Ch.336Chapter 336: Epilogue – The Way Back (1)

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Though I should be used to it by now, the journey from Fafnir’s mist-shrouded domain back to the material world always felt strange.

My senses slightly disturbed, and something even deeper than my five senses threatening to unravel.

Everything about it strained both body and mind.

But thinking that this too was part of my training—Fafnir’s peculiar way of making even the return journey difficult—made even this discomfort feel oddly comforting.

Besides, this would be my last visit to this space.

When I think about this, Fafnir’s voice, which would normally echo in my head with that mocking tone, no longer resonates within my mind.

How strange. At first, I found it somewhat burdensome when Fafnir would read my thoughts and make snide remarks, despite my gratitude for his presence.

But the moment I realized that this presence I once found so burdensome was gone,

Even these disorienting aftereffects became precious memories, making the experience almost enjoyable.

I closed my eyes and waited patiently for my consciousness to return to the material world.

Before long, I could feel my blurred senses returning to normal.

The gentle warmth enveloping my body and…

“…Cal.”

The even warmer voice of the person I love most in this world.

It was a lullaby sweeter than any other, and I wanted nothing more than to keep my eyes closed and rest my body, exhausted from the fierce battle with Fafnir.

But I could immediately tell the difference between a voice calling to lull me to sleep and one trying to wake me.

“Shizu…”

As I softly called out the protagonist’s name and gently opened my eyes,

I could see Shizu, who was holding me tightly in her arms as if afraid I might disappear if she let go, meeting my gaze with a gentle smile.

Just moments ago, when the miracle occurred and she merged with her other self from a different timeline.

Unlike before, when she would show subtle signs of guilt whenever I called her Shizu,

Seeing her now, genuinely happy at my call, fills me with a strange sense of fulfillment.

Unlike the new life that began when I returned and warmly welcomed you as you approached me in tears, saying you had hurt your head because of me,

Before my return, when I was reduced to ashes by your holy sword, I couldn’t even offer a proper apology before disappearing, and that had always weighed on my conscience.

I can’t help but feel happy about this miracle that has allowed me to resolve that guilt and face you again like this.

But… as nice as this is…

“Hey, Shizu.”

“Hm? Mmm?”

“I think time is starting to flow normally again, and soon there will be a bunch of people coming here, including your sister. Maybe we should maintain some appropriate distance?”

I’d always love to fully embrace your unfiltered affection, but we don’t have much time left to be alone here.

It’s a bit embarrassing to be seen like this by your sister and others like Excel, who would look at me with a mix of envy and teasing.

…I’d love to show off proudly, but I didn’t want to do so with such a tired, disheveled appearance—that was why I suggested maintaining some distance from Shizu.

Understanding my meaning, Shizu didn’t look too dejected and simply nodded lightly while gradually loosening her arms around me.

I felt relieved that we wouldn’t have to show an embarrassing sight to those coming to rescue me, but…

“…Ah.”

That relief vanished with the soft gasp that escaped Shizu’s lips as she gently released her arms from around me.

Whether it was because the tension had left her body, or like me—or perhaps even more than me—the fatigue accumulated from the fierce battle with Desire suddenly overwhelmed her.

*Thud*

Instead of standing firmly on the obsidian floor that had been reduced to ruins, Shizu’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, replacing my relief with concern.

At least she didn’t show any signs of pain or suffering as she sat down.

Not wanting to break my composure, I gently extended my arm so she could grab my hand and stand up, but…

“…My legs gave out.”

Instead of taking my hand to stand, Shizu averted her gaze slightly and explained what had happened in a voice filled with embarrassment.

I understood. She was saying her legs were so weak that even using my arm as support wouldn’t be enough to stand.

Just moments ago, I was concerned about being too close to Shizu in front of others.

But that didn’t mean I should just stand by and watch the person I love stagger so badly she couldn’t even stand.

“I’ll carry you.”

I offered the solution to this situation, and…

“Y-Yes!!”

I could see Shizu nodding with a brighter smile than I’d ever seen before.

I’m not sure if it was my imagination, but it seemed as if she had been waiting for me to say those exact words.

But what does it matter? If the person I love can’t stand, I should offer my body as support to help them escape from here.

Ever since that stormy day when, due to my insensitive words, a girl ran out crying, only to return with a sprained ankle, apologizing to me through tears…

It had been a vow I made in my heart to always protect her.

Before my return, I protected you by carrying you on my back and running away to a place where the demonic beings couldn’t reach when you were injured and couldn’t move.

And after returning, I’m protecting you by carrying you after we’ve successfully completed everything, when your legs have given out.

Each memory is equally precious to me.

But I have a feeling that what’s about to be registered in my mind right now won’t be any less precious.

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The wind is cold.

After Desire’s divine body disappeared, this obsidian palace, once dried under her influence,

Had transformed into mere ruins, making what was once called the Demon Realm a desolate place without a single structure to block the biting cold wind blowing across this land.

But even though the wind was cold and touching it made one feel like their body heat would fly away…

‘…It’s warm.’

Lillian Shizu, carried on Cal’s back, was actually grateful for the freezing winter wind blowing against her.

Honestly, without the aid of this cold wind, her body—not to mention her mind—would have surely turned bright red from the heat rising from being so close to Cal.

It’s cold. But it’s a welcome wind that pleasantly cools the heat.

Thanking the wind inwardly so Cal wouldn’t hear, Lillian Shizu placed her arms on both of Cal’s shoulders as he took steps to carry her away from this place.

She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and use that to assert her presence to him, but…

“Is it hard? We should be able to meet up with your sister soon if we walk a little more, so please bear with it until then.”

She didn’t want to be selfish when Cal was asking about her well-being in such a caring voice.

They had fought against the demon god and won.

It was a miraculous victory achieved with the help of another version of herself from a different timeline, who had now merged with her.

It was a satisfying victory, but one that came with a considerable price.

Though it would heal after a good night’s sleep, the embarrassing collapse of her legs was that price.

If someone else heard this, they might find it ridiculous to call that a “price” and look at her with contempt, but…

‘I collapsed so ungracefully in front of Cal…’

For Lillian Shizu, it was a price more significant than facing the end of the world.

After he had taken a place in her heart, she never wanted to show a disheveled appearance to this precious person, not even once.

To have collapsed so audibly and ungracefully—how could that be a small or light price?

Though she did gain an unexpected benefit by being carried on his broad back without even asking for it.

Despite this massive gain, it was still an ungraceful, disheveled appearance she would have preferred not to show if possible.

Although she couldn’t nod vigorously while being carried on Cal’s back, in her heart, she had already nodded dozens of times as her gaze turned to Cal’s broad back.

That was enough reflection on her ungraceful appearance.

Now it was time to enjoy the massive benefit gained from showing that ungraceful side, so she unhesitatingly focused on it.

When she was young and had lost her mother, that warm back was the first to share warmth with her without hesitation, apart from her family.

Despite the passage of time, the fact that it still shared its warmth with her…

“…Yes.”

It transformed the Holy Sword Warrior—who was assertive and confident in front of others—into a shy girl who could barely speak what she wanted to say.

“If you’re tired, you can close your eyes for a bit. Sleeping on the ground probably didn’t fully rest you.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

When facing Cal, who showed no signs of strain despite carrying her tired body and only spoke words wishing for her comfort,

Lillian Shizu couldn’t help but form one assumption in her mind.

A kind of certainty that if she could always spend time like this by his side, this situation would continue even if years passed here.

It was a thought that made her heart race and warmed her soul just by imagining it.