Volume 9 Chapter 24 Promise of Reunion and the Next Battle
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hero. I didn’t have the chance to introduce myself before, so please allow me now. I am Ginaida. My brother Klock often speaks of you.”
Her brother’s family—this was the first time Cianie had ever been greeted by one of them. She seemed a little flustered.
Or maybe that was just how it looked; her face was as calm as ever. Straightening her posture, she met Gina’s eyes with quiet composure, though her tone carried a hint of tension.
”I’m Cianie. …I’ve known about you for a while.”
”Huh?”
”He told me he had a little sister. …May I call you Gina?”
”Yes, of course. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Gina bowed her head politely.
Her brother’s lover, and the legendary Hero herself—no wonder she looked nervous. Her expression was tight, filled with awe and restraint.
”I’m going to marry your brother,” Cianie said softly. “That makes you… my sister-in-law.”
”…!! That makes me very happy. I’ll be looking forward to that day.”
Gina’s face lit up with joy.
So her brother’s marriage meant that much to her. She even reached out and took Cianie’s hand in delight.
Cianie didn’t show it on her face, but she returned the grip. For a moment, she seemed startled, though her Hero’s composure quickly settled back over her like armor.
Still, Klock could tell—beneath that calm, she felt the same shy warmth as his sister did. Watching the two of them together made him squirm.
So, a sister-in-law, huh.
Cianie, an only child, would finally have a sister. And Gina, a sister of her own in return.
”Once,” Gina said suddenly, “my brother used to meet someone in secret.”
”…Oh?”
”Once a month, he would slip away from Livorno without telling our parents. Was that person… you?”
Cianie froze. If it was north of Livorno, it must have been when Klock came to see her.
Apparently, Gina had long suspected her brother’s secret trips. She even knew he was meeting someone. If she’d realized back then, she could have just said so.
When Cianie finally nodded, Gina smiled—a gentle, radiant smile.
”I’m glad. So the two of you have finally been joined.”
Her expression glowed with a kindness almost divine.
What was this—this goddess-like smile? Could a twelve-year-old really look like that?
”My brother often vanished without warning,” she went on. “I once had the servants investigate quietly. That’s when I learned he was meeting a girl in secret, one his own age. The household told me she was just a friend, but I knew better. It was a secret meeting with someone he loved. I never imagined that person was the Hero herself.”
”Ah… yes…” Cianie murmured, glancing toward Klock. He only shrugged helplessly.
For five long years, the two of them had kept their love hidden.
Of course someone would have noticed eventually. He just hadn’t expected it to be Gina.
”Klock,” Cianie said abruptly. “We have to go. Now.”
”Huh? What’s the rush? It’s been ages since you two met—spend a bit more time together. She’s my pride and joy, you know.”
He added that last part on purpose, to make Cianie smile. And indeed, Gina turned away, her cheeks slightly red.
”I’d love to,” Cianie said, “but we can’t. There’s no time. Please, come back soon.”
She tugged at his sleeve, urging him.
”Something happened?”
”There’s fighting outside. I came here in the middle of a battle.”
”You’re serious?”
What timing. Clearly, this wasn’t the best moment for family talk.
”Wait!” Gina called. “Hero, Brother—please! I’m in Livorno right now. Where are you two?”
Right—she’d been worried about his whereabouts before. Now that they could actually meet again, she didn’t want to lose the chance.
”Livorno? Don’t tell me—”
”I’m leading the Theocracy’s troops on the Livorno front,” she said.
”The front lines, huh…”
”Brother, where are you?”
There was a desperate note in her voice, a fierce will not to let this chance slip away.
”I’m in the east, in the Federation. Do you know a city called Conro?”
”Conro… I’m sorry, I don’t know much about the Federation.”
”We’re in Orrid now,” Cianie explained. “Klock was asleep for ten days. We’ve already arrived.”
Ah, right. He’d been here for quite a while.
Ten days gone in the real world. Lilies had mentioned something like that, hadn’t she?
”For fifteen years,” Gina whispered, “I thought you were dead. When this war ends, I want to see you again.”
”Yeah… me too. But it’s still wartime. Once things calm down, we’ll find a place to meet.”
This was the sister from long ago, still young here. The real Gina must be a grown woman by now.
Was she married? Or had life’s turmoil left her alone?
