Episode 62 — Complete System Deletion and the Road Home

Belfered readied the sword he had taken from the wall behind him. But in that fleeting second, a shadow flickered past his back.

"...Too slow, Supervisor. Your behavior is far too predictable."

Volg had circled behind Belfered, pressing a sharp knife against the man’s thin neck while twisting his arm upward with his other hand to pin him down.

"Wh—Release me! Do you have any idea what you’re doing!? I am the Supervisor! The order of the Capital’s underworld is all under my—"

"Yeah, I know. That’s exactly why I’m doing this."

Volg cut Belfered off, using one hand to sweep a lamp off the desk. The spilling oil ignited, and fire began to spread through the mountain of vital documents Belfered had prized more than his own life.

"H-Hieee!? Stop! Put it out! Put it out right now!!"

There was no trace left of the calm, cold clerk from moments ago. Belfered let out a pathetic scream as he watched the "system" he had spent his life building turn to ash.

(...How comical. A castle built on paper collapses with a single spark. I think I finally understand what that man meant when he’d say, 'Backups are important, Tama,' like it was a habit.)

Looking around, the battle was already decided. Bartos had suppressed the corridor with a level of violence that was not logical in the slightest, and Kyle was using his shield to herd the fleeing assassins into a single corner, binding them all with rope.

*THOOM.*

A heavy, low-frequency vibration shook the entire building, followed by a fleeting white flash as bright as midday.

From beyond the door, Lin—who had disappeared earlier—returned with a cool expression.

"I’m finished on my end too. Every document stored in the 'Great Archive' downstairs has been incinerated. I used inferno magic, so there shouldn't even be a speck of dust left. They can never be restored."

Lin spun her staff lightly as she spoke, as if it were nothing.

"...Not a speck of dust, you say? ...Guh, ah... My... my Corridor..."

Belfered collapsed, draped in despair. With this, the massive organization that had ruled the Kingdom’s darkness had physically vanished. It was our complete victory.

***

One hour later. The Capital Knights, having received a report from Bartos, descended into the underground.

"Lady Meina. ...As ordered by Lord Gustav, we have handed the captured thieves over to the Capital Knights. We shall now begin our journey back to Felsen."

Bartos reported to me with a face that was unusually serious, yet devoid of hesitation.

Kyle and Lin were also beginning to prepare their horses for the post-mission report to the Adventurers Guild.

"...Then we’re done here. This is where we part ways. See ya."

I dismissed my jet-black sword and turned to walk away.

"Hey, wait, Meina! Where are you going? We’re heading back together, right?"

At Kyle’s call, I waved my hand without looking back.

"Give the horse I rode to Volg. ...I’m taking a different route back."

"A different route? You..."

Leaving the bewildered group behind, I vanished into the back alleys of the Capital.

(...If I used a horse, it would take three days. If I run myself, I can be back in Felsen by the end of today.)

I know that idiot master of mine.

Since I’ve been gone, he’s undoubtedly been eating nothing but junk, scattering potato chip bags everywhere while muttering, "Tama, cola tastes great, doesn't it?" to an empty room that won't answer back.

(...I have to get back soon; he’s bound to be lonely.)

The moment I imagined him, a warmth bloomed in my chest, and a quiet smile escaped my lips.

I cut through the darkness and leapt toward the direction of Felsen. There was no way a horse could match the speed of a Legendary Apostle running at full power.

Tonight, I’ll be back on that idiot’s lap, giving him a single "Meow."

NEXT→

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.