The return trip didn't take long. With their pace, even without moving at full speed, it only took a few minutes to reach the base.
And just before arriving at the base—
"It's been released?"
Naoki, walking at the front, suddenly stopped and looked at the sky. Though the sky appeared the same as before, he could sense that the Bounded Field covering the true sky had been lifted some time ago.
This meant Merry no longer had to hold back.
(Now that I think about it, we might've been a bit too reckless earlier. The demon spirit battle was fine, but then there was the mecha fight… Fun, but Merry, who's cleaning up the mess, must be exhausted.)
"I'll have to properly apologize to Merry later."
"Yes, I think so too, Master. But I believe, rather than apologizing, you should think about how to handle the next blow." Rei said.
Her words made several people pause. Naoki scratched his head. "A blow? Who's going to hit me now?"
"Of course, and she's already on her way." Rei smiled. "Oh, she's full of energy. Even though she just released the Magecraft and hasn't recovered from her weakened state, to teach Master a lesson, she charged out immediately, even using an illusion so Master wouldn't sense her…"
"Ah… I think I know what's going on."
With a resigned sigh, Naoki snapped his fingers at the space in front of him, and suddenly, Merry's figure appeared out of nowhere—
Like chasing a debtor who owed her millions, Merry, her face full of rage, clutched her skirt and charged straight at Naoki. She pulled a magic wand from nowhere and slammed it into his forehead!
*BAM!*
The wand struck his forehead so hard it rang like a bell.
Grabbing Naoki's collar, Merry shook him furiously like a madwoman. "Look at what you've done, King! Even though I said I'd handle all the cleanup, could you at least hold back a little?! Huge explosions, demon gods, robots! If Arcueid hadn't helped me, my head would've exploded! Have some consideration for me!"
"I'm really sorry… Ouch!"
*BAM!*
Another blow landed on Naoki's head. As if that wasn't enough, Merry, puffing her cheeks like a pufferfish, clenched her fists and began pounding Naoki's chest with all her strength.
"If you! Know! Then! Have! Some! Consideration! For me!!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch… Rei, help!"
"Sorry, Master. My Mana's only enough for normal movement now—no surplus to help you. Please wait until Merry calms down on her own." Rei smiled and stepped back a few paces, as if giving them space.
The most trusted person turned out to be unreliable!?
"Lia! Mordred!"
"Oh, leave it to me, Master—Mother Queen?!"
"Merry, you're doing this to Master—Morgan?!"
Before Mordred and Artoria could pull Merry away, Morgan suddenly patted their shoulders, temporarily binding them both.
Forming her hands into a megaphone, Morgan, feeling the chaos wasn't big enough, egged her on. "Merry, hit him harder—it's fine! Who told you to leave me out when you fused with Lia earlier? I wanted to fuse with Lia too (whisper)."
"Morgan! You—Aoko! Sensei… no, Touko!"
"Ugh, the spot I got hit earlier hurts so much. Touko, help me."
"I can't carry a pig like you."
Despite her words, Touko lent Aoko her shoulder. The two looked as close as sisters, walking past Naoki without even glancing at him.
Why is everyone pretending not to see?!
"Shiki…"
"Figure it out yourself. I'm not in the mood. Merry, when you're done, it's my turn."
"You guys are too much!!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A few minutes later, in the living room.
"Welcome back, Brother… Huh?"
Gray, who had been waiting, stood up with a smile upon hearing the sound from behind. But when she turned, she saw her disheveled brother and a refreshed Merry, as if she had vented all her pent-up frustrations.
Behind them were Aoko and the others, giggling—while Artoria and Mordred were absent.
What's going on here?
"Oh, Gray, I'm back."
"Brother… did you just get beaten up? Was Caster that strong…?"
"I'm the one who beat him!"
Merry puffed out her chest proudly, patting it.
Gray's mind was instantly filled with confusion. When the Bounded Field was released, didn't Merry rush out saying she was going to welcome Brother back? Why did she end up beating him?
"Don't mind it, Gray." Aoko smiled, ruffling Gray's hair. "There's a saying, 'a hit is a sign of affection, a scolding is a sign of love.' That's how they are."
"Did you misunderstand that saying?"
Naoki sighed in resignation. He didn't believe Merry's blows were an expression of love. Merry wouldn't express it so blatantly. Throwing him into a hell full of monsters and traps, then watching him struggle—that's how Merry showed her love.
She was genuinely just angry earlier.
"Sorry, Merry. I went a bit overboard this time."
"Good thing you realize it. Well, no need to apologize anymore—I'm not mad after hitting you." Merry pulled Naoki to sit on the sofa and casually plopped onto his lap. "More importantly, how'd it go? Since everyone's back, it's a total victory, right?"
Total victory.
You could say that. Lancer fulfilled her wish to die, defeated by Artoria. Rider proved Naoki's strength to Touko and fought all-out against a worthy opponent, returning without regrets. Caster's side also reached an agreement with Naoki.
In terms of results, it was indeed a complete victory.
"Merry, there's something I need to discuss with you, about our marriage… Can it be postponed for a few years?"