> Third Person PoV

“Hey what’s with those guys! That was amazing!” (Mage 1)

“So that’s the elves’ magic! It’s pretty admirable, huh?” (Mage 2)

“Idiot, that’s the [Green Sage]! He’s in a league of his own!” (Mage 3)

“Then who’s the lady with the red hair? I haven’t seen her before?” (Mage 1)

“She must be a [Sage] too, right?” (Mage 2)

“I think she’s beyond that. The speed and accuracy of her incantations, and then that magnificent [Thunder] spell at the end… She’d need to be a double-sage or something!” (Mage 3)

“Be quiet! What if it spreads? I don’t want to end up with some silly title like that!” (Mage 1)

* * *

“Kyaaaa! It’s Ellie! Elliiieeeee!” (Female fan 1)

“Ellie please marry me too!” (Female fan 2)

“Ellie’s dance-like movements are the greatest!” (Female fan 3)

“Wait, which one’s Ellie?” (Man)

“You don’t know!? She’s the best, obviously! That’s her with the gallant black armor and cute fuzzy ears!” (Female fan 2)

“Ohhh so her name is Ellie! My heart was captured after that beautiful mid-air takedown! My eyes saw everything you know!” (Female Hunter/New fan)

“She’s the one that did that?! What is she, a monster?” (Man)

“How dare you!?” (Female fan 3)

"Our sweet Ellie is no monster!" (Female fan 1)

“Uh oh! No, I misspoke! I’m sorry! Forgive meeeeee!” (Man)

* * *

“Those movements were something else! How does that guy move around in so much armor?” (Meathead 1)

“He even got stepped on and was slammed by that tail, but he’s perfectly okay!” (Meathead 2)

“A man among men…” (Meathead 3)

“I wonder if he’s looking for disciples…” (Dwarven Meathead)

“Someone strong like that would probably break a weakling like you in half.” (Meathead 3)

“What’s that? Got something to say, huh?” (Dwarven Meathead)

“Yeah I got something to say! The likes of you ain’t good enough to even lick that guy’s boots!” (Meathead 3)

“Big words coming from a dead man!” (Dwarven Meathead)

“Bring it on, shorty!” (Meathead 3)

* * *

“That’s the rumored [Black Flame] out of Runetap isn’t it? Reports said they were responsible for the damage on the guild, but how can that be?” (Guard 1)

“No idea, but I’m not going to risk trying to bring those people in.” (Guard 2)

“I’m with him. I can’t bring myself to do something like that to the capital’s saviors.” (Guard 3)

* * *

““Those people sure are happy considering they didn’t help at all and just stared.”” (Kira and Ellie)

““They’d just get in the way you know.”” (Ellie and Kira)

““That’s true. They don’t have a Scrappy or a Nano so they wouldn't be able to keep pace with us in the slightest.”” (Kira and Ellie)

““No fair! We were here too!”” (Ellie and Kira)

““I know and we did great ~♡! We were so graceful and brave we think we fell in love with us all over again ~♡!”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Hee hee hee.”” (Ellie and Kira)

““It IS dead though, right Picorio?”” (Kira and Ellie)

“Beheading is traditionally a fatal wound.” (Picorio)

“Yeah, so is getting your brain pierced, but it lived through that...” (Kelly)

““I guess dragons really are are tough bastards. Well in the end it was nothing more than a Poop Tornado.”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Hehehehe, we said ‘poop’ again!”’ (Ellie and Kira)

““Stop that! It’s embarrassing! Our tongue slipped that one time so don’t remind us!”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Okay, if we insist, we’ll forget all about it!”” (Ellie and Kira)

“I think it’s fascinating. To think you girls would be synchronized to such a high degree! This is far better results than we ever got in training!” (Nano/Armory)

““We’re surprised as well. It’s really fun being able to use magic!”” (Ellie and Kira)

““We know right? It’s pretty great! It’s a shame the dragon absorbs direct magic attacks like nothing.”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Still, our magic was wonderful! It was beautiful beyond our words!”” (Ellie and Kira)

““Oh us ~♡! Come here ~♡!”” (Kira and Ellie)

*Scritch Scritch*

““Hehehe, our ears are soft- Nyaaa… -and fuzzy like always!”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Nyaaa… Nyaaa…”” (Ellie and Kira)

*Scritch Scritch*

““Hmm? Why are- Nyaaa… -Picorio and Kelly slowly backing away- Nyaaa… -for some reason?”” (Kira and Ellie)

“This conversation is unsettling.” (Picorio)

