The Sponsored Heroines Are Coming for Me-Chapter 286

A brilliant blue light spun beyond my closed eyes.

Losing consciousness after possession and waking up again—this repeated each time in a similar way, but this moment was always the hardest: lifting my heavy eyelids.

I forced them open with effort.

No cliché of a pure white ceiling greeted me.

Instead, a clear blue sky welcomed me.

That sky was more welcome than anything.

It meant the final scenario, once soaked in crimson, had come to a successful end.

“Hoo…”

Maybe it was the sudden awakening, but the breath that had gathered in my lungs escaped all at once.

Mm. This fresh air.

Surprisingly, my body felt in top condition.

I was sure I had broken multiple limbs in the battle against the Blood Demon, but…

Seeing that I’m perfectly intact, quite a bit of divine power and healing magic must’ve been used.

“He, he’s awake!”

“Waaah!”

“Are you okay, Ian?!”

The moment I slightly raised my head, cheers burst out around me.

It was overwhelming—being cheered just for lifting my head? Even I found it a bit embarrassing.

A commotion stirred beside me.

Even companions who had been standing further away seemed to be rushing over.

What energy.

I thought they’d stop a little distance away—but Elena (Sophia) threw herself into my arms.

“Brother Ian!”

“Urgh.”

Elena headbutted me like a body slam.

Even with my body hardened through endless training, that hit made my vision go white for a moment.

Fortunately, Silvia pulled her off, and my vision returned.

“Are you alright, Ian?”

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“Thanks, Silvia.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you. For coming back alive.”

Silvia smiled brightly.

It was a side of her I’d never seen before, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

Though I quickly had to lower my head again toward the two clinging to my legs.

“Iaaaan! You dummy! W-we were so… Hic! Nyah!”

“You did great. Welcome back, Ian!”

Danya and Lina.

And with Elena getting emotional again and pouncing on me, I faced yet another wave of crisis.

“I-I’m gonna be crushed…”

Only then did everyone finally come to their senses and step back.

While I patted the messy hair of Danya and Lina…

A hearty voice rang out—Yerina.

“Ian! From your heroic deeds to your resurrection! As Grand Duke of the North, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Immortal Knight! Come to the North with us!”

“Now that I think about it, amazing! B-brother Ian resurrected in just 7 hours…! At this rate, you’re basically a god!”

Elena, echoing cheerfully.

Is it really okay for a priestess of the Deus Church to say things like that?

Nearby, I also saw my Master Asilia, and the Blood Witch.

A simple nod exchanged with Master.

“My dear Ian.”

“…”

A wordless, intense gaze from the Blood Witch was enough of a greeting.

At this rate, I’d be stuck giving greetings forever.

“I’m just glad everyone looks alright.”

Of course, checking on my companions was a joy.

But even though the scenario had ended, there were still things left to do.

I figured this was a good time to draw a line—and in times like these, there’s one line that never fails.

“It’s almost evening—how about a group dinner?”

“Dinner party?”

Ah, right. There’s no concept of a company dinner here.

So I explained it more clearly.

“Let’s all gather and eat together. Everyone’s been through a lot.”

“MEAT PARTY!”

Elena perfectly summed up the idea of a dinner party.

She really has her sharp moments sometimes.

“Great idea. I’ll handle the preparations.”

“If it symbolizes the end of disaster, it’d be even better to celebrate with all of Lichten!”

Silvia and Iris, the Student Council vice president, took charge of organizing the dinner.

Those uninjured were gathered for help, and the rest began receiving treatment, bringing calm back to the surroundings.

As for me? Lucky enough to be unconscious—I was exempt.

“…”

I blankly looked around.

A gentle breeze brushed by.

The story had come to an end, and the scenery seemed peaceful.

But if I looked just a bit further…

The Shadow Forest, gone without a trace.

A crescent-shaped crater torn into the Northern Mountains.

The overturned earth.

The scale of the battle against the Void God and the Blood Demon was clear to see.

The destructive power of Infinite Cataclysm.

Even divinity had been swept away by its force—its traces still remained.

Even amidst all that, the Academy and the city of Lichten had been relatively well preserved.

Everyone had their share of hardship.

“…The Blood Demon.”

Somehow, I felt like he might’ve made a small sacrifice too.

Right before the explosion engulfed us all, I caught a glimpse—

He had unleashed Infinite Cataclysm using the Void God’s divinity and everything at his disposal.

Maybe… that was his final stand.

Now that I think about it, that strange studio apartment I was in earlier…

There too, a message had appeared above the Blood Demon’s head—asking if I wanted to continue.

Perhaps, at the very last moment, I had help from the Blood Demon after all.

No—maybe I should say, help from another player.

— Fwoosh.

As if answering me, a wisp of red energy rose from the earth.

And with that, a story came to an end.

The final scenario of Fantasy X Academy.

◆

“Did you hear?”

“Can you finish chewing before you talk, Jenny?”

“Gulp! There’s a rumor! That a hero killed a god!”

“A human defeated that massive monster?”

“Yep! That’s why… he’s a hero! Just like the ones in legends!”

Collapsed buildings.

Cracked and rugged roads.

Even in the midst of this half-ruined scenery, the streets of the Academy buzzed with noise.

Now that all the scenarios were over…

Laughter.

Tears.

Filled the air.

Perhaps even those burdened by tragedy needed a moment to breathe.

