Chapter 152

After Maleficent’s attack, daily life continued.

The attack by Maleficent was certainly significant, but it unfortunately did not cause a major ripple on the Demon King Army’s side.

It is true that the Academy’s building was damaged, but at most it collapsed a little, and there were no casualties. Moreover, the lich archmage who had instilled fear across the continent, Maleficent, was also defeated.

Most people in the Empire rejoiced while shouting Argen’s name and the Empire’s slogan.

The fact that a high-ranking member of the Demon King Army had been defeated was joyful enough to warrant a celebration.

Conversely, it was true that many parts of the Academy building had crumbled, so the Dean deemed it impossible to continue classes properly and decided to suspend exams and start the vacation early.

So, thanks to this attack, the exams that were originally supposed to happen had been canceled, and the vacation had started earlier than planned.

While the students were confused, everyone agreed that the fact no one died was a remarkable outcome, and unusually, full marks were given for their exam scores.

While some students were pleased, others weren’t, but it couldn’t be helped.

How could classes continue when the Academy was already completely destroyed?

There was no other place with facilities as well-equipped as Argen Academy, and moving elsewhere to continue exams and classes would take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, which would be a big hassle.

Thus, it was decided to continue the suspension of classes.

For me, who had no intention of taking exams anyway, it was a good outcome.

As I walked lost in thought, a vast plain spread out before me.

Like a child discovering something magical, I dashed forward.

“Saint! Be careful not to fall!”

“I haven’t seen this much snow in a long time~”

Like an excited child, she ran around outside and said that.

It was now the last month of the year.

December 25th.

In this world, it was the day celebrating the creation of this world by the goddess and the birthday of the triad deities who shared their power.

“Saint, please be careful not to fall.”

“[Huhuh, Dannes, I would never fall… Aah!]”

Crisp!

“…”

“I did warn you, didn’t I…”

Well, this is a bit unfair.

At least it was fortunate… No, it would be exaggerating to say it was fortunate since I didn’t feel any pain from hitting my head, but falling onto the thick snow didn’t seem to jolt me too much.

“[Um… I’m sorry…]”

I had thought I wouldn’t fall, as I could accurately detect rocks with divine senses, but thinking about it, the slippery snow still posed a danger if one wasn’t careful.

I hadn’t anticipated slipping…

I should have walked more carefully if I had known.

“Are you okay, Aria?”

“[Ah… I’m fine. Thanks to the thick snow, I have no injuries.]”

I answered Evan with a smile, despite the concern in his voice.

In reality, I had no injuries at all, so I laid back down on the ground with a broad smile.

“Saint?!”

“[I’ve always wanted to lie down in such a fluffy snowfield at least once!]”

“Are you not cold? Should I lend you my outerwear?”

“[I’m already warm enough, so you don’t have to worry, Dannes.]”

I even had warmth magic cast on my clothes, so I couldn’t feel the cold of the snow unless I touched it directly.

Honestly… Everyone seems overly worried.

Maybe they didn’t think I would just lie in the snow.

“[Snow… it feels kind of magical.]”

“What do you mean by magical?”

“[I’ve felt a lot of snow in the blizzards in the Realm… Back then, I was too busy rescuing people to even notice the snow. I guess I was so busy I couldn’t even notice the cold.]”

“…”

That was a clever joke, but Evan didn’t laugh.

Geez, he’s so oblivious.

“[Lying here so leisurely makes me realize just how soft the snow is.]”

“… I see.”

“[… Your reaction doesn’t seem very enthusiastic. Do you not want to be here with me?]”

Feeling a bit mischievous, I asked in a somewhat sad tone, and flustered Evan hurriedly denied it.

Since his second awakening, he had become more composed and seemed a bit colder, but seeing this, it didn’t feel like that at all.

Well… since awakening is said to be a mental maturation, it’s not too strange for a personality to change a bit, but Evan felt different somehow.

It was as if he had suddenly gained a few more years of experience.

“[Then, would you like to lie down next to me?]”

“Uh?”

“[Hurry up.]”

“Alright.”

Evan replied in a dazed voice and lay down next to me.

I couldn’t see the sky, but Evan would surely see the dark sky well.

As a Hero, he probably sees the dark night like daylight.

“[How’s the night sky?]”

“… It’s beautiful.”

“[Is that so…]”

I felt envious.

I want to see it too.

I felt like just lying here together like this.

We had snuck out just the two of us without Stella knowing.

If Stella found out, she would definitely make a fuss about why she wasn’t included.

I should head back soon.

Oh, by the way, the reason we could sneak out like this was due to a hidden contributor.

“[Thank you, Brother Dannes, for indulging me today.]”

I expressed my gratitude to Dannes, who was quietly watching Evan and me from behind.

Dannes simply replied casually that it was no big deal.

“… I can’t refuse a request from the Saint. After all, you are my lifesaver.”

Lifesaver, huh.

That wasn’t really something to say in this situation.

I sighed heavily while looking at Dannes.

He probably didn’t notice my gaze.

It feels like after becoming a Paladin and getting married, he’s become more stuffy than before.

To put it kindly, he’s more dignified; negatively, he’s become a complete bore.

Anyone would think the same way if they saw him bow his head like that while being the lifesaver in a joyful situation.

While that’s not completely wrong, I hadn’t hoped for such a response, so I replied in a slightly sulky voice.

“[Hmm… Did I burden you too much? That’s not the meaning behind my words, though.]”

“I-I was presumptuous. I’m sorry.”

“[Ugh… I just don’t understand why everyone is being so formal…]”

It’s strange how everyone gets so formal when they come to the Holy Kingdom.

I didn’t particularly come back home expecting this, so it was quite disappointing.

“Aria.”

“[Yes?]”

“You know… once you defeat the Demon King…”

Evan paused for a moment as if he wanted to say something.

I thought he might ask what I wanted to do after defeating the Demon King or perhaps remind me about that confession back then.

“… Never mind. Sorry.”

He turned his head back to the sky without saying more, stating it was a slip of the tongue.

Well, it didn’t seem like he planned to say anything at this moment, so there was no reason to press further.

“[It would have been nice if Uriel could have come too…]”

“Well, Uriel is a princess… She probably returned to the royal family.”

“[Seeing this makes me realize anew that Uriel is a princess.]”

Evan chuckled lightly as he replied.

Initially, Uriel had wanted to invite us to the royal family, but Stella insisted that it would be a big deal if a human from the Magic Tower discovered us there, and since I had to return to the Holy Kingdom first, I had no choice but to decline.

Evan had nowhere to go from the start and had declared that he would follow me wherever I went, so unfortunately, Uriel had to part ways with us.

It must have been a thunderous shock for Uriel, who had been looking forward to spending this vacation together at the royal family.

Considering how she cried so hard when we parted, it was evident.

Well, I had already sent a letter stating I would return to the Holy Kingdom, so there was no turning back.

“[Once we finish our vacation in the Holy Kingdom, should we accept Uriel’s invitation? She must be quite heartbroken.]”

“That might not be a bad idea.”

I nodded at Evan’s words.

I should do it for Uriel’s sake.

December 25th.

The night of the birthday passes.

We were currently spending our vacation in the Holy Kingdom of Valkran.

Except for Uriel, of course.