<Sogou Ayaka POV>

I, Sogou Ayaka, have returned to Alion.

It isnt just me who has returned.

All of the Heroes who had joined the Southern Army had also returned to Alion with me.

That great battle we fought in the Anti-Demon White Castle.

The story of the battle that took place at the Anti-Demon White Castle has already reached Alion.

By the way, not all of the Southern Army had returned.

Only the Heroes and some of the others have returned.

The majority of the Southern Army that parted with our group headed to the royal capital of Magnar, Synod, which was the Armys original destination.

(From what I heard, it seems that the place we fought in isnt the only place that turned into a fierce battle)

It is said that many of the troops were forced to fight a difficult battle.

There were some battles that I dont even know if we can call them victory or not.

That was also the case with the Southern Army we were in.

Considering the casualties, we cant just unaffectedly cheer for this victory we gained.

(However, there were still silver linings hidden within that tragedy.)

The well-being of those we werent sure if theyre alive or dead.

I felt like this is the only point that could be considered a silver lining.

First of all was Banewolf, the Dragonslayer.

He had survived.

However, it seems that it would be difficult for him to return to the front lines for the time being.

The wounds he bore are that bad.

Still, he had already regained consciousness and was able to talk with us.

When I found out that Banewolf survived, I immediately rushed over to him.

My bad I have to withdraw this early.

He apologized to me, as tears fell from my eyes.

However, at that moment, it was enough for me that hes alive.

Even if he couldnt return to the battlefield, even just being able to talk to each other again like this.

After the Human-Faced brought him out of his transformation, Banewolf was in no condition to fight.

It was even doubtful if he could even more properly.

Considering the bandages covered around his body, I thought being unable to move in that state should be obvious.

However, he somehow managed to get beneath some monsters corpses.

Fortunately, the nearby monsters didnt manage to find him and he survived.

Just as Banewolf was somewhat surprised that he cant raise his left arm

Well, putting that aside for now I see that you didnt forget your promise, Sogou-chan.

A small smile appearing on his face, he said.

Probably trying to reassure me, he tried to do something with his arm.

However, it was still impossible for him to move at the time.

Thats right I remembered something.

The price he had to pay to use his Dragonification is his memories.

Banewolf smiled.

Thereupon

*crackle*

The scabs on his hardened lips split open.

Its a shame, but I dont think Im going to be able to fight properly for a while.

Squinting his eyes, he said.

As for the rest of the battle Can I leave it to Sogou-chan and the others?

Yes.

I nodded.

The Great Demon Emperor will be defeated by us Heroes. So, please take a good rest, Bane-san. And also-

Arranging my posture, I bowed my head.

For saving us Thank you very much. Because of you, Im standing here now as a Hero.

Banewolf said that he would directly return to Urza by passing through Alion.

So, he was together with us when we returned to Alion.

Now then.

Speaking of the people who we werent sure if theyre alive or dead, theres also Agito Angoon of the Four Revered Saints.

He had saved many on that battlefield.

If it was him who saved us from the Human-Faced with his long-range Offensive Technique-

It would also be him who had pulled away the Human-Faced and saved the Heroes of Kiriharas group.

Agito Angoon was found alive.

Just barely though.

He was more seriously wounded than Banewolf.

Those who had examined Agito

The fact that hes still alive until now with those wounds is considered a miracle.

is what they said.

He hasnt regained consciousness until now.

I have also checked Agitos condition.

He certainly isnt in any condition where he could return to the front line, no matter who looks at him.

However Hes alive.

As I thought, this also made me feel like its filling me with hope.

Though I said that, I still think that it was somewhat selfish of me to one-sidedly feel hope.

And also

The two Heroes who came to the Southern Heroes who we werent sure if theyre alive or dead.

Oyamada Shogou who had turned delirious, disappearing behind the cloud of dust.

Yasu Tomohiro, who had lost some of his fingers, and escaped by himself, even before the pleas of his group.

Both of them are still alive.

Oyamada Shogou was surprisingly found inside the Anti-Demon White Castle.

He was hiding in the underground prison within the innermost part of the castle.

He had apparently found with his back behind them, crouched in a corner and shaking in fear.

When the soldiers who were searching for him called out to him, he let out a violent scream.

After his screams subsided, his shoulders quivered as he crouched down again.

But fortunately, there were no noticeable injuries in his body.

However

(Oyamada-kun)

When I saw Oyamada Shogou again, he completely changed.

It was like he was a different person.

Even I wasnt able to talk to him because of this change.

Oyamada was also with us when we came back to Alion.

However, as soon as we returned, he separated from the rest, so he isnt here right now.

As for Yasu Tomohiro

He was found on the plains, a few distance away from the Anti-Demon White Castle.

Compared to Oyamada, he was discovered later.

