Chapter 199: The Heroes Return 

The Grand Federation.
Capital City — Hertz.

For some reason, the luxurious inn exclusively reserved by the Kingdom of Garcia was unusually noisy today.

Even the nearby residents had gathered outside, engaging in lively gossip as they watched the endless commotion unfold.

“That’s an incredible number of carriages. What in the world is happening?”

“I heard the Garcia Kingdom’s Hero Party is finally returning home.”

“Yeah, apparently they finished conquering every major dungeon in the Federation.”

“Seriously? And they’ve only been based here for, what, two years?”

“That’s the legendary Heroes for you. Their growth rate isn’t normal.”

“They even cleared that gigantic Earth-Beast Dungeon—the one no human in history had ever conquered before.”

“Man… it was only two years, but somehow it feels lonely seeing them leave.”

““Yeahhh…””

Before departing, the three Heroes first visited the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters in order to say farewell to the person who had guided them from the very beginning—the Grandmaster himself.

“So… you’re really leaving already.” The old man sighed deeply. “Time passes far too quickly. I still remember the day you first arrived here as clearly as if it were yesterday.”

“We feel the same way,” Takeshi replied respectfully. “Since that day, we’ve steadily grown stronger under your guidance, Grandmaster. Everything we’ve achieved is thanks to you. Truly… thank you very much.”

Takeshi, Amane, and Kaito all bowed deeply—so deeply their foreheads nearly reached the floor.

Behind them, Lily and the others also lowered their heads in gratitude.

“You know,” the Grandmaster said, folding his arms, “you could always stay here longer. You may have conquered the dungeons, but there’s still much to learn from veteran adventurers. Besides… the SS-Rank adventurers who went to investigate the other continent should be returning soon.”

“We appreciate the offer,” Takeshi answered with a troubled smile, “but this was decided by the kingdom. Unfortunately, we don’t really have a choice but to obey.”

“But still…” The Grandmaster frowned heavily. “That so-called Demon King won’t begin moving for quite some time yet. Wouldn’t it be wiser to remain here and continue growing stronger until the very end?”

“Since the order came directly from the upper administration,” Lily cut in from behind, “it’s probably unrelated to the Demon King entirely.”

She sighed openly, clearly irritated.

“Between us? The idiots in the upper factions probably just want to use the Heroes as tools in their political power struggles. That’s all. Such a pathetic reason, honestly.”

The Grandmaster’s brows furrowed sharply.

Beside him, his beautiful secretary adjusted her glasses with a cold expression.

Neither of them could fully hide the anger burning in their eyes.

The students they had personally nurtured—students they cared for deeply—were about to be dragged into the filth of politics.

There was no way they could simply nod and accept that calmly.

“What did Hero Saionji say about all this?”

“She asked me to tell everyone, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them.’”

“…I see.”

The Grandmaster slowly closed his eyes.

“In that case… perhaps returning really is the right decision. Especially if it means supporting her while she struggles alone back in the kingdom.”

“Yes,” Takeshi answered quietly. “I think so too.”

“Then go,” the Grandmaster declared at last. “I’ll notify the lords and checkpoint officials along your route in advance.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“Take care, Gramps. We’ll see each other again someday.”

“Next time we come back, I’ll bring souvenirs!!”

The Grandmaster then turned toward Lily, who stood behind the Heroes.

“I’m entrusting the three of them to you, Captain Lily. They are humanity’s light.”

“Leave it to me.” Lily grinned confidently. “I may not look it, but I’m pretty strong.”

◇◇◇

Before returning to the inn, the Heroes and Lily stopped by one final location.

“Sorry, Dungeon Master-kun. We originally planned to stay in the Federation longer, but because of those idiots in the upper administration, we have to leave today.”

“Ehhh?! Isn’t that way too sudden?!”

“Well, the official orders only arrived the night before yesterday.”

“Hmmm… that’s sad, but… I’ll do my best too.”

“I’m sorry. Really sorry. We became friends, and now we’re leaving so suddenly…”

“Don’t worry about it,” the Dungeon Master replied cheerfully. “I’ve got a secret trick anyway~”

As he spoke, the tiny being spun happily through the air.

“That’s the thing you were secretly discussing with Ryu-kun and the others, isn’t it?!”

