"You guys really are something."

  In Vandril Estate. Grand Ecstasy and Gilmore are having a talk inside his office.

  It's been a week since the meeting in Bolaire court. And the involved kingdoms finally agreed on punishment terms which they debate for a very long time.

  Bolaire is required to pay the damages Dereia caused in Zelestre's fields in order to stabalized the country's food supply.

  As the Bolaire Royal Academy is not really connected to the Academia. The Academia don't have any jurasdiction to implement any punishments and their pressence are only required for record keeping and outsider opinion.

  Church of Vivvily are not so kind. After the knowledge of Dereia's devotion to become a hero, and her talent to recreate the Arcane Sword of Wistoria that she admired. Bolaire lose huge favor to the church.

  As for them. Boilare insults the legacy of the heroes from the past.

  Nattunia meanwhile decides to make the small town of Sesil to be included to Nattunia's territory which Bolaire obliged as they see no value on the far away poor village near the borders.

  As for Nattunia's reason why they decides to make the acquisation the only punishment?

  "Not to be a jerk but... But why take Dereia's hometown when there's no value to it?" Beltrand asked.

  "It's the King's decision itself. In his words, he wants to protect the village for potential revenge massacre from the nobles affected by the incident."

  Or Massacre perpetuated by Vielarates as what uncovered by combined forces of Academia and Church of Vivvily. As what they think as only Grand Ecstasy knows the truth.

  Gilmore didn't tell the reason that Dereia's discovery and mastery of Arcane Sword is also a contributor on why Sesil is now under Nattunia's wing. Perhaps it's Nattunia's way of showing of respect for both Dereia and Swordlady of Bolaire itself.

  "What happened to the... Morningdews?" Mateo's cold question. Gilmore smiles with pain.

  "They given a small funeral and their remains are now buried on their land. Dereia is also properly vindicated."

  "I see... Thanks." Mateo's soft spoken words.

  "As for you Mateo. I also have a news about you and everyone in Grand Ecstasy."

  Grand Ecstasy is surprised but just a while as they already guessed what it might be.

  "Is it related to what Mateo did in the court?" Claustrine asked.

  "Yes..."

  Gilmore gently pinch the bridge of her nose.

  "Grand Ecstasy is now officially banned on entering the city of Bolaire."

  Everyone except Mateo is shocked.

  "Just because Mateo punched that pathetic excuse of a duke?" Beltrand complains.

  "The Duke is still a powerful position in the Kingdom it represents. Mateo punching the dukes puts the kingdom's reputation down, thus making them mad and wants retribution." Gilmore explains

  "So unfair." Sophia is feeling annoyed.

  "Just be glad that that's the only punishment you got. It almost turn into death penalty you know."

  "D-d-death penalty?!" Beltrand and Sophia is shocked. Sophia's hands in front of her lips.

  "Yes. But we manage to lower it by protesting so just be grateful that you guys are not hanging on gallows now."

  "Y-y-yes of course! Thank you! S-Sir Gilmore!" Shirna's gratitude.

  "But still be careful. The Duke might still holding grudge against all of you and send assassins as revenge." Gilmore added.

  Grand Ecstasy contemplates what Gilmore said as there's truth into it. If the Duke sent murderers to an innocent family, what makes him stop on doing what Gilmore says to them?

  "Also. Here's the reward for the Derei- no... Just a reward for stopping the threat of Vielaratas."

  Gilmore gives a bag of Elz to Grand Ecstasy who conflictedly accepts the rewards. Unsure if they really deserve it.

  "I just want to ask one more thing Sir Gilmore."

  "What is it Mateo?"

  "Is the Duke... Punished?"

  Mateo recieves his answer by Gilmore slowly shaking his head.

  "Heh... Justice is really just for the elites huh?" Mateo's words tainted with dissapoinment.

  .

  .

  .

  After the meeting in Vandril Estate. Grand Ecstasy is just wondering in Nattunia, unsure on what to do next.

  "This mission really takes a toll to my body. Even though it ends in a bitter note, I'm glad there's still good that come in it." Beltrand commented while swinging his arm in a circular motion.

  "What we should do next? Not gonna lie. I also feel bitter on the outcome and I just want to cool off a little bit." Sophia answers.

  Mateo suddenly stops.

  "Let's go to my home." Mateo proposed.

  "In Nattunia?" Claustrine asked.

