Chapter 40 - The Day of our New Beginnings Part 2

The Hero party that went out for the Demon Lord subjugation fought against the strongest Demon Lord. Their allies were injured to the point they are beyond recovery and the Hero and Holy maiden who can still stand are just hanging by a thread. By the time the two sides are almost reaching their limits, the hero, who was able to predict that the Demon Lord would aim for the Holy Maiden, use his body to serve as a shield to protect her and use his sword to pierce the Demon Lord whose own sword had skewered against him. The Holy Maiden grieved, mourned, and prayed. 'I don't care whatever happens to me. But please, let the person I love breathe once again.' And in response to the Holy Maiden's prayer, a miracle has descended. The miraculous magic brought upon by the Holy Maiden's prayer summoned the hero back from the world of the dead. And their love with each other affirmed their victory against the Demon Lord. [–Or so they said but it's not! That's not a miracle!] And here comes Sybilla putting down again one of the most famously renowned stories of the Holy Maiden. [I had my doubts thinking about this legend after all this time and… I'm sure that's wrong!] She loosens her arms from crossing them and used her finger to point at me. [You've already proven it with the 'Goddess' Prayer' chapter before! In other words, all the miracles they said in the Legends of the Holy Maiden aren't miracles but just her own powers as the Holy Maiden!] I finally now understand where Sybilla is going after saying all that much. If the Legends of the Holy Maiden aren't from a minuscule chance of miracles. If it's just like the 'Goddess Prayer' chapter that I can do myself… Then! [That's right! Just like how Emmy-chan used her skill blessed upon by the Goddess of the Sun, then you… Not as a Dusk's Magi, but as the Black Eagle's Saint can use that blessing as well!] Then, Sybilla finally called out its name. [A Love so Genuine – and the trick behind it is ! Russell, if you really cherish Emmy-chan… Emmy-chan who's been trampled upon, with her heart breaking down into pieces… if you seriously think of her as someone close to your heart, then you should be able to use it!] Sybilla's words made my way to the deepest parts of my heart. I see… I've really just been thinking about myself all this time, huh… I only thought that it bothered her for a bit. However, that's not the case. Like how the previous Dusk Magis are filled with desire of vengeance, Emmy had been so heart broken she was able to reach the powers of darkness all by herself. As for me, I have Sybilla. For Emmy… Can she rely on Jannet in times like this? I don't think so. Or maybe Vince, or someone else… The dream that I had forgotten… No. There's no use thinking about it now. All of the time I have in my hands right now is all for Emmy. I look at the face of my childhood friend lying in my arms. …You've unconsciously activated a skill when you saw my face this close, huh… Then, in short, err… It's that kind of thing. I just realized it now but… I can't really help but be amazed with my own stupidity… Probably around that time that I… For sure… With Emmy… [I think you can be… a princess…] But the truth is I don't want her to be a princess. Because if that will happen, she will definitely go far away. I'm not a prince so I can't be on Emmy's side. –For that reason, I… …I see… Me too… Though it's been a long time ago… [] () The words flew out of my mouth naturally. It felt so natural like these words will eventually come out from me even if Sybilla didn't teach me about it. If that's the case, then… It might be that Goddess who gave this magic to me. Should I apologize to her after all? I don't hate her that much anymore. Ah... Sybilla, we don't know but, maybe, miracles do happen. [..N…n….n...] A small voice came from my arms. It's such a nostalgic voice. I brought my face closer to Emmy's. Emmy then slowly started to open her eyes. [You've been sleeping way too long. I'm here to wake you up.] Emmy's eyes shot wide upon hearing my voice and reflexively separated herself from me. I thought I was putting some strength in my arms as I was holding her tight but the moment she moved away it felt like my arms be dragged too and get separated from my shoulders… Really, the physical strength of a Holy Knight is just too high. [Morning.] [….a,ah….] [Did you even forget how to even greet someone back? Ah, well, it isn't morning anymore, though.] As I try to talk to her to lighten up her mood, Emmy started to check her body first as if to confirm what's with the current situation. [I used recovery magic on you. It works even on your clothes and armor.] […] I don't know but Emmy isn't saying anything no matter how much I talk. […Do Emmy hates talking with me anymore?] [NO!] This time, it didn't even take a second before she immediately denied my question. [Ah…] [I see. I feel relieved after hearing that.] Emmy started to get fidgety on her way to get closer to me. It's such a beautiful face that I haven't seen in a while but… by the time we haven't seen each other, it feels like she has grown more mature than what our age suggests and have more adult-like feel. It seems she's been really cornered and had to change up to this extent… [Ra-Russell…] [Do I look like someone else? Well, I've been told recently that something about me has changed but… nothing comes to mind at all.] [Ah… It's Russell… Russell…] Emmy started to touch my body when she final reached my side. Though it's not like she really touches it since I'm wearing an armor under my robe. [Hey… I did… something terrible… Russell's level remain low… Pushing you to the rear… I didn't even think of fighting back that time but the skill activated and it almost killed you… Russell, I–] [I don't mind.] [–eh?] It feels like Emmy will start to hate herself if she keeps going so I have to stop her from there. [I said I don't really mind. Even if you had hated it, I should have worked myself properly and raise my own levels. And I really should have noticed it earlier… About your feelings. Everything went wrong. I feel disappointed on myself more than what you think.] Emmy just stared at me looking stunned as I talk. [Right now, I'm working with a [Mage] senior adventurer. And there I learned that people that aren't relying on each other isn't a good party… That someone who behaves like that isn't someone who can call a partner.] And when she heard it, she looks towards Sybilla's direction then look at me again. Before she starts to think something weird, I have to clarify this thing myself and make sure Emmy understands it. I used my two hands and gently hold both of her cheeks. [Emmy.] [Huuuhhhuhu!?] I called out to Emmy who started to get bright red all of a sudden. …No…I feel kind of hot too. Even though it shouldn't be this hot around this time… [But still, we're just a pair of both mages. It's such an imbalance party that immediately falls into danger just like what happened today. So Emmy, can you please join my party?] Emmy started to blink slower as if she's still trying to understand what I said before she squeezes out her response. [I-is that alright? Is it okay for me to be beside Russell again?] [I want you beside me. Who knows, maybe it would work out better if we're partners since we've been together before. We're familiar with each other and now I have my sword and offensive magic with my recovery magic. However, we really are lacking on the defensive. Rather, what happened earlier was really dangerous so you really saved us back then. Hm. When it comes to protecting other people, even among everyone in the world, I believe you're the best.] I believe I said all of that clearly but it seems Emmy is still out of it. […Hey, Emmy.] I took a step back and extended my right hand. [Can you please give this childhood friend another chance?] […Childhood friend?] [Yeah.] Childhood friend. That's where it all started for me and Emmy. I've been involved in a lot of different things and went out on a mission to subjugate a Demon Lord… It felt like I've come a long way within a short amount of time. But looking back, I can now understand that during the days when I was still playing around innocently is the most precious time of my life. The answer will just always be inside me. Not in any party. Not in any partner. [Well, it's like we… The church's brightest hope, the hero party that is tasked to save the world, has gone tired of it, right? So how about it, my childhood friend?] Emmy stares to my extended right hand. …And, with tears falling down from her eyes, she grabbed it. [I—I – Even I wanted to—stay with —- my childhood friend— Russell!] It seems the grown crybaby princess is still the same from the past just like she always has been. Tears, runny nose, things that shouldn't be shown to people just keep appearing. She keeps on crumpling and grumbling. But for me… It's the most beautiful Emmy I had seen.