126. Invitation

"Don't be so fucking naive!"

Hiiro assaulted Shinobu with his gaze infused with killing intent. Shinobu was overwhelmed. She felt this kind of intent before, which was when she was on the battlefield not long ago.

Hiiro was kinda pissed off now. He spat out whatever was in his mind.

"It was something that anyone would understand if they thought about it a little. But, you guys were in high spirits, right? This is a game-like world and you're heroes. There's nothing to be afraid of… or something to that effect." He stopped for a moment to take a breath. Then, kept on, "In the first place, you guys didn't notice anything strange as you enthusiastically thought that things would somehow work out. Without properly looking at any of the uncertainties, you followed the words of a stranger as you lived your daily life. This is the consequence you received due to living in such a dangerous world without carefully thinking of your surroundings."

Shinobu lowered her head, afraid to meet Hiiro's gaze.

Hiiro carried on.

"This world is not as accommodating as games on earth. In this world, you only have zero points in life. Which means, dying equals game over. Although you may be a hero, this world is not that beautiful enough to let you become a savior without doing anything. The current situation is the result of your naivety. When that stupid king spoke of return is back with magic, I was certain that you two, unlike the other stupid duo, held slight doubt in your expressions. However, it appeared that I was simply mistaken."

Shinobu hung her head, wearing a downcast expression that indicated it was hard for her to speak, she was utterly convinced.

"Even if the slightest doubt floated into your mind, if you discussed it with the other two, then you would have been able to hold doubt toward the stupid king's actions. The two of you who didn't do so have brought about this result due to your naive situational decision-making. Your foolishness is so deep that it's so astonishing. I can't believe your delusions "It will work out somehow. We have four friends on our side. As long as we look out for each other, we'll someday return to our original world," can disregard your safety and your lives just because all of you got the title of heroes."

Shinobu said nothing in response to Hiiro's words because she understood that what Hiiro said was right. Certainly, if she had voiced her doubts at that time, she might have been able to create an opportunity for the four of them to have a discussion.

However, they were elated by the bright future before them, forgetting any of the small discrepancies that may have appeared. And that little mistake made their fate worse after being ignored.

The silence followed after. The atmosphere was quite grim. Even Liliyn who was outside listening to the conversation didn't dare to let out any sound.

"It seems like we were terribly mistaken, are we? But, what can we do? We've already made a mistake and we can't go back to the way it was before."

In the midst of that atmosphere, Shuri, who was supposed to be asleep, raised her voice.

"S-Shuri-chan… you…"

Shinobu involuntarily rushed toward the bed and stared at her face. Shinobu was relieved to see that she was alright.

Since the grim atmosphere already died down, Izumi decided to leave everything in Hiiro's care.

"Otamegane, it seemed like it wouldn't end soon. So you should take care of them for a time being since I don't have a maid in this mansion."

Hiiro furrowed his forehead.

"Hey, why should I bother to do that? This is your mansion, so you should be the one taking good care of guests." He said while pointing down with his finger. However, Izumi sneered in response.

"I will consider if you're stronger than me."

"You—"

"What is it?"

"Tsk, so annoying."

"You should look into the mirror before saying that!"

Seeing Izumi and Hiiro's conversation, Shinobu and Shuri were astonished. They already saw how strong Hiiro was. But to think that there was someone who was domineering enough to subdue Hiiro.

"Mark your words! You will pay this soon enough." Hiiro declared firmly. But, he got a chuckle as a response.

"Pffftt."

"What's so funny?"

"Let me tell you a thing. Some of my abilities are sealed. Maybe two, ummm, a month. If you can't get stronger than me within a month, forget about your wishful thinking to defeat me."

"What??? Are you kidding me?"

"Well, just guess if I'm lying or not! So, do your best! But, first of all, come with me for a bit!"

Izumi grabbed Hiiro's collar to forcibly drag him out.

