88 88. It's a short and long time.

After that.

We won the battle against Bardul.

It was reported that the rest of the demons and the soldiers and adventurers led by Vincent had taken care of everything.

"Absolutely... all of a sudden, you always say something rude."

and Vincent complained of bumps, but now that he knew his personality, he seemed to smile.

Oh, yeah.

Looks like the Douglas went better.

It was weaker than I imagined. Of course, the child and mother are safe. "

When Douglas said that, I was relieved.

Then... we discussed the future of Philip and the Spirit.

"I want to abandon this village and move to a different place."

"Eh...? But Bardul is already....."

"Of course, if we reconnect again, the demons will not be able to enter this village easily. But... once they know where it is. It looks like the demons did that, and it's not like I can't keep an eye on them."

Philip is right.

But I felt lonely.

If you move too far away, you won't be able to cook anymore...

Nigel came out in front of Philip to see how I felt.

"But... what if there is a (...) heart (...) stick?

Beware stick?

"Oh, actually, I've been talking to you for a while. This forest is close to Vince-- his territory. Vince will be able to rush us as soon as anything happens in this forest."

Nigel puts his hand on Vincent's shoulder.

"All the knights and adventurers in his territory are confident in their arms. There is holy water, and I think it will serve as a deterrent to the surrounding enemies."

"That would be helpful, but... are you sure? I want you to do that."

Spirits retain enormous magic, just as they stopped Bardul's suicide bombing.

But when it comes to fighting, I have to say, quite badly, to be honest. That's why I've always lived here in hiding.

But if Vincent protects us, Philip and the others don't have to move in.

That's what Nigel thought, right?

"Of course, you'll get paid in return. I just want you to share the water and vegetables here. What do you think?"

Vincent makes a deal.

Philip was a little worried.

"Okay. It's so cheap."

It's settled.

"Oh, thank you so much. I will take care of Nigel. Absolutely -- you humans are our saviors."

The story seems to have come together well.

Nigel looked back and winked at me.

And after finishing the aftertreatment, we returned to the city where the royal castle was located.

You've managed.

Roof balcony in the royal castle.

I was next to Nigel, looking at the city from there.

"Yeah, but if you're upset, it's about Baldur. I wanted more information, but... it disappeared without a trace."

That's right.

But I can't help regretting it later.

Rather, I'm proud we didn't get casualties this time.

"... Nigel"

Hmm?

I kept staring straight at Nigel's eyes.

"I felt even stronger about this."

"What are you doing?

"I'm the only one with the power of everyone."

Even this time, I've put Philip and the others in danger while I was just being alarmed.

Without Douglas, I couldn't get out of that tower.

I couldn't defeat Bardul without Nigel.

More importantly, without Vincent, things wouldn't have converged perfectly, and without Philip, we wouldn't have been able to stop the last suicide bombing.

I can't do it alone.

"... maybe so."

Nigel does not deny my words.

"But I'm with you. Had it not been for Elianne, I wouldn't have been able to protect the people like this."

Nigel's hair was shaking in the gentle wind.

"Hey, Elaine. Maybe you're trying to figure it out by yourself?

Huh?

"You don't have to. I've been meaning to tell you-- you need to rely on me more. Am I supposed to say this?

Nigel makes troublesome expressions.

"I don't think so —— but maybe there was something I was trying to figure out on my own."

No one can live alone.

I've been worried for a while whether I deserve to be Nigel's fiancée.

But it might have been a mistake to worry about it alone.

I should have hit Nigel real hard.

"So... let's keep our hands together for now. Nigel, thank you again."

"Yes, welcome."

I hold Nigel's hand.

Warm hands.

Yes —— I was looking for this.

I felt deeply connected to Nigel when I was doing this.

"Elaine"

At that moment.

Nigel put his hands on my shoulders.

His face is getting closer and closer.

I did not refuse it and accepted Nigel's lips honestly.

It could have been a moment. Or it could have been the same time forever.

It's like time is running out.

It's a short, long mouth.

Eventually Nigel took her lips off me and made a little hasty gesture.

"I'm sorry! I did this all of a sudden! But... when I looked at your face, I couldn't bear it...!

I can't see Nigel with that look on her face.

Nigel, who always looked big, seemed cute as a child at this time for some reason.

"That's fine. Me too... ah, thank you very much."

I would have made my face bright red.

"Well then, it's time to go back... if you two stay here forever, someone might suspect you."

Nigel tries to put the roof balcony behind him so he can misinterpret his embarrassment.

But...

"Wait, Nigel. I want to talk to you about one more thing."

Hmm?

Nigel stops.

Honestly... I've been worried sick to say this.

But I made up my mind.

I won't hug you alone anymore.

"I--"

In my words, Nigel opened his eyes to surprise.

◆ ◆

A treasure trove in the castle.

In a dim room, there was a sword that emitted light.

—— The time is near when the seal is lifted.

It's an old sword that Eliane got from Philip.

The shine of the sword was now (...) not noticed by anyone.