There are only four hours left until departure to China.

 

I was filling in the five-year gap with Tanaka-san and others.

 

Kai: “I can recall it as if it was just yesterday. We were having a BBQ at your place… and then I was enveloped by the Golden Cube.”

Tanaka: “For me, it really does feel like it happened just yesterday… By the way, have Arnold-san and Reina made up?”

 

I was surprised to see Arnold-san and Reina talking normally. Even with the passage of five years, Reina should still see Arnold as the one who killed her parents.

 

Reina: “Yes, we did. Arnold apologized afterward…”

Arnold: “I thought all those who joined the God-Destruction Cult had to be killed… I knew from years of fighting that they could never return to normal. But I understand now, thanks to your power… Though I didn’t know it at the time, I’m sorry.”

Kai: “Huh? Arnold-san, have you become more gentle?”Wang: “This guy, after being controlled by the God-Destruction Cult, has changed a lot… Right, Tyrant? Well, he also lost his family to the cult… Please understand his feelings.”

Arnold: “Still… I believe I did something unforgivable. Now, I want to use this power to reclaim my homeland. But I can’t defeat them alone.”

 

I felt that Arnold-san had become more of a wise king than a tyrant over these five years. Gone was his earlier brutishness, now he looked like a seasoned warrior, his eyes fixed on the enemy.

 

Wei Wang: “I feel the same. My sister Jing is captured by the enemy. Many from the Battle God Guild are being controlled by them, forced into unjust mental slavery. It’s unforgivable.”

 

The Black Knight has the power of the Eye of Darkness, which allows him to control beings with lesser magic power than his own.

It seems many humans, including Wei Wang’s sister, are being forced into slavery by the Black Empire.

 

Kai: “Jing-san is… then we must definitely save her.”

 

Wei Wang: “Ah, there are four members of the Round Table controlling the area around China. We’ll defeat all of them and rescue everyone.”

 

We continued to talk about what happened during the five years. It wasn’t exactly a nostalgic atmosphere, but there was a hint of reminiscence.

 

And an hour later.

 

Nagi: “Big brother!!”

Kai: “Nagi!!”

 

Nagi and Chairman Kagetora, who had been at another base, returned to this one.

 

Nagi: “Big brother, big brother, big brother!!”

Kai: “You… how have you grown so much… It’s been five years since you were in first grade of middle school… now you’re about a second-year high school student… a blooming JK.”

 

Nagi, who curled up in my chest, had grown a lot, but her appearance hadn’t changed at all. She was still the Nagi I loved dearly.

 

I’m glad she’s safe.

 

If something had happened to Nagi in these five years, I might not have been able to forgive Athena-san.

 

Kagetora: “Kai-kun really hasn’t changed at all…”

Kai: “Yes, Chairman… Haha, you haven’t changed either.”

 

Even after five years, Chairman Kagetora was still the same. Always cheerful and the mood maker.

 

Kagetora: “I’m sorry… If I had realized sooner, none of this would have happened.”

Kai: “Eh?”

Kagetora: “I’ve always known there was something ominous about the Dungeon Association. It was strange from the start. But the days of battle left no room for such thoughts…”

Kai: “What do you mean?”

Kagetora: “The World Dungeon Association was founded by Vivian, the disciple of Merlin, the leader of the God-Destruction Cult. We found out later. She hid the largest Cube, sealed by the Round Table, in the Association’s basement and gathered magic stones to break its seal. The Association collected magic stones from explorers as a margin, likely for this reason. It was very cleverly done… Her confidants were all under her mental control… It was hidden for twenty years.”

Kai: “…So that’s what happened. But it’s not your fault, Chairman. No one could have known.”

 

The World Dungeon Association was under the control of Vivian from the Black Empire.

 

The God-Destruction Cult was controlled by Merlin.

 

The relationship between them is unclear now, but perhaps they were killing inconvenient opponents for the Dungeon Association.

 

Was Aya targeted because she’s the daughter of the Dungeon Association’s Chairman?

 

What a manipulative scheme.

 

Chairman Kagetora: “Kai-kun, I heard you’re going to China. Aya, Wei Wang, Arnold, and Reina will fight the Round Table. Sadly, we’d be a hindrance in a battle against the Round Table… They are all transcendents. We can only hope from here… I pray for your safe return.”

Kai: “Yes!”

 

I’m going to solo clear the S-Rank Cube in China.

 

Nagi: “Big brother, are you leaving again? We haven’t talked much yet…”

Kai: “It’s okay… Lightning.”

 

*Crack!*

 

I activate Lightning towards Nagi’s shadow.

 

Kai: “I can protect you no matter where you are now. So don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

 

Nagi: “…Okay. Promise!”

 

When I pat Nagi’s head, she closes her eyes, looking content.

 

I wonder if I made her suffer a lot in these five years. I still don’t fully understand what has changed.

 

But nothing important to me has changed.

 

Everyone then returned to their rooms to start their final preparations.

 

Kai: “Aya…”

Aya: “Hmm?”

 

Reina and Aya are whispering something to each other. Both of their faces are red, but Aya sighs as if resigning and says she understands.

 

Aya: “Kai-san… I forgive you. But remember, I’m your number one… This is only for winning! Just this once!!”

Kai: “What do you mean?”

Reina: “Kai… I’ll show you to your room… Follow me.”

 

Saying so, Reina grabs my arm and leads me to my room. It was a simple room, similar to Aya’s, like a business hotel.

 

Kai: “So many rooms like this… A giant underground facility is kind of exciting.”

 

As I enter the room Reina showed me.

 

*Click.*

 

Kai: “Eh?”

 

For some reason, Reina enters and locks the door.

 

Reina: “Hah, hah, hah…”

 

She’s panting, her face bright red.

 

Kai: “Rei, Reina? What’s…!?”

 

I’m pushed onto the bed by Reina.

 

This feels familiar… just like earlier…

 

Reina: “Kai, I was… Mordred did… various things to me…”

Kai: “Various things?”

 

Reina was captured by Mordred. I heard it was for about a month. During that time, she put under some type of suffering, enough to call him the “enemy of all women”.

 

Reina: “He… hah, hah… wanted me to say it… You understand what that means? All the time… hah, hah… with his threads… I… hah, hah…”

 

Reina, usually cool, now has her face flushed red, as if she can’t hold back any longer.

 

To be honest, it’s extremely erotic.

 

Reina: “I can’t fight if I’m not calmed down. So… Kai… it’s okay, right? Aya said it’s okay.”

Kai: “Um… Reina-san? What am I supposed to do…?”

Reina: “…You don’t have to do anything. I’ll do everything.”

 

It can’t be helped.

 

Without this, Reina can’t fight. It’s necessary.

 

Yes, this is to protect humanity.

 

It can’t be helped…

 

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