Chapter 33

"Let's go!"

"Okay!"

At my words, Samyuu jumped out of the window. Thanks to [Magic Manipulation], Samyuu's enhanced body defied gravity and didn't fall to the ground. Feeling the wind on her cheeks, she quickly reached the roof of the neighboring house, which had been far away.

"So fast!"

"Lady Rennie, aren't you scared?"

"Not scared! It's fun!!"

The sensation of floating and the speed were exhilarating, and I couldn't help but laugh. Samyuu smiled happily and flew to the next roof.

As we continued to hop from roof to roof, no one noticed us.

Under the glittering starlight, it felt like only Samyuu and I existed in this world.

Excited and thrilled.

With Samyuu, I felt like we could do anything—

"…Lady Rennie. Today, I realized that your power is even stronger than I imagined. You can do anything on your own…"

While jumping to the next roof, Samyuu began to speak slowly.

"I… want to be of help to Lady Rennie. But, if I continue as I am, might I become a burden to you…? If that's the case, I—"

Samyuu tried to say something, but stopped halfway. When I looked up in surprise, she had a pained expression.

"Samyuu…"

I couldn't bear to see her like that, so I reached out my hand.

"Rennie is strong, but sometimes makes mistakes."

That's right. I am strong, but I also make mistakes. When I have a good idea, I act on it immediately, but often end up overdoing it… Even if I fail, I can try again, and if it works out in the end, that's fine. I don't think everything I do is wrong.

But—

"Samyuu can help."

Having Samyuu around makes me feel incredibly strong.

Being with her is exciting.

So—

"The Guardian Contract."

A ritual that elves can perform to strengthen their bond.

Samyuu's guardian is her mother, and they can perform [Mental Sensing] between them.

Samyuu told me that her dream was to become the guardian of her mother's child. Since I am that child, making the contract with her would fulfill her dream.

I want to fulfill Samyuu's dream.

And not just that, I—

"Want to do it with Samyuu."

Having such a cool, strong, and wonderful girl by my side would be amazing.

But there is one problem.

"Rennie has round ears, so maybe it's not possible?"

That's right. My status type is [Elf], but in reality, I look human. I've never used magic, so it's definitely sealed.

Therefore, I might not be able to make the Guardian Contract.

I tilted my head, and Samyuu stopped in her tracks.

"Samyuu?"

"A, Lady Rennie… Are you really sure…?"

Her voice was trembling.

"The Guardian Contract can only be performed once. Once you choose someone, you can never change it."

Samyuu hugged me tightly.

"I already belong to Lady Rennie. I have decided in my heart to live for Lady Rennie. Therefore, there's no need to rush the decision. …There are stronger and more beautiful elves. Of course, I don't intend to lose, but Lady Rennie should have more options, I think."

Samyuu bit her lip.

…I like this side of Samyuu.

She has a dream she wants to achieve, and it's almost within reach. Yet, she doesn't jump at it immediately; instead, she explains everything to me carefully, giving me the freedom to choose.

…I thought Samyuu was wonderful again.

So, I—

"Want Samyuu."

I wrapped my hand around Samyuu's neck.

I pulled her close, and even though I'm small, I managed to reach her ear.

"Want Samyuu."

I made sure she could hear.

I whispered it again in her ear.

Samyuu shivered—

"…Understood. We need to prepare the place. There may not be a suitable place in this desolate town, but I will find the best one."

"…Samyuu?"

Huh? The atmosphere is different…? She usually feels soft and reliable, but now she seems intense. Her eyes are focused. Huh?

"Nothing is suitable for Lady Rennie… Ah, there's a clock tower. It stands on a hill and is the tallest building around, so that might be good. Instead of looking for a shabby human-made structure, we should overlook the vast grassland and the starry sky. …Yes. Standing there, Lady Rennie will be magnificent."

"Samyuu…"

"Lady Rennie, let's go."

"…Okay."

What's going on? I can't interrupt. Her hands, which are usually gentle, are still gentle, but the atmosphere is completely different.

With a focused look, Samyuu kicked off the roof. Our destination was the clock tower. It was tower-like, and from the top, we could see everything around us.

"…Beautiful."

The view from the tall clock tower on the hill was truly magnificent.

The lights from the houses in the town glowed orange, and the grassland in the distance was illuminated by the starlight, making the leaves shimmer.

"I'll put you down."

While I was captivated by the scenery, Samyuu carefully lowered me to the platform. It was in front of a large clock, likely positioned for maintenance.

It was spacious and stable, so even though it was very high, I wasn't scared.

"Lady Rennie."

Samyuu's sincere voice. I turned my gaze from the scenery to her. Just then, a gentle breeze blew, and my hood fell off.

"Is it okay to perform the Guardian Contract here?"

"Okay. Let's do it here. …But, if the contract doesn't work… it might be meaningless…"

"No, it has meaning. The actual effect of the contract is not the issue. …Lady Rennie and I have made the Guardian Contract. That is the fact."

"…Okay."

Samyuu said this, then knelt and gently took my right hand.

She looked at me with her straight, bright blue eyes.

"I, Samyuu Alm, as the guardian of Rennie Shulm Guorga, make this contract. I will dedicate my body and my life to protect this person, I swear."

Samyuu said this, then lifted my hand. She then leaned in and kissed my palm—

"Samyuu…!"

The soft sensation, and the resolve I felt from it, made me involuntarily gasp.

"I'm sorry, Lady Rennie. The contract requires a kiss on a part of the other person."

"Is that so… Sorry, I was surprised."

"How do you feel? Do you feel anything?"

When Samyuu asked, I suddenly noticed that my right palm was warm.

And that warmth was spreading throughout my body.

"It's warm."

"That's good…"

"Shouldn't I return the favor?"

"Wh-What!?"

Since it's a contract, I think we should do it together.

So, I hugged Samyuu, who was on one knee, tightly. In this position, our faces were close.

"Rennie Shulm Guorga. I make Samyuu Alm my guardian. We will do many fun things together."

After saying that, I gently pulled back to see Samyuu's face.

Then—

"I love you."

Peck.

I kissed her eyelid, which protected her bright blue eyes.

Since she has two eyes, I did it twice.

Then, I pulled back and chuckled.

"How about it? Is Samyuu warm too?"

If she's warm, it means the Guardian Contract worked.

So, I asked, but Samyuu froze—

Oh no.

"Ah, impossible, too sacred, impossible, ultimate peace."

She said this, then rolled her eyes—

"No! Samyuu! If you collapse here—!"

"Too… much…"

"Samyuu!"

—You'll fall!!