Lumi, Now drenched in rain, was on top of her dead sister’s body. She was crying silently with her hair covering her face completely.
Allen wanted to go intervene and comfort Lumi but Kazuma stopped him in his tracks
“Let her take her time. We don’t get to say goodbye to our loved ones.”
Allen stepped back keeping his head down. Tia stayed calm looking to the side as she really wasn’t the best at handling situations like these.
Charlotte put her scythe down and put her hands in a prayer pose and started praying. Yuuji planted his sword in the ground without a word and Amilia put her hat to her chest.
It stayed like this for about 20 minutes, maybe more.
Finally, Lumi got up. Her face was still covered with her hair. She proceeded to head towards the rest of the crew, then proceeded to put her fist on Yuuji’s chest.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Before anyone could say a thing Lumi walked away “I’ll head back to the inn.”
“We shouldn’t go back to the inn straight away. Let’s give her some time.” Kazuma suggested as he looked at everyone “General, please give flamebringer a proper burial. It’ll mean a lot to Lumi”
Tia looked at Kazuma and nodded “Ah.. Leave it to me..”
From what looked like a flawless victory, no one really was pleased. The atmosphere was so dense for anyone to even speak up.
They decided to head to another inn for food and drinks to give Lumi some alone time.
**At the palace during the battle**
“E-everyone! go and help out! Stop the havoc on the streets!”
“Our Shogun, how amazing! always remaining calm in tough situations!” Mizuki spoke in that same over the top tone
A soldier popped in the room in urgency “Great Shogun! We must go to the bunker!”
This was all going according to Mizuki’s plan so far, even the bunker
“Yes! You should protect yourself, Great Shogun!”
The queen looked around nervous then decided to go with the soldier
“Now then.” Mizuki proceeded to go to a bookshelf in the corner of the room “These were long 10 years but it’s worth it. Only me and that stupid idiot of a ruler know of this place”
Mizuki then pulled the 3rd book from the 3rd shelf and a door opened
“Truly a marvelous sight.” Mizuki went into the hidden room
The room was glowing. Not from some gold or diamond, but from a key. The key was colored purple and had a lightning symbol on top of it.
“Now my mission is completed.”
**back with Yuuji’s party**
It was a silent meal this time. No drinks, No lavish food, It felt like an ordinary or even less than ordinary meal. They didn’t celebrate it as a victory more like a bitter defeat.
The inn was pretty empty due to all the havoc happening after that dragon roar. People would rather die in their houses than evacuate sometimes or at least it’s a cultural thing in Denki.
They went back late at night to sleep. Tia and Charlotte headed back to Charlotte’s house for the night as it’s the closest meeting point they have, While the others headed back to their inn.
“I’m not going to go to sleep. Kazuma, you and Lumi will be sharing our room”
Kazuma looked confused but accepted nonetheless. Allen looked in a drinking mood, Although not the happy kind of drinking it was more to clear his mind.
Everyone headed to their respective rooms to sleep.
In the middle of the night, Kazuma woke up. He looked around the room and noticed Lumi missing.
Kazuma decided to go and look for her, worried she’d hurt herself in guilt and sorrow. He went straight for the city gates which were open all the time now.
“And found you.”
Kazuma ended up finding Lumi near a river close to the city gates.
“Ah. It’s you, Kamahara”
“No need to be that cold to me.” Kazuma said as he proceeded to sit next to Lumi
They both stared at the night sky. It was beautiful with the full moon just completing the scenery.
They stayed quiet for approximately 10 minutes before Kazuma finally broke the silence.
“You know, a friend of mine told me it’s ok to not hold back during these moments. I don’t think you need to bottle it up, It’s been 10 years since then.”
Kazuma proceeded to look back at the sky then a small sobbing sound appeared. Kazuma decided to not look at Lumi and give her the space she needs.
Lumi started to scream at the top of her lungs “WHY.. WHY WHY WHY” she kept going for a while crying, punching the ground and screaming all at the same time until eventually she got exhausted.
Seeing this, Kazuma carried Lumi in his arms and went back to the inn.
“Why… why…” Lumi kept mumbling in her sleep
The next morning, Kazuma acted like nothing had happened the night before. Not like Lumi could remember. Though she felt a lot lighter that day.
They waited until Charlotte and Tia came over.
“Sorry, everyone for yesterday and thank you” Lumi bowed her head respectfully which got all wild of reactions going
Yuuji was smiling, Amilia was flustered, Tia got up and grabbed Lumi by the neck in a playful way, Charlotte just nodded, Kazuma looked away and Allen immediately ordered beer.
“Oi, Ginger” Tia got up and pointed at Allen “Aye want to challenge ye to a drinking competition”
Allen looked at Tia with a smirk “Bring it on!”
A few laughs and cheers spread around the room until a soldier suddenly entered the inn.
“Is Mr. Chaos still here?!”
‘Huh? What’s this about again?’ Allen thought to himself “Yes, That’s me”
“Oh thank goodness! please we need you quick!”
Everyone looked confused but decided to go along with the panicking soldier.
After arriving at the palace the queen met them at the door.
“I-I’m sorry for doubting you and your party.”
“Huh? What’s that all about ?”
Allen sounded a little annoyed since they did get kicked out in a really horrible way last time
“M-Mizuki stole the key and ran away..”
Yuuji’s eyes widened in shock “HOW DID YOU LET TH-” Yuuji’s voice became loud with anger before Allen interrupted him
“I-I was being deceived and now I lost a keepsake that might put the world in danger”
Allen closed his eyes and started to think “He’s from the organization.” He paused for a minute “We have to go to the next nation as soon as we can”
Allen looked around at everyone. “Alright then we’ll pass by Suijin to grab a few things on our way.”
Everyone nodded in agreement about their next destination. They excused themselves and left immediately to begin preparations.
Written by: shehablasheen
Published at: 08-11-2023
