Another long chapter. This part in the original canon is what inspired to write this fic, so it was often in my mind as I made the previous chapters, hope you enjoy it.
Moments ago in the palace
Shizuku and Kaori slept soundly on thir beds. Shizuku was pleasantly enjoying a dream of-
*CRASHHH*
""AH!""
Shizuku and Kaori jumped out of bed. Shizuku grabs her sword and Kaori grabs her staff.
"What was that?!" Kaori asked in a panic. Shizuku and Kaori had been tense since the following days, along with some of the other students. There was the whole Nagumo thing, as in the part where she regarded everyone but the Shirarsaki's as a nothing and threatened to kill them.
Things weren't better after they got back. First there was the void disease that made soldiers act like empty husks, Nagumo and Meld being named heretics, and finally people going missing like Aiko, Lily, and Kuzeli.
"I don't know, but we should get ready for anything, come on!" Kaori nods and the two girls start to change out of their sleepwear. As they changed, Kaori's mind drifted to a certain someone. "I hope Seiji is ok."
"Uh, yeah, don't worry about him, he's with Nagumo and Meld remember?"
"Yeah.."
Kaori had not taken the news of those two being considered heretics well. It didn't really help that Kouki was being quite nonchalant about all these problems. He believes that nothing bad can happen in the palace. He's been quite depressed about the whole Seiji thing, and his opinion of Hinata was also unclear.
However, Kaori's opinion of the boy had obviously changed. She looks at him with a frown, she even scolded him for shrugging off these problems.
Once they were done, they head out to their other classmate's room. On their way they spot Yuka and her two best friends, Taeko and Nana.
"Yuka." Shizuku called out. "Did you guys hear that sound too?"
"Yeah...we did."
"We should probably gather the others, come on." Shizuku knocks in Kouki's door. The boy opens the door and doesn't seems to not be the least bit cautious. Kaori angrily ordered the boy to hurry up and get ready to investigate the shattering noise. Kouki fearfully follows, he hasn't exactly been liking the way Kaori has been treating him.
Everybody is also a bit unnerved by Kaori's new personality. After learning of the class's treatment towards Hinata, she had lost the usual feeling of joy she used to spread. Though it is unclear on whether her anger is directed towards them or herself...
They gathered the rest of their classmates. They were about to investigate the weird noise when they all suddenly someone coming closer. Shizuku saw who it was.
"Nia!" She called to the maid.
Nia was Shizuku's personal maid, they got along well just like Lily. And what's more...Nia had been one of the missing people. "You're ok, where have you been? I was so worried."
The maid simply stares back at Shizuku. She was a bit confused, Nia was usually so cheerful, but now...her eyes barely had any light as if she was de-
"The first layer of the barrier has been shattered." Nia suddenly informed.
"Huh...?"
That single statement made everyone freeze for a second. Just like the kingdom, the had assume the barrier would have never been broken. And yet it is, that's life for you, full of surprises.
"The demons are outside with an entire army of monsters." Nia continued to explain in a monotone voice. The students grew more anxious.
"N-Now calm down everyone." Kouki spoke up. "Nia, the kingdom has three barriers right?"
"Yes, but it's only a matter of time until the other two barriers is destroyed."
Kouki deliberated his options. "Alright, in that case we'll go hold them off while the knights get to formation and the citizens evacuate." Not everyone was on board with that, it's proven by their silence. The thought of facing an army of monsters only reminded of what happened in Orcus, to what happened before she came.
Kouki gritted his teeth, he didn't want to force them so they're just gonna have make do with the ones who-
"Wait!" Another voice spoke up, it was Eri. "Kouki, I think we should meet up with the knights instead. We can't attack recklessly. Right, Suzu?" Eri asked her best friend for support.
"Uh...yeah, I agree with Eririn, she's super smart, so I think she's right." The others started to agree with Eri's plan and soon Kouki followed.
Nia led them to where the knights were, the training grounds. The place they received their status plate and where they trained to hone their skills and new powers. And although it's not important to them, it's the place where Hinata first met Meld.
As they enter and walk by the knights, Shizuku and others started to feel a bit of creeped out. The knights were all silent, they might've been frozen by fear but...that didn't seem right.
The cold atmosphere didn't really help the students calm their nerves, including Kouki, though he's more upset about how down morale is. Besides him there's also one other student that isn't bothered, Eri, she even offered Kouki a drink. The rest of the knights came in and the training ground was filled with the student all in the center.
A man steps up on a podium. The man, Jose was the vice commander of the knights. While Kuzeli was tasked with teaching the students, Meld's other responsibilities were handed to him.
He started his speech, assuring the knights they would be ok because they have the hero. He then tell the knights to draw their sword, he also pulled out an orb that he said a beacon. And that's when Shizuku realized..
"Crap!" They were screwed.
A blinding light comes out of the orb. Shizuku pulls out her katana narrowly blocking a a sword. She also hears a bunch of stabbing noise followed by the screams of her classmates and loud thuds.
When she got her vision back, Shizuku was horrified at the sight before her. All of her classmates were on the ground bleeding with stan wound on their bodies. Yuka, Endou, and..
"Kao-"
"Shizuku!" Shizuku turns to Nia, who was running towards her while holding her bleeding arm. "I need your help Shizuku."
"Nia! Don't worry I'll-" once Nia reaches her, Shizuku was suddenly silent as she felt pain on her back...from the knife Nia inserted. "What..the...Gah!" Nia throws Shizuku's body then pins her head to the grounds while clenching both her arms.
As Shizuku reels from the pain she can hear a voice.
"I knew you have quick reflexes, good thing I came prepared." Shizuku slowly looks up and sees the face of...Eri. The girl had a terrifying smile." Hehehe.." As she laughs she starts to take off her glasses showing a pair of maniacal eyes. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
While she laughs, the knights? proceeded to confiscate all of their weapons while also putting restrains on their hands. After she stopped, Eri makes her way onto one particular student.
"Oh Koukiiiii." The knights holding Kouki slightly lifts him up and Eri kneels down. The two are now face to face. "Now you're all mine." She brings her face closer and puts Kouki in a deep passionate. Eri was relishing the moment while Kouki was terrified. Eri pulls away with a string of saliva coming from her mouth, she was ecstatic.
"Eri...what is this?" Kaori weakly spoke up.
"Isn't it obvious? I wanted Kouki-kun and now I have him."
"That's it?!" Kaori asked in disbelief. "Why do all this? You just had to confess your fee-"
"Oh that would never work." Eri cut her off. "Kouki always treats everyone the same. If he accepted my feelings, he knew other girls would be upset. So I had to do this." Eri couldn't control her smile. "I'm really glad we came here. I just couldn't let us go home. Me and Kouki are gonna stay her foreeeeeeeverrrrrrr."
"Gh... don't tell me..the barrier.." Shizuku started putting it together.
"Yup, that was me." Eri sounded so...proud. "I broke the artifact and weakened the barrier and let the demons in. So that nobody can get in my way."
"You...worked with the demons? How? You didn't have any way to contact them." Kouki asked.
"Oh, I actually might owe Nagump for that. Remember the demon lady from Orcus? Her corpse was an excellent messenger. The demons then copied my method and.." She walks to Jose. "...got a messenger of their own."
