Chapter 448: After the Battle

<Author’s Notes>

We look forward to your continued support this year.

As if they didn’t want to pour cold water on the moment————

The people around us didn’t speak to me.

They looked like they were carefully gauging the right timing.

But for now, they were only watching from a distance.

……Heck, Itsuki, what’s with that face?

Kashima beside Itsuki looked a little embarrassed.

Amidst all that, the first one to speak was———–

[Your long journey has finally come to an end huh, Touka.]

Fly King Squadron.

The Leopardkin Beastman, second only to Seras in seniority, Eve Speed.

[I was certain you would see it through———– When you returned from the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle, I already had a premonition bordering on conviction. And yet, now that the moment is truly here, this lingering sense of unreality still refuses to fade.]

[And even watching that sh*tty goddess got sent down the Purification Corridor right before our eyes didn’t feel real either.]

That sight.

That something like that had been unfolding until just moments ago in this peaceful plaza.

It was unbelievable——— Feeling that way was only natural.

[The end of Vysis…… it was a fierce, dreadful finale.]

Eve said it as though savoring each word.

[From what I have heard of the punishment known as the Purification Corridor, it may well have been a fitting sentence for the evils she committed. However…… it does not erase the suffering of those who died amid tragedy and catastrophe, nor will it bring them back. Even so———–]

Eve gazed toward the far reaches of the clear, open sky.

[The fact that Vysis will never again give birth to further tragedy or calamity, that alone is something we may accept with honest relief———– At least, that is what I believe.]

Having said that, Eve fell silent for a while.

What thoughts she was turning over in her mind……

That, even I could not know.

The only thing I did know was———–

[You’ve always been looking toward the future, haven’t you?]

It felt like Eve Speed had always been looking ahead.

Especially since we left Urza and entered the Golden Demon Zone.

She carried her feelings for her parents and the fallen Speed clan with her.

Yet she was never driven by vengeance.

Revenge is an act that binds one to the past.

It means dragging the past along, nurturing negative emotions and grudges.

Generally speaking, it can hardly be called healthy.

……Well, I got my revenge and felt pretty damn refreshed, though.

On the other hand————- having someone like Eve around made me feel strangely at ease, too.

[Fufu. With this, Erika’s burden should finally be lifted as well. I must hurry and tell her that everything is truly over. And then, perhaps Liz and I too…… may finally obtain the life we truly wished for.]

Eve smiled at me, then said———–

[It is thanks to you. Allow me to offer my gratitude once more, Milord.]

[I’ve said this more than once, but that line belongs to me too. Not just you…… looking back on the decisive battle with Vysis and everything that led up to it, there’s no way I could have managed it alone———– Like I’ve told you countless times.]

……That said……

I wonder how things are like over there?

The Royal Capital of Jonato Principality———– the defense of the Sacred Eye.

The underground Sacraments that were meant to be sent to Heaven.

They had all vanished without fulfilling their original roles.

Which meant the Sacrament army that went to destroy the Sacred Eye should have vanished as well but————

[Seras, can you lend me a shoulder?]

[Certainly. Please, hold on to me.]

[Sorry about that…… hm?]

[———-Seras.]

As I stood up with Seras’ support, someone approached.

The one who called out was……

[Princess.]

Cattleya Stramius.

Behind her stood the Holy Knights of Neia.

Machia was there as well, the one I had spoken with after the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle.

Cattleya gave an elegant cough.

[Well done…… and you certainly didn’t hold back when it came to showing off your affection in front of everyone.]

[Eh!? No, Princess! That’s not———]

I instinctively moved my body away from Seras.

Thereupon……

[Ah……]

Cattleya stepped forward and embraced Seras.

As if holding a treasured possession she had cherished since long ago.

[Allow me to say it as well. You did wonderfully———– and thank you for your hard work.]

[……Princess.]

At the instant she was hugged, Seras still looked taken aback by Cattleya’s words.

But her expression gradually softened, filled with deep affection and respect.

She gently looked down at Cattleya, who had buried her face against Seras’ shoulder, and returned the embrace.

Then, wearing a smile as bright as the sunlight, Seras lowered her lashes.

[Yes, to the Princess as well…… truly, thank you for all your efforts……]

There was strength in Cattleya’s arms as she held her———- strength filled with emotion.

And then Cattleya Stramius spoke her name.

From the depths of her heart———– the name of her dear friend.

[Seras……]

I couldn’t see her expression.

But perhaps all the feelings she had been carrying until now had finally overflowed.

Her voice was thin, trembling with tears.

