The city was filled with the wails of bereaved family members and loved ones.
“Ah...” Miledi gasped when she saw the faces of some of the corpses under the shadow of the sacred tree. Badd, Marshal, Shushu, Valf, Reinheit, and even Nieshika.
“It can’t be...Reinheit!”
Laus ran over to Reinheit, his face pale. It was at that point that other people started to notice that Miledi and the others had returned.
Hoping against hope, Laus used spirit magic to see if any trace of Reinheit’s soul remained in his corpse. But of course, it didn’t. Thinking he might be able to at least save someone, Laus looked over Badd and the others as well, but the results were the same. All of their souls had passed on without a trace. They were well and truly dead.
Others began gathering around Meiru and Laus, perhaps hoping that the ancient magic users would be able to save their loved ones. Before they could ask anything though, a voice called down to Miledi and the others from above.
“Good, you made it in time,” Lyutillis said.
Laus rounded on her, ready to lash out. How could she say that when they’d clearly been too late for Reinheit and the others? But when he saw her dignified expression, those words died in his throat.
“Hurry, to the palace! You might still be able to save them!”
Laus felt as though he’d just been slapped. He couldn’t believe he’d let his emotions get the better of him when there were still people who needed his help.
Miledi and the others exchanged glances, then flew into the throne room from the balcony. The wide-open space had been converted into a field hospital, and Oscar, Naiz, Baharl, Corrin, and many other familiar faces were there. All of them had their hands full treating the wounded. When they saw Miledi and the others, they gave them a relieved smile, but that was all.
There wasn’t any time for lengthy reunions. Lyutillis pointed to a corner of the throne room.
“Only half a day has passed! Hurry!”
Lyutillis cast her evolution magic on both Laus and Meiru, while Laus stared at the corner in shock.
“Sh-Sharm!”
Lying in that corner was Sharm, along with Prime Minister Parsha and Craid and his royal guard. He didn’t need to get any closer to tell that their souls were still hanging on by a thread.
“I’ll bring them all back at once. Limit Break! Soul Revival!”
Laus’s glittering, jet-black mana covered Sharm and the others like a veil of pure night.
“I’ll do the same. Tetragrammaton!”
Meiru’s bright orange mana spread out in ripples.
Everyone gathered in this room were either on the verge of death or had just died, meaning they were all people who could be cured only by Meiru and Laus. The color began to return to those who’d recently passed away, and everyone’s bodies were repaired to their original state.
With a cough, Sharm and the others started breathing again. It would be some time before they would wake up, but they were most definitely alive. Those who’d just been mortally injured were able to get back up immediately, however.
Tears of joy streamed down many of their faces, and the beastmen all gathered around Laus and Meiru, thanking them profusely.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Miledi went over to Oscar and Naiz. But as she got closer, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Dylan-kun?! Katy-chan?!”
“Long time no see, Miledi-san... Actually, I guess that’s not quite right, huh?” Dylan said with an awkward smile. Katy smiled as well, but it was no longer the innocent smile of a young girl who had trouble being honest with herself. Miledi knew she should be happy they were awake, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.
“The two of them awakened in order to help Ruth and Corrin escape. They’ve inherited the skills of the ancient warriors whose souls were implanted in their bodies,” Oscar said in a proud voice, patting Dylan and Katy’s heads. Though, he still couldn’t hide the flicker of sorrow that passed through his eyes.
Heart pounding, Miledi looked around to see who was missing. Ruth was a short distance away, and he waved when he saw Miledi looking at her. Corrin was sitting close by him, and Miledi could see that her eyes were red. Naiz was in a corner, a sleeping Yunfa cradled delicately in his arms.
“W-Wait...where’s Sue-chan?” Miledi asked, prompting everyone to look away sadly.
“No...” Miledi muttered. She couldn’t believe it. She didn’t want to believe it. But then Yunfa woke up, looked blearily around, and started sobbing into Naiz’s chest.
“Naiz-sama. Sue-nee, she, she— Naiz-samaaa!”
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry I couldn’t make it in time.”
Naiz hugged her tightly and she hugged him back.
Miledi staggered backward, and Oscar put a supporting hand on her back as she asked, “Wh-What about everyone else?”
“We didn’t lose everyone. People who aren’t gravely injured are resting in one of the other rooms.”
“Moorin’s okay, right?”
Oscar shook his head silently, making Miledi visible pale.
“I-I have more bad news. At the Dragon Kingdom—”
“I know,” Oscar replied, cutting her off. “Shirley told us everything.”
He then looked into Miledi’s eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“He really was a master synergist. Even with a hole in his side, he was still able to repair my artifact and protect everyone. Isn’t that right?”
“Yeah... Yeah, he did.”
Dylan and Katy hugged both Oscar and Miledi.