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While the world's time was being rewound, I—Shion Nastasium, who possessed the ability [Time Regression]—and Orun, who could use [Time Regression] through [Shinra Bansho], spent what felt both long and fleeting in the netherworld, a spacetime different from both the world of art principles and the outside world.
Well, most of that time was spent training with August-san, though…
I was overjoyed that Orun had finally regained his memories at the end.
It had been an incredibly happy time.
I had managed to reclaim the bond with Orun that I thought I had lost forever.
When I returned from the netherworld, the familiar ceiling of my room at the Downing Company came into view.
"...My room at the Downing Company, huh. —Wait, I can't get up…"
I tried to sit up, but my body felt glued to the bed and refused to move.
Earlier this year, during my battle with the demon Due that the Cyclamen Order had created, I had reached the principle of magic and had been asleep ever since.
Because I had been unconscious for several months, it seemed my muscles had weakened considerably.
As I wondered what to do since my body wouldn't obey me, the door to the room slowly opened.
Telshe, dressed in her usual maid uniform, stepped inside.
"——Shion…-sama…?"
The moment our eyes met, Telshe's eyes widened as she murmured my name.
"Good morning, Telshe. Sorry, I seem to have slept too long."
"…It must have been a very pleasant dream. …Good morning, Shion-sama."
With tears welling in her eyes, Telshe smiled at me while gently gripping my hand.
Just from that action alone, I could tell how much worry I had caused her.
I really had put her through a lot.
"Yeah. It was a really happy dream."
It hadn't exactly been a dream, but I had been able to spend time with Orun in the netherworld.
For me, that time had felt like a dream come true.
"I'm glad to hear that. However, since you were asleep for several months, your muscle strength has likely deteriorated significantly. Please rest quietly for a while. I will continue to take care of everything around you."
"I was just realizing that when I couldn't sit up earlier. But I'm sorry. I can't stay in bed."
"…Understood. But please do not push yourself."
"Thank you, Telshe. For now, if I activate my ki, I should at least be able to manage daily activities, right?"
Even though she probably wanted to tell me it was a bad idea, Telshe swallowed her objections and respected my wishes.
I thanked her and began circulating ki through my body.
…Good. With this, I can move without any problems.
Maintaining this state constantly would be exhausting, so I wanted to start rehabilitation as soon as possible, but right now I had to go welcome Orun!
Once I managed to stand, I changed clothes and had a light meal.
Then, together with Telshe, I headed to the room where the transfer array was drawn.
Orun and I hadn't simply spent carefree, idle time in the netherworld.
We had also discussed our plans after returning here.
We hadn't been able to work out every detail since we didn't know exactly when we would return, but Orun, who had mastered [Shinra Bansho] and learned everything about the art principles from August-san, should now be able to create an impromptu long-distance transfer array.
That was why we had decided on this room—the one with the transfer array at the main branch of the Downing Company—as our meeting point.
While waiting for Orun to arrive, I listened to Telshe tell me what had happened while I was asleep and, in turn, shared with her what I had experienced in the netherworld. Time passed in the blink of an eye.
"…So, you will be heading to reclaim the Kyokuto region next?"
Telshe asked after listening to my story.
"Yeah. Orun said he has some things he wants to do first, so it'll be after that."
"Understood. I will contact the active units of Amuntsars from my side."
"That would be a big help. Well, first we need to hear about Orun's grand plan. I know the ultimate goal from what he told me in the netherworld, but I haven't heard the methods to reach it yet. —Oh, right. Is Chris at the main branch all day today?"
"Yes. While you were eating, I informed the president that you had woken up and confirmed his schedule. He said he planned to focus on paperwork all day, so I asked him to make time for you later."
"As expected of you, Telshe. You're so efficient, it really helps."
"You honor me with your words."
As I was talking with Telshe, the magic circle drawn on the floor of the room began to glow.
Five silhouettes appeared standing on the array.
Then Orun and the others materialized.
The moment our eyes met, Orun smiled at me.
Unable to hold back, I rushed toward him.
"Orun!! Welcome ba—!?"
In my excitement, I messed up my ki control and lost my balance, nearly falling spectacularly.
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Shion came running toward me with a huge smile on her face.
"Orun!! Welcome ba—!?"
I was aware that my own cheeks had naturally softened into a smile when Shion suddenly lost her balance as if her feet had tangled.
"Shion! …Are you okay?"
I quickly pulled her into my arms and caught her.
"Ah, ahaha… How uncool… Thanks for catching me…"
Shion's cheeks flushed red as she shyly looked away.
I made sure she wasn't hurt, then gently let her go.
"So you really did wake up. But getting so excited that you almost trip? Shion, did sleeping too much turn you back into a kid?"
Fuuka muttered while watching the whole thing.
I had told everyone before we arrived that there was a high chance Shion would be awake, but Fuuka had still seemed half in doubt.
Behind her, Hart-san was shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Ugh… To be told that by Fuuka of all people…"
Shion made a bitter face, apparently shocked by Fuuka's words.
"Shion-sama, please grant me permission to slap that rude man laughing in the back."
Telshe seemed displeased with Hart-san's laughter and was seeking permission to use force.
"Why does it turn out like that!? Fuuka's the rude one here, isn't she!?"
"Fuuka-sama is Shion-sama's friend, so that is fine. But someone like you laughing at Shion-sama? I could never allow that."
"That's completely unreasonable!"
Hart-san protested against Telshe's logic, but she wasn't listening at all.
Hmm, I thought the same thing last time, but these two actually get along pretty well despite everything.
Telshe also seems to show her true self only to Hart-san.
"...The people gathered here are pretty close to the core of Amuntsars, right? Is Amuntsars actually a cheerful group…?"
"Both the [White Demon] and the [Sword Princess] were called threats inside the Order, but this is really breaking the image~."
Lueria and Frederick, who had been watching the exchange, looked slightly tense.
"Orun, who are these kids…?"
I nodded at Shion's question.
"These two were subordinates of the [Doctor] until yesterday. Though that [Doctor] was killed yesterday by another Order executive, [Rakshasa], and they themselves have no intention of returning to the Order. Since they currently have no hostile intent, I'm taking custody of them."
"Hmm. Well, if you've judged there's no problem, I won't say anything."
Shion seemed to have some thoughts on the matter but decided to accept it.
"More importantly, I'm glad you woke up without any issues."
"Yeah! I managed to wake up safely! My head feels completely clear. My body needs a bit of rehabilitation, but I'll get back to full strength soon!"
"I'm relieved to hear that. …Where is Christopher-san right now? I want to talk with him right away about what comes next."
"Orun-sama, I already contacted the president to make time. He should be in his office right now."
Telshe answered my question.
Being called with "-sama" still felt off, but I supposed I had no choice but to accept it.
"Thank you. Then let's go see him."