[BL]The Hero and his Party Won't Let Me Go

Everyone gave Shuu doubtful looks when he told them that he would bring Caelis out himself. He knew that these looks of doubt meant well, but he could not help but pout as he looked around.

Secretary Ann was a realist, so he quickly decided to address the looks that Shuu was getting.

"Shuu, no one here is doubting your sincerity, but even you have to admit that you are not the best person for this job. We need to get out of here quickly, and carrying Caelis would only hinder your speed. Maybe you should let someone else carry him-"

"Well, if you can take him away from me without causing a disaster, then you can try."

Shuu offered as Secretary Ann moved toward Caelis. He tried to keep the esper calm by using his guiding, but that had the opposite effect of what he wanted.

Instead of calming down, Caelis looked even more distressed, and he tightened his grip on Shuu’s body.

"See, he doesn’t want to let go. So, for the sake of all our futures, I think it would be best for me to carry him forward."

Everyone agreed with that, and they started to move. Kris took the front, and despite carrying a kid, he was effective in clearing a way out of the dungeon.

They reached the gate in no time and started to get out. Shuu remained at the end, and he was also the last one to walk toward the door. But just as he tried to get past the opening, he felt something grab his leg and pull him back.

He looked down, only to see a shadowed hand trying to grab him.

"Shuu, what’s happening-! The gate is-"

The dungeon gate had started to close. It was not supposed to happen since the dungeon had not been cleared.

’Oh no-! At this rate, neither I nor Caelis will be able to make it-’

That left Shuu with only one option-to get Caelis out somehow. His own safety did not matter when he had a kid to protect.

"Shuu, give me your hand. I will pull you out-"

Kris extended his hand inside, and Shuu decided to hand him Caelis’s instead of his own. Luckily, the thing Caelis had a grip on was Shuu’s jacket, so he allowed the young esper to pull it off his body.

"What are you doing-! Shuu, come back-!"

Kris realized what Shuu was doing a little too late. He tried to grab Shuu as well, but Shuu shook his head.

"Take Caelis back to safety. I will be fine. If I am lucky, I will get another chance to get out of here."

Shuu likely would not get another chance. Opening and closing a dungeon was not in human hands, and he did not have the survival skills needed to stay alive in such an absurd place.

But Shuu did not mind. In fact, he was content that he was risking his life to save someone who was important to him.

The last thing he saw in the darkness was Kris’s hand as he reached out to him, along with his worried face as he tried to pull him back.

And then, the darkness closed around him, leaving him at its complete mercy.

__________

The atmosphere in Goddess Astoria’s palace was horrible. No one even lifted their head to look toward her or made unnecessary sounds. They knew that if they did, they would all die.

That was how angry the goddess was at the moment.

And yet, despite all her anger and frustration, there was one person who dared to come here and cause her even more distress.

Everyone looked at Loki, the god of mischief, sitting in front of her and sipping the tea he had been offered.

"This is a refreshing beverage, although not one I particularly like. Is this what your servant brought back from the human realm? He seemed capable enough. Mind if I take him from you for a bit?"

A deafening silence followed Loki’s declaration, and everyone looked at Goddess Astoria, waiting to see what she would do next. Her eyes were thunderous, her breath labored, and her face... it looked darker than any other time the servants had seen her.

’Please don’t agitate her even more. We are the ones who have to suffer the consequences.’

The servants wanted to warn Loki, but they were too terrified to even speak.

Goddess Astoria could not hold back her anger in such a situation either. She ended up slamming her fist against the side of her chair, and her eyes blazed.

"How dare you insult me like that? Do you think this situation is funny? You know what that kid means to me and my mission. So why would you interfere-"

"And why should I not interfere? As you said, I know what that kid means to your mission. So I also know that another war will break out as soon as he is in your hands. So why should I risk it, my dear sister? I would rather have the kid back in the demon king’s arms than yours."

Loki confessed, remaining seated as a bolt of lightning barely missed him.

Calm eyes looked at Goddess Astoria’s red face. She was having a hard time controlling her expression.

Sigh

"It seems like this has gone on long enough. Let’s stop here for now. And don’t take your anger and disappointment out on these kids. They have not done anything wrong, right?"

Loki asked as he stood up and left Goddess Astoria’s space. He was no longer worried about her influence.

After all, he could feel her growing weaker and weaker by the day.

Soon, a day would come when she would not even be able to stand up properly anymore, and she would return to her status-as a powerless goddess at the mercy of those who deserved to stand above her.

And all Loki had to do was keep Shuu hidden. But honestly, he was getting curious about the kid as well. So maybe he would go and pay him a visit soon...