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I had traced my path to the open, sunlit quarry near the entrance tunnel leading back into Area 81, ready to file my return report. But to my surprise, the quarry was teeming with explorers, miners, or even military personnel from an overview, their chatter audible even from a distance. 

I presume they're the Steinberg subjugation unit dispatched by knight order that the earlier dragoon soldier had informed me of.

I weaved my way across, hoping to find a familiar face, and I did, in a tent erected at the centre of the crowd—Parry-kun and Meria Dragoon, Fey's grandmother, were there. 

I guess they must have been worried about me, perhaps even accepting the idea of my death. It would be a bit awkward in that case...  I contemplated how I should appear as I approached them. Though I was broken out of my thoughts at the next scene, leaving me surprised. 

Had he made some kind of blunder? Parry-kun, his face wearing a scared expression, appeared to be at the receiving end of the sermon from Fey's grandma. She, too, appeared to be enraged, her hands patting his shoulder with strength. Then, Parry-kun seemed to have broken into tears.

Oh, believe me when I say I never expected to view that side of him. I nearly felt all the string that had supported me so far snapping, lowering me to my knees. What? I am not joking. This would do anyone who had gone through a close brush against life and death moments, you know?

"...Don't cry just because someone scolded you, Parry-kun..."

"I know... I know very well. I will become stronger to carry even your part tooo...oo...huh, no, how, eh, eh what?"

At my advice, Parry-kun strangely glanced at the sky, murmuring his reply. Though he realised my presence the next moment, his mouth moved like a flapping fish. Heh, when did he learn such an amusing expression, eh?

Anyway, it seemed it would take Parry more than a moment to comprehend the situation, so I turned my focus to the surroundings. 

They'll wear a listless expression, their body gestures reflecting their melancholy. At any other occasion, I would have thought they'd wanted a moment of respite, only to be forced to work but... it was obvious such wasn't the case.

"You seem to be busy here, eh, Parry-kun. Do you need help?"

Like a good office worker offering his assistance, I somehow whipped my body to move, and tapped on Parry-kun's shoulder, his mouth finally resting.

"Y-you… never mind. I still hate you, Allen Rovenne!"

...What the heck?!

◆◆◆

After that, I had a priest heal me with holy magic to fix my hearing and other injuries. Then, Parry-kun and Dragoon Marquess accompanied me to the entrance of Area 81.

To be precise, I was at the entrance of Area 81, contemplating my life choices. It was the command of Dragoon Marquess, explaining Fey, Dio and everyone else—who had thought of me as deceased—would be more delighted when they saw me in flesh. 

I felt a bit awkward about it, so I tried to brush it off with, "I’m just going to nap. Can you tell them I’m fine?" That earned me a serious scolding. She started lecturing me about how much everyone had worked to save me over the last few days, and before I knew it, I was here, standing by the entrance like an idiot.

So, why was I just dilly-dallying here instead of walking straight in? Because I heard them.

Inside, Fey, Satowa, Dio, Ignis-san, and some knights had gathered at the shore of the subterranean lake, losing in a depressed conversation. 

"...Why did it have to happen, Allen? Yet no tears are coming out. I see with my own eyes... but it's still hard to accept that you've left us so sudden..."

"This... this is the pickaxe he brought with himself from the royal capital. It's made of cheap materials, something a slum blacksmith Bem crafted, but it showed how much he had been looking forward to the exploration. A keepsake of his memories. Bring it with us."

"To think this would become the momento... it's so like him. I... what am I supposed to tell Al. Eh, Allen, how will I break the news to him!?"

—*Sniff* *Everyone sobs*

"I... I don't know if it's something for the better, but at least there were no remains of his inside the stomach of that stone mountain... I fear he may go into eternal slumber at the bedrock of the lake..."

"No, we can't leave him alone on the cold depth of the lake. I have to at least bring him to his p-parents... just wait for me, Allen."

—*Sniff* *Everyone sobs*. Tears streamed down Dio's cheeks. 

......Aaaaah, how do you expect me to enter nooooow?!? WHaT aM I eVen goInG To SaY!? 

And what was that explaining about pickaxe to Al?! No, wait, more like, WHY Al??! I don't get it. What was she going to say? 'Take it, a replacement for your arm. Teehee~'?!? I have no doubt even Al, despite his docile personality, would snap you know!

"......You're not planning to stay there for eternity, or are you? Come out."

"Eh, w-wait, no, seriously, just a minute! Can't you see the situation insi—"

Wait, I could try 'guess who?' game? Never mind, I am sure I would get beaten down if anything. Right, then what about—"APRIL FOOOOL!!"

Yeah, right. Like that’s going to land either…

O' heavens, guide this lost soul! I could only perceive myself getting kicked or punched no matter the option I chose! 

While I was lost in my own thoughts, flustered, even though I was supposed to be the victim here, Meria behind clearly didn't share the same sentiment. Instead, she was irked, and kicked me from her position.

