Chapter 27: Resolve. Toast. Lap pillow.

Kris couldn't believe me while Sylvie confessed to have had some doubts initially but defaulted to thinking of me as male.

To think I had to resort to something I thought of in the middle of a rant...

So, after showing what lies under my breastplate, as in boobs, to a shocked Kris and Sylvie, they both were embarrassed and apologized deeply.

Ah, I also heard a yelp coming from the roof. That one must have been Luca.

But going back to Kris for a bit. She was completely red and nervously looking for a way to refer to me.

"I-I'm so sorry My Lo—Lady no...Master!"

Heh, she looked so cute while fumbling for words. Even more, she had already used ‘Master’ to refer to me before, so I guess she was just that shocked.

After a series of apologies later, I was finally able to go inside the inn.

Which is where I am now.

And Erevain, as expected, is close behind me.

"Are you not going to enjoy the festivities anymore, Erevain?"

I ask her while going up the stairs.

"My place is right here with you, My Lord. And...I wish to check my equipment, meditate too. After the events of today, a confrontation with Brynn and her Master is sure to happen."

I can see that Erevain is worried, anxious even, but there’s also anticipation in her eyes.

Also, she seems to know about Brynn's Master even if I haven't told her.

"Indeed. The main scenario being the capital, and you in the center of it all, fighting against Brynn and whoever is on their side within the Kingdom. It might be someone close to you, close enough that you cannot see their true intentions. I know I should be asking this when we arrive at the capital and not here. But are you ready, Erevain?"

Her eyes widened at the mention that someone close to her might be the one working with the Dragon Lords.

"..."

She’s now clenching her fists, clearly upset while looking to the side, as if remembering something she didn't want to...

I'm sorry, but that is something you don't only find in isekais, it also happens in the classics that involve the drama of royalty. Brothers would fight amongst themselves, or their parents, for power.

Heck, even in my world it happened all the time. I saw some cases when I was on the job. Just put a hefty inheritance in the middle of a big family and watch how those 'bonds' burn in flames fueled by greed.

Too real?

Too real, my bad.

But still...the chance of Erevain finding out that the sibling she was thinking of last night was not only responsible for what happened in this village but that they were also working with the Dragon Lords is high.

Worst of all, my instinct is telling me that I am right. At least in the part of it being someone closely tied to her. Sibling or a parent either...or both...

I need more information so that my instinct's precision is higher with these things, I don't want to be surprised again...

Even if that just set up a damn flag!

"In the years I spent in that forest with everyone...I do not want to admit it but...the thought that something was festering within the kingdom was there...deep in my mind...I did not know what to do. I did not want to know. So, I ignored it, all while growing accustomed with living hidden in the outskirts and helping the citizens that way. I told myself that I was weak, that I lacked the strength necessary to fix the Kingdom, all because I was not able to foresee what happened."

Her fists tremble as she clenches them harder.

"But...!"

She raises her head and looks at me with eyes full of resolve, and even if there is a tinge of fear within them, the bravery she exudes overshadows it.

"I do not have more excuses. Not now and never more. Even if I am not ready...even if I must face against my father...my dear brother or my dear sister...I shall confront the Kingdom's corruption, and her with my eyes open and sword ready."

I say it a lot and I'll say it again. Erevain, you have my respect.

Not only as a person but also as a nerd, a weeb, because that strength to do something even if that someone isn't ready was what brought to my world many inventions, characters and stories.

It brought change.

"Well said, Erevain."

Just imagining her speech with a good soundtrack gives me the chills!

I'm a sucker for such things.

"Thank you, My Lord. For helping my countrymen more than I could ever do and giving me the chance to fight for them again."

Erevain says so while kneeling on one knee. Like the knight she is.

She is a bit mistaken though...

Got to channel alter here.

"Raise your head, you fool."

She looks at me confused by my words.

"Do not thank me for something I did not do. You never stopped fighting for them or helping them. Even if your efforts went unnoticed, even if they were small, what you did was meaningful. It helped them go through this ordeal without people seeking to profit off them, like vultures. To keep living their lives with a semblance of normalcy. Do not insult yourself and the others by thinking otherwise."

Her eyes widen at what I say and for a moment, she looks down.

"I...but..."

She says that, still doubting those words, but she also raises her head, wanting to believe them and I firmly lock eyes with her.

"One butterfly moving its wings can create a storm on the other side of the world. Even the smallest of actions have great effects. What you did here these years, what we did here this day and what we will do in the future. All of it has meaning, all brings about change. Stand proud my right-hand woman because we are only just getting started."

The saying was something like that right?

In any case, I offer her my hand to her, and she takes it.

She is still shaken, but it seems that she got the message.

