Bell looked up at Yuma.
Yuma also glanced at Bell.
“Bell, you’re getting stronger and stronger. Impressive.”
Bell narrowed her eyes at Yuma’s words.
“Are you poking fun at me now, Master?”
As she said this, Bell got closer to Yuma and clasped his left hand.
Step by step, they walked side by side.
Bell always followed Yuma’s sword. Even as Yuma was about to slay the Evil God Malphas, she tracked that sword path with her eyes. However, she couldn’t quite comprehend the intricacies of the attack.
The gap she once thought she could close grew wider with time.
Yet, she did not feel despair. She understood well enough that Yuma was an exceptionally unique case.
To others, she too would be seen as someone in a world they could never reach.
Ultimately, the conclusion was clear: she had to keep swinging her sword.
If she wanted to be of any help to Yuma whatever lay ahead.
Yuma recalled how he had been pondering this for a long time while looking at Bell.
“I need to create one more technique.”
Creating a technique.
A power made possible by soaring divine energy.
Yuma thought and thought about the variables that would arise upon entering the Divine Realm.
“I have to consider all possibilities.”
The Divine Realm. It had to be viewed differently from the Intermediate World, which he could call his own land.
“Perhaps the strongest enemy is the Duke— that thing it spoke of as it was dying: emptiness and infinity.”
Yuma looked at Bell through the Search Eye.
[Lv.205] Bell
Race: Human
Class: Swordsman, Apostle of the God of War
Level: Grand Sword Master
Innate Traits: Genius, Unity with the Divine Sword, Heavenly Martial Body
Before he knew it, Bell had surpassed level 200.
Yuma felt a great sense of pride in Bell’s growth rate.
A world carved out by oneself.
A world solely of righteous swords.
“I can do this.”
If it’s you.
The blade that would shatter the ceiling of the arrogant Divine Realm. Yuma was sure that Bell would be able to do it.
“Looks like you’re still training hard.”
Bell nodded vigorously.
“Yeah! If I want to catch up with my Master, I’ve got to work hard.”
Yuma couldn’t help but chuckle internally.
Hunting the [Evil Divine of Construction], Malphas, and training his sword while the world stabilized made him realize how extraordinary Bell’s talent was, and how much effort she had put in.
Bell’s pink eyes were firmly fixed on Yuma.
“Someday, someday, you know? When the world calms down without any upheaval, we can live a little more quietly, right?”
“Yeah, that’ll happen.”
Though it might take a little more time.
“The family has grown again.”
He must be referring to Yulicia, who has yet to awaken, and her younger sister Yulian.
“Guess that’s what it is.”
“Glad to be alive. That person.”
“Yeah, it’s a relief.”
“I just hope… no one else dies. Our people.”
“No one will die.”
Bell raised her head and looked at Yuma.
“I’m practicing swordsmanship tomorrow, so point out my mistakes.”
Yuma nodded slowly.
“Alright, got it.”
He knew Bell wasn’t saying that because she genuinely wanted teaching about swordsmanship. After reaching the realm of Grand Swordmaster, she no longer sought advice. She knew exactly which way she wanted to go. She just wanted to chat and bond like before.
Yuma didn’t want to betray Bell’s feelings.
Whether by force or not, he had taken someone raised in a family community out into the world, subjecting her to all sorts of troubles. Even if it was the path he wanted to take.
It was an undeniable rough road.
“Yuma.”
Suddenly, Bell stood in front of Yuma, holding his right hand with both of hers. Warmth radiated from her hands.
“I’m glad you didn’t get hurt this time.”
“Yeah.”
The pink eyes looking at him were so vivid that Yuma found it hard to take his gaze away for a moment.
*
Cloney gazed at the night sky.
Stars filled the dark sky.
Though it was the calm sky she had seen often lately, Cloney didn’t find this scenery beautiful.
It felt like the countless stars were about to fall at any moment.
It was said that predetermining fears about things that hadn’t happened yet and worrying about failures that hadn’t occurred were chronic issues for mages.
‘I’ve gotten weak.’
Cloney realized that.
Despite all the hardships and adversities she had faced, she felt so weak. Believing only in Yuma instead of herself.
To be a complete failure as a mage, one must have confidence in oneself.
Step-
Cloney turned her head at the sound of footsteps approaching from behind.
“Cloney.”
The man with gray hair, Yuma, confirmed his presence next to her with a soft voice, making her blink.
“It’s still cold. I think it would be good to go inside.”
Cloney smiled brightly.
She felt a bit silly, but the mere fact that Yuma had come closer brought some stability to her unsettled heart.
“Yes, Yuma.”
Yuma looked into Cloney’s clear golden eyes and used [Search Eye].
[Lv.122] Cloney
Race: Human
Class: Mage, Apostle of the God of War
Level: 7 Circle
Innate Trait: Magic Genius
The highest realm a human can reach as a mage.