The students would probably shake in fear if didn't hurt. They almost can't believe the girl in front of them was really Eri Nakamura." Just so you know, weakening the barrier wasn't the only thing I did." She spreads out her arms. "As you can see, I was busy collecting...assets."
"All of these people..."
"Hah! They've been dead for a looong time, remember my class, I'm a necromancer."
"B-But Nia talked, and so did Jose. Necromancy wouldn't have made that possible!"
"Hehe, that's because of my new spell, Spirit Binding. By using it right after death, I can implant some memories and brain patterns so that they can hold a conversation."
They couldn't believe what they were hearing. This girl practiced such an advance spell, collecting hundreds of undead soldiers. Right under their noses.
"Wait, then..." This time Yuka spoke up. "Ai chan, Lily, Ms. Kuzeli, did you kill them too?!" She asked in fear and anger.
"Nah, I didn't do anything to them. I don't know about the princess and her knight. But as for Sensei, that guy took her to the Divine Mountain."
"That...guy?"
"Yeah, he came out of nowhere saying he knows about my plans. I thought i had to get rid of him but surprise surprise, he actually ended up offering his help. He really sped up my plans. Ahhh I'm so grateful, heaven really is on my side. This is god's will."
The more she talks, the more unbelievable it sounds. Nobody understood by what she meant by that last part.
"Did you remember how weird the king and the nobles were acting? That was the contribution he gave me. And now I have all you at my mercy. Don't worry, I'll put your bodies to good use for the demons."
Kouki tried pleading to the maniac, thinking it would actually work.
"Eri...stop! If you do this I won't-"
"You won't forgive me." She interjected. "I knew you'd say that, you're so kind. But once I use Spirit Bind, you'll only say the words that I want. Hahahaha!"
"No!" Eri stopped laughing when she heard someone's shout. That someone was her "best friend".
"Eririn... wouldn't do something like this." She fights through the pain of talking. "She...must be...controlled. Open your eyes Eri!"
Eri stayed silent at Suzu's plead. Instead of replying, Eri simply snaps her fingers. One of her undead knights walk to the back of the student closest to Eri, Reichii Kondo. One of Hinata's tormentors and Hiyama's lackey.
As the zombie held his sword, Reichii feared of what's to come. "No..no-GAAAAAAHHHH." No matter how much he struggled, it didn't matter. The zombie plunged his sword right through his heart.
"Reichii-Ugh!"
"You bit-GAH!"
The two boys yelling were Yoshiki Saitou and Shinji Nakano, Reichii's friends and fellow lackey who also bullied Hinata. Their screams were cut by swords digging deeper
Eri walks to her dead class mate and begins chanting. "Does it hurt? Are you sad? Let me hear a pretty scream. Try to resist, curse me in your pain. You'll still be my little puppet. A pathetic little toy! Blessings to all deaths! Ridicule to every sorry soul! Spirit Binding."
Reichii's lifeless body suddenly snapped up straight. The boy still the hole in his chest and his eyes were lifeless like Nia's.
"No...Eri...how could you?"
"You know, I have to thank you Suzu. I wouldn't have gotten this close to Kouki without you." Suzu can only cry as Eri continued. "I needed to get into the popular clique in class and being Suzu Taniguchi's "best friend" helped me with just that, so thank you again, moron." Suzu felt true despair as she can only lie there with a broken heart.
"Eri..you...monster-guh!" Kaori grits her teeth as a sword is dug deeper to her side. Eri frowns as she walks closer to Kaori. "You've always been an annoyance, you and Shizuku. You two always hung around Kouki and you took it for granted. That always pissed me off."
One of the zombies gives Eri a sword, right after she grabs it.
"STAY AWAY FR-GUCK!" Nia's body slams Shizuku's head down after her outburst.
"Once I turn you, that idiot will be satisfied."
"Who...?"
"I also have a special job for you."
"What...job?" Kaori almost dreaded to ask.
"I wonder how Seiji will feel...getting killed by his own twin sister." Kaori's eyes widen in horror. She wants to resist, but she can't. Eri raises her sword and Kaori closes her eyes, internally apologizing to Seiji and Hinata and-
*Clang*
"Huh?" Eri was surprised when her blade was blocked by a small barrier. And she was even more shocked when it explodes, blowing Eri and the knight holding Kaori away.
"Get away from my sister!" Seiji demanded, getting everyone's attention.
Everybody had never felt so happy seeing Seiji.
"Seiji!" Kaori cried out.
"Hang in there sis, I'm coming." Seiji begins chanting.
"Grr why do you have to get in my way?! Kill him." Eri ordered.
As the knights charge at the priest, they were all slain by Kuzeli.
"Ms. Kuzeli!"
More knights attack, Kuzeli simply stands still as all of their blades is blocked by a barrier. Lily steps out. "What is this, what's happening?!"
"Princess, watch out!" Kuzeli yelled.
Lily turns back to see a knight ready to striker barrier before getting sliced om the back. After the knight falls, Daisuke was revealed covered in wounds.
"Hiyama?"
"Are you ok, princess?"
"All those wounds..." Lily opens a hole in the barrier. However, when Kaori saw him.
'Wait, why is he there?' She thought back to what Eri said about an idiot and realized. "NO! Lily don't-"
It was too late.
Once inside the barrier, Hiyama delivers punch straight to Lily's stomach, causing her yo black out.
"Princess! You bas-ACK!" Kuzeli was blasted away by a small tornado conjured by Hiyama. With no one left in his way, Hiyama takes his sword and..
*Schink*
Drives it straight through Seiji's back.
"Ack...ack.."
Seeing this...
"SEIJIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" Kaori cried her soul.
"HIYAMA, WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"
Hiyama's two remaining lackeys now share Suzu's feelings. Seeing their friend committing such an atrocious act right in front of them.
"Hehehe.." Hiyama had a perverted smile on his face. "Don't worry Kaori, soon it'll just be you and me. When everyone else is gone."
"What?"
"Once he's gone, you'll be mi-"
"..All...in..thy...heavenly embrace.." Hiyama stops when he hears Seiji still talking. Seiji keeps chanting as light fades from his eyes."Aether...flow."
Despite his fleeting life, he's still manages to cast the spell. Soon every single one of his classmates were covered in green light. The stab wounds that was inflicted by Eri's undead soldiers slowly disappearing.
Seiji was also covered in green light, Hiyama's sword was getting pushed out by-
"I won't let you." Hiyama pushes his sword forward. Seiji coughs out more blood and his body becomes lifeless.
Kouki manages to stand up despite the soldiers holding him down, he breaks through his cuffs and knocks the knights away. "You.. BASTARDS!" He cries out. He summons personal artifact weapon, the holy sword. He starts slashing through the the zombies.
Soon, others also get out of their restraints like Shizuku and Endou. They proceeded to help the others by freeing them like Kaori and Yuka. The students who are free moved quick to protect the ones who are still cuffed.
Kaori was making a full sprint towards her brother. "Seiji!"
"Kaori, watch out!" Shizuku pulled Kaori back to make her avoid an attack from one of the knights. And that knight was soon beheaded by Kuzeli. The other students were all huddled togethere in the center.
"Taniguchi, quick make a barrier!" Ryutaro ordered, however Suzu only sat still, looking at the ground.
'She's in shock.' He kicks away zombie coming near Suzu. He then grabs Suzu and tosses to the center of the group.
