The Hero Who Returned Remains the Strongest in the Modern World Chapter 38

The stage has changed to the different world.

A story of 1 year before Morishita Daiki subjugated the Demon King.

Side: Ariel

Vampires.

Heavenly winged people… Called by some people as angelic race.

Rulers of night and representatives of light.

I and my brother were hybrid children of those two races.

Mother is a heavenly wing, and Father is True Ancestor Vampire.

And with me and my brother we were a family of 4 people.

When we were little, we lived in an old castle on the bank of a river.

Mother and Father both broke the taboo of races by joining together in marriage.

And then, they eloped and arrived at an old castle who nobody lived, they hunted prey for food and obtained goods and money from the human villages.

Naturally, they disguised themselves when they visited the villages.

"When I become older—I want to mawwy Niini" (TN: Big Brother basically.")

I said those words to Niini at the old castle's courtyard flower-bed where the flowers bloomed.

I don't think that we lived an abundant lifestyle however, now that I remember, those days were the happiest ones.

Everyone always laughed… But, those happy days didn't continue for long.

Father was struck down by a vampire hunter who was a holy knight from Holy Empire.

After that, we moved to our mother's parents residence which was in the capital of the winged people.

——She lied that we didn't have vampire blood mixed in us but rather human blood.

For some time, although we were being treated with biased views… the days continued to pass relatively peacefully.

However, before too long our mother's lie was exposed and hence our blood being mixed with demon impurity was also exposed.

Forced to abandon us or possibly to chase the whole family out of the capital… Mother chose to leave the family in the capital.

After we moved to a Human's city—

A drab brothel.

Treated like a rare species… In a place that was similar like a freak show, and then my mother died of syphilis when I was 6 years old.

We had no place to go, not even the slums— We the siblings were chased out from the streets and we wandered around mountains and then we got caught by bandits.

And then we got taken to their hideout, and then when they examined our bodies they immediately found out that we had vampire blood mixed in us.

"Truly a waste, huh. Despite being scrawny 6 year old brat she's quite the gem."

"And yet, demons can't be sold."

"Wait… It's not like there aren't other means."

"However, do you have perverted acquaintances that like demons?"

"Naturally, however the price will not be great."

"Well then, next time we go to sell the stolen goods… We'll bring both of them along… The brother is also beautiful, and if the fellow is a pervert, then the brother will be worth several silver coins."

"No, that's not good. We don't have food stocked. It's not good for our food to decrease for these brats. Well, at best there's only for one person."

"Then, what will we do?"

"Even a dog needs to feed, right?"

"That is interesting."

We were thrown into the cage of Silver Fang wolf monster which they had raised instead of a hound.

The size of the cage was 5 meters square.

The Silver Fang was drooling in the center of the cage while looking towards us.

"Well, this fellow is a big eater… That's why the chance of both being eaten is high! Gehaha!"

"Oi, leave one brat…"

"Doesn't make a difference whether they survive or not."

"Well, there's that too. Hahaha! It's fine if we see an amusing show then!"

And then along with vulgarly laughs they began to drink alcohol like a special show was being held in the cage.

At the time I was having unpleasant feelings in the bottom of my heart, my brother asked me.

"Ariel? What do you want to do?"

"Nii…ni?"

"I think this may be my end… Even if we survive here, at this rate I'll be a male prostitute in a brothel and you, too. However, we also have demon blood mixed in… So even if we sell our bodies… A tragic fate won't escape us. Even so, do you still… want to live?"

I thought for a bit and conveyed my honest feelings.

"Nii… ni… I don't… want… to die."

"I understand."

And then, Niini began walking towards the Silver Fang.

They were gruesome brief words.

Right away, Niini got his left hand bitten off by the Silver Fang.

The spraying fresh blood has smeared my cheeks.

"A… a… Nii… ni…"

Niini was ridden by the Silver Fang and then had his stomach cleaved by the Silver Fang's teeth.

