Chapter 190 – King of War (5)

The desert night was beautiful.
On the hill where the blazing sun was setting, beautiful waves of sand spread out like a picture.
Stepping on the waves made me feel the same joy as stepping on a mountain path covered in the first snow.
Combined with the blue hair of Esther walking ahead, it made me feel like I was really walking through water.

“…”
“…”

But contrary to the breathtaking scenery, the silence between us was as cold as a desert winter.
She must have known that I was one of those who fought in Helzeb in the past.
She must have known that she was strong because she had defeated him once.
However, there is no way to know that he is the hero who defeated the Demon King.
Therefore, I was just worried about how my presence would affect Esther and whether she would feel betrayed.

“Hmm… Excuse me.”

As the Sandalphonia Observatory and Rochear’s barracks grew further and further away, I spoke first.
This was how her husband felt when he was caught hiding emergency funds secretly from his wife.
Of course, there were unavoidable circumstances and I didn’t even have a chance to talk to Esther, who had been separated for a long time.
Still, my feet were still numb.

“No, when I was young, he suddenly gave me this and asked me to help him.”
“…”
“But somehow, I was lucky enough to end up near the Demon King’s Castle? But it would be a shame to go back now.”
“…”
“And I actually never had a chance to meet Rochear. It’s a pity, if we had seen each other on the battlefield back then, we would have been able to talk a little faster…”
“Shut your mouth.”

Yes.
I immediately lowered my head and walked in silence.

How long has it been like that?
Now we have come so far away that all we can see is the Milky Way and sand in another night sky.
Esther’s javelin throwing skills were quite excellent, but he was naturally worried because he was distant from Adela.
Could it be that the Holy Light Knights are making a surprise attack under the cover of night?
When he was thinking too much and felt the sand between his toes, Esther finally stopped walking.

“Get out of there.”

She swung her spear once, leveling the ground beneath her.
What?
Are you planning to bury me here?
It was a scene that reminded me of the execution ceremony of a terrorist group.

“Take off your clothes.”

The harsh treatment of hostages was also similar.

“Lewis, I don’t know if you believe it, but I’m in a very unpleasant mood right now.”
“I’m sorry, I was planning on telling you in advance, but the circumstances…”
“I should have been a little more careful. “If I had known your true identity, I would not have made you speak those words, even if it meant tearing the throats of the prophets.”
“Huh?”

You’re angry at me… Is not it?

“Come here, Louis.”

Esther sat down on her sand and motioned to me.
Then, with her loving hands, she removed the armor that Erzébet had given her and caressed the wounds on her body.

“I spent half my life on the battlefield. “She saw with her own eyes the rotten hell of the harsh demon world.”
“…”
“So I know how painful it must have been for you.”

It was only then that I realized what I was angry about after hearing her confession of deep regret.

“Now that the prophecy has come, you must go there once again. “I did something bad to you.”
“It is not so. Anyway…”

After cleaning up the Holy Kingdom, she planned to clean up the Demon World, which she had not touched before.
The reason she couldn’t do that was because she didn’t want her oath to be broken by showing up before catching the second warrior, and although she didn’t know it at the time, Antiope was also alive.
On the contrary, if I had been a little stronger, Roshoir would not have had to shed blood while protecting the North after the war.
Nevertheless, Esther apologized to me repeatedly.

“Sorry.”
“…”
“But I promise you one thing.”
“Promise?”

His pure white fingers went to his neck and unbuttoned his uniform.
I am amazed every time I see the tight attire that reveals both her thin waist and elastic buttocks.
Her pure white breasts appeared in the moonlight as I stared at her blankly.
And she pushed her own breast, which was like a delicious fruit on the tip, so that it touched my hand.

“I heard about it from Terra Ernesten. “There is a way to get my heart back.”
“That…”

It’s the same as what Lehel said to me.
But the price was very heavy.
If Esther wants her own feelings and her heart back, she will have to sacrifice a unique magic spell.
But her eyes were as unwavering as always.

“She decided the moment she heard the prophecy,” She said. “Once the conquest of the demon world is over, I will abandon everything I have without regret.”
“But…”
“I lived half my life on the battlefield. She fought for her family. So, I will be by your side for the rest of my life. “We will share love with a woman’s body.”
“…”
“You don’t like it?”

No way.
I shook my head.
Esther’s thoughts already seemed to be firm, and I couldn’t be happier.

“It is not so.”
“Thank goodness.”

After the story was over, we went back the way we walked.
When she saw the tall rock with the observatory in the distance, she looked up at me as if she had forgotten and said.

“Oh, I see. “I forgot one thing.”
“?”
“Now I am against marrying Adela.”
“What… ?”

Sigh.
Under the bright moonlight, her slender arms gently wrapped around her neck.
I almost lost my balance for a moment because of the action of pushing against the voluptuous breasts that North Sea women express their affection for.
When she finally came to her senses, Esther was smiling brightly in front of her, something she had never seen before.
Even if she had already given up her inherent magic, she was so breathtakingly beautiful that it was believable.

