"Princess Elena!?"
As I was being led up into the sky by Amaterasu, a girl in a dress suddenly made her appearance.
It was Elena Atlas, the first princess of the Atlas Kingdom, and the one who asked for me to defeat the Demon Lord. She has a beauty unlike any other, to the extent that those hundred people passing by her would undoubtedly look back.
She was running after me with a desperate look as our distance grew farther and farther.
"Would you like to bid her farewell?"
"If possible."
Having noticed the desperate Elena, Amaterasu asked as such.
"I understand. We still have a lot of time so there's also no need to rush. You can take your time and talk to her, I don't mind."
After Amaterasu said that, my body, which was slowly ascending towards the sky, descended towards the ground.
"Shougo-sama!"
Finally on the surface, I faced Elena, who was running up towards me.
"Why are you here… Elena? It's pretty dangerous here."
"Shougo-sama! I see you've defeated the Demon Lord safely! I had no doubt you'd win!"
"Thank you. It was thanks to you guys supporting me that I was able to defeat the Demon Lord. And now, peace shall prevail throughout this world."
"Yes… That's right…"
"...?"
Even though the sworn enemy of mankind, the Demon Lord, has been defeated, Elena's expression wasn't that bright.
"Elena…? What's wrong?"
"U-uhm, Shougo-sama."
"Y-yeah…? What is it?"
"Have you perhaps forgotten… the promise you made with the King…?"
"P-promise…?"
"Yes. Once you've defeated the Demon Lord, you will take me as your wife…"
"..."
N-now that you mention it, there was that verbal promise as well.
I thought it was just a joke on King Atlas' part, but did he seriously mean it…?
"I've always loved Shougo-sama dearly… That's why, when father made such a promise with you, I was really happy… I wanted to be your wife…"
"..."
That can't be...
Then, Elena had always felt… that way for me…
"I thought perhaps Shougo-sama himself would probably not be aware of it. But, you are not very good at recognising affection being directed towards you…"
"..."
I can't deny that.
How many times have I heard that very same line after coming to this world…?
Am I really that dull?
"Therewith... will you please take me as your wife…?"
Princess Elena said, looking at me with upturned eyes.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but be taken aback.
Not only is Princess Elena a beautiful woman, but she also has an amiable disposition.
To be frank, if it weren't for the many circumstances, I would have replied with yes.
However, the me right now… unfortunately can't reciprocate her feelings.
"I'm sorry, Elena. I know you already knew about this, but I'm not a human originally from this world. I have a home, where I left my sister all alone. And as her older brother, I have the duty to make her happy. That's why… I can't marry you."
"..."
Hearing that, Elena bit her lips tightly.
Her expression distorted that of sadness.
A few seconds after, however, she smiled, albeit a forced one.
"Ehehe. That's right."
"..."
"There's no way someone like me, and Shougo-sama, who've saved humanity, would suit each other, right?"
"..."
"I somehow had such a gut feeling. But, I thought to myself, 'what if he feels the same way?' And so, I tried conveying my feelings. I have been such a pain, no?"
"...E-Elena… I…"
"I understand. I will completely give up on you, Shougo-sama. That's why… just one last time… can you please listen to my last selfish request?"
"S-selfish…?"
"Please kiss me."
No sooner after she said that, Elena rapidly closed the distance between us and kissed me.
I felt a soft sensation on my lips.
At such an abrupt happening, I could only resign without resistance.
""...""
One minute.
After fully knowing the sensation of my lips in that whole minute, Elena gently separated before long.
Then, she made a very sweet smile that looked like flowers in full bloom. However, slipping in and out of view between that smile was a hint of sadness.
"I will treasure this memory for the rest of my life."
"..."
I was lost for words at that moment; I didn't know what was the right words to say.
As I searched for the right words, my body gradually began to ascend.
I was being lifted up to the sky, away from Elena.
"...Farewell, Elena."
Still not finding the right words to say, those were the only words that I was able to let out in the end; a farewell.
I wasn't able to hear Elena's reply to that, however, I had the feeling that she probably said, "May we meet each other again somewhere."
