Chapter 176 Childhood Friends
――The Hero party, without a single member missing, was grandly welcomed back to the royal capital. People from all over gathered to catch a glimpse of the heroes who saved the world, and the main street was packed like a can of sardines.
I, along with Arnold, Marcedes-san, and some of Rustu's people, rushed back to the royal capital in a flurry, but before I could meet up with Lukas and the others, I was chased by my duties as a Royal Alchemist. With the whole royal capital celebrating the Hero party's victory with a grand feast――it was more like a festival――I was busy synthesizing healing potions day and night.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't participate in the 7-day festival that went late into the night, but the wounds left by the demon king and monsters were deep. While people in the royal capital were enjoying the festive atmosphere, there were still those who were suffering and in pain.
Unlike in games, defeating the demon king doesn't mean the ending rolls. Rather, our lives from now on will be even longer. As a Royal Alchemist, I must do my best for the world's reconstruction.
With that in mind, I continued synthesizing――and when the festival finally died down and I had a bit of spare time, I was finally able to meet up with Lukas and the others on the castle balcony.
The lingering atmosphere of the festival still remained, and even though it was late at night, I could hear lively music coming from the city. The balcony was chosen as the meeting spot, perhaps because Lukas and the others wanted to feel the festive atmosphere a little longer.
"Lukas! Everyone!"
"Laura!"
Lukas led the way, followed by Elvira, Marta, Julius, Diona, and Vake, as they emerged onto the balcony. Not a single one of them looked like they had any serious injuries. They just seemed a bit tired, probably from being dragged around everywhere as the stars of the festival.
Elvira rushed to Arnold, who was standing behind me, and exclaimed, "Brother!" As I gazed at his back, she strongly hugged him, her eyes brimming with tears.
――Ah, I'm so relieved. I was able to protect Arnold, entrusted to me by Elvira.
After witnessing the heartwarming reunion between Rocco's sibling, I faced Lukas once again, looking up at him. He seemed even more rugged and dependable, having fulfilled his duty as a hero and saved his childhood friend. My heart was full.
"Thank you, really, I'm so glad you're safe."
I looked down, trying not to show my tearful face.
Lukas and the others were safe, and Arnold had awakened. It was truly a grand finale. And it was all thanks to them risking their lives to defeat the demon king――
As I looked down, Lukas grasped my hand. When I suddenly looked up, a single tear rolled down my cheek. In an instant, I was gently enveloped in a warm embrace.
"It's me who should be thanking you, Laura. I'm so glad you're safe."
Yeah, yeah. I nodded repeatedly, tears soaking Lukas's clothes as we celebrated our reunion. The warmth of his body beside me made my tear ducts relax completely.
Just as I thought the hug was about to end, Lukas glanced behind me. When I turned around, Arnold was standing there with a serious expression.
――Didn't he say he'd punch him as soon as he woke up?
I slowly distanced myself from Lukas. Then, my childhood friends and senior locked eyes for a few seconds――Lukas approached Arnold with a determined stride. And then, with the same momentum, he punched Arnold's right cheek.
Arnold, who didn't resist at all, fell to the ground with a thud. I held back my urge to rush to him, watching the scene unfold.
"It's not enough to just punch you once! You're so full of yourself!"
Lukas shouted. Arnold stood up, clutching his right cheek.
My childhood friend who was breathing heavily was probably worried sick about Arnold. Even when facing the demon king, he must have been concerned about him the whole time.
Arnold seemed to understand that, and instead of complaining about being hit, he apologized with a nearly 90-degree bow.
"Ah... I'm sorry for worrying you."
"Ugh."
Lukas glared at him, his anger visibly subsiding. His kind nature made it impossible for him to stay mad after being apologized to.
Arnold took this opportunity to add more apologies.
"Thank you."
"It's hard to stay angry when you apologize so sincerely!"
Lukas finally raised his voice. Then, he glared at Arnold with a resentful gaze. Arnold, feeling a bit embarrassed, looked up and slightly raised the corners of his eyes.
"...Is that what you say to someone who's apologizing sincerely?"
