The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1151

The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1151

Chapter 1151
Rinne had created two rifts on the island.
Although she couldn't tear through dimensions like Davey, she had succeeded in creating two rifts similar to spatial warping by meeting certain special conditions.
Yuria felt a loud roar echo in her ears, even though there was no sound in the void.
“
Phew.
I hope the escape route you prepared is actually safe...”
Thanks to Rinne’s sacrifice, she had successfully escaped.
“Still, what a strange place.” Yuria marveled at how the tiny island showed clear traces of human touch, unusual for such a remote place. She wondered how Rinne even found the location.
Originally, the escape route that the Shadow Leader, Rinne, and Yuria Helishana had agreed on was located somewhere deep in the Amazon Rainforest. Since the area was overflowing with immense energy, it was full of elements useful for jamming signals.
However, that had only been a decoy to deceive the traitor in their midst.
“So this is the real exit. I never imagined you would manage to set up something like this while on Earth.”
While it wasn’t like some sort of billionaire’s super-developed island paradise, the house and various facilities on the island were remarkably precise and carefully calculated in their utility. Yuria could tell that it wasn’t the work of just one or two people.
Come to think of it, Rinne was the leader of her own race. It wouldn't be strange at all if she'd summoned her people to help build it.
In other words, it was Rinne’s personal hideout on Earth. Thinking to that point, Yuria couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
It wasn't hard to notice a lack of signs that anyone had been living there long-term. She assumed that Rinne probably just dropped by from time to time to maintain the place.
“Oh no, this isn't the time to be spacing out.”
Yuria moved quickly. She didn’t know exactly where the small island was located, but she was certain that it was still somewhere on Earth.
In other words, it was still somewhere Davey could find at any time. Knowing that, she needed to activate all the interference mechanisms Rinne had set up there in advance.
Looking around the treehouse and nearby facilities, she soon spotted four small pillars erected near the house. She figured they were originally made to act as security devices to prevent intrusions.
However, Rinne had modified them in a way so that there was no way they’d be discovered.
“Does this thing run on spirit power?”
Sweeping her hand over the surface of one of the dim pillars, Yuria closed her eyes. At the same time, she sang a beautiful melody and her hair fluttered in the wind.
The Wind Spirit Sylph had arrived. Despite being a low-ranked spirit, she knew their effect would be more than enough.
“It’s been a while, Sylph.”
In response, Sylph spun around her and stuck out their tongue.
“
Hehe.
Are you mad because I don’t summon you around enough? I’m sorry. I’ll try to call you more often,” she said with a smile as she watched Sylph, shaped like a small boy, scowl at her.
They then gave a reluctant nod. Following her will, they activated the dim pillar.
A soft mana hum vibrated through the air as the four pillars, one by one, began to resonate with each other and shine.
The pillars resonated and formed a massive surface that enveloped the area. At the same time, she could feel the mana flow around the area forcibly freezing.
“You really are amazing, Rinne.”
She truly was a precious friend.
With a quiet chuckle and a sigh of relief, Yuria turned her head.
She just had to hold out there for a few more days. Everything she needed was already there, with a forest she loved within a place rich in natural spirit energy.
Yuria stepped into the small wooden house Rinne had built, finding an abnormally-shaped fridge.
“Even if this place gets discovered, it won’t matter.”
Rabbits were known to dig multiple burrows for escape. Truthfully, even if she hadn't received Rinne’s help, Yuria had already prepared another way to escape. After all, she was an exceptional spirit mage in her own right.
Yes, she was insignificant compared to Davey, but escaping before he got to her was more than possible.
“Rinne really has great taste—just like me.”
She smiled brightly at the ingredients inside the fridge, recognizing most of them. However, what caught her attention the most was the same tea she and Rinne had made together.
Feeling parched from all the tension, Yuria took out the water bottle from the fridge. Her eyes widened once spotted a note stuck underneath it. She wondered if it was a message Rinne had left while she was preparing the place.
Curious, Yuria opened the note.
[To the Gourmet Research Society President, Yuria.]
Unlike the formal opener, the following contents of the note completely overturned her expectations, leaving her speechless.
Thud!!
The water bottle slipped from her hand and hit the floor as she stared blankly at the letter. The classic smile on her face, the same one she kept even when angry, twisted into a pained expression.
“You idiot... What did you do?”
The letter detailed what Rinne had prepared for Yuria, in case Davey discovered them and she had to hide alone. It explained how to survive there, what she should do to pass the time, and even what to do if she was found.
It turned out that even from the beginning, Rinne had never intended to safely escape herself. From the start, she had planned to sacrifice herself if necessary in order to make sure Yuria could escape.
[Rinne evaluates the gratitude for the gourmet data highly. Rinne states she has stocked the fridge and underground storage with Yuria’s favorite ingredients. Rinne determines that there are plenty of supplies Yuria could ever need.]
The paper rustled softly in her trembling hands.
[As the Vice President of the Gourmet Research Society, Rinne professes her deep gratitude to Yuria. Rinne analyzes that by the time Yuria reads this letter, it is highly likely Rinne will be gone. This location is Rinne’s hideout—one Master Davey has never discovered.]
