The first journey is always refreshing, and everything that meets the eye shines brightly.
The setting sun shines through the window, casting shadows as it sways.
Inside the returning train, there is a pleasant sense of fatigue mixed with a feeling of loneliness that it will soon come to an end. It felt like an unfamiliar emotion.
Lisha is not a human of this world.
In a world called Asteris, she is a saint belonging to the Holy Goddess Church.
Chosen by God to purify evil and save people, she is a sacred and pure priestess.
Originally, she was supposed to dedicate her life to praying to the goddess and saving people. However, due to the start of the Second God-Demon War, she came to this land as a "key."
A war that puts the honor and decline of races, as well as faith, at stake, albeit in a different form.
She shouldn't have been able to go on such a carefree trip.
However, thanks to a certain person who made various arrangements, Lisha was able to have many first-time experiences like this.
Surely, the loneliness she feels now is because that person is not here.
"Yuusuke-san, are you okay?"
While gazing absentmindedly at the passing scenery, she unintentionally murmured.
Yamamoto Yuusuke is a magician Lisha met on Earth. It seems that he is a descendant of a magician who drifted from Asteris to Earth, and his combat abilities are simply amazing.
He was supposed to return with Lisha and the others, but he had to go to another battle, so he is not here.
There was a voice responding to Lisha's soliloquy.
"Don't worry, Yuusuke-sama will be fine."
"That's right."
"It's only natural for an excellent warrior to go to various battlefields. We should be more concerned about ourselves, desu~wa."
"Of course. Even without Yuusuke-san, I will fight and show you."
Kanami looked at Lisha, who clenched her small fist, with gentle eyes.
With her violet hair and deep blue eyes, her well-defined face exuded a calm yet dignified aura that belied her age.
Her name is Kanami Ländtor Sith Fador. She is the princess of the Fador Empire and Lisha's guardian.
Although she is the same age as Lisha, her accumulated experiences are incomparable. She experienced her first battlefield at the age of twelve and has been training as a warrior with desperate determination ever since. Although she should have lived a comfortable life with a brush and a tea set in hand, she chose the path of wielding a rugged gun.
Kanami also leaned back in her seat, reminiscing about Yuusuke, who is not here.
Recently, it had become natural for him to be there. It was too lonely now that he was not around, even though he had protected Lisha alone when the God-Demon War began.
This is weakness.
While thinking so somewhere in her heart, Kanami couldn't admit it. It was unthinkable that she had become weak because Yuusuke was nearby.
Outside, the colors gradually faded, and the devil's hour arrived. The train raced on, carrying the thoughts of the two towards the battlefield.
* * *
When they got off the train, a lukewarm urban breeze enveloped the literary club members.
"Ah~ we're back."
Stretching widely, Matsuda Munenori muttered. He is a man burdened with the profession of being Yuusuke's schoolmate and a genuine masochist.
"It was surprisingly short when it ended."
The one responding to Matsuda's voice was a man named Kongou Souji. He is a tall, red-haired man who stands out wherever he is.
The other members of the literary club were also chatting with their friends, reluctantly ending their camp.
"It would have been nice if Yuusuke stayed until the end."
"He had something to do, so it can't be helped. It's rare for him to have urgent matters."
"I wonder what happened for Lisha-chan and the others to be left behind."
Matsuda, who said so curiously, lowered his voice. He shifted his gaze to the side and spoke to Souji.
"Could it be related to a romantic relationship?"
"Well, probably not."
In front of Matsuda's gaze stood a stylish and cheerful young girl.
Hinata Yukari, their junior, usually spent a lot of time with Matsuda and Souji. However, since last night, something seemed off about her.
There was only one thing that could explain the strange behavior of their junior.
Matsuda stroked his chin while pondering.
"I thought Yuusuke might have made a move on Hinata-chan."
"I think something did happen. Don't you know anything?"
"I gathered some information yesterday. It seems that Takayama confessed to Hinata-chan and got rejected, and then Yuusuke helped her when she was bothered by a pick-up. Well, it seems like a lot happened."
"Well, that's pretty much all the abnormalities."
Souji, who was amazed, said, "You were completely drunk yesterday, so where were you doing all that?"
Matsuda shrugged his shoulders at Souji.
"You don't understand, Souji. Not everything in the world is about facts. The feelings of the people involved at that time are the most important thing!"
While Matsuda spoke with a smug look on his face, Souji turned his gaze away.
"So, Lisha and the others are going back. Should we see you two off?"
It was still a bright time of day, but with Yuusuke absent, the two noticeable girls might attract some strange attention.
However, Kanami shook her head.
"Thank you for your concern. But we'll be fine. The station is not far from here, and everyone must be tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine. Matsuda-san, even without Yuusuke-san, we can make it home."
Souji showed a pensive expression for a while and nodded.
"I see, be careful."
"If Lisha-chan says so..."
They bid farewell to the two and Lisha and Kanami began walking towards home. Two shadows advancing side by side in the twilight.
As Kanami had said, their home was close by, and even with souvenirs and luggage, it didn't take much time.
Lisha absentmindedly thought about what kind of conversation she would have with Yuusuke when he returned, while Kanami thought about what to do for dinner while remaining vigilant of their surroundings.
A familiar path they had become accustomed to recently.
The more familiar a place, the more reassuring it felt. When something foreign intruded, the sense of discomfort became stronger and more sinister.
Their eyes devoured magic power.
The magic tool, 'Shayka Eyes,' embedded in Kanami's left eye suddenly exhibited unprecedented behavior.
"Lisha, get down!"
With a sharp command, Kanami immediately dropped her luggage and turned around.
The tense atmosphere tightened their bodies, and magic power surged like flames.
Beyond the orange light, standing on a long, stretched shadow, was a person.
'Oh, having fun in the midst of war, huh?'
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