Today, the Zeus Familia and the Hera Familia were livelier than ever. Those who should have died had returned to life, a miracle worthy of a grand banquet.
"Cheers!"
Everyone from the Zeus Familia raised their cups together. It was a day worth celebrating.
Those who had once died watched this familiar scene, their eyes growing warm. Tears of excitement welled up, yet they were swallowed down along with the wine.
"To be able to sit here drinking with everyone again… It feels like only a blink has passed, yet it also feels impossibly distant."
They all celebrated this stroke of fortune, fully aware that it existed only because of the efforts of one particular fool.
"Abel, what's with you today? Why are you so quiet?"
The 'Hero' reached over and grabbed Abel, who had been silently drinking by himself.
"Nothing. I just feel like I can finally relax."
Abel felt fortunate that he had made that decision without hesitation back then. Otherwise, they would never have met again.
Even now, despite that sense of relief, cold sweat often soaked his back. It was easy to imagine what kind of pact he had made, and with whom. If he had let even a single word slip in the days ahead, neither he nor his companions would have had this reunion.
That was why he had chosen to join the Black Dragon subjugation without hesitation. If he died in that battle, the secret would die with him. In Abel's eyes, that was the safest way to keep it hidden.
"…"
At such a joyful moment, the 'Hero' fell uncharacteristically silent. Then he pulled Abel tightly into his arms.
"You damn lecher. You actually went and did something like that. To keep a secret, you were ready to die alongside us, knowing full well you wouldn't survive. You damn lecher… You really are a bastard."
"Don't carry everything on your own!"
"…"
The others nearby fell silent as well after hearing the 'Hero's' words.
It was Charles who finally broke the silence.
"Alright, alright. Today's a rare day for celebration. Let's not bring up such heavy topics."
The tense mood eased, and the atmosphere lightened.
"That's right. Today's a day to celebrate. Don't talk about things that dampen the mood. Abel made this sacrifice so we could come back to life. This banquet celebrates our reunion, and it's also to thank Abel for making the right choice."
"So for now, let's not think about anything else. Raise your glasses!"
"Put all your words into the wine!"
"Oh!"
The Zeus Familia's atmosphere remained bright and cheerful.
As the Familia God, Zeus watched these long-lost children with a smile.
"Abel, you've worked hard."
Hearing those words, Abel finally lost control of his emotions. Tears spilled freely down his face.
"Ah…"
Even the most carefree person has a fragile side.
No one knew better than him how broken he had been after seeing the inevitable annihilation awaiting his future familia. What hurt even more was knowing that fate, yet still laughing and joking with his friends as if nothing were wrong, only to walk with them toward death on that destined day.
He constantly worried about letting the greatest secret slip. Even when facing cute girls, he had lost his former interest and energy. The weight on his shoulders was so heavy it nearly crushed him.
Fortunately, everything he endured was rewarded.
After fulfilling his pact with the "World," the "World" honored its promise and resurrected all the friends who had died on that destined day.
Watching Abel's trembling shoulders and hearing the sobs he couldn't even voice, everyone understood just how much pressure this fool had been carrying.
"Abel, have a drink."
Abel lifted his head silently, took the wooden wine barrel from his companion, and without another word, tipped it back and drank deeply.
He gulped down the alcohol without restraint.
"Ha…"
Letting out a long breath, Abel couldn't help but reflect on how many years it had been since he'd tasted alcohol.
He wasn't the type of person who lived for drink, but whenever the pressure became too much, he always wanted to get drunk at least once. Yet after making that pact, he had never dared to touch alcohol.
He was afraid.
Afraid that he might unconsciously blurt out that crucial promise, losing the only chance he had to see everyone again.
But today, he could finally relax.
"Drink! Let's really drink today!"
Abel himself ignited the fervor of the banquet.
The others burst into laughter. As long as they could drink, nothing else mattered.
Got worries? Feeling upset? Forget about it for now. Have a drink. Get drunk, and think about the unpleasant things tomorrow.
...
At the same time, a rare drinking party was also underway within the Hera Familia.
Everyone present was a woman, all members of the Hera Familia, so they could be far more unrestrained.
The 'Empress' glanced at Alfia.
"That kid was pushed to the brink of collapse."
Everyone knew exactly who she meant, and Alfia understood as well.
"That foul-mouthed brat who used to chase women and flirt with anyone suddenly behaved himself after that incident came to light. We all thought it was Metria's fault, but it turned out to be something far beyond what we imagined."
Even the 'Empress' couldn't help but feel sympathy for that lecherous rabbit. He really had endured a lot.
What could Alfia say? It was all Metria's doing, and even she hadn't known it would turn out like this.
"Alfia, your situation isn't any different, is it?"
"Before, I thought it was just an issue of your talent. Now it seems it's directly connected to that child."
The 'Empress' made her point unmistakably clear, her voice carrying a hint of anger as she spoke.
...
A flicker of emotion passed through Alfia's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
"You talk too much. Some things shouldn't be said."
"Alfia—"
"That's enough. Stop."
Hera cut off the conversation with a single sentence.
No matter what, casually discussing the "World" went too far. That fool of an 'Empress' knew full well that some things shouldn't be spoken, yet she still said them.
"Things that shouldn't be said, don't say them. At your age, do you still not understand that?"
"...Well, some things might not be appropriate to say, but complaining about Mother is fine."
Right after Hera's reprimand, a young voice echoed through the Hera Familia's gathering.
Hera paused, then rubbed her forehead in exasperation.
"Bell, you've been listening the whole time?"
A projection appeared above the banquet table of the Hera Familia.
The boy in the projection rested his chin on his hands, looking helpless.
"Not the whole time. I just heard it after coming over from the old man. My so-called father was over there crying while drinking himself silly."
"Honestly, even I think my mother is a complete villain."
Though, thinking about it, he probably didn't have much right to complain either.
Bell stood up, his expression serious and solemn, and bowed deeply.
"Perhaps I don't have the right to say this. Perhaps I don't have the right to speak on my mother's behalf."
"Here, I apologize to all of you on Mother's behalf. I'm sorry."