"Nostalgic..." Eden slowly repeated, but didn’t continue further. He was very aware of his position here. He didn’t have the history with her that Lumi had. So though he wanted to ask how exactly Lena used to be different, he stayed silent.

"Lena," Lumi grasped her right hand. "You were never pathetic."

"Hah." Lena laughed it off. "Come on, we both know it. I was a mess of nerves that acted out when I was alone with people. In Elenora, I couldn’t even walk confidently or talk to Merath myself. With you, I acted highly inappropriately since I knew the only person who could tell me off was you. And I could handle one person."

Lumi shook his head. "Don’t be so hard on yourself. None of that makes you pathetic." He gripped her hand tighter. "And, inappropriate? Please, you acted normal. Like a close friend. Perhaps jumping a few steps, but who really cares?"

"Most people do." Lena replied. She sighed a bit, and then grinned. "But you aren’t most people."

She shook her head. "Regardless. I feel like I’ve changed. Like I had to change. Embracing the violence, being more serious, actually thinking about survival and tactics and all that stuff. It’s not really who I was."

"Yeah." Lena’s voice was softer than usual. "That was in the past. When I could just be silly and weird without worrying about consequences.."

Lumi took a bit to digest it. He did notice a change, but he didn’t particularly agree with her assessment of it.

"You’re still you." Lumi affirmed, firmly. "I don’t think you’ve changed as much as you say."

"Hm?" She looked directly into his eyes. "How so?"

"Think about it," Lumi began explaining to her. "Remember back when you killed Pocket? That was before you had to get serious. Yet, even back then you were so happy, so gleeful when you killed that man."

"Hehehe~" Lena giggled at those fond memories. "My, those were good times, weren’t they? I sizzled his brains! Did you see the dumb look on his face as he died? Oh my gosh, I freaking adore, gosh, it gets me so excited!~"

"???" The entire time, Eden was still listening. Lena said his name earlier so that he’d be part of the conversation, but now, he couldn’t help but think they had completely forgotten about him. After all... what were they talking about?

He had gone years as normal. Perhaps he had sorrowful days, hard days, but never had he wondered the words ’What are we talking about?’ to himself so many times as these past few days.

He didn’t even know if he should say anything. What was he even supposed to say? Logically, he should reassure someone feeling bad. Yet, what would he reassure her over? She was talking about enjoying killing, and he barely even knew her.

He felt incredibly awkward listening to this.

"That." Lumi emphasized to Lena. "Is exactly what I’m talking about. You always enjoyed that sort of thing. It’s just that now, it’s at the forefront. Is that really so different?"

"I guess not." Lena replied, wistfully. "I’m not even sure I know why I brought this up. I think I just wanted the feeling of being comforted."

"Right." Lumi sped up the airship, gaining some distance on the players.

"Huh? Lumi, why’d w-" Lena’s confusion was halted when the airship stopped, and she found herself in an embrace.

"Sorry." Lumi apologized. "We haven’t been very affectionate recently. Or rather, at all."

"No, no... no need to apologize. It’s like I get it. It’s like I get it, chat." Lena trembled a bit. She pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and threw herself in his embrace. "I LOVE YOU!"

Lumi held her tighter, making sure their bodies were fully pressed up against each other. He nuzzled her cheek, and whispered in her ear. "I love you too, Lena."

"..." Eden officially looked away. All he could do is pretend not to be here. He gently patted Sol’s head, calming himself.

...

After the affectionate moment, they pulled away from each other. Lena smiled, then shifted the conversation. "So! Think we’re actually going to pull this off?"

Lumi confidently nodded. "The raid? Yes."

Lena grinned. "Ooh~ You’re that confident, aren’t you?"

"Of course. Our win is guaranteed." Lumi confirmed. "We have the numbers, the leadership, and the information. Currway is dangerous, but manageable."

Lena tilted her head. "Hey, how come you never told us the specifics on him? What kind of demon is he, anyway?"