Meat and drinks—perfect for both celebration and mourning.

Looking around, I arrived at my destination.

『 Student Council Hall 』

It used to be a pretty neat and tidy building, but now even the roof was gone.

“I bet Iris is going to be seriously stressed about this.”

Neat, clean, cool-headed—Iris Lipenstein, the Vice President.

I chuckled at the thought of her face, and pushed open the door.

— Creeeaaak!

The door groaned as if in pain.

Maybe the whole building had twisted a bit.

It might not even pass a safety inspection now.

Knowing the people inside, they’d definitely care about that…

“Ahahaha!”

“And then I was like—!”

“Pfft—hahaha!”

Warm lights gently lit the student council hall’s lobby.

Inside was filled with laughter.

The familiar sound of my companions’ laughter.

My facial muscles relaxed slightly without me realizing it.

Unconsciously, the tension in my face melted a little.

And just as I let my guard down—

— Whump!

Something hit me.

My vision went black.

Not from pain—but from being wrapped in something soft and plush.

“Kwahahaha! Ian, you rascal!”

A hearty laugh. A loud heartbeat close to my ear.

A large, soft feeling pressed against my face.

I knew exactly whose arms I was in.

“…Sister Yerina. I can’t breathe.”

“Aww, hearing you call me sister is so adorable! You rascal!”

I held back the instinct to retort, “You told me to call you that.”

If Yerina squeezed any harder, I might really suffocate between her chest.

How much did she drink?

She might secretly be a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.

“Just you wait! One day, I’ll make sure you leave your seed in the North!”

…Nope. She’s definitely drunk.

A chill ran down my spine.

And then, a moment later—warmth spread across my back.

Smack Smack!

Yerina let me go and gave me a firm pat on the back, laughing.

“I’m joking! Just joking!”

“…Didn’t sound like a joke.”

“Go on, enjoy yourself! No matter what anyone says, today’s star is you!”

With a hearty laugh, Yerina shoved me deeper into the hall.

The problem was, drunk Yerina had no concept of “gentle” force.

“Urk.”

Even I had to admit my footwork faltered as I stumbled forward.

But before I could fall, someone caught my hand and steadied me.

“Your dancing’s improved, Ian.”

I looked up to see the third princess, Asteria, smiling with a brilliant white grin.

“Your Highness.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

“Not at all. It’s good to see you again.”

“Again? What do you mean again? I’ve been thinking about you every day. Have you not been thinking about me?”

Our dear princess, already starting to flirt the moment we meet again.

Of course, I’ve grown a bit more mature since then too.

“Naturally, I thought of Your Highness every night.”

“…Ugh!”

A small gasp.

I thought I’d flustered the princess—but it turned out, it was Silvia, standing beside us, who made the sound.

“Playbo—”

Before she could finish the word, I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

Silvia’s fair skin turned instantly red.

“T-There are people watching…!”

“You worked hard, Silvia. I heard you were the one who kept everything together.”

“I was only doing what needed to be done…”

Her head lowered, her ears glowing red. She was too cute for her own good.

Come to think of it, all the core members of the Third Princess Faction were gathered again after a long time.

I turned to Asteria and asked.

“You two weren’t talking about politics again, were you?”

“Not on a day like this, don’t be silly.”

“Then what were you chatting about?”

“You, of course. Come here.”

Asteria pulled me into a hug—though it didn’t last long.

Silvia quickly stepped in between us and gently pried us apart.

“Your Highness…! We agreed—no chest-based attacks!”

“But it’s my strongest weapon! If you’re that jealous, then you should work on yours too, Silvia.”

“Ugh!”

The two of them bickering like old friends brought a smile to my face.

I turned and headed upstairs.

The roof was blown open.

Stars poured down, illuminating the second floor.

There sat Iris, relaxing on a sofa and quietly enjoying her meal.

I picked up a glass from the table in front of her and sat down by her side.

“Ian.”

“Iris.”

Now that I think about it, we were never particularly close.

I looked up at the night sky and murmured,

“Was the view from the student council hall always this nice?”

“Pfft—!”

Iris chuckled quietly. A rare sight.

She quickly turned her head, face flushed with embarrassment.

“Vice President Iris showing such a bright smile!”

“Q-quiet, Elena!”

“It’s Brother Ian’s doing, of course!”

With Elena fussing beside us, I smiled and decided to give them some space.

From the balcony, I could see Master Sasha Asilia and the Blood Witch, talking.

I wondered what they were discussing.

Master gave me a content smile as our eyes met.

The Blood Witch tilted her head slightly and licked her lips, as if amused.

I bowed slightly in greeting, then turned my eyes upward.

The night sky sparkled brilliantly.

Countless stars filled the heavens, doing their best to drive away the red-stained nightmares that had long plagued the sky.

Laughter echoed in the background.

The air was calm.

The view was beautiful.

The kind of atmosphere where ending credits could roll and it would feel perfect.

Now that I think about it, there was a time when I really wanted to see the ending.

“Not now, though.”

My story here would continue a little longer.

I did save the world, after all—I’m allowed to be a little greedy.

A smile tugged at my lips.

Where were Danya and Lina, I wondered?

I turned my head—and spotted two figures huddled together.

But they weren’t Danya or Lina.

It was Aria and Emilia.

The final two heroines, each with their own unfinished story.

I took a step toward them.