Man, this head maid of mine is cool, but at the same time she needs to be reminded of her value.

"Let us finish here. It has been an eventful day and the time for us to go to the capital grows closer. Rest well, Erevain."

I say so while turning around towards the door of my room.

Although, I could swear I saw her make a light smile before I completely turned around...

"Likewise, My Lord."

She lightly bows and goes to the room right beside mine.

___________________________________________________________

At the same time when Auros and Erevain were talking. Gabrielle had approached Kris, who was drinking in a bit of a daze after getting to know the truth about her Master.

"You are looking awfully smug right now. You know that Gabrielle?"

Said Kris glancing at her comrade's smile.

"Oh my, and why would I be?"

Gabrielle acted as if she didn't know what Kris was talking about.

"You knew."

"About what?"

Kris squinted her eyes at her while Gabrielle kept playing ignorant. She even twirled one of her curls with her fingers to complement the act.

"Stop messing with me...I'm talking about how our Master is a woman..."

"Ah, that. Well, I just followed my Master's lead. She seemed to not care about it, so I did not see any reason to tell you."

Kris rolled her eyes at Gabrielle's words and chugged her drink.

"Kah! That also means something else, that Erevain...did it with a woman as a woman...hmmm...that is kinda' hot if you ask me..."

Kris did not notice, but Gabrielle made a mischievous smile the moment she heard that.

"Do you want to do it?"

Said Gabrielle in an inquisitive tone.

"HAH?!"

Kris got startled and almost fell off her seat.

"You heard me; do you want to do it?"

"W-Wha-What are you saying?! M-Me w-with Ma-Master?!"

Gabrielle just looked at the bewildered Kris and leaned closer, pressuring her for an answer.

"I-I suppose if she were to call me...I wouldn't be opposed...to...the...idea..."

Kris said so as her tone went lower and lower and lower. All while also looking downwards, clearly embarrassed.

But then Gabrielle suddenly got even closer to Kris, to the point that their faces and other places were almost touching.

"I did not say your partner had to be Master. I am right here, no?"

Kris' eyes widened, and her face turned completely red. Which was something that not even all the alcohol that she drank had been able to do.

"As a woman...mhm...you are really cute, you know?"

Said Gabrielle as she licked her lips in a seductive manner.

"W-What are you saying, you idiot?!"

Kris jumped away as she said that while pointing at Gabrielle.

"Pfft...ohohohohohohoho! I am sorry for the deception, but I could not hold myself back any longer, ohohohohohoho!"

The blonde maid laughed to the point she was teary eyed. She tried to hide her mouth behind her hand but that only seemed to add a certain mocking flair to the whole ordeal.

"You! Stop it! Your laugh has always been annoying as heck and now it sounds even more annoying! No…you look more annoying in general!! Stooop!!!"

Meanwhile, Kris actively tried to cover her blushed cheeks while still pointing at Gabrielle.

"Aaah...thanks, Kris."

Gabrielle smiled at her comrade with a pure and friendly smile. One that could make anyone else fall in love with her in an instant.

Obviously, Kris was immune to that effect. It was actually irritating to her considering the situation.

"Yeah, yeah, anyway...Master seemed not tired but fatigued..."

Kris looked down at her reflection in her already refilled mug.

"My, you noticed? I thought you were not so observant outside of the battlefield."

Gabrielle seemed genuinely surprised by Kris's comment despite the sarcasm.

"Anyone who has been with our Leader long enough would be able to notice it quite easily."

Said Kris picturing Erevain in her mind.

To be precise, Erevain's previous form and that fixed glaring expression of hers.

If Erevain was happy: Glare.

If Erevain was sad: Glare.

If Erevain was angry: Glare.

"I guess you have a point there."

Gabrielle nodded in agreement as she had thought the same.

"To have that much power and not be able to do anything..."

Kris frowned, a certain frustration building up inside of her.

"I can empathize with her, that feeling of frustration of not being able to save someone even though you are supposed to do it. No...I guess anyone who is a healer can empathize..."

Said Gabrielle looking up at the starry sky as she let out a big sigh.

"Anyone who tries to save someone and fails can relate...being too late or too weak..."

The image of a burned down village appeared in her mind. The faces of all the knights showed the same pained and frustrated expression...they were too late to stop the Draconian forces...

At that time, Erevain gave off the same underlying feeling Kris had noticed in her new Master.

"Indeed. For our Master."

Gabrielle's expression showed that she was also reminded of that, but she held her mug high for a toast.

Her expression was a hopeful one which made Kris smile and nod.

"For our Master and our Leader too. Cheers."

A third mug appeared out of nowhere.

"Ch-Cheers..."

It was Luca.