The intestines got scattered, the silver hair became dyed in red from the Silver Fang's mouth.

And then Niini—-

Stabbed the Silver Fang with his right finger.

With a *Puchuu* light noise the Silver Fangs eyeball was destroyed.

"Look carefully… at vampire's vitality…"

Just like that, Niini stabbed his finger at Silver Fang's eyeball again.

"Kyaain!"

At having one of his eyes destroyed the Silver Fang lost his fighting spirit and ran to one of the corners in the cage.

"Ari…el."

"What? Nii…ni?"

"Live on!"

He only said that much… and spouted blood and then stopped moving like that.

『When I become older—I want to mawwy Niini 』

Those were the words I said to him in the flowerbed where flowers bloom.

I was having flashbacks of distant memories.

"Niini… it's a lie… it has to be… right?"

But, nobody answered that question.

There was just my Niini's corpse which had its heart stopped, missing its right hand and its intestinal organs ruined.

After that, I was put in a cage for slavery—Several weeks passed.

While I was sitting in the corner of the cage two bandits stopped in front of my cage.

"From not eating she's beyond skinny… She's only half-bones now. On top of it she responds back with nothing other than thrashing… Even if the fellow is a pervert they won't buy her, what now?"

"In that case, how about selling her to a dismantling shop for gourmets?"

"Who would eat her body?"

"Haha, that's probably right."

"Okay, no other way then. Killing her here would be the best for financial efficiency."

So this is the end?

At the time I was thinking about my circumstance was somebody else problem—

The sound of an explosion echoed in the cavern.

Before long, the bandits screams echoed in the cavern, too."

A tall lanky and a small person rushed to the scene of the explosion… Dozens seconds later their screams echoed.

After a brief time, 3 young men and women walked and stopped before my cage.

"Enemy search completed in the cave. With this everyone's massacred. Rather, was this seriously a bandit group with a bounty of A rank? Almost nothing was felt…"

A woman with a red pointy hat said that.

"No, we've become strong."

A blond-haired woman in a syster-style said that with a young tone.

"By the way, this child is? Judging from her appearance… looks like she is around 6 or 7 years old."

A man with black hair and adorned in silver equipment on his body peered into my cage.

And then, the woman with the red pointed hat did too.

"She can't focus her eyes. It seems she has been through a lot. Probably… I think she has been considerably tortured mentally. Also, there's a troublesome thing… she's half vampire."

"Half vampire…?"

"There's no possibility of her living alone in the future and realistically she'll die, we can leave her alone or we can help her. If we help her poorly here… We won't be able to care for her."

"What will you do, Daiki-san?"

The black-haired man called out to me.

"It seems there are many sad things. Human and Vampire half… The circumstances are extremely complicated. Probably it will still be hard for you to live from now on."

It seems these people think that I'm half-Human and half-Vampire.

Well, to begin with Winged People meeting Vampires is unlikely, so it's understandable.

And that man stretched his hand out to me and asked me with a slightly sorrowful expression.

"Even so, do you still want to live?"

With the same words as Niini the black-haired man asked me.

Even if I'm asked if I want to live, right now I don't know.

However, I know this much.

The last words of Niini to me were to live.

"I don't… want to die."

The black haired man nodded happily at my words.

"I understand. Then— You'll live."

As I thought, he said the same words Niini said.

He had a huge smile and a gentle look, and it… looked exactly like Niini.

"I'll look after you for a while, so don't worry about anything."

The red pointed-hat woman raised her voice.

"Wait just a moment, Daiki! Are you serious?"

"Aa, I am… I'm greatly serious."

"Do you know which country we'll go now!? It's the famous Holy Empire that hates demons! The risk is too high just by having… this mixture of human and vampire."

"She looks just like a human and there's nothing strange so it's not a problem."

"Besides, there's the wandering vampire hunter that hangs around whom we heard about at the earlier guild!?"

"The guy who's raving mad about killing everyone of the family of vampires?"

