Leonhart failed to complete his words because his astonishment made him stop for a moment. After taking a breath and calming down a little, what he said was,
“gh, that’s no good. No, I don’t want to. Why do we have to… that’s—”
“…Sorry.”
“gh…”
Ssulal ended up blocking what Leonhart was saying with a single word. She then continued to explain her reasons.
“Perhaps there might be a solution out there. But rather than betting on such slight possibilities, making everyone suffer, and spending the rest of my time in terror and anxiety… I’d rather spend it in happiness with all of you.”
“—”
Leonhart couldn’t say anything in response. Be it attempting to persuade her to rethink her decision or expressing his inner feelings, how he hated such a decision.
After all, Ssulal had a peaceful expression that was already determined on it,
“Sorry… but 50 years is quite long, you know? If we count it by days, it would be 18250 days after all. We could kiss and go on dates as much as we liked until then. We could also go out together with everyone. We could spend that much time in happiness. If we count it by human standards, that’s a big blessing.”
“That’s why,” continue Ssulal,
“—Please.”
“…!”
…That’s unfair…
Leonhart thought so.
It really was unfair, all of it.
“…That’s unfair.”
“…I know.”
“…Since you said so… Since I heard that, I have no choice but to comply, no matter how much I hate it.”
“Sorry. But if possible, I want you to also enjoy your time with me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to enjoy it either.”
It was really unfair and very hard for him.
However,
“…You sure make a difficult request… You ask me to accept your upcoming death and act normally while knowing that…?”
“…I’m sorry for being selfish.”
“Yes, seriously…”
While Leonhart made a dry laugh,
“…50 years. 50 years, huh…”
“It’s a very short time — for a majin.”
“…Yes, you’re right. — It’s quite a long time for a human though.” 1
“…I want to get involved with everyone from now on.”
“…I see. Your honesty is certainly cute.”
“…Thank you.”
“…”
Leonhart quietly accepted Ssulal’s arms around his neck.
Even though the warmth felt very comfortable, endearing, and filled his heart,
—Why did it hurt his chest so?
—After a while, Leonhart declared the search for golden statues had ceased.
By the time everyone fell asleep.
Ssulal suddenly woke up.
“Hm…”
She woke up on the bed. Next to her was Leonhart who slept naked like a log.
As expected, exhaustion must have piled on him after all this time, be it physically or mentally. He would normally wake up the moment Ssulal showed signs of waking up, but there was no such sign right now.
“…Leonhart…”
Ssulal muttered his name while caressing his head.
The things that she decided today had caused great mental exhaustion to Leonhart. She understood that.
But even so, it was still better than continuing to search for a solution. It was close to impossible. It was unlikely they could solve it within the short 50 years available for them. Not even the golden statues could serve as a reliable solution.
Rather than making them desperately look for a solution only to fall into disappointment and despair due to failure, it was better to accept it early and live happily until the last moment. It would give them time to organize their minds.
In that sense, Leonhart’s remark served as salvation for Ssulal. Otherwise, she might die without knowing anything, leaving Leonhart and others with an incurable deep wound after.
However, the fact it still hurt them was the same. After all, even if they were given time to organize their mind, they would be left behind 50 years later and continue to live without her.
…When that happens, what will Leonhart—
What choice will I make at that time? Just as she was half-convinced of the answer,
“…Nyuu…”
“…?!”
Suddenly, Ssulal heard a groan nearby.
There’s an intruder, where did they come from… the moment she thought so, she recognized the figure in front of her was someone she knew.
That was,
“…You are… if I’m not wrong, Serachrolas…?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The girl with blond pigtails who always looked sleepy.
That was Serachrolas the holy gal demon.
Ssulal knew her by knowledge. Serachrolas of time. Ssulal also knew Serachrolas was attached to Leonhart for some reason. Perhaps because of that, she would sometimes appear in unexpected places and times near Leonhart, according to him.
Ssulal never met Serachrolas directly before, but she had seen her from afar. Back then, Serachrolas noticed Ssulal when she tried to get closer and ran away.
Then why did Serachrolas come to me at a time like this? Perhaps she came for Leonhart after all? I’d prefer her to go home though, just as Ssulal thought of that,
“…Ssulal, take this…”
“Eh, for me?”
Ssulal was going to ask Serachrolas to go home if she came to meet Leonhart, but apparently, the person Serachrolas came to meet was Ssulal and she gave something to her.
It was a normal and white colored letter. When Ssulal accepted that,
“…I’ve fulfilled my promise.”
“…Promise?”
“Well then, see you again…”
“Ah, wait.”
Ssulal called Serachrolas, but Serachrolas was gone before Ssulal knew it. Ssulal had heard Serachrolas tended to appear in unexpected places and at unexpected times, but wasn’t it weird for her to disappear in a blink of an eye? Ssulal could feel the absurdity of time manipulation there.
“…What was that?”
Although Ssulal was skeptical, she stared at the letter that she received. She checked it with magic just in case there was a trap included, but she couldn’t find anything weird.
“…Perhaps it is a love letter.”
Well, I doubt that — but it might be possible if it’s from Leonhart, muttered Ssulal. She felt kind of weird saying it herself. If that was the case, Serachrolas wouldn’t go through the trouble to pass it to her personally. What was it then?
With that in mind, she opened the letter and looked at its contents. There was,
“…Eh, isn’t this—”
Ssulal couldn’t sleep that day.
Author Note:
About two or three more chapters.
Rather, I guess I could end it by the next? Then the one after that will serve as an epilogue of some sort. After that… well, I have no idea if you waited for that, but it will be coming as you’ve all guessed.
Tsukii Note:
Hello again!
Well then, just to elaborate, until the latest raw, the content of the letter that Ssulal received is still not explained, though we can guess what it is somehow.
Also, I actually waited for things that came after the SS era epilogue for the longest time. To be honest, I consider all stories with Ssulal’s presence a very long prologue and introductory arc, with the main story beginning after she is gone (no need to be subtle anymore since it’s already confirmed). Not to say it is boring, it’s just… well, less interesting for me than the one that came after it. It might be a matter of personal taste, so you don’t have to agree with me.
Anyway, Ssulal’s life might expire soon, but at least see her off until the end!
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