Chapter 27 – Celebration of Victory… I guess…

Victory… our first real victory.

And honestly? It’s exhausting!!

The cheers outside, the noise, the chaos Harmonia stirred up—it all ended up dropping a mountain of new troubles on me.

Right now, I just want solitude.

That’s why I’ve barricaded myself in my little cabin aboard the airship. Door locked. Curtains drawn. My body finally sinking into bed for what feels like the first proper rest in weeks.

Finally… silence.

—Until.

Knock knock.

“Yo… still resting?” Kline’s voice leaks through the door like an annoying mosquito.

I bury my head into the pillow. “Go away… I’m tired! Let me rest!!!”

But of course, he doesn’t stop.

“Come on! We’re having a festival right now, and everyone’s looking for you!”

“Like I said—go away!!!” I groan, curling tighter into my blanket cocoon.

Kline pauses. Then, with his trademark smugness, adds, “Don’t be a sorry ass, bro!”

Flash!

He suddenly teleports into my room.

“Oi!!!” I jolt upright, nearly falling off the bed.

There he is—grinning, arms crossed, acting like breaking and entering is completely normal.

I flop back onto the mattress, sighing. My body feels like lead. I don’t even remember the last time I had proper sleep.

“Come ooon, bro!!!” Kline whines, grabbing my arm and pulling.

I cling to the edge of the bed like it’s my lifeline.

“Not… a… chance…! Since… you’re… only… looking… for… babes… why… don’t… you… take… the… spotlight… yourself!!” I hiss, dragging my nails against the sheets like some desperate soldier on a battlefield.

Kline smirks, tugging harder. “I need a wingman!!”

“I’m tired!!! Please, I beg you!!!” I cling even tighter, wrapping my legs around the blanket like some anime character being exorcised.

It turns into a ridiculous tug-of-war:

“Don’t make me use force, bro!”

“You already are!!!”

The door rattles as if mocking me, the noise from the festival outside creeping in through the cracks—laughter, music, the clink of mugs, the sound of people celebrating survival.

And yet here I am… battling not monsters, but my best friend… for my right to sleep.

It takes a while before both of us collapse in exhaustion.

“Hah… hah… dammit…” Kline pants, sweating like he just fought a dragon.

I flop back onto the bed, burying myself in the blanket. “Geez… why don’t you just go by yourself… I need my beauty sleep. Goodnight…”

Kline stares at me, eyes twitching. “Yo…”

“Zzzzz…” I answer instantly, pretending to be asleep.

“…ass.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Don’t regret this later.”

And with a flash, he teleports away.

At last… peace.

My eyelids grow heavy, my body sinking deeper into the sheets. Please let me wake up back in my old world. Please let all this be a dream…

Outside the airship.

Kline steps out, rubbing his temple. The night sky glows with lanterns, fireworks crackle in the distance, and the air buzzes with the sounds of laughter, drunken songs, and celebration.

Waiting for him near the plaza are Oswald, Roslan, Roland, Flint, and Paul—the so-called “leftover squad.”

“So,” Oswald smirks, “is Randy joining?”

Kline lifts his arm in defeat and shakes his head. “Nope. Guy’s already kaput.”

“Damn…” Oswald sighs. “And here I thought we could ride his ‘girl magnet’ luck tonight. Unlike us dumbasses stuck in the shadows…”

Roland points at a nearby street where Raul and Alfian are surrounded by noble ladies, each with wine glasses in hand and giggles on their lips.

“…And look at those bastards.”

The five of them freeze.

And then—tears. Collective, synchronized manly tears.

“This… this is the fate of single guys like us,” Kline mutters dramatically, falling to his knees. “Forever hoping for a date that will never come.”

The group joins him, crying in unison under the lantern light.

From the balcony above, Elysia and Marlisa—dressed in elegant party gowns—watch the ridiculous scene unfold.

Elysia pinches the bridge of her nose. “…What are those idiots doing?”

Marlisa tilts her head, her eyes shining innocently. “Big brother looks… desperate.”

On the side, Elowen lounges with a massive mug of beer in her hand, watching with a grin. “Well, at least they’re having fun. Morons or not.”

“Jeez, that’s something,” Elysia sighs.

“‘Something,’ she says.” Elowen smirks, pointing further down the square. “Look at Seraphina.”

Elysia follows her gaze—and freezes.

Seraphina is seated on a keg. A literal keg. Around her are three barrels—empty barrels—as she slams another full one back like it’s nothing.

