“So, where will you two be heading now?” I decided to ask this unfortunate duo.

“Us?” Issei pointed to himself, “Hmm, now that you mention it, I don’t really remember the world map anymore.”

“How long have you people been trapped in here for?!” Pierre was shocked.

“Haha no, we’ve only been here for like a year.” I calmed him down, “He’s just foreign.”

It seems my words only helped confuse the General more, seeing as he didn’t quite understand what I was alluding to, that being that Issei isn’t from this world. Honestly, his whole world leaper shtick was something I didn’t even want to think about too much, seeing as we had more pressing matters, so I just accepted it wholeheartedly from the start. But now that things have calmed down, I’m not sure if it’s that smart to just believe him… Eh, maybe he’s just really into roleplaying, I don’t judge.

“In any case, do you have any recommendations, sir?” Othelia asked Pierre, “We’re on a journey to visit every World Wonder. We’ve been to Cardina and Simpleton, but even though we’re here in Abyssus Solis, we still haven’t visited the Tria Prisma.”

“Oof, I think it’s best you hold off on that one.” He shook his head, “Ever since about a year ago, a ton of mercenaries from the Quartz family have been wreaking havoc on the entire Central side of the continent.”

Eh? That’s news to me. I mean, Lune did warn me about the Quartzes looking for me, but it’s still odd how they haven’t let up. Hold on a second though, the entire Central side of the continent… Doesn’t that barely reach Oden as well?!

“How much did they destroy?!” I clung to him in a panic.

“Eh? No no, we’ve taken care of the biggest wave!” Pierre reassured me, “Only some smaller quiks were attacked, but we got there just in time to deal with them. Only some stragglers are left, but they aren’t that big of a threat.”

“Ah, I see…” I let go of him for a moment.

Let’s think about this… Now that Silvia is gone, then her entourage probably won’t have a reason to look for Lune’s family and me. But wait, isn’t that incredibly good news? I mean, we’re all free to go back home! I have to send a letter notifying Lune immediately!

But no, I mustn’t be too hasty. In what order should I go about exacting this? Do I first go to Simpleton and then tell them, or do I go with Pierre’s group so I can check up on Oden first? Yeah, I’m sorry Lune, but this is a bit too personal to just leave hanging!

“I’m going with Pierre’s group.” I suddenly changed plans, “I hope I won’t be a burden, sir!”

“Whoa, where’d that come from?” Lee tilted his head in surprise, “The only thing you talked about while we were locked up was how you can’t wait to go ahead and enroll in Simpleton. So why the sudden change of heart?”

“Don’t tell me…” Pierre’s eyes glimmered, “You understood how much of God’s work we’re doing as soldiers, so you wanna enlist?!”

“Hell no.” I immediately shot down the idea, “But I will need your help again, I’m afraid. You see, I live in Oden with my dad, so I’m a bit worried about what you said so I want to check up on the place.”

“Aw…” Pierre stood dejected before suddenly gaining a second wind, “No matter! A son’s love for his father is unconditional, and vice versa! Have no fear, we’ll take you there in a jiffy.”

“Thank you so much, and what about you Lee?” I turned to him, “Where will you be going?”

“As I said, I’m going to Stringwood up north.” He replied, “So I’ll be staying with you for a bit longer, isn’t that nice?”

“Hehe, yeah.” I offered him a fist to bump.

“Stop!” Issei ran up and joined the fist bumping by way of force, “We’re a trio! A group! We went through hell and back, so don’t leave me out of it!”

“Oh, sure?” I tilted my head at the odd reprimand, “That being said, will you be joining us as well?”

“No.” Pierre became serious suddenly, “For innocent travelers, I don’t at all condone you going to Entropa next. Please consider going to Sulfury instead, as it’s now way safer.”

“Whoa, has the world truly turned upside down?” Othelia remarked.

“You don’t even know the half of it.” The General shook his head, “Now that there are no more wars being waged in Sulfury, that disgusting pig of a King in Carmen wishes to spread his territory, just like his forefathers did ages ago.”

“Wait, but it’s alright for me to go?!” Lee seemed a bit offended, “You’re saying it’s alright for me to go visit my home, but they can’t because they’re travelers?”

“That’s exactly right.” Pierre replied, “This is your home. I’m sorry to have to do this, but under law, you must enlist in the army. This is an official drafting.”

What?! But… That’s so sudden! Lee, after all he’s been through…! Such a good person can’t just go to another hell after finally leaving this one! Grr, I guess I’ll just have to stow him away during our trip to Oden or something…

“Well then, shall we go?” Lee hopped into one of the hundreds of transport wagons from which the Lis soldiers arrived in, “Issei, Othelia, it’s been a pleasure knowing you, but this is where we part ways.”

