Vol 1 Chapter 14 – The Promise of Departure【Vol 1: The Hero Awakens】 

Around the time the curtain of night fell, I was visiting Master Glen’s private room.

To inform him of my decision to set out on my journey.

Master, who had been listening quietly to my story, nodded deeply without showing any surprise.

“…I see. It would be stranger for a man of your caliber to smolder in this small village. I’ve long been prepared for the day you’d say that.”

His eyes seemed filled more with pride than loneliness.

Like a father seeing off a son ready to leave the nest.

“Master… Over these ten years, you’ve truly taken care of me.”

“What are you saying now? You’re my proud disciple, like a son to me. …No, these ten years since meeting you have been irreplaceable, filled with new discoveries as a swordsman for me too. I’m the one who should thank you, Fuyuya.”

Saying that, Master took out a single sword from the back of the shelf.

A beautiful longsword, sturdy and practical yet somehow elegant.

“It’s also to celebrate your full mastery. Take it. May your journey be fruitful.”

“S-Something this fine…!”

“No need to hold back. Think of it as a parting gift from me.”

The offered sword was solidly heavy, incomparable to the cheap ones I’d used before.

It felt like Master’s feelings were imbued in that weight.

“…Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

I bowed deeply.

Master nodded in satisfaction, then added one last thing, like driving in a nail.

“For Lilia… Tell her properly yourself.”

“…Yes.”

Leaving Master’s room, I headed to the dojo.

In the dojo illuminated by moonlight, Lilia was silently swinging her wooden sword alone.

Noticing my presence, she stopped her practice swings and quietly turned toward me.

“Fuyuya…?

What’s wrong, with such a serious face?”

“Lilia. …I have something to talk about.”

She must have sensed something from the tone of my voice. The usual mischievous smile vanished from her expression.

“…You’re leaving on a journey?”

“…Yeah. Sorry for the suddenness.”

“…No. I thought it would happen someday.”

She forced a smile, but I couldn’t miss the lonely waver in her eyes.

Ten years.

Since coming to this world, she had always been by my side.

Swinging swords together, laughing together, growing together.

Like family.

Honestly, it hurt my chest to leave someone like her behind.

(But I have to go.)

To save Elmina. And to gain enough power to reliably protect Lilia and my future companions from here on.

Shaking off my sentiment like that, I made an effort to speak in a bright voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back here.”

That was my genuine feeling.

Sera Village was an irreplaceable hometown to me.

Lilia and Master were precious family I had to protect.

“…Yeah.”

Lilia nodded slightly at my words.

Then, as if shaking off the loneliness, she beamed with a full smile.

It was the sun-like smile I’d seen countless times over these ten years.

“I’ll be waiting forever. The day my… no, our hero-sama returns.”

I didn’t notice the depth of feeling in those words.

I was just genuinely happy for her earnest support.

“Yeah! I’m leaving the dojo to you! Counting on you, Master Lilia!”

I said it mischievously and ruffled her hair messily.

Lilia’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but she quickly narrowed them happily.

“…Yeah! Leave it to me!”

◇◆◇

The next morning, I stood at the village entrance.

My luggage was just the sword from Master and the bare minimum for travel.

The only ones who came to see me off were Master and Lilia.

I hadn’t wanted to make a big deal of it, planning to leave without telling anyone, but that didn’t work out.

“Fuyuya, just take care of your health. You have a tendency to be a bit too reckless.”

“Yes. You too, don’t overdo it, Master.”

“…Fuyuya.”

Lilia stepped forward.

In her hand was a small cloth bundle.

“This… I tried making a lunch. For the road.”

“Oh, thanks. That helps.”

The received lunch was solidly heavy and warm.

Her kindness seeped through gently.

“Well then, I’m off.”

I grinned at the two of them.

I didn’t like sentimental farewells.

I wanted it to be casual, like always.

“Yeah, stay well.”

“…Yeah. Take care.”

I turned my back to them and started walking down the road leading out of the village.

No looking back now.

It was decided.

The morning sun illuminated my path ahead.

The start of a new adventure.

The road to the strongest continued from here.

(…He’s leaving.)

Lilia just silently watched Fuyuya’s back growing distant.

Her voice wouldn’t reach anymore.

She couldn’t touch that warm hand anymore.

(My hero-sama…)

Her chest hurt like it was tearing apart.

She desperately held back the tears about to overflow.

She’d decided to see him off with a smile.

(But I understand.)

She’d understood from the start.

That person wasn’t meant to end in such a small village.

The world he saw was vast and harsh beyond what they could imagine.

She’d painfully realized that in the battle with the Orc Leader.

To stand by his side, she was still far too weak right now.

(Until we meet next…)

She had to become much stronger.

Not just the swordsmanship taught by her father.

The knowledge and techniques for fighting monsters that Fuyuya had taught her.

She’d master all of it, so next time, she could fight shoulder-to-shoulder by his side.

Not just a weak existence to be protected, but an equal partner who could guard his back.

(I’ll be waiting. Forever.)

He’d promised to definitely come back.

Believing in those words alone, she’d keep waiting.

The day her hero-sama returned to this starting place, etched with countless legends.

Facing the rising morning sun, Lilia quietly but strongly vowed.

The light in her eyes, after ten years, was no longer that of a mere girl.

It was the light of resolve—of a matured swordsman, and of a woman who loved a hero.

While seeing off the small back disappearing beyond the horizon, her monologue quietly foreshadowed the unseen future of the two.