In the terrifyingly slow passage of time, Lisha continued to ponder while looking down.
The tea that Roze had already brewed had become completely cold without a single sip taken. Both Larkan and Fifi had left the room, leaving only Lisha here.
The words spoken by Larkan and Fifi echoed in her mind. Yuusuke-san, Hero-sama...
It was an unbelievable story. The Hero was someone who was closer to Goddess than any other person in the Holy Goddess Church. The divine aura surrounding him repelled all evil and brought salvation to all people. Moreover, after defeating the Demon Lord, he was invited to heaven.
Such a person would never be a student on Earth. Laughing and joking around, giving massages with every casual conversation.
Her everyday life spent with him contradicted the words of Larkan and the others. No, she was trying to deny it.
"I don't know the reason why you don't want to admit it, but everything will become clear when he arrives."
Larkan's piercing words remained in her heart.
She knew very well the reason why she didn't want to admit it or think about it.
If Yuusuke really was the Hero, Lisha wouldn't be able to interact with him as casually as before. She wouldn't be allowed to speak to the Hero in a familiar manner.
"Yuusuke-san, Kanami-san..."
Feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness, Lisha curled up her body. He would definitely come to her rescue. No matter what happens, he would reach out his hand to help her.
But even if she was saved, if Kanami were to die, if Yuusuke really was the Hero, Lisha would be all alone.
That future was incredibly frightening.
She had felt fear many times before. When she was cornered by Luiid's fire, her body trembled with the fear of death. The anxiety of what to do if Sanctuary was destroyed in every battle never disappeared.
But this fear was completely different. Inside the church, she had lived a happy life without any inconvenience, but after meeting Yuusuke and Kanami, she had experienced the vivid and exciting joy of interacting with people as equals.
Losing that would be terrifying.
Was she really such a foolish and weak human being? Even though Yuusuke and Kanami were always risking their lives to protect her, she was just waiting to be saved, trembling in fear.
When Yuusuke came to her rescue, what kind of expression should she have? What should she say? Lisha had no idea in her current state.
"..."
Lisha raised her head at the sound of the tea utensils clinking.
There stood Roze, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Next to her was a freshly brewed tea set.
It seemed that she had come to replace the cold tea. Lisha, who had been on the verge of being crushed by silence, unintentionally spoke up.
"Why are you all looking for Yuusuke-san... Hero-sama? Is it revenge, after all?"
It wasn't a question asked with the expectation of an answer. It was just a word to distract herself.
Contrary to her intention, Roze stopped her hands and turned to face Lisha, answering her.
"I cannot fully understand Larkan-sama's intentions, but it is probably not something that can be explained with the word 'revenge'."
"Can't be explained?"
The wounds Lisha had seen on Larkan were severe. His arm had been cut off, and the wound on his neck was more than enough to take his life. Even Lisha, who was naive, could tell that they were scars that showed he miraculously survived.
So Lisha had assumed that it was revenge for the attempt on his life.
"For Larkan-sama, the fact that his life was almost taken away is a trivial matter."
After saying only that, Roze began preparing the tea again.
Being killed was not a big deal. It was similar to the fear that Lisha was feeling right now.
If that was the case, Larkan was here, risking something much more valuable than his life.
That meant...
"I apologize for the wait."
Her thinking was interrupted, and a cup was placed in front of Lisha. Lisha stopped Roze, who was about to turn away.
"Wait, please."
"What is it?"
"Your Lord, even without seeking revenge, intends to fight against Hero, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Roze nodded without hesitation.
"Do you not think that your lord will lose?"
At the moment she heard that question, Roze's eyes froze like never before, and her gaze became sharp.
"That is impossible."
Those concise words showed Roze's immense trust.
It couldn't be called arrogance. Until this very moment, Lisha had never even considered the possibility of Yuusuke losing.
And that was understandable. He had defeated two titled demons head-on. That trust was not easily shaken.
That's why Lisha had been constantly thinking if Yuusuke might be the Hero.
But if Larkan, who had fought against the Hero in the previous battle and if such a demon had followed him from the brink of death, then...
That blade should be unbelievably heavy.
"Ah!"
Realizing that it wouldn't be strange for either of them to die, Lisha trembled at this obvious fact.
* * *
Roze looked down at Lisha, who had lowered her head, with cold eyes.
She felt pity for this naive girl who was taking on such a significant role in the battle. She still didn't know the true horrors of war.
She mistakenly believed that her loved ones wouldn't die and that they would definitely come back if they were strong. Such convenient delusions were mistaken for reality.
An ignorant and foolish bird trapped in a powerless cage. But it was undeniable that she possessed the power of a Saint. Apart from the Hero, she was the closest existence to a goddess among the humans.
"..."
In their current positions, Roze had a clear view of Lisha's slender neck. It was so fragile that it would easily snap with a little force. Once she captured her, Lisha's role would be mostly over. Whether she was waiting for a corpse or something else, it didn't make much difference.
Lisha, filled with despair, was completely unaware of Roze's gaze. Slowly, like the steam rising from the cup, Roze's hand began to rise.
No magic was necessary. Through physical enhancement, her arm transformed from that of a maid to that of a warrior.
"Ah."
The transformation suddenly stopped. Her black bun opened, and she muttered in a small voice.
'Hey, Amon has been destroyed.'
"...I see."
Roze let out a deep breath and lowered her hand. Information from Fifi was sent to Roze's mind, and the process of the battle unfolded in her thoughts. It was even more one-sided than she had imagined.
Amon had a special mechanism that accumulated damage and returned it to the opponent. But if he received no injuries at all, then there was no doubt that the intended target was correct.
'It won't take another five minutes for them to arrive here.'
"Understood. You keep watch here."
'Got it.'
Fifi disappeared from her hair, and Roze left the room. She regularly surveyed the area she used as a base, but this time it wasn't for that purpose. When she stepped out into the hallway and onto the balcony, the night spread out before her, bathed in moonlight.
The air was completely different from where she used to live, like lukewarm water.
Compared to the daytime, it felt somewhat better in the night breeze.
In that setting, the person she was looking for was sitting on the balcony railing.
"Larkan-sama, Silver will appear soon."
"...Ah. I sensed magic power. It's the magic power of someone I'm familiar with."
Roze realized why Larkan was on the balcony. He must have noticed their approach when the battle between Amon and Yuusuke began, or even before that. That's why he had been waiting outside.
Although she had thoughts about this fact, Roze didn't show it and simply said,
"Please, good luck in battle."
"Although I appreciate the sentiment, my luck has already run out at that time. As someone who no longer has the pride of a soldier, I cannot expect the protection of a demon god."
Larkan responded with a tone that showed no signs of sorrow or regret.
He understands his own existence well. When it comes to stating facts, his emotions do not waver.
Roze also knew well the temperament of her lord.
She also expected such a response.
"This is a prayer from me to Larkan-sama. Is it also an meaningless act?"
"..."
Larkan turned towards Roze. It was a gaze that had been staring at her for a long time.
"I see. In that case, I will gratefully accept it."
"Yes, I will wait here for your return."
"Ah, understood."
Larkan turned his gaze back outside and stood up on the railing.
The wind blew even stronger, causing his cloak to flutter greatly.
It was as if it was announcing the arrival of someone waiting.
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