Chapter 176: Aftermath
[space_man][space_man]One week had passed since the Demon King’s defeat. Eld ascended to the rooftop of the North Front Line Fort. Al was there, gazing out at the grasslands.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, Al, you’re here too?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hm? Oh, Eld. Are you allowed out of your room already?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, those two weren’t around, so I slipped out.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Since returning to the fort, Eld had been confined to his room by Moira, who insisted he rest. Whether he actually rested at night was another story.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Being cooped up for a whole week makes me feel stiff.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see. So you’ll be heading back soon then?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I think so, but this time I’m planning to leave the arrangements to Marie and Moira. They’ll get mad if I push myself.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Haha, you’re under their thumb, huh?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s heavy, what with there being two of them.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Al laughed at that, and Eld couldn’t help but chuckle along.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well then, let me know when you’ve decided on a departure date……I’ll be going back with you.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”To report to His Majesty? That’s tough. But wait…… Al, you could make a round trip in a week by yourself, right? Didn’t you say you had a fast Magic Beast Horse?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m not going alone this time. I’m taking Layla with me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Huh? Is it okay for the Commander and Vice-Commander to be gone at the same time?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”W-well, this time I need her to come with me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see…… Ah, I understand.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld noticed Al’s face was flushed.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I thought Marie and Moira were teasing Layla or something, but so that’s how it is. Well, it’s good that things have settled down.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”A-anyway, let me know when you’ve decided on a departure date!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With that, Al went back inside the fort.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld watched Al disappear into the fort and then headed towards the central watchtower.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, there you are. Aleamia.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Upon reaching the top of the watchtower, he found Aleamia sitting on a chair inside, holding a broken sickle.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eld…… Is something the matter?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Not really, but Moira was worried because she couldn’t find you.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld sat down on an empty chair.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”As expected, these chairs they leave out here are uncomfortable.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Aleamia responded with empty replies to everything Eld said.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”……Aleamia…… Listen……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eld, thank you……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Before Eld could say anything, Aleamia thanked him.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Huh? Uh, yeah…… For what?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”For the Demon King and…… for saving this child’s…… Lunatel’s soul.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Aleamia said, stroking the sickle.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Saved……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes, I heard that you’re the reason I have this. You said to bring it back. Thanks to you, I can be with Lunatel again……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Seeing Aleamia’s expression, a cold sweat ran down Eld’s spine.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Just kidding. I have to return to the Celestial Realm and restore this child’s original soul.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Aleamia stood up and spread her wings.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Whoa, you have a pair of wings now?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I overused my magic in the fight against the Demon King, so it can’t be helped. I asked Moira to arrange it so I can pass through the barrier once without having my magic absorbed.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I see. Don’t you need to tell the others anything?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s fine since I told you. Besides, I was waiting for you to come here.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s an honor……Will we meet again?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Honestly, I don’t want to see you again.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahaha. I figured as much. Guess it can’t be helped if we can’t meet.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The you who hated Goddesses is now saying you want to meet one again. How strange.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Maybe. But I don’t particularly want to meet any Goddesses other than you.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Aleamia smiled and brought her face close to Eld’s.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Aleamia……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Aleamia brought her lips to Eld’s cheek and then pulled away.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”As I said, we can’t meet again. If we do……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]With those words, Aleamia leaped into the air and soared high into the sky. Eld watched until she disappeared from sight.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Eld, are you here!?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I told you to rest in your room.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As he descended the watchtower stairs, he heard Marie and Moira’s voices.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, what’s up, you two?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t ‘what’s up’ us.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We were worried because you weren’t in your room!!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie and Moira glared at Eld as he spoke lightly.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ahaha, sorry, sorry. Speaking of which, Al was here too……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld relayed his conversation with Al to the two of them.