Therefore, he wasnt with us when we returned to Alion.

I mean, Ive only obtained this information just a few moments ago.

I heard that a soldier is accompanying him to Alion.

This information was only in the form of a letter carried by a war pigeon that was sent to us first.

It seems that Yasu had been roasted and ate the horse hes riding on when he was found.

He probably couldnt bear the hunger.

When the soldier who found him called out to him, he said

Its too late Its already too late! I am the last surviving high-ranking warrior of the Southern Army The A-Rank that can be called as the Final Hope! Stop dawdling around and get the word out! To the Goddess! That this Yasu Tomohiro requires his fingers to be healed as soon as possible! Send out a war pigeon and send each of my every word.

(T/N: This guy seriously used waga to call himself. The same waga used by kings(lol).)

Other than his severed finger, it doesnt seem like he had any injuries.

(Yasu-kun)

From what I heard, it seems that Yasu thought I was dead when I was found.

(Still, the two of them are alive Yes, it wouldnt have been strange if one dies in that situation. Even just being able to live through that situation could be considered as being fortunate. Other than them, theres Kashima-san and the others)

The Asagi Group was sent to the Western Army.

Kashima Kobato, who Im particularly concerned about, is also in that group.

No information on whether theyre alive or dead arrived yet.

I know that the royal capital of Jonato, the Western Armys main battlefield, had been devastated but

(Kashima-san, Asagi-san, everyone Please be safe.)

And

[Ara ara, well well, looky looky here, all of you look great.]

She showed up

[I heard youve done a remarkable job, exceeding my expectations! Terrific! Just hearing your feats made me thrilled! Yes, very much thrilled!]

The Goddess, Vysis.

Me and the others are currently in the castles square.

This was a square that they had visited many times before leaving.

Feeling nostalgic, I look at the area where the Goddess stands.

There used to be a lot more people standing over there with her.

The Four Revered Saints.

The Dragonslayer.

Even the Drunken Sword Party isnt here. (They were incorporated in the Western Army, I wonder what happened to them?)

(Nyantan-san also isnt here.)

Come to think of it, I havent seen her even once since we returned.

And

[Especially Sogou-san!]

The Goddess had a big smile on her face, while she clapped her hands.

Approaching me, she took both of my hands.

[As I thought, your title as an S-Rank Hero wasnt just an ornament, wasnt it!? Not only did you stop a Human-Faced, I never thought you would also slash the Second Oath of the Confidants in half! Im going to be honest with you, okay? I actually believed in you right from the start. The reason I was so strict was that I actually wanted Sogou-san to quickly awaken your abilities. For awakening your inherent skill worthy of the S-Rank, congratulations!]

The Goddess approaches, one step at a time.

And, thereupon

The Goddess stopped.

Yes.

Its as if a playing video was paused.

With the wide smile still on her face

[ ? ]

[I bet youre wondering What the heck is she talking about now?, huh?]

In an emotionless tone, the Goddess said.

The Goddess begins to flap her hand up and down alternatively.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Halt

Her movement stops.

[Fufufu, no matter how you look at it, a turnabout at this moment is too much. Even though I have been behaving in such a horrible manner to Sogou-san, not reflecting on my past attitude in the slightest, and once Sogou-san awakened, suddenly changing my attitude towards you That would certainly be unbecoming of a Goddess.]

Putting her hands behind her waist, the Goddess smiled as she leaned forward towards me.

[Its alright though. Im sincerely sorry for what I did.]

The Goddess raised her upper body and adjusted her posture, and then, deeply bowed her head.

[Please accept my apologies. The reason I couldnt see your hidden qualities was probably because my eyes were cloudy Well, if you traced back the past, it was because of what you did right after you were summoned, injuring my fragile heart, which is why I had held such a harsh manner towards you, so it was all Sogou-sans fault in the first place but still, I am a Goddess. Even if its not my fault, I need to have the generosity to personally acknowledge my mistakes and apologize. So, Im really sorry, Sogou-san.]

Raising her face from her bow, the small smile on the Goddesss lips deepened.

[From now on, lets let bygones be bygones, hold each others hands in harmony, and defeat the Great Demon Emperor together, shall we? Im sorry There was some sharpness with the way I spoke earlier, but you will forgive me, wouldnt you? Lets see, after an apology, people would usually just sweep the matter under the rug, right Thats only if they held some decentness in them, that is. Hahhh]

Exhaling a sigh of relief, the Goddess places her hand on her left chest.

[Im very glad that Sogou-san was such a person, holding great decentness in her heart. I see, this so-called Class President was such a person. At any rate, your reason for defeating the Great Demon Emperor is for the sake of your comrades, isnt it Truly, how honorable. Doing it not for my sake, but for the sake of all of your classmates and thats why I really, really respect you.]

This was the first time I had ever been so mildly respected.

