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Great Demon Lord Bel Phegor has fallen.

The Demon King who appeared in the Human World was defeated once again by Hero Lucius wielding the Holy Wind Sword, and humanity regained its peace.

And now.

Currently, Lucius chose to be with a woman- Rosmas Terbation, who had been with him since the beginning as a party member.

Lucius Terbation.

He became Rosmas’s companion, following her to her castle, and many people whom he assisted gathered in one place to form a kingdom.

This is.

A story that might occur in someone’s imagination.

Or perhaps a story that might happen in the future.

*

“Hah, hmm.”

Rosmas hummed a tune as she baked a pie herself.

The Apple Pie baking in the oven emitted both a savory and sweet aroma, and Rosmas wished she could stop time to bring it to her beloved man as soon as it was done.

“Your Majesty, why are you doing this at such a late hour…?”

“I want to offer it to His Majesty the King. Please understand.”

High Elves have good hearing.

So they can even catch small conversations from another room beyond the wall.

“Ugh, working this late into the night.”

Rosmas felt a little guilty.

Because of her stubbornness, the maids had to come to the kitchen even at this late hour, feeding the oven with firewood to keep the heat steady.

She should reward them later.

Rosmas remembered the names of those helping her by adding firewood from behind and waited for the Apple Pie to finish baking.

“By the way, Your Majesty, do you really not know?”

Perk.

“Know what?”

“About His Majesty the King, of course.”

“Ah… That he goes to the Sage’s Tower every night?”

“…….”

Rosmas fell silent.

The fact that the King went to the Sage’s Tower only meant one thing.

He goes to meet the Sage.

Sage Bel.

Though she has no castle, she is the only Sorceress of the Hero Party and the greatest Great Sorceress who has guided the party.

She sacrificed all her mana to protect Hero Lucius right until the final moment, and the mana that could rival legendary dragons is now all exhausted, leaving her as just a mere human.

For her, King Lucius built the Sage’s Tower.

So that Sage Bel could be reborn as a new existence rather than a Hero tasked with defeating the Demon King.

Although some might describe having Sage in the tower as protection, and others as confinement.

The Sage didn’t seem too dissatisfied, and the Sage’s Tower was a place accessible to only a select few in the kingdom.

And it was said that King Lucius often visited the Sage’s Tower each night.

“Isn’t that just like finding a concubine?”

“Shh. Mind your words. Who’s calling her a concubine?”

“What? Did I say something wrong? Honestly, His Majesty spends more time with the Sage than with the Queen. Isn’t that right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

Ding.

A sound came from the oven, and Rosmas quietly opened it to take out the Apple Pie.

It was perfectly baked, but her expression was quite heavy as she looked at the pie.

“…Hah.”

After preparing some pre-brewed Herbal Tea, Rosmas headed to the King’s study with two cups of Apple Pie and Herbal Tea.

“Lucius?”

“Oh, Rosmas.”

Even at a time when the moon was high, Lucius, who was sitting in the study looking over documents, stood up with a warm smile.

“Did you bake this for me?”

“Yeah. Take your time.”

“It’s okay. This much is fine. Hoo.”

Lucius set aside the documents he was reviewing and stood up.

Though I hadn’t planned on seeing it, the paper clearly had the phrase ‘Opposition to the Establishment of the Elf Exchange District’ written on it.

“…I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“For making you worry.”

“What? No, no.”

Lucius quickly approached Rosmas and hugged her.

“I sincerely thank you for staying by my side despite being a High Elf, the Princess of Elves. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate you.”

“Lucius…”

“Everyone fell while fighting the Demon King at the last moment, even Droniel and Yan. Only you and the Master are left, but…”

Peck.

Lucius kissed Rosmas on the forehead and smiled wide.

“It’s you I have, Rosmas.”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

“I mean it. Hehe, the pie will get cold. I’ll enjoy it.”

Lucius sat on the guest chair.

Rosmas watched him sit in the seat of honor and nibbled her arm nervously, reluctantly sitting down at a distance from him.

“Um, Lucius. Just in case, about what my mother said…”

“I won’t do it.”

Lucius sharply cut off her words as he picked up a piece of Apple Pie.

“No matter what happens, I won’t kneel to anyone. Especially if it’s under the pretext of uniting our races.”

