Chap 80: The End of the Battle is a New Beginning

Three demons suddenly appeared at the 【Healing Land】Orphen Resort, along with countless more multiplying like crazy.

Also, apparently there was one more tough opponent… but every last one of them got wiped out by the villain, Devil’s Triumph Nightmare.

Everyone except me probably showed off some insane strength.

Still, the former 【Healing Land】is now a total wreck.

Buildings are in shambles, attractions are gone without a trace, the wide white beach and blue sea have turned dark… smoke is rising everywhere.

Forget a healing resort—this is straight-up a battlefield aftermath.

Even so, luckily, no one died.

All the guests and staff got away with just minor injuries.

Plus, most of the guests were loaded, so they just healed up with the potions they brought.

『Kyaaaaaah! You’re all lifesavers! Thank you so much! Thank youuuuuuuuuuuu!!』

Satoda-san, the one in charge of Orphen Resort, grabs my hand with a death grip and starts flinging it in every direction.

…This has been going on for about ten minutes now.

“Ahaha… We just did what anyone would’ve done.”

“You call it natural!? That courageous act of standing against those hideous demons—you say that’s natural?! What an admirable way of life!”

“Way of life…? It’s not that serious. Sheesh… More importantly, will Orlizo be okay from here on out?”

I finally shake free of Satoda-san’s grip and ask him.

He lowers his eyebrows and drops his shoulders.

“We’ll have to close for a while. The damage across the resort is severe, and we’ll be swamped with repairs…”

Yeah, I figured…

With things like this, reopening right away isn’t happening.

“However…”

Satoda-san suddenly lifts his head and grabs my hand again.

…Seriously?

“When we do reopen, please come back to Orphen Resort! Of course, Crow-sama and his party will have free lifetime admission!!”

Oh… that’s nice.

Wait, isn’t there a saying? Nothing’s more expensive than something free?

Thinking back, all of this started when I got a free Orlizo Premium Ticket from some rich old guy.

Yeah… nothing’s more expensive than something free, huh.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery for Orphen Resort.”

I give the safe, polite reply.

Still, looks like both the battle and the break are over.

So that’s it.

With this, my role’s done too, huh.

◆◆

We’re back in town.

Summer break was supposed to be a time to relax, but when I opened the lid—bam, combat nonstop.

The Goblin Tamer incident, the chaos in the Succubus Kingdom, the guild leader exchange mess, the beastfolk country drama…

Yeah, I’m sugarcoating it a lot.

But this latest demon attack? That one was one of the heaviest.

Demons being ridiculously tough just made it worse.

Even everyone else looks a bit tired.

And then… a familiar face appears from straight ahead.

“Hey, Crow. Been doing okay?”

“Ah, Ceris! Long time no see—”

I wave my hand lazily, and Ceris smiles and waves back.

Ceris is the leader of the major guild Red Rose, and also my master—the one who taught me how to use a sword and my abilities.

“Crow, come here for a sec.”

“Hm?”

Ceris motions me over.

No real reason to be on guard, so I head over without hesitation.

“Alright, Devil’s Triumph Nightmare folks—I’m taking Crow with me.”

“…Huh??”

“…What?”

Before I can even process what’s happening… I feel my body float.

Looking up, for some reason, I find myself staring up at Ceris’s face.

“—Huh?”

Next thing I know, I’m in Ceris’s arms… being princess-carried.

In the blink of an eye, Ceris leaps over rooftops like it’s nothing, slicing through the wind.

And there I am—helplessly being whisked away in her arms.

Uhh… why am I being princess-carried and kidnapped by Ceris right now?