“MORE!!!” she bellows, slamming the barrel down, demanding a refill.

The poor tavern master is pale, already sweating bullets.

“…I take it back. That’s something,” Elysia mutters.

Meanwhile, Luna is across the square, moving gracefully through the crowd, smiling and shaking hands with nobles, adventurers, and townsfolk alike. Her posture is straight, her words refined, and her aura glowing like a natural diplomat.

Elysia folds her arms. “Well… she’s a politician, through and through.”

“Yep.” Elowen nods, raising her mug. “Can’t deny it.”

Suddenly—

“Yoo-hoo!!!” A cheerful voice explodes out of nowhere.

The girls turn.

Harmonia bounces into the plaza, waving wildly, her pink hair fluttering in the lantern glow.

“Huh? What’s going on here?” she asks, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Elysia groans. “What’s the plan now…”

“Umm…” Harmonia scratches her cheek. “I’m still new here, so… gotta explore the place, right?”

Those words are all it takes.

Kline—who was on his knees moments ago—suddenly bursts into action.

Like a predator spotting prey, he charges toward her with the rest of the single guys at his back.

“Lady Harmonia!! Allow me, Kline, to escort you on a most wonderful tour of this glorious city!” He takes her hand, striking his “prince pose.”

But before she can answer, Oswald swoops in, shoving Kline aside. “Ehem!! A true gentleman would do it properly. Allow me to be your escort tonight, my lady!”

“What!? Back off, you bastard!!” Kline snarls, grabbing her other hand.

Within seconds, the entire squad of single guys is in a chaotic brawl around Harmonia—each one trying to “escort” her, each one getting more desperate by the second.

Harmonia just blinks, confused, then tilts her head with an innocent smile. “Ohhh! So this is… a game?”

“NOT A GAME!!!” the boys scream in unison.

From the sidelines, Elowen nearly spits her beer laughing. Elysia facepalms so hard her palm practically fuses with her skull.

And high above, fireworks burst in the sky, showering sparks over a city celebrating freedom—while in the center square, the idiots wage a war far dumber than the last.

In the palace—the grand hall sparkles with light, music, and endless laughter. Crystal chandeliers glitter like stars above, and nobles, adventurers, and soldiers alike raise their cups in celebration. At the very center of it all, Luna stands poised, her eyes wandering despite the joy surrounding her.

The heavy palace doors creak open. Fu Xi strides in, folding his arms as his gaze sweeps the crowd before settling on Luna.

“Hey,” he asks in his calm, weighty voice. “Where are the heroes…?”

“Ummm… they’re celebrating,” Luna answers, glancing toward the far end of the hall where Harmonia is speaking animatedly with Kline and the others.

Fu Xi hums. “Oh… but I don’t see Randy around.”

“Indeed,” Luna murmurs, her lips curling into a faint pout. “I was curious about him…”

Her steps carry her forward, but just as she moves toward Kline and the gang, a soft yet stern voice halts her.

“This is celebration… hick…”

Luna turns—Madame Luca staggers before her, cheeks flushed pink, eyes glazed with drink. She sways dramatically before pressing a finger to Luna’s lips as if to silence her.

“Ummm… I think it’s best if you went there—”

Before she can finish, Madame Luca’s cheeks puff and— hurk!

“Eeehh!? Uhh…!” Luna jumps back just in time as Madame Luca vomits onto the palace tiles with an undignified splatter.

“Uuhhh… Maids! Could you help me, please?” Luna calls quickly, flustered.

Several maids rush over, wrinkling their noses as they bow and escort the stumbling Madame Luca away. Fu Xi only sighs heavily, shaking his head.

“…And people call me the reckless one,” he mutters.

Luna lets out a small laugh, but it fades quickly. Her heart feels strangely heavy. Amid the booming laughter, music, and clinking cups, something feels… missing.

Randy.

Her steps grow slower, softer, until she slips away from the hall entirely. Down the moonlit corridor, past the tapestries and stone archways, her feet carry her instinctively toward the docks.

There—the airship waits, majestic and silent against the star-filled sky. While the world celebrates behind her, the vessel rests like a slumbering beast of iron and magic.

“…It’s so quiet here,” Luna whispers, her breath forming a white puff in the cold night air.

She gazes up at the massive frame, her lips curving into a soft smile. “It’s amazing… Randy designed and helped build all of this. Every bolt, every rune… it’s like his soul is part of this ship.”

