Chapter 76

EP.76 Adult-3

Ariasphil was now feeling a severe sense of discomfort.

It was because she had been in close contact with that adult, or perhaps saint, for 32 minutes and 34 seconds, along with her own Leonardo.

‘...Could it be...’

Ariasphil, despite her age, had a cool and objective personality, and she was exceptionally skilled not only as a hero but also as a warrior.

But there was something she had overlooked, even including Leonardo and herself...

‘...Could it be... the wind...’

Her obsession and desire had regressed all thoughts of causality, including romantic relationships.

In Ariasphil’s mind, a ridiculous and baseless melodrama was playing out.

In her imagination, Luminé used every healing spell to treat Leonardo’s various pains and scars.

“Mr. Leo, are you okay? You must have been in a lot of pain. Who could have inflicted such a savage wound? I can’t forgive them. You must be so weak, right? It’s okay. Rest comfortably on my lap.”

“Thank you, Priestess Luminé. As expected, you are better than the violent Aria, who swings the holy sword recklessly. If it’s not too much trouble, could you pray for me every day?”

“No, that sounds like a proposal. I like it too. I’ve always preferred men with well-defined abs like you. How many children should we have? Boys or girls?”

“Let’s start by booking a wedding venue. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure not to get your hands dirty. Right now, we should focus on sharing our love.”

“Ha, you’re so naughty, Sir Knight.”

“Hahahaha...”

Though it was a baseless and implausible fantasy, even a three-year-old would frown at it. However, it also proved how much Ariasphil’s intelligence had declined.

‘...No, it can’t be. Leonardo has his principles...’

Just as she was shaking her head, two people walked out of the hospital room.

“Hahaha, it would be nice to meet again sometime.”

“I’ve never met someone who understands me so well.”

They were disturbingly friendly.

Crack

Why did Ariasphil’s teeth grind?

Why did she mistake the sound for the grinding of Leonardo’s lifespan?

Only Ariasphil knew the answer.

***

[Today... I’ll end it here... If I were ten years younger... I would have plucked out all the hair and hung it upside down...!]

The old sage, reduced to a formless wisp of smoke, managed to speak and provoke. Seeing this, it felt like a decade of pent-up frustration was suddenly released.

{You...! You must feel a regretful gratitude for nurturing that corrupt soul...!!}

The angel, now a ragged mess, flapped its balding wings and issued a futile threat, like a chicken being eaten instead of a dog on a hot day.

Luminé’s smile seemed unusually refreshing that day. It wasn’t an illusion; it was a genuine reflection of her inner state.

“Hahaha, it would be nice to meet again sometime.”

Ending this fight in one go is too disappointing. It would be a great spectacle to meet occasionally on holidays or festivals.

{Luminé, tell the sage’s disciple to stop talking nonsense.}

The angel, now a saint, still had a sharp tongue, but the expressions on their faces as they walked out of the room were cheerful.

“I’ve never met someone who understands me so well.”

Luminé, seemingly in agreement with Leonardo, nodded with a bright smile.

[Pass on a message to the pigeon’s successor to back off.]

It didn’t matter to them; the ones suffering were not them but the ghosts that should have faded into history. They felt an endless joy in discovering a way to torment the corrupt angel and the senile evil spirit without harming themselves.

“Are you okay, Leo?”

Chris, worried about any potential issues, looked at Leonardo’s eyes.

“Thanks to Priestess Luminé, even the aftereffects have been completely healed.”

“That’s good. You look much better. Your complexion has definitely improved.”

Indeed, it wasn’t just physical fatigue but the stress of the existence that had been severely dealt with.

‘...Your complexion has improved...?’

Now that she thought about it, her smile was unusually refreshing. It was a different kind of brightness compared to usual.

In fact, this was largely due to the sage’s constant nagging at Leonardo’s side, but Ariasphil didn’t know that.

“Are you okay, Luminé?”

“What reason do I have to be upset?”

The holy knight who accompanied them as a guard was also surprised. The smile on Luminé’s face was genuine, not a facade.

But the current smile looked genuinely refreshing and relieved. The shape of the smile was also etched into Ariasphil’s mind.

“...You two seem to have gotten along well. In just 30 minutes.”

Ariasphil, feeling her discomfort intensify, crossed her arms in a slightly rebellious manner.

“Indeed. I felt honored to be able to understand a bit of the priestess’s ethics and philosophy.”

