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Chapter 41 Part 2

「M-Me too, umm… I-I won’t lose!」

 

「Ohh, good. That’s the spirit! I’m rooting for you!」

 

「Muu~ acting all composed just because you had a head start…」

 

Why did it turn out like this… don’t compete about such silly things.

And Sybilla too, why are you trying to provoke her? Should I give this girl another chop?

 

「Well, let’s leave the talk about us for later… Right now, we should celebrate the peace returning to the village!」

 

「I guess you’re right. It’s been a tiring day after all.」

 

「Yep. Let’s all have some rest for today and we’ll talk again tomorrow.」

 

「Yeah, let’s do that…」

 

All three of us then went back to the orphanage and I explained the situation to Gemma Baa-chan and Frederica.

Frederica was surprised and looked angry when she saw Emmy, but after I explained the situation to her somehow, she calmed down and reluctantly backed off.

Also, after seeing this exchange, Sybilla got carried away and said 『Looks like you’re loved by your Onee-san too, huh, Russell~』 with her usual cheeky tone so I give her an extra chop on the head.

 

The celebration began and we had a feast with Sybilla once again leading the whole thing.

Because I was sitting in the seat of honor, I was offered a lot of food, so I was completely full.

I can’t help but feel sleepy when my stomach is full. But since I’ve moved a lot today, I’m sure I won’t gain weight if I head straight to sleep right now.

 

I, the star of the celebration, slip out first with the voices from the feast in the background.

When I looked outside the window, the sky was bluish and dim. Ah, that’s right. This is the color of twilight, isn’t it?

As soon as I lay down on my bed, I was hit by a sensation of exhaustion overflowing from within me. This kind of mental exhaustion can’t be cured even with the Saint’s magic, after all.

No, my heart and mind are my own. Even this mental exhaustion feels strangely comforting now.

 

…A lot of things happened, but I finally did it.

I defeated the Demon King with my own power.

I definitely beat Vince to it.

 

「……No…That’s not it.」

 

While I was so tired that I was barely conscious, I still tried to reassess my current situation.

 

I know. I was able to get this far thanks to Sybilla.

Thanks to her, I was able to once again pick up my sword, and it was also thanks to her I was able to learn Dark Magic.

I was able to level up so efficiently because she taught me, and even this high-grade equipment was prepared by her.

 

And… she brought a miracle in me that allowed me to help my childhood friend who fell into despair.

 

Thanks to her, I didn’t lose anything.

Haa, that Sybilla…… she might really be a Goddess after all…

 

……Ahh, don’t get mad, don’t get mad… I knew you’re a genuine Goddess, alright.

 

It was already morning when I woke up the next day.

 

「It’s morning, huh…」

 

「It is~ Good morning, Russell.」

 

「Hm?」

 

When I turned toward the door, I found Emmy standing there looking at me.

 

「……You sure came at the perfect timing, huh.」

 

「Eh!? Ah, u-um, i-it was just a coincidence!」

 

Leaving aside whether it was the truth or not, it was quite amusing seeing Emmy panicking.

I return the morning greeting, which feels very nostalgic, even though it must have been only a few days after we parted ways.

 

「——Morning, Emmy.」

 

「Un!」

 

The smile of the little girl which I hadn’t seen this up close for a long time had such an adult charm before I knew it.

Was it perhaps because she was able to face her past mistakes head-on? I feel as if my heart has finally allowed me to recognize Emmy for who she really is now.

From today on, it’s the new beginning of my and Emmy’s relationship as 『 childhood friends』. Yeah, this is not a bad feeling at all.

 

We then headed to the dining hall and when we arrived there, I found  Sybilla was already there, eating a full plate of meat as if it was natural.

She ate without holding back and ran her mouth without holding back.

 

「You wake up late despite being the first one who went to bed. Must be nice to be you, huh~」

 

「Say that again and I’ll hit you for real this time. Morning.」

 

「Yes, good morning to you too.」

 

It must have sounded like a very silly exchange for a morning greeting, but this distance between me and Sybilla is just about right.

 

「We’ve discussed a lot about the future yesterday, you see. And we also had a girl’s talk while reminiscing the past. Just the four of us!」

 

「……Don’t tell me, that was your true aim.」

 

「On the contrary, this Sybilla-chan is a little worried that you thought otherwise for the second time, you know? Really, what are you going to do without me.」

 

……I couldn’t even make a sound to retort, because she’s absolutely right.

I don’t think I’d ever be at ease without Sybilla by my side anymore.

Really, she’s very dependable. I guess I’ll just close my eyes to the fact that it’s this girl’s actions that make me feel that way, for now.

 

「So? What was the result after talking about the future between you four?」

 

When I urged her to get to the point, the corners of her mouth lifted into a big grin.

Oh I know this expression too well, it’s definitely the expression Sybilla makes when she’s playing a prank, which really suits her a lot

I let out a sigh in my heart as I prepared myself for what this prankster Goddess in front of me was about to say.

 

And here, I’m reminded once again that the Goddess called Sybilla is really someone who likes to do things out of the blue.

 

「The three of us will move to a city far away from here!」

 

Apparently, it has been decided that we will change the location of our base without me knowing.

Seriously, isn’t this too abrupt?

 

I feel like she has been pushing me around a lot, but… since it was a decision that Sybilla made, it must be a decision that will benefit me too.

This is just how much I trust Sybilla’s head. Usually, everything ends up working out just fine when I leave everything in Sybilla’s hands.

But I wish she would put herself in the shoes of those of us who have to be pushed around for once.

 

Good grief… well, it does sound like it would be exciting, so I’m looking forward to it!