Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 820: In Conclusion

"In conclusion." Taking Justice Host’s chair, Eren sat at the head of the council chamber with everyone–including the hero and his party present. Looking around, he took a deep breath to try and hold the memories of the past few days. Heaving a sigh right after he lifted his head, and offered a solution to their current predicament. "With everyone who’s dead, we’re left with two devotees of goddess Mesmerazia and two of goddess Fortuna."

Leaning forward in their chairs, everyone drew themselves closer to what he had to say. After all, since everyone else who was capable of diplomacy was dead, only he could help guide the elects–at least until Disty had recovered and took her position in the dead Justice Dealer’s chair.

"Now, since theirs is an equilibrium, I would like to hold off making any decisions until Ditsy has recovered and can effectively make any decisions." Steering his attention to the vampiress who’d been sitting in a wheelchair, Eren offered her a chance to speak. "Go ahead, we all know now that you were possessed just like the rest of us. But unless you want to protest my idea and take the seat now, make your case."

Glancing across the many faces in the room, Ditsy remained quiet for quite a bit. She didn’t wanna speak, not after what she’d done, but as a gentle squeeze came to her shoulder, her eyes lifted, and the reassuring smile on Garcia’s face helped her overcome her fear.

"I...I should be okay in a month or so," with a smile, she looked at Eren again. "I’m still blessed by Fortuna, the last thing I would want to do is disappoint her."

"Alright." Leaning back in his chair, the temporary head of the elects turned his attention to the heroes. Each and every one of them seemed tense, and why wouldn’t they be? From what he’d heard, their leader had suddenly turned on them during the fight against the alpha horror. "I assume you guys are still going to leave today. You have what you need, our permission to pass through the gate."

"Yes, we plan on doing just that," taking a step forward, Raven felt a strange weight weighing down his tongue. Even so, powering through it, he added. "But we’re going to be visiting this place often to check on how well the deal between us and your goddesses is being held. Apart from that, we could use some information on what lies ahead. That will be all."

"Hmm, that can prove difficult..." Entwining his fingers, Eren leaned forward. "As you already know, most of us have been living here since we were kids. We have no idea what goes outside these gates–for the most part, that is, some rumors like yours do fly in, but they’re rare."

Titling his head sideways, Eren met Ironheart’s gaze.

"Well, we can certainly help with some scouting, but for that," taking a brief pause, he drummed his fingers on the desk and nodded at Ironheart. "You will have to give us some time, as we can’t offer any help from our cavalry. Since the moment the news of the deaths gets to the public, we would need our forces to soften the riots."

"I’ll leave that to you then. We’ll hold off on departing too far until you’ve gathered enough intel," not wanting to take any unnecessary risk after what had happened, Raven left the matter in Eren’s hands and instead shifted his attention to Ditsy. "In the meantime, I would like to borrow her. We have some people who can help her, and I’m sure while she’s stuck in that wheelchair, she wouldn’t mind getting a tour of new cities."

"W-wait, you wanna take Ditsy with you?!" Garcia exclaimed with a gasp.

"I don’t want to take her, I want to help her." Reaching under his shirt, Raven took out the teleportation necklace and flashed it to the elects. "This here helps us teleport to any place that we’ve visited. Certain requirements are needed, but it’s not that difficult to activate."

Putting it back inside while the elects were still staring at the apparatus with great interest, Raven further explained.

"I saw your lab downstairs, and I think you and a few people who can also help you get better can make something good in the time that it takes for you to heal. That is all." Clinging onto that gesture of hospitality, as it was the only thing he could do to test that he was still human from within, Raven awaited a response from the vampiress.

Thankfully for him, she nodded enthusiastically. However, she too had one condition.

"I want to bring Garcia with me, if that’s okay." Squeezing the elf’s hand, the vampire held onto the only person who made her feel okay at the moment.

"Can’t do, we’re going to need her during the riots. She’s the constable after all." Eren tried to shut it all down, but to his surprise, it was Ironheart who came to the girl’s defence.

"I can handle it," looking past the head, Ironheart huffed through his nose and spoke in an almost apologetic tone. "I suppose it’s time I carried the appropriate weight. Or you can consider this my way of reflecting on trying to kill you without any real evidence."

"You..." Shocked that the big brute could be reasonable, Garcia’s eye began to twitch. "Are you sure that you’re not possessed anymore? Because you sure don’t sound like the Ironheart I know."

"Just..." Slamming his hand on the table, albeit much more quietly than usual, the brute complained. "Just accept the apology..."

"F-fine..."

"And with that, it seems that this meeting is adjourned." With the strike of the gavel, the meeting was over.

However, now that all distractions had been washed away, it was time for Raven to confront his part after what he’d done during the fight against the horror. Everything else would have to wait, the venture beyond the invisible wall, the checkups on everyone back home, and those scattered around many cities, as well as his visit to Athenia’s chamber.

’I guess it is time to find out who I am...’ And so as his body turned to his party, Raven was ready to apologize and move forward. But what he received without saying a word was no scorn, no dialogue, but a warm, big hug. First from Mel, and then everyone else.

"I...I’m sorry for what happened," he said.

"Ughh, shut up before someone cries," Aria shot back, holding back tears.

"Yeah, Arche already told us everything, so..." placing a hand on his shoulder, Erika leaned in and planted a kiss on his forehead. "We know that it wasn’t your fault, and I’m sure once we ask Athenia, she will tell us exactly what that was."

"Let’s hope so." Amedith asserted further.

"Yeah, let’s do just that." Even though the situation looked grim not a few seconds ago, somehow the gloom had been lifted, and all it took was a big and warm hug.