Hinata opens her eyes, then she rises. She looks at the sunlight coming from the window and starts recalling last night's events. Her talk with Kondo, The princess, and...Meld.
Thinking back to their trip down her memory lane made her start to blush. She immediately slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of it. What she had shared with the man was nothing important, at least not to anyone besides them. What is really important was what they had talked after.
With the utmost reluctance, she had accepted to give the hero's party a chance. Meld went to give the "good" news to Kaori and friends. Of course he informed them of how the labyrinths are structured and that they have to pull their weight in order to obtain the power. They'll leave along with the princess and the attendants she's bringing.
Right now, after breakfast she needs to to fix the barrier like she said.
She sat there in silence for a while wondering one thing... What was Meld up to?
*Clang*
*Swish*
*Clang*
One blade counters two. Meld and Seiji stare into each other's eyes while theor blades lock with each other. They knock each other back.
"Let's stop for now." Meld advised. Seiji lays his sword and Meld walks closer. "Looks like you're getting used to your new body."
"Thanks Meld." By being inside Noint's body, Seiji had access to his fighting style through muscle memory. He can also use the spells Noel used and fly with his wings, with enough practice, that he doesn't need to crash land again. Although he doesn't have access to Noel's infinite mana source. He can still directly control mana like the rest of the party.
"Its hard to believe. I'm still me but I never used a sword before, let alone two big ones." Meld and Hinata were still a little disturbed seeing Noel's face so...emotive.
Speaking of faces, Meld seems to be showing one full fear and shock.
"Uh...Meld, what's wrong?"
Meld quickly put on a nervous smile. "Oh, nothing. I just need to go somewhere."
"Meld? Hey wait-" Meld ran off before Seiji can get a word in. Just as Seiji was wondering what that was about.
"Hey Seiji." He turns around and sees Shizuku running towards him. "Aw, did I miss Meld?" Shizuku's shoulders slumped. "I was hoping we could spar for a while. I wanted to see just how much stronger he is since the last time we sparred."
As Seiji started to put two and two together, a certain female knight watches from afar.
Hinata examines the destroyed artifact. A stone pillar with shards of what ever was suppose to be on it, scattered everywhere. Hard to believe it used to be a legendary artifact.
"Grr..." The angry and growling old man next to Kaori was Volpen. He is the kingdom's head synergist. Back to when they were summoned , Volpen had been somewhat excited when he heard one of the heroes was a synergist. He looked forward to teaching her everything he knew.
His excitement was crushed when Hinata had refused, saying she had much more important things to do. And now that same girl is gonna fix a legendary artifact by herself.
"Mr Volpen please calm down."
"Is this brat really gonna fix it, or does she have some thing more impo-"
"Done."
""Huh?"" Kaori and Volpen jumped when Hinata walked over. She points back and they can see the stone on the pillar completely back to it's former glory. It was already shooting light up to the sky. After Volpen rushed to inspect it, a soldier comes in and announces the third layer of the barrier is back.
"Wow! You fixed a legendary artifact in mere seconds." Kaori complimented.
"Can't be that legendary if a high schooler managed to break it so easily." Kaori simply laughed hearing her comment. Hinata feels a bit unnerved seeing it. There was a reason she picked Kaori to guide her. "Kaori..I-"
"Please make me your student!"
""Huh!?"" The girls yelped when Volpen suddenly bowed down in front of Hinata.
"Teach me everything you know, please!"
"No." Hinata answered with no hesitation to the begging old man. Volpen kept clinging onto her. "Oh. Are these legs also your creation?" He observes the teenage girl's legs... it's not what you think. "Such fine details and so powerful. Come to think of it you also build that sword from beforeeeeeee..."
Hinata manages to to shake Volpen off, literally. "Don't cling on to my leg! And even if I wanted to teach you, I can't teach Creation Magic, it's god's age magic."
"Seriously?!" Volpen despaired and his face falls flat to the ground before getting right back up. "B-But your skills are still far superior than ours. Please , make us your students."
Hinata only rolled her eyes as Kaori led her and a pleading Volpen to the next artifact. Hinata can't help but worry that if this was the head synergist's reaction, what about the rest?
Meld peeks through the corner, looking left and right. "Looks like nobody's here."
"I wouldn't say that." a voice behind him.
"Ah!" He turns around,nearly drawing his sword before seeing Kuzeli. "Oh, Kuzeli, it's you."