The ones charging forward were all trying to save Seiji and Lily. However that proved difficult due to the number of soldiers.
Kouki had managed to cut down enough to reach Eri. He was strike her down in blind anger, but before he could...
"Khh kack.." Kouki fell to his knees and started coughing blood. "What...the...?"
Eri started smiling. "Hehe, it's a good thing Aetherflow only cures physical wounds and not poison."
"Poison?...that...drink."
"Yup, now if you'll excuse me." She walks over to Seiji's body. It was time for another puppet.
"Hurry up, I want to get Kaori!" Hiyama demanded.
"Shut up, you barely did anything." All the fool did was help with some of the killing. Their partnership started with a little bit of blackmail, when Eri figured who shot Hinata. After he was promised Kaori, he became another puppet, though not dead, he is a puppet nonetheless. "Now hold his body still." Eri begins her eerie chant from before.
Everyone kept yelling at her to stop or to shut up or in Kaori's case, yelling Seiji's name until-
*BANG*
"What the hell's going on here?"
A single gunshot pulled everyone's attention even the undead soldiers. Hinata, Meld, Tio, and especially Aiko was shocked. They had made their way through monster ridden city, never expecting the sight before them.
As they surveyed the area, their eyes eventually land on Seiji. After a single second of Shock, Meld moved at high speed and punches Hiyama in the face. The boy crashed to the wall as Meld's catches Seiji's body.
The other three make their way down. Aiko nearly cried upon seeing Seiji on that condition, it reminded her of Shimizu.
"Sensei, hold your tears."
Aiko looks at Hinata, she sees that her student has a very dark expression on her face and she also sees it in Meld. "Try using that new magic. Tio, help her."
The dragon and Aiko starts activating Spirit magic. If they're right, there is still a chance.
"Hahahaha what are you doing? He's already dead." Hinata turns to Eri, completely unfazed by the girl's mocking and starts to walk closer.
"Now now Nagumo calm down. Why don't I turn Seiji to a puppet and you can do any-"
*Bang*
Eri narrowly dodged the bullet
" ."
Eri moves behind some of soldiers while seemingly scared. However, Kondo charged at Hinata's back inly to be stopped by Meld.
"Tch, Reichii too?" Meld then notices the blood on Reichii and realizes that he must've died recently. He quickly uses spirit magic to check and...
"Hinata there might still be-"
*Thud*
Hinata didn't even look back as she threw the chains back at Meld. Meld uses the chain to restrain Reichii. Meld brought Reichii over hoping they can do the same thing with Seiji.
Eri starts to get genuinely nervously as she calls more soldiers.
In response, Hinata simply brings out her minigun. When her classmates saw this...
"Everybody duck!" It wasn't clear who shouted but everyone followed the command. Hinata starts firing, she turns a full 360 degrees, destroying every single one of Eri's puppets. All of her hard work, gone...just like that.
As the dust settles, Hinata walks to Eri who had also ducked and is now lying on the ground. Hinata points her gun. "Gotta say Nakamura, I'm shocked, I always knew you were hiding something, but even I couldn't have imagined all of this. So, congrats...you surprised me. Die while knowing that."
Just as she was about to pull the trigger.
*Boom*
Hinata sighs and turns around to shoot an incoming fireball.
"Nagumo...!" Hiyama rushes forward and jumps to try and stab her. Hinata simply shoots his sword off of his hands. And another hand grabs Hiyama by the neck, it was Meld.
"Gack Na...gumo..." Despite being in a chokehold , he is sill projecting his anger on her. "If it wasn't for you...Kaori...Kaori would've been mine."
If Hiyama had not focused at Hinata, he might've noticed Meld's face. Or at least before the man squeezed his neck. "It was you..." He growled. "You were the one who shot Hinata on that day."
Being the center of attention, it's no surprise everyone heard what he said. Even less of a surprise that they were shocked by the revelation. "Well...am I right?" Meld looks at Hinata for confirmation, even though he didn't need it.
"Aww you guessed right." Everyone was a bit disturbed by her cheery tone. "Yeah...this is the asshole that shot me off the bridge." Her classmates might've given a bigger reaction if they hadn't just gotten through the whole Eri thing. "You know Daisuke, I actually have to thank you and no I'm not being sarcastic."
And now they're even more confused.
"If it wasn't for you, I would've never gotten this strong, or learned the truth of this world. Your attempted murder was a blessing in disguise. It was why I decided not to rat your sorry ass out back in Horaud." Hinata's smile drops "But then you did something so incredibly stupid." Hinata's face darkens once again as she looks at Seiji. "You should've just stayed as the coward you are. That's all I have to say, Meld?"
Meld looks at the whimpering boy in his grip. "Hiyama...go rot in hell." With that, Meld let's go of Hiyama and punches him before he even dropped to the ground. His punch was strong enough to send him flying over the staging area and land straight into a horde of monsters. His screams went uncared about.
Meld can't help but feel a conundrum, he grabs one of his hands that was shaking. He decides to deal with it later. Right now he has something else to deal with.
Hinata aims her gun, intending to fini-
"Hinata, watch out!" Meld pulls Hinata away as a familiar pillar of light comes down from the ground.
"That attack.."
"Oh for the love of-"
As if to answer her woes, a white dragon appears from a spatial void, with a certain asshole.
"Master!" Tio calls out. "We've stabilized their souls and gotten rid of the necromancer's spell. But I don't think we can do any more." The fact that they have only recently learned this magic makes it more of miracle they were able to accomplish this much.
"It seems you have learned another ancient magic. Is it from the divine mountain? Tell me the location or el-"
*Bang*
"Gah! What is the matter with you? Surrender now! You are surrounded. Don't you want to protect your precious comrade?!"
"Comrades?" Hinata repeated that last word before breaking to a laughing fit. "Pfft hahahahaha." As she laughed she brought out a medium sized white crystal. It was a spirit stone, it was what let her control her drones.
So...what did this one control?
Hinata raises the stone high and soon she made it rain hell. Or to be more specific she brought down a massive beam of destruction, eradicating everything it touches.
Hinata focuses on the stone and soon everybody witness the bright red pillar start to move , catching every monsters and demons that was in the city, none escaped alive.
Everybody was stunned seeing Hinata's power and one looked especially pissed off. They knew she was powerful but this was beyond their imagination. Hinata smirks at Freid. "First of all, you demons need to stop thinking I actually care about these dums dums. The people I consider my comrades would have no problem dealing with a whiny bitch like you. Second of all, I've had a long night, So. Fuck. Off!"
Freid clenches his fist strong enough to draw blood. He grits before opening up. "You filthy heathen! I swear I will-"
*Bang*
Hinata cuts him off a second time. "Wah wah wah...Just shut the fuck up and leave." What started in a mocking tone, turned to a dark intimidating threat.
Begrudgingly accepting his loss, Freid did one last thing. He opened a portal in front of Eri and beckoned her, it was god's will that he worked with her and so he follow it.
Eri jumped into the portal after Hinata fired at her. She was full of spite, spite that will not die down until she gets what she wants.
After the two of them left, Akira and Shu comes along. They both asked where Freid had gone to, but their attention was diverted to Seiji's corpse.
"Tio, lead them to the divine mountain, Shu bring those two bodies, Tio will explain on the way."
Akira and Shu didn't bother asking anything, they just followed her command.