{Judging by your smooth tongue, you must be the sage’s disciple.}

What a ridiculous statement. The sage is actually quite poor at speaking.

“I was also happy to hear a bit of the knight’s bravery and wisdom.”

[You’re just being sarcastic. If you knew his bravery and wisdom, you’d tell that woman or god to back off.]

Even if he wanted to say it, Leonardo knew they wouldn’t listen. Besides, they weren’t even human anymore.

{This nearly dead old man!!}

[This damn bitch...!!]

The second round was about to begin, and it was a shame they couldn’t watch the chaos due to the crowd. However, both seemed exhausted and couldn’t last even 30 seconds.

“So, you two had such a pleasant conversation. I didn’t know.”

Ariasphil barely concealed her anger with a forced smile. She was frustrated that they showed such expressions to a stranger they just met, but not to her.

“Then, shall we talk about something really important...?”

Despite her frustration, she tried to keep her composure in front of her knight.

“Then, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave, Sir Leonardo. This revelation is only for the descendants of the Reinhardt family.”

[That’s picky.]

<What’s the problem?>

She had no particular complaints. No matter how great a feat Leonardo had accomplished, he didn’t have the right to hear the hero’s revelation.

That was a separate issue. In her previous life, she hadn’t heard the hero’s revelation directly either.

“I understand...”

“That’s not right.”

As Leonardo was about to leave, Ariasphil grabbed his sleeve and objected. The grip was so tight it felt like her whole arm was being pulled.

“Doesn’t Leo have the right to hear it too?”

“...What?”

Leonardo was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Seizing the opportunity, Ariasphil pulled Leonardo’s arm and embraced him.

“We’re like family. Isn’t that right, Leo?”

At the same time, she looked at Luminé with a smug expression. She must have thought she was superior as a woman, but Luminé wasn’t a woman to begin with.

{Hmm~ The hero of this era seems quite cute.}

The angel added a knowing remark with a somewhat unpleasant gaze. The urge to smash that face if she had a proper command was overwhelming.

“To treat the revelation with such childish feelings...”

“No, Aria has a point.”

Chris, who had been listening, supported her argument.

“When the holy sword chose Aria, it was during the battle with Leonardo. So, there’s a possibility it’s related to the revelation.”

For Chris, it was a somewhat logical argument, and even Leonardo, who had been surprised by Aria’s actions, found it convincing.

“...What do you think, Priestess?”

“It should be fine. Sir Leo is unlikely to reveal it.”

With that, Leonardo sat down without hesitation. He thought it might be helpful if there was a connection between the revelation and his memories from the regression.

“...Miss...?”

The only thing to be cautious about was the fact that she was holding his arm too tightly. In this room, there were two heads of the family.

Gladio’s gaze was extremely cold and sharp, and Marken was already checking the edge of his sword for some reason.

[...Hey, do you want to hear a scary story?]

{What is it?}

[They’re not dating, right?]

{...You remind me of someone.}

[Don’t compare me to that lucky bastard.]

Both would prefer to choose their own grave or the afterlife.

“...Miss...”

“Leo.”

Ariasphil glared at her knight, Leo, with a stiff smile.

“You seem to have gotten close to the priestess. Your way of addressing her has become more casual, hasn’t it?”

“...What?”

In the midst of the overlapping dialogue between the living and the dead, Ariasphil expressed her dissatisfaction.

“Already using a nickname?”

“...A nickname?”

Now that she thought about it, it might have been a nickname. She had shortened “Sir Leo” to just “Leo.”

“Maybe it’s just easier to say?”

Crack

Before Leo could question the logic, Ariasphil squeezed his arm even tighter.

“So, it’s just because it’s easier to say?”

“...Ah... That’s...”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

After all, you’re mine, she didn’t add. Given the situation, Ariasphil tried to suppress her childish emotions and listen to the saint’s revelation.

“...Then, I will reveal the revelation.”

As the situation calmed down, Luminé began to share the revelation.

“Ariasphil Reinhardt. From this moment, from the moment you drew the holy sword, you have been appointed as the hero.”

As if in resonance with the divine revelation, the holy sword began to glow. A power similar to the holy energy that had wounded her chest was felt.

“From now on, you must undergo the hero’s training until you receive a direct revelation from the temple.”

Ariasphil’s expression stiffened slightly, a hint of unease in her eyes.