"It's all your fault, Arnold, for deciding everything on your own and making me worry!"
――This time, Arnold was completely in the wrong. With a slightly dissatisfied expression, he apologized again, saying "Sorry." Then, Lukas hugged Arnold just like he had hugged me earlier.
Arnold, caught off guard by the sudden hug, resisted at first, but then slowly hugged back.
"...You're alive."
Lukas's words made Arnold freeze, and then he slowly hugged back.
Ah, it's nice, I thought. This is what male friendship is all about. Who would have thought that 2 people who didn't get along at first would end up sharing a strong hug, relieved that the other was safe? Their friendship will surely continue from now on.
The others were also watching Lukas and Arnold's hug with warm eyes. When they noticed, they felt embarrassed and silently broke apart. Then, Lukas changed the atmosphere by looking around at his friends and asking:
"What's everyone going to do from now on?"
From now on――in other words, after defeating the demon king and finishing the celebration festival. In "Last Brave," each of our companions' "after that" stories were depicted in a single illustration, flowing into the ending. Although it wasn't explicitly stated, some companions went on a journey, while others returned to their hometowns.
"I'm thinking of going on a treasure hunt trip."
The first to respond was Marta.
Her answer reminded me of Marta from "Last Brave." In the game's ending, Marta was depicted as setting out on a treasure hunt trip again as a treasure hunter.
"By the way, Marta, you were a treasure hunter, right?"
"That's right My main job is a treasure hunter I'm still not satisfied with not finding any treasure with Lukas, though~."
"You're just going to follow him around, aren't you?"
Julius interjected, poking fun at Marta. Marta's face turned red with annoyance, looking like she was about to protest.
Before things escalated into a fight, Lukas quickly intervened.
"Julius, are you going back to your hometown?"
"...Yeah, I want to go back once and hold a proper funeral. I had to flee my village because monsters were chasing me, so I couldn't do anything."
――Julius's hometown, ravaged by monsters. The demon king's massive scar. He wanted to return and hold a funeral for his loved ones.
In the heavy atmosphere, Julius laughed alone, his smile not looking forced at all.
"Let's meet again someday."
Julius held out his right hand to Lukas. My childhood friend took it, nodding firmly with a "see you later."
Even if they went their separate ways, the time they spent together wouldn't disappear. The heroes were bound together by a special bond that would last a lifetime. So, surely, Lukas and Julius would reunite and reminisce about this moment someday.
After finishing his handshake with Julius, Lukas turned his gaze to Vake.
"Vake-san, are you staying in the royal capital for a while?"
"No, I'm planning to visit the areas attacked by monsters. I won't be able to return for a while."
That's what I'd expect from the commander of the Savila Knight Order. But when will he ever get to rest? If I were in Vake's position, I'd be overwhelmed just thinking about it, but he's still wearing his usual carefree smile.
As the leader of the Knight Order, I'll be seeing a lot of Vake from now on. I thought to myself as I gazed at his profile, and his eyes met mine.
"Young lady, you'll be needing my help a lot from now on, so let's get along, okay?"
He held out his right hand. I grasped it firmly with both hands.
I'm glad Vake is here. His presence is invaluable to the Hero party. I truly believe that from the bottom of my heart.
Lukas seems to think the same, judging by his murmurs.
"If Vake-san weren't here, it would be really..."
"Don't say anything embarrassing. I still have a lot to learn, and you guys are the ones who made me realize that. Thanks."
After finishing the handshake, Vake ruffled Lukas's hair with the same hand. Lukas was taken aback, his face slightly red, but he didn't brush Vake's hand away.
"Let's train again, please."
"Anytime."
Mentor and disciple ―― it's a slightly different relationship, but for Lukas, his bond with Vake is precious.
I suddenly noticed Diona smiling to herself, a little distance away from our group. I couldn't help but call out to her.
"What are you going to do now, Diona?"
"There's a lot of follow-up work to do, so I think it'll be hectic for a while."
Just as she said, the people of Rustu will be busy with follow-up work for a while. Iris might get busy too, and synthesis might not be possible. I'll make sure to support her properly as her senior. I owe her ―― and Basilio-san ―― one.