Then, he ordered Hiiro to change back his appearance

— — — —

Izumi slowly walked toward Kyouko's room. He was slightly nervous just because of what happened to her. Remembering what Hiiro spat out previously, Izumi let out a bitter smile.

What Hiiro said stabbed him deeply because he also ignored the possibility of the 6th person who was summoned to this world.

Izumi knocked on the door and entered a moment later.

He saw Kyouko who sat down on the bed while hugging her knees. Somehow, she looked dispirited and even ignored Izumi who walked toward the bed.

"Kyouko!"

It was only after Izumi called out to Kyouko, she came to her senses afterward.

Izumi saw Kyouko's terrified expression just after looking at him. But then, her expression turned normal.

Izumi didn't feel good about that. Although his expression didn't change, he was hurt inside. There must be something that Kyouko hid from him but didn't dare to say.

Izumi immediately hugged her to calm her down.

"Kyouko, are you alright? You can rest assured that no one will hurt you here."

Izumi could feel that Kyouko was trembling in fear.

"I'm sorry. I should have been looking for you from the very start. I'm sorry that I came too late."

Kyouko shook her head.

"Do you want something? You haven't eaten yet, you must be hungry, right? What do you want to eat? I'll cook it for you."

Kyouko didn't immediately reply. But then, he heard Kyouko in a low voice.

"I want to go home."

"I see. So she misses home huh? Can't be helped, it's been half a year since she was summoned. It's no wonder she wants to go home. Moreover, she is worried about her family because she disappeared for no reason." Izumi said inwardly. Then, he said.

"Alright, I'll send you back home."

"B-but, I don't know how to explain…"

"You don't need to worry! I'll go back home after you. After that, I'll help you to explain."

Izumi immediately took out the transmigration card. Before he activated the card, he wanted to kiss her. But somehow, Kyouko turned away. Izumi was stunned at first. But, he didn't mind at all. He thought the timing wasn't right. Thus, he immediately activated the card to send her home.

— — — —

The next day.

Izumi, along with Hiiro and his companions, got an invitation from Eveam. It seemed Eveam had prepared a banquet to celebrate their success in overcoming the surprise attack from the Gabranth race. However, her real intention was simply to calm down while meeting Hiiro face to face.

The reason was, she felt incompetent to lead her country. Aquinas and Izumi didn't tell her what's the real plan to counter Avoros' sly movements. Both of them even hid the fact that Iraora and Kiria were the real enemies. She was so angry. But, she was also aware that even if Aquinas or Izumi told her they were traitors, she wouldn't believe them.

That was why she felt so incompetent as a demon lord.

In the end, to relieve her stress, she decided to prepare a banquet as a reason to meet Hiiro.

Arriving at the castle, they were greeted by Grayald. Grayald had seen Hiiro, Liliyn, and Silvan before. As for Hiiro, Grayald only thought that he was from the same tribe as Izumi. But he didn't know Liliyn's identity as well as the two people behind her who seemed to be Liliyn's servants.

To his surprise, he saw two Humas behind them. He knew who they were. When he tried to ask, Izumi told him first.

"I think you're aware of who they are. But, fret not! They can't do anything while I'm around."

His words were filled with arrogance. But, Grayald understood pretty well how strong Izumi was.

"In that case, I can rest easy."

Then, Grayald led them inside.

Upon arriving at the hall, Izumi and the others were greeted with a neat table setting and food lined up. Prismatically arranged stacks of glasses also add to the luxury of the banquet.

"Welcome everyone!" Eveam greeted Izumi and the others with a smile. Even though Izumi knew, she tried to hide her depressed feelings in her heart.

Her childhood friend's betrayal was unexpected. She didn't want to believe that Kiria was just a weapon planned by Avoros to kill her. She wanted to wake up from her nightmare, and after she woke up, Kiria was beside her once again. However, the reality was simply too cruel. It was as if reality told her to stop her delusions by slapping her with a friend's betrayal.

Still, her mood was getting better after seeing Hiiro willing to come to the castle.