---

“I…”

Zion, who swore to dedicate everything to me and be together forever.

After that oath, starting with the conferring of the title by the king, both Zion and I had to face stances from various countries and the Pope regarding where we should belong, and the atmosphere of the ball we had painstakingly prepared turned grim in an instant, with all eyes in the world focused on our future.

But ultimately, the place we belong is something we decide.

Zion declared that we would not yield to any authority.

So, let’s speak comfortably.

What I desire isn’t that great anyway.

“When I first established the Rehabilitation Medicine Center, I still remember the grace bestowed upon me by Your Majesty, the King.”

First, to King Barrow.

The distinguished guests gathered here, especially the Pope and Now Troiat, seem to think there are political motives behind him granting me a title to incorporate Zion, who will soon become my wife, into the kingdom. However,

The king is someone who, more than anyone in the world, holds a high regard for me, as he personally stated.

And naturally, I, the one involved, know this best.

“Nowadays, rehabilitation medicine is recognized worldwide as an essential field for post-war treatments, but it wasn’t the case four years ago when I first established the concept of rehabilitation medicine. Your Majesty trusted me, a mere volunteer, to establish the center, appointed me as its director, and provided unwavering support. Without Your Majesty, not only would my reputation and status not have reached this level, but the field of rehabilitation medicine wouldn’t have developed to this extent.”

Even though I am a rehabilitation expert with modern knowledge, rehabilitation medicine isn’t a field with immediate proof of efficacy.

I had expected the demand for rehabilitation medicine to explode after the war, but I never dreamed I would seize such a significant opportunity to complete a medical field.

This was all possible because the king genuinely cared for the citizens after the war and trusted me.

The desire to repay that grace was my first reason.

“Therefore, I intend to accept the title bestowed by Your Majesty. As a citizen of the kingdom, I will continue to work in rehabilitation medicine just as I have until now, and I will dedicate my life to the advancement of the field. However…”

And the second.

In reality, there was a different reason for accepting a title from the kingdom.

This second one is the most important, and what I am about to say is precisely for that purpose. It is…

“I would like to receive the title one year from now.”

“?!”

Looking around, everyone was trying hard not to show it, but their faces displayed hints of surprise.

“If it’s a matter I wish for, under the condition of one year, I will accept the title from the kingdom.”

I turned to face King Barrow directly.

The king looked down at me with a slightly displeased expression rather than surprise.

“You intend to make me wait a whole year? A year is no small amount of time. May I ask for the reason?”

“Of course. I will make sure everyone can hear my answer.”

“Do as you please.”

I turned back to face the audience again to respond to the king’s question.

Everyone was awaiting my words, curious about the reason.

I needed to collect my thoughts and calm my breathing to deliver my decision and intentions clearly.

“In fact, the reason I want to receive the title is not only to repay Your Majesty’s grace, but there is another, more important reason.”

Yes, the important thing is…

“I want Zion to stop being a hero.”

-!!!!!

All the people’s eyes in the room widened as if they were about to pop out.

I don’t care about the impact my decision will have on world affairs or the various countries.

What matters is Zion only; I will make decisions solely for her, no matter the situation.

“The hero is the enemy of the Demon King. With the Demon King gone, Zion no longer needs to be a hero. The reason I want to receive the title is solely for that purpose. The Pope asked if Zion would be merely a baroness, but what’s important isn’t her title or status.”

I faced the Pope, at the pinnacle of the world’s church.

His expression had reached a state describable in just two characters: ‘shock.’

“What matters is not that Zion is a baroness, but that she will become the wife of me, Hop Harvey. I heard before that Zion is the world’s sole property and a citizen of the empire…”

Neither of those statements held any water.

Because…

“Zion is now mine, and no one else’s. I will make her stop being a hero and live with me as my partner for life, and thus I will reject any influence from the empire or the church regarding Zion.”

Because now, she belongs to me.

I will accept the title from the kingdom but will refuse any attempts to exert influence over Zion.

That is the true reason I want to receive the title from the kingdom.

“And the one-year time frame is necessary for Zion to stop being a hero. We will hold our wedding one year from now, and I will receive the title then. By that time, Zion will no longer be a hero, so no one will object to my receiving the title. That is my decision.”

This year is time needed for Zion to stop being a hero.

But why exactly one year is necessary—I couldn’t tell anyone.

Well, it’s not like anyone here could object anyway.

-…

The declaration that Zion is mine seemed to shock the room into silence again, and having nothing more to say, I returned to my seat beside Zion.

“Zion, are you unhappy?”

As I sat down and asked Zion, she replied with a relaxed smile.

“It was more wonderful than any answer I could have imagined.”

So, Zion is pleased. That’s a huge relief.

“It’s a year to stop being a hero.”

Zion’s gaze drifted off with a wistful look.

Only Zion knew why exactly one year was necessary.

“Can you live without being a hero?”

Zion is someone who would fall apart without the mission of a hero.

Therefore, fixing that is the ultimate goal of her rehabilitation.

After considering my question silently without moving, Zion looked back at me with determination in her eyes, as if she had made a resolution.

“If you are with me, then yes.”

And that answer was my prescription for Zion’s ultimate symptom.

I would become the reason for her life directly.

Zion answered that without being a hero, she would live if I am there.

But will that really be the case a year from now?

There are only about ten and a half months left until the time that was predicted for the Demon King’s return.

Zion pledged herself to me forever, and everyone firmly believes that promise will never change. However,

Only I, the one who received that vow, was desperately hiding my anxiety about the future.

“This time, I will cut down the Demon King so that he cannot return, erasing his existence from this world. When that day comes, and I no longer am a hero, we will hold the wedding as you said.”

Zion is also talking about the future like me. But the future she envisions is markedly different from what I imagine.

Of course, I dream of a happy future with Zion as well, but

I cannot envision that bright future like Zion does because I am hiding something from her.

“I hope that happens.”

“It will definitely happen.”

Zion probably thinks that I’m worried she won’t win.

But I still can’t tell her that it’s not true.

But someday…

“Teacher.”

“?”

Somehow, Serin quietly appeared behind me and called out to me.

“The princess wishes to speak with you.”

I wondered what it was about—was it a summons?

Not answering immediately, I turned to Zion.

“Take your time.”

Zion nodded and replied.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Make sure to have a good talk, okay? Hehe.”

Zion smiled playfully, her expression light-hearted.

Even though she used the authority of her father, the Emperor, who oversees this venue, her request to take Zion was denied.

Surely, this wasn’t a good meeting.

Zion seemed to have expected that kind of atmosphere as well.

Anyway, following Serin’s guidance, I stepped down from the stage and headed to where Now Troiat was…

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes, indeed. I’m surprised you actually called me here.”

“Y-Your Holiness?”

For some reason, Pope Silane IV was seated at the same table as Now Troiat.

“Please, take a seat. This discussion may take a while.”

“……”

Just a moment ago, they were two people who antagonized each other, yet here they were, calling me together.

Are they still comrades who were rejected by Zion?

What on earth could they want to discuss…

 

---