In that moment, it felt like I was seeing that Queen of Neia look her age for the first time.

I don’t know her exact age.

But among the representatives of the nations, she’s probably the youngest.

The only one who might be younger than Cattleya would be, well, Zine.

Now the Queen of Neia.

Just how much weight had been placed upon those small shoulders?

How many heavy responsibilities had she endured since her days as a princess?

……Zine too, for that matter.

Both of them are far too composed for their age.

Well, maybe that’s just what it means to be royalty……

Seras deepened the embrace, drawing Cattleya in as if to envelop her.

Then, wearing an expression reminiscent of a holy mother, she gently stroked the back of her former liege.

[If we could spend peaceful days together again, without reservation…… Seras Ashrain truly wishes for that. Back then…… when Bakuos invaded Neia, if you had not so forcefully ordered me to flee that place…… I would never have arrived here, nor would I have met Touka-dono. It is thanks to you————- Cattleya-sama.]

[—————No…… this outcome is the result of your…… your own efforts……]

[Even so…… if you had not accepted me after I was exiled from my homeland…… this present would not exist. This future would not exist.]

[……Fufu. If that is the case, then……]

Cattleya released the embrace, wiped away her tears with a fingertip, and smiled.

Then, half-jokingly……

[The emotions and obsessions that drove him were certainly not praiseworthy, but…… perhaps my father, who stubbornly refused to hand Seras over to that goddess no matter what, deserves some credit as well……]

Seras tilted her head slightly…… and gave an awkward, strained smile.

[A- Ahaha……]

……Just now.

You hesitated for a moment over how to react, didn’t you, Seras?

[Hehe. You needn’t worry about my feelings, you know? Well…… it is true that somewhere inside me, there was a naive hope that Father might one day return to being the former “Holy King”…… However, it is also an undeniable fact that Father was an infatuated old fool who got intoxicated by the “fragrance” known as Seras Ashrain, and in the end surrendered the throne of reason to his own desires.]

[Y- You don’t have to put it that harshly……]

Cattleya laughed softly, elegant as ever.

By now, she had fully returned to the face of a queen.

[Then, at the very least…… shall we someday offer flowers in his memory, together?]

Seras returned her smile.

[Yes…… let us do so, Princess.]

Thereupon, Cattleya turned toward me and ran over.

[To you as well, my thanks.]

Carrying that momentum straight with her, Cattleya threw her arms around me.

I snorted lightly and said,

[As the coordinator between the nations of this continent…… why not have you take Vysis’ place for a while?]

Or perhaps her proactive role as the organizer of the Goddess Subjugation Army.

Was that also part of her plan to seize the initiative with the postwar future already in mind?

Coming from this queen, it wouldn’t be surprising.

[Fufu. I really can’t get the better of you.]

[In which sense?]

[……I mean, you know. You’re being embraced by such a beautiful, youthful queen of a nation, and yet you’re far too calm about it, aren’t you?]

I shrugged.

[Sorry, but I’m devoted solely to Seras Ashrain.]

[T- Touka-dono……]

Seras fidgeted shyly.

Cattleya gave a wry smile.

[Good grief. You’re so passionate I might get burned. Truly…… to her, you are without question the perfect partner. Fufu, Touka Mimori———]

Squeeze.

The arms wrapped around me tightened.

And then……

[Thank you…… for finding her.]

[……It’s thanks to you that Seras was protected all this time.]

Cattleya released the embrace, straightened her posture with elegance, and faced me.

[I would very much like to be allowed to preside over the wedding ceremony of you two in Neia.]

Seras practically jumped into the air.

[W- Wed——— Princess!?]

[Ara, weren’t you planning to hold one?]

[Eh, about that……]

Seras turned to me, her mouth opening and closing in flustered panic.

Her eyes were clearly seeking my verdict.

[Well…… we can talk about that later.]

[——–As he said!]

With a snap, Seras whipped her face back toward Cattleya.

Her expression was a (somewhat amusing) mixture of intense confusion and pounding heart.

……Now that I think about it calmly.

What the heck am I even doing in front of my classmates……?

[Now that things with Vysis have been settled, I’m glad to see this side of Seras coming out more naturally.]

Cattleya said, covering her mouth with her hand as she laughed gracefully.

In her own way, she was probably trying to help Seras relax.

Best friends…… and at the same time, something like sisters.

[Now then, Touka Mimori-dono, you appear to be utterly exhausted. If you intend to rest after this, then should you give me instructions———– within what I am able, I can act as your proxy and take care of matters in your stead…… What do you say?]

