89

"Lucete."

The sword of sunlight, a blade forged from particles of light gathering and taking form.

Grasping the hilt, I gave the blade a shallow swing. In an instant, it emitted a brilliant flash, and a human figure leaped forth from the sword.

"Ooh!"

The figure emerging from the blade was none other than the Swordmaster. Landing gracefully on the ground, he stroked his chin in wonder, his gaze fixed on my sword with great curiosity.

"What an extraordinary weapon. To experience becoming one with the blade itself—it's truly remarkable."

"Don't even think about taking it. Just give up."

Carlos clicked his tongue a few times, as if disappointed. Then, stroking his beard, he gave me a satisfied look.

"You look pleased. Has everything been resolved smoothly?"

I gazed at him silently for a moment.

Come to think of it, he was right.

Things had worked out just as Carlos had said they might. If only I had listened to him earlier, perhaps I wouldn't have caused Hera so much pain.

'…No.'

Regret wouldn't change anything now. This was all my fault. What mattered was what I would do moving forward.

"Yes. Everything's settled now."

Hearing my response, Carlos let out a hearty laugh.

"Ha ha! That's good to hear. Truly good to hear."

I found myself chuckling lightly as I met his gaze.

As the moment passed, the Swordmaster, having shaken off his laughter, spoke up.

"By the way, where is the young lady?"

His question sent a jolt through me, but I managed to conceal my reaction.

"I won't be seeing her for a while."

"Is that so? Did something happen?"

I glanced at the sky. The sun's warm, radiant rays gently embraced my face.

"…She thought it would be best if we took some time apart."

The Swordmaster gazed at me silently for a while before nodding and turning his eyes to the sky, mirroring me.

"I see. Not something for me to meddle in."

"So, what will you do next?"

"I need to reap what I've sown."

Yes. There was much to do ahead. Only now had I realized how far astray I had wandered, how valuable love truly was, and that one should never trample on someone else's heart.

If it weren't for Hera, I might never have understood these things for the rest of my life.

The sins I had committed, the harm I had caused… People like Bordin, and surely others, had suffered due to my foolish past.

During the time Hera had given me, I would seek forgiveness from every one of them. It might take a lifetime, and I might never earn it. But I wouldn't give up.

"By the way, why did you follow me?"

I turned to look at her.

Standing there with her short brown hair, the maid Alina, who had once worked in my household, met my gaze with a calm expression.

"…Because I can't trust you."

"Is that so?"

"Athena has already inflicted an irreparable wound upon the lady. There's no guarantee it won't happen again, is there?"

"….."

Her words made me frown slightly, but I decided to let it go since she wasn't wrong.

"So?"

"Let me watch. I want to see how you'll change."

She spoke with remarkable boldness. Well, that's fine, I suppose.

If nothing else, having someone to talk to might keep things from getting dull.

"Do as you please."

Turning away from her, I walked forward. Alina quietly began to follow me.

…How long has it been since we parted?

I already miss her.

Still, one day, she might come to see me again.

I made a master-servant contract with her.

Not the kind sealed with mana, but a far more binding one—the kind where the servant pledges their soul to the master.

With just a gesture from Hera, my soul could likely be obliterated in an instant.

Even so, I have no regrets.

It was my decision to offer my soul.

Hera couldn't handle mana and thus couldn't form a contract, so I suggested this myself.

"Heh. Who would've thought I'd become a slave?"

At first, I thought I misheard her.

But when I saw her piercing gaze, I realized there was no way to refuse.

If I could maintain a connection with her, I'd do whatever she wished, a hundred—no, a thousand times over. Without hesitation, I chose to become her slave.

'…Even if I don't like her command.'

"Let's spend some time apart, Athena."

That was Hera's first order to me.

To stay healthy, to refrain from committing evil deeds, and to live virtuously until the day she returns to me.

She said she wasn't ready to face me yet.

I understood.

In fact, I was grateful to her.

For not abandoning me, even after the terrible things I had done, and for taking me back into her embrace.

To the very end, she was so kind.

So lovable.

"Well then, time to go."

Thinking of her, I walked forward with determined steps.

Perhaps in just a few months, I'll see her again.

***

"Mom, what are you thinking about?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing."

