On the sunny day four people riding a carriage, on the right looking on the vast

blue sky a young man with a tall

and athletic build, he has unruly, dark brown hair that falls just above his

shoulders, complemented by piercing blue eyes that seem to hold a spark of

curiosity and determination. His sun-kissed skin speaks of his countless hours

spent outdoors, and he is often seen wearing practical and durable clothing,

suited for his adventurous lifestyle. He carries a worn leather backpack that

holds his essential items and a trusty, well-crafted sword by his side.

 “I never thought the day that we have a chance to look at the blue sky

again will never come”

“But here we are to be that said day” hulking

figure, standing at an impressive 6 feet 5 inches tall. He possesses a body

built for battle, with broad shoulders and bulging muscles. His face is adorned

with a thick, well-groomed beard, and his piercing blue eyes exude an air of

determination. Gromm's head is covered with a mane of dark brown hair that cascades

down to his broad shoulders. He is often seen wearing a suit of armour made

from dark, hardened steel, with various battle scars etched into its surface.

“Hmm” Ethan let out a bit smile on his face “Your right it was a struggle but it was

worth it”

He turned his gaze to the girl wearing pale, warm colors and incorporates spider

web print fabric.  It involves a pair of

shoes, a short flared skirt, and a medium-length-sleeve shirt.  A long coat is worn over it, sleeping soundly

as the book on her left hand slowly slipping.

He look at her with his gentle eyes as he slowly rubbing her head which the two

man just look at him as they smile at both the same time.

“Have you told her yet?”  a middle-aged man with greying hair and a gentle, friendly

face. He has kind, warm eyes that convey a sense of wisdom and compassion. He

wears traditional priestly robes, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols

of his faith. Despite his age, he carries himself with grace and dignity.

He let out a bit bitter laugh still looking to the girl sleeping on his shoulder

“I haven’t yet, I just know what to say to her”

“Ha ha ha!” the middle-age man laughs and said “So even the great hero who defeated

the demon lord, can be also tough tied it comes to the girl he dears the most”

(nods).

“Well I guess I can understand what you feel since Lila is not the type who shows her

emotions” Gromm said.

“Well you are right” Hector replied.

“You know it’s not good to gossip about a girl whose sleeping and riding with you

all, especially you pedo-priest” Lila retorts in monotonic tone as she slowly

opening her eyes revealing her deep emerald eyes. She pressed her lips as she

covers her eyes to the sunlight.

Lila rub her eyes while groaning as the wind blows her hair while Ethan is

mesmerized by the beauty in front of him, he cannot think of anything every

time when Lila nears him.

While the other two seeing the reaction of the hero who fiercely face the fearsome

demon lord who bring darkness to this world are now blushing red like a tomato,

they are aware that he adore Lila more than anything in this world, yet unable

to tell his feeling to the party involve since they now Lila is the type of

girl who is very reserve and rarely shows emotions, throughout their journey

they only see Lila shows emotion two times, they cannot determine what this

girl thinking.

“What’s wrong?” Lila asks Ethan who still fix looking at her as Lila lean towards him.

Ethan retreats as he feels Lila breaths and her small lips pressed together he

blushed as the same time covers his face in embarrassment.

“N-nothing” he finally replied as Lila still looking at him with her emerald green eyes and

framed with thick eyes lashes.

“It’s that so, then can you pass me my book I want to finish reading it by today”

Lila point a brown worn out book beside Ethan.

 Ethan grab the book it he look at the content

of the book for a bit and see it was written all in ancient text that most

people cannot understand it, he give to Lila with curious look that even though

they travel for a long time and thinks that he very much know Lila now, yet

that is far from what he thinks.

“Lila how’s your wound?” Hector asks.

Lila slowly close the book as she rolled her sleeve on her right hand revealing a

black spot with yellow root like on it, seeing the wound everyone got worried

immediately, that Ethan grab her hand and look at it with worried look.

“Hmm I already applied a healing magic in to it but it’s not going away, but don’t

worry nothing is wrong with me.” Lila replied with straight monotone voice just

like she didn’t care about the wound and she open the book with her left hand

while she just let Ethan hold her right hand.

“I can see the capital now” Groom said.

“Finally we are home” Hector said while tears flow to his eyes.

Everyone laugh at Hector seeing him teary eyes.

As they enter the gate in the capital everyone greeted them with welcoming smile

as everyone shouts ‘Thank you’ as Ethan and others acknowledging everyone gratitude,

as for Lila she just reads and didn’t really pay attention to it.

“Brave heroes thank you for defeating the demon lord and saving this world from harm

we cannot, we cannot thank you enough for your sacrifices but please accept

this as your reward”

The king nods to the guard on his right, and the guard brings four bags full of

gold coins in it, everyone was shocked seeing the gold coins in front of them

as Hector is more shock that he pass out in the scene.

The street is full lights and laughs as Ethan and others are sitting round table

drinking alcohol with meat in the table as for time to time people will

approach them and converse with to show gratitude.