"What's the matter?" Kuzeli asked with a stone cold face.
"Huh? Nothing, nothing is wr-"
"Do not expect me to believe that. If there was truly nothing wrong then you would not have been startled like that."
Meld bit his lip.
"Is it the reason that you fled from Shizuku earlier?" Kuzeli questioned.
Meld remained quiet.
"You do know you can't avoid her or her friends, considering they're going with you, right?"
Meld averts his gaze.
"Is it about Hiyama?"
His eyes widened.
"Aiko shared her concerns after she got back." She answered what Meld was wondering. Even though she was the one asking the question. "You killed one of their own. You fear that they would fear you or perhaps loathe you." She starts answering her own questions. Meld didn't say anything, but she took the silence as confirmation.
"Well...snap out of it!" Kuzeli slaps Meld across his face, much to the man's surprise. "You are still the knight captain of the Heiligh kingdom. And yet you're worrying over trivial matters."
"Kuzeli, I..."
"You did what you had to do. Just look at Hinata with Shimizu, despite knowing that, they still asked to follow both of you." Meld starts processing what Kuzeli is telling him. "If you really are bothered by it, then just tell them how you feel."
"...Thank you Kuzeli." Meld starts to smile. "You're right. I will talk with them and accept any kind of person they perceive me as."
"Aw Meld you don't have to worry about that." A new voice spoke up.
""Ah!"" This time both Meld and Kuzeli were startled.
"Endou?! How long have you been standing there?" Kuzeli asked.
"I walked here next to you, the whole time." The boy affirmed. The two knights stared at Endou with uncertainty.
Endou sighs trying to control his frustration. "Not the time. Not the time." He repeatedly said to himself. "Anyway Meld, trust me when I say that none of us thinks any less of you. Sure, seeing you kill Daisuke was...traumatic, just as traumatic as seeing you and Hinata fall in Orcus."
Despite him bringing the mood down, he continues talking. "I think I'm starting to understand how Sonobe felt about Shimizu. She didn't blame Hinata and we don't blame you. I mean, you saved our lives more than once and we won't forget that."
Meld feels a huge amount relief from hearing Endou's words. "Thank you Endou, that means a lot."
"Sure thing, just please notice me next time." All three of them shared a laugh.
As they all go to leave Meld asked himself. 'I wonder what Hinata's doing?'
Hinata keeps running down the halls. Her job had gotten way more troublesome than it should be. She somehow managed to fix all the artifacts while being chased by every synergist in the kingdom.
Everytime she has tried to hide from them, they always somehow find her. They claim they can "sense" her mastery. She ended up getting split up with Kaori and couldn't talk to her in private.
Right now, she's hoping that her room was the last place they would look for her. She opens the door.
"Oh hey, you're back." Akira greeted.
"Would like some tea?" Kaori offered.
Hinata was sort of expecting to be ambushed by the synergists . But she definitely didn't expect to see Kaori and Akira happily sipping tea.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh, well after Volpen and the other synergists chased you, I knew you would come here. So I decided to wait for you and when I entered, Akira was her sniffing your bed. So I decided to brew us some tea." Kaori explained.
Hinata stares at the vampire, who averts his eyes while sipping his tea. Deciding that she's not surprised by that, she turns to Kaori. "Kaori, I need talk to you about last night. I-"
She stops when Kaori shows her palm and stands up. "I want to say something first, I'm sorry." Her happy expression is replaced with a solemn one. "Hinata, I never wanted to take advantage of you, in any way. I'm really sorry I kept making you do all that stuff."
Hinata shrugs. "Eh, it's cool. I told you, I really enjoyed those things. You help me get out of comfort zone."
Kaori hugs her. "Thank you. I'm really glad we're friends. So, what did you want to say?"
"Oh, I'm sorry for yanking your shirt yesterday." There was a brief moment of silence.
"..."
"Wait, that's it?" Akira asked.
"I'm not apologizing for the other stuff. I still don't like her friends and I still don't like being taken advantage of." Hinata stated.
Hearing that, Kaori couldn't contain herself. Her giggling and soon became full blown laughter. Soon Hinata and Akira joined in. Yup, all's well that e-
"How dare you?!" The three turns to new squeaky voice coming from the door. The door opens revealing a small blond hair boy. He was accompanied by multiple Heiligh guards. "How could Kaori like someone so vulgar like you? And what was that half hearted apology!?"
