This time, it seemed like Hans wasn’t just making empty promises about giving it his all. The countries belonging to the Racial Alliance revealed their hidden secret weapons. Hans clicked his tongue.
Click!
He never dreamed they would still have trump cards up their sleeves in a situation like this. Part of him felt bitter about it. The fact that they had to be pushed this far to get moving.
Ugh…
But then again, if the leaders of the Racial Alliance decided to go all out, it meant that the war with the demons was finally nearing its end.
Hans was slightly surprised by the shift in his own feelings. Initially, he only wanted to go back somehow. But now, living here among everyone wasn’t so bad after all.
Hmm…
Of course, he had no intention of casually dropping a “let’s get married after the war” line—that was a surefire death flag. Until everything was certain, he resolved to keep his mouth shut. That was Hans’s determination.
“Things are going well for both the Dwarf Republic and the Human Kingdom.”
“Even the Orcs are being proactive.”
“Yeah, even though their relationships with the Beastmen have soured.”
“That part, they’ll have to resolve with each other.”
After Hans desperately mediated, the Orcs and the Beastmen temporarily paused their fighting and decided to cooperate for this incident. However, once this was over, they’d surely clash again at any moment.
Hans had no intention of saying anything about that. After dealing with the common enemy, each race would return to their own path. Even if it meant fighting amongst each other.
Of course, if it escalated too far, he would step in again. For now, he just wanted to relax comfortably after it was all over. But wait, why was there an image of being with everyone…?
“Commander?”
“Sorry, just thinking about something else for a moment.”
“Oh no, it’s my fault for interrupting.”
To Cluna, her commander Hans was a wise human who thought of everything she had never even considered, a true hero. It was only natural to feel apologetic for disturbing his contemplation.
Uh-oh…
‘Dangerous, imagining spending my days surrounded by women like a paradise on earth.’
In reality, Hans’s cheeks turned red from those serious thoughts. Literally, he was picturing living in the same house with his comrades after retirement.
Despite getting scared and trying to back out when it came time to be intimate with them. Was he just tricking himself into thinking he had hooked a catch? Starting to feel self-loathing, Hans made a resolution in his heart.
‘From now on, I’ll focus on my real girlfriend.’
Helia and Yuren had already been honest about their feelings. Initially flustered, but unwilling to reject them, Hans accepted their hearts. As a result, he now had two girlfriends.
Wowza!
Each of them was a beauty that could easily be described as breathtaking. For someone like Hans, who was neither an insider nor anything special, they were too burdensome. But now that they had confirmed each other’s feelings…
He had no intention of approaching them with such vague feelings as before. Right at that moment, Cluna, who was by his side, spoke with a look of dismay.
“Oh no… I’m sorry, Commander. May I step away for a moment?”
“What’s going on?”
“I received a request from the Elves. They said they need help.”
“The Elves asked for help?”
Hans tilted his head in confusion. The Elves who had cried out about killing their World Tree were now asking for help? It certainly smelled fishy. The scent of a deep conspiracy lingered.
Hmm… smells fishy!
“Let’s go together.”
“Really? Is that necessary…?”
“No, it’s decided. We will go together.”
“…If you insist.”
Cluna blushed and nodded. Though she was acting strangely, her reaction became a minor concern, but with Clara bursting through the door, any doubt vanished.
“Mom! I’m all ready!”
“I told you to show the proper conduct for public occasions, didn’t I?”
“S-Sorry! I mean, my apologies!”
“Is Clara coming along too?”
“Yes, it’s about the Elves.”
Well, if it was about the Elves, Clara would surely be helpful. Hans nodded. He wrapped up a very simple preparation and set off from the fortress with the mother and daughter. Of course, there were no lack of concerns.
“Teacher, I also want to go.”
“I want to go too.”
“Calm down.”
Hans understood what Helia and Yuren were worried about. But things wouldn’t flow according to their thoughts. Hans had resolved to gather his wits properly from that point on.
*
Getting to the Elven Forest wasn’t that difficult, thanks to the Wyverns offered by the Orcs. Although the Dragon Lord had offered to personally carry them, Hans politely declined.
