A/N: Hi Everyone! I am back for this weekend's update!
So aside for this chapter 82(which it seems to be the 100th chapter of this series.) I will also posting rewrites for Chapter 32 and Chapter 33. I doing this as i want to finished the Rewrite by Next weekend. I will folow the same number of chapters for Volume 1 which 40 chapters, and since I am on the last stretch, I want to finished ASAP so that I could focus on Volume 2. (I work hard this week to write (T^T)). so expect another 2 chapters for rewrite tomorrow.
then another thing! for Chapter 32 which I originally plan for a healhtly, sunny and warm chapter... turned in to something too much healhty.... I'm actually hesitant for this chapter, but I will just go with it..
anyways please do tell me your thoughts! thank you!
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Ingvild's eyes slowly open for the first time in a hundred years. Her beautiful orange orbs locked with Hajime's gentle brown eyes, a simple moment between them.
"Ah…" she breathed softly, raising a trembling hand to touch his cheek. Her fingers stayed there, feeling the warmth against her palm. Hajime's eyes widened briefly before he caught her hand, holding it gently in place.
"Am I… dreaming?" she asked, her voice weak but curious.
Hajime smiled warmly. "Good morning, purple-haired diva."
She blinked at the unexpected nickname, the corners of her lips twitching just slightly.
Before the moment could deepen, Villhaze burst forward, shoving Hajime aside with surprising force and practically leaping onto Ingvild.
"MILADY, YOU'RE FINALLY AWAKE!! WAAAAHHHH!" she wailed, burying her face in Ingvild's chest.
"Oi—!" Hajime grunted as he caught himself on the floor.
Ingvild blinked, still dazed. "Ah… Villhaze?"
"Milady! Milady!! Milady!!" Villhaze cried, her voice trembling between joy and disbelief.
"Villhaze," Ingvild murmured softly, rubbing her maid's back, "still a crybaby as ever."
Across the room, Sagiri, Lavinia, Tobio, and the Slash/Dog team stood frozen, their eyes wide. The reality hadn't fully sunk in—a devil, even a half, had just received a divine blessing… and it hadn't harmed her.
"…It really worked," Tobio said in awe.
"She's actually awake," Sae whispered, her tone caught between relief and wonder.
"I can't believe it… a devil not hurt by divine blessing," Natsume muttered, still processing what she'd witnessed.
"This… this looks like something straight out of a fairy tale," Shigune said, peeking from behind Poh cradled in her arms.
"These guys really do break every expectation," Kouki added, admiration lacing his voice.
And then—
"Ooooh~" several voices chimed in at once.
Hajime blinked, turning toward the sound, only to realize the holo-screen was still on. He'd never ended the call.
Now it wasn't just Lumine on-screen, sitting calmly at the front. Her usual stoic mask was gone, replaced by a look of interest and faint amusement. Beside her, Elysia radiated festival-level energy, practically vibrating with delight as she clung to Noah's back like an overly affectionate cat.
Kiana sat on Noah's other side, positively glowing. Her hair was still a mess from what could only be a very thorough cuddle session, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. But what drew Hajime's attention most was her eyes—one the familiar pure blue, the other star-light gold.
Both Kiana and Sirin were watching.
Hajime just stared at them, deadpan.
Lumine tilted her head ever so slightly, as if studying him.
Elysia giggled, eyes sparkling. "Such a prince-like moment, Hajime~! Well done!"
Kiana leaned forward, Sirin's voice overlapping with hers, both brimming with curiosity. "Did you feel a spark? There's supposed to be a spark, right? It's always like that when we do it with Noah."
Hajime's brow twitched, but before he could respond, Noah simply met his gaze with that infuriating, knowing smirk.
Then—like it had been rehearsed—Noah, Lumine, Kiana (with Sirin), and Elysia all raised their hands in perfect sync, giving him an overly dramatic thumbs-up.
The vein on Hajime's temple twitches. "…I'm cutting the call," he muttered flatly, swiping his hand through the air to shut the screen.
Click.
The room fell into silence.
Alice facepalmed. "They definitely planned that."
Anisphia sighed, deadpan. "Every second of it."
