Neon signs shining through the green fog.
Empty streets.
A somewhat peaceful and quiet back alley.
In the wide back alley, Alley Shia’s Restaurant successfully completed its business for the day.
“Ugh, where the hell did that damn fox go?!”
“Hehe, Shia is free, just like a fox.”
“Shut up!”
However, as soon as the business ended, the Grasshopper Chef and Shia vanished somewhere, leaving the aftermath of the restaurant’s operations to Menelapie and Teresa.
There were only those four working from the start. It wasn’t like they could call Yeonhwa or Yoonjeong just for cleaning, so someone had to handle the cleaning and tidying up.
Although one of them was the world’s worst Black Witch and the other was a hero ruling over a territory vaster than the entire Earth, Menelapie and Teresa nonetheless had no complaints as they deftly cleaned up the scraps left behind by Shia.
Just that one of them had a personality far from diligence for someone who saved the world.
“Hey, Menelapie. I’ll burn the used oil separately, so you put the chairs and tables over there.”
Teresa sounded like she was doing a favor, but in reality, she could organize all the tables and chairs with a little manipulation of her mana from her comfy sitting spot.
Teresa saying that was actually an announcement of, “I don’t want to do anything. You do it all.”
Of course, Menelapie was aware of that and replied to Teresa with a stiff smile.
“Why don’t you do it yourself?”
Menelapie, who was lowering the restaurant’s shutter with her bare hands, wasn’t oblivious either, and shot Teresa a cold glance.
“I’m too short to lift the chairs.”
Teresa was indeed short at that moment.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t organize the chairs and tables.
That indoor Black Witch was simply too lazy to move her body.
“If you’re short, then use the Mana Threads.”
“Hey, I can’t even produce mana by myself right now.”
“Mana Threads are tangible creations, so whether or not you can produce mana is irrelevant, isn’t it?”
“That weak body of mine finds Mana Threads quite burdensome, you know? Ah, isn’t the hero going to help the poor girl in trouble?”
What? A girl?
You?
Menelapie’s face, just about rotting, seemed to be saying that.
Well, it was quite obvious what Teresa was thinking.
She was going to mope around doing nothing.
Because, after all, Menelapie would end up doing everything anyway.
From the start, Teresa exhibited extreme laziness just like Shia, unless it was something related to Shia or something that piqued her interest.
Conversely, Menelapie had the upright character befitting a hero, unable to tolerate laziness and sloth. She was the type who felt compelled to tidy up what was messy before she could feel satisfied.
It was judged that Teresa would just idle around until Shia arrived, and Menelapie couldn’t stand it any longer and would end up taking care of all the restaurant’s cleaning and tidying.
Of course, Menelapie wouldn’t be fond of that lazy Black Witch.
“Teresa, while it’s good to acknowledge your incompetence by saying you’re weak, it holds no meaning if you don’t move beyond that. Your current shortness is merely a physical defect. Though that table may seem as high as a mountain to you, claiming it’s impossible without trying to lift a chair is quite unfortunate. Even if you’re a Black Witch of no use, if you make an effort, you can do it.”
“That’s a load of crap.”
“Haha, even if you are an orphan, wouldn’t it be nice to use a little more refined language, considering your noble upbringing?”
“Yep, screw you.”
“……..”
“Pfft! If that angers you, you can just clean everything.”
Thud!
“….!”
“…..”
Just as Menelapie and Teresa were about to bicker as usual, something connected to them began to vibrate, causing them to stiffen and rise from their seats.
“Is that Shia?”
“And the fragment…”
What was pulsing was the fragment of the Demon King.
The hero and the witch, who had a history of vanquishing the Demon King, couldn’t miss the anguished cry of that hideous thing.
And the other vibration was the surge of immense divine power held by Shia.
It wasn’t just playful; it felt as if a significant event was happening, and the ground beneath their feet began to tremble.
“Hop on.”
“Okay.”
If it were the usual Teresa, hearing Menelapie’s words to ride on her back would have prompted a “Shut up!” in response. However, with both the aura of Shia and the pulse of the Demon King’s fragment being felt, they didn’t need to think or analyze what needed to be done; they had to go.