Hinata goes to Aiko. "Sensei, we can really use you help." They need as many spirit magic users as they have.
"Uh well.." Aiko looks at the rest of her students. Even with the threat gone, they are still under duress. She wants to help Seiji and Reichi but can she just abandon rest of her stude-
"Ai-chan go!" Yuka spoke up, still seeming like her old self. "Seiji and Reichii needs you. I'll handle things here, so please."
Aiko nods her head. "Thank you, Sonobe." Aiko runs following Tio and the others.
Meanwhile..
"Sei..ji..." Kaori staggers towards Hinata, still in shock. "Hinata...let me...let me help. What..can...I..." She fall to her knees. "What can I do to help?"
Hinata kneels down. "Kaori, Kaori, listen to me." She tries shaking the girl out of her shock to no avail. "Look into my eyes ok? Read my lips. Kaori, you're brother won't die tonight or the following days, not on my watch."
"You...you sure?"
"Yeah, I promise." Knowing how much that means, Kaori felt a little ease though also stull with massive concern and fear.
She goes to leave for the divine mountain but as she left.
"Hinata, wait!" Shizuku called out she had run to the now passed out boy. "Kouki was poisoned and-"
"He's on his own." She didn't even bat an eye.
"What?!" Shizuku was growing more anxious. The poison Eri used was strong enough to incapacitate someone as strong as Kouki. Kaori might be able to heal it, but...she may not be in the condition right now.
*Thunk*
She turns her attention to a sound of something rolling. She sees a bottle, a familiar looking one. She realizes it's the same bottle of that Meld used to save Kuzeli when she was nearly dead. Speaking of Meld, Shizuku watches the man has a solemn face as he walked away without saying a word. She feeds the vial to Kouki and looks at the distraught Kaori. All she can do now is hope.
Hinata watches as Akira continues his...spiritual operation. After they reached the divine mountain, Akira and Shu made a beeline for the ancient magic. Turns out, if you didn't fulfil the third requirement you get subjected to a form of mind control. But that was no problem for those two.
That brings them to now, Akira and Tio trying to bring Seiji and Reichii back to life, Meld and Shu had gone down to the forest to try and find Hinata's legs and a certain something, and Aiko was... staring at the rubble of the church.
"I'm so sorry..." She whispered.
"Sensei?" Aiko turns to see Hinata. "You ok?"
"Yes, of co-"
"Stop lying."
"..."
"I honestly don't know why you're feeling so guilty. The church people were a bunch of assholes and-"
"Its not that simple Nagumo! I willingly helped Tio. People died because of my actions. I...have blood on my hands." Aiko cried.
"Do you regret it?" Was Hinata's simple reply.
The teacher wiped her tears. "...No, I don't. The church was after you and Meld, they wanted to use your classmates. I... couldn't let that happen. It felt...right." She made a promise that she would protect her students on the first day got here, she'll try to fulfil that promise no matter what, even if she becomes a monster.
"But you still feel guilty."
"Yeah, I do."
"Then you're still better than me."
"Huh?"
"Sensei, you already know I don't regret what I did back then. And I'm not sorry either. I'm just sorry that you had to be the one to deal with me." Hinata gave a rare face to Aiko, one that had a gentle smile. "So, the fact that you still have compassion for these fanatics prove you're a better person tha-"
Hinata gets cut off by Aiko suddenly hugging her. "Please, stop saying that. You're a much kinder person than you think."
Hinata remained silent, feeling a little uncomfortable by that compliment. But nonetheless she returned the hug with one hand. "Thanks Sensei..."
While they hugged, Hinata sensed Meld was returning and now she has a mischievous smile. "You know, this might sound loaded from me but...maybe you should try focusing on a bit of romance."
"Huh? HUHHHHHH?" Aiko's sad expression became nothing but history and the present is now her bright pink face. "Wait, what does that mean?"
"If you don't make a move, Kuzeli will." Hinata whispered as Meld arrived with Hinata's legs.
"What?!"
Hinata quickly left and thanked Meld for her legs and goes to reattach it. The paladin then looks at the teacher and he immediately looked away with a frown and tried to walk away. Aiko catches up with him and sees him solemn expression.
"Meld...is something wrong?"
"Ah, lady Aiko..n-"
"Is it about Daisuke?"
"!" Meld's eyes widened.
"Meld...please don't.."
"How can I not?" His face contorts to one filled with fear. "I was tasked with protecting the students and yet...one of them died by my hands. Even with the boy's crimes, I still-"
"Stop that!" Aiko ordered. "If anyone should be feeling guilty, it should be me."
"...What?"
"Meld, two of my students nearly destroyed your home. They killed your soldiers and that was just what I recently learned. You were counting on us and we almost ended up bringing the kingdom's destruction. I should've kept a closer eye on them."
"...Lad-"
"Don't call me that, just call me Aiko, please."
"Aiko... please do not blame yourself. You care for your students as if they were your own children."
"Right back at you, you carry a great sense of care for them even if you haven't known them for long."
"But Hiya-"
"I do not blame you one bit for what you did. I still feel sad and i still think there was a chance he could atone. But I also knew how angry you must've been and why you did what you did." It seems that Aiko and Meld are on the same boat. Although they feel sorry for the boy, that feeling does not absolve his crimes. "So please, do not blame yourself."
"...Thank you...Aiko "
"Of course and thank you for taking such good care of Hinata."
"Like hell! I took care of him." Hinata shouted.
""Ahh!"" Both adults yell at the sudden shout coming from the other side of pile of rubble. ""HINATA!""
"Oh, bite me! You don't own this literal goddammed mountain!"
After they hear the girl's footsteps. "We love her, don't we?"
"Yeah..."
With that, they go back to their two dying students.
After she woke up, Lily had learned of the recent events through Kuzeli. She and the others assessed all the damage done by Eri. Such as the fact they found the king and other nobles in the throne room.
Add that with everything else, and all Lily wanted to do was cry and grief...but she didn't. Instead, she instantly moved to try and fix what's left of her home.
After doing a body count, they learn that Eri had converted around 500 soldiers. After burying all the bodies... and disposing of Hiyama's, they begin reconstruction of the kingdom as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Eri didn't kill every high ranking official in the kingdom. For example is Lily's mother, the queen, Luluaria and the next heir to the throne and prince, Lily's younger brother Lundel.
All the students, including the ones that had ceased their training had opted to help with the reconstruction. The citizens, Aiko's guards, the surviving soldiers, and...Aiko herself lent a hand.
After some time, Aiko had returned from the mountain. She was instantly barraged by everyone for questions. But she stood her ground and refuse to explain what occured in the mountains but assured that they can trust Hinata. She came because she wanted to help after doing what she "can" for her other students.
Everybody was anxious about the two of them, especially after what they just went through. The recent events impacted them all, especially four of them. Yoshiki and Shinji had confined themselves to the rooms in the castle. Suzu was still heartbroken over the Eri's true nature and how she was just using her to get closer to Kouki.
And finally...Kaori.
She's still helps with rebuilding the kingdom but there are times that she would always space out. Everybody, especially Shizuku and Kouki are worried for her. Everytime they try to talk about it, she would just say she's fine and tell them to focus on work.
In the following days, Kuzeli had opted to ask the students for help to test some of the knights to find... replacements for the squad captain that fell victim to Eri.
