I'll Save Him

"Then, what about you, Elena-san? What will you do if the man walking beside you now eventually succumbs to darkness?"

That was the question Fenrir-sama posed after sharing the tragic tale of his life. A tale of sorrow that still brought him pain, perhaps for the rest of his days.

I bowed my head in hesitation. Hearing Fenrir-sama's story and imagining the pain he had to bear made me anxious and hesitant to answer his question.

What would I do if Ryuji-san, the man I summoned as a hero, were to lose himself to darkness and fully fall to the dark side?

The question echoed repeatedly in my mind. I couldn't even begin to imagine such a fate. Truthfully, I was too afraid to envision it—to imagine Ryuji-san walking in darkness, spreading disaster.

Because it would all be my responsibility. No matter what, I am the one who brought him to this world. I would have failed in my duty to guide the hero I summoned using the forbidden "Hero Summoning" magic.

My heart began racing, and my hands started to tremble. I was terrified. I was too much of a coward to even consider Fenrir-sama's question becoming reality. The hero who had saved me… saved my village… turning into a villain who brings ruin and death.

But…

The truth is, I'd already had that fear before Fenrir-sama brought it up. I'd sensed the possibility that Ryuji-san might one day become a brutal, bloodthirsty beast. My doubts began during our battle with the direwolf pack in Terradin Forest.

Honestly, I can't shake the memory of Ryuji-san mercilessly slaying the direwolf pack. His terrifying smile during the battle haunts me. It was as if he enjoyed every moment as his body was drenched in the wolves' blood. That horrifying scene sent chills down my entire body.

Yet, he is also the hero who saved me and my village. A hero with a clumsy and carefree personality. A hero hopelessly dense when it comes to matters of the heart. A hero who has recently become my source of smiles and laughter.

A man who, at times, makes my heart race with nervousness and unease. An unease that leaves me too flustered to even look him in the eye. An unease that makes me want to know him better and walk by his side.

It's a strange feeling. In truth, it's the first time I've ever felt like this. Could it be that I have...

No... now is not the time to be thinking about such things. Right now, I must find an answer to Fenrir-sama's question, for my own sake…

"Is my question too difficult for you, Elena-san?"

Seeing my hesitation, Fenrir-sama asked once again.

"To be honest… I have never thought that far ahead. Because to me, Ryuji-san is the one who saved my life and my village. Imagining him as a villain sinking into darkness… is too painful for me to bear…"

"Of course, Elena-san… imagining the one who saved our lives becoming a bringer of calamity is unbearably painful. I never thought I would one day take the life of the one who saved me. But in life, there are times we must face agonizing choices. No matter how much pain it brings, it's our duty to bear it. Just as your feelings for Ryuji-san... are like my own duty to the Sovereign who saved my life. These burdens are ours to carry."

Fenrir-sama locked eyes with me, emphasizing his point before continuing.

"Just as it happened to me, Elena-san has a duty to bear it all. Isn't that so?"

Hearing his words, I lowered my head further, sinking deeper into sadness and uncertainty.

"But…" In my hesitation, I mustered the courage to respond, "Maybe, if we could be more patient and… more composed…"

I chose my words carefully, fearing they might offend or hurt Fenrir-sama.

"I'm sorry, but if I ever face that moment, I will find a way to save Ryuji-san. I will never let go of his hand. Even if saving him means hurting myself, I will do it."

Then I looked directly into Fenrir-sama's crimson eyes and smiled, trying to reassure him of my decision.

"Besides, to be honest, I don't think I could ever hurt Ryuji-san. So, I'll find a way to save him without hurting him… I will do my best to find it!"

Fenrir-sama seemed startled by my response. He was silent for a moment before…

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha…"

His laughter broke the heavy silence.

"Elena-san truly is as stubborn as I expected!"

He grinned playfully at my answer. Why… did my answer amuse him?

"But, as a matter of fact, I already predicted your response, Elena-san."

After his laughter subsided, Fenrir-sama looked at me seriously once more.

"Listen closely to this old man. Will Elena-san truly choose that path, even if it leads you to a pain beyond what you can imagine?"

"Yes!"

"Will Elena-san truly not regret enduring suffering for this choice?"

"Yes!"

"Very well… this old man has heard enough from a stubborn young lady like you."

With that, Fenrir-sama rose and gently swept his dark cloak. He began walking slowly, speaking as he departed.

"It seems this old man has nothing left to say to a stubborn little girl. So… see you again, Elena-san."

Fenrir-sama spoke as he walked away, but… 'see you again'? Did he plan to see me again?

Before he completely disappeared into the distance, he turned back to look at me and said,

"But don't worry, this old man isn't so cruel as to let a beautiful young lady like you shoulder all that pain alone. If the time comes, I promise I'll be there to help you, Elena-san. So, don't fear too much about it."

After saying those words, Fenrir-sama's figure grew fainter until he finally vanished from sight. I sat in silence on the wooden bench, staring at the place where the mysterious figure, who seemed to know my life's story and secrets, had stood.

"Haaahhh…"

I let out a long sigh, trying to dispel the negative emotions weighing me down. My head felt heavy and tired. I leaned back against the bench, and start mumbling,

"This is really tiring... Why did Fenrir-sama suddenly ask me such a strange question? Huh..."

Then I close my eyes in an attempt to calm my mind and find some peace.

But…

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a bed, staring up at a white ceiling in an unfamiliar room.

Where… am I?

Craaccckk!

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a chair being pushed nearby. Turning my head, I saw two children—a boy and a girl, about six to nine years old—standing in shock as they stared at me. Moments later, they rushed out, shouting in unison,

"Mother… Mother! The pretty lady is awake; come quick!"

"Mother, Sleeping Beauty has finally woken up!"

Pretty lady… Sleeping Beauty…?

Who were these children? And why were they giving me such embarrassing nicknames for everyone to hear?

†*******************†

"Who are those two strange little kids? How could they give me such a nickname? This is so embarrassing...

Wait... Did Mr. Ryuji hear their screams too? Please don't.

The next episode is my encounter with the previous Miss Elf named Aella with the title 'Unseen Ties'. Stay tuned..."

Elena Fearis