The Second Strongest Has Returned

Chapter 77

The Saint

“…You know it’s too much if you’re joking, right?”

Not wanting to take the suggestion of escape too seriously, Ariasphil forced a smile and asked back.

“Even if it’s too much, I’m serious.”

Leonardo drove a stake of sincerity into what could have been dismissed as a joke. It was always Leo’s earnestness that moved her heart.

“…You’ll be chased until the day you die.”

If she helped him escape, not only the Reinhardt family but also the temple would relentlessly pursue them. And if they were caught…

“If we’re caught, the family will execute you for eloping in the middle of the night, and the temple will sentence you to death for seducing the Hero.”

If they were unlucky, they’d survive only to endure endless torture. But such a punishment would fit their crime.

“That much would certainly motivate us to run hard, don’t you think?”

However, being threatened with death and being pursued for life was something Leo was already used to. The number of knights he had defeated or bounty hunters he had killed could form an entire army by now.

“…If my father or grandfather heard this, they’d have me hand in my knighthood right away.”

Now speaking in a completely sarcastic tone, Ariasphil gave Leo a sharp reprimand.

“I tried it once already. Twice wouldn’t be that hard.”

But Leo, who was used to sarcasm, was several times more skilled at giving it back.

“…Why?”

Faced with such a straightforward and unhesitating answer, Ariasphil couldn’t help but ask why. She herself didn’t even know what to do, but this boy answered so calmly.

And so, she had to ask.

“Why are you going so far?”

Where did such determination come from?

“Because I want to.”

It was an extremely simple response, a causal and obvious one.

“…No, not like that.”

“Then why did you hold onto me?”

“…That’s…”

It was like a counterattack, a question that left Ariasphil unable to respond properly. If she had to answer, she might have to fully confess her feelings.

At that stammered response, Leonardo let out a quiet chuckle.

“…I just felt like it.”

A statement of simple causality. The interpretation of a desire that was purely instinctual.

“It’s really nothing special, but sometimes that kind of thing can have a stronger impact than any meaning or reason.”

It was advice from Leonardo, who had felt that power, both for good and bad.

“If you don’t want to become the Hero, I think it’s better not to. Forcing yourself won’t solve anything.”

He had experienced the consequences of that duty and responsibility as an eternal process.

“But what if, by doing so… the world falls into danger?”

“Then we’ll think about it when the time comes.”

It was a careless answer.

And the reason he could give such an answer was because he had glimpsed a bit of the future.

The returner quietly muttered to himself.

“If the world is doomed because one person disappears, honestly, it wouldn’t be so bad if that world just fell apart.”

The returner truly believed that.

At those words, and everything else that had been said up until now, Ariasphil felt an indescribable emotion.

It was a feeling she couldn’t put into a single word.

She was genuinely grateful for the boy’s words, irritated at how casually he eased her worries, and even felt a sense of admiration for his unwavering decisions.

“…Then why are you running away with me?”

“Because I wanted to.”

And with that short answer, Ariasphil finally understood what this emotion was called.

“I want to stay by your side. That way, I think neither of us will have to worry or feel lonely.”

She loved Leo. She had come to love him because she wanted to.

“…Besides, if I stayed with the family, I’d be beheaded for aiding and abetting. I do need to stay alive, you know.”

Pfft.

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Despite her reproach, the cloud on her face disappeared. She burst into laughter at his nonsensical joke, feeling the chains of her worries loosen deep within.

“…Then, what if…”

As her worries eased, she had room to imagine another future. Ariasphil left the door open for another possibility.

“What if I decide to become the Hero?”

“Then I’ll be the knight serving the world’s greatest Hero.”

She laughed again. She had expected such an answer, but hearing it directly brought her a sense of comfort.

Yet, amidst that, a lingering anxiety still stirred in her heart.

“…Do you think I could? Can I really do it?”

“Wondering if you can is important, but for someone like you, I think the more meaningful question is whether you want to.”

It was advice that only someone who had been closest to Ariasphil could give.

“…Do you really think so? Common sense says otherwise.”

“It’s strange hearing that from the one who shattered every piece of common sense I knew.”

The position of the second strongest was the best seat to observe the strongest up close.

“You are the most remarkable person I’ve ever known.”

“…”

Special—A word used to describe someone who stands apart from the ordinary. In the context of their conversation, it was clear that it was meant in a positive way, not a negative one.

Love—That, too, is the feeling of seeing someone as special. Aren’t they connected by the same emotion…?

“…Are you… really serious?”

Ariasphil, face suddenly flushed, lowered her head to hide it, and asked in a deliberately cold tone.

“Of course. You’re the most special person to me, in the best way possible.”

It was clear now. She could take it as a definite sign from Leo. He undoubtedly had feelings for her as well.

‘…But I can’t let my guard down.’

In moments like these, Leonardo usually took a step back or shifted the conversation toward friendship or loyalty.

So…

“Then, make a promise.”

Subtly, but clearly, she needed to seal the deal.

