Published at 26th of December 2025 7:44 am

Chapter 551: "Home is the Best"

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Alright, weve arrived!

Feeling a wave of relief wash over me, I gently placed a hand on my chest to calm myself. The satisfaction of successfully completing a journey to another worldand the reassurance that the return trip was just as safewas immeasurable.

This time, the conditions for world travel had changed. Instead of spending more than six months with a heros party and then being expelled, the condition had been altered to building a meaningful connection with the locals and then saying goodbye.

The reason for the change was simple: in worlds without a Demon King, no heroes were born. This time, by chance, we had managed to reunite with Alexis and his group, but in that world, Alexis was just a princenot a hero. Nevertheless, since I had fulfilled the conditions, everything turned out fine.

So, Allen, how was this trial trip?

A trial? Oh, right, it was a trial.

At my question, Allen suddenly froze, as if he had completely forgotten. It seemed he had enjoyed the journey so much that the idea of it being a trial had slipped his mind entirely.

Yeah it was fun. Alexis-san was a little scary sometimes, but he gave me sweets every now and then. Gonzo-san was always smiling and would pat my head.

Thats nice. And what about Rouge?

Rouge onee-chan she was um, amazing in all kinds of ways.

Haha, I suppose she was. Rouge certainly is something else.

Seeing Allen blink in surprise as he described her, I couldnt help but chuckle. Reliving those happy memories for a moment, I crouched down to meet Allens gaze and spoke to him directly.

Alright, Allen, let me ask you again. I intend to keep traveling to worlds like the one we just left. And I want you to come with me. What do you think?

Alright, Ill go with you.

Allens small hand squeezed mine in return. That marked the start of a true adventurenot a trial, but the real thing, and it was filled with twists and turns.

The next world we visited was one where the absence of a Demon King had eradicated the seeds of conflict, allowing humans and Chemonians to live together peacefully in the same towns. Waffer, who had once been a hero, was working as a guard in one of these towns, and he seemed to be getting along well with Doben, who was also a guard. Seeing them both like that gave me a sense of relief.

In the world after that, Rebecca was no longer a pirate but instead ran a tavern in a seaside town. With the demise of the Mist Demon King, the seas in that world had calmed, and piracy was no longer a viable trade due to the advancement of nations.

It felt a bit strange that Captain Rebecca, once the leader of a rowdy pirate crew, had become the manager of a tavern where the same kind of rough people gathered. Yet there she was, smacking rowdy sailors on the head or kicking them in the rear as she served drinks and food. She shone as brightly as ever, and I couldnt help but admire her.

Oh, and Pierre, instead of being a pirate, had become the captain of a transport ship. He wasnt wearing his old flamboyant outfit anymore, but he still seemed enamored with pirate life. In fact, he had created small, glowing toy hook claws, which became surprisingly popular as souvenirs. Allen and I even bought one. At night, before bed, Allen would sometimes play with it, lighting it up and laughing. I secretly thought he looked adorable. And as for whether I ever did the same well, thats an eternal secret.

The real challenge came in the fourth world. Instead of Miguels academy, we ended up in a completely unfamiliar world where fragments of the Demon King Ed still existed. Naturally, that meant a hero was present as well. It was there that Allen and I embarked on our first serious adventure.

And this continued. Thinking back, there were many more worlds I hadnt visited with Ed than those I had. It made sense that the majority would be unexplored territory. As we ventured into increasingly complex worlds, we encountered diverse ideologies, learned about irrationalities, and contemplated the meaning of fighting. Through it all, we kept moving forward.

These experiences proved to be more than enough to foster Allens growth. The innocent child he once was matured with each world we crossed. By the time we reached the twenty-eighth world and were summoned to Miguels academy, Allen was sparring with Miguel as a fellow student. When we met Dalton in the forty-eighth world, Allen even begged him to teach him a little forging, which Dalton happily obliged.

We kept moving forward, crossing from one world to the next. And finally, we did it. We traveled through all one hundred worlds.

Hah weve finally visited every world.

Congrats, Tia nee-san. Should we celebrate with a toast?

Standing beside me in the white world, Allenwho now looked about fifteensmiled playfully. Over time, Allen had grown not just mentally but physically as well. Whether it was because he had gained the concept of an endor in other words, mortalityor whether his body was simply growing alongside his heart, I couldnt say. Either way, the current Allen had not only the appearance but also the demeanor of a dependable young man.

Hehe, thank you, Allen. Id love to celebrate, but theres one very important thing I still need to do.

Something important? But didnt you say the final world was the one we just left?

No, not that. I mean something else oh?

I suddenly noticed ita book resting on a table that had always been empty before. Rushing to it, I picked it up, and within its pages was exactly what I had been longing for.

Ah finally

Whats that, a key?

Thats right, Allen. This is a key that can open the door to any world I wish to go to.

Really? So with that, we can go to whatever world we want? Hmm where should we go? I kind of want to see how Miguels doing, but itd be fun to show Rouge-san the person Ive become now. Oh, and Dalton-san might finally teach me more about smithing!

Im sorry, Allen, but I already know exactly what Im going to use this key for.

As Allen buzzed with excitement, I softened my expression and gently told him. While his ideas sounded wonderful, I couldnt waver on this decision.

Oh right. This is why you came all this way, huh? So, what are you going to do?

Of course this.

Taking Allens hand in my left hand, I pressed the key against my chest with my right.

In the past, Ed and I had used this key to transform the talking ship into Noah Bryne. But that was a one-time miracle. Even if Noah Bryne still existed, without Luka in this loop, there was no hole in the seal, and escaping through the glowing lattice was impossible.

But none of that mattered. Because I had something eternalthe unbreakable bond I shared with Ed.

So, tell me Ed, where are you right now?

From my right hand, a thin, long red thread stretched outward. It crossed time and space, unbroken, eternally linking me to Ed.

The thread pierced through the seal of worlds, reaching into a pitch-black, lightless realm. It passed through the abyss to a white sphere radiating soft light, slipping through a painstakingly made hole in the seal, and finally connecting to its destination.

Lets go, Allen. Are you ready?

Huh? Ready for what? Uh sure! If youre going, Ill follow you anywhere!

Thank you, Allen. Alright, lets go no, lets go home.

Clutching the key tightly, I unleashed a power I had never used before. It was an immense force that would take me back to the place I considered home. My true home was always by Eds side.

Now, open the door to my home! Theres No Place Like Home Point!

Uwaaahhhh!?

In an instant, my vision was engulfed by a blinding light. Holding tightly toAllens hand so we wouldnt be separated, we braced ourselves against the torrent for what felt like forever.

Welcome home, Tia. Youre back sooner than I expected.

Oh, is that a problem? I couldnt wait any longer!

With a smile as warm as the one I remembered, Ed welcomed me back. Without hesitation, I leapt into his arms.

(T/N: I think they became a couple somewhere along the way, just without any confession or kiss. Thats just my theory considering how much they cherish each other)

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