  "No. In Earth." Mateo's cold answer. His expression is void which make his friends worried.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  It's night time when they finally reach Mateo's home. And also the same on Earth as they leave Mateo's room after transfering between worlds.

  "Oh it's been a while. Welcome... Back?"

  Ligaya watch in confusion as the slumped feeling of his son and his friends reeks as they walk down the stairs. Mateo looked at his mom and give a small smile.

  "Ma. Is everyone here."

  "Ahh... Yeah. Beatrice is in her room, Jade and Shiva is in the living room. As for your dad. He's cooking food."

  "I see... Let's have a talk."

  Then Mateo walks and bypass his mom. Ligaya just look at Mateo and change her gaze on Mateo's friends.

  "What happened?" Ligaya's concerened question.

  "Mrs. Ligaya. I think it's better if we just see it later. It seems that Mateo wants to say something." Claustrine's answer.

  But she already knows where the talk is going to be. Shirna also feel the same as anxiety slowly rise in him.

  After some time. Reymundo just watch as everyone gathers on the living room. Beatrice called by her mom walks down and both Jade and Shiva focused their attention to Mateo who still look cold.

  Grand Ecstasy meanwhile are unsure as they can feel the freezing vibe of the entire set up.

  Which officially started when Mateo finally speak.

  "Shirna."

  "Y-yes?"

  "Show it to me."

  Shirna gulped as he already knows what Mateo is implying. He opened his Bag of Storage and pull the make-shift revolver he used against Dereia. He put it on the glass table.

  "Is that a gun?" Ligaya's surprise. She thought that she finally understands why her son is upset.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  "Where did you get this?" Mateo's cold question.

  Despite that. His words have lingering heat in it. That any wrong words Shirna say might trigger something he doesn't want to see.

  But Shirna stay firm. Yet he avoids eye contact.

  "I didn't pick it. That was created."

  "And how can you possibly create something like this?" Mateo clenches his fist.

  Instead of answering. Shirna picks his bag of storage and pulls a bundle of papers. He spreads it on the table and everyone sees a very detailed sketch of a revolver with descriptions written in Nattunian.

  "I have a friend in Frilhem that created that gun for me. What I only did is just provide her with these sketches." Shirna's timid answer.

  Claustrine caustiously walks closer to the glass table and picks the gun. She inspects it and compared it to the sketches made by Shirna. Not only that the gun looks different.

  The entirety of the revolver is made of wood. Elven Ironwood to be exact.

  "He's right Mateo. The gun is made of Elven Ironwood." Claustrine says. Hoping that it might reduce the anger of her friend.

  "Who teached you abou-"

  Mateo didn't finished his question as he connected the dots. He looks at Shiva.

  "You bring him to the shooting range... Aren't you?"

  "Yeah. But I didn't expected that he would do something like this."

  Shiva is like didn't intimidated by the rising tension and walks towards Claustrine and picks the gun to her.

  "Quiet impressive really. To think that he and his friend can replicate a revolver by just seeing some sketches. Your friend is talented."

  Mateo's expression turned into wrath then replaced by intense solemn dissapointment as he looks at Shirna.

  "Why Shirna? Why you do this?"

  "Oy calm down Mateo. We know Shirna break his promise but there must be other way to deal with this issue." Beltrand intervene as he walk closer to Mateo and place his hand on his shoulder.

  "Calm down? I'm calm."

  "How can you say that you're calm?! You look like you're prepared to make your worst mistake of your life!" Beltrand snaps at Mateo as points on Mateo's hands.

  Mateo looks both of her fist and see that small amount of blood are dripping on it. Mateo clenched his fist so hard that his nails penetrates his palm, causing a deep wound.

  "Mateo!" Ligaya is shocked and angry as she understands that Mateo just holding his emotion all this time.

  Shirna looked at the blood-staind fists of Mateo and watch the blood fall to the carpet. A sudden rush of fear engulfed him.

  Shirna remembers his nightmares and the current state of Mateo makes him scared as there's a posibility of it happening.

  .

  .

  .

  *sniff*

  "Y-you know what. M-maybe we just need to have some rest. L-let's talk about this tommorow when we calmed down ok?!" Sophia's attempt to ease down the tension.

  "I know he breaks one of your rules but violence is not the answer." Reymundo intervenes.

  Ligaya and Beatrice are now tending on Mateo's injured hands.

  "Jade! Get the first aid kit!"

