“Hmmmmm!”
Hestia gazed at the newly hung sign at the temple of God Incrinew.
On that dark-hued sign, three white letters were boldly written.
God of War Cult.
Hestia looked at the dark sign with a very proud expression.
“Absolutely splendid!”
As Hestia raised her arms and shouted, Ermel, standing beside her, nodded enthusiastically.
The imperial architect and the workers standing in front of them glanced at the two with uncertain expressions.
“So, you’re planning to set up a statue of Duke Yuma here too, right? Miss Swordswoman.”
The brown-haired scruffy architect scratched his head and asked Hestia.
Hestia’s green eyes sparkled as she responded to the architect.
“Yup, once the statue is perfectly made, I’ll let Yuma know about the existence of this temple!”
The architect slowly nodded while alternating his gaze between Hestia and Ermel.
“Understood. I’ll make it to an appropriate size.”
Is it really okay to build a temple for a living being, especially a mortal human? Architect Rephel decided to push those sensible concerns aside for the time being.
After all, everyone, including himself, was receiving decent pay, and they had the approval of Princess Brigitte, the empress of this land, so he decided to proceed.
Moreover, it was true that Rephel no longer regarded Yuma as just a human. He had been one of the witnesses who saw Yuma directly confront the Demon King who invaded from the demon realm and annihilate him with thunderous strength.
The foreman shouted loudly.
“Okay, break time is over! Let’s get back to work!”
If Yuma found out, it would be a pain in the neck, but they were revving up again.
“The location for Duke Yuma’s statue will be right here, visible as you pass through the entrance to the right! Got it!”
Things were getting pretty serious.
*
“……”
Yuma was gently stroking the hair of something resting in his arms. The long-haired black mage, Cloney’s head.
Cloney had appeared in front of Yuma just a few minutes ago. As soon as she heard the news of his safe return, she rushed up to the capital and instantly jumped into his embrace.
Whether it was her own joy or just the spontaneous reaction, Cloney had lost track of when to get out of Yuma’s arms. And as for Yuma, he also found himself unable to determine the right moment to stop the subtle petting.
It was a branch.
As Cloney slowly raised her head, Duke Yuma was finally able to take a good look at Cloney’s face after two weeks.
Cloney, looking a bit shy, was nibbling her pink lips when Yuma decided to break the silence first.
“I heard you were training.”
Cloney’s golden eyes locked onto Yuma.
“Yes, I want to get stronger.”
Cloney honestly admitted without hiding the reason why she went all the way to the Scarlet Magic Tower under the capital to train.
Yuma could vaguely guess what Cloney was thinking.
“You’re weak. It’s not like Bell is strong and that’s why I chose her as a companion for our journey to the Demon Realm. There are roles to play, and that’s why I took Bell along.”
Unlike before, Cloney couldn’t accept Yuma’s words as they were.
“…If I had overwhelming strength, and my offensive and defensive magic had both reached the full 7th Circle, you would have worried at least a little, right, Yuma?”
Yuma couldn’t deny that statement.
He realized that the spark in her golden eyes wasn’t just a rebellion against his words.
Disappointment in herself. Frustration about her current power lingering at the edge of the 5th Circle.
Desire.
The desire for strength. The yearning for growth. The bitter feelings of someone wanting to move forward swirled in Cloney’s mind.
Even now, Cloney, who was pushing her limits at an incredible speed, wanted to go even faster.
Looking into her clear, focused golden eyes, Yuma concluded that it was time for a more honest conversation.
“Do I seem urgent? Cloney?”
Cloney had no choice but to nod at Yuma’s question.
“…Yes.”
The Demon Realm.
Unless it was urgent, there was no reason to step into that dangerous world.
To Cloney, Yuma appeared to be desperately preparing to confront the powerful enemy known as the Evil God, who could strike at any moment.
“You’re fighting alone in preparation for the Evil God, who could attack at any time. Right, Yuma?”
Yuma didn’t feel the need to correct her concern. It wasn’t a completely wrong deduction.
He slowly nodded.
“That’s right. I’ve been quite busy preparing for their invasion, which could happen again anytime. But now, I’ve gained everything I needed. Even if they invade again, I can protect you all.”
There was no certainty.
Yet, he had to make such a declaration. Yuma had accumulated a monumental amount of achievements far beyond his own standing.