Hinata stares at the boy for a second then turns to Kaori. "Who's this sassy lost child?" That got quick Laugh from Kaori.
"There's no way someone like you can be Kaori's friend. Take this!" Lundel rushes at with his balled fist. Only to be stopped by a single chop from Hinata.
Kaori was no longer laughing. "Hinata! This is Lundel S. B. Heiligh, he's the prince!"
"You talk like that matters to me." Hinata rolled her eyes.
"Prince Lundel!"
"How dare you?"
"Get her!"
The guards who were with Lundel charges at Hinata. Kaori can only pray for the guards as Akira drank more of his tea.
Lily was all but mortified at the sight before her. When she heard that her brother went off to find Hinata, she quickly gave chase. She should've given chase sooner.
There Lundel was, in a cage, tied up and crying. And his guards, all on the floor, wounded and bruised. The perpetrator, standing there without an ounce of guilt.
"Here's your gremlin." Hinata kicks the cage forward.
"Sisterrrrrrrr." Lundel would reached through the bars if his arms weren't tied. Lily tries to undo the chain wrapped around the cage. As for Kaori and Akira.
"I know this is Hinata we're talking about. But i still can't believe she went that far against a kid." Kaori commented
"That brat tried to attack Hinata. He's nothing compared to Moku." Akira said with no sympathy
"Oh yeah, where is that little cutie?" Kaori asked
"He's back in Erisen, with his father."
"Aww I wanted to cuddle him."
"Can one of you please help me?!" Lily begged as she tries to open the cage.
They managed to get the prince out. The boy then instantly ran to his sister and started to cry. He tried to hold back because he was in front of Kaori. Apparently he's had a crush on her since they first met.
The boy finally cheered up when Kaori comforted him. Before he and his guards were taken away for healing, he asks Kaori. "What do i mean to you?"
Which she replied to. "A good friend, like a younger Seiji."
"Guh! Do you think there's a chance we could be more than friends?"
"What?" Kaori chuckles. "You're less than half my age, of course not." She did not mean any harm, though that did not stop her from casually crushing the prince's feelings.
"Waaaaaahhhh, I hate you alllll!" Lunder cried.
"Lundel!" Lily can only reach out for her brother as he dashes out.
"You really need to keep a leash on him." Hinata advised
"Hinata! Weren't you too harsh?"
"He's the one who attacked me first, with guards might I remind you?" The synergist shot back
Lily struggled for a response. Lundel did strike first. And perhaps in some weird way having his first heartbreak might help him grow up faster. After all with their father gone, Lundel is the next heir to the throne. He'll have to learn how to the best ruler he can be.
"By the way, how're things are going with Meld's plan?"
"Hm? What plan?" Kaori asked.
"Oh, yes. Even as we speak, we have successfully spread the story of Ehit."
It was something Meld came up with all the way back in Orcus. He had always intended to reveal the truth of Ehit, though there were probably people who wouldn't believe him. He doubts that humanity would just abandon the faith they based their lives on. He needed humanity to be united if Ehit ever struck. Hinata unfortunately had no intention to help and simply suggested they just told the truth and took a chance in anarchy. "If the world's already messed up, then Ehit can't make things worse" was her explanation.
The valid but twisted logic did not interest Meld in the slightest. So after thinking long and hard he finally found a solution. It wasn't ideal but it was better than nothing.
The story that the public heard was that there was an evil god that posed as Ehit. In a way, it was true that there are two Ehits. One in people's hearts and one in reality. The story of Ishtar's death and Hinata's laser also had it's truth bended.
Lily took comfort in knowing Meld always had the kingdom in his thoughts.
"Well we should probably get ready to leave. You guys got your things ready?"
"Yes we are prepared to leave."
"Speaking of which. I heard Kuzeli would not be accompanying you." Kaori mentioned
"Yes...Kuzeli needs to stay here and continue Meld's old duties. And besides, I only need regular attendants to visit the empire." Lily explained
"Well then, tell everyone to meet me right outside the kingdom. Later princess." Hinata waved as she left.
"Um...hold on a moment Nagumo." Lily called out.
"What?"
"Why...do you keep referring to me as princess?"
"..."
"Sorry if this seems rude. But I don't really see you as the formal type." Lily admitted. "So please just call m-"
"Stop."
