"Bulwark!"
"It's Bulwark!"
And just like that, the cameras that were previously on Shomari's parents all went away and pointed towards the unexpected guest that suddenly arrived within the compound, adding to the already chaotic atmosphere that befell them just moments ago.
And now, with Bulwark here, 3 of the 7 members of the Hope Guild were within their presence-- an occurrence that could only be called rare, as usually, if there are more than two Hope Guild members within a kilometer, it would mean they were dealing with a Class-S threat.
"...Bulwark?" Even Empress, who was about to take her leave, could not help but halt her steps as Bulwark suddenly showed himself. When he approached her about his retirement last week, Bulwark mentioned something about going to a place where he could make a difference...
...But to think the place he was referring to was the Academy.
"...This conference is over," Bernard's voice then echoed through the auditorium, "If you want any follow-up on the story, then please direct your attention elsewhere. As you have discovered, my son is innocent...
...Also, I apologize for my son's rash actions earlier; even if he is probably the most composed person you have met, as you can see, he's still just a brat."
"W... wait, we still have--"
There were other reporters that still wanted to ask Riley some questions, but before they could do so, Bernard already pushed his microphone away, "Let's go, Riley. Whatever stunt Bulwark is pulling here doesn't involve us anymore."
"..." Riley slightly glanced at Bulwark and Empress, before nodding and following his father.
"Bernard."
"Hm?" Bernard let out a small hum as Prophet suddenly grabbed his arm.
"...No," Prophet then quickly let go of his hand before glancing at Riley, "It's... probably nothing."
"...Alright," Bernard slightly squinted his eyes before nodding, "I'll leave you to handle this, okay?"
"...Right, let's...
...talk later."
***
"Riley!"
"Bro!"
Hannah and Diana quickly ran to embrace Riley as soon as they stepped out of the auditorium; of course, Riley still avoided his mother; but this time, he had his pinkie finger placed on her shoulder.
"..."
Gary was about to join the three, but before he could do so, he was kicked away by Silvie, "Don't disturb them," she let out a small sigh, before wiping the tears that were also trying to fall from her eyes.
Even Tomoe could not help but look to the side as she tried to hide the tears that were slowly painting her eyes red-- So this is what family really looks like, she thought.
"..." Gary's eyes could not help but squint as he saw the two trying to hide their tears, "Come to think of it, only Riley and Hannah don't seem to have any issues with their family among our group."
"...You're kinda right," Silvie then let out a small chuckle as she looked back and forth between Riley and them. Katrina was actually also there on the side, but since she wasn't really part of the group yet, the only thing she could do was sigh.
"And you, what are you leeches still doing here!?" Gary almost spat out as he suddenly waved his hands towards the other students that were still watching the scenario, "Shoo! Shoo! You betrayed one of your own! Shoo!"
This time, the students that were previously taking videos and photos of Riley went away without any fuss-- slightly feeling ashamed as soon as Riley was proven to be innocent, with some of them even deleting the videos they posted.
"Seriously, these fucking sheep," Gary clicked his tongue, before lifting up his phone and opening its camera, "Now I have the exclusive, muehehehe."
"..." Silvie could only let out a sigh as soon as she heard Gary's words.
"Go with your friends now," Diana, who saw that Silvie and the others were waiting, quickly gestured for Riley to go and greet them, "They seem really worried about you."
"Very well, mother," Riley then nodded as casually walked towards Gary and the others; leaving Diana without even looking back.
"They... grow up so fast, don't they?" Diana then sighed as she also hugged Bernard.
"Y... yes," Bernard slightly stuttered as he returned his wife's embrace.
"Damn boy!" And as soon as Riley was within arm's reach of the group, Gary quickly clapped his hands, "You went through some crazy shit. We were actually prepared to barge inside when we discovered all about the One Cursed by God nonsense from Bella."
"...But to think Empress herself would help you," Silvie then let out a small breath of awe, "That's... truly unexpected. Or perhaps not since Whiteking is your father?"
"Hm," Hannah nodded several times in agreement, "We should probably thank her later."
And as if in cue to her words, Empress stepped out of the auditorium.
"Ah!" Hannah pulled her brother and was about to rush towards Empress, but before she could do so, Diana blocked her path.
"...Mom?"
"You kids go ahead and celebrate," Diana then said, her voice somewhat cold, "Your father and Miss Empress here have something we need to talk about."
"But--"
"I'll thank her on your behalf."
"..." Bernard could only let out a small but deep sigh as he closed his eyes, "Hannah, listen to your mother."