After the aftermath is over, Diona might go on a journey as she mentioned before. I was thinking, "I want to meet her regularly as a friend," when I was asked, "What about Laura?"
"I think I'll be busy with alchemist work for a while. If you come to the royal capital, let's have tea together, just the 2 of us."
It might be difficult to travel together, but we can always have tea together. I want to continue our friendship with Diona from now on. I want to help her in any way I can as she starts her new life.
Diona's eyes widened, and then she nodded vigorously in response to my proposal.
"Yes!"
"Ah, wait, count me in too!"
Marta suddenly jumped into our conversation, hugging my and Diona's shoulders. Diona replied with enthusiasm, "Of course!"
It's going to be a fun tea party. I might even hear stories about their journey. So, I thought I should find a shop in the royal capital that both Diona and Marta would like.
Just then, I felt a shock on my back. When I turned around, I saw Elvira clinging to me tightly.
"...Elvira?"
"Thank you."
I was happy to hear her muttered words of gratitude.
Elvira's magic must have been a huge success. I wanted to see her like that. I'll talk to her later when she calms down.
I gently loosened Elvira's grip on my hand and faced her.
"Is Elvira going back to the village with Marcedes-san?"
"We have to rebuild the village."
"That's right, isn't it?"
The elf village was also attacked by monsters. Ingrid-san and the other elves left Rustu's city at the same time as us, so they must be working on rebuilding right now.
I was feeling a bit lonely thinking that I might not see Elvira for a while, when she suddenly muttered.
"I want to research about spirits when I calm down."
"About Spirit?"
The future dream that Elvira revealed was beyond my expectations.
I was stunned, frozen in place, and Elvira gazed at me with an upward glance, continuing.
"Since they helped me, I want to repay them. I think they're a being that deserves to be revered even more."
Indeed, while Spirit is being worshipped on the altar, the previous water spirit, Fontapuune-sama, has been forgotten, and their name has been erased from the land. However, even so, they still gave love to the people. I don't know why their treatment changed so drastically, but it's possible that the existence of spirits isn't well-known in certain regions.
Elvira's life was saved by Fontapuune-sama, who was forgotten. That's why she might have some thoughts about people's faith in spirits.
"...That's amazing."
The words that came out of my mouth were my genuine feelings.
Elvira, who was saved by a spirit, is studying to repay that spirit. Her research might even be useful in the future battle against the demon king. We couldn't have won this time without the help of Spirit-sama and the holy sword.
Elvira smiled brightly at my words.
"I want Akari to cooperate too, so can you ask it for me?"
"Of course!"
I nodded without hesitation, and Akari will surely lend its power.
Elvira's eyes sparkled with joy, and she hugged me tightly, her warmth enveloping me. Compared to our first meeting, she's opened up a lot, and I felt a deep sense of emotion.
"Let's meet again."
"Yeah, I'll be waiting."
Elvira seemed embarrassed, and she quickly left my side. As I watched her back, I thought that she'll surely grow into an amazing woman.
She followed her brother into the room, her back disappearing from view. The wind blew, and it felt cold. If I stay like this, I might catch a cold.
My friends around me were all saying "It's getting cold" and heading back inside from the balcony. I tried to follow them, but I couldn't find Lukas's back among them, so I stopped and turned around.
Then, I saw my childhood friend standing alone on the balcony, gazing out at the city below.
I walked up to him and stood beside him. He glanced at me with a hint of a smile, looking down at the city lights.
――This view from up here, it's something Lukas and the others protected for us.
"I'm going to go back to Emme Village once too. I want to take it easy for a bit."
I think that even if he slacked off for a few years, no one would get mad at him. But Lukas would probably go back to the village and help the villagers. That image comes to mind.
It's really great that the Hero of this world is Lukas. I've thought that many times, but now, I'm reaffirming it.
"I'll go back once the aftermath settles down, I'll let you know."
"Okay."
Lukas leaned on the balcony railing, looking at me. With his elbow on the railing, my childhood friend naturally slouched, and his gaze drew closer than usual.