"You buffoon, is that what you need to think about, to make a perfect entrance? When a girl is so heartbroken because of you?! Be a man, and straighten your act. Just hug her if nothing works!"

Behind me, an old lady's hollering crowded the quiet atmosphere of Area 81, though I could barely pay attention as I tumbled inside the mine. 

"Geh!"

The gathered knight and people immediately turned around to check out the situation. Tch, that old hag, she ruined any chance of normal entrance!

An incomprehensible silence dawned upon the mine. 

"H-Hello."

My face was red, perhaps from the awkwardness, or it could be embarrassment. I pushed my facial muscle to draw a smile awkwardly and raised a hand in greeting. 

No one reacted. The air felt more heavy than even the underground tunnel. But one did. When everyone had ceased to move, Fey heaved a short sigh and stepped out. Her lips were drawn in her usual grin, and yet, there was something about her that felt like I was staring at a lioness as she took leisure strides to reach me.

"L-listen to me, Fey. I really did my best!"

She quietly stretched her hand toward my chest. 

I flinched, thinking, She’s really going to beat on my chest like a bongo, isn’t she?! But all my guessed vanished when crack outran that smile—the mask she had been putting on—crumbling away to show her true state. Her body clinged to me as she broke into tears. 

She wept like a child, her body shuddering, and her hands tightly gripping onto my clothes as if I'd vanish the moment she let go of me. Borrowing my chest as the cover from other's eyes, her tears streamed down, and down.

"......I really made you worry huh. Sorry."

I said, gently brushing away a tear from her cheeks. «Tch... that's where you should've been giving her a hug.» Behind me, like a true Hollywood romance movie addict, the old hag clicked her tongue.

◆◆◆

Once Fey had calmed down enough, Ignis-san coiled his arm around my shoulder, cracking a joke as if to sweep away the depressing air.

"Sheesh, you have no idea how much worry you caused, you dumb disciple! Believe me when I say I will kick your ass out of my apprenticeship if you tried to play the role of hero again. ...So, how did you manage through?"

Then he trained his serious gaze on me, asking the question that should've been on everyone's mind. Not that I had mind, though I must say, everything had me tired. 

"I am really sorry, but can we leave this for tomorrow? It's a long story, you see, and I am sure you wouldn't want me to bring out the unexpected discovery here... and honestly, I might really fall asleep on the ground."

My reply was met with an understanding nod from everyone. Then Meria Dragoon suggested I could stay in their estate, but I politely declined, saying I already had lodged an inn and not using it would be a waste of money. Besides, I knew myself well, I wouldn't be able to sleep in someone else's home, much less in a bed with a grand canopy. 

Now that my thoughts had finally the grace to calm down, I realised my worries were unfounded. 

The news of my survival had already spread amidst the crowd helping outside, and they welcomed me, along with the heroes who had brought down monster Steinberg, with a thunderous applause. 

And right there, Fey saw through a chance and announced they will hold an open banquet for the city. 

"Well, it might be a bit out of season, but let's hold a Fire Festival. The Dragoon family will bear all the expenses, so make it a grandeur event to your heart's content!"

Perhaps it was in their nature as the artisan that most of Dragoon's folk fell into, the announcement instantly met with booming cheers. 

I was speechless though. I mean a city-wide banquet was a money guzzler to me, a commoner by mind. Then I noticed Marquess's eyes only drew a smile, giving Fey an approving look. ...You know, call me stupid to ever apply common sense on these grandiose nobles. 

But a banquet... *sigh* and here I was dead tired. I slipped a bitter smile, though so much as I felt resistant, when the moment came, I had no idea I would be so absorbed in the moment like anyone else. 

The nights of the Dragoon had always been enchanting, illuminated by the red-lantern, offering a mystical presence to the goers. And yet, the beauty of the city take it a notch further that night, with open bonfires lined the entire main street, making it feel as if the whole city was ablaze in celebration.

From every corner came the echo of drums—something like djembes back on Earth—beating out hypnotic, primal rhythms.

At the heart of the city, they'd even built a ring arena for bufou—Dragoon's most famous martial art. I had tried myself against Ignis-san, the title holder of Aragon, and obviously, I lost. I didn't even last a few seconds. Though the loss had stoked my spirit, so I kept challenging him again and again. And as fervent my challenges burn, Ignis-san beat me down with the same intensity. 

And every time I lunged at Ignis-san, trying to score just one point off the hero of this town, the crowd cheered me on with a... raucous warmth (?), "Mad Hound! Mad Hound! Mad Hound!" chanting the title I never wanted.

“Mad Dog! Mad Dog! Mad Dog!!”

In the passing of moment, beneath that sun-drenched southern air, I got absolutely drunk on the celebration.

And the next morning—

I made my way to the Dragoon Marquess’ estate to finally give my full report.