Epilogue: The Return of the Saintess
The town of Bardles was saved. Ark Basilisk Powered, having incurred the wrath of the Saintess, was completely eradicated from this world. Reina Laurel, the Saintess who saved the town, received even greater praise from the people… but she wasn’t the only one celebrated. The young priest Clarel Burn, who rushed to the town first and worked tirelessly to minimize the damage, also earned gratitude and respect from many. As expected of the Saintess’s mentor, his reputation spread across the kingdom, elevating his esteem even in places he was unaware of.
“Ugh……?”
Clarel opened his heavy eyelids. What had happened to him? He vaguely recalled being caught in the collapse of the barrier when Ark Basilisk Powered attacked, but he couldn’t quite piece together what happened afterward. As he blinked repeatedly with a hazy consciousness, a voice called out from his side.
“Ah… you’re awake! Clarel-sama!”
“You’re… Reina?”
Sitting on a chair beside the bed was Reina, tightly grasping Clarel’s right hand, her face brimming with emotion.
“R-Reina… that’s right, that monster…!”
The moment he saw Reina’s face, everything came rushing back. When he was cornered by Ark Basilisk Powered, Reina had come to his rescue. The monster, in its desperation, triggered an explosion, and he shielded Reina, losing consciousness in the process.
“Are you okay!? Are you hurt!? What happened to that monster…!?”
“It’s alright, Clarel-sama. Please calm down.”
“Ugh…!?”
Reina hugged the excited Clarel’s head, gently patting the back of his head soothingly. The soft, comforting sensation against his face, along with a calming herbal aroma, soothed his heart. The anxiety that had dominated Clarel’s mind faded away with gentle ease.
“Everything’s fine. It all worked out perfectly. So, please, rest easy.”
“…I understand. Everything’s okay, then?”
“Yes, everything’s okay.”
“I see…”
Enveloped in a motherly sense of reassurance, the tension in Clarel’s shoulders melted away. He didn’t know what had happened to the monster… but if Reina said it was fine, then it must be. Maybe, like some convenient game plot, a hero came to save the day? No, I shouldn’t overthink it. I don’t want to worry her too much.
“Thank you, I’m calm now.”
“Ah…”
As Clarel pulled away from her embrace, Reina let out a faintly disappointed sound. From behind Reina’s shoulder, a small figure suddenly popped up.
“Kuma!”
“Oh, Kuma’s safe too, huh…”
The stuffed bear raised both hands, proudly showing it was unharmed.
“How’s the town doing? What about the damage from the monster?”
“The barrier protecting the town collapsed, but no one died. The guards and adventurers are all fine too.”
“Fine…? They weren’t caught in the explosion?”
Starting with Roywood, how could they have been unscathed by the barrier’s collapse or the explosion?
“The guards and adventurers were buried under rubble, which actually protected them from the explosion. They’ve been healed with holy magic and are now working on the town’s reconstruction.”
“They’re tough… or maybe just lucky…”
For now, Clarel let out a sigh of relief. Whatever the reason, as long as they were alive, he had no complaints. There was one thing Clarel needed to do now: to thank Reina for saving the town.
“Reina, thanks to you, this town was saved. Thank you, truly.”
“Oh, Clarel-sama, please don’t bow your head! I’m the one who’s always being helped by you. Besides, there’s something I need to apologize for…”
“Apologize? What for?”
“…………It’s nothing.”
When Clarel asked, puzzled, Reina’s face flushed red, and she turned away, tracing her lips with her index finger, shyly swaying her body from side to side. Her unusually adorable behavior sparked a sudden unease in Clarel. Had something outrageous happened while he was unconscious…? A gut feeling nagged at him.
“Um… Reina, you’re really okay, right? Truly?”
“Yes… I’m okay.”
“Alright… then I’ll trust you.”
Clarel cast aside his many questions, choosing to defer the unknown issue out of trust.
“By the way, it’s summer break now, isn’t it? Since the town’s saved, are you heading back to the capital?”
“Huh? I’m not going back.”
“What? Not going back…?”
“I’m going to return to Eggbell for the summer and spend my break there. Together with you, Clarel-sama!”
“…Huh?”
Clarel blinked in surprise at the unexpected words.
“Return to Eggbell…? Wait, did you get permission from His Eminence the Cardinal?”
“Yes, of course. He sent me off quite willingly.”
“Willingly…?”
“No need to worry… I haven’t caused any trouble for the Great Temple.”
Reina smiled brightly… but her words carried an unmistakable weight.
“I properly completed all my duties and handled the handovers. I didn’t go around hurting anyone or causing a scene when I left… Well, there were some things that happened after my discussion with His Eminence, but those were unavoidable, so they don’t count.”
“…………”
Why was it… that behind Reina’s cheerful Saintess smile, Clarel could almost see a dark aura emanating from her? Bewildered by the un-Saintess-like atmosphere, Clarel shook his head as if to escape reality.
“…Must be my imagination.”
There was no way Reina could be exuding a dark aura. His nerves were probably just frayed after the chaotic incident. That had to be it.
“Still… returning to Eggbell, huh. I see.”
Clarel fell into thought at this divergence from the game’s storyline. During the summer break, Reina was supposed to encounter various events with the romanceable characters—swimming at the beach, gathering around a campfire, having a barbecue… Amid a summer fling, she’d end up saving people from a ferocious monster attack. She’s skipping all those events to return to Eggbell with me? Really?
Once she enrolled in the academy, she was supposed to fall in love with the chosen handsome guys. He thought she’d never return to Eggbell… but it seemed Clarel had been mistaken. I feel like there was an event where an entire town got destroyed if Reina wasn’t there… Wait, is this okay?
“During the break, let’s go shopping again. Maybe a picnic or a trip would be nice too!”
While Clarel was gripped by intense concern, Reina beamed with a cheerful smile, her voice brimming with excitement. He couldn’t possibly tell her not to come back.
“…………Well, alright.”
As long as Reina was happy, the game’s storyline could go hang for all he cared. Clarel reaffirmed his vow to protect the smile in front of him and began thinking about how to spend the summer break.