"Wa?!"

"...!"

Kris and Gabrielle got startled for a moment, but they immediately shook it off and started laughing.

"Let us keep up the good work."

Said Gabrielle with a confident tone and smiling genuinely.

"Yeah."

"Mhm..."

Kris and Luca nodded.

__________________________________________________________

"Aaah today was...a really heavy day..."

I say so while unequipping my armor with magic and it disappears as if it was made of smoke.

I'm sorry, I'm too tired for fanservice so I'll make it up to you later, yes?

I undo my braid bun and let myself fall face-front on the bed...slowly and with care so I don't break it, of course...

Images of what happened today pass through my mind not letting me fall asleep, that and something else too...

My chest makes it awkward to stay like this, face down on the bed. Ahh…that is one of the very few things I miss from being a man. So, I turn around letting my stretched left arm fall onto the mattress but instead it falls in something...softer?

"Hmm?"

With my eyes half-open I look at whatever it is that I’m touching...

"Ah...Nerinne...mmh."

There I see her, that beautiful rose gold hair flowing down her head and those gentle golden eyes...

She kisses me on the lips...

It tastes sweet...

"I wanted to see you in person, Auros. Come, rest your head on my lap."

That smile, with just that I can feel all this heaviness leaving my body...

I do as she says and start moving towards her...

She is so warm and soft...

I can feel one of her hands caressing my head, relaxing me even further...

"What happened today was...unexpected, but I also think it was unavoidable given our objective..."

She says so while looking at me, her smile not wavering but her eyes are showing concern.

"I am sorry that you had to experience something like this so early in your journey, Auros..."

She clears the bangs on my forehead and kisses it...

Yes, her choice of words is right...

This is a fantasy world just like the ones I read on so many light novels and manga...

It has magic, swords, and so on, but it also has a worldwide threat looming over its shoulders...

It is war...so it was bound to happen today or further down the line...

"No...don't apologize. I made my choice, I heard you when you said that I would need to fight...to be exposed to all of that, and I still think it was the correct choice..."

I put my right hand on the side of her face and caress it softly.

"After that initial wave of shock, frustration and anger, I was able to process everything better than I thought I would...maybe it is because I already died once. Now knowing what is on the other side and what comes next. Or maybe it was because of what you did there with them...telling them that they were forgiven, that they were not alone, that they mattered, and…that they were loved. Or all of that together...but it really helps. Erevain and the others help...Ilya helps and being like this with you...helps me a lot."

Please, let this smile I'm making right now give you at least part of the warmth you've given me, Nerinne.

"That is why I can keep trying my best at living this life fully, and enjoy myself at every chance I have..."

Nerinne nods holding my right hand with affection.

"Your smile...it also reaches my heart, Auros. It helps me too...and for you to say something like that...the pain might linger for long or for short, but the uncertainty of it is gone...as a Goddess I came to understand that too a long time ago. They will no longer be as they are, but their souls will still be here in a new form...and to talk about this with someone that is not a god is a welcome surprise..."

She closes her eyes as her smile wavers...and she tilts her head slightly to rest it on my hand, not letting it go. As if seeking comfort and refuge...

"...I came to expect and grow accustomed to people, mortals, asking me 'why?', but you...you never asked him or me. It is so strange for me...even though I do feel responsible in a way...after all, I am still a Goddess...I created this world and breathed life into it...so why? Why am I letting this keep happening to them? To my beloved inhabitants of Arte. Why not stop this or make it as if it never happened? I have the power, so why?"

I can feel that those questions weigh in her heart, to the point of crying.

"You already know the answer, right, Nerinne?"

I say so while wiping away the tears that started to flow down.

"Because I love them...and my love is different from that of a mortal...maybe it is difficult to understand...but I love them so deeply...so strongly. That is why I let them struggle...so that they can live freely and truly enjoy those beautiful moments. If I were to remove that struggle and just give them happiness, then...I would be doing something worse than what he did on your world. Everyone would not be truly alive...they would be like moving dolls...and I do not want that...I would not be able to bear it..."

I keep comforting her with my hand, just like she was doing minutes before...

"That is why me and the other inhabitants of this world must defeat them, not just you. So, keep supporting us, keep supporting me, and I will support you until the end of our story. Because for me, you are first my heroine, my beautiful best friend and lover, my partner before being a Goddess."

I mean it. My soul is pretty much yours to keep.

"I think the same way Auros...although you are my heroine too fufu..."

"I guess you have a point there...heh."

We both laugh, reflected in each other's eyes while the lights of the festivities shine on the outside.

Thus, we stay like this for what it seems like a long time.

To be continued...(cue sweet and sad obligatory piano and violin song of the soundtrack)