In the buzzing streets of Yuflan, Amethely and Luna wandered around and snacked on whatever appetizing they could find.
In the eyes of Phantom Dusk, it looked like a sister and a sister-in-law hanging out together. One bubbly and cheerful, while the other deadpan—but that wasn't the case at all. Selene smiled softly around the saint-lookalike.
For Amethely, the time with Luna was different from how it usually was. They did spend time together back in Ilifel, but they were certainly never alone like now. She glanced to her side, seeing the imperial princess eat like a precious little animal.
"Selene, you got some cream on your cheek," Amethely pointed at the corner of her own mouth to show where.
Luna just froze, then blushed, then averted her eyes. "Th-thanks…" she murmured as she wiped off the cream with her thumb and licked it.
"Ehehe—" She's so cute… Amethely thought as she softly giggled.
..
Then, later that night, after a day spent with her idol, Luna placed down the hairpin that looked like a crescent moon.
It was a gift from her Uncle, but also an advanced personal computer. It projected a clean UI and a keyboard, using her eyes to navigate the interface.
[Awaiting response…] The system stated when access was authorized. [System Link: Calibration: 1%… 47%… 100%—Calibration Complete: Data Loaded: Welcome back, Princess Luna, you have now connected to the Wyvern System.]
Luna navigated to her inbox and noticed a new task from the command.
[Sender: High Command — Recipient: Wyvern Commander, Luna Ilifel.]
|- Hello, my dear niece,
Due to circumstances, you have been assigned to escort and guard Saint Amethely Ilis, who has accepted the task of purifying areas around the eastern borders. You can find the locations in the attached folder below.
By the way, inform Cadet Alum Miller to return to Ilifel as fast as he can; my workload has increased exponentially, and I could use an extra pair of hands.
From your dear uncle.
P.S. - Noel Karlsson and Chely Ilis are now a couple, can you believe it? Oh, and don't tell Al, it'll be a surprise. -|
"…Huh?" Luna frowned after seeing the last message.
Later, Alum returned from the crystal drake hunt with Night Ouen. They hugged and said their goodbyes as Alum headed back to Ilifel with Night Ouen and Phantom Dusk. Then, Luna and Amethely took off toward Usthal, the town over, for the first purification job.
…
..
It had been a few days since Alum returned from his first assignment. And now, he was back in Rigeld's office again, doing paperwork. This time, however, Alver was with them. Rigeld finally decided to hire him as a secretary again.
"I've been thinking…" Rigeld suddenly said, leaning back on his chair. "I want you to become a squad leader at some point. You can apply to a platoon, but… don't make it too obvious picking Luna or Chely's."
Alum looked up from his desk. "Is that so?" he casually replied.
"It is so. And after the Erda incident, I'm more confident you're up to par."
"…"
"Well, that's a future to come; you may be experienced, but still inexperienced regarding things about the world," Rigeld said, stroking his chin, looking smug as ever.
"Noted. I'll apply for Boail's platoon in due time," Alum said.
He knew that he'd be up for a promotion soon, and he needed a high rank so that others wouldn't judge Amethely. But from cadet to squad leader? It was nepotism at play. Nepotism.
Though… he couldn't deny that he was skilled. It was, as Rigeld said. He simply needed some more guidance.
Noticing the inward sigh on Alum's expression, Rigeld opened his mouth, paused, then retracted the unsaid words.
"Good. I want you in High Command at some point. I know you've got the skills—just not the years and experience. And by the way. Why don't we take the rest of the day off?" Rigeld suddenly suggested.
Alum tilted his head, "A day off?" he asked as the subject changed.
"You've already finished filing your reports, right? I don't see the point in pretending to work just because Alver is now here."
"…"
Alum glanced at Alver. The half-elf, usually with a stern unreadable expression, smiled at him.
"It is all right, Mr. Alum. I was aware you and Sir Rigeld stayed in office playing games while pretending to work after it was all done."
Alum's gaze turned to Rigeld, but the Uncle averted his gaze as if to say—This elf knows me too well, with a shrug.
