The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology.

A Worthless Scoundrel.

A small diner tucked away in a residential district near the Seiryuu Gate.

It wasn’t exactly rundown, but it couldn’t be called lively either.

It didn’t have the rustic charm of a hidden gem, nor did it offer tranquility—occasionally, the shouts of drunks echoed through the narrow streets.

To put it plainly, it was a seedy little joint.

Despite calling itself a diner, it mostly sold cheap booze and snacks. The main business was questionable at best, and the atmosphere was more muddled than inviting.

And the clientele? Well, when you’re drinking past 2 PM in a place like this, odds are you’re not the most upstanding member of society.

Among those less-than-upstanding folks was a half-demon man quietly—but rather cheerfully—eating his meal when Kiryuu Unyou approached him.

“Well, well, sir. What brings you to a place like this?”

The man addressed—Cross Necronia—looked up with a mildly confused expression.

“What do you mean? I’m eating lunch.”

“Yeah, yeah. But why here of all places?”

“Why not? Sometimes you get the urge to try some random hole-in-the-wall. You ever get that?”

Cross replied with a casual shrug, and Unyou responded with a wry smile.

“That’s not what I meant. Cross, aren’t you supposed to be busy right now? After everything that happened yesterday? Actually, isn’t today the real deal?”

Unyou, who knew the situation to some extent, couldn’t help but press.

In terms of action, the peak had already passed—yesterday, when Vaahl and Roza arrived, brought a year’s worth of attacks all at once. Word of an important guest had leaked, and all sorts of groups had tried to take advantage, launching attacks from every angle. Each attempt had been crushed.

Given the complete halt in assaults, the number of captures made, and the weapons seized or destroyed, the Gatekeepers would have peace for a while.

So Unyou, despite being the chief gatekeeper, was effectively idle now—just a glorified soldier. But Cross’s position was very different.

Cross was the architect of the summit that had brought the Purebloods here. He was its ultimate sponsor and highest authority.

He would have to oversee multiple negotiations, making arrangements for the Purebloods’ formal acceptance—and those very proceedings were happening right now.

His absence from them wasn’t just irresponsible—it was absurd.

But then—

“Honestly? If we’re laying it all out—I only came up with the beginning of the plan. The rest, every meaningful part of it… that was Ellie.”

“Even so, you’re still the one in charge. The credit’s yours—and so is the responsibility.”

“Sure. That’s why I showed up to the morning session. Wanna know what happened?”

“Hit me.”

“Village Chief and Vaahl ask me a question. I turn and ask Ellie. Ellie answers. I repeat it back. After a few rounds of that, everyone realized: ‘Wouldn’t it be faster if we just talked to Ellie directly?’”

“…Yeah, I get it. So basically—”

“I went from useless to a full-on nuisance. So I’m killing time here.”

“Well, damn. Then again, I guess you’re just in the same boat as me.”

At that, Cross nodded, and both men laughed together.

“Alright, fellow Useless Alliance member—shall we toast to that?”

Cross lifted his small cup with a mock-serious gesture.

“My, drinking in the middle of the day? You live well.”

“It’s just water. I couldn’t bring myself to drink, not after dumping everything on Ellie.”

“Fair enough… not that I can talk. I left everything to Haku myself.”

“Then cheers—with plain water.”

“Pretty tasteless… but whatever. What should we toast to?”

“How about the future of this village?”

“That’s a good one… Cross, thanks to you, we can finally see a future here. Didn’t expect you to move something that volatile, though.”

“When I act, I act decisively. Half-measures lead to regret.”

“That sounds… heavy. Personal experience?”

“I’ve lived full throttle to avoid regret. Screwed up more times than I can count. Got laughed at. Lived a life full of shame. But I’ve got no regrets. I did everything I could.”

Cross said that as he gazed off into the distance.

“…I believe it. Then here’s to continuing that no-regret life.”

“It won’t be easy, but that’s the goal. Cheers.”

The cups clinked. They each took a sip.

As expected, it was just water. The lack of alcohol felt oddly disappointing, and both men sighed lightly.

They chatted over their meal for thirty minutes, meandering through idle conversation.

That’s when Cross started to sense something was off.

Unyou was the very picture of bluntness. He had the kind of personality that charged ahead without thinking—refreshingly simple and intense.

But the man beside him now showed none of that clarity or recklessness. No vigor. No impulse.

Unsettlingly calm. Quieter than usual. More reserved. His expressions occasionally seemed troubled, like he had something on his mind.

Anyone could see he had something to say—but Unyou was hesitating. That alone was out of character.