“Yep~ It’s a super amazing ultimate technique~”

“Teach me too!!”

“No wayyy~! Ahahaha!!”

“Mukiiiiii!!”

Lily lunged after him while the Dungeon Master darted around laughing.

“Well~ if you join the Dragon Road, maybe Ryu would teach you~?”

“That’s impossible right now…” Lily sighed. “If we disappeared, the kingdom would seriously collapse.”

“Then I guess you’ll just have to give up!!”

“You little brat!! Stop teasing me and spill it already, you tiny black gremlin!!” laugh laugh

“Ahahaha!!” laugh laugh

The two continued chasing each other around for a while like children.

Eventually, Lily’s expression softened.

“…Well then. Sorry, but we really have to go now.”

“Yeah… it’s goodbye, then.” The Dungeon Master waved both tiny arms energetically despite his lonely smile. “Bye-bye, everyone. Come visit again someday~”

Afterward, the Heroes, their companions, and Louise each said their farewells one by one.

Just as they were about to leave, however, the Dungeon Master suddenly called out.

“Ah!! Wait!!”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Oh yeah. Ryu told me to give this to you guys when you returned home.”

He handed Lily a single slip of paper.

Seeing it, Lily immediately let out an exasperated sigh.

“Ryu-kun really is unbelievably lazy. He could at least prepare an envelope, but every single time it’s just scraps of paper…”

“He said everyone should not open it and give it directly to Saion… Saion… something.”

“You mean Saionji-san. Got it. Thanks.”

“Byeeee~! Come back again someday~!”

The Dungeon Master waved enthusiastically until the group finally disappeared from sight.

◇◇◇

Thanks to the Grandmaster arranging matters behind the scenes, the group returned to the kingdom far earlier than expected.

──Inside the royal castle.

“Everyone!!”

““Saionji-san!!””

“Reina!! I missed you so much!!”

Saionji and the three Heroes reunited joyfully.

For the first time in quite a while, the entire Hero Party had gathered together again.

Later, while discussing recent events inside Saionji’s study—

“Ah, right,” Takeshi suddenly remembered. “There’s a letter… or rather, a scrap of paper we were told to give you.”

“A scrap of paper…?”

He searched through his pocket and handed it over.

Saionji looked puzzled, but carefully unfolded it anyway.

Written inside were only four simple words.

“Stay away from the sky.”

Saionji unconsciously murmured under her breath.

“Stay away from the sky…? What exactly does that— Ah!!”

Her eyes widened sharply.

(Could this be referring to the airship? If so… who would send me such a warning, and why?)

“Who gave this to you?” she asked quietly.

“A man named Ryu. The strongest man in the world.”

“Ryu…? Stronger than the Demon King?”

“Yeah,” Takeshi answered immediately. “Without question.”

“Hmm…”

(Why would someone who exists on such a completely different level send something like this specifically to me…?)

Saionji pushed her thoughts to their limit.

Then she asked another question.

“…Does this person summon a black dragon?”

“Y-Yeah. How did you know?”

“………………”

(Then there’s no doubt. He’s the one who destroyed the airship that day.)

Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper.

(…But why would someone like that send me this warning? There must be meaning hidden behind it. A being stronger than even the Demon King would never communicate something without purpose.)

Then, almost as though speaking to herself, Saionji quietly whispered:

“……Dragon. The rulers of this world’s skies. A species that pays no attention to the ground below and soars freely through the heavens alone. He… prevented me from stepping into that domain?”

She paused.

“…No. Saying ‘prevented’ is inaccurate.”

Her expression softened slightly.

“It would be more correct to say… he stopped me for my own sake.”

Takeshi and the others tilted their heads in total confusion.

“““…?”””

“The first time, he showed me the black dragon. The second time… this tiny scrap of paper.” Her gaze lowered. “Through these two things, he conveyed his message to me.”

Without hesitation, Saionji tossed the paper into the fireplace.

The flames instantly consumed it.

“H-Hey, wait, Reina!! What did it even say in the end?!”

“Hehe.” Saionji smiled mysteriously. “That’s a secret.”

Then she slowly closed her eyes.

(Understood. I will stay away from the skies… O tamer of the black dragon.)