After one of the sparring matches, Lily walks in to check on them. "You seem to be working hard Kouki."
"Oh,Lily. I'm fine, but you..." Although he trailed off, he was obviously referring to Lily's eye bags and the fact that her father is dead.
"Don't worry about me, its all part of being royalty... how's...Kaori...?"
"She seems fine but there are times where she seems out of it." They turned to Kaori, who was blankly looking at the sky.
"She's waiting for them."
"Yeah, but honestly, I don't think I can trust Nagumo, even if she's with Meld. And I hope Kaori doesn't see her again."
Well now, that didn't make sense to Lily at all. If anything, recent events prove Hinata might be the person they can trust the most, but her trusting them is a different story. And it would be better if Kaori does meet Hinata, even with the worst case scenario, at least Kaori can get closure.
Lily looks up at the sky, it is a great shame that all of this is happening under such a beautiful da- wait.
"Kouki, up in the sky, look!" Kouki looks up to where Lily was pointing and he sees five dots in the sky. The dots were getting bigger and start to look kess like dots and now look like people.
"Everyone scatter!"
Everyone near immediately ran from the incoming people. The five people crash land in the center and after the smoke settles, they were revealed as Hinata's party. Although their landing was shocking what was even more surprising the 6th person being held by Meld while recovering from the nausea of falling from such a great height.
"Kondo...You're alive?!"
"Huh? Oh, y-yeah." Reichii answered.
"Wait, if you're ok..Seiji! What about Seiji?" Kaori ran to Hinata, her eyes filled with hope and concern. "Where is he? Where is Seiji?"
Hinata looked a little hesitant to answer. "Umm...Kaori calm down. Seiji's fine but..."
"But what? What happe-"
"HINATAAAAAA CATCH MEEEEE!"
While others were confused by the arrival of a new voice. "Uh oh MOVE!" Hinata grabs Kaori and jumps away, the others soon followed once they see another person falling from the sky. Except for Meld who actually prepared his arms to catch whoe-
"Oh no you don't." Hinata yanks Meld away. "He wanted this, no sympathy!"
The figure crashes, and everyone was shocked again. This time, who they saw was a man with pure silver hair and most notably a pair of wings growing from his back.
"I-It's you, you're the man who kidnapped Aiko!" Lily shouted. Hearing this , everybody nearby instantly pulls put their weapons.
And in response "Noint" waves his hands in a panic. "Waitwaitwait it's me Seiji!"
"Seiji..." Kaori slowly aproached the angel. "Is it really you?"
"Yeah sis it's really me. I even know about those r18 books you bought without telling mom an-"
"Kyaaahh, you promised you wouldn't - Wait! Seiji, it's really you." Kaori hugs Seiji as tight as she can while crying as much as she can. "Seiji...Seiji..I was so worried."
"Sorry about that." Seiji returned the hug. "But I'm fine now, I'm here." As they hug, other students eventually came to training grounds and see the heartwarming scene.
Once the emotional bit ended, Kaori finally decided to satisfy everyone's curiosity. "So...why do you look like that Seiji?"
"Well..." Hinata begins explaining. In the mountains she had Shu go to retrieve Noint's body. She had intended to study it. However, when Seiji's spirit had regained his consciousness, he had requested that his soul be transferred to Noint's body even though his old body was perfectly restored.
Seiji accepted he was weak back in Melusine. But that did not mean he intended to stay weak. So when he saw the chance, he decided to take it. Feeling his determination, everyone agreed to the idea.
"...And that's what happened. His body is safely encased in ice and stored in my Treasure Trove."
"Ok, but something still doesn't make sense. You transferred souls with magic? I've never heard of that kind of power." Kaori wondered.
"I definitely never heard about anything like that from the court magicians." Shizuku chimed in.
"Well let me explain." Meld spoke up. "Do you remember what you were all taught about the magic here."
"Hmm we were taught that the magic we used were weaker imitations of magic used in the age of gods. Wait, is that you used? God's age magic?" Kaori concluded.
"Hehe Hinata was right, you are smart."
"That's my sis."
"Well whatever the case, you guys saved my brother's life." Kaori bows before the party. "Thank you all of you, I owe all of you one."
"Don't worry, we just helped one of our own."
"Besides, I promised your brother will live and I never b-mpf." Hinata's mouth was covered by Kaori's cleavages when the priestess pulled her friend to a hug. "Seriously, thank you so much. I owe you big time."
While the boys were getting jealous of Hinata's position. "Uhm guys." Reichii spoke up. "I've been meaning to ask,. where's Yoshiki and Shinji?"
"Uh..they're in their rooms. They've been like that since...you know..." Yuka answered.
"Oh...ok, I-I need to go."
"Sure Reichii, and while you're a it, why don't you call them here?" Shizuku requested.
"For what?"
"Well..." She walks to Aiko. "Sensei, I've been wondering what was it that you wanted to tell us before you got kidnapped? Did it have something to do with gods age magic and what Nagumo said about the "truth" of this world?" After she asked the question the others started to think the same.
Hinata and Meld looks at each other and nods. And so they wait for all the other students to arrive and they begin another explanation about what they learned down in Orcus.
There were mixed reaction, such as fear, shock, and-
"So you're saying we've been pawns in this god's game?!"
Anger.
"Yes, you are a pawn." That response earned Hinata a backhanded high five from Akira.
"Why didn't you tell us?!" Kouki shouted.
"I don't remember being obligated to tell you anything." Hinata coldly rebutted.
"Say what?"
"Kouki!" Meld cut in. "This wasn't something we can just tell out of the blue. We told Aiko in secret and she still got put in harm's way." He tried explaining.
"Yeah. Besides, it's not like we had any solid proof until now. Even if I had told you, can all of you actually say you would have believed me of all people over literally every human in Tortus?" Hinata followed up.
"Guh...e-even so you could've tried to-"
"I don't see a reason why I have to go out of my way to help you. Did you forget what you're all actually worth to me?" Everyone started to feel the same fear they felt at Orcus, the same goes for the students that weren't even there.
"But...we have to work together to fight this ev-"
Hinata raised he hand at him. "Hold up. What do you mean fighting together?"
"Huh?"
Hinata crossed her arms."My number one goal is going home, not challenge a freaking god."
"What?! Are you saying you don't care for the people of this world." Kouki's temper flared again.
"No, I don't. That's Meld's job." Hinata simply answered.
"Captain Meld, how can you let her say that?"
"Kouki...I never liked of relying on you kids to save this world. This is our responsibility, not yours. If Hinata can secure a way home for all of you, I feel that would be much better." The paladin answered.
"So you're really not gonna help the people? Aren't you stronger than me?"
"Uhh, no shit sherlock."
"Then why!? You're suppose to use your powers to hep peop-"
*Whack*
Everybody gasped when Hinata suddenly appeared in front of Kouki and punched him. "You motherfucker." She spat. "So that's how you see the world? Guess I shouldn't be surprised...Hehe...hahaha...HAHAHAHAHAHA." She did the same maniacal laugh she did in Orcus and Melusine. "Let me tell you how I see it. I think humans run on desires. In order to fulfill their desire, they do everything they can to try to achieve it, like me with the labyrinths."
Hinata can see Kouki's reluctance to accept that logic in his eyes. So she continues to talk. "Let me ask you this, why do you think Nakamura did what she did?"