Lila was walking alone in the nearby hill not very far away from everyone as she

still hears the noises, she closing her eyes every time the wind hit her and

she sit and look at the stars.

“I never thought that I can watch stars peacefully again” she murmured to herself.

 “Where is Lila?” Groom asks.

“Come to think of it I didn’t see her around” Hector replied as he chug a bottle of

alcohol.

“By the way Ethan have to you decided to tell her?” Hector added.

Ethan just smile as he stabbing smoothly the table with empty barbeque stick, unsure

what to do and aware that this is the last that they were going to be together

as the demon lord is been defeated and the hero party will be disbanded

tomorrow.

“I believe Lila wants to travel after this” Groom said as he took a big bite in

the meat.

Hector stand up and grabs Ethan face squeezing it like a sponge and look at him in the

eye.

“Don’t

worry we are here for you, and I’m she already aware of your feelings for her”

“Hector” Ethan said.

Groom pats his head and smiles as he gives him thumbs up that give Ethan the courage

he needed, he stands up started to search for Lila by asking people around a he

finally found her sitting in the hill alone watching the stars, he stops for a

moment and clench his fist as he took a deep breath and starts to approach her.

“So this is where you are, I’ve been looking for you” Ethan said as he sit beside

Lila.

“Ethan, sorry I’m looking at the stars, It’s been a while since I watch the stars in

peace” Lila replied with no trace of any emotion on her voice.

Ethan look at her as the cold wind blows, he clench his once more to gather courage.

“Say Ethan what will happen now?” Lila suddenly asks Ethan an odd question that

leaves him puzzled.

“What do you mean by that?”

Lila look at him with no hint of change of her expression but deep inside Lila was

trying to answer that she cannot determine also, she doesn’t know why she ask

that kind of question in the first place.

“The demon lord was defeated, the world is at peace, some people are happy but what

about those are still lost? It seem I cannot understand this is really what we

wanted”

Ethan realize that Lila is in lost, since the demons are defeated, there are people,

soldier who live throughout the war but now that is over their purpose are now

gone.

“Lila what do you want to do?” Ethan asks with serious voice.

Lila looks at him surprise but seeing his face in seriousness, Lila let out a bit of

smile in her face and said “Remember I said this to you once, that after all of

this I want to take on journey I’m not really sure what is the reason but I

just want to take on journey”

Ethan smile in realization that telling her his feeling won’t do that she decided

what to do in, he respect her decision and Ethan knows that they live in

different time, it just happen they live in the same era.

Before they knew Hector and Groom standing behind them, Groom gives Lila a barbeque as

they look at the sky, and everyone was surprise to see shooting stars.

“Ten years of adventure has come to end huh” Groom said with slightly sadness on his

voice.

“Yeah I cannot say it was easy but I enjoy the decades we are together” Hector said.

Lila looks at them while chewing and swallowed “It was merely ten years”

“What are you saying Lila, ten years is a very long, we been adventuring for over a

decade”

Lila look at Ethan while she took a bit and said “It was merely a ten years, I don’t

really understand”

Ethan smile looking at Lila that is looking on the shooting stars as he lay down to

get a proper view of the sky as the wind blows.

“Meteriod stars are what they called these shooting stars that happen only every fifty

years” Lila said.

“Now the hero party are officially disbanded, thank you for decade of companion it

was tough and we faces countless battles that almost ended our lives but it was

enjoyable” Ethan said it as loud as he can.

“Enough of gloomy stuff let’s enjoy our last night together” Hector said as he walks

back toward where all the party is going on.

People see the hero party is coming back to the party everyone began to cheer as Ethan

and others began to dance as the music plays, everyone has having a good time,

everyone has smile on their faces.

Lila look at the peoples happy faces as Ethan, Hector and Groom happily dancing with

everyone, she sat down in one of the table near a empty stall smiling as she

still observing, thinking her journey with Ethan and others maybe comes to end

and after this they will walk on different path not knowing when they going to

meet again.

When people having fun the time flew by, the sun started to raise indicating that

the new has dawn, the first day of peace and new era began, everyone look at

the sun as it’s shines, replacing the dark and birds began to sing.

Lila stands up and walks back to the inn where she rent a room and began to pack her

belongings as the sunshine began to lights the city she open the windows, as

the sunlight brings lights to the dark room revealing how messy it is, she look

at it and let out a big sigh on defeat and squat as she one by one picks up the

books scattered across the room.

After a while she finished cleaning the room she look at the now clean room and let

out big smug with self satisfaction with herself and she pick up her bag and

left the room with the sound of the door closes, she slowly went down on stairs

as expected no one in the front desk it was no surprise since everyone been

partying up until now, she left the key room on the desk and left.

Walking on now empty streets, there some open shops but there is no customer, the city

is rather quite like an abandon city, but Lila likes every silence off it since

last night it’s very noisy that she rather got uncomfortable but she didn’t

want to spoil the mood of everyone she end up coming.