Lumi shrugged. "The specifics didn’t really matter. He’s a warrior type. Level 95 to 99, essentially. So that would be Third Rank pushing into Fourth."

"Ooh!" Lena opened her mouth in eye. "Pretty high level! That sounds terrifying."

"It is." Lumi admitted. "He’s going to kill a lot of players. That’s unavoidable."

"But we’ll win?"

"We’ll win." Lumi confirmed. "Because warriors, for all their power, can’t ignore a swarm. He’ll have to fight through everyone. And while he’s doing that, we strike."

Lena turned her head. "And Eden?"

Lumi grinned. "We’ll be fine. We’ll keep him away from the action. If by the off chance anything goes wrong, we’ll keep him safe. And if everything else goes wrong, Tora will keep him safe. That’s his only job."

Lena nodded. "Okay. I trust you."

Eden had his eyes closed, taking a deep breath. She trusts him? She trusts him with his life? That’s two people commenting on his life! Where was his say?

...

The march continued. The players below maintained their formation, following the airship through the winding forest paths.

And finally, they arrived.

A clearing opened up before them. It was a rough circle, maybe fifty meters across. The floor was covered in leaves and woody branches. The sky was visible overhead, unobstructed by the massive canopy that covered most of Elenora.

At the center of the clearing sat a lonely stump. If one didn’t already know, then it would be impossible for the average person to see anything wrong with it.

"Everyone halt!" Lumi’s voice rang out.

The mass of players stopped, crowding at the edge of the clearing. Excited murmurs rippled through them.

"Is this it?"

"Where’s the demon?"

"I don’t see anything!"

"Quiet!" Lumi commanded. "Complete silence. Nobody moves. Nobody speaks. Understood?"

The crowd fell silent.

Lumi turned to his allies. "If anyone messes around at the crucial moment, kill them."

Lumi descended from the airship, landing in the clearing. He walked toward the stump alone. He reached the stump and knelt down, placing both hands on its surface.

Then he closed his eyes.

His consciousness reached downward, through the stump, into the seal beneath. Into the space where Currway had been imprisoned.

The demon’s presence hit him immediately. It was a massive, oppressive weight. Bloodlust hit him immediately.

Lumi kept his mental voice calm. "Currway. I have brought the sacrifices."

The response was instant and eager. "Little disciple of mine. I can sense it. I can sense it! How many are there, I cannot count! Dozens, no, perhaps hundreds?"

"How did you accomplish this?" Currway was curious, then dismissed his thoughts as he surged with excitement. "Good! Good work! Come, come quick! Bring them in, and I shall feast on their essence!"

His excitement could not be contained, as he continuously praised. "Magnificent! Absolutely glorious! You have truly outdone yourself! This shall not just release me, but instantly bring me into the Fourth Rank! Know that you will be my most prized follower, from now until forever! I shall grant you so much power!"

"Now..." Currway continued, and demanded. "Bring out the orb. You have it, yess?."

Lumi reached into his inventory and pulled out the red orb. The artifact that created a temporary combat space, allowing entry only for those below Third Rank.

"I’m holding the key." Lumi replied.

"Good." Currway acknowledged. He had to force himself to stay calm, for he would finally break through both his seal and power at once.

The demon had no idea what was actually about to happen. He sensed thousands of weak life forces and assumed they were helpless sacrifices.

After all, the red orb ensured only those weaker than Third Rank could enter. That translated to Level 60 or below.

And Currway was at the peak of Third Rank, nearly Fourth. Level 95 to 99. From his perspective, how could anything possibly go wrong?

Even IF a squad wanted to forcefully hunt him, there would be no way to do it easily. Hey could bring fifty men at the peak of the Second Rank and all fifty men would die. And it wasn’t as if fifty such men were easy to find.

Even if three hundred would kill him, it was merely theoretical. Where would you find three hundred men of such strength? Where would you find them willing to take a high chance of death just to put him down?

Impossible.

Lumi opened his eyes and stood up. He raised the red orb high and activated it.