She had gone so far for Yuria... without even realizing she had been betrayed and taken for a fool. In case she couldn’t come with her, she had left the note so that Yuria wouldn’t end up lost in her place.
Glistening drops fell onto the note as Yuria clutched the letter with trembling hands, her face pale as if all the blood had drained from it.
[To Rinne’s precious friend...]
After reading the letter Rinne had left behind, Yuria realized the liquid running down her cheeks was tears. The tears were different from the ones she’d shed before escaping.
“
Ah. Ahhh!
What have I done...” Falling to her knees, she covered her mouth with one hand as her entire body trembled. She couldn’t believe she had betrayed that small girl who it turned out had done so much for her.
“
Ugh!!
”
She felt nauseous, overwhelmed by disgust and anger toward herself. She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Rinne. I’m really sorry. I’m such a terrible woman.”
She tried to choke back her sobs, but the tears didn’t stop. The emotions she had suppressed for so long finally exploded, and she broke down, crying uncontrollably. She clutched the letter tightly in her arms and wailed for the first time in what felt like forever.
While the society had simply started as a hobby, the bond she’d built with Rinne over time had shaken her to her core.
“I can’t just sit here.” She sprang to her feet, her face hardening with resolve. “From the beginning, I was the one who suggested making the cursed item.”
Rinne had merely helped. Yuria, who carried out the plan herself, was to blame for all of it. As the President of the Gourmet Research Society, she held the ultimate responsibility for what happened.
“There’s no reason to keep living after selling out a friend I’ll never have again.”
Resolute, she sprinted toward the rift Rinne had created—the very same one she had entered through. She figured it hadn’t closed yet, so if she hurried back now, she could still make it back.
Fortunately, just as she had predicted, the rift was still visible, though having shrunk in size.
Bzzzt!!
Yuria crossed back through the rift and returned to the island, looking around with a dazed expression. All she could find around her were signs of destruction.
Before escaping, Rinne had gone through Sephirothization to hold off Davey. Despite only a few moments having passed before Yuria’s return, the surroundings were utterly destroyed.
Yuria moved forward slowly. She then spotted Davey holding the unconscious Rinne in his arms on the beach, and desperately ran toward him.
“Gracious Savior!”
Davey looked up, slightly surprised at her sudden appearance. “What are you doing back? I thought you ran away.”
“I came back to make things right.”
Davey’s eyes narrowed at her declaration. “Make things right?”
“Yes! Please let Rinne go. Everything that happened...” She paused for a moment and swallowed hard. “Was entirely due to my own actions.”
His eyes widened at her confession. “What?”
“I’m the one and only President of the Gourmet Research Society. Rinne only acted recklessly to help me.”
“So what?”
“I’m saying Rinne did nothing wrong.”
He didn't know what to say.
“So please let her go. She’s not the one who deserves punishment.”
“Isn’t turning a blind eye to wrongdoing just as bad as committing it?”
“Gracious Savior!!
Haaah.
I’ll take full responsibility.”
Hearing the determination in her voice, Davey closed his eyes for a moment in thought. “Fine. You did help me catch the dark mages, after all.”
“Still, even from the beginning... was there really any reason for you to chase us?” she asked cautiously. “It’s not like we did anything illegal. In fact, it’s only thanks to us that you were able to catch those dark mages.”
“That’s true,” he answered while nodding calmly.
“Then instead of trying to hunt us down...”
“Yuria, I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not angry,” he corrected her.
“What?”
“I had no intention of interfering with your Gourmet Research Society gatherings,” he said with a smile.
“Then why did you...”
“What if there hadn’t been any dark mages?”
That question left Yuria speechless.
It was true, she had created a cursed item that had the potential to cause misunderstandings. There had been no real problem with it this time only because of the real dark mages. However, if they hadn’t been active, Davey would’ve still torn through the entire territory to find out whoever was behind the fake item.
After all, it was his duty to never overlook potential threats.
“Wouldn’t someone like you have realized it was fake after a bit of investigation?” She cautiously tried to find a way out, but the answer remained the same.
“I didn’t know, and that’s why I was fooled. Also, Yuria...” Davey trailed off with a soft smile. “You really seemed to enjoy watching me dig around like a fool, trying to find the culprit after you escaped.”
“
Hmph?!
”
“Letting me do all that grunt work, while you go on vacation? Then even laughing about it on stream?”
“I-I request a negotiation and neutral mediation, Gracious Savior!”
“Nope, I’m just gonna go full sicko mode on your ass.
Ugh!
Even just remembering what happened is making me mad!”
Trying to lessen her sentence had only made things worse.
Davey had undoubtedly been under serious stress because of the whole mess. Every time he thought he could finally take a break, another incident would always blow up in his face. It was no surprise that he was exhausted.
Even if she felt wronged by the idea of receiving punishment, Yuria had still made a cursed item without permission and kept it from Davey. In the end, she'd made her bed, and it was time for her to lay in it.
“Let’s make this clear,” Davey said, “Yuria, you’re saying you’ll take full responsibility?”