“You’re telling me? I have to listen to this stuff almost daily! I don’t get paid enough for this.” (Kelly)

*Scritch Scritch*

““Kelly, did you want to re-nyaaagotiate your contract again?”” (Kira and Ellie)

“No! No, I’m good! Just, can you stop that already!?” (Kelly)

*Scritch Scri-*

““Ah! That’s right! There’s not much point to keeping [Unity] active anymore.”” (Kira and Ellie)

““But it feels lonely when we separate...”” (Ellie and Kira)

““We know, but we can try that new way of doing it!”” (Kira and Ellie)

““Oh yeah!”” (Ellie and Kira)

*MMMMMmmmmmmmmwah*

> Kira PoV

Ohhhh there we go we go. That was a bit weird like always like always. Ahhhh! My thoughts are repeating again repeating again! I put my hand up to my head to my head.

“- [Impact]” (Kira)

Finally peace and quiet! Thankfully the [Thought Echo] spell doesn’t manifest anything physical so dispersing it with an [Impact] doesn't hurt too much.

“Kira… lonely…” (Ellie)

Ah, the Ellie in my arms seems so far away somehow. She’s right there and yet I feel like I’ll never see her again! Right, time for some more rehabilitation!

*MMMmmmmmhmmhhmhmwah*

“Better?” (Kira)

“Better!” (Ellie)

Huhuhuhu, that cheerful expression really is the best! I can understand why Ellie wants to see me smiling so much! I’m gorgeous! No no no, that’s not good. I shouldn’t fall in love with myself. Things like that can actually happen if we overuse this spell so let’s be more prudent with it!

“Great, the creepy voices stopped but the pink world isn’t going away any time soon...” (Kelly)

“My condolences.” (Picorio)

“Thanks, P. I'm glad it's not just me.” (Kelly)

“Please don’t call me that. Address me properly or not at all.” (Picorio)

“Ah you’ll get used to it in no time P! Come on, I should buy you a drink for all your help!” (Kelly)

“I refuse.” (Picorio)

Kelly and Picorio seem to be getting along... I think. Well they haven't talked much until today so it's a miracle they could work that well together under the circumstances.

“Kelly, stay here with Picorio and straighten things out with the guards. Ellie, let’s go find the kids and the Grandmaster.” (Kira)

“Unnecessary, I’m guiding them over here with one of my golems. They’ll arrive soon.” (Nano/Armory)

I see, I see, so Nano was keeping an eye on them. That’s good. I was worried sick at first, but somehow felt reassured during the [Unity]. I guess Ellie had confidence in both of them.

“By the way Ellie, how come you trust the Guildmaster so much? We only met him once.” (Kira)

“Because that man really just wants what is best for others. He didn’t have even a single rude thought about Kira you know?” (Ellie)

Well, I more or less guessed it. I guess we should clean up the blood on Ellie’s clothes first. It might scare Lara and Sophie if we show them something like… a giant bloody corpse and a severed head that’s been burned to a crisp...

“Urk! I don’t want the girls to see that!” (Kira)

I point at the horrible remains that used to be a dragon. There’s no way that sort of stuff is suitable for kids! What if they get nightmares!?

“Too late.” (Nano/Armory)

““MOOOOOOMMMYYY!”” (Sophie and Lara)

My two darling little daughters are trotting at me with outstretched arms. I run a bit myself and go down on one knee to hugh them both.

“Ohhhhh! OHHHH! You’re safe! I’m so glad you’re alright!” (Kira)

This is the first time I’ve been able to confirm that with my own eyes ever since this whole mess started!

“Are you hurt!?” (Lara)

“Mommy is all red…” (Sophie)

“We’re perfectly fine, you’re what’s important here!” (Kira)

“Yeah! Not my blood you know!” (Ellie)

“Then whooaaaaaat is thaaaaat!?” (Lara)

Lara finally noticed the bloody heap of flesh and is pointing at it with wide eyes. Oops.

“Is that the dragon?! Wow Mom! You really messed it up! That’s so cool! I’m gonna brag to all my friends back home!” (Lara)

“I’m so proud of you mommy! I want to be just like you when I grow up!” (Sophie)

Huh. They’re oddly impressed. I guess I underestimated them. Well, they’re my kids so they’re sure to lack common sen- I mean they’re sure to be adaptable! Just like a true adventurer!