However, this isnt the first time that I knew that the Goddess had such a difficult personality.

[Goddess-sama, if thats the case]

[Yes, yes, lets join forces from now on.]

[In exchange for sweeping the matter under the rug, would you do me one favor?]

[Eh, were heading directly to that huh? How greedy.]

Not minding her words, I continued.

[Id like to request for your treatment.]

Both of the Goddesss eyes that dont have any hint of warmth in them, drew an arch.

[Eh? For who?]

[For Banewolf-san, Agito-san and also, Oyamada-kun and Yasu-kun When Sakura-sans wrist was severed in the Magic Bones Ruins, Goddess-sama healed her wrist back to her arm. Just like that, could you please heal them?]

[Ah- I see I see. Sogou-san really is always thinking about your comrades! You really dont change. I thought you were drowning in your power and became more arrogant Ah, no, depending on how you look at it, that could also be considered as an arrogant wish but]

Letting out a chuckle, the Goddess brought her hand on her mouth.

[Ara ara, it was a slip of the tongue. I unintentionally worsened the mood again Fufufu, please dont mind me. Is that alright?]

Pushing away her instigations

[Can you do it?]

The Goddess stiffened for a moment before replying

[Its not like I couldnt do it. Its just that, in regards to Oyamada-sans treatment, its a matter of the mind, so it wont be easy to cure him. Also, my <Heal> have side effects, you know?]

(T/N: Heal / Goddesss Breath)

[Side effects?]

[With my ability, I can heal most things, even the most serious injuries. However there are times when I finished healing them, they would need to get a long sleep, not knowing when they would wake up.]

Kuuuaaahhhh

Putting her hand over her mouth, the Goddess continues speaking after a yawn.

[That isnt always the case, but even I myself still dont know the difference between those who were sleeping because of my ability or those who were just normally sleeping and getting some rest, nor do I know the difference between those who can get away with just a short sleep and those who cant. Well, from what I understood when I used my ability to heal before, it seems to me that the more seriously injured ones have a higher rate of requiring long sleep.]

So the abilities of one that is named God isnt all-powerful huh.

It seems like there are those who continue to sleep for decades even after their wounds have healed.

There are even those who live out their lifespan while asleep.

Whether or not they wake up is a matter of luck.

In a sense, its a gamble.

If thats the case

(Theres a high chance that Bane-san and Agito-san would be put into a long sleep huh?)

Then, would it be better for Banewolf and the others to not rely on the Goddesss healing?

[To tell you the truth without shying away from your ideals, its a waste of manpower and resources to continue to take care of someone who may wake up without knowing when That is why I dont want to use my <Heal> too much. And as Ive told you before, most of all, using it would wear myself out and thats why I think using it is a waste.]

As if to shirk away from troublesome things, the Goddess said with a sigh.

[Especially when it comes to the Heroes, even if they were put to a long sleep while Root of All Evil is still alive and well Is a Hero who was seriously injured at a time when he was needed the most really worth saving? Its very, very troubling. How really troubling.]

Even though I dont feel any signs like shes troubled at all, the Goddesss brows drooped down.

[But well, its still fine if it was just a lower-ranked Hero. But if it was an S-Rank Hero who is put into a long sleep, summoning them isnt really worth anymore is what I mean. Therefore, even if the S-Rank Sogou-san is seriously injured, do you understand that just healing you would be troublesome? Errr, and so Does that answer satisfy you, Sogou-san?]

I heard that its a miracle that Agito-san is still alive.

In other words, hes still in a state where his survival is unpredictable.

Then

[I would like to ask for a cure for Agito-san.]

[I understand. You owe me one.]

[As for the others Please ask Banewolf-san and Yasu-kun if they wished for healing. So, after telling them about the side effects, if they still wish for healing, please heal them]

The Goddesss eyes narrowed.

In her golden eyes reflects myself, propped up in crutches.

[I understand, Ill do that. Ah, Sogou-san.]

[Yes?]

[Im sure you understand from what I just said, but please do your best and get well soon, okay? Im sincerely pleased that youve gotten stronger, but I dont think youll be able to fight properly yet with your body like that.]

Receiving the Goddesss gaze, staring right at me

[Yes.]

I resolutely answered right back at her.

[I see, is that so. Well then, Sogou-san-]

Straightening her posture, the Goddess smiled.

[We may not be able to do anything about our difference in personality, but lets do our best. And, its time we both grew more mature.]

The Goddess turns around.

[I still have business to attend to, so Ill be excusing myself. I will be giving my instructions through my subordinates later, so please wait here for a moment.]

Just as she was leaving, she looked back once and bows, and then, the Goddess departed.

As soon as the Goddess disappears into the castle, a man enters the square.

[Ah]

[Sogou huh.]

[Kirihara-kun.]