"...Okay?"
"Alright, party time!" Gary then said as he pushed Silvie and the others away, "It's time to start the 'Riley was almost sent to prison party!'"
"..." As for Hannah, she took one final glance at Diana and the others before following the group. Her mother's expression also slightly changed when Empress suddenly showed herself during the conference. Was...
...There something going on between the three?"
***
"To Riley's freedom and beyond!"
"Hey!"
Hannah and Silvie could not help but move away as the ice shavings of Gary's cup dropped everywhere as he waved it around. They wanted to stop him, but he quickly ran away and started dancing on the table.
"I know what it feels like to be cooped up in a room--"
"You were locked in your room for 1 day, Gary."
"...Today is my treat!" Gary completely ignored Hannah's words as he once again waved his cup around, "But I don't have enough points, so Charlotte will shoulder this for me!"
"You guys are starting to abuse my generosity here!" Charlotte bellowed, but alas, her cries were drowned by Gary's incessant laughter. The group could only wait until he got tired... and that was after almost half an hour.
"I really thought this issue would drag on, Riley," Silvie was the first to speak up as soon as Gary stopped monkeying around, "But to think we would receive help from the leader of the Hope Guild herself."
"Hm," Riley just nodded as he continued to partake in his dessert.
"Riley..." Silvie then continued as her eyes started to awkwardly wander around, "I... really should apologize for suddenly attacking you back when--"
"You already apologized to me, Silvie," Riley shook his head, "Any more would just be meaningless."
"S... still... I just didn't know why I did what I did," Silvie's hands then started to tremble, "It was like... I couldn't help myself from--"
"Oi!"
"!!!"
Silvie then widened her eyes as a cold feeling suddenly entered her mouth.
"No emo shit allowed here!" Gary then said as he left the spoon filled with ice in Silvie's mouth, "This is a partey!"
"Gary!" Silvie then stood up from her seat as her eyes started to light up in red, "This has your saliva on it!"
"Do it! Kill the disgusting pig!" Hannah then roared as she threw her spoon at Gary, whose path was blocked by the wall of ice that Tomoe suddenly summoned.
"N... no," Gary's head then started to shake uncontrollably, "I demand all of you to--"
"Am I intruding something?"
"..." Silvie, who was about to hit Gary's head with a spoon, quickly hid the spoon behind her as a familiar voice suddenly entered the store. The group also all turned their heads towards the voice, squinting their eyes as soon as they did so. As for Riley, he quickly wore his sunglasses as a bright yellow light reflected upon it.
"B... b... Bulwark!?" Gary stuttered before immediately scrambling to get his phone.
And even with all the confused faces all looking at him, Bulwark only let out a smile as he approached Riley,
"Congratulations, Riley Ross," Bulwark said as he bowed.
"Thank you, Bulwark," Riley Ross muttered, "But why are you here?"
"R... Riley, don't be rude!" Hannah said as she lightly stomped Riley's foot.
"No need for anything, child," Bulwark then shook his head with a chuckle, "I'm just here to find my replacement in the Hope Guild."
"...Replacement!?" Gary then zoomed in the camera towards Bulwark's face; his excited breaths almost threatening to rip out his nostrils, "You're quitting the Hope Guild!?"
"Yes."
"W... wait, you're not here for me, are you!?" The view on Gary's hands started to tremble uncontrollably.
"No, but maybe after you graduate?"
"Y... yeah, you think--" And before Gary could even finish his stutters, his phone suddenly blacked out, "N... no, what happened!?"
"I'm here for Madame Charlotte," Bulwark then let out a small sigh as he slowly made his way to the counter.
"She... she's your replacement!?" Not only Gary, but Hannah and the others as well could not hide their wide opened mouths.
They did see how Charlotte-- how Raging Underpaid Employee Girl treated Hannah like a child during the Rescue Event... but to think she would be invited to join the Hope Guild!?
"Not quite," Bulwark then waved his hand, slightly dowsing the group's excitement.
"Get the fuck out, Bulwark."
"!!!" But once again, the group, excluding Riley, could not help but open their jaws wide as Charlotte just cursed one of the members of the Hope Guild.
"You're the only one I could think of, Madame Charlotte."
"I'm done with the Hope Guild, find someone else," Charlotte then waved her hand, refusing to even look at Bulwark.
"...Done?" Hannah and the others all looked at each other in confusion.
"Are you children a bit curious?" Bulwark then slightly whispered.
"Don't you fucking dare, you relic."
"Madame Charlotte here...
....was the previous leader of the Hope Guild."
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