As expected of Cattleya Stramius.

Given the flow of things, I’d probably be having many similar conversations after this.

I didn’t mind that in itself———— but I was completely worn out.

Honestly, I was sleepy.

Cattleya must have noticed and decided it would be best to let me rest.

That might be why she spoke up first.

[I’ll thank the others properly later, but…… yeah. Just in case I don’t wake up for a few days, could I ask you to act as my stand-in…… and to handle the helm on some of the cleanup work?]

[Leave it to me.]

[If you need someone to consult, rely on Zine. She’s smart. And for matters related to the Faraway Country, Lieselotte is your best bet…… As for things concerning Vysis and the Deities, you can ask Thesis or Loqierra———– and regarding my classmates…… Itsuki, no, apparently Suou Kayako has been acting as the coordinator in place of Sogou, so she might be better. Anything concerning me personally, if I’ve regained consciousness by then, you can consult Hijiri.]

Supported by Seras, I began to leave the plaza.

To see whether there was a room inside the castle where I could rest———-

……Ah, right. Nyantan, who knows the castle inside and out, isn’t around right now.

But Cattleya had already gotten the information from Duke Polarie.

Duke Polarie.

I see…… the Alion noble who had also been present during the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle.

As I left the plaza, my eyes met Munin’s among the line of those seeing me off.

Munin———– most likely———– silently said this to me:

“Good work.”

And then————

“Thank you.”

Saying that, Munin bowed deeply toward me.

The expression on Munin’s face when she said “thank you”……

It was so———- radiant.

Clear and refreshing.

Her eyes, narrowed in relief, were moist with a fervent sense of accomplishment.

It conveyed powerfully that she had finally been freed from her “curse”———–

It was an expression that made that fact unmistakably clear, and one I had never seen before.

So she had an expression like that in her, I thought.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes slightly.

……Well, of course.

The Forbidden Race———— The Kurosagas.

Their journey……

Their journey had been…… far, far longer than mine.

I smiled at Munin, who had lifted her upper body, and nodded once in reply.

Munin tilted her slender neck cutely and returned the smile.

With a gesture like that of a delicate young girl.

Perhaps it was only her position as clan chief that had forced her to be an “adult” all this time.

Originally, she might have been the kind of “girl” who often wore such expressions and gestures.

I turned my gaze forward again……

[Still…… somehow, this feels like a funeral procession.]

I voiced that thought.

Seras gave a wry smile.

[Eh, please don’t say such ominous things……]

[……But at least with this, it doesn’t look like the funeral procession of someone hated to death.]

It felt like an overly generous “send-off” for someone like me.

I exchanged a glance with Zine.

Zine, too, expressed her support through her expression.

I conveyed a brief message of thanks and encouragement with a nod and a look.

This entire battle owed a lot to the Mira Empire——— Zine’s cooperation had been significant.

She had said that after the fight with Vysis, she would step down from the emperor’s seat……

Now that it had come to this, would she really step down as she said?

And then……

[……………………]

Liese.

You’re far too honest in both expression and attitude.

……Okay, I get it.

Once you’ve rested, we’ll make time and a place to talk properly.

Well…… honestly, I’m glad you like me.

It’s just…… strange.

When we first met, I felt like I was the one throwing her off balance.

Lately though, it feels like I’m the one whose balance is subtly being disturbed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Itsuki and Kashima.

Kashima Kobato.

……She’s no longer just a timid, weak-hearted girl.

Being summoned into this world probably caused some of the changes.

The influence of Ayaka Sogou and the Takao sisters…… especially Ikusaba Asagi seems significant.

But originally…… didn’t she already have a strangely firm heart?

Even with that cat incident, that was clear.

Most would avoid involvement.

They’d pretend not to see, just pass by.

Feeling pity, perhaps———- but only feeling it; most wouldn’t act.

Kashima Kobato, who couldn’t abandon it like that, is strong.

Once she overcomes internal conflict and makes a firm decision, she’s probably the type who becomes very strong.

After all……

A girl who’s merely timid normally wouldn’t volunteer herself.

Just like the members entering the Genesis Labyrinth.

Moreover, I heard she even considered the rationality of volunteering.

If she had volunteered from the start, Ayaka Sogou would have opposed it.

So she volunteered after Sogou was transferred.

However, the risk was huge.

Transfer happened one by one.

If a Divine Servant or a Sacrament had been at the destination, she might have died.

Asagi was also there.

Judging from their relationship, she couldn’t have failed to notice.

Even so, Kashima Kobato volunteered to be part of the raid team.