Now she notice she didn’t Ethan and others, thinking maybe they already went home

to take a rest since they couldn’t get a proper rest ever since they left after

the battle is over, after that they help tending to the wounded soldiers who

bravely fought alongside with them.

Reaching the city’s gate she saw Ethan and others are waiting for her she ran toward

them and put her bag down.

“I was worried that already left without saying goodbye” Ethan said and he looked

at Hector who passes out on the side.

“Hector passed out when we rushed to gate and didn’t see you here, he thought you

already leave” Ethan added.

Groom walks toward Hector and slap him and said “Hector wake up, Lila is still here”

“I went back to the inn to get my belongings and also it took awhile to clean it

so” Lila said with low voice and bit sight of sadness to it, knowing after this

the hero party is going to officially disbanded.

“What are you going to do now?” Lila asks.

“Well I got recommendation to be a instructor to the royal palace I was thinking

accepting it, because even though we are the party of hero who defeated demon

lord we still need money to live” Ethan replied.

“I see, what about you Groom?”

“I haven’t think about it yet, maybe I guess I’ll return to my hometown for the

time being and try to figure out what I’m going to do”

“What about you Hector?”

“I got recommendation to the royal city so after this I’m going there, I’m going

to be the high priest there” Hector replied with smug face.

“I’m worried for the unfortunate soul who will fill victim to this pedo-priest” Lila

replied with obvious disappointment voice.

“How cruel, it’s true that I love young girls but I haven’t gone in the line, I just

adore how innocent and cute they are” Hector said it while laughing creepily.

“The royal city is going to be alright, even me is worried now” Ethan remarks with

worried voice and Groom just nod in agreement in Ethan.

“Come on guys! You know me I haven’t touched any young girls throughout our journey

right” Hector defends his self.

“But you tried to peek on me once while I’m taking a bath in the forest lake” Lila

said with disgusted voice.

“I told you it was a misunderstanding, I got hung over the night before and I was

just trying to find some water to drink I didn’t know you there” Hector was

desperately defending himself.

Everyone just laugh seeing Hector desperate face trying to prove himself he is not that kind

of person they think of him, but of course everyone knew about it they just

messing to him.

“What about you Lila what are you going to do?” Ethan asks.

Lila pick up her bag and said “I going to travel around to collect magic’s as I

always wanted, and maybe visit her on the way back, I’m going to visit once in

awhile and let me know if Hector receive death sentence in near future I will

surely attend his execution”

“Oi!” Hector angrily said.

Lila turn her back and starts to walk as the three watches her slowly disappearing

on their site and in a while she completely gone they look at each other and

smile and starts to walk back to the capital.

After a week of walking and getting lost in the forest Lila finally arrive to her

destination she stops on her track and look at the small log house it has a

small chimney on top as the grass half cover the house in front of her as the

fresh wind blows as the leaves sings to the wind she closed her eyes to feel

the refreshing air, after a while she walks toward the house and slowly opens

the door as the fill up dust greeted her.

(cough)

as she tries to wave the dust away from her “I’m back” Lila said it in smooth

voice.

She

enter as she drops her back in the corner of the floor and remove her boots as

she walks the floor makes a little creak sounds afraid that the floor might

break if she carelessly walks to it so she walks slowly towards the living room

and the stops on the entrance of it as she looks around, most of the living

room is dark as the on light source is the two windows on the right side near a

big table with books stack on top of each other with the only half portion of

the room are being provided a light and in all the way is dark.

Lila look around still standing in the entrance of the

living room as the books and dust flying around the room, she walks back in the

entrance of the house to grab her bag and went straight to her room in the

corner of the living room she open the door and enters she’s looking to her

scatted bed sheet, tired she ignore it and went to lay down on it without

changing her clothes, she looks her dark ceiling as she slowly turning to her

slumber.

A

sound of sword clashing and explosion echoing in the entire room as shouts of

multiple people accompanied it, a man standing in the destroyed throne as the

fire rapidly spreading in entire room and in the other side there are four

people standing facing the man.

(Laughs)

“I commend you by reaching this far but even though if you successfully defeat

me, Human hero, this world would not be cleanse in my blood, your ideals,

belief and what are you fighting for is just nothing because this world is

always been ugly!”

“Yeah

sure it’s true, it’s not all rainbow and sunshine but I believe in human, I

believe in them the way they believe in me, that’s what my way of hero is!”

Ethan shouts in tops of her lungs

The

demon king laughs with his creepy deep voice as it’s kind of joke seeing the

young man standing in front of him pointing his sword and his three other

companion, in the past a countless hero’s tries to battle the demon lord which

all of them perish in the fight but right now there is different, the demon

lord feels that he can surely defeat this young man but his instinct telling

him not to attack him recklessly, and he spotted Lila on the back and realize

something.

The

demon lord once again laughs but this time as loud as he can that echoed to the

room, Ethan and others are confused what is going on and the demon lord

fiercely look at Lila.

 “Young man, you said that you believe in

humanity” the demon lord asks Ethan.