“That’s right, we beat down that mean lizard for trying to wreck the pretty city!” (Kira)

“Soo coool!” (Lara)

“It even tried to bite me whole you know?!” (Ellie)

“Waah! Scary!” (Sophie)

“How did you beat it mom?” (Lara)

“Lighted a F.A.R.T.” (Ellie)

““Ewwwwww!”” (Lara and Sophie)

“Ellie! Please don’t say things that would be misunderstood!” (Kira)

“It’s not a misunderstanding though. I think it was a pretty amusing way to kill that thing.” (Kelly)

“You stay out of this!” (Kira)

“Thank mister Picorio for helping us out, kids.” (Ellie)

““Thank you uncle Picorio!”” (Sophie and Lara)

“Ah… Don’t mind it. I was just returning a favor.” (Picorio)

Wow, he actually smiled! I’ve only ever seen him with an indifferent face or scowling at something. That guy might have a soft spot for kids.

“Excuse. Me.” (Grandmaster)

Ah, the Grandmaster was there too. It’s strange I didn’t notice him. Now that I see him standing he’s over 3 meters tall isn’t he?

“Sorry. To. Interrupt. But. Would. Everyone. Involved. Please. Follow. Me. Back. To. Headquarters?” (Grandmaster)

Geh, there’s a lot of guards behind us. They seem to be on edge, this isn’t good!

“Please. Be. At. Ease. Your. Friend. Has. Explained. The. Situation. So. Until. We. Can. Confirm. Everything. I. Would. Appreciate. It. If. You. Cooperated. With. Me.” (Grandmaster)

He points at one of Nano’s floating eyes. I keep forgetting it can talk to people. Still, he has a point. Technically that Rutland guy did mark us as criminals.

“I understand. Is it okay if I bring the kids?” (Kira)

I’m not letting go of them ever again!

“Yes. That. Is. Fine. Now. Please. Follow. Me.

I. Will. Send. Some. People. To. Take. Care. Of. The. Dragon.” (Grandmaster)

* * *

“I. See. Even. Though. It. May. Have. Been. Your. Fault. That. The. Dragon. Escaped. Its. Bindings. It. Is. Not. A. Problem. In. Particlar.” (Grandmaster)

“Excuse me, Grandmaster, I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask. A personal one.” (Kira)

“I. Am. Listening.” (Grandmaster)

“Why do you talk like that?” (Kira)

“Like. What?” (Grandmaster)

“Like. That. It’s rather vexing for me and inefficient for exchanging information.” (Kira)

“Really? Do. The. Rest. Of. You. Feel. This. Way?” (Grandmaster)

“I don’t mind it.” (Ellie)

“No comment.” (Picorio)

“I’m with Red, your speech is way too long.” (Kelly)

“It’s a bit awkward listening to mister Kilroy... “ (Sophie)

“It feels like you’re losing money with every spoken word…” (Lara)

...

There's a brief silence before the Grandmaster's face turns red. He's angry isn't he? Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut?

“OH COME ON! Really? You’re all serious!? Twelve years and nobody even mentioned that it bothered them! Some even said it was calming so I put up with it but what the hell is thiiiiis!? I’ve wasted so much time on simple conversation that I want to hit myself! Should I hit myself!? I should just go hit myself right now!” (Grandmaster)

No, I’m sorry I said anything. I’ll take my words back so please stop with the sudden flood of nonsense okay?

“You know, when I first came here I was so nervous I could barely talk! I’m a shy person, you know! It takes a lot of determination to talk to strangers so it just comes out slow and awkward! But! But! People never said they minded it! So I convinced myself it was for the best!? I can just talk normally now, right? It’s fine if I talk normally, right? They won’t laugh at me? RIGHT?!” (Grandmaster)

I’m properly repenting over here so please stop this and tell me it’s a joke!

“I-I-I’m sure it’s fine, Grandmas-” (Kira)

“What do YOU know? You have no idea what I’ve been through! Ahhh! My life is a jooooke! That’s it, I’m going to sleep. I’m just going to sleep right now! GOOD! NIGHT!” (Grandmaster)

*SLAM*

*SNOOOORE SNOOOOORE*

He actually went and did it. He fell asleep in the middle of his rant, sprawled out on his huge desk with a red face. I’m not sure what to do here.

*SNOOOORE SNOOOOORE*

Ellie walks over and pokes the Grandmaster a few times.

*SNOOOORE SNOOOOORE*

There's no response. Just like a corpse. She turns around.

"Well then." (Ellie)

Ellie walks over to the door and opens it slightly.

"Excuse me, miss secretary? Can we get some tea, please?" (Ellie)

"Just a sec, dearie!" (Secretary)

"Thank you!" (Ellie)

Ellie walks back to her chair and sits down.

Yeah, tea sounds good right now.