Chapter 38: Heavenly Saint, Vasily Valvaroi 9

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After the fighting against the Demon Lord’s army had settled down and it was deemed safe to leave the front lines, the party returned to human territory for the first time in several years. While on the road back, during a night watch shift at their campsite, Vasily sat alone watching the campfire when Aria woke up.

“Something wrong? You can keep sleeping.”

“No. I just want to talk to you, Master.”

Careful not to wake Alicia, she slowly got up and sat down beside Vasily.

“Want something to drink?”

“…Hot milk.”

She reached into his chest area and pulled out a bottle of milk that had been sealed tight. She then took out a pot as well, poured the milk in, and slowly warmed it over the fire.

“…………”

“…………”

Time passed in silence between them, and before the milk began to boil, she poured it into a cup.

“It’s ready.”

“Thanks. I’ll have it.”

“Itadakimasu”—she used it as naturally as breathing now, but it had originally been Johan’s habit. Vasily had learned many things from Johan. Johan himself had not remembered everything perfectly either, and there were countless things she had shaped over a long stretch of time.

Even now, it was difficult to indulge while camping. The hot milk she handed to Aria was only possible because she traveled with them. She understood the concept of an item box and could carry fresh goods without weight limitations. The knowledge of a “Reincarnator” was not to be underestimated. At the same time, making use of that knowledge might have been an impossibly difficult task.

Once, while looking up at the night sky, she had heard about it. The world called the universe was vast, and even in Johan’s previous life its full extent had not been grasped. This world was built upon a story.

Did the Goddess know about the universe? Did she possess a power beyond the knowledge of a “Reincarnator,” something that could be called omniscience and omnipotence? If such power existed, why allow this world to be as it was? Was that truly a god? Was the Goddess’s power merely science from a highly advanced civilization that even Johan’s previous world could not unravel? Even now, somewhere, was a being with advanced scientific capabilities observing them?

The world had completely changed. In a world that overturned Vasily’s fate… Where was it headed? Because she knew more of the future than anyone else in this world, Vasily found herself thinking that.

“According to the ‘Knowledge,’ there’s nothing beyond this point anymore, right?”

“Mm… yeah. The Demon Lord hasn’t been defeated yet, but there probably won’t be any more major events. If it’s a happy ending, the epilogue says Aria marries the Crown Prince.”

“…Who?”

“I knew you’d say that.”

As a result of actively destroying flags, they had skipped over many events recorded in the “Knowledge.” In the “Original Story,” Aria apparently met the Crown Prince several times during activities in the royal capital. But Aria had only gone to the capital a handful of times. There were no flags whatsoever.

“Fufufu. But still, this must be what they call a happy ending, right?”

“Most likely.”

“Then there’s a chance I’ll get married…! There’s even a chance I’ll marry Finn…! That’s right, isn’t it, Master?”

Vasily knew about Finn’s current situation. She had refrained from offering public support because Finn did not want it, but when she heard Finn had been sleeping in a stable, she had considered replacing the guild’s director. She understood that the guild had shown reasonable consideration, so she did not press the matter further but if Finn were ever intentionally harmed, Vasily’s fangs would undoubtedly turn on them.

Finn’s living conditions had improved greatly since then. He now lived in a prime district of the royal capital with the Gold-ranked adventurers known as the “Saint” and the “Crimson Sword Saint,” along with Astrea, Alicia’s younger sister. Should she feel relieved? Or suspect that it meant something else?

In any case, Vasily was not confident that Finn still possessed the same straightforward heart he once had as a boy.

“…Yeah, well, I guess so. I think it’s possible. Yeah.”

“Fufufu…!! Ahhh, I finally get to see Finn! I wonder how much more handsome he’s gotten. He’s definitely gotten more handsome…”

(I can’t tell her he’s living with three beautiful women…)

Three years ago, when Finn had hovered between life and death, once it was confirmed he was alive, Aria had grown rapidly stronger. Vasily still held the title of strongest Platinum-ranked adventurer, but the day she would pass it on was likely not far off.

