Chapter 531 The New Headquarters

“Our adventure party…… ends today.”

“Talk of defeat? This isn’t defeat. It’s just the truth.”

“Heh~, you’re still too young……”

“Well, things like this happen. Beings like us? We vanish quietly in some dangerous corner one day.”

“No need to blame yourself. This isn’t on you. No one could’ve predicted the place would go haywire like this.”

“They won’t hold their deaths against you.”

“……”

“Haha, sharp as always~!”

“You’re right, though. I put on a brave face, but I’m still a little bitter……”

“How long have you been with us?”

“Has it been that long already? I remember when you were nobody, bragging you wanted to join us. Haha, haha…… so much time has passed.”

“……You ask if I have anything I want to do?”

“Who knows? I rarely think about it. We might look impressive, but we mostly go with the flow. If I had to say something……”

“Back when I first started, I dreamed of buying an Imperial Citizenship, living the good life no one envied more, no more wandering……”

“Heh, I was so young back then.”

“Sigh, I must really be dying. I’m rambling.”

“You?”

“No…… you were never like us. If any of us survives, it’ll be you.”

“……”

“If you live, quit this line of work. Find something stable……”

“Enough! I’ve said my piece. Time for one last stand!”

In a strange light, a blurry figure walked into the darkness. Behind “him” followed the back of a woman.

……

“……”

Hulim Heyerar blinked awake groggily, her mind still stuck in the dream.

She stared blankly at the ceiling for a few seconds.

“You’re awake?”

A voice sounded in the room.

Hulim slowly turned her head and saw a stunning elf sitting by the window, sipping flower tea calmly.

It would’ve been a lovely sight—if she ignored that this was her bedroom.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Morning, Hulim. Sleeping in again today.”

The beautiful elf spoke with a teasing smile, disguised as a greeting.

“……”

Hulim sat up from bed slowly,

tamed her messy hair casually,

then sighed softly:

“Sigh…… why?”

“Mm~?”

The elf tilted her head with a smile.

“Why do you all keep breaking into my room early without permission!?

Is my room some banquet hall!?”

“Ehh~.”

Irus put on a wronged expression.

“But~, Hulim’s sleeping face is so defenseless……”

“Agh——!”

Hulim covered her forehead, at a complete loss for words.

She’d been woken up like this before, but it had never been this bad—not since she returned from the east.

Every single day!

Every morning when she opened her eyes, someone was messing around in her room! Sometimes multiple people at once!

Especially this elf right here!

She showed up in new ways every single day!

“Enough…… Do you have actual business? If not, you can leave now.”

“Heh, no fun~. You’re just too cute these days, Hulim……”

Irus mumbled.

“Please leave.”

“I have business!”

“……”

“Ahem. Headquarters has officially decided to relocate.”

“Is that so?”

Hulim climbed out of bed,

calmly refusing Irus’s offer to help her change, and said:

“So we’re finally moving.”

“Mmh, what a shame……”

“?”

“Ahem, no! The threat of the Demon Lord’s Vanguard Legion is gone, so reclaiming lost lands is back on the schedule.”

“There’ll be a large-scale clean-up operation for two or three months. Oh! We don’t have to join—they’ll let the Heroes handle it for training.”

“I see. So we get a long break. The new headquarters has been decided too, I assume?”

“For now, it’s still Bongisto.”

“Bongis……” Hulim’s voice trailed off.

“There’s nothing left there.”

“Mm, that’s true. But strategically, Bongisto is still the best choice.”

“Just because the city’s gone doesn’t mean we can’t rebuild. Don’t underestimate the Allied Forces—they’ve got the whole continent’s support. They can build a city in three days.”

“Hmph……”

Whoosh~!

A magical breeze lifted Hulim’s messy hair.

When the wind faded, her hair was shiny and neat. The elf beside her sparkled with eyes, looking ready to pounce.

“Anything else?”

“One more thing.”

“It’s time we divided our responsibilities.”

“?”

“My my, Hulim…… you don’t think this has nothing to do with you, do you?”

“……”

“Too bad! Everyone hasn’t arrived yet, so the meeting’s on hold, but forming the High Council of Seven Sages is already set in stone!”

“As one of the Seven Sages, you’re not planning to dodge your duties, are you? No way~?”

“What…… I-I’m not! Can you stop making that annoying face!?”

“Ehe~!”

“Ugh! I’m going outside——!”

With that, the fully dressed Hulim walked straight to the door and pushed it open.

“Ehh, don’t leave so soon! Stay and chat~!”

Irus lay lazily on Hulim’s bed and patted the sheets.

“Irus, you……”

Hulim gave her a slightly disgusted look.

“Mm? Coming over? Big sister’s hug is all yours~!”

“Go chat with my pillow——!!!”

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Hurried footsteps faded away outside.

Irus froze on the bed with her arms open.

A moment later:

“Hm??? Wait……”

She suddenly realized something.

Did…… did she just get mistaken for some weirdo?

“Wait, Hulim?!”

Irus dashed out of the room.

“I was joking! I was only joking! I don’t have weird thoughts! Listen to me——!!!”

……

Old Bongisto City.

“Oh! There it is! It really exists!”

Armen shouted excitedly at the huge camp on the horizon.

“Alright, alright, I saw it ages ago. Be quiet.”

“But Master, your intuition is amazing! I thought we’d get lost again, but the Allied Forces are really here! You’re incredible!”

“Hmph~!”

Arant huffed proudly.

“Finally admit how good I am? Remember what I taught you: the Sword Saint lineage does nothing wrong. Even if we’re wrong, it’s just not the right time yet.”

“Yes! I’ll remember it forever!!” Armen shouted, fired up.

“Good, that’s the spirit~.”

Arant nodded in satisfaction, then said:

“What are you waiting for? You planning to live in the wilderness? Move——!”

For all his bluster……

once they entered the Allied camp,

Arant declared:

“Go do whatever you want. I’m going to meet old friends.”

With that, he flew off directly,

leaving the Sword Saint disciples staring at each other in confusion.