  "Stop it! You hurting yourself!" Claustrine shouts.

  As everyone is calming down the sleeping anger of Mateo...

  .

  .

  .

  "I-I'm s-sorry..."

  Everyone hears a soft weep which slowly turns into pained cry.

  "I'm s-sorry... Sorry.",

  Shirna is crying. His unrational fear finally get on him.

  "Shirna?" Beltrand asked.

  "I-I'm s-sorry M-Mateo... P-please d-don't kill me.",

  Everyone's eyes widen after hearing Shirna's fear.

  "Kill? What are you even thinking Shirna?" Claustrine asked with concern.

  Mateo, watch the broken mess which his friend Shirna. He finally comes back to his senses.

  "Sophia..."

  "Y-yes?!"

  "Heal my hand."

  "O-ok?"

  Sophia heals the wound of Mateo as she still looking at him. Observing if he still have the storm within him.

  Agbayanis meanwhile watch in silence as Sophia heals Mateo's hands. If they don't have any context about another world, they might think they watching a miracle right now.

  After the process... Mateo takes a deep breath few times before asking Shirna more questions.

  "Shirna. Why you do it?" Mateo asked but a little bit calmer. The people around him also calm down as they feel Mateo is a little bit calmer now.

  Yet, Shirna is still crying.

  "B-because I w-want to c-catch up with all of you... I want to stay on your side. But I think I already reached my potential. That's why I see this world's weaponry as a way to become stronger." Shirna's explanation which make everyone dumbfounded.

  Instead, they just let Mateo continue his inquiry.

  "You know what would happen if this technology spreads on your world, right? What you gonna do if this knowledge leaked?"

  Shirna avoids eye contacts as he don't have any answer on Mateo's question. But deep down, he knows he's right.

  Watching the movies and realizing the power of guns. He knows that it would create a huge imbalance of power to his own world if the knowledge on how to make such weapons leaked to any kingdoms.

  "I consider your silence as a yes. Last Question...

  Why you think that I would kill you Shirna?"

  Shirna twitch. He didn't expects the question. He looks down, avoiding facing Mateo completely.

  "B-because, you might need to kill me, now that I'm just a burden to everyone in order to silence me. As I might reveal your secret to our world."

  An eerie silence engulfs everyone after the reveal of Shirna's fear.

  "Shirna..." Sophia looked at Shirna with hurted expression.

  "You thinking like that all this time?" Beltrand also having the same look.

  "You can't blame me. I'm just a mere elf. I'm just an inferi-"

  Shirna halted talking when he suddenly recieves a slap from Sophia.

  "What the are you thinking Shirna?! Are you really think we're the same as the ones that you thinking of?! We're your friends for Vivvily's sake!" Sophia can't stop her emotions to the as she looked at Shirna with dissapointed rage.

  Shirna just looking down and defeated. He already wept all his tears and just feeling empty.

  "It's up for Mateo to decide. Afterall, I already did a very terrible mistake. I'm sorry."

  Suddenly, Mateo slowly walks towards Shirna. But Claustrine blocks him with her body.

  "Mateo. If you going punish Shirna, punish me because technically I also break my promise. Shirna is not alone in this." Claustrine's conviction as she looked at Mateo with bravery.

  "Hey Claustrine is right. If Claustrine can bring knowledge of your world to Yhigressia. Then Shirna is clear here." Beltrand agreed on Claustrine.

  "Besides. Your rules stated that they can't bring physical objects right from both sides? So they didn't break any rules as they only bring concepts and ideas." Shiva's opinion.

  Mateo is just quiet. He looks at Claustrine then gently move her aside.

  "Mateo..." Claustrine's only words as she's unsure on what's on Mateo's mind.

  Shirna's body tensed up after feeling the sudden movement of his leader.

  But he's prepared for whatever the outcome of his foolish act. He's prepared to die as there's nothing he can do on whatever Mateo do to him.

  Mateo raise his hand, slowly reaching Shirna.

  "Mateo don't..." Sophia attempted to hold Mateo as he might do something he would regret later. But Claustrine stops him.

  "Claustrine?" Sophia is confused as he don't understand why his friend just allowing a potential execution to happen.

  But Claustrine is having a calm, unworried expression on her face. Same for Beltrand and Mateo's family.

  Shirna close his eyes, waiting for Mateo to do what he deserves for being a weak liar who abuses his own friends' goodwill. She looked at Mateo and gives a pained smile.