Yuria checked Rinne’s condition, then nodded. “Yes, I’ll accept the punishment. Please, don’t hold Rinne accountable.”
Davey nodded. “Alright.”
Then, without hesitation, he bound her tightly with ropes made of light. “I’ll do as you asked.”
That one line felt like both forgiveness and salvation to Yuria.
She didn’t resist, just silently watched Davey open a gate.
‘Actually, this is probably for the best.
’
At least, that was what she thought until she saw Rinne—who had been lying unconscious just moments before—suddenly open her eyes.
She turned fully alert in an instant and looked straight at her.
“
Huh?
” Yuria said with a hint of confusion.
Rinne, pretending to be still out cold, casually pulled out a small piece of paper and showed it to her.
[Rinne evaluates Yuria’s spirit of sacrifice highly.]
After reading her note, a very clear theory took form in Yuria’s mind.
Everyone knew how Davey dealt with grudges. As such, they all knew what would happen if both of them were caught.
Both escaping had never been an option from the start. However, if one of them took all the blame, things would pan out differently.
Yuria suddenly realized just how perfectly all the pieces had fallen into place.
‘Why did Rinne, out of nowhere, decide to throw everything away just to send me to safety? Why did she leave all those notes in her hideout, making me cry over her supposed sacrifice?’
At first glance, it seemed like a beautiful story. A noble sacrifice from Rinne, someone who cared about Yuria and wanted to save her no matter what. Yet when looking at it from another angle, it was likely entirely intended and planned that Yuria, after reading Rinne’s letter, was overwhelmed by guilt and decided to take all the blame herself.
All roads led to the same conclusion—Rinne getting away scot-free.
‘Son of a—’
Cold sweat began to run down her back. She trembled, her vision blurring as the realization hit her.
“R-Rinne... No way, right?” she spoke aloud in disbelief, her voice shaking.
Rinne stayed perfectly silent, pretending to be still unconscious like nothing had happened.
“
Hmmm.
Looks like she’s in pretty bad shape,” Davey said as he gently lifted Rinne in his arms.
Just moments before, both of them had been ready to face the same punishment.
Honestly, the rest of the members in the society had only followed along with the two’s antics. The ones who actually orchestrated everything were Rinne and Yuria. In other words, it was undeniable that the two of them were the sole accomplices.
However, in one fell swoop, the tables had been turned. Yuria had willingly tied a noose around her own neck. Rinne, on the other hand, took advantage of the situation and slipped away.
“Riiiinnnnne!!!” Yuria broke down in an instant.
It was all thanks to the Vice President of the Gourmet Research Society, Rinne. The endless chain of betrayal in the club’s escape drama ended in her complete victory.
* * *
Expression blank, Yuria hung limply from the edge of a cliff and muttered, “I don’t drink anything given to me by traitors.”
“Rinne evaluates Yuria’s stubbornness lowly.”
After dragging Yuria back to Tionis, Davey had gifted her the ingredients she usually wanted as a reward for her contribution in capturing the dark mages. She would’ve normally been thrilled, but there were still unresolved issues.
The current situation between her and Rinne.
“How could you betray me?!” Yuria shouted with a face full of hurt.
Rinne dug at her ear with her small, pale pinky finger. “Rinne detects abnormalities in auditory circuits. Rinne states that Yuria initiated the betrayal.”
“No I didn’t! You did!!” Yuria ground her teeth and glared at her, but Rinne looked back with indifference as if she was just a yapping dog.
“Rinne is the victor. Rinne evaluates this very highly,” she commented as she raised both hands in a wide V shape. “Rinne now inherits the position of Gourmet Research Society President!”
“Don’t even dream about it! Not until I’m six feet under and all I can see is dirt.”
Hearing her declaration, Rinne scooped up a handful of dirt in an attempt to cover her eyes.
“Put that down right now.”
No matter how furiously Yuria burned with rage, it was pointless. In the end, Rinne stood victorious.
That truth left Yuria endlessly uncomfortable.
“One day, you’re going to pay for this. Big time.”
“Rinne calculates meticulously and determines the probability of such an event to be ze—”
“Rinne!!!!” Davey could be heard roaring furiously from a distance.
Rinne flinched, while Yuria just smirked. “Oh dear, did you cause another incident?”
“R-Rinne s she isn’t here right now!”
She hurriedly tried to run away, but Yuria shrieked out, “Gracious Savior!! Rinne is right here!!”
Yuria and Rinne were the very definition of frenemies.
* * *
Evangeline’s days were always the same.
[So what happened?]
“What do you mean what happened? Yuria got caught first, then Rinne caused another incident and ended up getting hanged too.”
[LOL]
[She said hanged lol]
[Hollup, don’t tell me you mean THAT kind of hanging????]
“I’ve even got a photo! Wanna see? They were both tied up tight, hanging off a cliff. Even then, they couldn’t stop bickering like crazy,” she said with a chuckle as she pulled up the photo.
“Seriously... they’re not kids. I have no idea why they fight like that,” she said with a sigh.

Chapter 1151