Everybody, especially Suzu was unnerved upon hearing that name. "Do you think she did it just because she could? Or do you think Shimizu invaded Ur just because he happened to be able to control monsters? No." She answered her own question. "They both committed those acts because they wanted to achieve a goal and they worked for it, that's how humans are, they don't do things because they can, they do it because they want to, unlike all of you."
Everybody was silent at Hinata's statement. It was the first time they had heard her inner thoughts and it was surprisingly... enlightening except for a certain hero.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"All of you have been incredibly naive since we came to this world. No offense to Kaori and Seiji, offense to everyone else."
"Uh...none taken?" Kaori nervously replied.
"How dare you?! The rest of us have been-"
"Hopelessly gullible? Not realizing a necrophiliac yandere was building an army right under your noses?!"
Suzu started to whimper as Ryutaro tried to comfort her as Hinata continued her rant.
"Or how about the fact none of you realized this whole thing was bullshit from the start despite all the obvious signs?"
"What signs?!"
"Oh gee, I don't know. How about the fact that we were all basically kidnapped here? How about the fact that Ishtar was clearly a creepy old fanatic? How about the fact that the church was hardcore racist? Or maybe, how you all actually thought a bunch of regular, cocky, idiotic, and hormonal teenagers can actually save the world?!" Hinata listed.
Everybody had their head down, as if they were being scolded by their parents, they couldn't reject any of Hinata's accusations.
"It's ironic actually, I was the gross otaku of the class, and yet all of you are the ones trying to live the fucking fantasy." She said. But the real irony was the fact that although she insulted herself, it was her classmates that felt terrible. "I won't blame you for having the sentiment to help people. But none of you ever asked yourselves what that would actually require you to do. Well...maybe one of you did." She smiles as she stared at a slightly spooked Shizuku. Her angry rant eventually died down and her face slowly became hysteric. "You should've taken a page from Sensei."
Aiko flinched when she heard herself mentioned.
"Unlike the rest of you, she never lost sight of who she was. She never forgot what was actually important to her."
"Nagumo..." Aiko was touched by her words. But she did not know how to feel about what she us saying to her classmates.
They all felt so...pathetic. The girl in front of them...the one they bullied, ignored, outcasted...hell, one of them tried to kill her and she just...shrugged it off like it was nothing. Because they were nothing...nothing to her. She managed to ignore all the ridicule and hatred, and yet, here she is stating facts and some of them were ready to cry
Meld and Hinata's harem looks at Hinata with concern. They didn't disagree with what she said. But they feel as if she's going through something because how open she was just now.
Hinata looks up at the orange sky, realizing the sun has set she starts to walk away.
"Wait, where are you going?" Lily asked running in front of her.
"Back to the Divine Mountain, that's where we're staying. I doubt any inns are still active after the recent invasion. Tomorrow, we leave."
Lily became anxious upon hearing that. "Wait! If you need a place to stay why not spend the night in the castle. It's the least we can do sin-"
"No."
"!"
"I told you, I didn't do this for you. So you don't have to do have anything for me, see ya princess." Hinata simply walks past a depressed Lily. This would usually be the time when the other students would scold her for her rude behavior but...
"Stop being difficult." Hinata stops again when she feels Meld's hand on her head. "Have you forgotten, that I live- Wait, do I still live in the castle?" He turned to the princess mid sentence.
"O-Of course."
"I live in the castle, so don't think of it as the princess doing you a favour, just think of it like crashing at my place."
"..."
"Come on..."
"...Fine."
With that everyone returned to the palace, they have alot to digest.
And no it's not food.
Especially since Hinata isn't even eating that much. She had said she wanted to sleep early so Meld suggested that they have early dinner, which Hinata lazily agreed to.
The others can't stop looking at her. "Can I help you?" She asked causing everyone to flinch.
"Hinata...are you ok? You seem off." Akira asked.
"Yeah, just peachy."
The doors to the dining hall opened and all of Hinata's classmates along with Aiko and Lily
"Hey Seiji, mind if we join you?"
"No, not at all."
They all sit one by one and as they're food is prepared they all can't help but look Hinata.
"So Meld, where are you gonna go? To the next ancient labyrinth?" Kaori started.
"Yes, the sea of trees Haltina."
"Ah, then you would be passing Empire territory right?" Lily asked.
"Empire...you mean the Hoelscher empire?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, I need to report the recent events and give the emperor the information about god. So..would it be alright if I were to tag along? I believe your transportation artifact will being me there faster than any horseback."
"Of course princess but..." Meld's eyes veer to Hinata, who just kept staring at her food.
"We're just dropping you off right?" She asked.
"Of course, I would never ask for you to come into the empire with me."
"Then I guess it won't be too much trouble."
Lily felt major relief. "Oh than-"
"You're paying."
"Eh?"
"That payment you didn't give to More, I'll take it."
At that moment, everyone wanted to say that they couldn't believe Hinata would charge a princess who's kingdom just got attacked...if it wasn't for the fact that they actually do believe it.
"Then we're coming too!" Kouki suddenly stood up. "We can't let Lily go with someone who doesn't who care about this world. If Nagumo isn't gonna save the world the-"
*Splash*
Everybody's eyes widened when they see Kouki splashed with water and Hinata holding up an empty cup extended towards him. "What the fuck are you talking about? Like hell I'm going anywhere with you. "
"Grr if you won't save this world then I will. But I need power, the power of gods age magic. If I go with you, I'll be ab-" He ducks before finishing his sentence, dodging an incoming glass.
*Shatter*
"Stop talking about us traveling together, you're making me sick." Hinata's expression grew darker.
"Actually Hinata..." Kaori spoke up. "Can I come with you?"
"?"
"I know it's weird, I just said I owed you and yet here I am asking you for another favour. But, I can't help you or anyone the way I am now. So can I please come?" Kaori pleaded.
"Me too!" Shizuku chimed in. "Can you at least help us get one God's age magic? I promise we'll help."
"I want to come too. Please Nagumo, I want to be able to talk to Eri, again." Suzu begged.
"Yeah, I wanna go too. I want to be strong enough to protect my friends." Ryutaro stood up and bowed.
Hinata considered their pleas and- Wait, no she didn't. "Kaori can come, the rest of you can suck it."
"Kh! Meld say something." Kouki pleaded. "Tell Hinata she's being unreasonable and she should take us along!"
"Kouki...I can't do that. I don't single handedly make every decision. If the others disagree..." He looks at his party.
"If that guy bothers Hinata, then he should stay away."
"Yeah, I don't really like him either."
"If Master wishes for them not to come, then I will follow that decision."
"Sorry guys."
"Well...there you have it." Meld would honestly accept any new allies. But he can't do that this time. Even starting with Akira, all of their new allies were people who both he and Hinata agreed to let join.
When he thinks about it, it's weird that Hinata would accept the people of Tortus more than her own classmates. He wonders why that is...
Just as Kouki was about to make another argument. Kaori stood up while slamming her hands down. She marches around table, eventually reaching Hinata. She kneels and grabs both of her hands.
"Please Hinata. You probably don't have such a high view of everyone here...including me right?"
"..."
"I don't know if we can catch up with you. But I do know we can help you in some way. So can you please reconsider?"
Hinata takes a deep breath and lets it out along with her dark expression. "There it is, the Kaori charm."
"Kaori...charm?"