"Yeah, that guy with an S-rank bounty who'll destroy a human village or city for the sake of killing a vampire. Even if we are heroes, it's most likely he won't hesitate to attack us."

"Well… For now, I'll take this child with me."

"You just don't listen to what I say, do you? Haa… I understand. But, until the Holy Empire, okay? We'll hand her over to an orphanage there. We're also doing our trip just barely, that's why we have no time for babysitting children."

And, while the red pointed hat woman was confused, for some reason I spoke out to Daiki-san.

"Ehm…"

"What is it?"

"Is it okay… to call you… Niini?"

The 3 people solidified… and then they opened their mouth simultaneously.

「「「Haaa！？」」」

Fortnight's midnight.

I went to my sleeping bag before everybody, and at the time I was slightly dozing off a little away I heard the three talk around a bonfire.

"It seems she's sleeping."

"She's a good girl. She's been doing odd jobs for us out of her own will and it helps a lot."

"Right? It's about her however… I wonder if I can take care of her even after the Holy Empire like until I return to my home country?"

"Why again with that?"

"She's a Half-Human Half-Vampire, right? There is biased views against mixed blood of monsters in any country however, leaving her to an orphanage in the country with maximum hatred of demons… isn't that the same as telling her to die?"

"Oh my? Who was the first one to say… She'll die without being helped, or that we could also leave her behind?"

"Well, after taking her in I've changed. Besides—"

"Besides?"

"She's been paying attention to us to not be abandoned… That girl has been continuously imploring us. Somehow… she looks like my former self… She doesn't seem like a stranger."

"Now that I remember, you were an upstart slave magician. You."

"Also, there's her calling Daiki, Niini"

"I've told her several times that I am not your brother."

"I think that's just her mechanism to cope. It seems her loss was too large, so her mind has created as a substitution at the last moment to preserve her. I can't explain it well… I also remember… when it was hard…"

"A type of emergency evacuations…? But, I'm not her older brother."

"Isn't it fine, Daiki? She had… a really hard time, didn't she? She lost something precious, didn't she? In that case, why don't you be kind to her in place of the person she lost for the duration of the journey? Just like a brother."

"Besides, Daiki that's not all."

"What do you mean, princess?"

"If you're her brother, then we are her sisters. That's why… isn't it fine, Daiki?"

"Rather, being called Niini makes me embarrassed."

"…Isn't it okay, Daiki-san?"

"Don't glare at me so intensely, Princess! Rather, don't pinch me Anastasia! Oi, don't kick me idiot! I'll also get serious!?"

And like that, for a while… I was hearing loud noises from them messing around with each other.

"I understand, I understand. Okay, I understand."

Starting with the words Niini, all three of them began to laugh cheerfully from the bottom of their hearts.

And… tears ran through my cheeks.

——For the first time in my life, I've been treated kindly by others.

My chest was filled something joyeus, and in the sleeping bag I was crying without sounds… And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

Mountainous wasteland.

No, is perhaps better to say it's a rocky valley?

I can't see any greenery in the area around me, we endless walked on the rocky road between the cliffs.

"However, Daiki? Is this route really okay?"

"Is it about climbing up the cliff?"

Niini looked serious while looking at the top of the cliff.

"With our status we are able to climb it even with carrying Ariel on our back. Besides, there's also that in this valley."

"Earth ancient… A dragon?"

"Previously, when we had gotten the holy sword… We suffered a defeat against the Fire Ancient Dragon. At that time… Yan who protected you…"

While making a distant look Niini made a sad expression.

"That's why we became strong. We re-examined all plans at once… And we trained extremely intensively for one year. What does Princess think?"

"Certainly, we've become so strong we can't compare to our past selves. Besides, basing the Earth Ancient Dragon on a demon standard then it's inferior to the Fire Ancient Dragon. However… there are some risks. As expected a safety margin is also needed, right?"