What else could you call that but gutsy?

And then————– in this battle, it was that Kashima Kobato who ended up saving me.

With gratitude, I smiled at her.

Kashima reacted with slight embarrassment, then waved back with a smile.

……When she’s like that, she still feels like a shy, reserved girl.

Seras and I moved from the square into the building, walking down the corridor.

Cattleya stayed in the square.

Before leaving the square, she gave a few brief instructions……

Well, I’m sure Cattleya will handle it fine.

[———-Here then.]

The room recommended by Duke Polarie had a calm atmosphere.

I heard it was a room for guests of fairly high status.

But it was more suitable for resting, especially for long-term stays.

Indeed, it felt less luxurious and more like a place to return and feel at ease.

I moved away from Seras and collapsed onto the bed on my back.

I stared blankly at the ceiling.

……It’s quiet.

It’s hard to believe such a battle occurred outside this room.

The room gives off a sense of being entirely “unrelated” to what happened.

Also…… beds could become this comfortable huh.

It’s probably similar to the theory that food tastes best when you’re hungry.

I shifted my gaze.

Seras was standing by, unsure of what to do.

I gave a faint wry smile.

During the fight with Vysis, she could hide herself so well.

————-Now, she’s so easy to read.

[Seras.]

[Ah——— y- yes.]

[Shall we sleep?]

[———-Um.]

[Together.]

[…………Is that really alright?]

[I thought you already succeeded in this matter…… but if you don’t want me to notice, you should learn to hide your emotions better.]

Seras lowered her face.

After a short while, she slightly pursed her lips and looked up at me from beneath her lashes.

[———-Was it “written all over my face”?]

I closed my eyes and smiled.

[Yeah, you’re too obvious.]

For some reason, Seras apologized, saying “……I’m sorry”, and then,

“Excuse me then”, she placed her knees on the bed.

The bed creaked quietly, as if she were holding her breath.

[Sorry, but I haven’t had a proper bath in quite some time.]

Seras let out a small chuckle, bringing her loosely clenched fist to her mouth.

[We’ve shared many nights camping on long journeys together…… is that really a problem?]

I was at a loss for words and simply groaned “Hmm”.

[……You’ve started saying quite a bit lately.]

[Fufu…… I’ll take that as a compliment.]

Saying that, Seras lay down.

She turned her gaze slightly to the right.

Her whole body was facing me.

She was using both of her fists like a pillow.

I lightly raised my right hand,

[Given the cost, you’ll still need <Sleep> to actually rest, won’t you?]

Seras narrowed her eyes, smiling as if savoring a moment of happiness.

Then she whispered.

[Until I get sleepy———— may I watch your sleeping face?]

I turned my gaze back to the ceiling, exhaling while keeping a smile at the corners of my mouth.

[Do as you like.]

A happy voice came from right beside me.

[Fufu, thank you very much.]

▽

It seemed I had slept for about five days.

This might be the longest I’ve ever slept in my life.

Could someone really sleep this long without hospital-like facilities……?

No, perhaps it was thanks to my status bonuses.

While I was asleep, Seras apparently took care of various things.

That would explain why my body felt relatively clean when I regained consciousness.

I drank water on the bed, then, considering my stomach, ate some soup and porridge.

Then, I received a report of the past five days.

Several things had happened, and several things had progressed.

First, Takao Hijiri had regained consciousness.

Apparently, that had happened three days ago.

She had been handling various advisory roles in my stead.

In addition, she seemed to be taking care of Sogou, who had yet to regain consciousness.

Then———– there was a magical war pigeon from Azziz, Jonato.

The magical war pigeon had delivered a rolled-up letter.

I read the letter myself.

It contained information about the successful defense of the Sacred Eye and the aftermath of that battle.

As I read, I lowered my head——— resting the back of my fingers against my forehead.

For a while, I couldn’t continue reading.

Silence lingered.

It was only after Seras spoke to me that I finally continued reading the letter.

The date and time were noted.

The Sacred Eye defense battle had ended before the final confrontation with Vissis.

Apparently, Magnar’s White Wolf King and the others were now heading this way.

They were using magic horses, special horses that shorten travel time.

They had left Azziz several days ago.

Incidentally, the number of magic horses was limited.

So, the White Wolf King’s group were coming ahead of the rest.

Also———– the magical war pigeon they sent was apparently of the so-called “special class”.

A special-class magical war pigeon could deliver more than just letters.

Just as our side had done in the past, theirs could also carry smartphones.

It was something requested by Tomohiro Yasu.

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