Oh no, thanks!
Riding with the Dragon Lord would only seem like a show of military force in the Elven Forest. Nonetheless, with the Wyverns, Hans arrived at the Elven Forest in just a few days.
After descending to the forest on a Wyvern, Hans spotted groups of Elves gathered nearby. As soon as the Elves made eye contact with Hans, their expressions froze. It seemed they hadn’t expected this.
“Quite the warm welcome.”
“I apologize on their behalf, Commander.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t really expect anything anyway.”
The Elven Forest didn’t leave a good impression on Hans. Even in the game, just chopping down a single tree resulted in the Elves declaring war, so they were already quite unlikable.
After he handled the fallen World Tree for them, they had haunted him ever since, speaking of avenging the World Tree. It was natural he wouldn’t have anything nice to say.
“What’s with the grumpiness on such a fine day?”
“Maquenis High Elder.”
“How have you been, Sir Hans?”
The one who mediated between the increasingly hostile Elves and Hans was none other than the highest leader of the Elves, High Elder Maquenis. Hans softened his demeanor. He had received quite a bit of help from him too.
Maquenis High Elder was also surprised, but he welcomed Hans warmly. He urged them not to harm the Elves and threatened punishment if they were discovered.
“To bless such a fine day, we have guests from afar. Just embrace the forest.”
Breezy!
“Well, it was that guy who saved Cluna and Clara.”
“At least on such a fine day, let’s not hold a grudge.”
“A fine day, huh? Is there some event going on today?”
Hans tilted his head. The Elves, who declared war even for just the felling of a tree, would smoothly let things slide today? Maquenis High Elder looked confused at Hans’s question.
“Weren’t you aware?”
“I just followed along when they said there was an event.”
“Hmm, it’s a troubling matter. But it’s good to hear.”
“Stop dodging and just answer the question.”
Hans began to get irritated at Maquenis High Elder’s evasiveness. Even if he was being welcomed, after everything that had happened, it was a bit difficult to feel all warm and fuzzy.
“If it’s just a trivial matter you called for…”
“Why hide it? Today is the day of the Elves’ wedding.”
GASP!
“W-Wedding?”
“That’s right.”
Hans stared blankly, blinking rapidly. A wedding? Suddenly, in a situation like this? He glanced at him, wondering if he was joking, but Maquenis High Elder remained serious.
In this circumstance, a wedding? What a blissfully naive thought. For just a moment, Hans thought so, but quickly rescinded that idea. In some ways, this wedding might be a courageous act.
With the demons’ war right at their doorstep. They might part from their loved ones. While not doing so would be ideal, how could all matters in the world be filled with happiness?
“…A courageous choice.”
“Surprisingly so. You aren’t calling it foolishness?”
“If everything is prepared, it won’t be a problem. And…”
“And?”
“Truly sharing memories with the one you love and bearing the responsibility—how could that be foolish?”
Marriage is not just about having children. It’s about fruitfully nurturing a relationship with someone you genuinely love, resulting in children as a consequence. And to choose to marry even with war looming signifies something straightforward.
Even if.
Even if my beloved perishes on the battlefield.
I will raise the fruits of the love born between us and remember.
That will surely be an incredibly lonely and sorrowful affair. Even if time passes and I meet someone good again, the wounds left deep within the heart would turn to scars and never truly vanish.
Yet.
The reason to be together is.
Because I love you.
Hans found himself at a loss for words. Could I truly make the same choice? Could I bear the responsibility for one person’s—not just one—life? He suddenly began to feel the weight of that responsibility.
“Clara, did you bring the gift?”
“Of course! I packed everything Mom said!”
“Then that’s a relief.”
“……?!”
Uh-oh! He almost forgot about the traditional wedding gift! Of course, it looked like they brought gifts here instead of cash. Regardless, he arrived at the wedding without even the bare minimum of etiquette!
Gulp!
At this rate, he’d become a rude freeloader!
Damn those crafty guys, setting him up in such a heinous trap…!!
Hans gritted his teeth inwardly.
