Chapter 38: From the Beginning,

A sharp sound resonated, causing Viola a momentary headache, but it quickly subsided.

The barrier separating demons and humans, adorned with a complex mix of gold and black light, stood there, scattering its radiance to the surroundings.

“Nox, Leon, good job.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Ah. It was indeed quite challenging.”

“For Nox to say that, it must have been really tough.”

Viola stared at the barrier, but its complexity made her furrow her brow, giving up on understanding it quickly.

After looking up at the sky, Viola remembered something and asked Nox.

“By the way, can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“My former party members…”

“…,”

Nox replied with a sardonic smile, refusing to say anything.

Sensing an unpleasant feeling from Nox, Viola questioned him.

“Nox?”

“…I haven’t killed them.”

Reluctantly, Nox opened his mouth, uttering words that sounded too ominous.

“If that’s the case, what about the king?”

“Somehow handed over to us.”

“Huh? I thought maybe the humans would deal with it on their own.”

“We initially thought so too. Since there’s also the Archbishop, and some people might try to exploit the situation, we decided to leave it to the Demon King, who is the most reliable in this matter.”

“I see. In that case…”

“I haven’t killed them.”

Nox shrugged his shoulders and continued slowly.

“Do you know about the mine located away from the Demon King’s castle?”

“Well, yes. I’ve heard of it, but…”

“I sent them there. The Archbishop and your former party members.”

“Why?”

“You’re quite kind to ask about the reasons. There are two. One is, of course, to have them receive the proper consequences, but…”

Cutting off his words, Nox faintly smiled.

“I’ve heard that place is like hell, but a good man proud of his work manages it. They’re a bunch with rigid thinking, obsessed with human supremacy, but in the labor surrounded by demons, it wouldn’t hurt if they realized something.”

With a laugh, Nox let out a chuckle.

“At best, it would be good to have some trouble.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, it’s up to me what I do before sending them.”

“Did you say something?”

“no?”

Viola narrowed her lips at Nox, who showed no intention of answering, then returned her gaze to the barrier.

The barrier, a mixture of gold and black extending endlessly, a towering wall separating the two races for eternity.

As Viola gazed vaguely at the barrier, Leon, standing on the opposite side of the barrier, tilted his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know; I just felt a bit lonely. If there had been a barrier in the past, I might not have met Nox and the others. I know it’s an idealistic notion, humans and demons together without distinction, but…”

“That’s true.”

Surprised by Nox’s gentle voice, Viola raised her face.

“You said it, didn’t you? In the past, humans and demons used to eat together without distinction.”

“I did say something like that.”

“Just do that.”

Making eye contact with Leon, Nox smiled faintly.

“The humans will have their hero, and I’ll choose the participants from the demon side. Let’s gather here and have a meal together occasionally.”

“…Huh?”

“Isn’t it more delicious to eat together with everyone?”

To Viola’s surprise, Nox said it as if it were obvious, and tears welled up involuntarily.

Viola nodded like a child, and Nox looked at her, a joyful smile playing on his lips.

“Of course, you’ll be the one cooking. It’s a significant responsibility.”

“My skills will be put to the test.”

Viola, with a genuine smile, made Nox nod in satisfaction.

“I’m looking forward to Viola’s cooking too.”

Facing Leon, who chuckled, Viola hesitated before asking.

“…Are you really going back there?”

“Yeah… I thought Viola would be okay as long as this guy is around. Since then, there’s been continued chaos, and even if it’s a fake, having a hero might bring a bit of calm.”

“A hero is not just a position.”

“…Huh?”

“Nox, your words are inadequate.”

Viola smiled wryly and reached out to Leon through the barrier.

“What Nox wants to say is something like this. It’s not about gaining the position of a hero and then becoming the people’s hope. It involves naturally becoming the people’s hope, and that’s why someone earned the title of a true hero. Being a hero is something like that.”

“…”

“Leon, who has been the people’s hope for years, is now a hero. That’s how it is. He’s not straightforward, but he’s a good person, so understand that.”

“Yeah.”

With a face on the verge of tears, Leon smiled. He then took Viola’s hand, breaking through the barrier, and kiss her hand.

“In that case, you’re my hero.”

“Thank you, Leon.”

Leon smiled at Viola’s smile and gently pulled away. Nox, who momentarily narrowed his eyes, quickly embraced Viola’s waist.

Feeling that gaze, Leon smiled wryly and shook his head slightly.

“Goodbye, Leon.”

“Yeah. Take care.”

“You too, Leon.”

Waving his hand, Leon slowly moved away from the barrier. As Viola watched his departing figure, Nox slowly spoke.

“Are you sure you’re okay being on the demon side?”

“I’m where Nox is.”

To Viola’s immediate response, Nox broke into a wide grin. As Viola’s smile mirrored his own, Nox blushed lightly, turned his back, and walked away, a bit faster than usual. Viola couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Nox!”

Closing the gap that had somehow opened up, Viola rushed forward and hugged Nox tightly from behind.

“You’re unnecessarily energetic.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Better than sleeping for five years.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Indeed, Nox glared at Viola. Then, he quickly lifted Viola with both hands.

Surrounding Viola’s body was the familiar sensation of floating.

And soon, the soft touch that she was also accustomed to transmitted to her back, making Viola feel a sense of foreboding. In her field of vision were Nox’s face and the deep crimson curtains flowing from the canopy.

As Nox covered Viola like that, he stole her lips as if flowing, and Viola looked up at the man with teary eyes.

“I’ll cherish you and spoil you, okay?”

Facing Nox’s nonchalant laughter, Viola lowered her reddened cheeks as if hiding them.

Then, she thought of something.

“Nox, there’s something I want to ask.”

“Oh?”

While pushing Nox, who was attempting to bury his face in Viola’s neck at any opportunity, Viola asked.

“About the bust statue.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll be straightforward. Is that bust Nox?”

Silence was the most telling answer.

As Nox froze in place, Viola covered her face with both hands.

“I was consulting with Nox about Nox…?”

Struggling in embarrassment and floundering, Viola remembered.

“Wait, do you remember the first thing that bust did? I think it ate all my breakfast…”

“shut up”

Nox’s ears are red as he buries his face in Viola’s chest angrily.

Laughter welling up. After she burst into laughter, Viola wiped away her tears.

“What? Nox, you loved my cooking from the beginning, huh?”

“Of course.”

Nox, who declared it with a brazen attitude, lifted his face and stared at Viola with a melting smile. Embracing Viola tightly, Nox murmured as if savoring the words.

“From the beginning, it was delicious.”