Chapter 23: Unexpected visitor
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Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama
It was just another normal day at work when an imposing presence was suddenly felt, enveloping all that it touched. Their samurai gear clattering, a banner of knights was patrolling the area. They weren’t the baron’s emissaries this time; they bore a different coat of arms — that of the Kingdom of Ferland. I felt uneasy. To have those knights prowling around the area could only mean that —
Bang!
As I was about to get up from my seat, the front door flew open.
「Here!!」
Blue eyes filled with determination. Long, flowing golden locks. And wearing a Hero’s uniform, exactly as I last saw her. I put on my spectacles. Trying my best not to look in that direction, I slowly stood up.
「Oh… it’s the Hero…!」
「Her Royal Highness…」
「Eh, that person is –!?」
Almeria quickly made her way to the reception, inquiring of a trembling Milia:
「Forgive us for this disturbance, but I have received news of a ‘Roland’ being he–」
I was almost at the counter.
「–whaaaaa!?」
Looking in my direction, she pointed at me.
「You have the wrong person.」
「Why did you try to run away? And to go so far as to put on glasses… to change your image!?」
I let out a sigh of resignation.
「What do you want… your Highness?」
She snorted as if to say, I have already made up my mind.
「I came to become an adventurer.」
Feeling a migraine developing, I pressed a finger onto my temple.
「Please reconsider.」
「What? Why!? Can’t anyone become an adventurer?」
She thumped the counter, causing it to split down the middle. Milia, trembling in shock and fear, had tears in her eyes.
Why did Almeria come all the way here? Could it be… that that had failed?
◆◆◆
It was back when I sought King Randolph’s help for Meiri.
「The first Hero and princess, Almeria.」
「…what about her?」
「She returned safely from the Demon King expedition, but wasn’t feeling so good. When her lady-in-waiting inquired of her, she complained that a certain person had disappeared without a trace. According to her, they had promised to live happily ever after once the war was over…」
「While the dust was settling… I see. It’s not unreasonable to want to know of his whereabouts. How about I go track him down?」
「No, no, no! It’s you she’s talking about! You!」
So Almeria had been feeling down because of my absence. King Randolph asked what I intended to do about it. I don’t remember making such a ridiculous promise, but I couldn’t just leave his request hanging either. For all this time, Almeria had certainly been hoping that I was still alive somewhere.
Fulfilling that promise, however, would mean forsaking all hope of a ‘normal’ life. To date a heroine cum princess would only bring me further away from my goal. In fact, I was perfectly happy with my current lifestyle.
Conflicted, I consulted Lyla back at home.
「Fumufumu. What a burdened man you are.」
「I don’t recall making post-war plans with her, but those ideas somehow ended up in her head. Since I disappeared suddenly, she’s been miserable all this time.」
「Well, you’re a good man, so it’s not surprising that other women would want you as well. Okay, how about this?」
This was Lyla’s analysis:
「You want nothing to do with her anymore, but she looks forward to meeting you again. The King also wishes for you to restore her health. In that case, you could just fake your death.」
If I did that, I would never have to deal with her again. Time will pass, and her broken heart will eventually heal.
「Knowing that you’ve gone forever, her grief will lessen with time.」
「Hm. You have a point.」
「Fufu. You think?」
「How exactly do I fake my death, though?」
「There is a seventh-order spell called ‘Real Nightmare’.」
「Oh, so we’re going to deceive her?」
「Precisely.」
Despite having never heard of the spell before, I learned it quickly under Lyla’s guidance.
「Hmm… if you can execute this easily, it will be a disgrace to the demon race.」
「’Real Nightmare’… you are a dog, and I am your master.」
「Woof! Arf-arf ♡! Woof!!」
Lyla bounded towards me on all fours. I promptly sidestepped her advance.
Hm. So I can induce hallucinations while keeping the target hypnotised. It had had an immediate effect on Lyla since she was no longer able to use magic. To return her to her original state, either I have to apply a dispel or another person has to use a higher-order spell.
「Bow-wow!!」
She licked me all over.
「Okay, okay.」
I clapped in front of her face, restoring her dignity.
「Wait… what? Did you just humiliate me, peasant!?」
Having seen its effects first hand, I returned to the capital that same day, sneaking into Almeria’s room. I haven’t seen her in ages, actually. She was sleeping soundly.
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
「Roland…」
「…」
I was no longer Roland the assassin — just Argan-san the guild employee. I felt a little guilty but quickly purged myself of second thoughts before they took root — there was no turning back now. I woke her up.
「Huh… whuh? Who…? Roland…?」
「’Real Nightmare’… Roland has passed away. He made a fatal misstep when fighting the Demon King. He managed to escape, but it was too late — he breathed his last on his way out. That’s why his body was never found. I’ll say it again — Roland is no more.」
The magic took effect, similarly to my attempt on Lyla. Her vacant blue eyes returned to normal.
「Why…?」
She swallowed and started to weep.
「No… Roland… you said that you would never give me up… you promised — no, we promised to be together forever… don’t just say goodbye like that…」
「I came to tell you the news. From now on, if you’re feeling down, channel that energy into serving your country. That’s all.」
Tears streamed down Almeria’s cheeks.
「I loved you… and you left so suddenly… Roland…」
Thinking back, I could only remember one promise I made. Whenever I treated her like a child, she would get ever so slightly ticked off and say playfully:
「After the war, k-kiss… me.」
I’d agreed to her innocent little request, thinking that she would be adorable while standing on tiptoe. Now, she was taller. Her hair was longer, glossier. Her chest was still flat, though.
「I’ll fulfill one of our promises.」
Almeria was rubbing her eyes profusely, crying like a child. I held her hand and wiped her tears, then wrapped an arm around her waist.
I kissed her.
As far as I know, that was her first kiss. As if in the throes of a feverish dream, Almeria sat there, staring into empty space.
「Have a beautiful life, Almeria. May angels be on your side.」
With that, I left as I had come — through the window.
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