  "I'm sorry Mateo, and thank you for everything." Shirna's defeated words.

  .

  .

  .

  "W-what?"

  Shirna is dumbfounded when Mateo just put his hand on his head, and give him a gentle headpat. After Mateo brush Shirna' hair for a moment, Shirna looked at Mateo and see him having a very faint smile.

  "It must be very rough for you. Sorry Shirna."

  Then Mateo slowly walks away, back to the stairs leading to his room.

  "B-but. I betrayed your trust. Why?" Shirna's unsure question as he look on Mateo's back, Mateo stops on his tracks.

  "I'm still dissapointed that you betrayed my trust Shirna. But I understand you and your frustrations. Besides, I will never kill a friend again." Mateo speaks his thought but his back still facing everyone.

  Mateo stretches his body then continues to walk away.

  "I gonna sleep now. Good night."

  With silence, everyone watches as Mateo walks upstairs until he dissapears on their sight.

  Shirna stays expressionless for seconds and then tears flow on his cheeks again. He buried his face on hands as he sobs. His cry is now full of relief.

  Beltrand, Sophia and Claustrine surrounds Shirna and ensuring that they would never abanddon him.

  "You rascal." Beltrand brushes Shirna's head.

  "You should just opened to us instead holding this thought on your own!" Sophia is annoyed but happy that the confrontation end in a positive note.

  Agbayani watch with relief as Grand Ecstasy have their time. Relieved that their family member choose a better outcome.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Inside his room, Mateo just slumped his body to the bed. His entire core is completely beat for the weeks of battle and accumilated stress.

  And the emotional strain of both the failure of saving Dereia, dissapointing Helyna and Shirna's dillema.

  Mateo is just staring on the ceiling, his head on deep thought. Then he remembers that he's on Earth now so he get his phone, browse the internet by searching about Josh - the one that cause all of recent misery.

  Various results shows in different social medias. The incident caused by Josh in the real world is mostly being talked and treated with reverance.

  Yet he also see that the incident just also becomes a political tool for American politics.

  "With this incident, gun control is a must or else we going to see more incident like this!"

  "Why blame the tool when the one the do the killings is the problem? If the perpetrator uses a kitchen knife, should we also ban all kitchen knives?"

  "Think of the children!"

  "Josh must be radicalized by the internet. He's also came from a overly religious family."

  "Gun control laws is an infringement of our freedom!"

  "This is the reason why we should give more funds to the police to prevent incident like this."

  Mateo quits browsing the internet, seeing that it didn't bring him any peace of mind. Finding out that Josh's impact is just going to be used as a tool for political bickering...

  Until it got buried alongside previous incidents as they wait for another mass murder that going to spark the flame of a never ending debate.

  As Mateo contemplates. He slowly falls asleep.

  Several hours later.

  .

  .

  .

  !!!

  Mateo jolted up on his bed, drenched in sweat. He just wake up from a nightmare which is real for the sense of word.

  The scene inside Morningdew's residence that she vividly remembers.

  He checked the time and it's just 2 AM. After wiping his face with his blanket, Mateo walks down to the kitchen where he drinks a glass of cold water.

  After some time. He goes to the sink and wash his face. After doing the routine, Mateo sits on the chair and stare silently of nothing for seconds.

  "Fuck..." Mateo's stressed words as the lingering effect of the whole incident still lingers on his soul.

  The non-sense violent chain of events just because a single human decides to kill his own humanity.

  Misery created with no semblance of purpose nor reason.

  As Mateo engulfed by his thoughts, Claustrine is just watching from a distance. Observing his friend being conflicted.

  "Mateo... You're not alone on this you know." Claustrine speaks with lingering sadness.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  After 2 days. Mateo gathers his friend on the living room.

  "We should return to Yhigressia now." Mateo's proposal. There's no expression on his face.

  Instead of getting approval from his friends, Mateo instead gets silence.

  "Nu-uh!"

  Ligaya suddenly appears behind Mateo. Alongside his siblings and his dad.

  "Ma?" Mateo is confused.

  "They tell everything that happened Mister. And I would never let you return from that world!"

  "Huh?" What is this all about?"

  Mateo looks at his friends.

  "What's the meaning of this?"

  "You see... We make a decision behind your back. But trust us that this is for our own good." Claustrine's explanation.

  Mateo just make a dumbfounded expression.

  "Huhhhh??"