She steps inside. The humming of dormant engines surrounds her. Strange contraptions line the walls—arcane gears, glowing cores, and diagrams scattered across desks. It smells faintly of oil and parchment. Her wonder lingers… until she hears it.

Snore…

Her ears twitch.

“…Seems that’s Randy.”

She follows the sound, reaching a closed cabin door. It’s locked. Luna places a hand gently over it, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Fhosgladh drws.”

With a faint click, the lock releases. She pushes the door open, careful not to disturb the silence.

And there he is—Randy. Sprawled carelessly across his bunk, one arm dangling over the side, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. His face, so often sharp and unreadable, is softened in slumber.

“…He really is sleeping,” Luna breathes, relief tinging her voice.

She moves closer, kneeling beside him. For a moment, she only watches—her heart strangely tight. Then, with careful fingers, she brushes a lock of hair from his forehead, her hand lingering as she strokes gently.

“He looks so peaceful…”

Her chest aches when he murmurs in his sleep, his voice fragile, almost childlike.

“Hey… uncle… why did mom and dad leave me…? Am I not their son…?”

Luna freezes. Her eyes widen.

“…!”

The weight of his words pierces her heart. She has never seen him like this—never heard the cracks beneath the armor of his strength.

“…He looks steadfast, yet so fragile,” she whispers, smiling sadly. Her hand doesn’t leave his hair, as if afraid that without her touch, he might crumble entirely.

A sudden boom! echoes outside, making her flinch. Fireworks blossom across the night sky, their colors spilling through the window. Randy stirs but doesn’t wake.

Luna rises quietly, pulling open the curtain. The brilliant lights reflect in her eyes as she gazes outward.

“…It’s beautiful,” she murmurs. Yet the beauty outside pales in comparison to the quiet warmth she feels in this room, sitting beside him.

Her hand lingers at her chest.

“…Randy… you deserve more than loneliness. One day, I’ll make sure you smile for real.”

The fireworks keep blazing, but inside the cabin, the only sound is Randy’s steady breathing—and Luna’s quiet, unwavering vow.

The room is dim, lit only by the faint glow of the moon seeping through the curtains. Randy stirs in his sleep, his lips moving.

“…Uncle…” he mumbles softly.

Luna freezes, her hand hovering just above his hair.

“…Seems like I have friends here… Kline… he’s an ass… but his heart’s good. Smart too, though I’ll never admit it out loud… Elowen… she’s like the big sister I never had… Ely… she’s just like she was when we were kids… Seraphina… she’s brave… seductive sometimes, yeah, but… a true friend. And Luna…”

Her heart skips.

“…Luna… why do I always feel… happy when she’s around? Uncle, I really gotta thank her. She basically saved me from that incident… A lot of things happened, but now… I’m not alone.”

Luna’s eyes widen, shimmering. Her lips tremble before curling into the faintest, most fragile smile. Slowly, she leans down and presses a tender kiss to his forehead.

“…You dumbass,” she whispers, her cheeks burning crimson.

She stands, intending to slip quietly out, but suddenly—her entire body stiffens. The air shifts. A presence stirs in the shadows.

A voice, teasing yet cold, snakes into the silence.
“So… you sensed me. Hmph. I thought that dumb alchemist would never leave his little guard dog behind.”

Luna’s blood runs cold. She whirls, hand on her blade.
“You—!”

From the shadows steps a slender figure—Nyx. Her crimson eyes glint like embers, her smirk playful yet weary.

“…Nyx…” Luna breathes, instantly summoning her magic, her stance low and sharp as she shields Randy’s sleeping body.
“What are you doing here!?”

Nyx blinks… then suddenly drops to her knees with a dramatic wail.
“Waaahhh!! I’m homeless now!! A girl like me just needs a place to belong!!”

Luna stares, dumbfounded. “……What?”

Nyx rubs her eyes exaggeratedly, tears (or at least something pretending to be tears) spilling down her cheeks.
“Do you know how it feels!? Abandoned by a stupid king and his stupid war?!”

“Shhh!!!” Luna hisses, throwing a glare at her. “He’s sleeping!!”

Nyx’s pout turns into a grin. She tilts her head toward Randy.
“Oh, I know. I’ve been watching him for a while now~”

Luna’s expression darkens. Her sword flashes, glowing with runic light.
“Is that so…? Then die here, before you lay a hand on him!”

