The members of the Hero party who had once journeyed together were gathered at King Laguna’s home, a residence situated a short distance from the royal castle in the Hydra Kingdom.
Since recently re-establishing contact with the long-missing Hapty, opportunities for the four of them to gather and reminisce about their past travels had become increasingly frequent.
"This is a bit late to ask, Laguna, but why don't you actually live in the royal castle? I mean, it’s not like there’s a rule that says a King must live there, but it would be the natural choice. After all, the castle is your workplace. From an efficiency standpoint, it only makes sense to live where you work."
"No, you see... I originally intended to step down and live out my days in quiet retirement as soon as the country stabilized. Somehow, I just ended up dragging things out, and now over a thousand years have passed. Truly, when will I ever be allowed to stop being King...?"
As Falce spoke casually, brewing the black tea Kaito had given them on behalf of Laguna—who didn’t usually drink much of the stuff—Laguna replied with a look of profound weariness.
Indeed, the reason her home sat so far from the castle was a remnant of her plan to hand the crown to a successor and take it easy once the world settled. Having fought on the front lines since the start of the Demon King’s invasion, she felt she had earned a peaceful retirement. Of course, that dream had never quite manifested.
"Isn't that just impossible? Look, Laguna, you're just too serious. You always end up doing your job properly, so I don't think the day you can quit will ever come. If you really want to retire, you should follow my lead and just wing it."
"Please don't say such terrifying things. If Laguna started acting like you, the Hydra Kingdom would crumble in a day."
"Eh? Am I really that bad?"
As Hapty spoke, her hands busy fumbling with a small box on the table, Noin shot her a look of utter exasperation.
"Well, it's certainly bad enough that I have no intention of imitating you. Anyway, what have you been doing for the last few minutes? What is that box?"
"Oh, this? It’s a box I found in some Demon Realm ruins. I’m just working on breaking the sealing formula... I wonder if there’s treasure inside?"
As Hapty joyfully unraveled the magic formula on the ancient container, Falce, who had just finished serving the tea, looked at it with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
"Is it my imagination, Hapty? That box seems to be radiating a rather sinister magic power."
"Hmm? Oh, I found it in the ruins of a civilization that practiced occult rituals. They're extinct now, but since the place was designated as an off-limits ruin, they were probably up to some pretty sketchy stuff, don't you think?"
"Wait just a second. There are plenty of things I want to nitpick there, but let’s start with this... how did you get into an off-limits ruin?"
Hearing Hapty speak so nonchalantly, the three who had once shared joys and sorrows with her—or rather, the three who had been perpetually dragged into her various catastrophes—wore identical expressions of dread.
When Laguna voiced the question that immediately sprang to their minds, Hapty’s eyes darted away.
"Well... you know... I just sort of went with the flow? Used a bit of momentum?"
"You broke in, didn't you, you brat!"
"N-No, I didn't! Ah, well, look, I’m sure I got permission from someone, somewhere, right?"
As Laguna shouted with a vein throbbing in her forehead, Hapty feigned ignorance with an awkward, guilty expression. In reality, those off-limits ruins were managed by the Phantasm King's subordinates. Since Hapty was an independent-type split body of Alice, she was constantly sharing information with the main body, meaning she technically had permission—but explaining that was a different story.
"Setting aside your blatant lies for a moment, I have another question... or rather, a terrible premonition. Why are you trying to open that box right here, right now?"
"Ah... well... my analysis suggests that when you open this box, some watchdog-type monsters pop out. And, well, fighting a whole bunch of them alone is such a hassle... you know?"
"Is that so? Grit your teeth."
At Hapty's admission that she had involved the three of them purely to avoid a 'hassle,' a vein popped on Noin’s forehead as well, and she clenched her fist. Seeing this, Hapty turned pale and tried to backpedal in a cold sweat.
"Wait, wait! Everyone, let’s just stay cal— Ah!?"
" " " Ah... " " "
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the seal broke at that exact moment. The box flew open, and several suits of armor and dolls animated by magic power emerged. They were, quite clearly, in a state of battle readiness.
"Hehe... oops."
" " " Hapty!! " " "
"Sorry, sorry! But look, with all of us here, we can take these guys down in no time. I'll even split the treasure with you!"
"This is my house! Hapty, you’d better be ready for what’s coming to you later!"
Though they were exasperated and enraged by Hapty’s trouble-making nature—which hadn't changed a bit in a thousand years—the speed with which they shifted into combat stances proved they were indeed veterans of countless battles.
Noin wanted to lament how their peaceful tea time had devolved into a brawl, yet the atmosphere felt strangely nostalgic. With a wry smile, she cut down the suit of armor charging toward her.
Serious-senpai: "I bet it was exactly like this a thousand years ago... I finally understand why Noin said Hapty was a problem child on a level that can't even be compared to Falce."