"Yeah, she always does this when she tries to convince me to try something new. I always agree like a sucker and I always end up enjoying things like a basic bitch."
"What did she convince you to do?" Shu asked curiously.
"And how can I learn this technique?" Akira asked seriously.
Hinata pushed the 2 boys away. "Well she convinced me to have my first latte and my first spa day."
"And you ended up liking both of those things."
"Yeah...I did... your charms always worked..." Kaori was still smiling, until...
"But not this time."
"Heh?"
In an instant, she contorted back to her scary demeanor and yanks the collar of Kaori's shirt up. "You're getting too much ahead of yourself." Just like that, she instantly changed the atmosphere, to one filled with fear. "I told you that you can hang out with anyone you want. I didn't think you would say the exact opposite to me." Her calm voice did not reduce how intimidating she is. "Kaori, I really do think of you as a friend. Don't make me regret it." Even after she let Kaori go, the girl was still shaking.
"As for the rest of you, let me make it clear. I. Don't. Need. Leeches." She gave the four who requested to join her a deadly stare. "I don't care about any of your lives. Nakamura can do whatever kinky shit she wants with all of you." That last sentence was directed more to a specific someone. "I also don't care if you guys wanna get stronger. As if you dumbasses can be any sort of help to me. I don't have or want to care about your feelings. I won't let anyone take advantage of me, not any of you and not god."
She stands up. "I lost my appetite, I'm going back to my room." She walks to the door, none of the others dared to followed. Before she leaves. "Oh, and one more thing." She turns around with a pleasant smile. "You can still come if you want Kaori. Laterrrrrrr."
Everyone in the dining room was left to look at each other...processing what just happened.
Hinata was in the room she originally stayed in, and she kept looking at the ceiling, playing with her thumbs, and trying figure out why she can't just go to fucking sleep!
*Knock* *Knock*
"Oh, someone finally came. Who is it?" She wonders...is it Meld and Aiko wanting to reprimand them?
Is it Akira and the other two, checking up on her?
Or maybe it's Amanogawa being...Amanogawa.
"Uh...it's Reichii."
Oh...well that wasn't her first couple of guesses. She walks to the door and open it and see the recently revived boy. "What do you want?"
"Uh...can I come in?"
"Sure, I guess." It was better than talking in the hallway, when you don't know who's listening.
"So what is it?"
"I...I wanted to say I'm sorry for...bullying you and being a total jackass." He got straight to the point. "And I think I speak for both Shinji and Yoshiki too."
"I do-"
"And I know you don't care." Reichii said in a rush. "But I really do regret what I did."
"And how do I know, you're not just saying that because you don't want to end up like your buddy Daisuke?"
Reichii grimaced like when Suzu heard Eri's name. "He's not my buddy." He said in a low voice. He learned of everything Hiyama had done. The bastard didn't even ask Eri to spare his friends. Yoshiki and Shinji might be scared, but he himself is quite spiteful. "And secondly, you can just tell, can't you? By looking at my face?"
Hinata narrows her eyes. "He told you."
"He said that you never actually forbade him to tell anyone."
"Eh, guess he got me there, that all you wanna say, or do you also wanna join in the labyrinths?"
"No." He answered immediately. "I don't need you to tell me that the labyrinths are out of my league. And I'm sure you don't want me to come either." Like his friends, he also treated most of their training as a joke. Thinking it was more of a privilege than a challenge or responsibility.
"I'm assuming the others haven't changed their minds?"
"Uhh...no. "
"Let me guess, Amanogawa threw a hissy fit."
"You...can say that." Or to be more specific. Kouki tried to confront Hinata for what she did Kaori but Kaori herself told him to stop along with Hinata's harem.
Explicitly using the words "You'll only make things worse."
Kouki then tried to incite the others and convince them they should resume challenging the Orcus labyrinth. His declaration was immediately shot down by everyone there, including Lily and Aiko.
"So is there anything else? If not, get out."
"Wait wait there is.." the boy composed himself before speaking. "Hinata...I think .. you seriously underestimate yourself."
"What?" He's kidding right?
"I'm not talking about strength. I'm talking about how kind you are."
"...What the hell are talking about?"
"Yeah...like that. You keep saying stuff like you don't care about other people's lives and yet you keep saving them. You even have a harem now."
"A coincidence and annoyance." Hinata sternly corrected.
"You can keep saying that if you want, but even so...thank you. For saving our lives." Reichii prostates himself. "I'll take my leave now. I need to prepare for tomorrow's training." He heads for the door.
"Training...for what?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Hinata raises an eyebrow. "I want to drive my spear through that bitch's neck."
Hinata can only imagine Reichii's face when he said that as he left.
One hour later
*Knock* *Knock*
"Oh look another visitor after exactly one hour after the last one. Just come in, whoever you are." Hinata called out.
"Uh excuse me." Lily walks with an awkward smile.
"Oh, it's you." She didn't even get out of her bed to greet royalty. "Ok, hurry up and talk."
"Well I heard that you were leaving ri-"
"Get on with it."
"Uh..uh...I was hoping you'd stay longer." She said frantically.
"No."
"At least until we can fix the barrier artifact." Lily pleaded.
"Not my problem. Besides, you have your precious hero." Hinata smugly reminded.
Lily whimpers, as much as she hates to admit it. If another invasion comes, they will not stand a chance without Hinata.
"Can you at least lend us that artifact you used? The giant pillar of light. In return I will I do everything in my power as a princess to help you get home."
"I have two reasons not to do that." She begins explaining. "The first is that it's busted, since it was prototype." If she were to use simple terms, the laser was created by what might be considered as a satellite magnifying glass. The lenses of the satellite collect sunlight and once it's charged enough it fires the beam from before. It doesn't even have to natural sunlight. She connected her treasure trove to the artificial sunlight in Orcus's hideout.
She still can't fathom how Oscar made that. Whatever it is, it definitely involves other ancient magic. Nonetheless, the laser got destroyed by its own strength unlike her sick as hell railgun that also fires a powerful but smaller blast.
"The second, even if it wasn't..." Hinata breaks into a evil smile. "As if someone like you can help me."
"Huh? Wait, please don't say that. We-"
"Can you fight?"
"I-"
"Can you clear an ancient labyrinth?"
"Wel-"
"Can you get me home right this instant?"
"I-I-I...Is it money? We will pay as much-"
"Oh, trying to bribe me now are you?" Hinata started laughing hysterically. " Too bad I'm not some fool you can just seduce to do what ever you want princess."
"I didn't.." Lily started to tear up.
"Why are you even asking me? Why don't you ask your precious knight Meld? He still wants to work for you. So it's technically legal for you to take advantage of him."
"Please..*hic*..don't put it like.. that...*hic*" She kept trying to talk through the tears.
"But don't you like doing that?" She jumps out of bed and looks at the princess dead in the eye. "You sure liked taking advantage of my classmates."
"What?! N-"
"You never complained." She bluntly said. "Your god kidnapped a bunch of teens and you didn't complain. We had to risk our lives for a bunch of strangers and you didn't complain!"
"It's not li-"
"And when Meld and I fell in Orcus you still didn't complain. You never once openly said "God was wrong." until your kingdom almost got destroyed. Because you people just couldn't get off of your high-"
"WOULD LET ME TALK!" That was the first time Lily ever raised her voice so high. "I KNOW WE'RE PATHETIC! I KNOW WE WERE WRONG TO RELY ON YOU! BUT THAT IS WHO WE ARE!"
