When I returned to Melte's village with Priestess Serra, I brought with me, as usual, an abundance of antidotes, potions to restore stamina and holy water.

　With the traces of Hydra and Stampede still lingering in Ishqa, it was quite a hassle to gather up all these medicines, so I hope they're used as effectively as possible.

　The last time I visited the village, the purpose of the visit was to gain the trust of the villagers, but this time it was not to gain their trust, but to apologize to the inhabitants of Melte.

　When I took the Sailor priests out of the village earlier, I made it a point to "protect Ishka from the monster stampede," but my purpose was to help only those I wanted to help. In other words, I had abandoned the other villagers. It was my own way of atonement for that.

　--It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. But those true intentions must be kept neatly wrapped up in front of Priestess Sailor.

　I've already told the priest Sailor and Ilaria the truth, so they can see right through me, but even so, it's better to show them that I haven't forgotten to follow up with those who have abandoned me.

　The octed roar of Hydra's roar seemed to echo all the way to the land, and I should add that Lars, who remained in the village, asked me about this and that, which was very troublesome.

　It seems that the information about Hydra and the Stampede has been exaggerated by the people who escaped from Ishqa, and the southern part of the canary has fallen into a state of panic.

　As one would expect, the information about the end of the stampede was given top priority by the Canarian kingdom, but the message read: "The stampede is over. The details will be conveyed to you shortly. It would be difficult to get rid of your anxiety with this.

　Well, since Ishka itself still hasn't gotten out of its confusion, it's no wonder that the distant village of Melte is being driven by the fear that the hordes of demonic beasts will attack again tomorrow.

　There are some villagers who have suffered from the same incurable poisoning as Ilaria, and I took the priest Sailor, who is reliable in times like these, away from the village - there is nothing to wipe out the anxiety. It's a good thing I'm not the only one, because I'm not the only one.

　When I told them that Hydra was killed, that the monster stampede was over, that there was no need to worry about the incurable poison as long as I had the antidote that I had brought with me, and that I didn't need to pay for the medicine this time either, the village chief and the other people in the village were very grateful, but it was slightly uncomfortable.

　Anyway, I told them what I needed to tell them. The reason I didn't tell them about my two names, "Dragonslayer" or "False Dragonslayer" is because I could see it would become even more troublesome than it already is. Especially around Lars.

　Soon, it will be transmitted in the form of rumors, but I will no longer be in Melte by then, so it doesn't matter. Let's hope that I will be a humble warrior with a profound sense of humility about my accomplishments, and that I will be able to beautify them on my own.

　I am now at the cemetery on the outskirts of the village. I didn't see the Serra priest, so I went to visit him, thinking that he was probably here. He said that he had fled from the village chiefs who were persistent in talking to him.


　-- where he saw the priest Serra with his head hanging down and his hands clasped in front of a single grave.


　It was immediately clear that the tomb belonged to the father of the deceased priest Seela's husband, Ilia. I didn't want to disturb the priest's prayers, so I tried to turn back quickly - but I couldn't because the sight of the priest Serra praying with all his heart was so beautiful.

　Calm, holy, and yet warm. To say it was like a painting is an exaggeration, but that's what the scene in front of me was.

　I could feel how much the priest Serra loved her husband, and how much she still loves him, more clearly than if I had spent a thousand words on it.

　I found myself staring at it voicelessly. After a slight delay, an enormous amount of emotions poured out of my chest.

　At first it was jealousy. Jealousy for someone who has been dead for more than ten years and yet is so beloved by Priest Seela.

　But that feeling quickly faded and was replaced by envy. I wondered what a happy life would be like if I could find a marriage like this.

　This is the ideal that I had tried to build with my fiancee when I was a child. That's what I thought.

　I thought and smiled bitterly as I curved my lips.

　I was surprised to find that such a feeling - or sentimentality - remained in me.

　It's true that I'm aware of the fact that I have different feelings towards the priestess Serra than I do about lust or soul-eating or any other desire.

　The feelings I have for Monsignor Serra are probably similar to the feelings I had for Ayaka as a child. I was hoping to see this behind the scenes as I raged for revenge or to wear a heart suit.

　I was blindsided by this. People don't understand themselves very well--


No, not really.


　I whispered in a whisper so that Priest Sailor couldn't hear me.

　I envied the priests of Sailor and his wife for their marital bond. Envy, in other words, is a longing for something unreachable. What the hell, I know myself well, don't I?

　He smiles a deliberately sarcastic smile and looks at the Sailor Priest again.

　As usual, I thought she was beautiful.

　If I wanted to get my hands on this woman, I'm sure I could. I saved Ilaria's life and I owed the village of Merte more than I could ever repay.

　If I told him to repay the debt, Priest Sela would not be able to resist. If I tell him to repay the debt, he will repay me.

　I'm sure that the day may come when I can use the village chiefs to fill in the outer moats, take the dragon knight's rightful place as the dragon knight's wife, who even Lord Dragnaut would look down on, and eventually steal the priest's heart from his late husband.

　I certainly wish that I could. In fact, it is a fact that I have been making moves for that purpose, disguising it as a light-hearted remark.

　However, if I did so, I would have lost the heart to think this scene was beautiful. I realized that.

　--I'm sure it's very trivial.

　It's very natural.

　I let out a breath of air. Looking at the priest's back, deep and long. To let out what I've been hoarding.

　When it was over, I turned on my heel so as not to interrupt the Sailor priests' conversation.

　Strangely, my footsteps were light.