”Gina,” Cianie said, “we’re in the old capital—Orrid. The Altar Basin. We’re fighting the Demon Lord’s army in the Moonfall Corridor.”
”Orrid, I see.”
”It’s not a place we know well,” Klock added. “Wouldn’t work as a meeting spot anyway. You’re in Livorno, right? Let’s meet there when the war’s over. That’ll be easier for everyone.”
”Yes,” Gina said, nodding with a bright smile. “It’s my hometown, after all. Let’s meet there—both of you.”
”I can use teleportation,” Cianie said. “When the time comes, I’ll bring Klock to Livorno myself.”
If fifteen years really had passed, he wondered—would he even recognize his little sister’s face?
Still, with Cianie there, everything would be fine. Gina probably hadn’t realized it yet, but the Cianie standing here hadn’t changed at all.
Unlike others, she wasn’t affected by the power of “Happiness Reversion.” Gina would recognize her easily once they met again in Livorno. And when she did, she’d surely notice—Cianie looked far too young for someone she’d known fifteen years ago.
”There’s so much I want to talk about,” Gina said. “In Livorno, we’ll talk for days—or months if we must. I’ll be waiting, no matter how long it takes.”
Klock snorted.
”What’s with that heavy way of saying it? We’re family—relax a little.”
”…You’re right,” she said softly. “We are family. It’s just… Brother, you’ve become so… different. The way you talk, the way you act—so wild, I suppose…”
”Huh?”
”I-it’s nothing,” she said quickly.
He let it slide. He knew she was unsettled by how much he’d changed. But pretending for her sake felt pointless.
People change after fifteen years. He just wanted Gina to accept who he was now. And if she couldn’t—well, that would be that.
”So,” he said, grinning, “you got anyone special? If you do, introduce me.”
He said it with a teasing gleam in his eyes. Gina only smiled back, calm and unbothered.
”Sadly, there’s no one. …I survived alone. After that, I decided I no longer needed such attachments.”
”…Ah.”
Klock looked away, uncomfortable. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cianie watching silently, her face unreadable.
Gina had lived quietly in exile, in the Theocracy. She’d given up on romance, living modestly, carrying her memories of the past, treating her young years as if they were already her twilight.
Meanwhile, Klock… had lived wildly.
Drinking on other people’s coin, picking fights, chasing women without care. Their lives couldn’t have been more different. If he’d fled with her to the Theocracy back then, maybe everything would have turned out differently.
”…Want me to introduce you to someone?” he asked gently.
”I’ll pass,” she said with a faint smile.
And that was their parting. “I’ll be waiting—always, for as long as it takes.” Those were her last words as she waved goodbye.
Kispe raised a hand, and her image began to fade. Even though it wasn’t a farewell forever, tears still streamed down Gina’s cheeks.
Fifteen years. A long, long separation finally bridged.
They must have had endless things to share, countless memories to speak of—but that would wait until next time. First, they had to deal with what lay before them.
”Didn’t think I’d ever see her again,” Klock said quietly.
”Truly… a miracle,” Cianie whispered.
Next time, he thought, I’ll bring plenty of stories to tell.
When Gina’s light vanished, only Klock and Cianie remained.
Everything that needed to be done at the Crimson Spire was finished. Now it was time to go home.
”Kispe.”
”At once.”
The ferryman’s spell stirred, and the two were carried back toward the wasteland world. Just before the vision shifted, Klock caught sight of a pair of rabbit ears peeking from behind a rock.
He hesitated, then gave a lazy wave. “See ya.”
The owner of those ears—clearly flustered—darted from hiding and ran toward him, but in that instant, his consciousness snapped back to reality.
* * *
When he opened his eyes, he was staring up at a ceiling he didn’t know.
No—more like the inside of a tent. Wind roared outside, making the canvas shudder and flap violently.
”I’m… back…!!”
He tried to sit up—and failed.
His body felt impossibly heavy, like it belonged to someone else. He tried to lift the blanket, but a hand caught his wrist.
”Good morning,” said a calm voice.
”Oh… hey.”
It felt like being freed from paralysis—the sound of safety itself. Then, soft lips brushed his own.
Once, and then again, firmer this time. Her arm slipped behind his back, helping him sit up. Cianie looked exactly the same as before, her face calm, her eyes gentle as dawn.
”Damn,” he muttered. “I think I’m falling for you. Date me.”