She lunges, her blade slicing through the air. Nyx squeals, flipping backwards and skittering across the room like a cat dodging a broom.

“Waaait!! Chill, girl!! I didn’t come here to fight—!!”

“Lies!!” Luna swings again, her strikes sharp and precise, her fury overflowing. “You’re here to kill Randy, aren’t you!?”

“Noooo! I just wanted to talk—!! Hey, watch the hair!!” Nyx twists, barely dodging another magical arc.

The ruckus grows louder and louder until—

BANG!!

Both freeze.

On instinct, Randy has rolled over, revolver half-raised, his eyes half-open with a death glare that chills the room.

“…shut… up…”

BANG! Another shot—clean through the wall this time. Both women flinch.

Then, as if nothing happened, he collapses back into his pillow.
“…zzz…”

“….”

Nyx blinks twice, then breaks into a grin. “Now that is carefree. I like this guy’s style.”

Luna lowers her sword, face red from both anger and embarrassment. She glares daggers at Nyx.
“You’re the enemy. Why are you really here?”

Nyx plops down cross-legged, waving her hands. “C’mon, let’s talk like civilized women. No stabbing, no magic, no waking your trigger-happy boyfriend.”

“He’s not—!” Luna cuts herself off, cheeks pink. She sits back down beside Randy protectively, her sword still within arm’s reach. “Fine. Talk.”

Nyx takes a dramatic breath, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Here goes. First off, I retreated from that stupid battle. Didn’t go back to that rotten king. Honestly, I should’ve defected ages ago.”

“…Go on.”

“So, I had a brilliant idea.” Her crimson eyes sparkle mischievously. “Since I’ve got nowhere else to go… why not defect officially?”

Luna narrows her gaze. “Defect…?”

Nyx leans forward, batting her lashes, voice sing-song and syrupy sweet.
“My proposal is simple—I’ll be joining Randy’s crew~!”

She clasps her hands together, eyes wide with over-the-top sparkle like a girl in a romance drama.
“Pretty pleeeease? With these googly eyes?”

Luna twitches. “……”

Her sword hums again.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The air feels heavy inside Randy’s cabin, though the muffled roar of fireworks still echoes from the palace grounds outside. Luna keeps her blade at the ready, her eyes locked on Nyx, who sits cross-legged like a child caught stealing sweets.

Nyx tilts her head, crimson eyes gleaming.
“I know the ins and outs of the Northern Kingdom. Every secret corridor, every fortress, every weak point. I could draw the whole damn map for you. Just—” she waves her hands dramatically, “don’t make me get dragged into this stupid war.”

Luna’s grip tightens. “No.”

Nyx leans forward with a pleading smile. “Pretty pleeeease?”

“Like I said,” Luna snaps, “how could we ever trust you? What’s to stop you from double-crossing us the second it benefits you?”

Nyx’s grin falters for a moment. Her eyes narrow, voice lower, more serious.
“Because if I go back, I’m dead. There’s a target on my back the size of a fortress wall. King Azrael doesn’t forgive deserters. There’s no world where I return alive.”

Luna studies her, expression unreadable. “…Uh-huh.”

From the bed, a groggy voice cuts through.
“…Why do you suddenly want to join us?”

Both women snap their heads toward Randy, who is rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep.

“Randy…!” Luna blurts, instantly kneeling closer to him, almost protectively.

Nyx smirks. “Heeeeh~ don’t worry, kitty. I’m not here to steal your boyfriend.”

“W-we’re just friends!!” Luna blurts, face red.

“…Yeah. Just friends,” Randy mutters, though his glance flicks awkwardly toward Luna.

“Uh-huh,” Nyx singsongs, clearly not convinced. Then she leans closer, lips curling in a sly grin. “Anyway, what do youthink, Randy?”

The two lock eyes. Silence hangs thick in the air until Randy sighs, rubbing his temples.
“Elowen and Seraphina won’t agree. And Kline…”

Nyx suddenly perks up. “Iris Aletheia! She was my friend in the Magic Academy. I bet Kline knows her name.”

Luna narrows her eyes. “…Is that so?”

Nyx shrugs innocently. “Believe me or don’t. But I’m not lying.”

“Not like we’ll trust you that easily,” Randy mutters.

“Agreed,” Luna says coldly.

Nyx clasps her hands together again, fluttering her lashes. “Cooome on. Pretty please~?”

Randy exhales, shoulders slumping. “…Hah. I’m going to regret this.”