“Yes,

that’s what I said earlier!” Ethan replied.

The

demon lord look at Ethan, Groom and Hector with disappointment “Yet here you

are traveling without knowing the real identity of your companion”

“What

are you talk-“

Before

Ethan can finish his sentence the demon lord suddenly launch an surprise

attack, Ethan change his stance to guard yet the demon lord’s target is Lila

who didn’t expect that he would attack her.

The

demon lord grab her by the mouth as he pushed her to the corner and casting a

barrier between them preventing Ethan and others to enter, and the demon lord

grab her left hand and black wound appears on Lila’s hand.

“You

cannot escape your fate, someday you will consume by it”

After that Lila lost consciousness as Ethan and others

continue to fight the demon lord.

Lila

woke up soak in sweat she’s breathing heavily she sit down on the side of her

bed trying to calm herself down, she look at the wound on her left hand

realizing that it’s spreading slowly, she tries to cast healing spell to it but

every time she does that the wound would started to hurt which that’s the part

puzzling her normally healing magic would heal the wound of course as well as

act as anesthesia.

“Looks

like it’s going to take awhile to figure out how to heal this wound or more

likely a curse” sighing in defeat Lila wrapped her left hand with bandage

embedded with healing magic that slows the spread of the wound.

She

stands up and opens the window of her room realizing it’s still morning she

must slept all day, she walks toward the living room casting a light magic

revealing the dust piled up everywhere, she open the two windows in the living

room and stands up in the center and close her eyes, slowly wind gathers

circling her as the wind picks up the dust and she make a gesture as the wind

exits in the windows on the process making her cleaning much faster.

Self

satisfied making a smug face, she slowly picking up the books scattered

everywhere because she cast a wind magic that clear up the dust in the house on

the same process making every furniture’s scattered everywhere.

“I

guess I should clean it normally, magic is not always performs miracles huh”

After

awhile Lila finished tidying the furniture’s feeling hungry she went to get her

bag remembering that Groom gives her a food the night before she left, seeing a

bag of cookies she smile thinking Groom despite being a human body armor he has

cute side too.

She

bring the cookies in the kitchen as she brew some tea and sit down on the table

and starts eating the cookies as she slowly chewing it she feels bit lonely

since up until now she’s been eating with everyone remembering it make her feel

mix emotions.

After

eating Lila grab the basket in the corner of the table and went outside, she

covers her face with her left hand as the sunlight hit her face, blue sky,

gentle wind never thought that the day will come again for the demon lord army

destroys everything in their path.

Lila

enter the forest, by walking slowly she picks up some flower on the way and

some edible plants on mind creating something out of it on dinner, she walks

further in the forest until she exited on the cliff side with full view of

nearby town and with towering mountains surrounds it and on the edge of the

cliff there is a gravestone.

She

walks toward it and pick the flowers in her basket and put it on the

gravestone, she rub gently the gravestone as she smile bitterly and she get

another a rag on her basket and start cleaning the gravestone and weeding the

area.

After

sometime she finished cleaning and weeding she sit besides the gravestone

facing the edge of the cliff looking to the blue sky as birds fly by and gentle

wind breeze.

“As

I promise to you, we defeated the demon lord as you always want the world is on

peace now” Lila talks to the gravestone.

She

looks the gravestone “I fulfill the promise but right now I left without a goal

in life I’m not really sure what to do now”

Time

passes the sky turn into orange red as the sun began to set Lila picks up the

basket and once again look at the gravestone and said “Maybe for now I will

travel again, and the time collect some magic I guess, there is a lot of places

I want to go but I didn’t have really chance to do it since we on the mission

to defeat the demon lord, we do some detour but I want to do it alone and take

it slowly, and it maybe takes decades to I will pass by time to time master”

Lila

began to walk and suddenly stops and once again looked back and said “And I still

loathe you for tricking me, now I’m stuck on this life”

And

she ran into the depths of the forest smiling as she decided what to do from

now on, after coming back she began to cook for dinner and read some grimoire

in mind of curing her wound but for most of it she just enjoy reading grimoire

as she always, after reading some books she didn’t find single thing about her

wound she remove the bondage, as she examine it looks like it stops spreading

so the spells are working she wrap it again.

She

look outside and really dark and quiet, Lila decided to call it a night and

went to her room and pack her bag with her clothes, and some grimoire, she

wants to leave first thing in the morning yet she have no destination in mind

all she wants now is to find a solace to her life since she has a lot left on

it.

As

the morning comes, Lila wears her usually clothes and began to start her

aimless journey, going place to place collecting grimoire accepting odd jobs in

return of grimoire reward, she got interest on making some potion which she

reads in one of the grimoire reward she get by cleaning the statue of the town

she stay for a while.

Almost

50 years has pass since Lila began her journey she is currently in small town

in the border of the southlands the area is mostly surrounds by mountain and

thick forest that reported many people lost and never seen since then, people

started to call it “The forest who devour” thanks to the countless people until

now hasn’t found yet.

