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Covered in a group hug, Sekke was unable to move. The other members of his squad crowded around him as well, seeing which Sekke's smile widened.
"Noelle, Vanessa-san, Gauche, Grey, Finral... who's this redhead?" asked Sekke, looking at the newcomer who was also wearing the squad's robe and a face mask with pointed teeth.
"It's Zora Ideale. We fought together during the elf invasion, remember?" said Zora.
Sekke thought about it for a moment. The elf invasion was now a distant memory, and he couldn't clearly recall the details. Still, he gave a small nod before his gaze landed on the last member of the squad.
"Secre…" said Sekke, his voice softening.
"Sekke…" replied Secre, her eyes growing wetter by the second.
Unable to hold herself back anymore, she rushed toward him—only to be stopped by the group clinging to Sekke.
She struggled for a moment before glaring at them, her grimoire flipping open.
[Sealing Magic: Unsealed Might]
Her arm glowed with mana as she effortlessly grabbed Asta, yanked him away from Sekke, and tossed him aside. One by one, she flung the rest of the group before turning back to Sekke with an emotional gaze.
Sekke, meanwhile, stared at the petite girl with a shocked expression. Where did that strength come from?
But before he could think further, Secre launched herself at him and hugged him tightly.
"You idiot!" she cried, burying her face in his chest.
"…Now that's harsh," muttered Sekke helplessly.
"Did you even think about how I'd feel with you gone?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"…Sorry. At that moment, I was just thinking about getting you and everyone else back home safely," he replied softly.
"Idiot! Just accept your mistake!" yelled Secre, looking up at him with teary eyes.
"Now, now… the Dark Lord doesn't make mistakes. Well… maybe sometimes, but that's not the point," chuckled Sekke as he gently wiped her tears.
"Ugh, still the same idiot. What's with the beard and long hair?" asked Secre, smacking his chest lightly.
"You like it? Got it trimmed just today," Sekke said with a grin.
Secre fell silent, staring at him for a few moments before loosening her hug. Then she grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss.
"Wha—! Secre, so bold!!!" yelped Noelle.
"My my, get a room, you two," said Vanessa with a smirk.
"Sekke-kun!!! Don't show off in front of me!!!" yelled Finral, dramatically falling to the floor.
"Ah! Marie~!"
When Secre finally pulled back, she licked her lips with a mischievous glint. "I won't let you get away now," she said.
Sekke stared at her for a moment before taking a step back. "Looks like I got away…"
Secre's eye twitched at his childishness, but soon she smiled. Her partner was officially back—and his goofiness only confirmed it.
"Sekke, you bastard!!! How dare you make royalty like me worry about you!!!" yelled Noelle, jumping forward now that Secre was done.
"Causing us to worry like that! Repent!" said Vanessa, smacking Sekke on the head.
"Apologize to Marie!!!" roared Gauche, already raising his mirror for an attack.
"Oi! Don't use your magic in the middle of town!" shouted Finral, trying to restrain him.
"Yay!! Everyone's fighting! Let's make it a fight to the death!!" cheered Luck, electricity crackling around him.
"Why does it have to be a fight to the death?!" yelled Asta in disbelief.
Amidst the chaos—while being scolded and hit—Sekke smiled. He'd missed these chaotic idiots.
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Later, after things calmed down, Sekke brought everyone to his house.
"Mom, I'm home! I brought some company, hope you don't mind!" he called out as he stepped in.
"Ara? Oh, Se-chan's friends! Of course you're all welcome!"
"Thank you for having us, Sekke's mother!" yelled Asta cheerfully.
"Asta-kun, right? No need to mention it," replied Elaine with a warm smile.
All the Black Bulls stared at her, slightly blushing.
"S-Sekke's mom is so beautiful," whispered Noelle in awe.
"Ugh, calm down, Finral! You already have Finesse-san!" Finral said, poking his eyes.
"Marie! Forgive me for not focusing on you for a moment!!!" Gauche wailed dramatically.
"Ma'am, what's the secret to your beauty?! Teach me please!!!" Vanessa begged, already clinging to Elaine's arm.
"Me too!!!" added Noelle quickly.
"I'm back… mother," said Secre softly, stepping forward.
"Secre-chan~ Welcome home," greeted Elaine with a smile.
Secre returned the smile with a small nod.
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That evening, laughter filled the Bronzaza household. The lively chatter even woke the babies, who were surprised to see so many new faces. But when their eyes landed on Zora and Asta, they immediately started crying.
"Oi, Zora!! You made them cry!!!" yelled Asta.
"Huh? Me? They were obviously scared by you—your abnormally short height and those ugly muscles!" snapped Zora.
"What did you say, you masked freak?!"
"Muscled bug!!!"
The two kept shouting as Sekke picked up Arthur and Artoria to calm them.
"Don't cry, you two. The ugly shorty and masked freak won't scare you anymore, big bro's here. See? These sheep and that cat will play with you," said Sekke, showing them the cooking sheep and Rouge.
Arthur's crying stopped first, followed by Artoria's. Rouge floated above them, wagging her tail playfully.
"Kyaa~~!""Kawoo~~!"
The babies giggled, trying to catch Rouge's tail but failing adorably.
Seeing them laugh, Sekke sighed in relief before glaring at the two still arguing idiots. He fired a few mana bullets at them.
"How dare you make my cuties cry?!" he yelled.
"S-Sekke, you bastard!!!" Asta yelped, clutching his forehead.
Zora winced but stayed quiet—he did feel a bit guilty, though he'd never admit it.
"Everyone!!! Dinner's ready!!!" called Charmy, and all of them immediately rushed to the table.
"Mr. Zuk!!! Tell me more of your manly tales!!!" shouted Asta with shining eyes. Magna leaned in eagerly too.
"Bah ha! Now let me tell you about the time I—"
Sekke just watched his father boast, shaking his head with a smile. Everyone was enjoying themselves—he couldn't bring himself to stop the old man's exaggerations.
Then he felt a familiar hand slip into his. Looking to his side, he saw Secre smiling softly, fingers intertwining with his.
"Welcome back," she said.
Sekke smiled back and squeezed her hand gently.
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After dinner was over, the squad chatted for a while longer before deciding to head back to their base.
"Ah! Before I forget — Sekke, Captain Yami told me to bring you to the Magic Knights HQ tomorrow. I'll come and pick you up around noon," said Finral.
Sekke gave a nod in understanding.
"I'll stay here tonight," said Secre, glancing at Finral, who was waiting for her to step through the portal.
Understanding her intent, Finral grinned cheekily, shot Sekke a wink, and then disappeared back through the portal, closing it behind him.
Once everyone had left, Sekke decided to head to bed, stretching a little as he walked toward his room.
But before he could even sit down, the door closed softly behind him — on its own.
He turned around and saw Secre standing there.
For a moment, the two simply stared at each other in silence. Then realization dawned on Sekke's face.
'Alright, time to close the doors and windows,' said Vritra dryly before cutting his connection.
'Best of luck, my liege,' added Exodia with a teasing tone as he, too, cut off the link.
[Sealing Magic: Sealed Space]
Secre's grimoire began flipping rapidly, and the air around them shimmered as the room transformed into a sealed space.
She took a slow step toward Sekke, her eyes glinting with both warmth and mischief. Without saying a word, she reached out, took Sekke's hand, and placed it gently on her chest.
Sekke froze. He could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
He swallowed hard, realizing one thing for certain — sleep wasn't happening anytime soon.