Mari, who had grown a bit taller, climbed onto my lap and looked up at me.

She was still as adorable and lovely as ever.

When I stroked her hair, she smiled contentedly and nestled into my arms.

A year has passed since that moment.

Like a rushing river, time flowed swiftly.

When I opened the window, bright sunlight and lush green trees filled my view.

This place is deep in the outskirts of a forest outside the empire.

So remote that even with intent, it would be impossible to find.

I came here upon Sephir's recommendation.

A wooden cabin nestled in the middle of the forest—Sephir mentioned it was once inhabited by an elf but abandoned long ago.

Though I initially felt uneasy, as if intruding in someone's home, Sephir assured me that it had been unused for a century. That put my mind at ease.

When we first arrived, the place was overrun with mold and dust, giving off an unbearable stench.

Thankfully, Mari's magic cleaned it up in an instant.

Since then, it's been a year.

Because this place is untouched by human presence, we've been able to live in perfect tranquility.

"…Should I go see her soon?"

Placing my hand gently on my chest, I recalled her face in my mind.

Athena, who gave her soul to me, who has now become my slave.

I wondered if she had felt this way too.

Maybe because her soul resides within me, the feeling of closeness is incomparable to when I merely held her mana.

Even being so far apart, it always felt like she was right beside me.

Perhaps that's why the desire to see her has lessened significantly.

A year has passed, and I still feel this way.

It seems I won't be visiting her anytime soon.

Though Athena might suffer a bit from it…

"…Pfft."

The thought of Athena fretting brought an involuntary chuckle to my lips.

'…Hang in there a little longer, Athena.'

I haven't completely let go of my feelings about her.

The betrayal I experienced was immeasurably immense.

Even so, I no longer resented her to the point of wishing her death.

Maybe with a bit more time, I'd be able to face her properly.

I heard about Athena from Alina.

Apparently, she's traveling and living for others.

Alina said it's as if she's been reborn.

"…And yet, I'm still the same."

I still found it terrifying to face others.

Even with Mari, during moments of closeness, my body would tremble uncontrollably as remnants of rejection lingered within me.

It couldn't be helped.

Even if it was all Athena's doing, the despair I felt back then was real.

Just knowing it was fake didn't mean I could overcome it.

'Let's think positively.'

Still, I had undeniably improved.

My body was healthy again, and my complexion had brightened.

Jingle, jingle.

The sound of a small bell came from the door.

"Hera! I'm back!"

In walked Sephir, in her human form, carrying bags filled with groceries.

"Good work, Sephir."

When I smiled at her, Sephir shyly twisted her legs and spoke hesitantly.

"Um… Then, can you… lick my ears again? It's been a while…"

"…Alright. Later."

At my response, her face lit up instantly.

She must have really liked it the last time I did it.

Sephir had been consistently asking me for ear-licking massages, which, according to Lily, was one of the most pleasant forms of massages.

It seemed to be true.

Creak.

"Huh? Mari?"

"…It's nothing, Mom."

…What?

Did I just sense a chill around Mari?

Must be my imagination.

I looked up at the brilliantly shining sun and muttered,

"Come to think of it… the original story starts next year."

"Huh? Original story?"

Mari tilted her head curiously at me.

It seemed my muttering had reached her ears.

I brushed it off, and she simply shrugged before lying back in my arms.

…Let's not think about the original story anymore.

There's no need to worry now.

Athena has become a benevolent ruler.

That alone will make Robin's journey much smoother.

And Sephir no longer aids the Demon King.

Because of her troublesome allure, there would be no incidents of fighting among allies.

The rest was entirely Robin's responsibility.

"…Do your best, protagonist."

Resting my chin on my hand, I gazed at the bright sunlight streaming in.

I wouldn't concern myself with the original story anymore.

I must have made this resolution dozens of times, but this time, it was for real.

Thinking so, I closed my eyes, basking in the warm sunlight.

But as the saying goes,

How can the affairs of the world ever go as one desires?

As if to mock me, Another year passed, And due to a rumor that shook the Empire,

My resolution was once again shattered into pieces.

The news that the hero of the holy sword, appearing for the first time in 100 years,

Was a woman.