 Currently she is to bargain a grimoire to one

of the magic shop in the town, since she already spend of her travelling

expenses buying random things and she ran out of grimoire to read, even now

matter how she bargain to shop owner still firm to his decision.

Defeated

Lila exits the magic shop and start to look at the job board in the adventurers

guild finding a easy job to fund her to buy that grimoire, while looking at the

board seriously she hasn’t notice that everyone eyes are fixed to her.

“Hey

that’s Lila right? The mage of the hero party” one of the adventurer said.

“Yes

that would be her but it’s already 60 years since the demon lord defeated yet

looks like she hasn’t age”

“I

heard that she is spirit-contractor” A female adventurer said.

“You’re

lying, spirit-contractor is a myth that existed long time ago, though it’s true

that spirit exist and that is the source of magic, and there is rumor that spirit-contractor

that only can achieve if you are qualified for a Spirit Covenant, in order to

get that qualifications a mage supposed to wield the four affinity of magic at

will yet there is no proof that human achieve that” one of the adventurer

retort.

“Yet

report said that, Lila only uses dark magic and she only saw once using a water

magic when she is tending a wounded soldier”

“But

no matter how you look at it, she is still young as she is 60 years ago, there

is no doubt she is spirit-contractor”

On

her own little world Lila didn’t notice all the gossip around her still looking

a quest with decent pay, can’t find anything that suits her taste she walks

toward the reception as the receptionist girl are nervous seeing Lila slowly

approaching her, she look at everyone in the guild but they started to hide

their faces, that leaves Lila puzzled.

“Do

you have any other job for me to take?” Lila asks the receptionist.

As

the receptionist didn’t quite understand her started to panic. ‘What kind of

other she means? Did the job posted in board, is not enough for her? I mean

there is a request there that to exterminate a dragon’

While

waiting for the answer for question, a brown hawk suddenly lands to Lila’s

shoulder startled by it she let out a bit of squek sound that echoed to the

guild hall, embarrassed she ran out of the guild.

“Pincer what are you doing here?”

Lila

spotted a letter attached to his foot she get it as she rub Pincer’s head and

let him fly upon opening the letter, Lila suddenly ran toward the inn she

currently residing and grab her bag as she left the key in the counter without

saying a single word leaving everyone in the building puzzled.

She

summon her staff and she started to fly like a mad woman chasing her cheating

husband, she arrive at the central capital by the end of the day, she landed in

the main gate as she ran as fast as she can without paying attention to her

surrounding and she arrive at the royal palace infirmary.

Out

of breath she barge open the door, surprising everyone there she sees Groom who

significantly a different person now, he has long black beard and white hair

and he lost bulky appearance, on the right side there is Hector wearing a holy

church white rob he is now also old with eye glasses.

Seeing

Lila in the door both of them tear up and hug her in relief that she is doing

okay.

“I’m

glad that you are okay” Hector said it with bit raspy voice.

“Yeah

I’m glad Lila” Groom said it while rubbing her head.

Lila

also happy to her comrades once again “What happened to Ethan?” Lila asks upon

remembering what she came to.

“Ah,

we are having a tea together yesterday and suddenly he collapse everyone in the

city panic” Hector said.

Lila

walks toward Ethan who’s lying on the bed seemingly asleep, yet when she sat

down on the chair Ethan open his eyes and look at Lila.

“Ah

Lila you’re here” Ethan said it in soft voice.

“Hmm

I rushed over here when I receive the letter that you collapse” Lila replied as

she holds Ethan hand.

“You

haven’t change a bit since, you are still beautiful as the first we met”

(Laughs)

“And you, you are now old man with no hair” Lila replied playfully.

“But

still handsome”

“I

see even in old age you are still narcissist”

“Um

Lila-sama could you examine Ethan-sama? We cannot find any symptom why he

collapsed” the mage of the palace spoke.

“Are

you ill Ethan?” Lila asks with serious voice.

“I’m

not sure, I don’t feel anything” Ethan replied.

“Mind

if I tried to?”

Ethan

only nod on response with the look of knowing the answer yet he still let Lila

do what she wants since knowing her she won’t stop insisting, after some time

she finished examining Ethan not finding anything she got frustrated she clench

her fist and tries again but this time Ethan holds her hand, she look at him

looking at her straight in the face she stops, as Hector put his hand on Lila’s

shoulder.

“I

know my time is near, that’s the nature of human eventually we going to return

to soil so it’s alright Lila you don’t have to worry” Ethan trying to comfort

Lila.

Lila

stays silent bowing her head, Ethan seeing this he just smile thinking that she

hasn’t change a bit she may not show any emotion but when it comes to people

she cares sometimes she show this kind of side of her.

Ethan

put his hand to Lila’s cheeks “Lila you remember when arrive late to the town

that demons attack and people begs you to resurrect the dead you said that ‘not

all magic perform miracles’ treat this as one of it”

“Ethan

but” Lila replied in shaky voice.