Though hailed as a hero, Aria still retained the side of a simple village girl in love with her childhood friend. Fierce yet gentle, sensitive yet pure. Having touched both the hope and despair of this world and swallowed both its light and darkness, she possessed a spirit that would not easily waver. That was why she had achieved a one-sided victory over the Demon Lord.

If she had lost that battle, she would have suffered the worst kind of torture. Even caught between fear and reality, she had fought calmly. That burden had been enormous.

If the current Aria were to learn that Finn might already have someone else and might not even have them in his sights… As that thought crossed her mind, she suddenly realized:

(…Wait. Why did I think “us”…?)

A question. Why include herself in that equation?

It was Aria who was Finn’s childhood friend. Vasily was merely his master. She had not even provided financial aid to Finn. She had only suggested that Finn join the current Gold-ranked party, that was all. Finn had been forced to live in a stable because Vasily had left him behind. Logically, there was no reason for Finn to like her much.

After everything Finn had gone through, Vasily did not expect to be viewed favorably. That left a slightly unpleasant feeling.

(Mm…)

Calmly thinking about it, aside from Aria, there was no reason for Finn to regard her kindly.

From a young age, Finn had been subjected to violence, not allowed to accompany them on their journey, unable to rely on Vasily due to her excessive fame which in turn caused Finn to lead a difficult life. If Vasily had defended him and said that was fine, perhaps things would have been different.

But Vasily had accepted Finn’s consideration.

(…Isn’t this rather bad?)

While Aria indulged in happy fantasies beside her, Vasily broke out in a cold sweat. She owed Finn a debt she could never repay. On that day, after Aria had struck him down, if Finn had not sought out Vasily, she would have died. She was certain of it. It was Vasily, Aria, and Finn who had changed the gears of fate.

To think she might be hated by the very person who overturned the fate she had feared for three thousand years… That conclusion made her panic slightly.

(W-What should I do…?)

No, wait. She was also Finn’s benefactor, in a way.

It was because Vasily had taken care of them that he had not torn apart the childhood friends’ bonds they had and had lived under the same roof with them for five years. Had she not approached early with the Holy Sword, they wouldn’t have been together for ten.

But wait. Because of that early contact, the village had been saved and the possibility of Finn becoming a future enemy had been eliminated. Was that not a fine play? Though it had been Vasily herself who subjected Finn to a fate worse than death.

(Wait… Could it be… does Finn hate me…?)

Was that consideration merely words spoken because he did not want to be dragged into Vasily’s troubles? A declaration that he would no longer involve himself with her?

(No… no, that can’t be. Finn wouldn’t say something like that…)

She did not know. Finn was not recorded in the “Knowledge.”

Until now, she had relied on that “Knowledge” for everything, but from here on lay a world beyond its reach. Johan had left behind the mysterious words, “If there’s DLC or a sequel, I don’t know,” but Vasily had no way of knowing what that meant.

(…If he does hate me, then… Yeah. I’ll quietly retire.)

At the very least, she had survived. Her original goal had been achieved. There was also Johan. Sure, her homeland had been swallowed by monsters, but she could at least visit the graves. Living while watching over Aria and Finn’s descendants would not be so bad either. 

Yes. There would be loneliness. But that could not be helped. She had used the world for her own sake. Such an end would not be strange for someone like her. 

Finn might hate her. That straight, pure boy…. That boy might hate her. 

Thinking that, her chest throbbed sharply.

(…I hope he doesn’t hate me…)

This pain in her chest was something she had never felt before. And so, while thinking such thoughts, the night deepened.

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“…How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s insanely good.”

“That’s good to hear…”

Master’s cooking really is amazing.

After coming to the royal capital, I realized that finding good food was ridiculously hard. I think it was because I kept eating Master’s cooking, but the food poor people eat was so bad it shocked me. Of course, the meals Marianne and Carla make were good too. But Master’s food was on a different level.

“It really is delicious. Is this also from the ‘Knowledge’?”

“Yeah. Though I didn’t know Finn liked it that much.”

“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get in the way of you two.”

“…You were never in the way.”

Master said that because she was kind, but objectively speaking, there was no doubt that I was in the way.

Well, I don’t mind being treated like an outsider. I actually enjoy it.

