Osian had returned to Violet Fox.
The Broker Union was busy dealing with the aftermath of what had happened at the conference hall. Since he couldn't stay there long, he had tactfully slipped away.
There wasn't much more to discuss. He had received permission to create a knight order, and had even gotten a promise that the Broker Union would support them. If anything, his steps on the way back were light. He had only intended to clear up suspicions, but ended up receiving official support.
"Phew. I'm exhausted, utterly exhausted."
Lorraine, who had been on edge throughout the conference hall, let out a deep sigh. She was mentally drained not so much from the atmosphere of the conference hall itself, but from the incident that occurred afterward.
"What the hell was that thing?"
This was Lorraine's first time facing the 'erosion' caused by an outer god. The same was true for the others. Only Osian and Basilio had experience with contact with outer gods.
The reason they didn't fall into chaos was thanks to the rough path they had walked.
They had seen many terrible things throughout their lives. Even accounting for that, seeing what humans transformed by erosion had done was enough to make one's tongue click in disgust.
However, the culprit behind it all didn't properly reveal its identity. And it fled from the scene faster than anyone else.
Trying to find the outer god's avatar that had disappeared to who knows where would be a waste of time, especially in a noisy situation like this.
"You've been marked by a troublesome fellow."
Those were Basilio's words. Having been marked by Red Eternity before, he knew better than anyone how dog-like the attention of outer gods could be.
"It was bound to happen eventually."
Osian spoke nonchalantly. And indeed, that's how he felt. He didn't know what kind of being that outer god was, and while it certainly had a rather bothersome personality, he didn't feel afraid or worried.
If anything, it was slightly annoying. But that didn't mean he could just leave it alone. When the opportunity arose, he would have to seize it without fail.
"In any case, we've put out the most urgent fire. It's actually gone in a more positive direction, so we can breathe a sigh of relief."
Ronan spoke to lighten the mood. There had been many incidents today, but they had gotten through them safely. Ronan's intention was to feel grateful for that fact itself.
Osian looked around at everyone. Yes. All of these people had come to the conference hall with him, risking danger to help him.
"Thank you all."
Osian spoke honestly. He even bowed his head in addition.
"Oh, oh oh. It's okay! It's okay!"
Ena waved her hands frantically in surprise. She hadn't expected Osian to bow his head and express such sincere gratitude.
"Well, since you're so grateful, it was worth helping after all."
Lorraine smiled as if pleased.
"But don't feel too burdened. We've also received a lot of help from you."
It wasn't just Lorraine. Everyone present had built bonds with Osian. Relationships formed through bonds aren't created by one-sided flow from either party. Because they care for each other, it's more tender and stronger than any other emotion.
"Of course, there's still a mountain of things to resolve ahead."
Seren Gracia spoke.
"The Broker Union looked favorably on us, but it means there are forces trying to pressure them from outside to keep us in check. They won't give up easily after this incident. We need to be more careful. We've just gotten over one dangerous hurdle."
"Right. But we got through the hurdle safely, didn't we? So we should at least celebrate this much."
That's when it happened. The door of Violet Fox burst open with a crash as people poured in. It was the Starlight Knights who had heard the news that Osian had returned.
"Ahhh!"
"Jonathan, you bastard! I told you not to push!"
"Ow! Who's stepping on my butt!"
They were tangled up on the floor, then saw Osian and gave awkward smiles.
"Heir. This is, well, you see."
"It's Perth! This guy suggested we secretly eavesdrop!"
"What, man! Why is it me! If you really think about it, Vice-Captain Asmer was the most enthusiastic about leading this!"
"These bastards! How dare they sell me out!"
Osian watched the scene and chuckled.
But he didn't want to diminish the value of this moment with such meaningless assumptions.
"You all worked hard waiting. Have you eaten?"
As soon as the question ended, loud rumbling sounds erupted from the Starlight Knights members. Osian looked at Ena. Ena, who was quick to notice such things, spoke up.
"It's been really long since we've all gathered like this. Should we grill some meat?"
"Me! I like it!"
Lupona was the first to raise her hand and shout.