“It’s

alright, it’s miracle that up until now I’m able to walk around the city in

this age”

“But

what about the promise that we going to watch the shooting stars again” Lila

replied as tears slowly flows to her eyes.

“Ah

we sure did promise like that”

Ethan

look at the mage in the back, and her just nod without asking anything, Lila

and others return to the hills where they watch the meteor shooting stars.

“It’s

been 60 years since we last together” Groom said.

“Yeah,

we been trying to send letters to Lila yet the Pincer couldn’t find her, he

always return with the letter still attached to his foot” Hector replied.

“I’m

sorry I’ve been going to town to town these past years” Lila replied.

Everyone

just laugh and once again reminisce about their decade-long journey and the

long awaited shooting star began to happen as everyone look at it with happy

faces, as Ethan look at Lila’s face once more and smile.

Next

morning on the church people gather to pay respect to the hero who once save

the world from the demon lord as everyone shed tears for the hero who just pass

away, in the entrance of the church Lila, Groom and Hector standing especially

Lila not showing any sign of sadness people started to gossip.

“She

is the companion of the hero Ethan right?”

“Yes,

she looked like not sad seeing her comrade dies, how heartless!”

Hearing

all the gossip Hector patted Lila’s shoulder and said “I’m sure Ethan is happy”

Lila

just nod on agreement, when it’s time to bury Ethan, Lila is looking to his

coffin slowly disappearing.

“Because

it’s only ten years, I didn’t know a single thing about him” Lila talked as

tears flows through her eyes uncontrollably.

Seeing

this Groom patted Lila’s head.

“Don’t

pat my head”

(Outside

of the central capital)

“Are

you leaving already?” Groom asks.

“Yeah

I cannot be away for a long time” Hector said as he approach Lila and added “Let

me look at you because maybe this is the last I’m going to see you”

“Are

you ill Hector?” Lila asks worriedly.

“No,

as you see I’m old now” Hector replied jokingly as he enters his carriage.

“Are

you not afraid of dying?” Lila asks.

“Growing

old and dying is what gives meaning and beauty to the fleeting span of human

life, it may flows different from you, but it’s precisely because we age and die

that our lives” Hector replied.

“That

some cool words coming from you pedo-priest”

Hector

just laugh hearing Lila’s reply and he leave.

“What

are you going to now? Still going to collect magic” Groom asks.

Lila

picked up her bag and replied “That’s that, I decided to learn about human”

“I

guess this is the effect of being a spirit-contractor, maybe you forget you are

once a human too” Groom mumbled.

“Did

you say something?” Lila asks.

“Nothing,

good luck and be careful”

“Yeah,

you too Groom take care”

And

once again the Hero’s party parted ways walking on the path they choose.

Seventy years had passed since the defeat of the demon lord, in the dense deep forest

there is a small waterfall with crystal blue water likes a mirror that reflects

the blue sky a gentle wind accompanied by the song of the leaves and birds.

There is a girl sitting in the edge of the river with feet soaked in water as herlong, flowing ebony hair dances in the wind and her

striking emerald eyes that shines upon the sunlight, she’s holding a thick

brown book and she was so indulge in reading that numerous animals gathers

around her, it’s not she didn’t notice it she just let them near her since they

don’t posses threat to her.

As the gentle wind continues to blow that her book flips in several pages when the

wind hits it, she close it gentle as and look upwards seeing some weird shape

clouds, she slowly stands up and wear her boots and pick up her bag.

“I guess I’ll go visit him”

In the holy city Lila walking in slow pace while amaze to the structures of the

city, the buildings was build into square shape. There is a open ground in the

centre where the holy church was build and all the residence are so respectful,

especially the soldiers that immediately recognize Lila upon seeing her from

afar.

Welcoming her with much gratitude they escort her to the central church where she sees a

statue of them the holy city must really recognized their action on defeating

the demon lord, though visiting the church is not her main reason coming in the

city, nor she believe in god yet she respect their culture and believes thus to

show respect she pay respect by visiting the church and meeting the head

priest.

Expecting to be Hector the head priest, she is unusual excited she is wearing a smile on

her face with bit of blush on her face, but that expression soon gone when

unrecognized person come out in the door, he is wearing a white rob with gold

line in the edge he must the head priest.

“Lila-sama Welcome to the holy city, what service you may seek?”

Lila shakes her head upon hearing the word of the priest.

“No, no I’m not seeking any service I’m just here to visit an old friend named

Hector” Lila asks.

“Ah Head priest Hector, unfortunately he already retired 4 years ago, I’m the one

succeed the title of the head priest”

“I see” as bit disappointed voice came out from Lila’s mouth as she rubs her hands

together.

Seeing

the troubled girl in front of her the priest immediately replied “I heard that

former head priest Hector is living in the outskirt near a hill outside this

city”

After

hearing this Lila’s face brightens as she replied with jolly voice “Really?”

The

head priest smile and replied “Yes, I will ask some holy guard to escort you”

“Thank

you very much” Lila bows to show her gratitude.