"Hey, Laura. I'm thinking of traveling alone once I've settled down."
For a few seconds, I couldn't react to the words he told me.
The Hero of "Last Brave" was also depicted as traveling alone after that. So maybe, I had a hunch, but――
"A journey? ."
"Yeah, a journey of self-discovery."
I tilted my head at the word "journey of self-discovery" that came out of my childhood friend's mouth.
Lukas continued with a wry smile.
"I was desperate not to be left behind by Laura, and then the demon king appeared, and I had to be desperate to defeat him... I realized I never thought about what I wanted to do, what I wanted to become."
"Luka..."
Lukas had fulfilled the mission given to him with all his might. That's an amazing thing, but perhaps, indeed, he couldn't say it was a path he chose for himself.
He's going to travel to find out what he wants to do with his life, what he should do, and what he can do. As a Hero who saved the world, he could just live a life of leisure, but it's so like Lukas to think that way.
"I'll travel around the city, visit Ostria, meet all sorts of people... even if it takes years, I want to find out what I can do and what I want to do."
"Yeah."
If I'm being honest, it's lonely. Lukas's journey is probably going to be a long one. And if I become a Royal Alchemist, I'll be even busier than I am now, and I'll have to travel around to guide the city's alchemists to make my dream come true. I'll probably have even less time to meet up with him. That's why it's lonely.
But there was no way to stop him.
"So, before I leave, I'll make sure to cut off any lingering feelings."
――Lingering feelings?
Lukas stood up, looking straight at me, and said,
"Laura, you were my first love."
He said it with a gentle smile, his eyes narrowed, and a laugh.
――First love? ...Me? Lukas's first love?
"Haha! You look so surprised!"
I must have had a really stupid face, because Lukas burst out laughing, holding his belly.
If I didn't say anything, my honest feelings would spill out.
"I-I'm really surprised, that's why..."
"I thought so. Yeah, seeing that face made me satisfied."
He wiped away the tears that had welled up in his eyes with his finger, looking up at the stars. His profile was very clear, with a bright and cheerful expression.
――Lukas said it. "Was" my first love, in the past tense. That means he's already moved on from those feelings.
Maybe he understood my heart better than I did. Maybe my heart was already directed towards that person without me even realizing it.
Lukas said, looking up at the starry sky.
"I'll set out on a journey, and I'll become a man who's grown bigger, not just physically, but also mentally. I'll become a man who can make Laura think, 'He's really grown up.'."
"...Yeah."
Lukas will surely change a lot, and it's sad that I won't be able to see him up close anymore. But this time, I won't be left behind like a child.
Our paths will diverge. We won't be able to play in the mountains like we used to, getting our clothes dirty. But that's not a sad thing. The days I spent with Lukas will continue to support me from now on, and no matter how long we're apart, when we meet again, we can go back to being inseparable childhood friends.
"I'll send you a letter from my travels."
"You might not get a response."
"Probably not. I won't be staying in one place for long."
There was no hesitation in Lukas's laughing eyes.
Whoa, I thought he was going to grab my arm, and then he swept me up in both of his arms. When he saw me getting flustered and surprised, Lukas laughed out loud again.
"Laura! My pride, my childhood friend!"
――My pride, my childhood friend.
Ah, ah, that's right. To me, he is also...
"Lukas, my pride, my childhood friend."
Lukas laughed. I laughed too.
Lukas, who is kinder than anyone. I may have been clumsy, useless, and slow-witted, and there may have been days when I hurt him. But he still laughs with me like this.
I may have cursed my fate, and there were days when I desperately wanted to escape. But now, I can say it from the bottom of my heart.
Being born into this world as Hero-sama's childhood friend, as Lukas's childhood friend, is the greatest blessing in my life.
If that's what he wishes for, I'll live my whole life as Hero-sama's childhood friend. I'll live each day to the fullest, so I won't shame Lukas's "pride, my childhood friend."
"I'm off, Laura."
"Take care, Luka."
I hope Lukas's journey from now on will be filled with happiness and blessings.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)