The vast majority of mages never even step close to the edge of it. In terms of swordsmen, it would be the realm of a Sword Master.
“Not being able to even touch the edge. When it comes to swordsmen, it’s the realm of a Sword Master.”
Before he knew it, Cloney had chased after her teacher, the Scarlet Magic Tower Master Eldrie, to the very tip of his chin.
Yuma no longer had any expectations for Cloney.
Back when they first met, he had hoped she would reach the 8th Circle, but now he was satisfied with her having reached the 7th Circle, enough to fulfill her duties as his servant.
Unlike the past when he desperately wished for Cloney to become an 8th Circle mage, he had now amassed enough power as a god of the Intermediate World.
Over there.
It wasn’t a gamble to fight the enemies in the still unopened Divine Realm, but a state of possibility.
So Cloney thought it would be okay to stop here.
“You’ve become strong enough, Cloney.”
Yuma gently stroked Cloney’s black hair.
“You can rest now.”
Before Yuma finished his sentence, he looked at Cloney, who was holding his right hand.
“…Please don’t say that. Saying I can rest…”
Yuma looked into Cloney’s golden eyes.
He couldn’t help but do so.
Tears were welling up beneath her golden irises.
“Why is it enough for me? You think Bell can become stronger.”
Yuma took a handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped the tears flowing from Cloney’s eyes.
“Cloney.”
Cloney’s face still hadn’t brightened.
“I… will do everything I can, Yuma.”
He knew.
Yuma was aware of the slight inferiority complex underlying Cloney’s inner thoughts.
She had gone alone to the Piggero Church. She had willingly taken on the role of bait to summon Malphas to the Intermediate World.
She had deliberately pushed herself into dangerous situations because she felt lacking in power compared to Bell.
Even if Cloney, with her 7th Circle strength, entered the heart of the Piggero Church, her life wouldn’t necessarily be in danger, but he couldn’t be sure there wouldn’t be even the slightest variable.
“So, I’ll get stronger… so please don’t say I’m satisfied with this.”
Cloney wrapped her arms around Yuma’s waist.
“I can rest after all this is over… when everything is peaceful, then resting will be fine.”
Yuma realized he hadn’t been paying close attention to Cloney.
Pride.
He had momentarily forgotten that the feeling of wanting to do his part meant he was someone who wouldn’t fall behind anyone else.
“I’m sorry.”
Yuma patted Cloney’s back.
“I’m sorry for whining…”
Cloney couldn’t stop her tears, even while blaming herself.
Feeling a little hurt by Yuma’s words, Cloney slowly melted that hurt away.
“I’ll get stronger… so I won’t be a burden to you, Yuma. I won’t be a burden to Bell. I’ll ensure I have a place in the future you envision.”
“I’m going to get stronger… so I won’t be a burden to Duke Yuma. I also don’t want to be a burden to Sister Bell. I will make sure I can contribute to the future that Duke Yuma envisions.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Duke Yuma tried to say something but swallowed his words instead.
“Right.”
He didn’t want to hurt Cloney any further.
“…Thank you, Duke Yuma.”
Cloney leaned on Duke Yuma for quite some time.
*
Bell, with her ponytail undone, walked stiffly toward the dining room where dinner was prepared.
The emperor with white hair, Princess Brigitte von Astes, lifted her head before Bell’s arrival.
“Hm? Didn’t you say you were bringing Cloney?”
Bell nodded ambiguously.
“Uh, she was with Duke Yuma. She should be in soon.”
“Hmm, got it.”
Bell answered casually, but inside, she was anything but calm.
Cloney was alone with Duke Yuma.
Duke Yuma comforting a crying Cloney.
She watched from a distance.
Even after seeing that, Bell couldn’t hate Cloney.
Those tears couldn’t be fake.
And she knew how hard Cloney had tried to help Duke Yuma.
It was just that her heart was all tangled up.
The image of the two together still lingered in her mind.
Princess Brigitte looked at the countless dishes spread along the long table.
“I prepared this much food with a kind heart, not knowing when we might go far again.”
Bell gazed blankly at the elaborate spread.
“Wow, is it just this much for today?”
“Nope. I’ve ordered this amount for the foreseeable future.”
Bell nodded blankly.
“…I should call Hestia and Ermel. That would just about cover it.”
Just as she was about to get up again, she paused.
“Wow! This is a really well-set table!”
“Hello….”
Hestia came in with Ermel.
Ermel, having just spent her energy healing the fallen former Holy Maiden Yulicia, looked a bit weary.
“So everyone is gathered here.”
And then Duke Yuma and Cloney came in together.
Hestia’s scarlet ears perked up.
“Oh! Cloney, Duke Yuma! You’ve arrived!”
Hestia greeted Duke Yuma and Cloney with a smile.