”What are you saying?” she asked, exasperated.
”No, really. I’ll make you happy—go out with me, seriously. We’ll get married.”
”Idiot.”
He grinned despite himself. She climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him gently.
The hard edge of her armor pressed into his shoulder. She was still wearing her light battle gear—the same outfit he’d seen in the dream. Had she been watching over him like this the whole time?
Cianie picked up a water jug and held it to his lips.
Apparently, she’d been ready to help him drink even in his sleep. He gulped the water down, and even that small act left him exhausted.
”Can you move?”
”Barely. Standing’s tough.”
”I thought so… I might have to go soon.”
He’d been unconscious for ten full days.
His strength was almost gone. He wanted her to stay—to keep caring for him—but she kept glancing toward the tent’s entrance.
”What’s going on out there?”
There was a low rumble, like a crowd in the distance. Voices—many of them—but muffled, far away.
The tent walls thrashed under the wind, like a storm was bearing down. Yet the sound felt strangely distant.
A barrier, he realized. That’s why.
”There’s a storm of magic power out there,” Cianie said. “Primlena and the others must be fighting.”
”What? Then get me out there—now!”
”No. You’re not ready to move yet.”
”Just to look! I need to see what’s happening!”
She let him lean on her shoulder, and together they managed to stand. His body felt like lead.
Even standing upright was a challenge. If he hadn’t been asleep and motionless all this time, he would’ve been dead already. Considering that, his condition made sense.
”Whoa—what the hell kind of storm is this?”
The moment they stepped outside, a violent wind slammed into them. Beyond the barrier, the world was chaos itself.
Rain and wind lashed so hard it was hard to keep his eyes open. He shielded his face with one hand and squinted into the storm.
A gray world spread before them. Thick clouds rolled overhead, and dark shapes moved across the sky.
Around Klock’s tent, the camp was in ruins. Other tents had collapsed under the storm winds. Uprooted trees had crashed into the fortifications like spears driven by the gale.
Cooking pots, broken campfires, makeshift tables—armor that someone had stripped off mid-chaos—all lay scattered across the mud. Everywhere, traces of daily life were mixed with destruction. The storm had hit hard, and they clearly hadn’t been ready for it.
”What the hell happened here? Didn’t anyone notice a typhoon coming!?”
”No,” Cianie said quietly. “This isn’t a natural storm. Stormhorn caused it.”
”Huh?”
”Look up.”
He obeyed, tilting his head toward the gray sky. It was still daylight beneath the thick clouds, but not a hint of blue broke through.
And there—shapes. Dozens of black figures beating against the wind.
Looking closer, he realized they were humanoid—winged beings with wide, black feathers cutting through the air with uncanny speed. Their darting movement reminded him of a certain flashy girl in orange.
”Last night,” Cianie said, “vampires attacked the Orrid encampment. Stormhorn summoned the storm to drive them back.”
”…You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
The words took a moment to sink in. Stormhorn—fighting?
That docile stag that usually just followed them around? And now it was summoning a storm of this scale? He couldn’t tell who the storm was meant to protect anymore—friend or foe, it would swallow them all.
Wait. Vampires?
Then… was Viola here?
* * *
”Your Majesty, we’ve heard you were out wandering again.”
A deep male voice broke the stillness of a grand council chamber. Beastfolk elders—wolves, bears, foxes, and others—turned their gazes toward one girl seated at the head of the long table.
”Last week, you went to Belandi to ‘visit your sister,’ then lazed around for days, teased the working wolves, and earned complaints from Princess Rosetta. And this time? Karakas sent word asking us to make you go home.”
”…What exactly were you doing, Queen Elna?”
At the table’s center sat the leaders of the Beastfolk Grand Council. Among them, Ende the monkey narrowed his eyes at the young white-furred queen.
”Oh, honestly! You old bear, you too, Ende—you’re always nagging me. Elna’s a cat! Mama always said cats need freedom and space to live happy lives!”
”Oh? And that kind of thinking led directly to our last dictatorship, didn’t it? You wage wars, abandon the aftermath, leave conquered lands to chaos, toss important matters to the Forestkin, and now look—our kingdom fell. Tell me, Princess Elna, are you planning to follow Rosemarina’s path?”
”Ugh—!”
Ende’s voice was cold, sharp as steel.