"Since we have the situation of the Demon King's army invasion, so we're keeping our strength so that humanity can launch an counter-attack… It's barely on the time limit. Beyond this, we don't have time to leisurely level up. Because we have the holy sword, we must go to the Garha mountain after this journey."

"That might be like that however, hey…"

"Besides, one month from now will be the birthday of Yan's brother. I have no intention of having my revenge slowed down. That's why, right now it's necessary for us to choose this route for the sake of our completion. If we can't beat the Earth Ancient Dragon now, in any case… When we'll join with the World's Alliance in opposition against the Demon King… At the decisive battle… At that time we won't be able to do anything. That's why it must be this route."

"Daiki-san?"

"What is it, Princess?"

"I understand the reason for not taking safety margins. However, there's also that at the top of the cliff… It does have some worth in going there."

"I think there's no meaning in even going. They're not opponents for humans."

"Certainly there's the capital of the winged people on the top of the cliff. They hate demons and they're a race that they won't even open up to humans… However… That also is there."

Niini frowned and nodded.

"That… the many taboo techniques of the super-ancient civilizations, right."

"Yeah, the most extreme are the extra potions. As long as you don't die instantly, you'll heal any wound in an instant… That prohibited item. It will be necessary for our journey."

"You also said earlier… They don't interact with humans, so going there has no meaning, too."

"However, that's concerning only normal humans. If it's the Hero Daiki-san…"

"Well, perhaps they may share some of their extra potions…"

"If that so—"

"However, I still think there's no need to climb higher on the cliff."

"Can you substitute for the item of perfect recovery? If we speak of perfect recovery magic, it was a miracle that only few priests could do in history in the previous 1000 years."

"That's why, there's no need. Because, Princess will be able to use perfect recovery magic soon."

"Eh…?"

"Why are you making a surprised face. To begin with, to make me say so much I'll be troubled. Anyhow, Princess has become humanity's most priced and strongest priest."

The princess was solid for a bit and then she nodded and laughing while being amazed.

"To say it so frankly… But, it's as Daiki says. How can we subjugate the Demon King without using miracles?"

"The story has finished— It's coming!"

And, Niini stood still.

"It's the Ancient Dragon."

"Worn-out…"

"However, we won… Did we really win… against the Earth Ancient?"

"The dragon's life activity has completely stopped. It's our win."

It was a magnificent battle.

The earth was being broken and explosions from magic was making craters on the valley, the hero's sword was cutting the dragon's large rocky scales like they were made out of butter.

The Earth Ancient Dragon before it got defeated, it's scorching breath that melted rocks… It made the surface burnt black.

In the end, Niini's hand that was bitten off by the dragon was also returned to how it was before… by the Princess magic.

To this ordinary me everything here looked nothing but works of miracles.

Deterring evil with a silver sword and giving aid to the weak people.

Such strong and gentle heroes are only in fairy-tales… No, there are heroes here.

If these people become great people and destroy the Demon King… children like me… and like Niini will no longer appear.

"Niini… is really… a hero."

Uhm I nodded.

I think I'm prideful of being able to travel with these people, even if it was just for a while.

And, at that time.

Something black fell from the sky, and all of a sudden… a sword was coming out of Niini's heart.

No, to say it more precise, a sword pierced on the ventral side of the back— Niini was pierced by a man who jumped from the cliff.

And then, Niini fell on the ground.

"Gofuu!?"

The black clothed man nodded while cleaning the blood on the sword with a cloth.

"For two weeks I search for a chance. Going directly against the hero was impossible, as I thought. However… If it's immediately after when the Hero has slain the dragon then he'll be exhausted— That's right, I am able to kill the hero!"

The magician Anastasia was glaring the black clothed man.

"You… You're the vampire hunter who has become a rumor in the guild!?"

"The one and only. There were a lot of chances just to kill the vampire girl. However, then the hero would pursue me."

"You're talking like we wouldn't be able to do something against you!?"