"Well, that wouldn't be bad."
Seren agreed, and Mist nodded as well. No one refused.
A barbecue party was held in the small clearing connected to the back door of Violet Fox.
Ena displayed her cooking skills without reserve. She wasn't only good at home cooking. The meat Ena grilled melted in the mouth in an amazing way. It wasn't cheap meat, but it wasn't expensive either - it was simply amazing how she could cook like this.
"I'm actually better at cooking with fire."
When asked out of curiosity, Ena spoke with a confident voice.
"Is grilling your specialty?"
"It's also because of my ability. While I learned how to cook, dishes grilled with fire like this are influenced by my ability and become more uniquely flavored."
Was it just the taste? The meat quality, flavor, and texture were all top-grade. At this point, it seemed like she should open a separate barbecue restaurant instead of a tavern.
"Wahaha! Let's eat and drink!"
"Hey! That's mine!"
"Where's the rule for that? First come, first served!"
The Violet Fox members and Starlight Knights were tearing into meat and chattering excitedly among themselves. With beer added to the mix, the atmosphere was more lively than usual.
"Growl! This is mine!"
"Ahhh! Ms. Lupona! Don't bite my hand! I get it! I said I get it!"
"Puhahaha! Anthony, you're really funny!"
"Mr. Diolan! Don't just laugh, help me out!"
They laughed, bickered, and chattered among themselves. Watching that scene was so entertaining that time passed without notice.
"Now, now. Don't fight, everyone. There's still plenty of meat."
Ena put the grilled meat on a plate and placed it on the table and everyone reached for their forks as if they had been waiting.
Ronan shook his head with a troubled smile, and Mist quietly stuffed meat into his mouth like a hamster.
Lorraine gulped down beer while Seren chewed meat gracefully with a smile.
Basilio sat quietly enjoying the atmosphere, and Edgar was chewing grilled vegetables instead of candy.
Osian looked at them all.
At some point, he had gained precious people to protect. Others might laugh at it as foolish and embarrassing. But Osian really liked this moment of being with them.
'This must be what they call fate.'
One day, he had suddenly fallen into a game world. A place with no connections. All he knew was that countless years had passed since the era he knew. He was a stranger to this world, a person drifting unable to adapt to the times.
But there were people who extended their hands to him. They held him so he wouldn't drift away, and helped him live in this world.
The body of an ancient knight. The mind of a 21st-century modern person. And a steampunk world where technology and magic had developed.
Things that seemed impossible to mix came together in harmony to create the person called Osian. And it was his current companions who helped such an Osian exist.
'So I must treasure them even more.'
Sometimes they would break apart. Sometimes they would split ways. Sometimes they would turn away from each other.
But that doesn't make fate disappear. The memory of laughing in this moment doesn't become something that never happened. Even if the light fades, sometimes when recalling memories, you can take it out from the photo album in your memory and laugh, saying there was a time like this.
"What are you doing?"
Lorraine approached and pulled Osian's hand.
"It's lonely if the star of the gathering is missing! Come on! Everyone's waiting."
"I see."
Osian nodded and headed toward where his companions were.
Laughter spreads. Joy is fleeting and momentary. But people willingly live for it. It's brief, but that's what makes it valuable.
For that sake.
'I will continue to fight.'
Wielding a sword and pushing through adversity. Like a knight. So there is no fear.
Because a knight never stops.
The protests in Tirna escalated and were suppressed repeatedly. The guards suppressed the protests violently. They had received reports that agitators were mixed in among the protesters, and had actually detected such signs.
The citizens should have been scared enough by then to back down on their own. But this time was different. Having felt the direct threat of death, they didn't retreat easily.
The protest taking place on the road in District 36 was the same.
Since it was a location where the main residential area bordered District 39, the protesters included people of all ages. Children suddenly came out to the streets, either following their parents or swept up in the atmosphere.
Tommy, who was working as a newspaper delivery boy, was one of them.
Adults around him were holding pickets and shouting noisily. Tommy found their frenzied appearance somewhat frightening.
'I just want to go home.'
Somehow squeezing through the wall of people, Tommy barely managed to get to the outskirts of the road.