"…Is this really the team you're with? Because they're nothing like what you told us about," Sagiri said, her mind a jumble of disbelief.
Yes, In Sagiri's mind, she formed the image of the Trailblazers based on the stories they shared during the meeting with the Amaterasu as chivalrous and heroic people who went to world to world saving them and made friends with its people, not like this.... a group of ordinary like people, teasing their friends.
Alice and Anisphia looked at each other, hearing what Sagiri said, shrugs.
"Well, we are many things after all." Alice said.
"And acting like any other people is what we are mostly." Anisphia said with a somewhat proud tone.
Sagiri deadpan. Will I survive with people??
Alice took that moment to step beside Ingvild, who was still comforting the tearful Villhaze.
"Hello, Miss Ingvild. My name is Alice Louise, please, just call me Alice." She offered a gentle smile. "Would it be alright if I used a little magic to check on you? You've been asleep for quite a long time."
"Hm… yes. Quite a loooong time, after all," Anisphia chimed in with a small grin.
"…It's… fine," Ingvild replied softly, her voice a little hoarse from the long sleep.
Villhaze stepped back to give Alice room, quickly wiping her eyes. Her form—faintly transparent since they'd met—was beginning to solidify, though no one seemed to notice except Alice and Anisphia.
Anisphia cast Hajime a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing. She knew exactly what this meant. Hmph… so it wasn't just Ingvild this idiot blessed—it was Villhaze too…
Alice took out a bottle of water from her storage space and handed it to Ingvild. "Here, it's water—have a drink to soothe your throat for a bit."
"Thank… you… Miss Alice," Ingvild murmured.
Villhaze moved to help her sit up, even assisting her as she drank. Once she was settled, Alice activated several magic circles, scanning Ingvild's condition with practiced precision.
As this was happening, Hajime felt a gentle tug at the hem of his shirt. He turned to find Lavinia standing beside him, a small pout on her lips.
Her blue eyes locked on his, as if trying to send him some silent message he couldn't quite read.
"…Do you need something?" he asked cautiously.
Lavinia's pout deepened, her cheeks puffing slightly when she realized he didn't understand. So, without another word, she acted.
She leaned in—and kissed him.
It wasn't just a quick peck—it was a full, deliberate kiss. Her lips met Hajime's, and though the move struck him like a sudden bolt, his body betrayed him. Without thinking, he kissed her back, the reflex almost instinctive. It lingered for just a moment before they parted.
Lavinia stepped back, eyes wide, her face flushed deep crimson. "…Oh."
The entire room froze.
Alice's hand froze mid-scan. Anisphia nearly dropped her scanners.
Sagiri covered her mouth, her ears glowing red.
Even the Slash/Dog team stared, slack-jawed.
Kouki let out a low whistle. "Did… she just—?"
Natsume coughed. "So bold, Lavi?!"
Shigune murmured, "That was… unexpected… and yet expected."
Hajime remained frozen, blinking slowly. "…What just—"
Crack.
An emerald swirl of Anemo energy flared from Alice's Emblem.
At the same time, a surge of Pyro energy blazed from Anisphia's.
Dark aura gathered behind them like storm clouds ready to break.
"Lavi-san, while we did say you could spend time with our Hajime," Alice said sweetly, her tone almost too polite.
Anisphia's smile was razor-sharp. "We even supported you in pursuing him. But…"
"Kissing him in front of us?! That's a very bold move!!!" they declared in unison.
Lavinia, cheeks still flushed and eyes wide, blinked at them with her usual innocent expression.
"Al-chan, An-chan…."
Alice and Anisphia exchanged a brief glance, both restraining the energy that was still sparking in the air between them.
"What is it, Lavi-san?" Alice asked, her voice a little too calm, as if carefully holding back something.
Anisphia's smile tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you find your answer? Is this your declaration?"
Lavinia's cheeks flushed a deeper red, her fingers brushing against her lips as though savoring the warmth still lingering there. "I… I think… it's just like you said."
The room went still once more, tension hanging in the air.
Hajime finally snapped back to reality from whatever strange dimension Lavinia's kiss had thrown him into. He dragged his hands down his face. "...Just what the heck did I do…"
I actually responded to her kiss… and enjoyed it. Have I really fallen for her? he thought, a mix of confusion and reluctant admission swirling in his mind.