"I don't know about the close combat hero, but if the magician who uses long range cannon magic and the priest who can't do anything but heal are exhausted, then even I can manage somehow to kill the hero in close-combat."

Anastasia and the Priestess made an annoyed expression due to what he said seems to be correct.

And, right after—

"Wha… I pierced your heart…"

It was instantaneous.

The place Niini fell… He had gotten up and swung the blade at the black clothed man.

*Plop* and the black clothed man's head fell.

"I gritted my teeth and used a… Skill. It's a fatal wound however for a while… The HP remained at 1. Rather… My heart is pierced. Huh… This is the end?"

Niini said that and fell on top of the black clothed man.

"It's a fatal wound. Currently, Daiki-san is in a half-dead condition. The best I can do is continue the status quo… What should I do…"

"Aren't you… a priest!? Your job is to heal, right!? Save him! Save him, I'm telling you! Daiki… Daiki at this rate, he will die!"

"I'm doing my best! However… The me who can't use complete recovery… Him having his heart pierced… The best I can do is life support!"

"Then, what good is it!"

To the crying Anastasia; Princess pointed to the top of the cliff with a grim face.

"There's… a way. If it's complete recovery magic… It will save him."

"Complete recovery magic… Those so called extra potions in the winged people's capital? Certainly, if it's those… However, would those people who're manifestations of elitism and exclusivity lend a hand… to humans such as us?'

"They hate demons. Hence, there should be several legends handed down where the hero is granted items to deter evil."

"But, he's given items because he is a hero, right? Daiki can't move further than this… Even if I go they won't lend me an ear to listen, right?"

"If you tell them he's in critical condition… Probably"

"Do you think they'll believe that? They're the manifestation of elitism and exclusivity, right?"

The Princess sighed.

"As I thought, is there a way out?."

"Do or die… How about assaulting their capital and sacking it?"

"There's that method too, but… There's also the Cerberos curse mentioned in legends."

"The Pharaoh's curse that will kill those who've stolen from the winged people? Wasn't it just a mere fairy-tail?"

"If you say it like that, then the extra potion is also a fairy tail. Well, leaving it aside… First of al, it's impossible for you to bring the city down by yourself. Besides, if we had succeeded temporarily, then it will be impossible for us to persuade the Holy Empire who worships the winged people as Angels, right?"

"The holy orders won't join us and… we won't oppose the Devil King. Fuck! Then what should be done!?"

I clenched my fist hard.

"I'll… be going. If it's about the extra potion… I know where it is and if it's just stealing I can do it somehow."

"…Eh?"

I took off my clothes and underwear then made a cut with a knife.

Then, I show my wings on my back and once again put my clothes and underwear.

"I'm sorry for being quiet about it. I'm not a Half-Human Half-Vampire."

"Are you… perhaps…"

"Yes. I'm a Half-Winged Half-Vampire."

With just those words they nodded like they understood everything.

"I'm counting on you, Ariel."

"Complete recovery magic can't bring the dead back. That's why until Ariel returns back, I'll definitely won't let Daiki-san die!"

Then, I shifted my view to the top of the cliff and spread my white wings.

Top of the cliff— There's around 500 meters left to go to the winged people's capital.

Fundamentally, my wings cannot take me vertically.

Basically, what I'm doing is absurd.

Speaking honestly then sticking to the cliff and repeatedly flapping my small wings is the best method.

But, every minute counts. I can't worry about that.

I flapped my wings harder and rose several meters.

If you forcibly fly vertically then you mustn't quit mid-way and you'll have to do it with all you have.

Being exhausted of oxygen and stamina means exactly the same as going full speed towards the ground.

I need to run constantly at full speed, otherwise it's headlong towards bottom.

But.. so I thought.

—-It's my fault.

That's right, everything is my fault.

Because of the vampire hunter who was aiming for me…

Because of me, because he involved himself with me… Now, the history of humanity is about to be changed.