Having caught on to it, Alver said, "Naturally," unprompted. "I was originally your secretary when you still were the emperor, Sir. Besides, you two are not taking a day off," he continued. "The Wanderers and Recruits are to be gifted with an item from the armory today, and as the Head of High Command, you are to be there for the selection, Sir."
Rigeld smirked, his head leaning to the side slightly. "Basically a day off," he said, looking at Alum. "You haven't seen your friends since you returned, right?"
"You're right… I suppose it is like a day off compared to this mundanity," Alum chuckled.
Alver just stared at his boss—great… His personality has already rubbed off on a promising youth…
..
Moments later…
"Alright, Cadets! Today will be the day you get to pick something out of the armory! These high-end Magitech artifacts have some real personality. Make you pick something that supplements your skills! Also, remember why you are at HQ—you fight for the people, for your comrades! YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST! Which is why you deserve THE BEST OF THE BEST TO DELIVERRR THE BEST OF THE BEST! BE PROUD, SOLDIERS!"
"SIR! YES, SIR!" the recruits exclaimed.
Rigeld glanced at Alum with a smug expression. It was as if to say, 'How was my little speech? Very generic commander-like, yeah?'
Alum nodded simply.
They almost seem brainwashed… he sighed inwardly as he looked at the recruits—even the other wanderers.
…
..
Viona, after having accidentally enlisted herself in one of the military schools at the age of 12, got pushed around and endured seven years of hell, and somehow got selected into the elite program by one of the instructors. Now, she was here… in HQ.
Why is this happening… I'm just… awkward and bad at saying no… but… I get to pick an artifact? —Isn't that too much responsibility???!
While Viona panicked on the inside, her face was still expressionless. She walked alongside others as they marched to the armory.
They were split into groups. Most people got along—especially with the wanderers. It was initially chaotic since there was a clear difference in skill, but everyone who graduated from the elite program was cooperative, which was presumably why they were able to quickly bond with the strangers from another world.
And for about 3 calm weeks, many of the women developed crushes on some of them—especially Noel and Oliver. Two charismatic wanderers. As for the men, they usually muttered something like, "Miu is such an angel…" or how "Hot," Lova was.
Honestly, these guys. Despite being elites, they sure are horny, Voina thought.
"…"
But then she remembered the women not being better, especially after finding out that Noel Lady Chely had become lovers. They said something along the lines of, "He was my juicy steak! Miiine!" or "Dammit, I knew his niceness didn't mean anything, but I can't even dream now!"
I guess that's what 7 years of hell does to someone. But I'm surprisingly fine? —or so I thought… Daniel, that hunk of a man… the others must be blind. BLIND!
..
At that moment, Daniel felt a shiver running down his spine.
"What's up?" Noel inquired.
"No, it's nothing. It just got the chills just now."
"Ah? Nervous?"
"A little," Daniel replied. He turned to Voina. "What about you, Viona? What do you think we get to pick?"
Viona calmly adjusted her glasses. "It varies as it's supposed to be a surprise for us. From my understanding, it's supposed to be a secondary weapon or a tool to our divine instruments."
"I see… so it can be anything, huh?"
"Not anything," she chuckled softly. "Just something useful."
"Haha, yeah, makes sense." He then turned to Noel. "By the way, you're not going to talk to Alum?" he asked.
Noel shook his head. "Nah, he's working right now. I'm satisfied just seeing him. Isn't that right, Emely?" he asked.
Emely, who hasn't taken her eyes off Alum, turned to Noel, confused. "Ah… Y-yeah!" she said, clearly having a hard time not being able to talk to her cousin.
"Still, he's indifferent or… professional as always," Noel said.
"He's so close yet so far away… It's always been like that," Emely voiced calmly, but there was a hint of melancholy in her tone.
"I don't think so," Noel shrugged, flashing her a grin. "Reach out and grab him—he's closer than you think."
"…" Emely's eyes widened. "Maybe you're right…"
…
..
"I've read the Erda report. Good job, Little Al," Chely said as she softly smiled.
"Thanks… I've also read the recent report. How believable are his words?" Alum asked.