Lila

was happily walk, seeing the girl that supposedly is the mage of the hero party

who defeated  the demon lord hops as she

walks, they just couldn’t believe it they want to talk to her yet the too

embarrassed to open their mouth over thinking that they might get ignore.

‘This

is really the mage of hero party?’One of the soldier think.

 ‘It’s been seventy years since the defeat of

the demon lord, and head priest Hector is now old how she is so young?’

As

their head has many questions that requires answer yet they just afraid to asks

thinking that they might offend her, but as curiosity building up the more they

want to ask her and this is now and never this chance may never come again

since they got a chance to see the one of the hero that save the world not to

mention escorting her.

“Um

Lila-sama” One of the soldier gather his courage to talk to her though his

voice is shaky like he is cold.

“Hmm?”

Lila looked at the soldier.

Upon

seeing her striking emerald eyes they all got stunned and couldn’t muttered a

single word as they got so nervous that their armour starts to shakes as well.

“Are

you guys okay?” Lila asks worriedly.

They

all stiffen up as their armour started to rattle doing so sensing the soldiers

being nervous around her Lila started to laugh.

Seeing

a beauty laughing in front of them they feel something shoots them in the

chest, they feel like seeing a goddess in front of them, and they all started

to laugh also.

“Come

on guys I bet you all nervous to ask Lila-sama something” One of the soldiers

jokingly said.

“Shut

up, you are the one is so eager to ask her something”

“S-stupid

don’t say it.”

“Really?”

Lila looked at the soldier in her back, and sweetly smiles to him and said “You

know you don’t have to feel nervous”

After

hearing her, the soldiers began to ask her various questions as they continue

their escort to her not knowingly that they already arrive in front of Hector’s

house, they bitterly say goodbye to Lila, she watch them walk back to the city,

as she turns her back she got startled by a little with silver hair waving to

her back deep purple eyes she is looking straight to her like their in standoff

waiting for each other to take a move.

Or

more like clashing between two socially awkward persons, Lila was just able to

happily engage conversation with the soldiers earlier because she is so happy

that she will meet Hector after a decade.

Thirty

minutes had passed still them staring at each other.

‘Who

is this little girl? And what is she doing here, I thought this is Hector’s

house since the soldier the one bring me here” Lila face darken in realization

‘don’t tell me Hector finally lost it, after retiring he also began his

predatory on little girl, what to do should I report him? But I just cannot

report someone without solid evidence’

 On the little girl side ‘Who is this girl?

What is she doing here? Why she knows this place, I mean she’s been escorted

here she must be someone important or just another beggar’

The

door behind the little girl slowly opens and an old man with crane in hand

appears from the inside.

“Elysia

what are you doing?”

“Hector-sama.”

Elysia in monotonic voice.

Hector

turn his gaze in the girl in front of Elysia, she saw Lila with awfully

disgusted face at the same with anger she drop her bag and ran toward Hector

and grab his shirt.

“You

pedo-priest you finally lost it don’t you after retiring you prey on this

little girl and bring her to this secluded place!” Lila said it in panic voice

as well as hoping that her assumption is wrong or else she will be force to

report Hector to authorities.

“Um,

Hector-sama who is this person?” Elysia ask.

“Ah

you don’t know her Elysia, her name is Lila my comrade and a friend of mine way

back in my youth days” Hector introduce Lila while patting her head making her

embarrassed.

Elysia

doubt the words of Hector while looking closely to Lila, hearing that she is a

comrade of Hector in his earlier days, Elysia darting around Lila while looking

to her closely.

“Please

don’t lie to me Hector-sama, there is no way this is your companion during your

expedition on defeating the demon lord” Elysia point her finger to Lila.

Hector

just laugh hearing Elysia’s remark while Lila just remain silent listening to

the two exchanging word like a grandparent and granddaughter.

 He notice Lila was silent standing in the side

listening he put his left hand to Elysia’s head making her stop from talking.

“Why

not we come inside and talk, I know you are tired from your travel” Hector said

with soft with bit raspy voice.

Lila

just follow them in silent as Elysia ran toward to the kitchen quickly brewing

some tea, she get a wooden stall under the table since she’s not tall enough to

reach the kitchen, Lila just watching the little skilfully making tea like she

is making it all the time.

Lila

put both hand under her chin and look at now old Hector looking outside the

window smiling.

“I

never expect that all of people you will take care of someone”

Elysia

quickly serve the hot tea as soon she finish making it and grab her staff in

the corner, and slowly walk to Hector as she hold high her staff made in wood.

“I’m

going out to practice Hector-sama”

Hector

just nod in respond and Elysia ran as her little step sound slowly disappeared,

Lila was tracing her finger in the mouth of the cup as the tea still steaming.

“Then

what the story of that girl I know you are aware of her true identity, that

silver hair and that purple eyes” Lila talk with serious tone.

