Chapter 94

It was twilight.

As Claudia returned to the room via teleportation magic, the door was gently knocked. Claudia turned to look.

(Noah has returned as well.)

She replied, "Come in," and sat on the long chair. Noah, who had entered, seemed to be surprised for a moment when he saw her.

"…Princess, why are you in your adult form?"

"I woke up and went to see Stuart. He needs encouragement for all his hard work, doesn't he?"

Claudia, who had transformed to look around sixteen years old, answered while hugging a cushion. Noah then asked with a somewhat wary look.

"Did you have that man draw a picture for you?"

"? Not yet."

"…"

Noah let out a sigh of relief and walked over to Claudia.

"When you have him draw, please make sure I'm there. Absolutely."

"Hehe, I understand. Your princess won't do anything to worry you."

"Words that mean nothing…"

It wasn't as if they meant nothing, but it was a matter of perspective, so she decided not to comment.

"Is Karlheinz doing well?"

"He seems to be quite tired, but there shouldn't be any problems."

"That's good. Should I cast a healing spell on him?"

"I already suggested it, but he firmly declined, saying it wasn't necessary."

"Noah is excellent. Of course, Karlheinz is too."

Claudia said this with a smile and looked out the window.

"……"

Then, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

What she saw was the sky dyed by the sunset, transitioning from a deep lapis lazuli blue to a ruby red. As she gazed at the sky, Noah knelt at Claudia's feet.

"…Can you also transform me into my adult form?"

Though surprised by this request, it was rare for Noah to ask for anything.

"Hehe. Sure."

She smiled and touched Noah, casting a spell with a soft sound. The adult Noah who appeared before her was looking at Claudia earnestly.

"Noah? What are you—…"

"…"

Claudia couldn't help but stop speaking.

Noah, with one knee on the long chair, pulled Claudia close.

She was taken aback, her eyes widening as she was enclosed in his arms.

"…Noah"

"First, I want to receive two reprimands from you."

Noah, still holding Claudia, whispered in her ear.

"The first is for touching you without permission. …I want you to punish me later."

"…"

Without responding to that, Claudia remained in the same position and gently prompted.

"…What's the second?"

"I disobeyed your command to not fight Lewis."

Hearing this, she narrowed her eyes in a smile.

"To protect me, right?"

"…"

Noah must have seen through Claudia's hesitation.

"I thought it was my responsibility to fulfill the role of not letting that child die. I had to take responsibility for that child. …But, it was a mess."

"Princess"

"Still, I was happy that Noah acted so recklessly for me. So, no punishment."

She pressed her forehead against Noah's chest and closed her eyes.

"What about this, holding me so tightly?"

"…"

Noah, who had said he would accept punishment, showed no sign of letting Claudia go. Instead, he tightened his grip on her slender back even more.

"I'll do anything to make you happy."

"……"

It felt more like a vow than a statement to Claudia.

It might even be called a prayer. Noah, as if engraving each word, carefully spoke to Claudia, one by one, near her ear.

"Perhaps it's presumptuous for me to even touch the wounds you bore five hundred years ago, or the ones you might bear in the future. —I don't think I can make up for what existed between you and your disciples five hundred years ago. But, even so—"

Noah, who was holding Claudia as if to protect her, leaned heavily on her, as if clinging to her, and pleaded.

"According to the vow I made two years ago, I won't leave you. Absolutely."

"…Noah"

"So please, command me."

The hand that had been touching Claudia's back now gently stroked her hair and whispered.

"Stay by my side."

"……"

Claudia pursed her lips slightly.

But before it was noticed, she softened into a gentle smile.

(He's always so straightforward with me.)

Noah probably feels powerless.

But that's impossible. To Claudia, Noah is a greater source of comfort than he can imagine.

"I won't give you orders."

"…Princess"

Noah's voice was slightly strained, and Claudia laughed.

"I won't command, but I'll ask."

"!"

Then, she hugged Noah tightly.

The adult Noah's back was broad, completely enveloping Claudia. Feeling his protective embrace, Claudia leaned her cheek against Noah's and entrusted herself to him.

And she whispered a small wish.

"Stay with me, Noah."

"……"

Noah, near Claudia's ear, slowly and hoarsely spoke, as if engraving the words on her eardrum.

"Even if you tell me to leave, I won't."

"…Hehe"

The clarity of his words made Claudia laugh.

Even though she laughed, a nostalgic, lonely feeling lingered in her heart.

She didn't deny this feeling, and as she remembered the many voices she had heard five hundred years ago, she closed her eyes.

(…When I do this, I can hear Noah's heartbeat…)

Claudia felt truly happy about this.

The warmth was so comforting that she stayed like that for a long time.

Noah stroked Claudia's hair many times, showing his intention to protect her, and stayed by her side for a long time.

---

This concludes the second part of The Exorcist. Thank you for reading!

A book containing this content, along with new material, will be released on October 25th!

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