143. Return

About three months had passed since the anomaly in the elven forest. The turmoil in this world was finally over.

At the Great Cathedral, a grand farewell celebration was held.

Thanks to the magic ship routes, everyone connected to Shiro and the heroes had gathered together.

"Alright, a lot’s happened, but it all ended safely. Thanks for everything," Shiro said to Makoto and the others.

After wrapping up their duties, the heroes had spent the past few days relaxing. Naturally, they were also preparing to return.

"It was an incredible experience. Though, we didn’t really do much that’s typical of a hero party," Masaki said with a smile.

"Totally," Makoto agreed.

"Seriously. But Makoto, you swung that holy sword around freely enough—didn’t that satisfy you?" Mizuki said.

"Uh, well... Mizuki, are you getting a bit too bold lately?"

"Haha. Well, now that we’ve been through this, I think I understand you a little better. Siblings, huh? That’s impressive."

"Hey, Mizuki. What’s that supposed to mean?" Kotone said, flustered.

"What are you talking about? You two were always doing things completely out of left field. You’d never have noticed that if you hadn’t come here," Mizuki replied.

"...But, Hero-sama, you looked really cool," Emilia said, her cheeks tinged pink.

"...Thank you," Makoto replied, his own face faintly red.

"Hey, you two, save that kind of thing for when you’re alone," Mizuki said.

"Also—your body transformations won’t revert. So when you get back to Earth, you’ll naturally have enhanced physical abilities. Try to keep that under wraps. Just remember: magic won’t work at all there. Keep that in mind," Shiro explained.

"So, when we return, it’ll be back to the original time, right?" Mizuki asked.

"Yeah, that's right."

"Anyway, I'll contact everyone once I'm back, so we can talk about what comes next then."

"“““Yes!”””"

"Kotone, I’ll contact you once I’m back on Earth," Shiro said, addressing her.

"...Yes, I’ll be waiting," Kotone said, her voice trembling on the edge of tears.

"No, it’ll be quick, right? The time difference will be almost nothing when I get back?"

"...Yes," Kotone said.

"Ugh, Kotone’s such a crybaby. Don’t worry, Shiro-san. I’ll take care of her!" Mizuki said brightly.

"Thank you, Kotone, Mizuki, Makoto-san, Masaki-san!" Shestia said, addressing the four.

"Take care, Shestia-chan!" Kotone said.

"Kotone too," Shestia replied.

Masaki with Miradia, Makoto with Emilia, and Mizuki with Steven—each lingered in long goodbyes. Everyone looked reluctant to part.

Still, for the time being, letter exchanges are possible. A blessing from the goddess. And the possibility of crossing worlds—pending on Shiro’s choice—remains. So it isn’t a final, sorrowful farewell.

Watching them, Shiro thought with a quiet nostalgia, *Youth is something...* But then Mitoka jabbed, *Shiro, stop being such an old man,* and he thought, *Well, I’m not that old, really.*

After each had finished their farewells, Shiro thought it was time, and addressed everyone.

"Alright, I’m going to use the return spell now."

Shiro, Shestia, and Mitoka took positions forming a triangle.

As Shiro began chanting, a band of light connected between the three, forming a closed loop.

The magic circle beneath the heroes’ feet blazed with radiant energy.

"【Return】!"

As Shiro spoke, the heroes' bodies glowed, and in an instant, all of them vanished from atop the magic circle.

After the light settled,

"Shiro, they've safely returned to their original location. Time has started. The flow of time is currently one four-hundredth that of Filidia," came a transmission from Isanamia, the one overseeing Earth's management.

Thank you, Isanamia-sama, Shiro said, offering his gratitude.

Everyone seems to have safely returned to Earth.

And so, Shiro announced it to the people gathered there.

◇

"Alright, everyone, thanks for everything. I'm headin' back to my world now, but I'll be back."

Shiro said it lightly and bid everyone farewell.

“Shiro, Mitoka, waiting,” Shestia said. Her face was on the verge of tears, yet she held Shiro’s gaze firmly. Nearby, Sherina and Altia stood close, smiling softly at her.

“Ah, I’ll be right back,” Shiro whispered into Shestia’s ear, hugging her close.

"Take care, Shestia," Mitoka said. She hugged Shestia too.

"See you later, Shiro," Aria.

"Shiro, you've been a real help," Albert said.

They all expressed their gratitude to Shiro, lingering with reluctant farewells.

There, the goddess Firumia descended.

“Shiro, are you ready?” Firumia asked.

"Alright, everyone, see you later!" Shiro said.

In that instant, Shiro and Mitoka vanished—alongside Firumia.