The old bear shook his head, sighing deeply. A bird-woman beside them gave Elna a look caught between pity and disbelief.
Cornered, the white cat princess straightened her ribboned tail with a snap.
”Ugh! You’re all so mean! What’s wrong with having a little fun! Why do you want to lock a cat up in some narrow town? It was just a walk!”
”A walk?” Ende growled. “You crossed half the continent without guards. That’s not a stroll, that’s reckless. Think about your own safety, you fool of a cat.”
”RosRos, that’s cruel! I helped rebuild Karakas, didn’t I? Is this how you repay me?!”
”I heard about that,” said the bear dryly. “You offered to help clear out ruins, didn’t you? Then burned down a house that was still standing, got scolded, and ran off crying. You caused more trouble than you solved.”
”…I… might not remember that part…”
Her failure exposed before the council, Elna wilted. Her dependable cousin, the Black Cat Princess, wasn’t here today—busy rebuilding their home, the Cat Tower, after the great fall.
”…I’m sorry,” Elna murmured.
”If you understand, then stay put for a while,” said the bear kindly. “It’s good you want to improve the cats’ image, but you’re still young. Trying too hard will only make things worse.”
”I’m not a kitten anymore!” she blurted. “I’m a full-grown cat! My belly will round soon enough!”
The absurdity of the exchange made Cattleya, seated nearby, stifle a laugh. At this point, watching the monkey and bear scold the young queen had become a routine sight.
Just then, the council doors opened.
”Pardon the interruption,” said a calm voice.
”Oh? Princess Kuzuha.”
Charlotte of the Harpies bowed as the Black Fox entered. Kuzuha stepped forward gracefully, and the doors closed behind her.
”I’m sorry for disturbing your session.”
”It’s all right,” said the bear. “I’m surprised you came all the way from Boorinel. I heard you were busy rebuilding Karakas.”
”Yes,” Kuzuha said. “Our scattered kin are returning. Little by little, the city’s healing. But that means I’ve had my hands full with rebuilding everyone’s homes.”
”I see. And what brings you here at such a time?”
Though she was recognized as the Foxkin chieftain, Kuzuha wasn’t officially on the council—her lands were still under reconstruction.
She brushed back her long, dark hair and stepped up to the table. All eyes turned toward her.
”Elna.”
”Eh? What is it?”
From her sleeve, Kuzuha drew out a small, burned paper figure and placed it on the table. It was shaped like a person—one of her shikigami, charred around the edges.
”He’s in danger,” she said quietly. “Our hero… is in peril.”
”…What?”
Kuzuha hadn’t led up to it gently—she’d dropped the news like a thunderclap. Elna froze, trying to grasp what she’d just heard.
Then, the first to react was the bear elder, slamming his hand on the table as he rose.
”What’s this about? Tell us everything—now.”
Notes:
• Gina – A kind choir member who shows genuine concern for Adelina. She’s a rare ally in this unfamiliar place, offering some comfort and companionship.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Clea – younger dog beastkin sister who also serviced Klock previously.
• Orrid – Southern pleasure town near Conro, known for its chaos and vice. Serves as Brigante’s next destination and Count Grasso’s sphere of influence. Rumored den of spies and mercenaries.
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Ende – A male monkey elder of the Beastfolk Grand Council first appearing during Queen Elna’s reprimand session. He denounces her reckless cross-continent travels following past wars caused by Beastfolk misrule. Acting under the council’s authority, he seeks to prevent another dictatorship like Rosemarina’s. He holds no known direct relationships. Sharp-tongued, stern, and politically vigilant.
• Rosemarina – The formal title of the Empress; refers to her authority and influence over the Beast Continent.
• Cattleya – The lord; resides in the town of Boorinel, east of Ryzan, past the Mesa; wants to confirm Klock’s humanity.
• Charlotte – Avian secretary of Boorinel and younger sister to Lord Cattleya. Shrewd and poised; initially probes Klock under Nyan Law Corps orders, then—after Cianie’s confrontation—swears to the Hero and helps rally Beastkin for the Bastili rescue/rebellion. First appears v6c31. Reminder: sharp bird secretary, Cattleya’s sister who flips to the Hero’s side and mobilizes allies.
• Boorinel – A town east of Ryzan, where Lord Cattleya’s manor is located; said to be a long journey from Ryzan.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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