When the elderly folks’ nonsense finally wrapped up, my life force was hitting rock bottom. sigh
Thank goodness I took down Agra first. If they had seen this scene, they would have tried to kill my spirit.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I stepped away from the Fairy Queen and stood in front of the Hero.
“You got the story, right? Then hurry up and say what you want. Our Lord Jushin is a sloppy one lacking empathy, so if you don’t say it, he won’t know.”
“You mean something like the peace of the continent or everyone’s smiles? I shouldn’t say that, right?”
“Ha. Plenty of people can accomplish that without you. The pathetic loser should just back off quietly.”
“Hahaha. You’re right. You’re a much better person than I am, so you’ll manage well.”
Nodding, the Hero scratched his head, wearing a sheepish smile.
“However, even if you ask me to talk about personal desires, nothing comes to mind. It’s been so long since I thought of such things. I used to have dreams, but now I can’t think of anything.”
“That’s true. Your mental age, which has been discarded for ages, is probably less than that of a kid.”
The Hero has been living for others since the Age of Myth.
After fighting the Evil God and achieving peace on the continent, he has been alone, sealing the Evil God in the darkness.
Expecting him to have autonomy would be quite difficult.
“Well, then do whatever you wish.”
“…Huh?”
“I mean, try anything. Become a hero praised throughout the peaceful continent. Be a powerful noble and experience a little abuse of power. Enjoy some quiet time in the countryside. Live like a crazed womanizer, just like this cross-dressing knight beside me.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. Isn’t that a bit too random? There’s no way that could work.”
“Why not? You’ve got the fame of the fairytale hero, and even if you’re not at your peak, you still have power. Plus, you have me and Mama backing you up, so you can do anything!”
After countless miracles led to this present world, there’s nothing more meaningless than the word ‘realistic’ here.
“If you think you can’t do it alone, just take around the knight driven by desires. He should know what to do, being under the control of the middle leg!”
“…Hey. Why’s my evaluation so harsh?”
Garad, insulted in a subtle way, spoke up with a stiff smile.
“What wrong did I commit against you?!”
“I just don’t like how you look.”
“Ruel! Manage your disciple better!”
“Sorry. What can I do if he doesn’t appeal? It’s your fault for looking like that. sigh”
The grandfather, who replied nonchalantly, failed to hold back his laughter and turned his head.
As Garad forced tension into his neck at the snickers that escaped in sync with his shoulders shaking, he yelled.
“Are you picking a fight!? Huh?!”
“I’m sorry, Garad! It’s my fault you turned out this way.”
“Lord Jushin! If you apologize, what am I supposed to be? My face is fine! I’ve always been told I was handsome, both before and now! The problem lies with the eyes of those present here!”
It seemed too difficult to express anything to Armadi, so Garad flailed in indignation while Erginius stepped forward, clearly suppressing laughter.
“Lady, ahem. Are you saying that Lady Runevia’s eyes are the problem?”
“Stop pretending you don’t know that!”
Thanks to Garad’s outburst, we escaped the serious mood and began discussing what comes next amid the laughter.
For the time being, the Hero and Garad decided to work with Karia on the continent.
I think they want to know what it feels like to be praised in peace.
“I’ll also make sure the current peace lasts for a long time, while I’m at it.”
“Kid! I’ll spread plenty of rumors about you, so know that!”
“Please do.”
“…Huh?”
“Please lower my reputation if you can! I trust you, Garad! You can totally do it!”
“Wait, you believe in me? In what way?”
“It’s a promise! If you break it, I’ll expose your dark history to the world, so keep that in mind!”
“Was I the only one who didn’t understand this situation? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?!”
If someone of Garad’s standing spreads bad words, my reputation might drop just a little!
Damn it! Even though everything’s finished, I don’t want to be treated like a sage anymore!
I really hate it when people treat me like that after all the troubles we went through!
After unilaterally signing the contract, I turned to Erginius and Runevia, who were laughing while holding hands.
“We plan to stay in this forest.”
“Since it’s a love we’ve been waiting hundreds of years for, we should enjoy each other’s time for at least that long, right?”
When I finally glanced over, the grandfather lightly chuckled and ruffled my hair.
“I need to keep watch until you can handle everything on your own. Right now, you’re too uneasy to do anything.”
“Grandpa, clinging to a girl doesn’t seem like a good thing.”
“…Should I go along with those kids, then?”
