"And what about you, Elena? What will you do if the man walking beside you right now is eventually swallowed by darkness?"
That was the question Fenrir-sama asked after recounting the tragic story of his past. A sorrowful tale that still brought him pain to this very day. Or perhaps, for the rest of his life.
I lowered my head in uncertainty. Hearing Fenrir-sama's story and imagining the weight of the suffering he had to bear filled me with unease. It made me hesitate to answer his question.
What would I do if Ryuji-san were to lose himself to darkness, completely falling into his own abyss?
That question kept echoing in my mind. I couldn't even begin to picture it—my summoned hero, consumed by darkness, bringing forth calamity.
Because it would all be my responsibility. After all, I was the one who called him into this world. If that were to happen, it would mean that I had failed—failed in my duty to guide the hero I summoned using the forbidden magic, "Hero Summoning."
My heart pounded faster, and my hands started trembling. I was terrified. I was too much of a coward to even entertain the thought of Fenrir-sama's question becoming a reality.
The hero who saved me… who saved my village… turning into a bringer of disaster and death.
But…
I had already sensed it. Even before Fenrir-sama voiced his question, I had an unsettling premonition—an inkling that Ryuji-san might become a fearsome beast, ruthless and bloodthirsty.
That feeling first surfaced during our battle against the pack of direwolves in the Terradin Forest.
Honestly, I still couldn't erase the image of Ryuji-san slaughtering the direwolves with such brutality. The terrifying smile on his face at that moment haunted my mind.
He enjoyed it.
The way his body was completely drenched in red—the scent of fresh blood clinging to him as he mercilessly tore through our enemies. That horrifying scene sent shivers down my spine.
Yet, he was also the hero who had saved me and my village.
A hero with his awkward, carefree attitude. A hero completely oblivious when it came to a woman's feelings.
A hero who had, lately, always been by my side—smiling with me, laughing with me.
A man who, at times, made my heart race with an unfamiliar unease.
An unease that left me flustered, making it difficult to meet his gaze. A feeling that made me want to know more about him—to walk beside him.
A feeling so foreign to me.
Could it be that I…
No…
Now wasn't the time to dwell on this. Right now, I had to find an answer to Lord Fenrir's question—for my own sake.
"Is my question too difficult for you, Elena?"
Seeing my hesitation, Fenrir-san spoke once more.
"To be honest… I've never thought that far ahead," I admitted. "Because to me, Ryuji-san is the one who saved my life—who saved my village. Imagining him becoming a harbinger of destruction… it's just too painful for me."
"Of course, Elena… imagining someone who once saved our lives turning into a bringer of calamity is incredibly painful. I never thought I would have to end the life of my own savior with my own hands either."
Fenrir-sama's crimson eyes gazed into mine before he continued,
"But in life, we are sometimes faced with agonizing choices. No matter how painful, it is our duty to bear them. Just as you have your responsibility toward that swordsman who walks beside you… I, too, have my own burden to carry for the one who once saved me. This is the weight we must shoulder."
His words pressed heavily on my heart.
"You, too, must bear that burden, just as I have. Isn't that right?"
Hearing his words, I lowered my head further, sinking deeper into my anxiety and sorrow.
"But…" I hesitated, "maybe if we were more patient and… more understanding…"
I chose my words carefully, afraid of hurting Fenrir-sama.
"I apologize, but if that moment ever comes… I will find a way to save Ryuji-san. I will never let go of his hand. Even if that choice brings pain upon myself, I will still do it."
Then, I looked straight into Fenrir-sama's crimson eyes and smiled.
"Besides… to be honest, I don't think I could ever bring myself to hurt Ryuji-san. So I will find a way to save him—without having to harm him. If that time ever comes, I will do whatever it takes to find that way."
Fenrir-sama's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He fell silent for a moment before suddenly—
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha…"
His laughter echoed through the stillness.
"Just as I expected! You're truly stubborn, Elena!"
He laughed heartily at my answer.
Why…?
Did my response amuse him that much?
"But truthfully, I already knew what your answer would be."
After his laughter subsided, Fenrir-sama's gaze turned serious once more.
"Listen to this old man carefully… Are you truly prepared to make that choice, even if it brings you a pain beyond imagination?"
"Yes!"
"Will you still have no regrets, even if you must endure suffering because of it, Elena?"
"Yes!"
"Very well… This old man has spoken enough and is satisfied with your answer."
With that, Fenrir-sama stood up, lightly dusting off his black robe. As he slowly walked away, he spoke once more,
"It seems this old man has nothing left to say to a stubborn little girl like you. So… until we meet again, Elena."
He said those parting words as he walked away, his figure gradually fading into the distance.
But… "until we meet again"?
Was Fenrir-sama planning to meet me again?
And just before he completely disappeared from sight, he turned back to face me once more.
"But don't worry, Elena," he said with a gentle yet solemn smile. "This old man isn't cruel enough to let a beautiful young lady like you carry all that pain alone. So when the time comes, I promise—I will be there to help you. So don't be too afraid."
With that, Fenrir-sama vanished into the distance.
I sat there, unmoving, watching his retreating figure until he was completely gone.
The mysterious old man who suddenly appeared before me. The man who shared his tragic past and asked me such a difficult question.
A man who knew too much about me… about my secrets.
"Haaahhh…"
I let out a long sigh, trying to dispel the heavy emotions clouding my mind.
My head felt exhausted.
Leaning back against the wooden bench, I muttered,
"That was really draining… Why did Fenrir-sama suddenly ask me something like that? Hah…"
I closed my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts. At least for a moment, to rest my mind.
But—
When I opened them again, I suddenly found myself lying in a bed.
Above me, an unfamiliar white ceiling stretched overhead.
Where… was I?
Scrrrk!
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor echoed beside me.
I turned my head and saw two young children—a boy and a girl, no older than six or nine—staring at me in shock.
Then, almost in unison, they cried out,
"Mom! Mom! The pretty lady is awake!"
"Mom! Sleeping Beauty has woken up!"
P-pretty lady? Sleeping Beauty?!
Who were these strange children?
And why were they calling me by such embarrassing names?!
***
"Who are these weird little kids?! How did they come up with such embarrassing nicknames for me?! This is humiliating…
"Wait… Did Lord Ryuji hear them?! Please, no.
"The next episode is 'Unseen Ties'. My reunion with the elf woman named Aella. So, stay tuned…!"
Elena Fearis