Ch.238Chapter 238: Petting is the Shortcut to Happiness

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They were just ugly beings with nothing but power.

I merely stopped them from destroying the everyday lives of ordinary people as they tried to gather more power to maintain their existence.

It was an act born from a sense of responsibility—who else would do it if not me?

Before my regression, I couldn’t stop them even when I wanted to.

I was just a puppet for those with malicious intent. So now, as an act of reflection and atonement, my body often moves before my mind can catch up.

It wasn’t easy.

Each time I stepped forward, I had to risk my life, facing the psychological pressure of constantly dancing on the edge between life and death.

“Hehe. Cal’s hands are hard, but whenever they touch my head, it makes me feel so peaceful…”

But as a result, I can now spend time hearing such warm words from someone I care about—words that make me feel I don’t deserve such kindness.

I think I could face situations like this without fear, no matter how many times.

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After waking up and spending some tender time with Shizu, I was able to hear various stories.

“…I slept for two whole days?”

“Your breathing was so weak, I was worried something might happen…”

Starting with how she had been extremely concerned when I didn’t wake up for a full two days.

I was relieved to hear that the Moon Emperor, who had been attacked by a high-ranking quasi-deity from the Demon Realm, was rescued by the Imperial Guards in a surprisingly good condition.

What was originally meant to be a diplomatic event to promote friendly relations had been disrupted by the Demon Realm’s threat, turning it into chaos.

In response to the Demon Realm’s attempt to extend their influence to other continents, I learned that discussions about a formal military alliance between the two countries were progressing smoothly through conversations between Princess Lucius and the Moon Emperor.

“That’s a relief.”

As I expressed my relief upon hearing the news, I could see a similar emotion reflected in Shizu’s expression as she quietly relayed what had happened during my absence.

I was relieved at the thought that an effective defense system against the Demon Realm’s future activities would operate organically across two continents, greatly reducing innocent casualties.

But what was Shizu feeling relieved about in the middle of her story?

I was about to casually ask her what made her feel so relieved, but…

“Hehe.”

Shizu, meeting my eyes with a light laugh, said:

“Seeing Cal visibly relieved makes me feel at ease too.”

With that reason, there was no need to ask anymore.

For a moment, I thought it might be too simple to feel relief just because I did, but…

[You know how weird it sounds when a guy who laughs when his fiancée laughs and cries when his fiancée cries thinks something like that, right?]

‘I’m already reflecting on it internally.’

[Good, good. Keep reflecting. A guy who synchronizes with his fiancée’s emotional state so readily shouldn’t be saying things like “that’s too simple.”]

Thanks to Fafnir, who lately has been reading my thoughts immediately and offering appropriate advice—or rather, disguised nagging—such useless thoughts disappeared from my mind instantly.

Having spent three years with Fafnir, who resides in the dragon sword…

He can read my thoughts as easily as looking at his palm, so I should be careful not to think certain things, even momentarily.

[Sometimes you seem quite intelligent, but other times you appear so foolish I wonder if there could be anyone more stupid… You’re truly difficult to understand.]

…Otherwise, I’d have to listen to Fafnir’s triumphant voice all day after he delivers one of his lectures.

[…It feels like you were thinking something impertinent just now.]

‘It’s just your imagination. How could I possibly think anything impertinent toward the great Red Dragon?’

[Hmph, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that this time.]

…See? He even detects thoughts I barely started thinking.

Caution, caution, and more caution.

Anyway, even as I engaged in this brief comedy with Fafnir, Shizu continued explaining what had happened while I was asleep.

She mixed important information with less significant details.

The delegation schedule, originally set for one week, was extended by another week as urgent discussions about the military alliance were arranged.

For me, as a patient, it was fortunate to have more time to rest, but…

I was both pleased and curious to hear that the Demon Realm forces, which had inevitably invaded Night Haven while our delegation was away, had been defeated again, unable to break through the solid defensive forces commanded by Lord Nighthart—a slightly different outcome from before my regression.

[Before you turned back time, the fortress walls were shattered like they were three years ago, and it was nearly captured until it was barely repelled thanks to the Proxian lady, right?]

‘She barely managed to repel them by borrowing the power of the holy sword, pushing herself to the limit.’

[This time, unlike then, they were crushed before they could even set foot near the fortress, let alone break the outer walls. So things have changed, but in a good way.]

‘As you said. It’s a good thing that no one died or was seriously injured.’

As I conversed with Fafnir, I tried to figure out what had caused their fortress assault to fail so miserably, but the answer came easily without much thought.

Adorator, who claims to be the mistress of the Obsidian Palace and second-in-command of the Demon Realm, came here with her spirit division.

Rather than helping with the Night Haven assault right after waking up with her help…

It must be that the fortress assault lacked proper strength because of Desire, who came here to rescue Adorator.

Clearly, the undead army that Pale Sanguin had desperately raised to fill the void left by those two was turned to ashes by Odessa, wielded by Lord Nighthart.

-To be defeated by you again!! You’ll see!!

After spouting such cheap lines while shedding tears, he probably fled with his remaining forces.

I’ll need to return to the fortress to know the full details, but…

Well, the situation seems obvious.

It was the same two years ago, and one year ago too.

Every winter, they diligently lead their forces across the mountains to assault the fortress.

Compared to before my regression, if Sanguin, who has become much less substantial compared to Adorator, attempted the fortress assault alone, it would certainly have ended in failure like this.

“It’s really fortunate that no one died or was seriously injured, both here and in Night Haven.”

As I expressed my thoughts with a voice filled with relief about the facts Shizu had shared…

“Even in this situation, Cal worries about others before himself.”

Instead of agreeing with my sentiment as she usually would, Shizu gave a different kind of response.

Feeling puzzled, I slowly turned my head toward her.

“…I wish Cal would care a little more about his own body.”

I could hear Shizu complaining to me with her cheeks slightly puffed out.

It seems my being unconscious for two days had thoroughly melted her heart with worry.

For Shizu, who usually accepts almost anything I say, to react like this—it must have been quite concerning.

But I don’t worry about it.

Why?

“…”

“…Why are you silent?”

To Shizu, who was still questioning me with her cheeks slightly puffed and a cute voice…

“I was thinking that maybe I’ve been neglecting myself because I have you right beside me, worrying about me.”

After expressing my gratitude and apology, showing that I was reflecting…

“If you worry about me, it’s the same as me worrying about myself, isn’t it?”

When I deliver this finishing blow…

Her puffed cheeks deflate momentarily.

“…!!”

A strange blush spreads across Shizu’s face as her puffed cheeks subside.

“T-that’s right. Husband and wife are… o-one body and soul. Hehe.”

She tries to cool her face, which is burning with embarrassment, with both hands while speaking in a voice filled with even more cuteness than before.

We were already in a relationship where marriage wouldn’t be strange at any time.

I was planning to properly propose to her soon anyway.

Seeing Shizu already mentioning “husband and wife” and looking happy made me wonder if things were moving too fast, but…

*Gently*

I placed my hand on Shizu’s head again as she blushed happily.

“Next time, I’ll be careful so you won’t worry.”

As I stroked her head while speaking with an apologetic voice…

“Y-yes!”

Seeing Shizu nod immediately with a smile spreading across her face makes me happy too.

It was a happiness I wished would continue forever.

There was still much to do to keep protecting it.

Difficult obstacles still awaited me and this world, but…

I’ll stay strong.

For you, who smiles and says you’re happy when you see me.