The Savior was using her power; how could the hero and witch who became her companions not join in?
Of course, it might not be anything significant.
By the time they arrived, Shia could have already obliterated the fragment and finished everything.
But they had to consider the possibility that wasn’t the case; if the Savior was having a tough time, the least they could do was take care of the cleanup afterward, even if they arrived late.
*
A vast underground cavern larger than a football field was filled only with silence.
Occasionally, the sound of water droplets dropping between the rusty pipes and plumbing could be heard, yet despite having dozens of orc mafia surrounding Shia and Lilybet, not a sound was made. It felt like the calm before the storm.
Normally, no one, including the orc mafia, would be able to approach this underground cavern.
Kim Hana was guided directly by Lilybet. As for the Grasshopper Chef and Shia, they probably tore apart any blocking defense systems or pipes with their hands.
Now, however, with Shia and Lilybet’s battle, the defensive enchantment system guarding the heart of Green City was mostly nonfunctional. It was likely due to the shutdown of the defensive systems that Grakshar’s orc mafia could come here.
[Isia Hunter, there’s no room for choice now. Leave Lilybet there and get out at once.]
Shia, watching the approaching crowd of orc mafia, heard the voice of the ‘Promise’s Finger’ messenger.
[Grakshar aims to dominate Green City. Naturally, they will seek to secure Lilybet, the heart of Green City.]
“But?”
[We estimate Grakshar to be at least an A-level danger or higher. The orcs under him are likely no different. And the exits are blocked. If Isia Hunter wants to escape safely from here, the only option is to hand Lilybet over to the orcs and return via the Hunter Train.]
“Do you think I could possibly lose to them?”
[No. Given time, we know Isia Hunter will win, of course. But as I mentioned earlier, the countdown for the explosion of the fragment you possess has already begun.]
That was indeed the truth.
Right at this moment, the fragment of the Demon King in Shia’s hand was thrumming more aggressively.
[Also, while Grakshar and the orc mafia can’t defeat Isia Hunter, they may succeed in holding you up. If you delay there, trying to protect Lilybet, the fragment will explode. At that point, we can’t guarantee Isia Hunter’s life.]
“I said I would protect her.”
[What?]
“I said. How could I throw away a life that the Savior vowed to protect right in front of me? You did your research on me, didn’t you? You should know what I’m capable of saying.”
[Isia Hunter! This isn’t a joke!]
The voice of the messenger, pleading not to lose Shia, was filled with sincerity.
[The triggering of the fragment’s explosion is being executed from above; it is not what I intended, and even if I wanted to stop it, I don’t have the authority! Personally, and within the Promise’s Finger, we do not wish to lose you! Think about the lives you can save! Compared to Lilybet, who created this dungeon called Green City, your life is far more valuable!]
A political faction declaring human and hunter supremacy certainly wouldn’t want to lose or miss Shia.
Among returnees, she was a strong individual whose personality and mental state could be deemed stable.
To them, losing Shia here, ridiculously, for the sake of protecting a city that ought to perish would be considered a significant loss for humanity.
Shia could find a bit of common ground in the messenger’s words.
[And duel? Romance? Are you really protecting Lilybet and this sewage city for merely such reasons? This place is meant to disappear! This is your last warning. An evacuation order has already been issued to the other hunters. The collapse of the fragment is imminent, and the orcs there will seize Lilybet! So abandon Lilybet and come out!]
“No way.”
[Isia Hunter!]
“I don’t really understand why you’re trying so desperately to convince me, but in both this world and on Earth, I’ve always lived my life as my heart guided me.”
Some might call it whining like a child. Others might say she wasted her age.
However, Shia was the Savior who saved the world with childish determination as well. She had saved those around her.
Even though she was aware of the political questions and the cold judgments of reality, no one could sway her heart.
“I will save everyone.”
[…I’ll give up trying to persuade you. But the collapse of Green City will proceed as planned. Isia Hunter.]
“Are you worried? Thanks.”
[……….]
With those words, the messenger’s voice no longer reached her.
She could be watching over Shia and Lilybet, but well, it didn’t matter.
“…Isia… Savior… are you okay…?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Ah, looks like the translation module is working properly now?”