Tommy looked back. The path he had come from was filled with countless crowds like swarms of ants. He couldn't muster the courage to push through that path at all. Then the only remaining option was to take a slight detour through the alleys.
Tommy stared at the nearest alley.
"Ugh."
And without realizing it, he let out a groan.
Even though it was broad daylight, the alley between buildings was dark and eerie as if light had been blocked.
A dark alley where people didn't come and go stimulated the boy's instinctive fear.
Tommy pondered whether to go into the alley or not, then soon stepped backward.
'Let's just go back the way I came.'
He didn't know why. He just felt that would be the right thing to do. That's when it happened.
-Tinkle-tinkle-tong.
The sweet sound of a music box came from inside the alley. Tommy's gaze was drawn to the alley as if enchanted.
'Is someone there?'
-Giggle giggle!
The sound of children laughing and chattering tickled his ears. Could there be other kids besides me over there?
Tommy became curious. His steps headed toward the alley that had felt only frightening until just moments ago. None of the people protesting on the main street saw Tommy like this, nor paid him any attention.
Tommy, who had been walking into the alley, soon stopped.
A music box was placed on the ground. It was small enough to hold in one hand and had beautiful craftsmanship. It looked expensive. If he took this to a general store and sold it, would it be worth money?
The moment Tommy was about to pick up the music box with that thought.
-Snap.
From the darkness of the alley beyond, a gloved hand shot out and snatched the music box first.
"...!"
Tommy was startled and quickly looked up. He could see a blurry silhouette in the dark alley. How strange. Even though it was so close, he couldn't see its appearance clearly, and he hadn't even known it was there.
"Who, who are you?"
There was no answer as the silhouette approached Tommy.
Tommy was frozen in place with fear when he saw the Red eyes that glinted in the darkness.
What revealed itself was a clown. White face paint and red makeup on the lips. A red nose reminiscent of Rudolph on the nose, and hair sticking out comically to both sides were impressive.
The colorful clown smiled brightly at Tommy. Then it held out the music box in its hand to show Tommy.
Tommy quietly stared at the music box. The clown, as if telling Tommy to look at this, wound the spring attached to the side of the music box.
-Whirrrr. Click.
Soon the music box activated and made sweet music. Just listening to it made one feel good and naturally relaxed the body's tension.
"Do you want to play together?"
The clown asked. Tommy showed wariness again at those words.
"Oh ho ho ho. Don't worry. Other children are together too. It's true."
The clown pointed behind with its hand. From inside the alley where only darkness could be seen, sounds could be heard.
-Giggle giggle! Ahahahaha! A new friend? Let's play together! It's really fun here!
It was the children's voices he had heard earlier.
"There are many more fun toys too."
"Re-really?"
"Of course. What do you want? A fun monkey toy? A tin robot that moves by itself? Or if not that, a teddy bear that fills your arms would be nice too."
"Wow!"
"Want to come together?"
At those words, Tommy nodded as if enchanted.
"Yes..."
It was before he could finish saying, "Let's go together." Tommy suddenly intuited that something was strange.
-Giggle giggle! Ahahahaha! Ah. Ha. Ha. Ha. Let's. Play. To. Ge. Ther.
The children's laughter coming from inside became murky like rust, then gradually echoed in fragments. That sound eventually turned off with noise, and a new sound was heard.
-Kyaaahhh! Wahhhhh! Please save me! Please save me! Mom! Mommy!
Shouts and screams. Wails filled with fear and pain.
-Snap.
The clown's hand touched Tommy's shoulder. The smile on the clown's face deepened.
-Crack crack crack.
The smile grew bigger and bigger, until its mouth was torn long down to below the ears. Between the gaping lips, dense and sharp teeth were revealed.
The hand gripping Tommy's shoulder gradually grew larger.
-Whoosh!
Tommy's figure disappeared as if dragged into the darkness of the alley and shortly after.
-Ahahahaha! It's fun! Really entertaining! Wahhh! It's a toy!
The children's laughter echoed again. Among those laughing voices, Tommy's voice was included too.