“I didn’t mean that! I’d appreciate it if you stayed beside me!”
The heroes who saved the world in the past decided to resolve their grievances in this new world in their own ways.
Though it has been centuries since they last met, no one felt disappointed about parting.
“Unlike the previous times we separated, we all know we can live comfortably and smile. There’s no reason to block others.”
I always thought this, but why does it feel like the people under Mama are more mature than she is?
What even is a God?
Hmm. This seems like a philosophical question if I dig deeper.
As I felt my own head overloaded, Runevia stood before us.
“I’m sorry, but may I guide you two?”
“Is it that thing we did last time? Wasn’t Mama the one who forced us to do it?”
“I thought so, but Lord Armadi said it wasn’t.”
“I don’t possess foresight. I can’t inform the queen of the future. That’s likely within your power.”
“So overly, I could indeed guide you all forward.”
Clearing her throat and gathering herself, Runevia clasped our hands together and placed hers over them.
“You both need to find the people you cherish. I believe Lady Allen will understand without being told. You need to convey the words you never got to say.”
“Of course.”
There are so many things I couldn’t say because of the curse from the Mesugaki Skill.
I’ve had so many opportunities to call their names without attaching the word sloppy!
But now, I can finally call them properly!
Of course, I want to run to them right away!
“Lord Armadi, don’t be afraid. If you step back now, you’ll just end up repeating past regrets. So no matter how scary it might be, go face them and convey your thoughts.”
“…It seems I should, right?”
“I don’t know if my words will comfort you, but you will surely meet a happy ending.”
…Wait a minute.
“Did Mama get scared?”
When I asked, thinking it made no sense, Runevia nodded.
“I think so.”
“…You’re scared of meeting Papa?”
“You seem to know well.”
“Mama, you really are a sloppy woman. What a disappointment.”
“B-but!”
“Then you were just dragging me into that void because you were scared of seeing Papa and not because you wanted to talk to me?”
“Of course not! I just have so much to say to Lucy…!”
“Really? Are you sure you’re not secretly hiding a small motive?”
“…W-well, maybe there was a little.”
Watching Mama fiddling with her hands drew an involuntary sigh from me.
If I kept watching this, I might accidentally blurt out verbal abuse like back when it came to the relationship between Lord Jushin and the Apostle.
Let’s just send her off quickly.
“Lord Erginius.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you so flustered?”
“Ahem. Hearing you address me properly gives me chills.”
“Call me like before?”
“I’m sorry, but please don’t.”
Seeing Erginius shaking his head in horror made me want to tease him, but I held back because I didn’t want to use words like sympathy and stink with Mama next to me.
“So, do you have something you need to ask me?”
“Please take Mama to Papa. He’s a noticeable person, so you won’t have any trouble finding him.”
“I already know where Benedict Allen is. I can deliver you right in front of him.”
“Then please do that.” “Huh? Wait a moment, Lord Erginius! I need to prepare my heart.”
“Take her. If not, I’ll spill everything you wrote in that notebook.”
“I’m sorry! Lord Armadi, please forgive my rudeness this one time!”
Before Mama could even explain herself, the two of them disappeared into the darkness. I reached out my arms towards Runevia, signaling her to take me along.
Runevia lightly smiled but shook her head instead of fulfilling my wish.
“I’m sorry, but there are already people beside you who can take my place.”
– That’s right!
– We’re here!
– We can take Lucy too!
Even though the miracle had ended, the fairies shone brightly, their voices filled with discontent.
“Puhahaha!”
– Why are you laughing!?
– We’re serious!
– That’s right! We’re super serious!
They were so cute that even with their complaints and grievances, I didn’t feel scared one bit.
“Okay, okay. I see. You know where I want to go, right?”
– Yes!
– We know!
– We’ll guide you!
As I trusted the fairies’ power and closed my eyes, and then opened them, a high-pitched voice pierced my ears.
“R-Rulu?! Is this a dream!? Am I dreaming?! Why is Lucy suddenly in front of me!”
Joy, dressed in pajamas, was surprised by my presence and rambled on as usual.
Even after going through so much, she hasn’t changed a bit.
“Why would you doubt that? I must frequently appear in your dreams, I guess?”
“Th-that’s…”
“Haha, you really must like me a lot, Joy?”
“I can’t deny that… Wait a moment! Lucy! What did you just say!”
“I said Joy.”
Why? Is it wrong to call my friend by their name correctly?
