Chapter 45: Sweet Trap of Heaven
Flugel soared at a speed he couldn't believe, thanks to the strengthening and commanding power of Kakeru.
However, his abilities were still not enough. An unpleasant feeling wouldn't leave his mind.
Please, let me make it in time... With a prayer in his heart, Kakeru searched for Celestina.
(...There she is... She's still alive...)
His enhanced vision caught sight of Celestina.
...Even though I can't say I made it in time...
Seeing her completely changed appearance, a feeling of anger he had never experienced before welled up inside him.
In retrospect, there had always been an aspect of emotional detachment in him. He didn't think he was heartless, but he felt like he had placed limits on his emotions to maintain balance.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to cope with his instant memory ability...
He had always loathed this power.
It made him feel like he lived in a different world. But...
He could vividly recall everything about Celestina. Her smiling face, her angry face, her dignified expression, her cute blushing figure when she called him "husband" with a shy, bell-like voice.
And the noble way she desperately carried the burden of protecting everyone, vowing not to let anyone die... Now, he no longer hated such an ability.
He thought, there really are such pure and beautiful people in the world.
It was the first time, other than Mikoto-san, that he had felt this way about someone. He had never felt this strongly about drawing someone before...
Yes, once this battle was over, he would draw Celestina.
"Your sketchbook skill has leveled up."
He caught sight of someone attacking Celestina. His head boiled, and his heart chilled to subzero temperatures.
"I won't forgive you, I won't... never forgive you! What the hell do you think you're doing to my Celestina!!!"
"Flugel, throw me with all your might."
"Understood, my lord."
Flugel's wind magic shot out like a bullet.
(...Flying... Accelerating...)
He used the acceleration skill to increase his speed further.
(I won't use Death Size...)
With his fist clenched so hard that blood oozed out, he punched Varonos.
***
At first, I didn't know what was happening.
Suddenly, a gust of wind made Varonos's sword slightly deviate, and his large sword was plunged into the ground.
And then, the moment Varonos tried to pull his sword back with force...
I heard that voice.
"What the hell do you think you're doing to my Celestina!!!"
...M-My husband? No, my husband headed to the Western Forest. There's no way he would be here. It must have been the last gift from the goddess, allowing me to hear his voice.
*Gubooooo, eeeeeeh!*
Varonos was punched in the face and was blown away unceremoniously.
"*Guh*, you, you fool... How dare you damage me with your bare hands!?"
"Thank goodness, you're still alive. You really are tough, and I'm grateful for that."
But hearing my husband's voice in the end was a relief. Moreover, I definitely heard him say, 'Celestina.' I'm so happy... I could die now. No, perhaps I'm already dead.
"Ugyaaaaaaaah!"
I can hear a scream-like sound since a while ago, but it's just my imagination. Right now, I'm busy repeating my husband's words in my mind.
"...Celestina!"
I hear a voice calling me. It's my beloved husband's voice... Ah, I want to see him, see his face, touch him. Just his voice made me happy. I feel a little lonely now.
"Celestina! Are you okay?"
My husband's voice is close. When I open my eyes, I see his worried face peering at me. I wonder if I can see not just hallucinations but also illusions... No, even illusions are fine. I need to tell my husband...
"You've done well, Celestina."
...Is my husband... crying?
"I-I'm sorry, my husband. But I've become like this..."
"It's alright. You're okay now."
"But... I can't fight alongside you anymore, and I can't cook or do anything for you..."
"Celestina... don't talk anymore..."
"Mm... mmm..."
Huh... Is my husband kissing me?
Something flows into me from my husband, and it feels so good. It's like being reborn.
I can feel sensations... I see, this must be the heaven they talk about. Here, the hands and feet I shouldn't have are properly here. I'm glad I've lived my life honestly and righteously.
I see... If that's the case, then my husband here is my ideal. Everything is forgiven here, right? What should I do... Heaven is too exciting. But, we're alone here... It's alright, isn't it?
"My husband~"
"Hm? What is it, Celestina?"
"Mm... Kiss me again?"
"Wha?! N-No... alright."
(Nfufufu, my embarrassed husband is cute... Heaven is the best!)
...Kissing my husband feels so good. I feel like my whole body is melting.
"Hey, my husband! Carry me?"
"Sure, as much as you like, my princess..."
Ah... Being carried like a princess... It's blissful.
While being held, I rub my head against my husband's chest and act like a spoiled cat.
"My husband~ I love you, I love you! Ehehehe."
"C-Celestina? We should go soon—"
"Nooo, I want to stay together forever! I don't want to be apart!"
I'm acting so spoiled, even I find it embarrassing... But, this is heaven, so there's no need to hold back...
Suddenly, a warm gaze met with a worn-out and lifeless Varonos.
"My, m-master, is this heaven? No, please let it be!"
"N-no, it's the grassland between Esperanza Fort and Primera."
Celestina blushed so intensely that it seemed steam would rise from her face.
"N-no, p-please forget everything, Master!"
"Huh... No way. You, as cute as you are, must be preserved in my memory."
"C-c-cute? Me? Oh my... so, then, what you said earlier was true, Master!"
"What did I say?"
"...You called me 'your Celestina,' right? Hehehe."
"Did I really say something like that?"
"I heard it clearly! And even if you ask for it back, I won't give it! I was so happy, you know?"
"Celestina..."
"Mm... Master..."
"Master, maybe it's time we should return?"
"...You can predict the wind, but not the atmosphere, huh?"
"Now, that Griffin over there, what's its name?"
"I am Fluegel. Lady Celestina...hic!"
As she turned around, she saw Fluegel trembling uncontrollably. ...What did you do, Celestina?
"Come, we must hurry and rejoin everyone! Let's go, Master!"
***
"Hey, Mikoto-san? Kak- Kakeru-san is cool, kind, and strong, right? He must be really popular, so what if he's surrounded by girls when we meet?"
"...Mikoto has finally come to understand Kakeru. It's no problem. Whoever is important to Kakeru is important to me. If Kakeru considers them family, then they are my family too. That's what it means to be partners."
"Is that so..."
"Yeah, something like that."
"Don't worry... since Mikoto is my family, she's practically like family to Kakeru too."
"Huh? I'm... part of your family, Mikoto-san?"
"Of course... why are you crying?"
"...I'm just happy."
"In any case, you don't have to worry about Kakeru. I receive the Kakeru Reports daily, or should I say 'K-Reports' for short. I thoroughly check his movements through the reports, so everything is under control."
"...Is there a reason to abbreviate that? And who even makes those reports?"
"...Ilize."
"Wait, is Ilize-sama actually free!?"
~Heaven~
"Ilize-sama, what are you writing so fervently?"
"Huh? It's a report, a report! The deadline is approaching, you know! Can you not disturb me?"
"...Something feels strange, like something is amiss..."