“Hey, Cross. Do you—no, never mind—”

“Gah! Stop it already! Watching you act like a normal person gives me the creeps! Remember the first time we met? You tried to pick a fight the moment I showed up. You were glorious back then!”

“…That was glorious?”

“Compared to this? Absolutely. Come on. Just spill it. You want someone to hear you out, right?”

“…Even I get things that weigh on me sometimes.”

“I’m not saying you can’t have worries. Just speak your mind already. Watching you flounder like this is painful.”

Still unsure, Unyou gave a strained smile.

Seeing that, Cross muttered:

“…It’s a love problem.”

Unyou choked and spat out his water.

“Wha—!? How the hell did you get that!?”

“Don’t get shy now. There are only so many things that make a guy act like this. It’s gotta be about Haku, right? I could help, you know.”

Cross offered with a surprisingly dignified expression.

Unyou blinked… then burst out laughing.

“Wait, wait—was I wrong?”

Unyou just kept laughing, loud enough to make the owner slam a fist on the counter.

“Next time you cause a scene, you’re out!”

With that, the burly man stomped back into the kitchen.

“My bad, my bad. Oww. That hurt. What were we talking about again? Ah, right, my tragic romance with Haku. It’s a joke to me, but yeah, don’t bring it up too much. It’ll cause a headache.”

“…Sounds like I shouldn’t ask.”

“Not really. It’s simple. We’re both from decent families. Our parents arranged our engagement when we were kids. That’s it.”

Cross raised an eyebrow with interest.

“Oho… so that means in the future—”

“—I broke it off.”

Cross’s smile froze.

“…Come again?”

“There were a lot of reasons. But mainly… I just couldn’t picture myself with a family.”

Cross almost said something—but held back. This wasn’t something an outsider should comment on lightly.

“You thought it through, right?”

“Of course. Yeah, there were political reasons and social pressures and all that crap. But the real reason was just me. And I don’t regret it… Even if it was awkward as hell when she showed up as the new Deputy Gatekeeper.”

“So… no feelings between you two?”

“None. I can say that confidently. We were promised before we could even think for ourselves. And I’m a screw-up, always chasing one distraction or another. She’s dead serious, through and through. Romance was never in the cards.”

“…Got it.”

“So, yeah. Don’t go bringing it up. Haku really will lose it. I’m the one who broke it off, after all.”

“Makes sense. It’s practically a one-sided cancellation. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“Thanks… Anyway, as for why I’m really here… I guess I should finally get to that.”

Unyou looked into the distance.

“Oh? Done sulking?”

“Yeah. After hearing your ridiculous theory, my own thoughts started to feel silly. Love advice, seriously.”

He laughed.

“Laugh it up. So what is it, then?”

“It’s not exactly a worry. I’ve just been hesitant about dragging you into something. But I’ve got no other options.”

“…Go on. What do you need from me?”

Unyou met his eyes, solemnly.

“I need you to help me fight someone. Someone who stands beside me.”

He said it gravely.

“…You’ve still got another mess on your hands, huh?”

Cross saw the fear in Unyou’s eyes the moment the word “fight” left his lips.

“This isn’t just a ‘mess.’ If it were just me, it’d be a suicide mission. Getting involved means you could die too.”

“…I see.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to ask. But… I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of anyone else who could do it.”

“Don’t apologize. Just tell me—why are you fighting? Is it for the village? For someone else?”

“Honestly? There’s no reason. No benefit if I win. No tragedy if I lose. Just us dying, probably. It’s a pointless fight. Completely unnecessary. If anything, my current position makes it absurd.”

“No meaning. No gain. Just risk. But you still have to fight?”

Unyou nodded.

“Then tell me the real reason.”

“Pride, maybe. Just… man’s pride. That’s all. Actually—forget it. I can’t drag the Demon Lord’s envoy into something this stupid.”

He turned toward the door.

“Wait.”

Cross rose slowly.

“You’re serious? A meaningless clash of pride? I love that kind of thing. Helping a friend risk his life to stay true to himself? That’s badass. I’m in. Whatever this is, I’ve got your back.”

Unyou stared at him, incredulous.

“You do realize this isn’t metaphorical. He won’t hold back just because I’m the envoy.”

“Doesn’t change a thing.”

“Then let me ask you, Cross. Why? Why would you risk your life for my pride?”

Cross grinned.

“Because how often do you get to help your buddy fight for his pride with everything on the line?”

“…Wait, you weren’t kidding?”

“Dead serious.”

“You really are an idiot, Cross.”

“Takes one to know one.”

Unyou gave a weary, amused smile.

“…Thanks. I need your help to break a few chains—and there’s someone I need to punch into the dirt.”