Seeing

Lila’s serious face Hector smiles as he take a sip in the tea and slowly

putting it the table and once again look at the window as the wind blow, and

sound of boiling water in the kitchen he look at Lila as the sunlight partially

covers his face.

“Yes,

as you said I well aware of her”

“Then”

“You

know when we conduct an expedition in the border of southern region near the

dried great river there is small town that was completely destroyed by the

remnants of the demon army, I was surprise at first by the horrible sight that

welcomed us, every one experience a terrible death everyone is beyond

recognition it was a terrible sight, some of the soldiers even throw up seeing

the dead bodies even me up until now I still remember that horrible sight like

yesterday.” Hector clench his fist while telling it to Lila and he was voice is

stiff like he doesn’t want to talk about it.

 “Wait if what you said is true the town near

in the dried great river is” Lila slams her hand in the table in disbelief.

Hector

just nod “I have the same reaction at first, it’s hard to believe but that was

happen we thought there is no survivor, and we already lost hope for finding

one but when we digging a grave for the dead I saw a silhouette up the cliff

the surrounds the city, there I saw a girl past out in front of the demon

commander that was pinned in the dead tree seemingly died by burning”

“I

immediately bring her to treatment she is almost dead by the time I found her

but she is still breathing faintly, it took 4 weeks when she regains

consciousness, and she is no recollection on what happen that day, I guess that

was for the best if she doesn’t remember it then let it will be” There is a

trace of sadness mix with anger in Hector voice when he said it.

“By

the way Lila, can I ask you to bring Elysia to your travels?”

Lila

look at Hector with bit surprise then she took a sip on her tea “If what you

said is true she has a potential to become a mage but sorry Hector she will

only get in my way, you know I’m going place to place sometime not knowing the

danger lurking”

Hearing

this Hector just smile looking at Lila, ever since they first met when they

recruited her that memory is still fresh to his mind that Ethan rudely approach

her while picking up some flower in the forest thinking it’s just another

random girl Ethan grope Lila’s butt, on relation Lila blasted them with fire

magic that burns half the area while chasing them intending to kill them, she

may awkward but she deeply cares for her companion and her unconditional love

for magic though she will answer you just ‘hobby’ of hers but Hector knows that

she dedicated her life into magic.

“Then

teach her magic”

“Huh?”

“You

know I can see you through her, she love magic as you do”

“I

don’t love magic it’s just a hobby of mine”

After

sometime, Hector ask Lila to go to Elysia usual spot near the cliff in the

mountain on the other side there is a large waterfall with a round stone on the

top, Elysia was sitting in one of the branch holding her staff looking in the

stone.

“I

heard you almost every day coming her to practice”

“Hector-sama

said if I hit that stone on the other I can be a mage”

Elysia

stands up and point her staff to the stone and fires a fire spear to it yet it

didn’t reach the stone it disappear mid-air leaving a smoke that also disappear

immediately.

“You

sure can fire a powerful magic yet you lack control on your mana” Lila said it

while leaving.

Elysia

just look at her and after follows her back to the house, they eat lunch

together as Lila decided to stay for awhile to teach Elysia magic and

unexpected request from Hector.

 “Lila thank you for deciding teaching Elysia

magic”

“Don’t

worry about it, I decided to hang out for awhile consider this is my payment”

Lila answer while taking a bit to the meat.

“While

at it, there is something I request can you come to my library after this?”

Lila

just nod still eating as Elysia look at the two adult speaking to each other,

she just continue to eat decided not to listen to them since even she wants to

it’s not her concern, after meal Elysia washing the dishes as Lila and Hector

walk together toward the library under in the house, it was dark that only

lamps is the source of the light, there is multiple book shelves five for the

exact and some books scattered in the floor.

“Elysia

when she is not practicing her magic, she spends her entire time her reading

books”

Lila

walks toward the books in the floor and pick up one of the book, ‘Magic basic

control’ while looking at it she thinks that Hector said that Elysia loves

magic is not a lie, she may study this book over and over again since the book

is pretty worn out inside out.

Hector

hand a book over to Lila “This is the book of written by the legendary mage and

spirit contractor Evanora, says that you can gain eternal youth without undergoing

to spirit contract”

Lila

gets the book and opens it and said “You this book are fake right? There is no

such magic that grant you eternal youth and even Evanora herself is dead right

even though rumours said that she is immortal”

“Even

though I still believe on it” Hector said while exiting the library.

“I

thought you are not afraid of dying that was you said to me 30 years ago”

Hector

stops on his track and said without looking back to Lila “I was just making a

brave face, of course I’m afraid of dying like most people do”

Lila

didn’t say anything after hearing it, just holding the book in hand as both of

them is silent not making any sound.

“Anyway

you also say that is part of my research since I cannot read ancient text I

want you to translate it for me”

“Got

it, but it would take some time you know and also I will try to look for a

magic that makes you immortal”

“Thank

you Lila”

“But

don’t expect, I cannot promise you anything”

“Yeah”

After

that Lila began her research as well as making translation of the book, while also

teaching Elysia magic.