A Promise for the Future

I reached an amicable agreement with Ian.

Just like when I was the Captain of Moonlight, I made a plan and explained it calmly.

Ian pondered for a moment before asking.

"Yuri. That seems a bit dangerous. What do you think of this method instead?"

He was a seasoned knight. Not just seasoned, but someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of the continent.

"Hmm…."

I seriously considered his suggestion.

Moonlight, unlike the Demon God Cult, was an organization that aimed for a horizontal structure.

"I thought about it briefly, but it seems the plan I devised is still the best."

"Is that so? But if that's the case…."

The conversation ended up being longer than expected.

Ideally, I wanted to continue the discussion until a week after the banquet, but I didn't have that kind of time.

I politely asked Ian.

"Have you ever experienced regression?"

"…I have not."

"Then just follow me, will you?"

"…Yes."

It might seem rude, but there was no other choice. I was still in the early stages of regression, and I was busy.

Ian muttered under his breath, barely audible.

"Even the Demonic Tribe would cry at that expression…."

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing. Let's prepare quickly."

The meeting ended at dawn.

Having stayed up for two nights straight, my vision was blurry, and my head throbbed.

"I'll take my leave now."

"Why don't you rest your eyes for a bit before you go?"

"I'd like to, but time is…."

Just as I was about to finish speaking.

"…Huh?"

A wave of exhaustion surged from my heart and dantian.

My whole body felt heavy, as if I were wearing armor and sinking into water, and my eyes and mouth felt dry and gritty, as if filled with coarse sand.

I urgently reached out toward Ian.

"Help…!"

Thud.

My body tilted forward.

A relentless force, whether it was sleep or death, came rushing in.

Crack.

I had to endure. If I fell asleep like this, something terrible would happen.

"I…an...!"

Crawling on the floor, I grabbed Ian's pant leg. At the very least, I had to make one request before passing out.

"Wake me… before noon…!"

"What on earth is the reason!?"

I forced out my voice with difficulty.

"Morning… half-day leave…!"

Ian, perhaps not fully understanding, lifted my collapsed body and asked desperately.

"What exactly did you say!?"

"Sal…."

"Sal? Are you talking about Salvatore!?"

"Sal…v...!"

"What happened to Salvatore!?"

Not that, you fool….

With the last of my strength, I replied.

"If I'm late, my salary will be docked…."

Even as a provisional butler, the House of Salvatore allowed half-day leaves.

As long as I returned before noon, there wouldn't be a problem.

Even if I had run away, I could smooth things over by groveling to the Young Lady.

"What?"

Ian looked dumbfounded.

I wanted to explain further, but this was the limit of my mental strength.

"Because… my salary is… precious…."

I lost consciousness right then and there.

For the first time in thirty days….

No, for the first time in two days, I had a proper sleep.

***

And when I opened my eyes again.

"…Hello, Asha."

Asha, looking thoroughly upset, was lying in front of me.

"…Not hello."

She responded curtly and stood up.

Crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks, she made it clear she was very angry.

"You're so mean, Yuri."

Tears welled up in her blue eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she grabbed the hem of my shirt.

"Why did you leave me behind?"

"I didn't leave you behind."

"Liar. Grandpa told me everything. He said we wouldn't see each other for years."

It seemed Ian had told her everything.

"You promised to protect me."

Asha's voice quivered.

Her small lips trembled as she searched for the right words, piecing them together before speaking.

"You said you'd marry me and take responsibility for me forever!"

I never said that, though?

"I never said that."

I was so flustered that I blurted it out.

"Ugh! Then say you'll marry me!"

"Why?"

"Then I'll forgive you for leaving me behind!"

"I didn't leave you behind. I'm just going to be apart from you for three years."

"Whatever! Just answer me quickly!"

Whether in my previous life or this one, Asha Rita had an intense obsession with marriage.

I considered explaining everything in detail but decided against it.

The reasons were too complicated for an 11-year-old girl to understand, and I didn't have the time.

"Alright."

I held Asha's hand.

A bright smile spread across Asha's face.

"You promised, Yuri!"

"Yes."

"You'll marry Asha later!"

I nodded.

Just as a satisfied Asha was about to step aside, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"But there's one condition."

"Condition?"

Gulp.

I placed my hand on Asha's shoulder.

"If you become strong enough to defeat me, I'll marry you."

"Huh?"

"My ideal type is a strong woman."

Of course, that was a lie.

In my first life, I think I dreamed of love and marriage, but those desires disappeared long ago.

For me, eradicating the Demon God's Cultists and preventing the Demonic Tribe's attacks and the Demon God's descent were the top priorities.

"…Are you serious about that?"

But if this lie could bring out Asha's talents, if it could allow her to avoid death in this life—

"Of course."

Marriage? I could do it as many times as needed.

Asha quietly observed me.

As if instinctively handling aura, her blue eyes gleamed with a chilling light.

"…I'll let it slide for today."

"Are you sure about that?"

Asha nodded.

"I can't win right now anyway."

That was why her eyes had flashed.

Though she had never formally learned swordsmanship, she instinctively gauged the difference in strength between herself and her opponent.

"But next time we meet, you'd better be prepared."

"Feeling confident, are you?"

Asha nodded again.

"I'll ask Grandpa to teach me the sword."

"Old Man Ian?"

"Yep. No matter how strong you get, you won't be stronger than Grandpa."

Well, Asha.

Three years should be enough.

I didn't say that out loud. Instead, I smiled.

"We'll see when the time comes."

After packing up my belongings, I approached Asha and gently hugged her.

"Don't ever get hurt."

"Ack."

"Never."

Memories of my previous life surged, making my chest tighten.

To hide my emotional turmoil, I stroked her head while holding her close.

"You too, Brother!"

Asha, delighted by the fact that I hugged her, simply rubbed her face against me.