
And at an inconspicuous corner of this lively tavern, by the wall sat a few young men and women around a long table.
They were enjoying the cheerful and lively atmosphere, relishing their sumptuous dinner.
The last day of the Shadow World was almost over.
Inadvertently, the Demon Realm Rescue Squad’s time together was coming to an end.
After leaving the Shadow World, Morion and Krey would return to the portal they entered from.
That is, the southern realms of the mortal world.
And the three Capital City bullies and Teacher Cat would return to Hewenlit Academy.
This guy Krey played quite well with the rest of them.
Besides Dekan and Morion, everyone else felt that Krey was too honest.
Notably, Morion showed no intention of making trouble this time.
He peacefully enjoyed the leisure and serenity after completing their mission with them.
It made Dekan feel slightly out of place.
Happy times always seemed too short.
But this tavern atmosphere might be a fitting scene for their parting.
Dekan was sitting on a bench against the wall, holding a holy coin, looking through its luminous glow at the bustling banquet.
Before coming to the tavern.
After their escape journey from the Demon Realm, they still had quite a number of leftover holy coins.
Unfortunately, the northern frontier was vast, with constant battles and difficult transportation because of harsh weather.
Dekan couldn’t find someone trustworthy to help him deposit or bury the holy coins in a suitable place.
Thus, as the Shadow World was about to end.
After reaching an agreement as a team, they pretended to be traveling merchants and donated the remaining large sum of holy coins to the military funds of this town.
However, the military funds were shocked by the team’s extravagant generosity.
And seeing that they were willing to donate all their possessions.
The military funds firmly declared they couldn’t accept so much.
After some back-and-forth, under the military funds’ persistence, it was only after Dekan agreed to keep one holy coin that they finally accepted their donation.
Later on.
The Beautiful Soul Squad was mistakenly invited as righteous merchants to this tavern to celebrate the victory.
Whether it was coincidence or fate.
Hearing the people of the town joyfully singing praises to “the heroes who saved the Dark Saintess,” Dekan also felt unexpectedly good.
“Let the matter rest, and hide my accomplishments.”
Dekan smiled slightly with a sense of relief.
“Huff… Huff…”
The sound of soft breathing drew Dekan’s gaze from the holy coin in his hand to his side.
If someone in their group of ten days was the hardest-working, it must undoubtedly be Cornelia.
Because she was the only girl in the team.
Thus, the duty of taking care of and looking after the Dark Saintess fell to her.
Sometimes, she didn’t even get proper rest.
Dekan gently placed the holy coin in Cornelia’s hand, who was sitting beside him.
Cornelia, who had been smiling when they first arrived at the tavern, now rested her head on Dekan’s shoulder, producing soft snores.
“She must be really tired meow.”
Teacher Cat, stepping onto the table, lightly extended its front paws to wave in front of Cornelia’s eyes.
“Hmm.”
Dekan’s words became unexpectedly few, and his voice softer than usual.
Seeming too close to Cornelia, he was concerned that his every move might wake her.
“Speaking of which meow, are you going to confess something when you return to the mortal world meow?”
Teacher Cat also lowered its voice, grinning mischievously.
At this moment, Morion also turned his gaze toward Dekan as if he had some kind of radar.
Krey seemed curious too.
Dekan shook his head silently:
“Just like usual.”
“…That’s how it is meow.”
Teacher Cat chose not to say more, having seen through it.
Sometimes Dekan would also show defiance.
And his resistance was incredibly stubborn.
Dekan just didn’t want Teacher Cat following and disturbing him.
Seemingly sensing that a few pairs of eyes were fixed on him, Cornelia groaned lightly, furrowed her brows, and slowly opened her eyes.
What she saw.
In the tavern, whether injured or not, whether they had achieved something or done nothing, all the survivors rejoiced for humanity’s courage.
These people, perhaps in the future, will also be saved by the Dark Saintess.
That was Cornelia’s first thought.
Although she awoke, Cornelia didn’t immediately lift her head from Dekan’s shoulder.
“…Thank you.”
She lightly said this, half asleep.
“For what?”
“For working so hard from the first floor to the ninth floor to save the Dark Saintess.”
“…It was just a mission.”
Dekan replied coldly.
“Hmmph.”
Cornelia smiled and sat up straight.
Actually, they had reached a point where.
They almost couldn’t distinguish between the Shadow World and the real world during their travels.
Even though it was a projection of history.
Was it real or fake?
At least every moment of their journey felt entirely real.
And in this world’s history, there must have been some people who risked their lives to save the Dark Saintess.
There was a brief silence between them.
A pleasing silence.
Both believed they understood what the other thought.
“I’ve come to understand why the Dark Saintess, a single 8th-level individual, could be introduced in the Shadow World as someone capable of influencing the course of a war. It’s because she can significantly advance the Holy Country’s magical engineering and technology, how surprising…”
Morion heard this information about the Dark Saintess just today and couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
Judging from his expression, he seemed to have a sense of regret.
It was as if letting the Dark Saintess go was a great loss.