“You’re not actually—” Luna begins.

“Think about it,” Randy says, staring at her. “If we throw her out now, she won’t last a day. Someone will hang her in the streets.”

“Eyaaa!! I’d rather not die so pathetically, thank you!!” Nyx yelps.

Randy scratches the back of his head. “We’ll…think about it.”

But something gnaws at the back of his mind. He looks at Nyx again.
“Nyx. Do you know anything about the prophecy?”

The shift in her demeanor is instant. The playfulness fades, her face turning pale, serious.
“…So you know about that.”

Randy and Luna lean forward.

Nyx’s voice is low. “Yes. King Azrael spoke of it often. He believes this is the time of its fulfillment. Especially after he summoned that… armored one.”

“Armored one?” Randy and Luna echo.

Nyx nods, lips curling with distaste. “A man from your world, Randy. Cold, terrifying. Whispering strange ideas into the king’s ear. Plans about conquering not just kingdoms… but the entire world.”

A chill runs down Randy’s spine. “And you? Where do you stand?”

Nyx crosses her arms, expression conflicted. “I hate war. Always have. But… I also hate humans. My hatred doesn’t vanish just because I switched sides.”

“…Let me guess.” Randy narrows his eyes. “You’re from that island, aren’t you?”

Luna’s eyes widen. “What…?”

Nyx freezes. “…How do you know that?”

Randy doesn’t hesitate. In a voice firm and ancient, he utters:
“Nisirti dadmē... ina ṭemi šuklulu.”

Nyx shoots to her feet, her face pale. “How do you know our words!?”

Randy glares at her. “Because I wrote them down on that island. Now tell me about the archives.”

Nyx swallows hard. “That is the Great Library of Arcantus. Lord Xorvath built it himself, sealing away forbidden knowledge, dangerous magic… things not meant for mortal hands.”

“Then why ally with the Demon Kingdom?” Randy asks.

Nyx shakes her head sharply. “You call it the Demon Kingdom. We called it the Fairy Kingdom. But ever since Lord Xorvath vanished, chaos reigned. And that idiot elf king Azrael… drove it straight into the abyss.”

“…Xorvath.” Randy repeats.

Nyx nods. “He was our true king. Until the day the heroes Drake and Lilith stormed our kingdom.”

Randy frowns. “Drake Stroud… Those are just fairy tales from my world. Legends. Drake’s supposed to be the pirate bogeyman, working with Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchman. Parents tell kids to behave or else he’ll snatch them away.”

“Bogeyman?” both Luna and Nyx tilt their heads.

Randy sighs. “A nightmare for children.”

Nyx’s voice is deadly serious. “Then your fairy tales are true. Drake Stroud was real. Terrifying, cunning. And Lilith… righteous, brave. Even a match for Lord Xorvath himself.”

The room goes quiet.

Finally, Luna breaks the silence, turning to Randy.
“…Do you trust her?”

Randy exhales through his nose. “…Not at all. But trust doesn’t matter. Not if it means finding a way home.”

He stands, determination hardening in his eyes. He looks at Nyx.
“Fine. We leave now.”

Luna’s eyes widen. “What!? But the others—”

Randy shakes his head. “Better if it’s just us. If we bring Nyx into the open now, your political career will end like your sister’s. You know that.”

Luna bites her lip, unable to reply.

Randy turns to Nyx. “Destination: the Sky Island.”

Nyx blinks. “…Huh? You’re kidding.”

“The Sky Island…?” Luna whispers.

“Yep,” Randy says flatly.

Nyx’s smirk falters. She looks down, sadness creeping into her voice. “I… can’t.”

“They’ve been cleansed already,” Randy cuts in. His voice hardens. “…By Kline.”

Nyx freezes. Her lips tremble. “Lord Zosimos…?”

“He fell. We took him down. He turned into a Pazuzu demon.”

Nyx’s eyes widen, tears welling. “…No… Uncle…”

Both Randy and Luna stare. “Uncle?”

Nyx clenches her fists, trembling. “…He was my uncle.”

Randy doesn’t answer. Instead, he pulls a lever. The cabin vibrates, gears roaring. The Skybreaker stirs, the engines igniting in a thunderous roar.

“Here goes.”

The warship launches into the night sky.

The sound of fireworks masks its ascent. Below, nobles cheer in ignorant bliss, never realizing three shadows have already departed for the Sky Island.

To be continued…