Lily flinched seeing Hinata's cold glare. "I call you princess because I feel like it. Your friends call you by that name. I'm not your friend."
At this point Lily shouldn't be surprised by Hinata's cold shoulder. And yet she is. She can only stand there looking down as Akira followed Hinata leaving. Lily was snapped out of it by Kaori placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's ok. You'll warm up to her eventually. Me and Seiji did." Lily smiles at Kaori's comfort.
As for Hinata.
"You forgot her name again didn't you?" Akira asked.
"Maybe, but I still meant all those other things."
"You could've rejected her after she said her name."
"Meh, bite me." Hinata scoffed.
"Do you think Meld's gonna be angry about the prince?" The vampire wondered.
"Oh come on. By now he should've gotten used to my behavior by now." Hinata was confident.
"HOW CAN YOU DO THAT TO THE PRINCE?!"
"BITE ME! HE SHOULD'VE MINDED HIS OWN BUSINESS."
Everybody watches as Meld kept shaking Hinata, who was trying to pry his hands off. It seemed like they're usual routine, their party was especially used to Meld scolding Hinata like an angry parent.
The two managed to calm down...after an hour. And Shizuku managed to ask Hinata the question they all wanted to ask.
"So Hinata...how are we all gonna get to the sea of trees and the empire? There's no way we're all gonna fit in your car." Instead of answering with her mouth, Hinata smirks and snaps her fingers. And suddenly everyone was cover in a giant shadow as they all gaze upon the collosal object before them.
"Is that.."
"No way..."
"That's right bitches, I made an airship."
When they all got summoned here, it felt like something out of a fantasy book. Now they have the same feeling only this time it's sci fi. The air craft looked like something straight out of a movie.
"I designed it like a manta ray just to be artistic." The airship's doors drop making a ramp. Lily and her attendants, one maid and ten guards all walk onboard slowly while in awe. They just can't help but adm-
"Hurry up! We don't have all day." Hinata ushered all of them to the airship. And a certain someone is displeased by her treatment.
"Hinata, you can't talk like that to a princess." Kouki walks closer. "You need to sh-"
*Smack*
Everyone widens their eyes when Hinata slaps Kouki, cutting him off. "Mouth off to me again, I dare you!" Kouki can only stare at Hinata in shock while holding his cheek. "You better not forget that the only reason you're here is because of something that's worth even less than pity, and you didn't even earn that by yourself. Meld was the one, who convinced me. And he did it using logical arguments instead of whining like a baby with unintelligible nonsense."
Kouki started to get furious, which was clear by his face. But that just made Hinata more amused. "Meld was also the one who wanted you to survive that poison."
That sentence made Kouki feel the same way his classmates did. The thought that Hinata wasn't gonna be there to save them. The fact that she was absolutely fine seeing any of them die...
Scares him.
Shizuku takes the semi frozen Kouki onboard, while Suzu and Ryutaro silently follows.
Hinata and Meld walks in together, little did everyone know that they were using Telepathy.
'You better not be mad about that.' Hinata said in her mind.
'Yes, yes, do not worry. I remember my part of the deal.' As in not being allowed to complain about her treatment of...the leeches.
'So do you think they suspect anything about us?"
'No, they weren't suspicious of what we told them. And they definitely not suspicious after witnessing our argument from before.'
'Yeah, nice acting by the way.' Hinata complimented.
A tick mark formed on Meld's head. 'I wasn't acting.'
'Righttttttt. Whatever you say...dad.'
With the door rises back up and closes and the airship takes off.
Omake:
Shizuku: I'm excited to fight with you again.
Meld: As am I, maybe now I can understand Hinata a bit better.
Shizuku: Huh, what do you mean by that?
Meld: You see, there are just these words that she often uses, and I just don't understand them. I asked Seiji, but he always gets distracted, it's either fawning over Hinata or fighting with Akira.
Shizuku: So, what kind of words confuse you?
Meld : Well one time, she said...
Hinata: Tio, cut the crap before you get us labeled nsfw.
Shizuku: Uhhh...that's a bit hard to explain.
Meld: Then what about what she said about Eri?
Hinata: Nakamura can brag all she wants but she will never be a korean webtoon protagonist material.
Shizuku: Ummmm...
Meld: She also said that some people in her world would refer to me as a...what was it...? a..."Deelf"? Whatever that is.
Shizuku:...Go ask Kaori.
Meld: Huh!? Shizuku, why are you running?