Lavinia once again gently tugged at the hem of his shirt. Hajime glanced down at her.
"Y-yes, Miss Reni?"
"I liked that kiss… very much." Her voice was soft, her cheeks still flushed, eyes glowing with that same innocent warmth. "And also… please call me by my name from now on."
"…From now on?" Hajime repeated, baffled.
Before he could ask what she meant, Lavinia rose on tiptoe once more and pressed her lips to his—for the second time.
This kiss lasted longer, lingering enough to draw in the breath of everyone in the room.
Gasps erupted around them.
Alice and Anisphia's thoughts seemed to short-circuit. The auras behind them, once swirling, now flared violently.
"Oh no," Tobio whispered, quickly pulling Sae close and shielding her with his body.
"Cover!" Natsume barked, yanking Shigune behind a broken pillar.
Kouki let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "This group is pure chaos."
"Milady!" Villhaze shouted, leaping in front of Ingvild to shield her.
Sagiri appeared at Ingvild's side, taking her arm and helping Villhaze guide her away. "Let's move over here, shall we? Away from the blast zone."
"W-What's happening?" Ingvild asked, still disoriented.
"Collateral damage," Sagiri replied gravely, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Hajime finally sensed the looming elemental fury at his back. He turned just in time to see the combined wrath of Anemo and Pyro barreling toward him.
"…Oh, crap."
—-
Moments later, after the chaos had subsided, the group was still inside Ingvild's room.
Hajime, Lavinia, Alice, and Anisphia were all kneeling in a neat line, facing a very angry Villhaze, who stood before them with arms crossed and an unrelenting glare.
"I am indeed thankful to you humans for saving Milady from her illness," Villhaze said in a deceptively sweet tone—though her aura told a far more dangerous story. "BUT, using magic to the point of tearing apart Milady's room… this Villhaze will not forgive such a transgression!!!"
Alice and Anisphia flinched at her words. As the culprits behind the shredded bedding from Anemo blasts, the gaping hole in the wall, scorch marks on the floor, and other assorted destruction, they both wore the faces of guilty children caught red-handed.
Alice… wasn't she supposed to be the clumsy, funny type of maid? Why did she suddenly turn into a terrifying one?! Anisphia shot Alice a look, speaking volumes without words.
Alice, catching the unspoken message, gave a tiny nod. The phrase 'don't judge a book by its cover' is painfully accurate.
"...Ah, Vill-chan, I don't really mind," Ingvild said softly, trying to calm Villhaze's obvious irritation.
"Please be quiet, Milady," Villhaze replied firmly, before turning a sharp glare toward Hajime and Lavinia.
"And don't even get me started on you two!" she snapped, pointing between Hajime and Lavinia. "I might tolerate you doing… whatever it is you're doing, but BUT!! To kiss another woman right after taking Milady's first kiss?! Have you no shame?!"
Her cheeks burned bright red—half with anger, half with embarrassment.
Hajime's expression tightened with genuine guilt, while Lavinia flushed crimson, suddenly looking more bashful than usual.
"Eh…?" Ingvild, hearing Villhaze's words, blinked in surprise. Slowly, she touched her lips, realization dawning. Her face turned scarlet, and it almost looked like steam was about to rise from her head.
"Is there anything you have to say?!" Villhaze demanded, her glare sweeping over the four of them.
"We're very sorry," they chorused, bowing their heads in unison.
"Hmph! You'd better be!" Villhaze huffed before narrowing her eyes at Hajime. "And you, human—you'd better not forget your promise! Take responsibility for Milady and take care of her!"
Hajime blinked once, then replied in his gentlest tone, "Of course. You have my word."
His answer made Lavinia puff her cheeks in a pout, while Alice and Anisphia let out helpless sighs. Sagiri, standing beside Ingvild, could only offer a wry smile.
Villhaze's gaze softened. "Good. That's all I needed to hear."
"Eh? Vill-chan? Wh-what are you saying?!" Ingvild exclaimed, her face heating up as she sat up straighter beside Sagiri.