"I don't know. It sounds plausible coming from a god-like being. But… as neutral as Alester comes across, we don't know too much about him," Chely replied, contemplating.
"Well… it's up to you whether you want to reveal that information to the others," Rigeld said, briefly glancing at the youth before looking straight ahead. "Sometimes people need hope, but sometimes, that hope is far out of reach."
Alver's expression showed pity for a second. Not a word escaped.
"I'm aware. I won't tell them as there's much I've yet to understand regarding the matter," Alum replied.
Chely looked at him with saddened eyes, then asked, "Hypothetically, if there were an easier way to return to your world and it was a one-way trip. Would you take it?"
"No, I wouldn't," Alum replied instantly.
"…"
There was no hesitation, no thought, just a simple "No." She didn't know whether to feel relieved or conflicted by his words, but it certainly was mostly relief.
"I'm glad… Al, please continue to make Ame happy."
Alum softened; his lips were tugged into a genuine smile. "Naturally," he replied.
..
Eventually, they arrived at the massive warehouse. The walls were matte gray, the facility was well-lit, and there were shelves upon shelves of items encased in glass.
"Ahem!" Rigeld cleared his throat and looked around. "Now then, feel free to look around—I'll release them from the casing once you've all decided."
"Yes, Sir!"
The cadets looked excited as they spread around the warehouse. Rigeld smacked Alum on the back and grinned.
"Go now, talk to them," he said.
"Affirmative," Alum nodded.
It had been a while since he last spoke to the others, but the first would naturally be Emely. Thus, he headed her way, finding her at the sword section.
She turned toward him, eyes dampened as she was on the verge of tears. Alum smiled and spread his arms—a moment later, Emely hugged him.
"I'm back," Alum said as he comforted her.
"*Sniffle* Y-yeah… *sniffle* I'm… I'm glad you're saaaafeee!" she cried, tears spilling out.
Some of the recruits and wanderers came to see what the commotion was about; some of them were confused, while others seemed lonely yet nostalgic.
Unlike the two, they were stranded in this world without their families. All they had were each other and their new bonds, but… it could never truly replace the ties back home.
After a while, Alum found Miu, who was among her friends. She noticed him and waved. "Hiii~ Al," she called out softly.
"Hey," Alum replied as he approached the group, greeting them as well before his eyes returned to Miu. "How've you been?" he inquired.
"I'm healthy, njihihi~. Although I'm really not sure what to choose… any recommendation?"
"I don't. Just pick whatever you think suits you," he chuckled.
"Mmgh… such a non-answer. Fine! I'll keep looking!" she exclaimed with a grin. "Oh, by the way, have you spoken to Noel yet?"
Alum shook his head. "No, I'm about to."
"I see~" Miu giggled.
"…?" Alum tilted his head. "What?" he asked.
"Nooothing~ anyways, go see him! He's been terribly lonely without you, y'know?"
For whatever reason, the others around her giggled as well. Alum didn't think there was anything funny going on, so he couldn't understand the reason. But. He's about to find out. And he did when he accidentally saw Noel and Chely secretly hold hands.
"…"
A warm feeling spread across his chest, and his expression softened into a smile.
I see… he thought, leaving them alone.
But that warm feeling instantly disappeared when he heard what came out of Rigeld's mouth after returning to his side.
"By the way, they'll be testing the new equipment on you."
"…"
"Of course, all at once. You'll do it, right, Mr. Prodigy?"
Alum was visibly exasperated. But he knew why Rigeld came up with this idea. To put it simply, it was to impress his future squad members while making his record more impressive.
It wasn't a question of whether he'd lose to 30 elite graduates plus the wanderers, but rather about how long he'd last in that fight.
He wasn't planning on going down easily either. This could clear some of the misplaced assumptions about him, and for Rigeld to brag and assure the other high commands under him of Alum's soon-to-be promotion.
"Understood. I'll give it my all," he calmly replied, his eyes were sharp, cold like a honed edge.
Rigeld grinned, laughing wholeheartedly, "Hahahahaha—that's the spirit!" he exclaimed.
"…" Alver sighed.
Even with age. Things stay the same…