264: You know, reunions that make you tear up—kinda like this, right?

Yggdrasil = Soma.

A miracle elixir that twists the laws of the world, even bringing the dead back to life.

I’m back at my home to refine it. Can’t exactly use the alchemy chambers in the production guild. Too many eyes.

Leifan stares at me with narrowed eyes.

"Hey, Craft."

"I know. Don’t say it."

Potion bottles pile up in front of us.

Yeah.

Over a hundred bottles of Yggdrasil = Soma. Maybe I went overboard. But there are intermediate concoctions only Soma can use. Waste them? Not my style.

Saintess’s tears? Super powerful, right?

But making Maina cry every time? Kinda gross.

"Anyway, Van’ll figure something out."

"I think I’ll get yelled at later."

I think the same. For now, it’s just between me and Leifan.

Technically, I’ll tell Van, Kyle, and Master Javir, but for now, it’s just the two of us.

We need Maina’s tears for the ingredients. The recipe can’t even be known. It has to stay hidden. Who knows what kind of creep might show up if someone else finds out? Might even start making Maina cry on purpose.

The world already says Kyle’s sick, anyway.

Of course, trusted allies and people who already know are exempt.

As soon as I sent word via the magic communicator that the medicine was done, I got a reply right away—summon everyone involved, come to the palace.

Marilyn used the spell that sealed even a demon, so Kyle’s frozen solid. He’s kept in a room in the palace now.

Raidock and the others still here—Casper sisters, Maina, Master Javir, and even Mizho’s group, who know the full story—will all be gathering soon. The two Rezardmen even flew over.

Jitarou, needless to say. He’ll sulk if you ignore him.

Once everyone was accounted for, we used the secret teleport gate to reach the palace.

The moment we arrived, Van was there to greet us.

“Late as usual!”

“You got no sense of royal responsibility, do you?”

You can’t just show up unannounced and expect to see the king right away!

Zaid, standing beside Van, rubbed his temple.

“While I do admit there’s some truth to what that alchemist says, perhaps you could consider your position a little more.”

Maina glared at Zaid’s words, but Van gave Zaid a slow, knowing smirk.

“What’s this? You’ve been muttering nonstop about wanting your sweet little brother to wake up sooner, haven’t you?”

“T-That’s—!”

The exchange made everyone instinctively soften, a quiet warmth spreading through the room.

Maina’s eyes widened, but she let out a quiet chuckle.

Back then, Zaid had been all sharp edges and cold glares. Now? He’s more like a capable civil servant. After the curse broke, he turned into the kind of older brother who truly cares. Their bond’s slowly mending, little by little.

Speaking of siblings—there was Kyle’s father, Marquis Orthros of Gandar, and then there was Raidock’s elder sister, the Black Rose Princess Lila, and Kyle’s other older brother, Flatten.

Yeah, you’d worry too.

Oh right—Orthros father was forced by royal decree to take a young wife, wasn’t he? Wonder how that turned out. Nah, not something to think about now.

Vaan was pushing me along, so I dragged myself toward the room where Kyle was stored.

In the middle of the dim room stood Kyle, frozen in ice.

Sorry I kept you waiting. I’ll wake you up now.

When I pulled out the Yggdrasil-Soma, Professor Jabil, the sorcerers’ village’s Lililily, and the head court alchemist, old Batista, leaned in with keen interest.

I’ll show you properly later—move aside now!

I shoved the three of them aside, half-pushing.

I took out the Soma, nodded to Marilyn, and she slowly began unsealing the magic.

It was a powerful seal—after quite some time, the ice finally started melting.

Everyone held their breath, watching. Eventually, all the seals broke.

Alphard lifted Kyle and stepped forward, placing him before me.

"Please."

I nodded, then slowly sprinkled Yggdrasil-Soma over him. Kyle’s whole body flickered faintly, but nothing happened.

Everyone just stared, silent. Inside, I was screaming “Come on!” over and over, but I’m sure they were all thinking the same thing.

Seconds? Hours? An eternity of silence finally ended.

“Uhn…”

Kyle’s mouth twitched, then his eyes slowly opened.

“…Huh? Where… am I—”

“Brother!”

Of course, it was Maina who lunged first.

“Maina? Uh… I think I was on the battlefield?”

““Kyle!””

Then Flatten and Zaid burst forward.

“Thank god! Thank god!”

“Hmph. Didn’t worry at all, but… good you’re awake.”

Flatten grinned, genuine. Zaid stood rigid, hand on his sword, but hugging him and crying? That’d be pointless.

“Kyle. Good to see you awake.”

Orthros, Kyle’s father, stepped forward and placed a large hand on Kyle’s head.

“C—Father?”

Kyle stared, wide-eyed, unable to process what was happening.

Next came his half-sister, Layla.

“Kyle…”

“Layla-senpai?”

She’d always acted cold, like she feared their mother, Bela, and even turned against Kyle. But deep down, she’d always been a good sister to him.

Now, finally, she gently wrapped her arms around him.

Ah.

This family’s fine. They’ll be bound together anew, centered on Kyle.

Then came Persia, bursting in with a shout, her guard duty forgotten.

"Kyle-sama! Kyle-sama! I was so worried! Y-you're... you're finally awake! Ahhhhhhh!"

Persia sobbed, throwing her arms around Kyle.

Alphard, who’d been holding Kyle all along, tightened his grip.

"Looks like you overslept a bit this time, Kyle-sama."

Seeing Alphard’s tearful smile, Kyle seemed to understand the situation.

"Ah yes. Good morning, everyone."

At those words, everyone who’d been holding back, pretending not to interfere, burst into cheers—“Aaaaaaa!”—and swarmed around Kyle, filling the air with joyous exclamations.

Man, I’ve been holding it in long enough.

I’ve been fighting the urge to jump in, hug Kyle, cry, just like everyone else. After all, I’m his older brother, aren’t I?

The crowd surrounding Kyle parted with a shove when a furious shout echoed through the air.

"Damn it, you lot! First, Kyle-sama’s examination comes first! Everyone, get back—now, now, now!"

It was Master Jabir’s voice, roaring with fury.

The noise stopped dead. People scattered in a flash.

Only Alphard remained, still holding Kyle, and was quickly ushered to another room by Jabir’s orders.

I stood frozen, arms wide, hands twitching uselessly.

"Uh… what about the emotional reunion?"

Jitarou patted my shoulder, deadpan.

"Us clowns? That’s just about all we’re good for."

"Laugh it up, you bastard."

And so, Kyle was back.

Felt a little off, maybe. But whatever.

Next time, the final episode.