Neta Chara Tensei Toka Anmari da! - 167-Green Trails (2)

　The love of an elf is as hot and fierce as a flame.

　When did the Chief tell you that?

　Ulysses, Floria’s apprentice, had been in unrequited love for almost seventy years – a love that was completely unnoticed by the person in question, and was brought together with a dramatic confession.

　The love of Ulysse, who fought to protect the one he loved by calling down fire as if it were burning his life, is the very essence of fire itself.

　Compared to this, my own love is neither fire nor heat.

　It is more like a deep hole with no bottom.

　In the blink of an eye, I was sucked into such a hole and fell into it.

　I could come up with any number of reasons.

　They saved my life.

　He was generous with his potions, expensive medicines, and both.

　When I was depressed, he was kind to me.

　When I cried uncontrollably, he lent me his chest.

　Or that she did her best to care for and support me when I could hardly move.

　But it didn’t matter.

“Oh, you look much better now. Good, good, good.”

　I just wanted to hear Roland’s voice.

　He smiled innocently, as if he didn’t know that there were two sides to every emotion. Every time Floria recovers, a part of me wants to see more of Roland’s happy smile.

　There is a part of me that wants to live for this person.

　My heart was screaming that this was love.

　If I said that this was my first love in over 400 years, the Chief would probably mock me as a fool.

　But still, if I were to put this feeling into words

“I love you.”

　That’s all I can say.

　Once they become aware of their feelings, elves become more aggressive.

　When she recovered to the point where she could move on her own, she immediately expressed her feelings and half-heartedly attacked Roland.

“Wait, wait, wait–”

　After all, this was her first time.

　There was a certain amount of embarrassment.

　But in any case, when she couldn’t move, the whole thing had been seen. So he resolutely attacked Roland.

　If Roland wanted to resist, it would be easy.

　Floria was sick, and her right hand, which had been nearly amputated, was still immobile even now that it was healed.

　But instead of resisting, Roland, who was looking even more embarrassed than Floria, seemed to be in a good mood.

　I’ve never been so grateful for my ironic good looks as I was on this day.

　In a dark room of an inn, two bodies overlapped.

.

　It was the greatest miracle in Floria’s life that Roland had come to her when she was on the verge of death.

　If it hadn’t been for Roland’s unhesitating use of the party’s lifeline, the potion, Floria wouldn’t have survived.

“Well, I’ll just call it a congratulatory gift.”

“Aside from Roland, who is an idiot, a jerk, and a scum, you don’t have to worry about anything–in fact, I’ll support you because you’ll have a hard time from now on with that guy–good luck.”

　If it weren’t for his party members, Floria, who had caused the party to lose all of its assets, would never have been accepted.

　The red-haired Belinda, at twenty years of age, possessed magical powers that rivaled those of the hundred-year-old Elves.

　She has an emotional side, but that is why she is so compassionate.

　When I taught her how to train her magic and expand her magic circuits, we became fast friends.

　A nobleman and a spearman, Ludwin is the shadowy leader of the party, in charge of the party’s purse and negotiations.

　I can’t thank him enough for providing me with a place to live with Roland near the trading city, as well as restorative medicine as a gift.

“Now I owe you one… if you ever need anything, just ask.

“Hmm, I owe you one, you should come pay me back sometime.”

　With the support of many people, she and Roland were able to have a child in their new home.

　The little life crying in Floria’s hands was the very proof that Floria had lived.

　It was proof that Floria, who had survived so miserably and clung to life so shallowly, had been right.

　With her beloved husband supporting her shoulders, she held her beloved daughter and stroked her with her slow-moving right hand.

　There is no greater happiness.

　But it also implied that the time of parting was just around the corner.

.

　Swords clash with swords.

　Roland and I clash swords for postpartum exercise.

　Floria’s husband was a man of talent.

　Even though he had only one arm, he was able to fight with Floria, who was fully strengthened by magic.

　It’s also possible for Roland, who has almost no magical power, to do this with pure physical ability and skill alone.

“I’m not sure what to say.

　I’m not sure what to do.

　It’s a good idea to have a good idea of what you’re looking for.

“It’s a good idea to have a good idea of what you’re going to be doing.

　You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their lives.

　He must be loved by the god of war more than anyone else.

“So, what about your right arm – it seems to be enough to support your sword…”

　Floria opened and closed her right hand a few times, moving vaguely.

“She opened and closed her right hand several times.

　A faint light was gathering in her right hand, which was still immobile after healing.

　It’s the right arm of the spirit, as they call it.

　Floria’s right hand, which should be called the right arm of the spirit, has become a different thing, half reconstructed with magical power.

　It took her a year and a half to be able to move it by will.

　It would be several years at most before she could use it in actual combat.

　So, Floria opened her mouth.

“………… You know, dear–”

　Before Floria could say anything else, she had made up her mind.

“You’re going, right?　I know.”

　I know,” Roland said, as if it were nothing.

“What? – Why?

“I know. We’ve been living together for over a year now.　I know you’ve been thinking about home ever since that day. I know you’ve been thinking about home ever since that day, and I know you’ve always planned to go back there when you’re ready to fight again.

　Roland said, as if he could see right through him.

“………… You’re always so sneaky–”

　Floria said sulkily.

　All this time, Floria had been struggling with happiness.

　Happiness came after tragedy, but even now her village must be in pain.

　Floria is a guardian.

　What would she do without the leading guardian of her village? A voice somewhere in her mind said.

　I used to make excuses for not being able to fight.

　It pains me to think that I’m happy to be spending time with Aisha and Roland after I’ve been injured and left with after-effects to heal.

“I’m sorry…”

“You idiot!

“Ow!”

　I’m not sure what to do, but I’m going to do it.

“There’s nothing wrong with that!　It’s not wrong to want to be happy, it’s not wrong to want to be happy, it’s not wrong!　But still, if you have any regrets and you feel that you can’t be truly happy unless you solve them, I’m sorry, but I’ll let you go.

　Roland said in a strong voice, trembling slightly.

　In a faintly trembling voice, Roland said firmly.

　It’s always the same.

　He always does.

　He’s always taught me everything that’s important.

　She’s been given so much happiness by Roland that she feels bad for wanting more.

“So promise me!　I promise I’ll come back here. I promise too. I promise to protect Aisha and this place until you come back and we can live happily together as a family.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah!　I promise I’ll come back for you, so I’ll be gone for a while.

“I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll always be waiting for you.

　Roland laughed as he always did.