Thanks to Sage Nyau's teleportation magic, we were able to safely return to the village of Katarov. Having defeated the Demon Lord, we were welcomed and greeted by the villagers.
No one in the village knew what had transpired within the dungeon. They were unaware of the missing individuals or the new addition of Agetha. The smooth explanation provided by Sage Nyau, without any accusations, played a significant role in maintaining this peace.
A celebration for the Demon Lord's defeat did not take place. This was because the main character, Hero Eligion, was still asleep. By the way, the villagers were informed that Hero Eligion was resting due to injuries sustained in a fierce battle with the Demon Lord. Therefore, plans were made to hold a celebration once Hero Eligion woke up.
"Hey, Kiska. What are we going to do from here?"
After finishing dinner, we were resting in a room provided by the villagers. Just as I was thinking about going to sleep, Agetha came to the room.
"Well…"
While nodding in response to Agetha's question, I pondered. I had assumed that defeating the Demon Lord would enable us to return to our original timeline, but there was no sign of that happening. Could there be a time delay involved?
For now, I considered explaining the detailed circumstances to Agetha.
"There was such a thing."
"Hmm, I see."
I had previously explained about the mysterious entity known as the Observer. However, I hadn't detailed the interactions with the Observer.
"So, for now, I want to explore how to return to the original era a hundred years from now."
"I don't think there's any need to go back."
"Huh?"
"Well, because I'm here, Kiska is here, and we're incredibly happy right now. So, I think it would be better to stay in this era."
"Well, maybe…"
When she said that, I started to feel that way too. I had no family in my original time, so there might not be much need to return.
The only concern might be about Namia. If I don't go back a hundred years, I won't be able to test whether the resurrection ring I obtained could bring Namia back to life. Whether attempting to resurrect the dead is truly the right thing to do or not, I wasn't sure. So, even if I could go back to the original era, I wasn't sure if I would really try.
"However, the Observer said this: if the Observer determines that the world has been saved, I will be forcibly returned to the original time. So, even if I want to stay in this era, it might be difficult…"
"That could be true…"
"By the way, what about Agetha?"
Come to think of it, what will happen to Agetha? Can Agetha also return a hundred years from now?
Agetha originally lived in this era but survived until a hundred years later due to being sealed. So, is it natural for Agetha to stay in this era? If that's the case, we might be separated from each other.
"Maybe I can also go a hundred years from now."
"I see, that's reassuring then."
Despite coming to the past for Agetha's sake, it would be lonely not to be able to see her again. So, I felt relieved by Agetha's response.
◆
The next morning, I woke up in the bed of the inn where I had stayed.
Even after a day had passed, there was no way to return to the original timeline.
"When the Observer determines that the world has been saved, I will be forcibly returned to the original timeline."
I echoed the words the Observer had said.
Come to think of it, although it's mentioned that 'when the world has been saved,' it was never specified that defeating the Demon Lord would achieve that. Does that mean that even after defeating the Demon Lord, the world is still on the brink of destruction?
If that's the case, it seems necessary to come up with some kind of plan.
"For now, I'll ask Agetha."
So, I headed to the room where Agetha was staying.
"Agetha, there's something I need to talk to you about."
While saying that, I opened the door.
"Oh!"
She exclaimed.
To my surprise, there in front of me was Agetha, either changing or undressing, in a state of partial undress. I unintentionally saw various things like her underwear and cleavage.
"Sorry."
I quickly said while attempting to close the door. If only I had checked before opening it.
"Why are you trying to close it?"
Nevertheless, for some reason, Agetha grabbed the door, preventing it from closing.
"That's, you know, it's not good to see someone changing."
"It's fine if it's you, Kiska."
"It's not that simple!"
While saying this, I strained to close the door, but it seemed like Agetha was much stronger, and I couldn't close it at all.
"I give up."
In the end, I gave up trying to close the door. No matter how hard I tried, I didn't feel like I could win against Agetha's strength. Truly befitting a hero.
"You can come in."
As instructed, I entered.
"So, what did you want to talk about…?"
Seating myself on the bed, Agetha said while sitting down next to me.
"Hey, why aren't you changing!?"
Agetha is still in her underwear, making it awkward to look directly at her.
Since she was in the middle of changing, I hoped she would finish changing soon.
"Hmm, I can change later. I'm more interested in hearing your story."
"Normally, you wouldn't want others to see you in such a state."
"That's why I said earlier, it's fine if Kiska sees. Oh, I see. Kiska, you're probably embarrassed seeing me like this. Well, it can't be helped. Kiska is such a coward; even when I tempted him so much, he couldn't make a move."
I got goosebumps.
I never expected Agetha to bring up that incident. Clearly, she's referring to the night when we first encountered each other in the dungeon, and she tried to make a move on me, but I rejected her, leading to her subsequent suicide. Frankly, that event is still a significant trauma for me. At the same time, because of that incident, I have an unavoidable sense of discomfort around Agetha.
"Moreover, when other women approach you, you easily give in to their advances. Kiska wouldn't understand, right? How much my heart was wounded."
I immediately apologized.
"I don't want to hear any apologies."
Agetha responded. Looking at her expression, she seemed on the verge of tears. Despite her strength, she appeared fragile and easily broken when I wasn't around.
"I love you, Agetha."
Upon hearing this, she smiled.
I haven't figured out if I truly love her or not, but right now, this feels like the right answer.