Lily broke down before continuing. "*Hic* *Hic* We're not you Nagumo. We're weak and desperate. That's why we can only rely on gods like Ehit or strong people like you. As shameless as it is, I must do everything I can to protect my people. The reason I didn't ask Meld is not only because of his desire to follow you, but also because if you truly do leave, then he will be humanity's only hope against god."
Lily stands up and looks directly at Hinata. "So go ahead and insult me all you want. I will still beg for your help, no matter what."
Hinata's initial face of shock morphs to one where she is impressed. "So you did have backbone." Her voice became much softer than before. "Then you can relax. Before I leave I'll fix the barrier." She casually said as she jumps back onto bed.
"R-Really?" She felt like she was dreaming, hearing those words.
"Yeah. To be honest, I was always gonna fix it."
"You were?!"
"Uh huh, Meld and Seiji may have acted supportive, but I knew they didn't exactly feel comfortable leaving the kingdom in the state it is in now. If we're challenging the next labyrinth, I needed their heads in the game."
"Then...then I didn't need to-"
"Blubber like a baby? Yup."
"I-I did not blubber!" Her previous fear is now completely gone.
"I don't really care about your health. But you should probably sleep to get rid if those eye bags, they also look red, probably from all that crying earlier."
Lily absolutely had no idea how to react. Hinata went from questioning her morals right to giving health advices, if they can be called that. "I think I should just go to sleep now."
"Yeah, go on and get out of my room."
"It's my home." Lily whispered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Lily rushed out of the room.
10 minutes later
The princess's visit was still fresh in her mi-
Knock* *Knock*
"Huh, already? Thought it be another hour." Feeling something odd, Hinata goes to open door by herself this time.
After she did..
"Look Nagumo, I know-"
*Slam*
She slammed the door right into Kouki's face. She then transmutes the door's lock. Not only locking it but also making it so there's no keyhole or handle on the other side.
"What the- Nagumo open up!"
Hinata ignores the hero's demand and knocking. She wasn't worried about him breaking the door, he was too polite for that.
50 minutes later
This world was getting to her.
That was the conclusion she came to, after she got here, she's had to beat ancient labyrinths, armies of monsters, forces of god, and she just had kill over thousands of people. And the only thing she can say to herself.
Why...?
Why did she have to go through this?
She already went through enough shit back I Japan, why can't life just stop screw-
Crackle*
Hinata looks a the door with shock when she sees actual electric shocks coming from the part she transmuted. "Bastard must've gotten some other synergists to help him. Fine, two can pla-"
"Hinata, I'm coming in."
"Huh?" That wasn't Amanogawa. She gets out of bed.
The door opens. "Sorry for intruding." And Meld walks in.
"Meld? Wait, but how...?"
"It's thanks to this." Meld raises his arm showing the answer, a ring.
"Is that...the Transmute ring." One of the first artifacts she made in Orcus. A ring that lets the wearer use the skill Transmute. She made it so that Meld and Akira can utilize creation magic. However, both of them sucked at creating...well, everything.
"I kept practicing, in secret. Like how you secretly built a giant death ray."
"Bite me...was it you?"
"Was it me what?" He asked with a smile.
"Did you tell the princess and Kondo to talk to me?"
"Yes. I simply wanted to help them get relieve some issues with you."
"What about Amanogawa?"
"He just went on his own." Hinata chuckled at that answer.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Hinata...I think you know."
"You better be joking."
"You can clearly tell I'm not."
"You know it's a bad idea."
"Seiji proved himself. And we can use the help." His voice became less calm
"Seiji accepted how shitty this world is. Yaegashi might stand a chance, but the other three still think they can get by with the power of fucking friendship." Hinata countered.
"Hinata, think about Noint."
Hinata flinches. "He almost killed both of us. Since we killed him, Ehit might make his move any second. What if he were to send an army of apostles?"
"We'll fight."
"We'll die!"
"..."
"Even if we get the other two god's age magic, there's no guarantee we can fight them even without everyone."
"You're still talking like those numbskulls are actually gonna be of use."
"Maybe they will, their skills are about the same as Seiji. And I know you can make them full use of them."
"Ok, now you're just begging me to make them slaves."
"Because that's probably the best I can get from you."
Hinta shakes her head. "No. Meld, we're not doing this."
"Please, Hinata."
"Shut up..." She whispered.
"Hinata we ne-"
"JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP DAD!" Hinata snapped.
Realizing what she just said, Hinata quickly covers her mouth. Meld was also shocked, but then composed himself. "Don't worry, no one is around to listen. Akira and the others made sure of that."
Hinata puts her hand down and sits down. Meld sits next to her. "You wanna talk about it?"
"..."
"Hinata...I apologize." She looks at him. "It seems I have failed to consider your feelings."
"?"
"You've been extremely patient with this world, haven't you? Thank you. Perhaps it is time for you to enjoy some leisure."
"..."
"I'll tell them the bad news." Meld stands up. "And if you ever want to talk about...that...you can talk to me anytime." Meld goes to leave but stops when he feels a tug on his shirt. He turns and see Hinata holding it.
"How...How about now?"
Meld sits back down and Hinata starts...talking. the words just kept pouring out of her mouth. She told him everything.
How she lost her legs.
How she is able to discern truths or lies.
What makes her so determined to go back home.
And finally...
H̴̳̆̈́ ̷̢̳̮̹̤̏̂̽͑́ȅ̵͈̱͓ȓ̴̰̻͓͓̉̑̐̓̈́͜ ̵͓̫̼̠̪̃̿̿r̶̳̱̫̝̔̀͝ ̶̀̑͌̄̊̚͜E̵̡̳̠̫̽͗ ̴̳̭̐̂͝a̶̼̘̞͕̓̑̎l̷̨̦̤̘̈̀̓̇͑͠ ̷̤͐̋Ï̴̯̙͖͖̇̈̔ ̸̢̯̦͓͔̝͋̀͌̾d̵̻̤̻̮̎̌͐͂ ̸̨̟̲̩͇̣̈́̋͒̋͝e̵̲̠̯͑͝ń̵͉̠̜̝̎̀̄͋ ̷̡̘̝̯̙̖̂͘T̶̛͙̳͓̠̝͎̃̾̒͌̚ ̴̧̫̪̝̤̜́̈́̕i̴̜͍͙̩̐̿̈̕͜͝t̶̟̯̆͌ ̶̡̰̀̅͂y̵̞̆̋̔̆
After she was done, all she could feel was Meld hugging her as tightly as he can.
Man this chapter was fun to write, I love scenes where a character would snap and calls out everyone on their bullshit, and they have every right to, and also Kondo is alive, because why not? Also another thing I want to discuss, is that I've read a lot of Arifureta fanfic, or at least as much as possible, and I can't help but feel that people generally believe Hiyama is worse than Eri.
And I honestly don't agree with that, yes I know Eri has her sad origins, but that doesn't really justify everything, just look at the facts, Hiyama literally failed to kill 3 to people on screen, while Eri successfully killed 500 hundred people off screen. Hiyama might be a disgusting perv, but so is Eri, if not more. Anyway, that's just my opinion, hoped you enjoyed the story and thanks for reading, and please fell free to comment.