◇◆◇
—The wind had died down.
Charred earth.
A crumbling castle.
At the center of it all—
A giant shadow,
Collapsing into black ruin.
“……Is it over?”
The words spilled out,
Lone and hollow.
Still clutching his sword,
The Hero did not move.
“……Yeah,”
Minato answered from a short distance away.
The residual heat of the Flame
Still shimmered in the air.
“It’s dead. Completely.”
He spoke lightly.
Lightly—
Or so he intended.
“……”
The Hero
Offered no reply.
He simply
Remained standing where he was.
“……Hey.”
Minato called out,
Just a little.
“It’s over, right?”
“……Yeah.”
A delayed
Response finally came.
“……I suppose so.”
His voice
Was slightly raspy.
“……Sigh……”
He let out
A long, deep breath.
Then—
He sat down right there on the ground.
“……I’m exhausted……”
His voice was devoid of strength.
It was as if the tension that had been wound so tight
Had suddenly snapped all at once.
“Haha, well, I can imagine……”
Minato shrugged.
It wasn't as if he was overflowing with energy himself.
“It’d be terrifying if someone was still full of spirit right after killing a Demon King.”
“……You seem fine enough.”
“……Well, that’s thanks to the two of you.”
Minato laughed softly.
But—
His eyes
Were fixed on something far away.
“……Minato.”
Just then.
A soft voice
Reached him from behind.
“……Nana.”
He turned around.
Standing there was—
A girl
Clad in a slightly soiled white robe.
Nanalicia.
“Are you injured?”
“Hmm, well.”
He rotated his arm
Experimentally.
“No problems here. I’m full of energy.”
“……I see.”
She let out a small breath,
Looking relieved.
Then—
Quite naturally,
She walked toward the Hero.
“And you……?”
“……I’m okay.”
The Hero
Looked up.
“Thanks to Nana.”
He smiled,
Just a little.
At that smile—
Nana also
Returned a soft, gentle look.
“……I’m so glad.”
A quiet,
Private exchange.
“……”
Minato watched them
From his position a short distance away.
“……”
He said nothing.
Only—
His gaze
Remained fixed on them.
“……Minato?”
Nana
Looked back toward him.
“……Ah, oh, right, right.”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m just glad everyone is safe. Truly.”
“Yes, as am I.”
Nana
Smiled a little.
That smile—
Was the same as always.
And yet,
“……”
It looked different to him now.
“……Shall we head back?”
He murmured,
Almost to himself.
“To the Royal Capital?”
The Hero
Asked back.
“Yeah, obviously, right?”
Minato nodded.
“There’s nothing left for us to do here. The war is over.”
“……I guess so.”
The Hero looked up at the sky through the shattered ceiling.
“……It really is over, isn't it?”
As if
He was finally letting the reality sink in.
“It felt so long……”
“It did.”
Minato gave a short reply.
During that time,
Nana
Said nothing.
She simply
Stood quietly between the two of them.
“……Hey.”
Suddenly,
Minato spoke up.
“Hmm?”
The Hero
Turned toward him.
“You.”
Minato smiled,
Just a little.
“What are you going to do after this?”
“……Huh?”
The Hero frowned
At the sudden question.
“What do you mean, what……”
He searched for words
For a moment.
“I’ll report to the King, and then……”
“And then?”
“……I don’t know. Maybe a slow life?”
It was an honest
Answer.
“……I see.”
Minato gave a small
Nod.
“What about you, Nana?”
He turned his gaze to her.
“I……”
She thought
For a moment.
“……Nothing in particular.”
An ambiguous answer.
“……Right.”
In that moment.
Deep in his chest,
Something tightened, just a fraction.
“……”
But—
He didn't let it show on his face.
“In that case,”
Minato laughed lightly and spoke low so Nana wouldn't hear.
“Why don't you take care of her?”
“……Huh?”
The Hero
Froze.
“I mean,”
Minato shrugged.
“Take care of Nana.”
“……Why should I be the one?”
“What do you mean, why?”
Minato took
A step closer.
“You know why.”
He said it
In a low, knowing voice.
“……!”
The Hero’s expression
Wavered slightly.
“……Know what?”
“……”
For an instant,
Minato narrowed his eyes.
And then—
He chuckled.
“……You’re incredibly easy to read.”
“……!?”
“I’ve been watching you the whole time, after all.”
His tone was light.
But—
The words
Were direct.
“……”
The Hero
Had no retort.
“……Nana.”
Minato simply called her name.
“Yes?”
She turned around.
Looking at
That face—
For just a moment, his words caught in his throat.
“……”
Only for a split second.
But—
He certainly hesitated.
...Don't do it.
Inside his head,
A voice spoke.
That’s not right.
Another voice
Overlapped.
“……”
He let out
A small breath.
“This guy,”
He pointed his thumb
At the Hero.
“He’s surprisingly responsible.”
“……Minato?”
Nana
Tilted her head.
“I don’t think you’ll have any trouble if you stay by his side.”
“……”
Nana’s eyes
Widened slightly.
“……Hey.”
The Hero
Spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t just say whatever you want.”
“What?”
Minato shrugged.
“What about it?”
“……!”
The Hero was at a loss for words.
“……Whatever.”
Minato continued.
“If you don't want to, then fine.”
He looked away.
“……”
For a moment,
The air felt still.
“……You two?”
Nana
Spoke quietly.
“Let’s head back now.”
“……Ah, yeah, you’re right.”
...Man, I'm acting weird.
Nana simply smiled.
“……”
At Nana's words,
The depths of his chest
Ached just a little.
“……Sorry, I said something strange. Let's go home.”
“A-Ah, yeah.”
The Hero replied shortly.
I'm probably just tired too.
This feeling is a mistake.
He forced himself to accept it.
“Minato, I’ll take responsibility for everything myself.”
The Hero
Murmured softly.
“……”
Right. That’s why it has to be you.
Minato looked up
At the sky.
And within himself—
...This is fine. I'm not the protagonist.
He thought
Quietly.
With this—
He closed his eyes.
...It’s okay.
When they returned, the three of them would surely be treated as heroes.
The Hero and the Saint Nanalicia.
But what would I be?
A Sage or something?
No, I didn’t do anything that grand.
...God, my first love in another world being this agonizing is enough to make me lose heart.
I love Nanalicia.
But at the same time, the Nana from her childhood is inside me, and I want her life to be a happy one.
The Demon King is defeated; the world is at peace.
And the Hero and the Saint end up together.
This is for the best, isn't it?