Unfortunately, this was the Shadow World.
Exploiting her held no meaning.
“Occasionally accumulate some merit! Think of it as helping your sister earn blessings!”
Dekan abruptly patted Morion’s back and said.
“Tsk.”
Every time Morion thought of Dekan roping his younger sister into becoming an idol, his anger flared up.
What was worst was that throughout the return journey from the Demon Realm, Dekan used the fanbase’s fervor to promote the girl group’s new song with high intensity.
Morion’s mood grew increasingly complicated.
More frightening was that.
The big clever Krey seemed to have also become a fan.
Later, he even started cheering with Chloix and got hooked.
When Morion, with great worry, asked Krey, “Who’s your waifu?”
Krey painfully answered: “I can’t choose just one person!”
It was only when Morion asked Krey about his preferences in a partner that Krey hesitated slightly and said he might have a little heart for women wealthy enough to rival a nation.
Morion sighed in relief.
Apparently, Krey was merely a die-hard fan.
Not like Chloix who wished to make his waifu the future countess.
“Speaking of which, did you know about the Dark Saintess’ characteristics from the beginning?”
Morion suddenly remembered something and turned to Dekan beside him.
Recalling Dekan’s behavior from the Demon Realm on their return,
it felt like Dekan had known all along.
But there was something strange.
Given Dekan’s personality, if he encountered a scientific expert, he would surely be unable to resist discussing or debating magical engineering with her.
Perhaps even start interrogating her to extract intelligence.
But Morion didn’t understand why Dekan had been so benevolent and polite to the Dark Saintess the entire way.
As if when they parted ways with the Dark Saintess, Dekan had truly considered her a friend, exactly as he had said.
“Of course. Aren’t you aware, Cornelia?”
Dekan turned his head to Cornelia and mischievously blinked.
“Is there anyone who doesn’t know?”
Cornelia asked in a pretend tone of confusion.
Throughout this entire journey, Cornelia and the Dark Saintess had been rooming together, spending their days and nights in each other’s company.
Although the Dark Saintess had a rather hostile attitude,
Cornelia didn’t find her unpleasant but instead felt a sense of familiarity.
As if she herself had previously traveled and stayed together with her.
She just didn’t recognize her now.
Unknowingly, Cornelia had started treating the Dark Saintess as a good friend.
“Morion: ??”
Am I not the intellect type character?
Didn’t I miss something?
Morion looked at his childhood friend Chloix as if he’d seen a savior.
The two young lords exchanged glances.
Morion was sure.
Even Chloix had guessed the characteristics of the Dark Saintess.
As for Teacher Cat, there’s no need to mention,
it definitely knew.
So, it seemed that he had missed an important plot point.
Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one in the dark.
Krey, who was an outsider, definitely wouldn’t know either.
However, Morion noticed Krey listening to their conversation without expressing any views.
Abnormally calm.
Morion’s heart skipped a beat.
With a trembling voice, he asked Krey, “You can’t possibly know too, can you?”
“Hmm. Didn’t you notice the Dark Saintess’ characteristics?”
Krey asked back in surprise.
“How could you tell??”
“She feels like a friend of mine,” Krey thought for a moment, and then as if he was recalling something, started muttering to himself, “Well… is she even a friend? I guess so. After all, she lent me money once, and she’s the only one among that bunch that I don’t dislike. At least I consider her a friend unilaterally.”
Morion clutched his head with both hands.
What’s going on here? Everyone else knows except me?
It seems I’m the outsider.
Morion was temporarily thrown into a state of existential doubt.
Dekan and Cornelia watched Morion like this, exchanged glances, and couldn’t help but snicker.
“Go back to the group honestly, meow. Some immersive experiences aren’t something I can explain to you, meow…”
Teacher Cat patted Morion with its paw, earnestly advising him.
Dekan thought for a moment and took out a special Beautiful Soul Squad [Team Card], then handed it to Morion.
“Here.”
Dekan had a “take-it-or-leave-it” attitude.
“Hmph.”
Morion didn’t hesitate and snatched the card from Dekan’s hand.
As for Krey…
Dekan was somewhat inclined to give one to him too.
But considering that once out of his sight, Krey could create all sorts of crazy situations,
Dekan decided not to give the [Team Card] to Krey for now.
[Shadow World Remaining Time: 25 seconds]
After checking the countdown of the Shadow World.
“Krey, see you again when fate allows.”
Dekan said to Krey.
“Hmph, I wouldn’t want to see you again, lest we end up fighting to the death…”
Krey started laughing coldly again.
However, before Krey finished his sentence,
“Krey, goodbye.”
Dekan sternly repeated himself, cutting off Krey.
“…”
Krey was slightly stunned by Dekan’s attitude.
But soon, as if he suddenly understood, he helplessly laughed and shook his head, revealing his arrogant smile:
“Then I look forward to our next encounter, my enemy, my friend!”
The two waved to each other and slapped palms.
The next moment, the scene before their eyes changed.
Finally, the Shadow World entered its settlement phase.