“Don’t let anyone else be more special than me.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As soon as she commanded, Leo responded.

“…Really?”

His immediate answer left Ariasphil taken aback. Did her question seem so lighthearted that he could answer it so quickly?

“It’s not that difficult, is it? That’s how it’s always been.”

Thinking back, Leonardo had never yielded to the Tempeius family’s persuasion or to Eilyn’s temptations.

Even in life-threatening situations, Leonardo always put Ariasphil’s safety above his own.

In fact, Ariasphil’s request had already been fulfilled for the past two years.

“…Hmph…”

A mix of laughter and a shy murmur escaped her, creating a delicate harmony.

“Are you alright? Is the straw tickling you?”

This time, she was grateful for Leonardo’s obliviousness. If he had seen her current expression, she would’ve spent her time at the temple kicking her blankets in embarrassment.

“Alright then, let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“To apologize. And to properly become a Hero.”

Ariasphil brushed off her clothes and extended her hand to Leonardo. Just before twilight transitioned into night, the setting sun cast a final, glorious glow, making her hair shimmer as if it were golden.

“…Then let’s get things in order first. Could you sit down for a moment?”

“…Huh? Oh, okay.”

Ariasphil knelt and sat formally on the spot Leo had just cleaned. Leonardo, in his own way, wanted to express his support for her resolve.

“…Hey! Why are you touching my hair all of a sudden?!”

“It’s better to tidy it up rather than leave it messy, isn’t it?”

As he said this, Leo gently ran his hand through her hair. Using a comb made from black stone, he smoothed out the strands, and when everything was neat, he untied a leather string from his wrist.

“Let’s see…”

Then, gathering her hair in one hand, he tied it back with the leather string.

“…What is this?”

“I used to do this a lot for my mother and the village women. I can manage simple hairstyles.”

Ariasphil’s heart pounded as her hair was tied into a ponytail. If it hadn’t been for the situation they were in, she would’ve immediately run to a mirror, eager to show it off to her family and the servants.

“Where did you get the string?”

“It’s the leather string I used to tie my mother’s hair with. Now, I wear it as a bracelet.”

The string had always been a cherished charm for him. Before his return, when his wrist was almost severed, the string had barely been cut and discarded.

“…Is it really okay for you to give me something so important?”

“Hm? Of course, it’s important, which is why I’m giving it to you. I’m a bit embarrassed, though, since I can’t afford a fancy hair ornament. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to use it…”

“No! It’s really beautiful! I’ll keep it like this all the time!!”

For Ariasphil, who couldn’t even manage her own hair on her own, it was an ambitious dream. However, Leo felt genuinely honored and grateful for her enthusiasm.

“…But, if it’s not too much to ask…”

“Yes?”

“…Could you make a braided knot? You know, by braiding my hair…”

Leo paused for a moment, considering her request, and then replied.

“But we don’t have much time, so I can’t braid all of your hair like a plait. I can only do the ends…”

“That’s enough. Can you do it?”

“Of course, my lady.”

Perhaps Leo found some enjoyment in doing her hair again after so long. Contrary to his concerns, he skillfully and quickly braided her hair and made a knot.

“How is it?”

Ariasphil’s hair on the left side was neatly braided like a sleek white tail. The already glossy strands now shone even more as if emitting a radiant glow.

“It’s nice. Very…”

As she spoke, Ariasphil slightly unsheathed the Holy Sword.

Schling!

What was cut was the braided hair.

Leo was momentarily shocked as she suddenly severed the hair he had worked so hard to braid.

“…Why did you cut it?”

“Keep it for me.”

Ariasphil held out the braided hair tied in a knot.

“I won’t see you for a few years, but it’s my way of saying I hope we meet again.”

As Leo touched the hair, his expression became complicated. He seemed both happy and deeply moved.

“…I’m not sure if I deserve this. Something like this, from you…”

“You’re important to me. That’s why I’m giving it to you. I wish I could give you something better.”

With that, she stretched and walked toward the stable, where sunlight poured in. The sunlight made Ariasphil’s hair shine so brightly it almost appeared golden.

[“Seems like your side dishes have increased…”]

<“Shut up.”>

It was the Sage who tossed this emotional moment straight into the gutter. While Ariasphil was on her mission, Leo’s top priority became going to the Magic Tower to figure out how to either remove or neutralize the Sage.

***

“…Then, I’m off.”

Before Ariasphil left the family, all the servants, knights, and even her family members from Reinhardt came out to see her off.

“I’ll definitely return!”

With those words, they each gave their blessings and encouragement, expressing their resolve to wait for her return.

[“Good riddance, and if possible, let’s never meet again.”]

{“You’re really not in a position to say that after you left us, are you? Oh wait, you don’t even know what a conscience is. What a pity.”}

[“Shut up and head to heaven.”]

{“And you, straight to purgatory.”}

Though there were some… non-human exceptions, the farewell still held a promise of reunion.

And so, time passed.

Four years went by.