“Lucius…”

“If the Human King kneels to the Elf Queen, will the Elves truly unite with Humans? That’s not real harmony. That’s what I learned. And…”

Lucius laughed lightly and shrugged.

“How could a man kneel so carelessly? Especially since I’m a King.”

“…Right. Thank you. I was a bit afraid that I might have made you make that choice.”

“I would never.”

Something.

Rosmas thought, ‘What kind of answer is this?’ but didn’t take it too seriously.

“By the way, Lucius. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“I heard rumors that you visit the Sage every night…”

“Who said that?”

Somewhat.

Lucius responded irritably.

“Rosmas, do you think I’m still a kid running to the Master for everything?”

“Ah, no. I mean…”

“I’m an adult now. I’m even a King. Now, my every word and step represents the fate of everyone in this nation. Do you think I would recklessly leave the running of this country to someone else?”

Lucius firmly shook his head.

“I might seek advice. But I’m the King of this country. My dream is to create a place where Humans and Elves can live together in peace. Why would I still visit someone who lived 500 years ago daily?”

“Lucius…”

“Of course, in times of frustration, I would seek out the Master for help. But Rosmas, there’s something you’re misunderstanding.”

Lucius raised his voice clearly with anger.

“When have I ever failed to consult you about difficult matters?”

“……No.”

Thinking back, it was only when he had spoken to Rosmas first and got no clear answer after discussing with the country’s ministers.

“Rosmas. Couples are one mind and body. If something happens in the country, I would speak with you first, whom else would I talk with?”

“L-Lucius.”

“I can’t let this go. Rosmas.”

Lucius stood up and lifted Rosmas high into the air.

“I have something to tell you.”

“What, what is it…?”

“Let’s do it.”

Rosmas’s face instantly turned red.

“L-Lucius! Right now, what you should be doing is….”

“I can do it tomorrow. And this is also something the King should do. Where is there a more definitive proof of union between Human and Elf than a child with both of our blood?”

“A-ah…!”

Thud.

Rosmas was thrown onto the bed.

“Just right.”

“……Yes♡”

That day.

Rosmas passed out and continued to pass out until their couple’s time ended.

*

And.

In the early dawn.

Feeling cautious, Rosmas, who had drunk a potion to ‘release’ the ‘sleep magic’ at an appropriate time, quietly woke up.

“…….”

The space beside the bed was empty.

On the windowsill was a familiar footprint, and beyond the window was a tower standing tall in the middle of a rose garden.

The Sage’s Tower.

Like a lighthouse illuminating the dark, a room on the top floor of the Sage’s Tower was lit.

“…….”

Rosmas rushed toward the window and soared through the air.

Using the wind spirit to avoid detection by others, she quietly moved and approached the vicinity of the Sage’s Tower.

A barrier was spread out around the Sage’s Tower.

And the barrier would not open the door for anyone not permitted by the Sage.

However, the barrier did not block Rosmas.

Was it because she was a comrade who had shared life and death with him?

No.

“You’re provoking me….”

Creak.

The Sage invited Rosmas in.

Rosmas clenched her fists tightly and silently climbed up the tower.

Hah, hah.

“…….”

The sound clearly entering her ears was nothing but heavy breathing.

It was so unpleasant, but she had to see it with her own eyes.

“…….”

As the sound grew louder, Rosmas’s fists trembled.

Rumors are harmless when they stay as rumors, but the moment they become the truth is when Rosmas finds herself in an uncontrollable situation.

“No way… No, it can’t be.”

Lucius.

That Lucius.

The Lucius who whispered he loved her just tonight.

No way…?

Step.

Rosmas arrived at the top of the tower.

Beyond the wide doors that open left and right, at the end of the Sage’s corridor, behind another door was the Sage’s room.

Though there were two doors, they were aligned in a straight line, allowing for a glimpse of the room if either door was slightly ajar.

“!!”

Rosmas couldn’t help but look.

The Sage, Sorceress Bel, sitting with her bottom on the desk.

And beneath, the kneeling Hero- husband Lucius.

Hehehe.

Sorceress Bel noticed her gaze.

However, the Sorceress said nothing to Lucius and simply….

“!!”

Lick.

Rosmas sat down in shock, stunned in place.

And.

“Hah, hah….”

The ears of the Elf didn’t miss even the smallest sound.

 

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