No, it's trying to change.

"If that's so— Then I have no choice but to take responsibility!"

Something hot was filling up in my chest.

I flapped my wings bigger and intensely hit the sky.

—Accelerating. Accelerating. More.

Full power, Full throttle, Full speed.

The overflowing thoughts were changing into power, and I flew and soared higher to the sky.

However, there's a limit to how much feelings can do.

Flying like exercising expends abnormal oxygen.

If you do it absurdly, then naturally you'll reach your limit.

I'm short out of breath and my legs and arms are becoming heavier.

No, rather than becoming heavier, they've become numb from lack of oxygen.

Slowly the numbness is spreading to the whole body, thinking is becoming dimmer and slowly I can't think about anything.

—Migratory birds were flying when I spat out blood.

At the same time, I reached my limit— I exhaled blood.

There, Niini… The hero's face floated in my head.

—–The person who treated me with care.

—–The person who's like Niini.

『When I become bigger――I want to marry Niini.』

For some reason I was remembering the words I told Niini at the flowerbed where flowers bloom.

—-And then.

"I won't let more people… die for my sake! Absolutely not!"

The strong and gentle Hero.

I'm longing for that person, that's why… once again I flap my wings.

The strong and gentle Hero.

I don't want him to die, that's why… once again.

The strong and gentle Hero.

The Hero who's like Niini.

I like that person, that's why he can't die. Hence, my wings please!

"Beyond the limits— Take me to the heavens!"

With a hazy consciousness I flapped my wings.

My heart went beyond the limits and was able to provide oxygen to my brain so that it can maintain a clear consciousness.

And, then there my visibility became completely black— A blackout.

Finally at last this is the end—- At the time I was thinking that.

I thought that I'm going to lose my consciousness in several seconds.

Anyhow, I just noticed that I had been lying on the top of the cliff.

Extra potion gushes out from the old spring well in a forest away from the city.

According to a story I heard, there's a philosopher's stone being kept in the well which is called the masterpiece of alchemy and it has caused a change in the water.

Anyhow, it's just like that it's overflowing.

Naturally, I know that since I've spent several years here and mostly there are no guards there.

Probably… If I take the route that avoids the city then I think I'll finish this without meeting even one person, truthfully, it's like that.

But If there's one miscalculation then it's— Probably, my uncle who probably didn't care for our family.

"Wasn't there a talk about never returning back to the capital? I never thought you would return as a thief."

I got surrounded by guards while I had been stuffing my bag with extra potions.

To explain the situation, we were cursed.

Basically, at the same time they understood me and brother were mixed with vampire blood they expelled us and my uncle put a curse on us that'll ring them if we enter this place again.

"Uncle. As I explained… I need to help the hero… Please overlook this."

He thought for a bit and then he nodded.

"To overlook it… If that's so, I have two conditions."

"Conditions?"

"Do you know the meaning of the name Ariel?"

"I don't."

"It's the same name as the Founder of the Winged people. An existence like you having that name is equal to blasphemy to us. Therefore, from now on you calling yourself Ariel is forbidden."

"I understand. The other one is?"

"The other one is… death. And, this is already being fulfilled."

"The alarm that caused for us to know where you are… Do you know the name of that spell?"

"I don't."

"It's Cerberus chains. And, the deadly curse has already begun."

"The curse that kills those who steal…?"

"That's right. We don't like killing. That's why we let criminals go the first time. And, we didn't rob you of your life when you hid the fact that you were a demon mixture. And, the deadly curse is triggered when you enter the capital again."

"Was that so…"

"It's already fine to go. You have a person you want to save, right? Your remaining time is a bit less than 1 hour. Oi, you lot… make the way for this girl."

And one of the guards asked my uncle.

"Is it really fine letting her go? Even if it's a stolen extra potion…"

"Although the pitiful woman that had fallen in love with a True Ancestor Vampire and the mother of this child is still my little sister. In any case… This child's fate has been sealed… It's certain that'll she'll be delivered. At least the end… I'll let her do as she pleases."

