## Chapter 1100 – Krasheim

Elise’s sudden change in attitude makes my heart sink.

Right!

I definitely felt this way last time too! But I clearly said I’d write often, and then didn’t write at all! So it’s only natural for Elise to react like this!

“I was waiting for a letter, but it never came.”

The bright smile from just now is nowhere to be seen, and Elise’s face darkens in an instant. Where did the Elise who was praising me and rejoicing just a moment ago go?

“Elise, it’s like this.”
“I can’t help but wonder if the Saintess has forgotten what happened when we last met…”
“It’s not like that!”

I promised to write letters often when we met last time!

But I completely forgot about the letters…! I was going to write, but I didn’t have the time or the right timing… No!

That wasn’t the reason.

I definitely intended to write a letter.

But the reason I didn’t write was because Elise promised to send one first this time. So I was thinking of replying when I received it, but when the letter didn’t come, I completely forgot about it.

That’s it!

“Elise!”
“Yes?”
“You were supposed to write first this time!”
“What do you mean…”
“You clearly said you were embarrassed to write letters last time, so you only sent me one! So you said you would be more proactive this time!”

Certainly, back then.

Elise asked me why she only sent one letter, and when I questioned her about it, she said she was too embarrassed to write more.

“So I’ve been eagerly waiting for a letter from you…!”
“Oh, my!”

Elise suddenly regained her energy and looked surprised.

Then.

“No, Saintess! That’s not right!”

She said sharply, as if she had instantly regained her reason.

“I clearly sent one first last time! So it’s only right that you send one first this time! I was going to send letters even more actively from that point on!”
“Oops!”

Come to think of it, that’s right if we go in order!

Elise sent one first last time!

“Did you just say ‘oops’!”
“Oh, no!”

Damn it!

“Saintess…!”
“Calm down! I’ll tell you the truth!”
“Tell me quickly!”

I glanced at Elise, quickly sat down, looked her in the eye, and said.

“Elise, I actually wrote a few letters. I was going to gather information about my recent situation and what happened while working, organize it into an information format, and send it to you.”
“Then?”
“Well, I was going to gather the information properly first. Uh? I thought it would be better to draw some conclusions and send it all at once. That seemed like a good idea.”

I wracked my brain to come up with a decent excuse. Elise is not an easy opponent.

Of course, I consider Elise a true friend. Not writing letters doesn’t diminish that feeling!

“But then this demon situation happened. So I thought it would be better to just meet in person and talk rather than sending a letter this time.”

Good.

This should be okay.

“I never would have thought you had such intentions…”

Elise looked surprised.

“See, Elise? It was a misunderstanding. There’s no way I would forget something like that. Hehehe. Of course.”
“Then why did you say just now that I was supposed to write first?”
“That’s because.”
“Saintess.”

Uh oh.

“There’s no need to hide the truth from me like that.”
“No.”

The vitality began to disappear from Elise’s face again…! Hiding the truth? What does that even mean! I never lied to Elise!

“I already know.”

Suddenly, Elise spoke as if implying something, with a very cold expression. What… what does she know?

“What, what…?”

I asked cautiously, feeling the anxiety that had welled up from my stomach and was now coating my throat.

“The Saintess simply…”

I simply.

“Forgot to write letters to me.”
“…”
“That’s what it is.”

I was hit right on the mark.

“No! That’s not it, Elise!”

ㅡWhoosh!

I immediately jumped up from my seat, went around the table, and approached Elise on the other side! I have to clear up this misunderstanding…! I immediately prostrated myself on the floor and hugged Elise’s calves like a beggar.

“That can’t be true, Saintess.”

However, Elise didn’t look at me.

Elise simply put her hands behind her back, turned her head, and stared at the window as if looking at a distant mountain, and spoke.

“The Saintess shows me how glad she is to see me as a Divine Friend in person, but in the end, she’s someone who doesn’t even send a single letter when we’re far apart.”

Those were words as cold as breathing out ice…!

“So I’m starting to doubt. I’m starting to doubt if I’m the only one who cherishes this friendship. That’s the doubt I have.”
“That’s not true…! Elise! I’m not that kind of person! Our friendship is eternal! That’s why I call you Divine Friend!”
“Then why didn’t a letter come?”
“Actually, even without letters, our righteous hearts…”
“But, didn’t you promise to write letters?”
“Ugh!”

There was nothing more I could do.

“As a Divine Friend, I cherish my friendship with the Saintess very much. That’s why I also cherish this seemingly insignificant exchange of letters. Remembering our promise last time, I couldn’t sleep, wondering when the Saintess would send a letter… but it never came.”
“That’s…”

Elise was starting to scare me too much.

“And you’re trying to get away with it with such lies.”
“…”
“You were trying to lie to me just now.”

An unbelievable sense of despair seemed to strike my heart.

“Saintess. Just tell me honestly. I’m not blaming you. I’m just feeling a little disappointed, so I’m saying this.”
“That’s…!”

So I answered.

“A-At first, I was going to write… but I thought it would be embarrassing to write too soon after we parted… so I was going to write after some time had passed…!”

