After snapping out of it, the three resumed walking.

But as they moved forward, memories of those who had died at the hands of demons in their world began to surface.

Megumin's words made them realize something. Not all demons are like that. Not in every world.

In some places, humans and demons really can live in harmony.

That's amazing…

They didn't feel envy.

Just… lucky.

Lucky that not every world had to go through the tragedies they'd seen.

Still, all three looked a bit weighed down by thought.

Megumin clapped her hands to change the mood.

"Okay, okay! No more gloomy stuff!"

"Let's talk about your journey instead!"

"What made you all set out in the first place?"

"I like Explosion Magic, and I want to become the strongest Explosion Arch Wizard so that the big sister who taught me can see how far I've come!"

Megumin raised her staff high toward the sky, eyes sparkling.

Stark looked up too.

"I wanted to repay my master's kindness… and bring him some cool stories from my travels."

Fern followed his gaze skyward.

"I want to tell Heiter-sama that I've become a competent mage. That he doesn't need to worry about me anymore."

"What about you, Frieren?"

Megumin turned to the elf.

"Me…"

Frieren blinked. Just then, a butterfly landed on her hand.

She gently lifted it up, letting it flutter into the air.

Her eyes followed its path upward.

"I had a chance once… and it made me want to understand humans better."

The small smile on Frieren's lips caught Megumin off guard. It wasn't just an answer. It was a memory.

"Good!"

Megumin came to a stop and held out her hand.

"Then here's to us all reaching our goals!"

"Let's do our best!"

Maybe it was her boundless optimism, or the way she said it like it was already true.

The other three smiled and placed their hands on hers.

"Yeah. Let's do this!"

---

"Achoo…"

Chishiya rubbed his nose.

Something felt off.

Was someone bad-mouthing him behind his back?

"Chishiya! Come to Euranazia sometime! I'll give you the royal treatment!"

Over in the city square…

Carrion waved enthusiastically, laughing his lungs out.

On the opposite side, the Dwarf King gave Chishiya a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Chishiya, you're welcome in Dwargo anytime."

After saying his piece, he mounted his Pegasus, side-eyed Carrion, and muttered…

"How dull."

Carrion ignored him completely.

Instead, he threw an arm around Chishiya's shoulders like a drinking buddy.

"Don't listen to him. Our country's way more fun than Dwargo."

"You come over, I'll roll out the carpet. Guaranteed good time."

Please just leave already… I'm so tired… Chishiya smiled. "Sure."

Satisfied, Carrion turned to leave.

But just as he was about to board his carriage, something hit him.

"Wait a sec… you and Milim haven't formalized diplomatic relations yet, have you?"

"Huh?"

Chishiya paused.

…Now that he mentioned it… he hadn't.

"Yeah, that's true." Chishiya nodded.

"Hahaha! So I beat her to it!"

"Awesome! See you next time, Chishiya!"

Carrion waved one last time and climbed aboard his carriage.

But Chishiya's eyes twitched.

Wait. Crap. I forgot to remind him.

Just as the carriage started moving, Chishiya jolted into action.

He sprinted up, stopped the carriage, and jumped in.

"Carrion, there's something I need to tell you!"

Chishiya looked deadly serious.

"What is it?" Carrion tilted his head, confused.

"If, one day, Milim suddenly shows up acting like she's being controlled, just say this line to her: 'Chishiya knows you're faking. If you keep messing around, there'll be no snacks next time.'

Got that?"

Chishiya repeated the line for emphasis.

"…What are you even talking about?"

Carrion blinked, totally lost.

"Just tell me whether you remember it or not."

"Yeah, yeah, fine. If that ever happens, I'll say it."

He waved it off, thinking Chishiya was just rambling after a few too many drinks.

Milim, being controlled? Not a chance.

He waved goodbye, kicked Chishiya out of the carriage, and left with his delegation.

Whether he actually listened or not…

Hard to say.

But if the story played out like it did in the original timeline…

Milim would pretend to be brainwashed by Clayman, for fun.

And her first target would be none other than Demon Lord Carrion.

The result? The entire Beast Kingdom wiped out in one shot.

Fortunately, thanks to an early civilian evacuation, there were no casualties.

But if that country collapsed, Chishiya's entire plan to import food and build free trade routes would go up in smoke.

I really hope he remembers what I said…

—

Back at the central administrative office—

Chishiya pushed the door open and walked in.

Now that diplomatic relations had been established, the shopping carts had officially been delivered to both Dwargo and the Beast Kingdom.

Once staff training was done, the new branches could go operational.

As for Blumund, Fuze said he'd return and personally push the negotiations forward.

It would take some time before those were finalized.

Meanwhile, Youm was still in the Labyrinth.

This whole event had made him realize how powerless he really was.

So he chose to stay and train under Hakurou to improve.

In response, Chishiya said, "You've got guts. Hope you don't end up regretting it."

With all those things wrapped up…

Chishiya finally had a full week of downtime.

He leaned back in his chair and stretched.

Tired.

At long last, he could take a proper break.

A hot bath and full-body massage sounded like heaven.

Without hesitation, he stood up.

Time to enjoy life.

But of course, life had other plans.

Just as he was about to leave—

Knock knock.

"Chishiya-san, I need to talk to you."

Rimuru walked in, for once in human form.

"Go ahead."

Chishiya took a sip of water, already sensing the headache.

"I need to be away for a while."

Chishiya: "…"

Why do I even try? I knew peace wouldn't last…

"What happened?"

Rimuru shook his head.

"Not an emergency. I'm fulfilling a friend's last wish."

"Before she passed, she entrusted some kids to me. I want to go see them."

"I'd meant to go sooner, but I've been swamped."

"Now that things are settling down, I think it's time."

It had to be Shizu's last request.

Rimuru's current form came from devouring Shizu.

The kids she left behind had been summoned from another world, just like her.

But the country considered them "failures" and dumped them in a school to die off quietly.

If nothing was done, they wouldn't survive another five years.

In the original story, Rimuru fused them with high-level spirits to stabilize their conditions.

Chishiya nodded. "Go."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Chishiya-san. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

"At the school…"

Rimuru hesitated.

"I'll figure it out. You just go relax."

"Here. Ten gold coins. Just in case."

Chishiya handed him a pouch.

"Ten?!"

Before he could protest, Chishiya cut him off.

"No need for speeches. Just take it. Let me know if anything goes wrong. Go. And don't die."

"…"

Chishiya's words hit Rimuru square in the gut.

Even though he hadn't been here long, he could feel it.

This place… it felt like home.

It felt warm.

Safe.

Comforting.

He was really starting to love it.

Rimuru clenched the pouch tightly, bowed deeply, and left.

Once the door shut behind him, Chishiya sighed.

Man…

I really am too good of a boss.

(To be continued.)

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves

(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)