Meanwhile, the Slash/Dog team watched the unfolding drama like it was prime-time entertainment. Natsume even pulled out a bag of popcorn, munching away with exaggerated crunches.
"Want some?" she whispered to Kouki and Tobio, who deadpanned at her.
Sae nudged Shigune. "This is better than anything on TV."
Shigune, cheeks slightly pink, murmured back, "I… can't argue with that."
All the while, they kept their eyes fixed on the scene, half-blushing, half-fascinated by the chaos playing out before them.
Villhaze turned to Ingvild, her expression soft yet tinged with sadness. "I'm sorry, Milady… but I won't be able to accompany you from here on. So I can only entrust you to this human and his companions."
"Eh? Vi-Vill-chan? I… I don't understand—what are you saying?" Ingvild's voice carried both confusion and the edge of panic.
"...Milady, I'm sorry… but… it seems that I've been dead for a long time now," Villhaze said with a sad smile.
Earlier, as they walked through the mansion toward Ingvild's room, she had slowly begun to recall her final moments—how she'd run toward her lady's chambers, desperate to shield her from the growing fragmentum, only to be swallowed by it.
"?!" Ingvild rose from her seat in alarm, finally noticing that Villhaze's legs—from her feet up to her calves—were transparent.
Sagiri, Lavinia, Tobio, and the rest of the Slash/Dog team remember it too. The Villhaze before them wasn't truly alive at all, but a lingering mirage—an afterimage of the woman who had died at the hands of the Stellaron.
"...Vill-chan… no… please… no…" Ingvild's voice trembled as she stepped toward her, but Villhaze moved first, not wanting her mistress to strain herself so soon after waking.
"I'm sorry, Milady. Even though I promised to always be by your side… I have to go first," she said through sobs, leaning into the warmth of Ingvild's hand against her cheek.
Ingvild's grip tightened. "No… I just got you back…"
Villhaze's whole body began to fade once more, her form turning transparent as she started to disappear. With the fragmentum in Ingvild's room destroyed during the chaos, she could no longer hold herself together.
"Vill-chan!" Ingvild cried, clutching her fading maid tightly. "We just met again! Why are you leaving?!"
"…I'm sorry, Milady… but I can say… I'm happy to see you finally awake," Villhaze whispered, returning the embrace.
Off to the side, the Slash/Dog team wept openly, some leaning on each other for support. Sagiri closed her eyes, arms folded as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Lavinia covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling. Alice turned her head, biting her lip as tears fell, while Anisphia wiped at her own eyes before glancing at Hajime. He hadn't moved—but she caught the tense, conflicted look on his face.
As motes of light surrounded Ingvild and Villhaze, Hajime finally stepped forward, breaking the heavy silence.
"...Sorry to cut your farewell short, but can you not just disappear on me like that?" Hajime said casually, giving Villhaze a light chop on the head.
"Oww!" Villhaze yelped, letting go of Ingvild and clutching her head. "What are you doing, you damn human?!"
"I should be the one asking you that, you ungrateful maid," Hajime shot back, his tone firm enough to make Villhaze halt her complaints mid-sentence.
"I clearly remember telling you earlier that I'd give you a reward for all the information you shared, right? So who said you could vanish before I give it to you?" His eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto her until she flinched. "Do you want me to look like someone who doesn't keep his word, you ungrateful maid?"
Alice and Anisphia exchanged wry smiles at the exchange, while Ingvild, Lavinia, and Sagiri stared wide-eyed at Hajime's sudden domineering air. Even the Slash/Dog team shuddered slightly at this unexpected side of him.
"…Since when did he get scarier than half the devils I've met?" Natsume muttered under her breath.
"...That doesn't matter anymore. I'm already dead. And if you want to call it a reward, then you taking care of Milady and making sure she's well—that's the best reward I could ask for," Villhaze said quietly.
"Hmph! You truly are ungrateful," Hajime sneered back. "Whether it's waking her up, taking care of her, or taking responsibility for her, those are separate things. And every one of them—I'll do for HER, not for YOU."
Villhaze grit her teeth, glaring at him. "Like I said… I'm already dead. There's nothing you can do about that."