“I always admired it. “The one who defeated the devil.”

With an aristocratic title of honor.
The way he speaks seems to imitate himself when he was young.

“I knew as soon as I saw it that it wasn’t Lord Hubblet, and I thought it might be Terra Ernisten.”

Before becoming an ice and snow worker.
Was she this orphan before she lost her beloved father and went to war?

“Now that I know, I will never give in.”

The reason he spoke as if he had feelings was because he really wanted to convey them to me.
An unwavering sincerity that I have harbored for a long time.

“My warrior.”

And love.

***

Having left Sandalphonia in the care of Esther and the Roshoar family, I was now planning to return to Parenzia.
But just as I was about to leave, I received a call from Terra.

— I’m sorry, Louis. Could you come to Thessalon for a moment?

From what I heard, she left Parenzia a few days after I left, leaving behind Horus’ lighthouse.
I thought my work was roughly finished until Seongguk’s reaction, but it seemed like an unexpected variable had arisen.

So I sent Adela back to Parencia first, said goodbye to Esther, and headed to Thessalon.
It was the first time I visited the capital of Fenheim since defeating the Demon King ten years ago.

Winter and war close the city.
When I arrived in front of the castle walls, there were only a few war materials and a procession of knights guarding them, and most of the castle gates were tightly closed.

“Stop!! Put away your sword and reveal your identity!!”

The guard’s shout, which gave me PTSD, was still there.
No, wait. His face looks familiar. Is he the guy who called me back then?
There is a possibility as a guard is a job that can be called a civil servant in another world as long as you take enough bribes from merchants.
Suddenly, difficult memories of the past came to mind, and the holy sword began to tremble.

“Do you think anything will happen if you look up from there!? “If you don’t back off, I’ll shoot you!!”

A gentleman’s revenge is never too late even if it takes ten years.

When a wonderful sentence suddenly came to mind and I felt as if the sword in my hand had become a demonic sword rather than a holy sword, fortunately a relief pitcher arrived.

“Louis! You’re already here! “Just wait a moment!!”
“Wow, princess!?”
“How can you not recognize him? Can’t you see the royal family symbol on the armor!?”
“S-sorry! As I get older, my eyesight worsens…”

Erzsebet didn’t bother to leave the side door next to her, lowered the drawbridge, and opened the front door.
On that subject, there was a royal carriage waiting right in front of the door, so people who came out of curiosity could not see me.

Inside the rattling carriage.
For some reason, Erzé Bet, who sat next to him instead of across from him, turned her head out of his car window and pursed her lips.
Since she didn’t say anything, she and I naturally looked outside and thought deeply.
I’m worried about Esther, who said she’ll give up her original magic, and Lehel, who has to give up everything to be with me.
Especially unlike Esther, who was able to regain her feelings even after conquering the demon world, Lehel no longer has time.
If I had returned to Parencia, I would have taken a peek.
What on earth was she thinking as she smiled bashfully with her head stuck in her gambling all over her.
I can’t figure it out at all.

“I wanted to show you this place.”
“Yes?”

As the carriage passed through the main street of Thessalon, Erzsebet, who was sitting next to her, suddenly muttered.
When I turned her head, she didn’t make eye contact as she petted the polecat sitting on her lap.

“How the world beyond the walls you turned around has changed, and how powerful the kingdom you defended has become.”
“…”
“Even though it’s only in the carriage now, someday…” …”
“Does anyone who knows leave the war to a retired canteen owner? “It will be undignified.”
“Oh, even if I say something!”

As I struck the second, pure white stockings came into view and my feet pressed gently.
She, with her bright eyes, was wiping the hem of her dress with her hand and stepping gently on my foot.
But was our relationship this carefree?
It’s not that I didn’t like it, but it was a little embarrassing.

“Who is the person who glared at the guard like he was going to kill him, as if he had no dignity whatsoever!? “Don’t think about making unnecessary mistakes, just look outside and feel some nostalgia!!”

I won’t forget that guy.
Anyway, when I heard Erzé Bet say that if you tell a person not to think of an elephant, he will think of an elephant, the scenery outside came into view.
Surprisingly, many people in the castle were enjoying a peaceful day.
The straight buildings and street trees planted here and there are like a painting.
The lively city seemed to have forgotten the wounds of the past war, as if it had been washed away.

“… But I won’t forget that guy.”
“Oh really! Piy, ask!”
“Don’t bite.”
“Pee—!”
“Ask your owner. “I think I’m still a long way from becoming king.”
“No! Now, how can one person do everything!? “Attack Lewis!”
“Don’t flap your wings. “Because feathers are flying.”
“Pee—!”

While arguing with Erzsebet, the carriage passed through the castle and reached its destination.
As it turned out, it was a long journey starting from the north and traveling all over the place, and fatigue was slowly building up.

“So why did you call me? “If it’s not urgent, I’d like to take a day off.”
“Oh, I forgot to explain. In fact…”

— Dog, don’t talk nonsense! I don’t do it! I won’t do it!!

At that time, a familiar voice was heard from inside the royal castle.

“… Caroline?”