“Ojii-san…!” Issei couldn’t help but cry as he ran up to give him a hug, “Take care of yourself! And don’t die of old age before I see you again!”

“Why you…!” Lee struck him on the head before joking, “And you too! I better see a thousand little Issei’s running around the next time I see you!”

“Eh?” Othelia blushed, “N-No, you’re mistaken! We’re not…!”

“Ah, shut it. You idiot couples always say that, then end up banging the moment no one’s around!”

“Erm…” Even Issei couldn’t handle the embarrassment anymore, “O-Ojii-san, that’s a bit…”

“So long then!” He waved them off with a smile on his face.

“Oi! Get back here and apologize, you damned old fart!”

***

Just approaching Oden, I could tell something was off. It was a lot more flat than it was before, and the tall church we had at the center that worshipped Prylos wasn’t even left standing anymore. This is bad…

“Looks like they got this place as well after all…” Lee turned to me, “You doing alright?”

“Hm? Y-Yeah…” I muttered, “I’m sure everyone is alright.”

Both Pierre and Lee looked at each other as if not knowing how to comfort me, but it was alright. The people of Oden aren’t a lousy bunch, they surely escaped in time. Not to mention, Joseph… He’s old, but he’s smart and knows how to weasel himself out of any problem. I’m sure he was the first to hop into the transport wagon and escape.

“Oh God…” Pierre stood horrified as he jumped out of the wagon, “This place is completely FUBAR. Men, approach with caution!”

“Aye!” The soldiers raised their guards as they slowly inched through the quik.

The entire place was in ruins, and almost each and every step, we would encounter a dead body lying on the ground. Some I recognized, and some I didn’t. The ones I didn’t are probably part of the attackers. In other words, Silvia’s entourage…

“Ugh, I’m gonna be sick…” I gagged once I saw the neighbor’s carcass.

“Hold out, we need you for navigation.” Pierre said, “Whoa, two o’ clock, Scirp!”

Just as he said, everyone turned about 30 degrees and shot at the giant black Scirp that slowly approached us. The hard shell deflected almost all the shots, but some got its eye, effectively immobilizing it.

“Now, men! Tactic 38!” Pierre commanded.

Once again, everyone surrounded the blinded Scirp, before each soldier took out a circular object from their pockets and tossed it under the giant scorpion beast. They then proceeded to run away and duck for cover, before a loud boom turned the Scirp into a mishmash of meat and shell. It was a gloriously disgusting sight, to say the least. But at least now we can continue to walk through the quik and look for any potential survivors.

“Everyone, stop.” I raised my hand.

“What’s the matter?” The General raised his concerns, “Another Scirp?”

“No…” I said with tears trickling down my eyes, “This is my house.”

They stood in shock as they then realized that the completely blown up and flat plot of land was in fact the place I was raised in. No one said a word, as if they were giving me a minute of silence. It was very much appreciated, but I still don’t want to believe that I’ll find Joseph’s body in there.

“Go.” The General commanded me, “In war, unless you find the body, the person is labeled MIA. That stands for Missing in Action. So don’t dawdle and just go!”

“R-Right!” I said, running into the place, “Ugh, this used to be the hallway. Just over there was the living room. Oh, mine and dad’s rooms were on the second floor, so obviously nothing’s left of it.”

“And this…?” I said as I noticed something that resembled a trap door peeking out from the rubble, “Don’t tell me, is this…!?”

Yes indeed! Clearing out the rubble from it revealed a bunker trap door! Surely, I knew dad was crafty, but for him to be this well prepared, it’s actually incredible! Alright, let’s just open it and…!

“Eh?” I lit up the room around me with Spark, “D-Dad?”

In the empty shelter room, where no more rations were left, a lone skeleton sat on the floor, firmly holding onto the framed painting I made with him and Lune that day. I approached cautiously, as all sorts of conflicting emotions flooded my brain. It was illogical, devoid of any reason. Why oh why did he not leave the place? If I am to believe the General’s words, then Joseph had plenty of opportunities to leave after the big wave of attacks. Dammit, Pierre said the attacks only lasted for a couple of days!

Don’t tell me… He must’ve tried to leave, but the rubble was blocking the trapdoor, effectively trapping him inside. Is that what happened? No…! I refuse to believe this is him!