At any rate, I don't have time.

If they're going to let me through… I walked forward to go through them.

And my uncle hit me on my shoulder.

"I'll confirm again. For example… Even if you have little time left, nonetheless you won't call yourself Ariel. That's blasphemy to us winged people. That's the ultimate condition for us to overlook it."

"I understand. I think that… uncle even in the end… showed kindness to mother. So, I'll keep my promise, too."

The rocky valley which had one side burnt black.

The hero… Niini… was waking up.

"Ariel… your… feet?"

On one side there were silver particles falling like petals.

You could describe it as fireflies in noon… Originally, it should've been my feet before the knees.

The change into particles started since the time I was gliding from the capital on the top of the cliff, and it seems the acceleration from that increased the speed of the conversion.

"Daiki. This is the so called curse magic Cerberus's chains."

"It's the highest rank of curses. If I'm not mistaken it should be put when you steal from the capital… Impossible… Ariel, you"

"That's right, I too thought it was just a fairy tale, however, it appears it's actually real. I examined her earlier… I don't even what kind of magic the curse is nor the solution to it."

Anastasia sighed as she ran through a thick magic book.

"It's written that it connects this world to that world and the target is pulled by Cerberus's chains and gets carried away as light. Well… It's a deadly curse… that gives a one-way ticket to hell…"

Niini gripped Anastasia's shoulder.

"I understand the situation. So, can you help Ariel? Can't you help her? Can you do it somehow?"

Anastasia shook her head while making a regretful expression.

"…I'm sorry. If it's me I can't do anything, nothing at all."

"Is that so… I see."

At that time, it wasn't my feet that were engulfed in light but fingers too.

And before my eyes my fingers were turning into light and were vanishing.

The time the light made it to the wrist… Niini was making a grim expression.

"Ariel? Do you have something you want to say? I'll listen to any of your requests."

"You know, I really have… things I want to say to Niini."

"Like what?"

"When I become bigger… I want to marry Niini."

"Hero. You're strong and gentle… exactly like Niini."

"Is it fine to tell my… wish?"

While shedding tears, despite that… He was forcing himself to make a huge smile.

"It's okay. Anything."

"If I'm born again… will you make… me your wife?"

"… Aah, okay."

"Promise me."

"Yes, I promise you."

"I… love niini."

"Hey, Ariel."

"…what?"

"You've suffered a lot until now and you've endured a lot, too. You've taken care of us also always, right?"

"…un"

"Next life… Live as selfishly as you want. If you live again— You will not be treated as a slave but rather, you will treat the people around you like slaves."

"…haha…that's….right…"

While my limbs were completely disappearing Niini tightly hugged me.

Warm.

Niini's chest is really warm…

At the time I was filled with happiness to the brim— My whole body started glowing.

Vaguely even I understand.

The end is near.

"Bye-bye…nii….ni"

As he guessed everything he was crying endlessly— Even so he was forcing himself to smile.

"It's not a goodbye.We'll say our partings again. If I die… I'll go to your place."

"Un… then… till… next… ti.."

"I'll definitely meet you in that world. That's why, wait for a bit. There's nothing to be sad for."

And while having his tears falling on my cheeks my consciousness—–

——-Disappeared.

—-I remember it was a very cold white night.

It was a white night that's why it's white night. Though, leaving that aside.

—-Anyhow, due to the Cerberos's chains… I changed to light particles and was carried over the river and arrived in this world.

And then, I had lost consciousness before a church in Finland and it was winter, then when I was waking up I was being called by a catholic priest.

"Wings… Angel-sama? You? What's your name?'

And my uncles words ran through my brain.

From now don't call yourself Ariel. That's blasphemy to all winged people. That's the condition for overlooking.

I shook my head and talked to the priest.

"Ariel… ARIEL… No, wait."

