Aftermath of the Reaper
A faint glow surrounded the remains on the ground. Yew's system echoed softly—[Return Mechanism Activated] Regenerating via Return-by-Death… At first, nothing happened. Then—A twitch. A faint movement. "…W-What is happening…?" Aqua whispered, her voice shaking. Kazuma leaned closer. "…No way…" Before their eyes—Bone began to form. Then flesh. Then skin. Slowly. Piece by piece. Like time itself was reversing. Megumin's eyes widened. "…What… can of rebuilding is this…" Darkness covered her mouth. "…This… isn't a normal resurrection …" Within seconds—A full body lay there again. Still. Silent. Then—Ruko inhaled sharply. "—HAH!" Everyone flinched. His eyes opened. Confused. "…Huh…?" He blinked slowly, staring at the sky. "…Why am I outside…?" He sat up slightly. "…Wasn't I… sleeping on the couch…?" Silence. Then— "RUKO!!"
Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness all jumped him at once. "YOU IDIOT—!"Kazuma shouted, grabbing his shoulders. "Wha... what did I do? Hey don't grip my shoulder like that brah." "DON'T DIE LIKE THAT AGAIN!" Aqua yelled, shaking him. "W-W-WHY are you shaking me like thiiiisss." "You reckless fool…!" Darkness added, squeezing him tightly. "H-Hey..." "…Idiot…" Megumin muttered, face slightly red as she held onto him too. " Ruko blinked repeatedly, completely overwhelmed. "…Oi—wait—what the fuck is going on—?!" He try to fight by breaking free but they wouldn't let him go. They didn't stop. Questions fired nonstop. "Do you remember anything?!" "How are you alive?!" "Are you hurt?!" Ruko frowned slightly. "…Remember what…? You all jumped on me like I'm some mattress." They froze. "…You don't remember?" Kazuma asked slowly. Ruko scratched his head. "…I was just sleeping… then suddenly I'm here…" A pause.
"…You're joking, right?" Aqua said. "…No, not I'm aware why I'm at Axel?" Ruko replied flatly. They all looked at each other. "…He actually doesn't remember," Megumin whispered. "…I'm not surprised he doesn't," Kazuma sighed. Around them—The crowd had gathered again. This time—Clapping. Louder. Clearer. "He saved us…" "That explosion… he stopped it…" "…That guy…" But mixed within it— "…Still creepy…" "…That Reaper…" "…Don't get close…" Praise. Fear. Respect. Distance. Ruko glanced around. Same eyes. Same looks. Different tone. "…Tch…" He looked away. "…I guess nothing as changed…" Kazuma noticed—but said nothing. Then—Aqua suddenly stood up. "WAIT! There's something more important!" Everyone looked at her. "Seriously! You all forget Darkness's father!" Darkness froze. "…Father…" Without wasting time, Aqua grabbed her staff. "Take me there!"
—Later—At the Dustiness estate. The atmosphere was heavy.
When they enter the room Ruko look who's at the bed looking sick in months. "Who is this old man laying on the bed." Everyone look at Ruko. "That is Darkness father how com—" Kazuma pause for moment and look at Darkness father and looked back at Ruko. "Ohh... right he didn't see her father when we came here." He padded Ruko's shoulder. "My mind bro... sorry about that." Darkness stood beside the bed. Her father lay still. Weak. Fading. Aqua stepped forward confidently. "Ok... give me some space." She raised her staff. Light gathered. "…Sacred Highness Heal!" A brilliant glow filled the room. The curse—Shattered. Darkness's father inhaled sharply. "…L-Lalatina…?" Darkness's eyes widened. "…Father…!" Tears filled her eyes as she grabbed his hand. "…I'm glad you're alive…" The room filled with relief. The curse—Gone. The deal—Meaningless. With Alderp gone—Dragged to hell by his own contract—Everything changed.
His wealth was seized. His authority erased. The Dustiness family regained control. The massive debt—Gone. Even better—Kazuma received 110 million Eris as compensation. "WE'RE RICH AGAIN!" Kazuma shouted, holding the money tightly. Aqua immediately grabbed him. "DRINKS ON YOU!" "GET OFF ME!" Megumin sighed. "…Back to normal…" Darkness stood quietly. Then turned. "…Guys... I'm returning to the party." Kazuma blinked. "Huh?" "To the party," she said, firm. "…As an adventurer." A pause. Then— Kazuma smirked slightly. "…Took you long enough, Divorceness." Darkness froze. "…D-Don't call me that…!" Her face turned bright red. "…L-Lalatina is bad enough already…!" Megumin crossed her arms. "…Divorceness suits you." Aqua nodded seriously. "Yeah, it does." "…Stop it…!" Despite the embarrassment—She smiled. Relieved. Free. And—Her eyes shifted slightly toward Kazuma. Softer. Warmer. "…Thank you…" Kazuma looked away. "…Don't get weird on me." But he didn't reject it. Not fully.
From the side—Megumin narrowed her eyes slightly. "…I see how it is…" And just like that—Another problem was born. Ruko saw the look of the atmosphere, decided to leave the room and leaned against the wall outside. Watching. Quiet. Aqua walked out and sat beside him. "…You're not joining them?" "…Nah, since I saw something I'm not should be into." Ruko replied. "…So it's not my thing." Aqua tilted her head. "…You really don't remember anything do Ruko?" Ruko stared at the sky. "…Yes I'm Ruko and no." A pause. "…But I know one thing." Aqua blinked. "What?" "…I'm tired." She laughed. "…Fair enough." Inside—Laughter. Arguing. Chaos. Normal. Outside—Silence. Ruko closed his eyes slightly. "…Reaper, huh…" He exhaled. "…Whatever. Make them spread it all I care." "Huh?" Aqua look at him as if he was going crazy. For now—Peace had returned to Axel.