“…Savior, I am not an idiot… because of me… everything surrounding you… might crumble… Other pressures might come.”
Lilybet was no fool.
Although her main body was embedded in this Green City, Doll Lilybet, as the Queen of England and an S-grade Hunter, had traveled the world accumulating all sorts of experiences.
Therefore, she wasn’t oblivious to the burden Shia was currently undertaking, wishing to save her.
If thinking of Shia’s life and future, Lilybet would have concluded that it was right to remain here.
“You’ve already saved me. You’ve fulfilled my romance.”
In an intensely dramatic and conflict-filled scenario, Lilybet was well-versed.
Clashing fists with hearts and souls.
And you.
Just meeting you was already a romance for me.
Now that it was fulfilled, it would be alright.
“Then… what about this romance?”
“…What…”
“A princess trapped in a castle was rescued by her prince, and they lived happily ever after—such a clichéd, boring, yet romantic ending might be nice.”
“……..”
“Ah, but I’m not a prince; I’m a Savior, and you’re not just a princess; you’re a Queen.”
At those words, Lilybet had to keep her mouth shut, her face flushed.
Even if she wanted to respond or argue back, Lilybet couldn’t find the words and ultimately chose to rest her head silently against Shia’s chest.
Moving her main body after such a long time was tiresome.
Her head was heating up and her thoughts weren’t functioning properly.
She simply wanted to lean in now.
“Alright. The Queen should rest for a bit.”
Clack, clack!
“I didn’t expect to see you again.”
“Do you remember me?”
A rather intelligent voice from an orc echoed through the ranks of orcs.
Clack, clack!
The orc looked quite a mafia-like character with a suit, shiny shoes, and a long black tie around his neck.
Grakshar seemed to have expected that Shia would be here.
“You were a hunter who disliked vegetables. It’s such a shame you don’t know how good fresh fruits and vegetables are for the body. I find it deeply sad that a vegan blessing has stuck in your mind.”
Shia smirked at that and turned to look at Grakshar while holding Lilybet close.
“I heard you guys wanted to meet the ruler of Green City.”
“Hehe, indeed. Sorting through the numerous gangs and clans of Green City is secondary. The primary goal of our Grakshar clan was to meet the owner of this city, who might be lurking down here.”
After all, no matter how many other monsters’ clans and gangs they wiped out, they would resurrect within a day.
Yesterday’s loyalty could become today’s betrayal in the ecosystem of Green City.
If Grakshar truly sought dominance over the city, he would need something more foundational than just quelling the gangs.
“So, here’s the ruler of this city.”
“I see. The green mist, the sun, and the source of it all emanate from the human woman you’re holding.”
Sharp as a tack, Grakshar seemed to recognize that Lilybet was the source of this city’s power.
And Shia grinned as she held Lilybet tight.
Thud!
“And I’m thinking of protecting this woman.”
Shia’s divine power began to emanate from all directions.
Cracks slowly began to form beneath her feet, and the glint of determination shone from under her sunglasses.
‘Huh, wow…’
While that was happening, Lilybet simply stared intently at Shia.
The time when only darkness encompassed my world was a distant memory.
Right now, my heart was pounding wildly, and my breath was running rampant.
“I’m going to protect this Queen; what will you do?”
“………”
The power to protect. The desire to save.
The most fundamental strength Shia possessed and the force that strengthened her like never before.
When the Mangja Seongnyeo wished to protect or save something, her power could reach divine levels.
Grakshar and the orcs met Shia’s energy head-on but could not avert their gazes from Lilybet.
“You intend to protect her?”
“Yes.”
“Hehe, yes. That’s what I’ve been wishing for.”
Would they really refuse to give up on Lilybet despite feeling Shia’s power?
Even with the façade of a mafia, the orc, true to his nature, wasn’t feeling fear.
As Grakshar approached without being crushed by the atmosphere, Shia tightened her grip and amassed her divine power.
‘Right, if you don’t give up your ambition, I can’t let go of the Queen…’
Thud!
“Huh?”
However, in the next moment, Grakshar knelt before Lilybet.
…What? What’s going on?
