Chapter 9: Someone’s Regret, Part 1

“A commoner in the hero’s party? Are you suicidal?”

“You’ll be dead before you even face the Demon King. Commoners should know their place.”

“…You’re really leaving? …Fine, I don’t care if you die.”

Princess Luna. Long, sky-blue hair, pale skin, a distinctive hair ornament, and those signature ahoge. While princesses are often portrayed as cute, Luna leans more towards beautiful older sister.

Her name, Luna, comes from the fact that she was born under a beautiful full moon.

She also loves the moon, but that’s irrelevant right now.

She seems like a tragic figure, losing her father, the king, to the plague spread by the Demon King.

But in reality, she’s no better than the hero’s party.

She constantly harassed Allen, belittling him for his commoner status, pressuring him to leave the hero’s party, and threatening him with death.

She was worse than the advisors and maids.

She tormented him so much that even the hero’s party, who were relatively normal before their journey, tried to intervene.

But as I said, she’s no different from the hero’s party. That includes her affection for Allen.

The hero’s party abused Allen despite having some level of affection for him.

I suspect Luna is the same.

I can’t be certain, but my cliché senses tell me that her actions stemmed not from hatred, but from concern, a tsundere-like way of staying close to him by finding fault.

If she truly hated him, she’d just ignore him.

But she constantly followed him around, even barging into his room and criticizing his tidiness.

However, I said “suspect” because she only met Allen when he joined the hero’s party.

There wasn’t much time for her to develop feelings.

Anyway, even if Luna does like Allen, my current target is the hero’s party. I can’t worry about Luna right now.

“…You’re alive. I thought you were dead for sure when you weren’t with the hero’s party…”

Her voice is softer now, laced with… pity? It’s irritating.

“I just left the hero’s party. I have my reasons. Please don’t ask.”

“What? You left?”

Her surprised reaction suggests Marvin hasn’t told her.

She’s not involved in politics or current affairs.

That’s why she’s not even participating in the festival, despite being a princess.

Allen said she was smart and capable… why is she so… passive?

“Yes. So, I’m no longer associated with Your Highness, and I won’t be in the future.”

Allen’s only connection to Luna was the hero’s party.

The advisors and maids might tolerate me if the king summoned me, but Luna has no real authority.

If anyone sees us talking, they’ll separate us immediately.

“…I have somewhere to be. Goodbye, Your Highness.”

I bow and walk away.

She doesn’t say anything, just watches me leave. Guess she accepted my explanation.

I have no business with her anyway.

“Allen’s personality has changed.”

He used to be foolishly kind and naive. Now he’s… sharp.

“…I wonder if… it’s because of them.”

I was going to check on the hero’s party during the festival’s intermission, but I ran into Allen instead.

My first reaction was surprise. I was certain he was dead. I’m still surprised, honestly.

But hearing that he left the hero’s party… my dominant emotion now is…

“…Hehehe…”

…exhilaration.

“He’s finally free from their shackles… Allen… finally…”

The heroes looked… lifeless without him.

Not physically tired from fighting the Demon King, but emotionally drained. So, Allen left on his own. He wasn’t kicked out.

“Oh, right. This isn’t the time for this. Allen is back…”

I need to go back to my room.

I have something I want to give him.

I’ve completed one of my tasks: returning the luggage.

Now I need to meet one of the heroines.

The hero’s party rarely acts independently on days like this.

The only exception is Yerin, who sometimes visits the forest.

But she wouldn’t go there now, during the festival’s intermission.

And I’m not supposed to meet her anyway.

I was planning to meet Yerin today, but since that already happened, I need to see someone else.

And at this time of day, the least likely person to be out and about is Yerin.

That unexpected encounter was actually helpful.

So, who should I meet? Honestly, it doesn’t matter, but I’ve already decided.

And to meet this person, I’ve come to…

“Welcome, brother.”

…the cathedral.

My reason for coming here is related to the dream.

“I can ask for your opinion, right? So… do you think he’ll visit the cathedral after the festival to see the Saint? You know he’s close to her. And you know today’s the final festival celebrating the Demon King’s defeat.”

I omitted the name to keep things interesting.

“You’re asking for my opinion, so… Yes, I think so. He’s close to the Saint, and he knows about the festival. He visited the cathedral before we left on our journey, and he often goes there whenever we’re in the capital. So, it’s highly likely.”

“Hmm, you think so too…”

“Yes! That’s all I can do for now. Wake up. Bye bye~!”

If he’s right, she’ll definitely come to the cathedral. Whether she intends to pray or visit her friend, she’ll be here.

“…Brother? Can I help you…?”

“Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought. I came to pray, and I was hoping to see the Saint. Is she here?”

The prayer part is a lie. I haven’t even seen a goddess in this world, let alone a god I’d pray to.

“The Saint has been praying diligently throughout the festival, attending to the faithful. She’s retired to her chambers for a short rest. If you have a message for her, I can deliver it.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I’ll just pray and then be on my way.”

At least she’s not outside, which means she won’t wander off.

That’s another lie. I’m not going to pray. I’ll just wait here until she arrives.

“Very well. May you find peace.”

He leads me to a pew and leaves.

Time to pretend to pray.

“It’s time for a break. Are you coming back to the palace?”

“You go ahead. I have someone to meet.”

“Me too. I have somewhere I want to go.”

“I’ll… be back later.”

“I’ll go ahead then.”

This festival is awful.

Not the festival itself, but my mood.

I can’t enjoy it.

I’m still thinking about Allen, and my heart feels heavy.

I just want to go back to my room and rest… Wait…

“…Your Highness?”

“Oh, you’re back. Sorry for barging into your room. Are you going to rest?”

Princess Luna is in my room.

“Where are the others?”

“They said they had somewhere to go. What are you doing in my room…?”

…Wait, is that…?!

Grab!

“What are you doing? Give that back.”

“Your Highness, where did you get this?”

She was looking through my luggage. Allen said he’d send it to the palace… so it arrived!

“I don’t know where it came from, but Allen was here, so he must have brought it.”

“A-Allen… was here?!”

Allen… at the palace? Did he… come to see us?

“Yes, he was. I don’t know why, but I heard… he left your party?”

“…Shut up.”

“Hehehe… missing Allen already?”

…Looks like I’m going to have to deal with this childish princess.

“Welcome, brother.”

Hmm… it’s been ten minutes. She’s still not here.

I should have taken my time…

“Brother, why do you keep looking towards the entrance? Are you done praying?”

“Oh, uh…”

“If you’re finished, please be on your way.”

Wait…！ Do I have to leave now?!

She’s not here yet, and this is going downhill fast…

Creak

“Ah, welcome, Sister— Oh! You’re a regular, aren’t you?”

She’s here!

“…!!”

Yes, that’s the expression I was hoping for! Surprise!

“Allen?!”