Chapter 41

An endless desert stretches out before her.

A sunset larger than any she has ever seen in her homeland is sinking below the horizon.

The world is dyed red.

"...Beautiful."

Rane poked her head out of the tent and gazed at the scene.

While admiring the grand view, Rane slowly recalled the past.

(There have been so many things...)

She had been just a village girl living in a rural area, but she became known as a holy maiden because she met Alec. It was because she was the closest to Alec and strongly wished to help him that she ended up here.

(I'm glad I had the power to help you.)

She let out a sigh of relief, remembering the incident that happened during the day.

A large lizard had made its home in the desert, threatening people's lives. The security force sent to deal with it had been wiped out. Rane and Alec had been asked to slay the lizard and had visited the desert kingdom.

The large lizard was a terrifying monster, ten meters long, with a deadly poison. Just touching its blood would cause poisoning.

Most of the deaths were due to this poison.

The monster was easily defeated by Alec, but he had been drenched in its blood.

Rane turned pale and used purification magic continuously until she collapsed from exhaustion. As a result, the desert, which had been contaminated by the poison, was purified, and a beautiful oasis with clear water emerged.

While Rane was unconscious, it had apparently been named the Holy Maiden's Spring.

(I know I overdid it. But...)

The moment she thought Alec had been drenched in the deadly blood, she could only think of saving him.

"Rane."

Suddenly, a voice called out, and she looked up to see Alec walking towards her.

"Are you awake?"

"I'm fine. How about you?"

Even though she thought he would be fine because of the purification, she couldn't help but check.

"I'm fine. Want to check?"

"Okay."

Rane reached out and touched Alec's arm, then moved to his shoulder and cheek, gazing into his clear eyes, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

"...I'm glad."

But it seemed Alec was also checking her condition.

"Your magic seems to have returned."

"Oh..."

She realized that her magic, which she had used up, had returned. Alec must have given her his own magic.

Rane, who originally had no magic, still hadn't fully mastered its use. When her emotions ran high, as they did this time, she would continue to use magic until it was exhausted.

"Thank you."

"Don't overdo it."

"Sorry."

When she apologized sincerely, he stroked her hair.

Feeling comfortable with his gentle touch, she closed her eyes.

The journey to various places had been harsh, but the time spent alone with him was very happy.

Alec cared for Rane and always protected her from danger.

He always paid attention to her health, and she had never collapsed from anything other than magic exhaustion.

But she couldn't help but worry if she was a burden to him. Wouldn't it be easier for him to be alone?

As she thought about this, Alec suddenly pulled her into an embrace.

"Alec?"

Surprised by the sudden action of her fiancé, whom she had started calling by his first name, she peeked up at him.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling...?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks to you, I'm fine."

While saying this, his embrace tightened even more.

"..."

Looking into his eyes, which seemed to be gazing at something far away, Rane said nothing and leaned against him.

As they watched the setting sun, Alec began to speak.

"Since losing my parents, I've lived to protect my sister."

Rane nodded, feeling strongly that she needed to listen.

"Since being chosen as a hero, I've lived to protect this world. I thought I would continue to live alone, always protecting something."

From his calm words, she sensed his loneliness, having lived alone without relying on anyone since he was a child.

"After defeating the demon king, the world became peaceful. But without battles, I didn't know how to live in a peaceful world."

Alec, who had taken up a sword at twelve to survive, had forgotten the peaceful times he had spent under his parents' protection in the midst of constant battles.

He could only live in battle.

Even though he had fought for peace, he couldn't find a way to live in it.

Rane placed her palm over Alec's hand, which was on her shoulder.

Encouraged by her warmth, he continued.

"But after meeting Rane and traveling together, I feel like I'm gradually regaining my true self. I like the quiet time we spend together. I like the spicy soup Rane's mother makes. I like the sunset that dyes the world red."

As he listed the things he liked, one by one, like precious treasures, Rane couldn't hold back her tears.

Alec gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips.

"In the past year, we've defeated most of the monsters threatening the countries. It's unlikely that there will be many more that require my presence."

Thinking of the monsters they had defeated, Rane nodded.

The remaining ones could be handled by the knights and security forces of each country.

"A year ago, I was afraid of this day. But now, I want to live a peaceful life with Rane in a peaceful world. I wish for that."

With tears streaming down her face, Rane nodded repeatedly.

This past year.

The days of accompanying him and fighting together had not been in vain.

"I want to live with Alec. I want to be happy with you, by your side."

In a peaceful world, holy maidens wouldn't be needed much.

Rane didn't want to be displayed in the depths of a temple. After this journey, she planned to live with Alec's family and restart her embroidery work.

She had talked to Clarence about this, and he had agreed.

The king had shown some resistance, but since Alec and Rane were commoners without any burdens, Clarence had persuaded him that if they were too restricted, they might move to another country.

Of course, Alec and Rane were willing to cooperate if their powers were needed.

For them to live in peace, the world needed to be at peace.

Besides, Alec's precious sister, Liane, would eventually become the princess, so they would never abandon this country.

When they eventually had children, they would raise them with love. Having a family would be a very happy thing.

Alec, who was so loving, would surely dote on them.

"From now on, we need to be happy for the past. There are so many things I want to do with you."

For example, when Alec asked, Rane answered spontaneously.

"On Valentine's Day, I'll give you chocolate. On Christmas, I want to have dinner together. I like that seafood restaurant. And I want to visit your hometown. I want to see the sea. And... "

Alec nodded at each of her suggestions and said he was looking forward to them.

As the sunset faded and the night grew dark with the moon shining, they continued to talk about their hopes for the future.

Tomorrow, they would return to their homeland.

Then, they would have to start preparing for the wedding, which was only a month away.

It would be busy.

So, for now, they would talk about their happy future as much as possible.