---

  Chapter 19 — The Return to Japan

  The sea stretched endlessly beneath a pale sky as the cruise ship cut forward, carrying its passengers back toward Japan.

  Hirauka stood near the railing, silent.

  Everything had ended too cleanly.

  That bothered him.

  Sagashi approached, rubbing his neck as if shaking off a bad dream.

  “Hirauka-sama… after we were captured—what actually happened?”

  Hirauka turned, offering a calm smile.

  “Oh. You’re awake. Good morning.”

  Sagashi blinked. “So…?”

  “We contacted international authorities. They moved faster than expected and secured everyone.”

  Sagashi exhaled in relief.

  “I see… Guess I was out cold. Alright then—breakfast time. Coming?”

  “Yeah,” Hirauka said. “Let’s go.”

  They had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice called out.

  “Wait.”

  Sayaka stood behind them, arms folded, watching Hirauka closely.

  Sagashi scratched his head.

  “I’ll go on ahead. You two talk.”

  And with that, he vanished toward the restaurant.

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  Sayaka walked beside Hirauka.

  “Well,” she said lightly, “congratulations. Capturing an international mafia boss isn’t something most CEOs can brag about.”

  Hirauka smirked.

  “You deserve credit too. It wouldn’t’ve worked without you.”

  She smiled, just a little.

  “We’ll reach Japan tomorrow.”

  “…Finally,” he murmured. “Home.”

  That was when it happened.

  A voice—ancient, distant, absolute—echoed inside his mind.

  > “Another raid threatens the world, Hirauka. Go immediately.”

  His expression tightened.

  “A raid?” he muttered. “This early…?”

  Sayaka stopped walking.

  “You heard it too, didn’t you?”

  “…Yeah.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  “I can handle this one alone.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  “Since when did you forget the rules?”

  “I have a legendary weapon. It’s unnecessary.”

  She stepped closer, her tone firm.

  “I’m going. End of discussion.”

  “…Fine,” he sighed. “Let’s finish it quickly.”

  They vanished.

  ---

  The raid zone was ordinary—no distortion, no divine pressure.

  Hirauka surveyed the area.

  “Nothing special. Let’s clear it fast.”

  They moved together, blades flashing, spells igniting.

  Demons fell. The raid collapsed.

  In minutes, it was over.

  They returned to the ship.

  “Haa…” Hirauka stretched. “I’m starving.”

  Sayaka laughed.

  “You’re the one enjoying every fight like it’s exercise.”

  “…You’re not wrong.”

  ---

  Hell — The Throne of Wrath

  Deep within Hell, molten light reflected off obsidian walls.

  Makugan sat upon his throne.

  Cracks spidered outward from the armrest beneath his clenched hand.

  “One by one,” he growled, “that mortal crushes my strongest demons.”

  Shikatsu stood calmly beside him.

  “He wields a legendary weapon, my lord. The gods favor him.”

  Makugan snarled.

  “They think a human can stop me? Every raid I plant in Universe One is destroyed. Territories I conquered are slipping away because of these raiders!”

  His eyes burned.

  “How am I to enslave that world like this?”

  Shikatsu bowed slightly.

  “He is merely a pest. A wood-eater gnawing slowly. Remove him, and the structure collapses.”

  Makugan paused.

  Then laughed.

  “Yes… yes. A pest.”

  His grin widened.

  “And pests are crushed underfoot.”

  ---

  Back on the Cruise

  Hirauka sat at his desk when his phone rang.

  “Mom,” he smiled, answering instantly.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yes, my son. When are you coming home?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Oh, good! Also… a girl came by earlier. Kenzari Yumeha.”

  “…Yumi?” he blinked. “She’s just a friend.”

  Sayaka’s voice drifted from nearby.

  “Just a friend?”

  “No!” Hirauka snapped instinctively. “I mean—Mom, she’s really just a friend.”

  Sanae laughed softly.

  “Alright, alright. Come home safely.”

  The call ended.

  Immediately, another call came.

  “Hi!” Yumeha chirped. “I went to your house, but you weren’t there.”

  “I’m on a trip. We’ll meet tomorrow at the port.”

  “Okay! I’ll wait—my mom’s calling. Bye!”

  Before Hirauka could even lower the phone, it rang again.

  Sayaka.

  He groaned.

  “What now? We literally just met.”

  “Why are you talking like that?”

  “Three calls in a row. Anyone would be annoyed.”

  She paused.

  “…Fair.”

  “Then why did you call?”

  “To confirm you weren’t inside another raid.”

  “…And how would my phone work if I was?”

  She went silent.

  “…That is logical.”

  Hirauka sighed.

  “Sayaka.”

  Somewhere far beyond the sea and sky, forces greater than either of them were already moving.

  And none of them were done with Hirauka yet.

  ---