LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 254
As time passed, the day for the honeymoon departure arrived.
I thought it would be a light trip, but somehow it turned into a pretty big deal. The news of our visit reached the kingdom’s royal family, and Princess Persiya personally arranged the location for us, leading to a very lavish reception.
I didn’t expect it to go this far. But if it’s offered, there’s no reason to refuse.
On our journey, Gishta and the guard brigade would escort us. The weather was perfect in the spring, so I thought we could enjoy flower viewing at several spots along the way.
When else would I indulge if not now? I told Gishta to pack plenty of food and alcohol for the festivities.
Thus, our honeymoon turned into a luxurious round trip of three months.
Acella, more excited than ever, ordered the attendants to prepare a hundred outfits for her.
Since I was leaving for a while, I decided to take care of any necessary tasks like hospital duties beforehand.
I toured the northern forest with Gishta.
“The demon beasts must be extinct now. Though the terrain still attracts mana, they keep appearing, but we’re patrolling and defeating them as we go,” she said.
“That’s reassuring. Have you never crossed over to the basin?”
“That’s our tribe’s old land. There’s nothing left now; it wouldn’t mean much. Maybe in about a hundred years, I’ll drop by if I remember.”
A hundred years, huh? Well, Gishta is a long-lived race, being part dragon.
“I’ll still be here, so drop by if you remember.”
“Huh? I plan to be here as well,” Lars replied.
“Really? Is it alright if you don’t visit your mother?”
Gishta punched my heart lightly as she answered.
“Right now, the land you are in is my home, Lars.”
The smile on Gishta’s face looked more charming than ever.
Those were indeed very grateful words to me.
“I should try not to be embarrassing.”
“Don’t worry. Even if you take a wrong turn, I’ll give you a slap to snap you back to your senses.”
“Be gentle with that. I really don’t want to faint again.”
“Haha, of course. And by then, maybe my mistress might have softened up enough to give you a bit of room.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s about my mistress and me. You should just focus on your own things.”
While I was napping, it seemed like Gishta had gotten quite close to Acella. They must have gone on many adventures together.
Hmm, are they plotting something?
It can’t be anything bad. If it’s something those two are doing, I can rest assured.
As we returned to the castle wall, someone was waiting for me at the entrance. Gishta spotted her and stepped aside.
The woman approaching me had quite a different image now.
“You’ve grown your hair out?”
“Does it suit me?”
Lishe smiled and waved at me.
Now taller, she was still dressed like an adventurer, but her gear was high-quality, with artifacts that looked like she was preparing for war.
“Congratulations on your marriage. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the ceremony. I just couldn’t make it back in time.”
“No, I heard. You’ve been smashing through all sorts of dungeons across the continent and the intermediate realm,” I said.
“Yes.”
Lishe’s voice was calm. The hero Lishe I knew was different from this version of Charles.
I secretly used diagnosis and counseling on her.
‘…Hmm.’
I naturally steered the conversation.
“It seems being an adventurer suits you?”
“Umm… Honestly, it’s just okay. The demon beasts are still pretty tiresome.”
“Why not tend to a garden in the empire? The townspeople would have welcomed you as the hero who defeated the Demon King.”
“Not necessarily. How should I put it….”
Lishe trailed off.
What kind of feelings had Charles had after defeating the Demon King? I quickly understood what Lishe must have felt over the past three years.
“People have too many expectations. Just going out to buy bread brings overwhelming attention, and that’s a burden.”
“Haha, you really understand my feelings the best, teacher. Is that why my sister fell for you?”
Lishe scratched her cheek with an ambiguous smile.
Counseling warned me that she might be suffering from mild depression.
Just like Charles back then.
“Umm, I didn’t start adventuring again to avoid that,” she continued.
“Then?”
“I wanted to meet my sister.”
Her response was serious.
This wasn’t some fanciful dream.
“I just feel like my sister is still out there somewhere. Ever since then, I’ve been searching everywhere. Have you heard of the Hall of Heroes? It’s said to be a place that honors past heroes…”
“Oh, really? Did you find it?”
“Well, it was just a training ground filled with puppets modeled after past heroes.”
“The rumors were exaggerated. I bet you were disappointed.”
“A little. Oh, but I did get to meet the soul of one of the heroes. He was a quiet guy but taught me a lot. He handled a sword well….”
Lishe tilted her head.