"Heh. You underestimate me, maid. As if something like death could stop me," Hajime said, his tone laced with certainty.
His words sent a chill through the room. Everyone from the Slash/Dog team, Sagiri, and Lavinia remembered exactly who Nagumo Hajime was—a Campione, a godslayer. A man who had done the impossible, killing a god and stealing its power.
Ingvild reached out and held Hajime's hand. "Please… give Villhaze a second chance."
Hajime met her gaze and smiled gently. "Leave it to me."
Villhaze blinked at him, caught between disbelief and a strange warmth at his confidence. "...You sure talk big, human."
Ingvild's cheeks warmed at his confident tone, a spark of hope blooming that Villhaze would truly be okay. "Uhm…!"
Hajime gave her a small smile and, with his free hand, gently pinched her cheek before turning to her terminal. He pulled up the most recent call, tapped it, and within seconds the connection opened. On the screen appeared Noah, sipping tea with his usual relaxed air, flanked by Kiana, Elysia, and Lumine in the Astral Express lounge.
Noah glanced up at the camera, smiling in that infuriatingly calm way of his. "So, you finally called back, Hajime. We've been waiting for you."
Hajime stared flatly at him. "…Can you please stop being dramatic, you idiot?"
"Boo!" Noah pouted playfully, leaning back in his chair. "You're such a spoilsport."
Kiana stifled a chuckle, Elysia covered her smile with a hand, and Lumine's lips quirked ever so slightly.
Hajime let out a slow sigh. "Leaving that aside… knowing you, you've already prepared what I want. So, I called to give you my 'answer' to your terms."
Kiana, Elysia, and Lumine all raised their brows, glancing at Hajime, then at Noah, then back at Hajime again wondering about his decision.
"Hee… then let's hear it," Noah said, setting his cup down and giving Hajime his trademark smirk.
Meeting Noah's gaze without flinching, Hajime spoke clearly. "First—aside from Ingvild, I will give Sagiri, Miss Reni, and Sona my passes."
Sagiri and Lavinia's brows shot up. They turned to Alice and Anisphia in silent questioning, but the two women only responded with small, knowing sighs, as if to say, 'As expected.'
Noah's expression didn't change; he simply waited.
"Second…" Hajime paused, taking a deep breath, gathering both courage and resolve. "…I will call Miss Reni… Lavi, from now on."
A few soft gasps escaped in the background, and Lavinia's eyes widened slightly as she processed what he'd just said.
"Deal!" Noah said instantly, his smile so bright it could have put the sun to shame. Kiana, Elysia, and Lumine exchanged a look with each other that all but said, what are we going to do with this man?, before glancing back at Hajime with something between sympathy and amusement.
"Ehh?" Lavinia—clearly the target—let out a bewildered sound, pointing at herself. Alice and Anisphia facepalmed in unison, muttering, "Of course that's what Captain wants," and "Hajime, you're dancing in the palm of his hand," making Lavinia blink in even greater confusion.
On the screen, Noah snapped his fingers. Coming from the broken window announced the arrival of his familiar, the same ethereal bird he used to spy on them, glided gracefully into Ingvild's room, startling everyone present. Alice, Anisphia, and Hajime all wore equally stunned expressions as they turned back to the image of Noah, who was smiling with infuriating brightness.
"Pheia, give Hajime the package, then return," Noah instructed. Pheia—Noah's patronus and one of the Alden family's spirit guardians—was The Phoenix itself, a being with spiritual power on par with Mahiru's Jue.
Pheia flapped its wings, releasing a bright flare of fire that materialized into a supply drop box marked with a cheerful Homu picture. With a crisp cry, the majestic bird slowly faded away.
"Then as promised, everything you need is there~" Noah said with a satisfied nod. "Well, see you~"
As the call ended, Hajime's cheek twitched repeatedly. Alice and Anisphia both let out tired sighs, their expressions saying they'd expected nothing less.
"…That bastard… he really orchestrated everything," Hajime muttered in a voice of complete defeat.
Alice let out a tired smile. "You just realized that?"
Anisphia looks outside the window. "We've been dancing all along with Captain's Grand Plan."