“Until then, the position of the hero cannot be announced, but the saint candidate, Luminé Angelus, and the current high priest will serve as your witnesses and support you with all their might.”

Upon hearing this, the Reinhardt family members all wore serious expressions.

“What exactly does the hero’s training entail?”

Gladio’s question prompted Luminé to explain succinctly.

“You will learn prayer and the use of holy energy as a priest and a holy knight. You will also study the history and records of previous heroes.”

“Then... when can I return?”

Rios asked, and Luminé replied with a slightly heavy expression.

“Until you receive the revelation through your training... you cannot return.”

“...So, when will the training end?”

“...That... cannot be determined. According to the records of previous priests and holy knights, it will take at least 7 to 8 years.”

Ariasphil’s expression completely stiffened at this.

“...Is there any concept of visitation?”

“There is no such thing. Are the descendants of Reinhardt taking the weight of the hero lightly?”

The holy knight’s rebuke made the Reinhardt family members, including Leonardo, emit a sense of intimidation.

“Calm down, Charlian.”

“...I apologize, Priestess Luminé.”

Luminé’s gentle and considerate tone calmed the intimidating atmosphere, even the descendants of the hero.

“...The temple was also caught off guard. The holy sword was drawn before the revelation, and we couldn’t prepare properly for the late revelation.”

Luminé, understanding the situation due to Leonardo’s regression, was still surprised when the revelation came. She maintained her composure only because of her position as a saint candidate.

“But since the revelation has come, it cannot be ignored. The duty of the hero, once bestowed, must be accepted...”

“...I don’t want to.”

Ariasphil stood up and said.

“I don’t want to...!!”

“W...Wait! Aria...!!”

With that, Ariasphil ran out of the room. Everyone was shocked and chased after her, but Leonardo remained seated calmly.

[You’re not going to chase after her?]

<She’s already out of sight.>

Thinking back, Leonardo had always been the one to find Aria whenever she disappeared, including during Sirica’s birthday.

[You already knew, didn’t you?]

<It was similar even before the regression.>

Back then, she was older and had received the holy sword through the proper procedure, so the burden was less. But now, as a child, it was naturally a heavy and difficult responsibility.

[Are you going to persuade her?]

<...I don’t know. I’m not sure what’s best for Aria.>

Aria died in the future after becoming a hero and obtaining the holy sword. But if she gave up the holy sword and ran away, the world would inevitably face a crisis.

No one knew which path was truly the best.

<But I will do my best to support whatever Aria chooses.>

That was the reason for his return.

***

Ariasphil is now in the stable at the back of the garden. People might think she’s on a horse that ran out of the stable due to the spirits, giving her some time.

“Phew...”

“You made quite a scene?”

Ariasphil, startled, wrapped herself in the hay like a blanket.

“...How...”

At this, Leonardo chuckled.

“...It reminds me of the old days. When we did this during Sirica’s birthday.”

“...When you suggested we wear tuxedos and dance, but ended up in a sword fight?”

That’s how Ariasphil remembered it, and it wasn’t entirely wrong, so she smiled.

“After that sword dance... it’s been two years already. Time really flies.”

Ariasphil’s mood, however, was stifling and uncomfortable.

“...Are you going to persuade me? To become a hero and spend years in the temple with that woman, the saint?”

Leonardo scratched his head, looking troubled. Ariasphil felt a surge of frustration, thinking that even Leonardo was no different.

It wasn’t just the indefinite duration of the training or the weight of the hero’s duty.

It was the fact that the duel she had fought to keep Leonardo close had only pushed her further away from him.

Even a god would find this too much.

“What should I explain first...”

After a moment of organizing his thoughts, Leonardo spoke.

“First, Priestess Luminé, the saint candidate, is actually a man. Despite the misleading appearance, he dislikes such assumptions, so please avoid such topics.”

Ariasphil was momentarily speechless, utterly bewildered.

So, all her fantasies, jealousy, and vigilance had been self-inflicted. Embarrassed, her face turned red with frustration.

“And... to be honest, I’m not the one who can persuade you to become a hero.”

Leonardo finally revealed his approach.

“So, if you really don’t want to become a hero...”

He held out something that resembled an old, dusty mirror reflecting the past.

“...Let’s run away together. With me.”

The difference was that this escape wasn’t just a one-day adventure but a lifetime of running together.

<+--|-|--+>