Ch.140The End of a Long Journey

After making a wish to my manager and closing my eyes, when I opened them again, my body felt heavy once more. Even though my lifespan returned, my body really is quite weak.

Anyway, I think I survived in the place where we fought the Demon King. Although the surroundings have changed a lot, the general layout is similar to back then.

…Does this mean I’m now defenseless in the middle of enemy territory?

I should hide somewhere or find someone who can help me. With that thought, I looked around and saw Leo crying while embracing a woman.

Fortunately, there was now a slight spark of life in Leo’s eyes. While “slight” might be concerning, those eyes had been completely lifeless until this morning.

Moreover, Leo had lost the goal that had been his support, so it wouldn’t be strange if he committed suicide right after coming back to life.

But now Leo isn’t attempting suicide and is even showing a bit of life in his eyes. So I probably won’t need to worry about him going forward.

Anyway, with Leo nearby, I don’t need to worry about dying or being captured.

Good, now I should call Ju-an to come pick me up. With that thought, I tried to take out my phone, but there was nothing in my pocket.

Well, I died and came back to life, so it would be stranger if I still had my phone and other belongings.

…But then isn’t it also strange that I’m wearing clothes right now?

Well, let’s not overthink it. I’m not a god, so how would I know exactly how these things work?

Anyway, I was about to ask Leo to take me to the guild, but the atmosphere was definitely not right for conversation.

So as I stood there awkwardly, suddenly I heard Ju-an’s voice from behind me.

“Lite? Is that really you?”

“Who else would I be?”

It hadn’t even been five minutes since I came back to life, but Ju-an had already arrived. Or was he here from the beginning?

I was about to ask how he found this place when suddenly Ju-an pulled me into a tight embrace.

“I’m so glad we both survived…”

Ju-an sighed with relief. I must have really put him through a lot of emotional distress.

“Ju-an, what do we do now?”

After asking the question, quite some time passed without any response from Ju-an. He would normally answer by now.

Could something be wrong? With that concern, I looked at Ju-an and saw his handsome face—he had fallen asleep.

He must be really exhausted from fighting the Demon King. Well, it’s normal to be this tired after such a battle.

At least there are no wounds on his body. So this must be simply from accumulated fatigue.

Anyway, Ju-an has collapsed from exhaustion, and Leo is immersed in emotional joy. Should I wait for someone else to come?

Well, now that we have plenty of time, I can just take it easy. It’s not like another Demon King will appear just because we’re living lazily.

…Though whenever I say things like this, a new Demon King tends to show up.

Well, at least we’re safe for now. So let’s just rest for this moment.

With that thought, I changed my position to give Ju-an my lap as a pillow. Now he can sleep more comfortably.

He really is handsome. Just looking at his face makes me feel happy.

Actually, I think I’d feel the same even if Ju-an had an ordinary face. I love him for who he is inside, not for his looks.

As I stared at the peacefully sleeping Ju-an, I heard Agath’s voice.

“…You’ve really become such a female.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

I asked Agath while gently stroking Ju-an’s hair.

“So do you know what we should do now?”

“For now, my father wants everyone to come to the Holy Nation.”

Agath hummed happily as she took several scrolls out from inside her clothing.

“Now let’s take Leo too…”

Agath looked toward where Leo was and froze. Is she that moved to see Leo alive?

“I-Isn’t that the former Holy Maiden?”

Ah, she was surprised about the former Holy Maiden, not Leo. Well, it would be quite shocking to see someone who died years ago suddenly alive again.

“But you don’t seem surprised that Leo is alive?”

“I already heard about that from that boy. So who is that person?”

“That’s the former Holy Maiden.”

“…What?”

“We brought her back to life with our wish. Otherwise, Leo might have really committed suicide.”

Even without bringing her back, Leo might have continued living. But thanks to bringing her back, he can now live somewhat happily.

“…Was that even possible?”

“She’s a goddess after all, so I’m sure she could do at least that much.”

“But if that’s the case, couldn’t the Goddess have just defeated the Demon King herself?”

“Even a goddess isn’t that competent.”

“…”

Agath gave me a look of disbelief. But it’s true that while the Goddess is capable, she’s also incompetent in her own way.

Anyway, Agath moved over to where Leo was.

“Leo? Could you come with me for now?”

Leo stopped crying, looked at Agath’s face for a moment, and then spoke in a somewhat empty voice.

“…Okay.”

After Agath unfolded a scroll and sent those two ahead, she sent us to where they had gone as well.

There, I saw the Archbishop, Parthia, Yongin, and Selene, all with rather dark expressions.

“Did something happen again?”

“We are mourning a poor old friend who was controlled by a vengeful spirit,” Yongin said in a very sad voice. He must be talking about fighting his old comrade.

So I decided to step away for a while. There’s nothing I could do to help in this situation anyway.