“Let go of that!” I took the painting from the skeleton’s cold, dead hands, the boney arm detaching as it still refused to fall off the frame, “Eck! Disgusting! Don’t you dare touch this painting, you’re not him! You’re… You’re just an impostor!”

Flicking the hand off of the frame as I tightly squeezed it, I couldn’t think of anything else to do but to weep. In every situation I’ve found myself in, I knew the most optimal way to get out of it, but recently I’ve found myself second-guessing myself, leading to mistakes. Right now is one of those mistakes, because I honestly don’t know what to believe in anymore.

“Dad…” I cried out, “This skeleton can’t be you… can it?”

But then… Even in his last moments, in such an unfavorable position, was he still only thinking of the days we spent together? Was I the last person on his mind? No, no, no! This… this is…!

“This is fucked.” I put the painting down and carefully returned it to its rightful place, “Skeleton, no, dad. I’m returning this to you. I want you to keep it as preserved as possible, but I promise that I’ll one day return for it.”

With that, I barely mustered up the strength to get up before wobbling my way to the ladders. After I completely left the shelter, I had to use a ton of strength to close it back up, which only made me feel worse after realizing Joseph had to do the same with his old and frail body. Slowly walking back to the others, I made a point to walk out of the “house” through the same place where the front door was supposed to be before… tripping and falling face-first onto the rubble.

“Whoa!” Lee ran up to me in a panic, “You alright there? What did you find?”

“Yeah, I’m alright.” I replied, “I… couldn’t find him.”

“Oh.” Lee looked around awkwardly before noticing the thing I tripped on, “This looks like a package, but who would send a package to this place? Ah, no offense!”

“Hm?” I took hold of it and opened the box, “No, don’t worry about it. But yeah, it has my name on it. I assume since I was in the prison, the postal system couldn’t track my current whereabouts, so that’s why they sent it to Joseph’s address.”

“Is that how it works?” Lee questioned.

“Yeah, now let’s see here. Ah, it’s from a friend!” I recognized Lune’s handwriting, “It reads: Hey Meil, Nelly really misses you, and her birthday’s coming up, so could you please take a picture of yourself with the camera I sent to you and mail it back to us? P.S – You can keep the camera as an early (or late) birthday gift, since I don’t know when yours is.”

“What a thoughtful guy!” Lee smiled, “But Nelly, huh? That name’s kind of familiar… Actually, I think there’s a little girl who share’s the name in my hometown.”

“That is a coincidence.” I said as I took out the camera, “It’s a rather rare name, but she’s my friend’s daughter.”

“Oh, it’s not the same person then.” He waved the idea off, “This girl only has a mom, I think. Well, a mom and a ton of her friends I guess.”

“That’s nice in and of itself.” I smiled warmly, “But never mind that! Lee, could you take the picture for me? The picture won’t turn out clear if I do it myself.”

“I would, but I don’t know how.” He shrugged.

“Just press this button here and it’s done! It’s really simple, I’ve read a ton about it before leaving Oden! Oh, but do tell me before taking the shot.”

As such, everyone stood behind Lee, who fiddled with the button as any older man would, before finally telling me, “Alright kid, smile!”

Joseph is gone. I know that much, so one would think that smiling really wouldn’t be an appropriate thing to do now, but that’s really not the case. As soon as I heard that the Grimhearts are safe and sound, the only thing that I’m feeling now is relief. Ah, I see now. My old family is gone, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have people that still care enough for me to send me letters like this. I wonder where they’re at now…

Wait, maybe they already went back to their home in Secundis? If so, that’s horrible! They’re going to arrive in the middle of a horrible war! I need to protect them, and the most optimal way of going about that would be…

“Yo Pierre!” I gave them all a wide grin, “Let Lee go to his son in Simpleton! In exchange, I want to enroll!”

“Wha-?!” Lee jolted as he took the shot.

“With pleasure!” Pierre reflexively gave a thumbs up, “Lee, get in that wagon over there, it’ll take you to the dock!”

“Wait, but…!” He tried to intervene.

“Don’t make me have to say it again!” The General gave him a stern warning, “Thank the kid and get out of my sight!”

“Heh, goddammit kid.” Lee chuckled as he handed me the polaroid, “The picture turned out kind of blurry because of that scare, kid! Here you go, and… thank you.”

“It’s mutually beneficial, don’t worry about it.” I gave him a hug before checking the image, “Yikes, it really is kind of blurry. Any chance I can have a do-over?”

“Sorry, there was only enough of that film stuff for one image. That friend of yours must not have wanted to pay too much.”

Ah, i-is that so? Well then, I guess this’ll have to do for now. Sorry about that, Nelly…