After the War Ends (8)
Two weeks after Monster Season ended. In that time, the damage to the academy and the imperial capital had mostly been repaired. The distribution of monster byproducts and merits had also wrapped up. There was nothing left to handle. Everything was finished.
In short, it was time to say goodbye.
The first to leave were the barbarians from the northern continent. They took their share of the spoils and departed immediately, clearly worried about the tribes they'd left behind. The far north was at its coldest this time of year.
Next came the kingdom alliance and the Parun Magic Kingdom. They left the empire a few days apart, in that order. Unlike the barbarians, they weren't in a rush, so they took their time.
More than half the support forces had now departed. All that remained were the Arden Knights and the Justia Holy Kingdom. Elraim and her knights were set to leave tomorrow.
So, the evening before their departure, I spent some time with Elraim. Of course, with Rana there too.
"Hiiing, I have to say goodbye to Sis again…."
It was a familiar scene. Rana was pouting at the thought of Elraim leaving tomorrow. But it wasn't as bad as before—she just clung to her side.
Probably thanks to the three weeks they'd spent together.
"If there's a meeting, there's a parting, Rana."
"Still…."
Elraim hugged her tight and said, "This time, I came to see you, so next time, you come first, Rana."
Originally, Elraim had told her to visit half a year ago, but circumstances had flipped it around.
"Got it!"
Rana shouted enthusiastically and hugged her back. Their sisterly bond was as strong as ever—heartwarming to watch.
They chatted like that until it was my turn. I spoke first.
"Won't see you for a while. You'll be busy back home anyway."
"The territory's not in great shape."
As evidenced by sending just one knight order, the Arden territory was still swamped with black mage issues. It'd last until Evan graduated, so no rest even after returning.
Elraim was the knight order's captain, after all.
"Just hold out for a year. Graduation's next year."
"A year…. Okay, I'll wait."
A year. Long if long, short if short. After that, I wouldn't have to attend Tianis anymore. Elraim knew that well and nodded in acceptance.
"We're already third-years, huh."
"Yeah, third-years."
I nodded at Rana's words. In just a few weeks, the year would end, and grades would advance. Our final year at the academy.
Of course, it was vacation season now, so no classes yet. Opening ceremony was still a ways off.
"Then we won't have to say goodbye to Sis anymore, right?"
"Probably not."
"Hehe, can't wait."
"Me too."
We talked like that, light and casual, until the last night passed.
The next day.
"Take care."
"Yes, Young Master."
We exchanged goodbyes in front of the warp gate. With the knights and others around, she used formal speech with me.
Just as Elraim and the knights were about to step through—
-Kyle, take care of yourself. If you get hurt like last time… you'll get an earful.
Her telepathic message came, serious but somehow adorable. I smiled and sent one back.
-Sis. You know what I like, right?
Elraim's face flushed red, caught off guard by the sudden strike. She started to reply—
-Kyle, you…!
"Safe travels."
But the warp gate's magic had already activated. Her words cut off as she vanished.
Emptiness washed over me. It hadn't bothered me when we weren't seeing each other, but after spending time together and parting… my heart felt unsettled.
'Guess I need to graduate ASAP.'
This forced school life wasn't welcome. Sure, Evan would keep things busy post-graduation, but it'd be better than now.
I headed back to the academy.
A few more days passed. Tianis Academy now showed no traces of the war. Aside from minor systems, everything was fully restored to its former glory.
Students could finally relax and head home. It was vacation, after all. One by one, they left each day.
Yet some hadn't departed: the Justia Holy Kingdom. They were staying to treat patients.
There hadn't been massive casualties, but plenty were injured. Serious cases abounded, some even comatose.
The holy kingdom lingered until they recovered.
"So tiring…."
Estella slumped toward me. I dodged quickly.
"Why'd you dodge?!"
"Don't play weak. A passing dog would laugh if you claimed to be tired."
"I'm human before I'm a saintess!"
Her retort fell flat. She'd be more believable blackout drunk.
"Siiiigh, you treat Rana so nicely…. Shouldn't the world's only saintess get more love from the saint?"
"Rana's not like you. Shut it if you're just spouting crap."
Compare apples to apples. A saintess, of all people.
"And."
A faint whiff hit my nose. I grabbed her cheeks with both hands.