Because I have built up such enormous achievements.
I couldn’t afford to betray the trust and firm belief placed in me, so I had no choice but to keep up the facade.
“I do wish for you all to grow strong. However, there’s no need to act so hastily.”
Duke Yuma added softly.
“Cloney, I’ll give you the time you need to fully grow.”
Duke Yuma exhaled another outburst of bravado and wondered why he had said such things.
It was a foolish promise. A vow not to create another situation like Selene’s, even once.
At Yuma’s words, Cloney smiled brightly.
“…Yes, Duke Yuma.”
But beneath that bright smile lay a tiny hint of rebellion towards Yuma.
‘I’ll reach the place you desire as quickly as possible.’
There was no intention of easing her impatient heart. Always keeping the tension tight, she aimed to reach her ideals as soon as she could.
She would grow strong.
Cloney’s desire for strength grew larger and clearer during this conversation.
“Next time you go to the Scarlet Magic Tower, let me know.”
“Yes, Duke Yuma.”
Cloney replied, grabbing Yuma’s sleeve with her small hand.
“Let’s go have lunch.”
Cloney’s ambitions were enormous.
To possess the power that keeps anyone from touching this precious home where her loved ones resided.
“Everyone will be waiting.”
*
Knock knock—
Someone knocked on the door of the resting place where Yuma was.
-Your Excellency, Duke, it’s Michael. May I come in?
Yuma stood up from his chair.
“Come in.”
Michael, the direct bodyguard of Empress Brigitte, stepped into Yuma’s quarters.
The blond knight looked at Yuma and began to speak.
“The High Elf Luine has arrived unexpectedly at the palace to see you.”
Yuma tilted his head at Michael’s words.
It was quite sudden for an elf to show up.
Did she come to retrieve something he lent her?
However, it was Luine herself who said the Returning Orb that allowed Yuma to return from the demon realm was a one-time artifact.
“What’s the matter? Didn’t she mention the purpose of her visit?”
At Yuma’s question, Michael nodded.
“I asked several times, but she kept saying it’s a matter that must be addressed directly with Your Excellency.”
Yuma rose, pondering whether something unexpected had occurred in the elves’ land. He followed Michael out.
And so, Michael followed behind.
Yuma and Michael made their way down from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor.
Michael opened the door to the reception room, and both Yuma and Michael entered the guest area together.
A long ear that proved she was a high elf.
And there she was, Luine, with green hair that reminded one of lush trees and green eyes.
“…Long time no see. Duke Yuma, it was just a month ago since we last met.”
At Luine’s words, Yuma activated a one-time ability and tossed the now ordinary return orb from his palm before catching it again.
“Yeah, thanks to you, I made it back to the Empire in one piece. But this should be a one-time use, right?”
At Yuma’s comment, Luine slowly shook her head.
“I’m glad to hear I could help. But… this time, it’s not about you. It’s the Celestial Beings.”
“…Celestial Beings?”
Celestial Beings.
Yuma’s brow furrowed. They were a race born in the Celestial Realm, living there but existing to maintain the balance of other worlds.
Yuma had heard about them from the Great Demon King Lilith and thought that one day he’d encounter them. However, he never imagined that it would happen so soon.
“The fact that the Celestial Beings and Elves communicate about the Intermediate World is top secret, only known by high elves and above.”
Yuma felt a slight tremor in Luine’s words.
“The Celestial Beings harbor deep suspicions about your identity. A human hunting a Black Dragon alone and handling two Demon Lords by yourself. And they also know that your subordinate, Bell, has reached Grand Master level.”
Luine continued in a trembling voice.
“They sensed a desire to make Bell, who reached the peak of what a human could achieve at such a young age, a messenger of the Celestial Realm. That’s why I rushed here. It’s a clear fact that everyone on this continent owes you a great debt.”
Yuma quietly replied while gazing out of the window, not at Luine.
“Did you really rush here?”
“Yes?”
The words of Balmung echoed in Yuma’s mind.
-A being suddenly appeared from the sky, charging towards the Master.
And just like that.
BAM!!!!!!!!
The window shattered.
The wall crumbled.
“Target acquired.”
A white being with white wings, missing eyes and a nose, armed with only a mouth, stood there holding a spear.
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