“Agath? Is there a lodging or something nearby?”

“Are you going to rest now?”

“Not for me, but for Ju-an.”

“Then follow me for a moment.”

I tried to follow Agath while carrying Ju-an, but I was too weak for that.

Even though my lifespan returned, I’m still in my weak state—that’s quite sad.

“Agath? Could you help me carry Ju-an?”

Agath looked at me, smiled, and then carried Ju-an on her back as she led the way.

It’s a bit uncomfortable seeing Ju-an’s body touching another woman, but it’s okay since it’s Agath.

After all, Agath is all talk but doesn’t actually have the ability to do anything.

With such thoughts, I followed Agath and arrived at what looked like a luxurious room.

“This is my room, but you can rest here for now. I’ll call you when things are sorted out.”

After Agath left, only Ju-an and I remained. Now I can do whatever I want without worrying about others.

So I laid Ju-an on the bed, then got in beside him and held him tight.

“Hehe…”

To think that I can continue to be in such a comfortable and warm embrace from now on—am I not living a truly blessed life?

We’ve defeated the Demon King, and with the incredibly strong Ju-an by my side, I don’t have to worry about money. Plus, I’ve found someone I truly love.

This is truly a blessed life. As I was thinking about this while lying down, mental fatigue gradually crept over me.

Yes, I can live at a leisurely pace now. So if I’m tired, I might as well take a nap.

And so I fell asleep comfortably in Ju-an’s embrace.

***

I started sleeping around lunchtime yesterday, but when I woke up, it was already early dawn. Was it because Ju-an’s embrace was so comfortable, or was I just that tired?

Anyway, after getting a good sleep, I found that Ju-an had already woken up and greeted me.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, how about you?”

“Of course I slept well.”

When Ju-an answered with a bright smile, I responded with an equally bright smile.

Now all that’s left is for us to get along well, have children, and live peacefully. Just imagining it makes me happy.

While I was having these pleasant thoughts, Ju-an spoke up.

“Oh right, the former Hero asked if you could come to the grave when you wake up.”

“Which grave?”

“He said you would know better.”

A grave that I would know… Ah, I do know one.

The grave that was created when Leo left us during the festival in the Holy Nation.

“I think I know where it is. I’ll go there now.”

“Should I come with you?”

“It’s okay, there’s no Demon King anymore.”

At least I won’t be kidnapped by a Demon King’s spy like last time, so it should be fine to go alone.

…Though whenever I think like this, I tend to get kidnapped.

With such thoughts, I walked to the grave, but surprisingly, nothing happened.

Yes, this is how it should be. It would be stranger if I suddenly got kidnapped.

Anyway, when I arrived at my destination, I saw Leo and the former Holy Maiden standing at a grave marked “Adrian,” holding flowers called freesias.

“Hello. Why did you call for me?”

“Just wanted to ask a few questions.”

Leo continued in a voice that was both empty and sly, like a mix of his masked self and his original self.

“Why did you bring me back to life?”

“Just because.”

“You gave up a wish that could grant anything for such a trivial reason?”

“I didn’t really have any wish to make anyway.”

Of course, I could come up with a reason if needed. But it’s obvious I’d only get negative responses, so there’s no need to make up a reason.

But even with this approach, negative comments still came from Leo’s mouth.

“…Do I really deserve to live in this world?”

Leo continued in a guilt-ridden voice, as he always did.

“My hands are stained with so much blood. To seek happiness alone despite that…”

“Hero, didn’t I tell you to stop that?”

“But the sins I’ve committed…”

“I’ll get angry if you keep this up.”

“…Fine, I’ll stop.”

To think she can control this crazy person so easily—the power of love really is amazing.

Anyway, Leo sighed for a moment and then suddenly started to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“Just somewhere quiet.”

“You’re not going to commit suicide or anything, right?”

“I’m going to live shamelessly now, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief. But what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to rest and do nothing. Just quietly, letting go of the past and all that.”

His voice sounded empty but energetic. Is it good that he’s improved from before?

While I was thinking about this, Leo, who had already walked to the exit of the grave, spoke.

“I’ll come back when I can accept myself, so don’t worry too much.”

Just before the two of them left the grave, Leo turned around to look at me and said his farewell.

“Thank you for everything.”

And so the Hero’s story came to a complete end. I guess our office will close now. Or maybe we’ll continue operating under a different name?

Anyway, it’s really all over now.

At first, it seemed hopeless and isolating, like I couldn’t do anything, but in the end, we somehow managed everything.

We somehow succeeded in defeating the Demon King, and I’ve fully adapted to this world and this body.

Of course, something even bigger might happen. But even then, we’ll manage somehow, just like we did now.

So for now, let’s enjoy this peace that we’ve barely managed to achieve. With such thoughts, I headed toward where my precious people were.