A useless shield stuck between the two heroes who saved the world? The public would probably hate that. I was already unpopular even within “Dawn,” so if I were to stand beside the two of them… Who knew what people would say? 

Ughhh, I wanna hear it! I wanna be called trash and scum and have the whole capital point fingers at me!

“Honestly, you can afford to be a little more selfish, you know?”

“I’m selfish enough just asking for Master’s homemade cooking.”

Master gave me a dangerous look and tempted me, saying she’d do anything for me. I almost gave in to desire and my fetishes, but seeing my busty childhood friend passed out drunk beside me, I managed to hold onto my reason and asked for a homemade meal instead. In a situation like this, there was no way I could say, “Master, please tie me up, beat me senseless, and then have your way with me.”

If I didn’t care what happened to my life after this, maybe I could’ve said it. But unfortunately, that was not the case at all. My life still had a future. I might get treated even worse someday, so I couldn’t lose everything here.

Just imagine it! Master and Aria falling for some guy I don’t know and introducing him to me!

『Sorry, Finn. I’m marrying this man… We’re childhood friends, but now we’re strangers.』 

Aria would say while stroking her swollen belly. And Master would cling to some handsome guy’s arm.

『Finn, I can’t take care of you anymore. You were always in the way. Never show your vulgar face again.』

U-UGHHHHH!! I’d die! I’d actually die! I can’t take that! We’re childhood friends! And Master and I have done all sorts of wholesome things together! Sure, I’m not a match for them, but they don’t have to go that far! Ugh, ughhh!

『Gross.』

Dark Marianne. You really are a wonderful woman. You always deny me anywhere, anytime. You understand me better than anyone in the world… Let’s get married. We’ll have the ceremony in a prison. Tie my hands and cut into me like I’m a cake from behind.

『…………』

Ahh, sorry, don’t look at me like that! If Dark Marianne disappears, I’ll die!

“Hehe, is that so? If Finn says so, I could cook for you every day.”

“Wheh.”

At Master’s words, Alicia-san made quite the face.

“Like back then? That’d be the best.”

“F… fufu, really? The best?”

“Of course. Master was there, Aria was there. Every day was tough, but thanks to that I survived. How about you, Master? Was that life… Unpleasant for you?”

When I asked that, Master smiled happily and replied.

“Of course not. Those were wonderful days for me as well.”

“I’m jealous of Aria. She got to be with you.”

“From now on, we can be together too. What will you do?”

Eh, seriously? G-ghh… That’s tempting…! Those days of getting beaten up by Master would come back, right? That’s definitely wonderful. And if Aria and Alicia-san joined in, it would surpass even a luxury full-course meal. Better than an orc attack, even.

But…

“It’s tempting, but I’ll pass. I’ve got Dawn now.”

“…Yeah. I figured you’d say that. You’ve grown up, Finn.”

“That’s thanks to you, Master.”

Marianne, Carla, Astrea. I wouldn’t abandon my current life and those three for that. 

If they ever abandon me, I fully intend to shamelessly beg to be taken in. At that point, they’ll probably drive me into a corner like a servant. I love how strict Master is.

“But remember this. If you wish for it, I want to give you anything.”

…Hey, that’s something naughty, right? That’s definitely something naughty. Even I can tell. Dark Marianne, what do you think?

『I don’t know. Idiot. Pervert. Scum.』

Ahhh! Why did I just get insulted? Well, it feels good, so whatever. If I ever reach the point where I don’t care what happens anymore, I’ll definitely use that statement to make an outrageous request. Candles, whipping, expansion play, being treated like a slave… Being toyed with, like being made to pick up coins thrown on the ground…

Not that Master would ever do that, BUT! But maybe if I begged…. And once she learns about my true nature, she’d show no mercy. Like she’d say this isn’t enough and throw me into a boiling bath or push me to the brink of death… Heh heh, the dream expands…!

“…………”

“What’s wrong, Alicia? What’s with that face?”

“…Nothing. I was just wondering how to make this child take responsibility.”

Alicia-san muttered something while staring into the distance, but I couldn’t quite hear what she said.

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