That was the truth.

“It just took too long!”

I did forget, but there was this background.

“In the meantime, I was naturally thinking of organizing various information! But it took too long and I forgot! And then the demon situation broke out, so I thought it would be better to go and talk in person!”

Since I was going to Isbanth anyway, I decided to meet in person and talk.

“I never had such a bad intention…! It’s a little embarrassing to say it like this, so I made excuses! I’m sorry! I’m always a Divine Friend!”

After I poured out all my sincere feelings like that.

“…Was that so?”

Only then did Elise look down at me.

“Yes… this is my true heart.”
“Hmm… then.”

Suddenly, Elise smiled.

“So you were cherishing your friendship with me after all. Of course, that’s understandable, Saintess. Writing letters is a little embarrassing.”
“That’s right… Elise. Just know this one thing. I’m always a friendship man.”
“Of course, I know that very well too. So please get up.”
“Elise?”

I got up from my seat and checked Elise’s face.

“You’re not angry, are you?”
“I was just a little disappointed, but I’m not angry at all. But since you told me sincerely, all my disappointment has disappeared.”
“Ugh… I’m really sorry.”

Next time, I have to write at least one letter a month. The thought of Elise, my true benefactor and Divine Friend, being disappointed made my balls feel crushed.

“Phew.”

Anyway, I breathed out and sat back down in my seat.

“Elise. I’ll definitely write letters like crazy when I get back.”
“I will too.”
“Good. This is a solemn vow that I will never forget. I’ll definitely send one first.”
“Actually, the order doesn’t matter. I just need to be able to exchange letters with the Saintess, so that’s enough for me.”

This Elise.

I.

“Ugh…!”

This was guilt.

“I’ve committed a great sin.”
“That’s not true, Saintess. You can forget if you’re busy.”

Elise comforted me with a smile, but somehow I felt like there were thorns in her words. There’s no way Elise would do that. It’s just my imagination.

“However, now that I’ve conveyed my feelings like this, I believe that the Saintess will reciprocate those feelings.”
“Don’t worry, Elise. I will definitely.”

Declaration.

“I’ll prove to you that distance is no problem for our friendship.”
“Hehe, I’m so looking forward to it.”

It’s okay as long as Elise smiles.

“Anyway, Elise. Has anything happened to you?”
“Ah, yes.”

Elise explained her recent situation.

“Recently, I’ve been spending my time hunting demons. They were quite powerful, but in the end, they couldn’t overcome our combined attacks. I think next week we’ll be patrolling the surrounding villages and searching for hidden demons.”

Normal enough.

“It’s really a rewarding job. It’s such a fulfilling day, I feel justice and faith overflowing in my heart.”

Elise, saying that, looked really happy.

Yeah.

Elise suits that warm expression, not that fierce, scary, and cold expression. That’s a fact that no one can deny.

“That justice is felt all the way over here.”
“Is that so? That’s a very good phenomenon. I’m very happy.”
“Oh, but. By any chance, are Arkio and Blaret Paladin here? Are they around?”

I hadn’t forgotten their names.

Arkio was a very high-ranking member of the Ascetic Crusaders. He had a good personality, and I had met him in the Holy War Army.

Since I came, I should greet them, and that includes Blaret Paladin. I haven’t seen her face many times, but she’s quite strong, Elise’s superior, and a Paladin of the Radiant Holy Cross Society, so I must greet her if she’s here.

Isn’t that all networking?

If I can build a bridge to maintain a more amicable relationship with the Bronze Celestial Angel Society, Kadia will surely be happy too.

“Ah, are you talking about Brother Arkio and Sister Blaret? They’re currently on a business trip. Were you going to greet them?”
“Well, I’m a Paladin too. I was going to greet them since I came. Anyway, if they’re not here, there’s nothing I can do. Maybe there will be another opportunity next time.”

I was going to say hello since I came, but if they’re not here now, there’s nothing I can do. Elise said it would take some time for them to return.

“Hmm… but. Saintess.”
“Hmm, why?”
“You said you fought with your companions when you executed Andromalius this time.”
“Oh. That’s right.”

I nodded.

“Even so, it would be reckless to confront him alone.”

Of course, I’m not afraid at all even if I have to fight such a bastard one-on-one. But isn’t it easier to gang up on him in many ways?

“Are those companions your wives?”
“That’s right.”

That’s the correct answer.

“…”

Hmm… but bringing up this topic means… As I was thinking about that and worrying, Elise put her hands together and said.

“Oh! So you’re exterminating the evil forces that are rampant in the world with those who have been inspired by the Saintess!”
“Oh… is that so?”

That’s right.

They are now traveling around with me, helping me to execute the evil bastards who threaten the human world. They’re all following me to help me, so they’re really lovely.

Elise continued.

“It must be a very difficult task, but seeing them endure that righteous work with the Saintess, they must be as good as the Saintess. They must be truly righteous people.”
“Hmm.”

To think about it calmly, they don’t really have righteous personalities.

But so what.