I thought for a bit however, even making it backwards I'm bad at it.

But, I was serious that time so there was nothing else to be done.

"I'm Leira…. That's wrong. Reila… That's right, I'm Lela." (TN: FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, GODDAMN IT, AUTHOR. Fuck you author, I'm continuing with Lela. レーラ = Reila is also correct however japanese cannot pronounce L sound on average so they supplement with R hence Lela or Leila but Reila, her name wasn't Lela it was Reila and we found out 38 chapters into the novel!…. Whatever we continue with what we started.)

And like this, I got engaged with Finland's clerics… And adopted by the quarter Sakaguchi couple.

After that I Lela Sakaguchi who had wings— I got recognized as a miracle from the Vatican's miracle recognition bureau.

Basically, I've been acknowledged as a real angel and I've received generous treatment. Well, naturally… I still haven't shown my vampire part to anybody.

Although, there are some that doubt the abnormal speed of the regeneration ability.

And, leaving that aside, I've received education from the Vatican in all areas, and also obtained PhD from studying abroad in the USA.

And finally since I was suited for demon eradication, with that justification I was assigned to the Dominions.

—-Then counting the years since I've fallen before the Finland's church 10 years have passed… And we arrived to the present.

"…Ah, It's really a bad story."

While drinking coffee in a room on the highest floor of a luxury hotel I was looking towards bottom neons. (TN: Oi, we going cyberpunk now, author? Cool I like that theme.)

That's a story of a long time ago when I was a child.

And, I got raised in this world of science.

That's already, that world… Right now is like a dream, rather it was really like a dream… Recently, I'm half-convinced it was a dream.

Actually, it seems the memories of a child are more fragile than the average adult and as time passes, slowly like being mudded I'm forgetting the people that I've met at that time.

That's why, when we first met… I didn't recognize him.

I couldn't remember much of that time, so I couldn't remember his face either.

However, this much I do remember.

To begin with, the first time I met him in the different world… he had a somewhat sharp look, an enchanting feeling… Being honest, he was handsome.

What was it called? Aura of an Ikemen guy? (TN: Basically handsome, attractive etc. Emphasized it here instead of using english.)

But, meeting him here for the first time his face was like a homo or perhaps like a coward.

Rather, a man who wears silver armor and a man who wears shabby high school uniform… That's why I couldn't notice.

No, actually I may have noticed it somewhere deep down in my heart as a slight discomfort.

But… he didn't have magical power in his eyes, the common sense of the underground world didn't apply on him… I should've noticed on that particularity.

Rather, the major premise is… Him returning back and being pulled by Cerberus's chains the timing is too different and largely exceeding expectations

—-However, recently… he brought down the Nine-Tail fox with lightning magic. I heard a lot of stories as a child from my mother, and that's the ultimate lightning attribute magic that only heroes can use.

Seeing him… Connecting him and the Hero was unnatural.

And then, If you connect them a little, everything else will connect in your mind immediately.

So, because of that today.

First of all, the place where he defeated the Nine-Tails… I gave a greeting and then hurryingly left it.

Naturally, I'll have to greet him despite me hating the school and him.

"Now, what should I do…"

I look towards his house.

『We'll definitely meet again。There's nothing to be sad for.』

I remember his words at that and while my heart is beating I nodded to myself.

"Niini… No, it's as he said. We really… did… meet again."

Tomorrow— With what kind of face should I meet him.

Will he remember the pitiful little girl—- that he picked up and helped mid-way his journey?.

Waiting anxiously for tomorrow… slightly it's scary.

I'm happy and… yet I'm anxious.

There various feelings whirling in my chest but, I have two things to say only.

First this night I probably won't sleep at all.

And then the other is that I'll have to speak with him tomorrow when I meet him in the classroom.

Basically—–

"Wait a moment, you! I have something important to talk with you, so can you bring yourself with me to the roof?"

This chapter had the size of your typical LN chapter, huh.

Chapter end