“Aside from the Hall of Heroes, there’s also a place where the souls of great heroes go when they die. Have you heard of it, teacher?”
“I might know if I heard the name. What’s it called?”
“Kabala, I was told.”
Hmm, I’m not sure; it sounds familiar but also not.
“It’s said no pain exists there, you’re free from time, it’s a heavenly place. What if my sister is there?”
“…I hope she is.”
“Right?”
Lishe’s expression, telling the mythical tale, was filled with hope.
Having hope is the most important thing. For Lishe, who fulfilled her duties as a hero, a goal would surely be the driving force for a good life.
“In folklore, there’s said to be a clue leading to Kabala in the dungeons. So I’ve been exploring various dungeons in search of it.”
“I really hope you find it. I mean it. When you meet Charles, send my regards. Oh, and please pass on this candy as a gift.”
I rummaged through my item box and handed Lishe gifts. I also prepared a large batch of potions based on our prescriptions on the spot, enough for a year.
“Drink one every morning. You’ll feel better.”
“…Yes. Thank you. I always receive your help.”
“Lishe.”
“Yes?”
Lastly, as a doctor, I gave her some serious advice.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. If you start to struggle even a bit, come back for a check-up immediately.”
Lishe nodded, a smile on her face.
“I’ll keep it in mind. Don’t worry. I’m different from my sister.”
Hearing that made me somewhat relieved.
Lishe really is different from Charles.
Her long hair, unlike Charles’s, shows she is clearly aware of that difference herself.
Lishe knows when to stop pursuing her goal to reach it.
So perhaps, someday, she could really reunite with Charles.
I felt a reason-less confidence.
*
Before setting off on our journey, the last place I checked was the flower garden behind the annex.
There’s no need for more bright yellow roses now, but I keep cultivating them steadily.
I’m also making candies as a precaution. Acella likes to munch on them when she gets bored.
“Oh my.”
It seemed we were thinking the same thing.
Though we hadn’t made plans, Acella came out to the backyard to check on the flower garden.
“Lars, were you worried about the flowers too?”
swish, swish
Why does she walk towards me with sound echoes that feel exactly like when we first met?
“Of course. I’ll be away for three months. If anything happens, it’ll be a big deal.”
“We’re on the same wavelength.”
The yellow rose petals were blooming vividly and filling the garden from last year’s labor.
Through them, Acella, now with silver hair, glided gracefully while gently caressing each flower.
“Be careful of the thorns.”
“You can either cut them for me or treat me if I get hurt.”
She chuckled softly and leisurely strolled around the garden.
After inspecting the flowers, she stood in front of me and gently took my hand.
Her hand was still small, soft, and pleasantly cool.
“Ta-da.”
Before I knew it, a rose was held between our intertwined fingers, plucked quietly from the garden.
Acella stepped closer, our hands lifted upwards, hiding her face under the yellow rose.
“Isn’t it pretty?”
“Which part? I can’t tell them apart.”
“You need to differentiate properly. The yellow rose petals help recover wounds when brewed.”
“Wow, I didn’t know that at all! I should write it in my notebook.”
“Right.”
We touched our foreheads together and shared a quiet laugh.
“Lars.”
At the sound that made a splash like a droplet, I looked up. Her long eyelashes reflected in my eyes like waves.
“Every time I come to this flower garden, I feel grateful for the moment we’re together now.”
“I feel the same. I’ve wandered around looking for answers many times.”
“…Yeah.”
She gently stroked my head.
“I might get lost again in the future. After all, we have plenty of time to be together.”
“The time we’ve spent so far feels far too short.”
“Yeah. So, when that happens, let’s come back here and meet again.”
Acella beamed at me, carrying a gentle breeze.
“No matter how long it takes.”
“Back here again.”
“Yes, let’s meet countless times and walk together, until one day this rumor spreads through the former kingdom.”
She smiled brightly, her golden eyes overflowing with affection.
“Once upon a time, there was a crazy couple who couldn’t kill each other. And… they’re still here now.”
“I’m becoming very curious about the rest of the story.”
“Right?”
I firmly grabbed Acella’s hand.
She laughed brightly and matched her steps with mine.
The pleasant spring breeze gently tousled our white hair.
―――――――――――
· Good Ending
· 10 years later, back in the flower garden
―――――――――――
We moved forward together after the ending.
– The End –