"I told you no drinking before coming. You reek of booze."
"Ughhh, that hurts!!"
She yanked away, rubbing her reddened cheeks. I sighed.
"How many bottles today?"
"N-not many…."
"How many?"
"F-four bottles."
No way. Even with holy power masking it, the lingering smell meant way more.
"F-five?"
I stared silently, and she revised. But I kept glaring.
"Seven…."
"Really?"
"M-maybe nine…?"
The number climbing made a vein throb on my forehead. I pinched harder.
"Nine? You're insane."
"Ow!"
"I said drink in moderation."
"You said just not in front of you! Why do you care?!"
Estella yelled in agony, but I didn't stop. Actually, before that—
"Where'd you even get that much? No one would've given it to you."
Aside from a tiny few in Justia, no one knew the saintess loved booze. She wouldn't risk her image begging. Even her confidants wouldn't enable it—especially Elena.
"Tell me. Who gave it? You steal it?"
"S-steal? How dare you accuse a saintess!"
"Then how?"
"I-I snuck out at dawn… Aaaah, ow!"
"You've lost your damn mind."
She wouldn't get hurt out there, but it was still reckless. That face draws every aggro imaginable. She knew that and still went out.
Outraged, I squeezed harder.
"I hid my face properly!"
"That's not the point."
"Why not! It's our last day— this much is fine!"
Last day. I let go. True, today was Justia's final day in the empire. And after all the patient-treating stress, she deserved some release.
"…If you weren't the saint, I'd have smacked you."
"Lucky for you you're the saintess."
Actually, it was because she was the heroine that I went easy.
"Anyway, stop for today. Drink more, and I'll tell Elena."
"Siiiigh, fiiiine…."
She pouted until Elena's name dropped her tail instantly.
"So, what time tomorrow?"
"After lunch."
"Got it. Safe travels."
I'd see her off tomorrow anyway, but said goodbye early—no time for chit-chat then.
"…Saint."
Estella called. I grumbled.
"What."
"Really… not coming to the holy kingdom with us?"
That again. She'd been nagging for days.
My answer was fixed.
"No."
"Why? It might feel awkward at first, but you'll love it. Justia's better than the Tiran Empire in some ways."
I knew that. Still hated it.
Why go to the gods' turf? I'd sooner bite my tongue and die.
But couldn't explain to her. I pinched her cheek lightly.
"'Cause I don't wanna. Butt out."
"Don't dodge like that. I could make you really happy if you came…."
"Quiet."
I cut her off.
"And quit overreacting. Not like we'll never meet."
Heroine or not, we'd cross paths somehow. Even if I said no.
"Heard me? Drink moderately. Not like this."
"Ehe, worrying about me?"
"Shut up."
I pinched to wipe that smug look.
Anyway, I hung out with her moderately that day before parting.
The next day, after lunch. The warp gate area bustled again. Justia, naturally. With so many people, prepared groups went first.
I watched from afar.
"Then please take care, Saintess. And thank you for your help."
"No need. It's my duty."
Estella in full saintess mode. Night-and-day from how she acted with me.
She handled more well-wishers. Then she paused—mana swirling. Someone messaging her.
I eavesdropped.
-Finally, the pest is gone. Bye~.
-Sorry, but the saint's more likely to end up with me? Don't you know saint-saintess pairings are more common?
-Bitching to the end. Sorry, Senpai's not into kids like you.
-Who knows? Tsk tsk, still at it.
Post-incident, Cloi and Estella bickered via message magic. Pulling every trick to win.
Anyway, Estella's departure time came. I sent her a telepathic message as she stood at the gate.
-Go. Moderation on the booze, like I said.
She glanced my way and replied the same.
-Hehe, yes!
She beamed brightly. Bystanders puzzled but shrugged it off. Magic flared, and she and the holy kingdom folk vanished.
The Monster Season arc was truly over.
I turned to head back to Tianis.
"Senpai~."
Cloi approached.
"What."
"Nothing~ just calling."
Estella gone had her glowing brighter than ever. Simple girl sometimes.
"Yeah."
"I know a great cake shop. Wanna go with Rana-unnie?"
"…Do what you want."
No plans anyway, so I went along. Grabbed Rana and followed Cloi.
A few weeks later. Tianis Academy's graduation ceremony approached.