The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology. - Chapter 51: The Meaning of Giving a Name.

The Meaning of Giving a Name.

Spirits.

They are, in a sense, an anomalous existence even among monsters.

After all, spirits are the only monsters able to remain in the human world.

That said, this is also because humans simply do not know that spirits are a type of monster.

However, even if they did know, humans likely wouldn’t persecute spirits.

Spirits enrich the land, and the longer they live, the more powerful they become—wielding forces reminiscent of nature itself.

Recognizing these traits, humans—deeply pious toward the gods—came to revere spirits as land deities, unlike other monsters.

In return, spirits did not treat humans with disdain and coexisted peacefully.

For spirits bound to the land by contract, what matters most is the peace of that land itself.

Even if spirits are technically monsters and may share a sense of kinship with them, when forced to choose between humans—who cherish the land and follow orders—and monsters—who invade to harm humans and ravage the land—spirits will always side with humans.

That is precisely why the race known as spirits could coexist with humanity.

“Ah, I see… So spirits are monsters too, huh.”

Cross finally grasped that much, and she nodded repeatedly.

“Yes. They’re certainly not gods or anything like that. They simply can’t leave the land they’re rooted in, so they end up coexisting.”

“They coexist with us, enrich the land, and protect us in times of need… Sounds like a land deity to me.”

Saying so, Cross bowed his head deeply toward her in reverence.

“Aah—no, that’s not what I’m trying to say!”

Realizing that her hour-long explanation was about to be wasted, she hurried to correct him.

Seeing her flustered expression, Cross laughed lightly.

“I’m joking. I understand. Spirits are a type of monster, right?”

Still crouched down, Cross spoke teasingly, which irked her slightly, prompting her to give him a light kick.

To which Cross—

“Ah, I saw it.”

—murmured quietly.

She realized she was wearing a miniskirt, had raised her leg to kick, and Cross, crouching below her, had a perfect view.

Realizing this fact, her face flushed red, and she smacked Cross hard on the head while holding down her skirt.

“Sorry.”

Cross apologized, but his face showed no remorse; instead, he wore a broad grin, making her hit him once more—this time more gently, feeling a bit guilty for the first strong blow.

Eleonore Mastic.

That was her real name.

Not some unfitting title like “The Knight of Betrayal,” but a beautiful name befitting her elegant, noble-like aura.

It truly suited her well.

Cross looked at her and thought so.

She wasn’t wearing anything particularly regal—just simple, everyday clothing common in the Demon King’s domain—but her beautiful features and golden hair made her look like a noble to the common-born Cross.

“…What is it, Cross-san? Would you like more tea?”

Noticing his gaze, she tilted her head and asked.

Trying to cover up the fact that he had simply been captivated by her, Cross shook his head and instead asked:

“How about ‘Ellie’?”

Not understanding his meaning, she tilted her head in confusion.

But as she pondered his words, her eyes blinked rapidly, and her cheeks turned pink.

“M-My name?”

“Well, more like a nickname… ‘Knight of something’ sounds cool, sure, but since you have such a beautiful name, I thought I’d use that instead. Of course, if you don’t like it—”

“No! I don’t hate it! That’s fine… That’s perfect!”

Seeing how firmly she declared it, Cross was slightly surprised.

“I-I see. Then, Ellie, I look forward to working with you.”

Upon hearing that, Ellie nodded vigorously.

“Yes! I look forward to working with you too, Cross-san!”

Her expression as she hugged her chest tightly was like that of a child receiving a treasured gift.

Cross hadn’t expected her to be so overjoyed and felt a bit embarrassed as he sipped his now-cold tea.

Then he decided to ask the question that had been on his mind.

“Ellie, it’s a bit late to ask, but… why are you living here with me?”

“Eh!? You’re asking that now!?”

Ellie let out a startled cry at the unexpected question.

“Well, you see…”

Cross scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Is it… not okay?”

“It’s not that it’s not okay. But don’t you have your own place to stay?”

“Well, I suppose I do…”

“Then… why?”

“Because I’m a knight. It’s only natural to stay by the side of the one I protect.”

Saying that, Ellie puffed out her chest proudly.

“Well… you’re stronger than me anyway…”

“Maybe one-on-one, but I’m confident in my versatility, you know.”

“Hmm…”

Still unconvinced, Cross showed his confusion on his face.

Seeing this, Ellie thought for a moment, then scooted closer to him.

She gazed up at him and whispered with teary eyes:

“…Is it… not okay for me to stay with you…?”

Anyone could tell that was pure acting. No one would fall for something so obvious.

Firstly, that just wasn’t her character at all.

But even knowing that, or rather, knowing it and still choosing to be deceived—that was what made men foolish, Cross thought.

“Sure, I’d be happy to have you.”

Hearing his immediate response, Ellie smiled in satisfaction.

“Well, it’s not like I dislike living with someone anyway.”

Cross murmured nostalgically.

Back in his village, communal life was normal, and ever since joining the Hero’s party, he had always been with someone.

In fact, he was far more used to being with others than being alone.

Especially after learning how terrifying it was to be alone at the end.

Ellie stood up with a bright smile and began clearing the teacups.

“I’ll start preparing dinner now, so please wait a little.”

“Want me to come help?”

“No, it’s fine today. Instead… could I trouble you to clean the kitchen for me?”

“Sure. Makes sense if you’re going to use it. Looking forward to your cooking.”

She didn’t answer verbally but smiled brightly as she left the room.

“Now then, where did she put the cleaning supplies…”

Humming softly, Cross began searching the house.

A new home. A new life.

Their first meal together there.

Warm food.

That alone was something precious.

Of course, it couldn’t be compared to the banquets at the Demon King’s castle.

Trying to compare a regular kitchen to a facility with top-class equipment and ingredients was absurd.

Not that he would ever complain about the lower standard.

He knew he was a crude man, but he still had enough dignity not to insult food prepared for him.

However…

Cross glanced at Ellie with narrowed eyes.

Freshly baked bread, hamburger steak, and salad.

No one could complain about that menu.

The problem was—

They were all store-bought, prepared meals reheated in magical containers.

Ellie hadn’t cooked anything herself.

She simply bought them and brought them home.

Avoiding his accusing gaze, Ellie turned her face away.

“Well, see… I used my power to keep the bread fresh out of the oven, so technically, it’s my cooking, right…?”

“….”

“It’s delicious, you know? This restaurant does great take-out. They use plenty of minced meat in the hamburgers…”

“….”

“…I’m sorry.”

Ellie bowed her head deeply.

“I’m not angry or anything… I was just looking forward to your cooking, that’s all.”

She turned away again, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

“…Don’t tell me, Ellie. You can’t cook…?”

“…Cross. Tomorrow, let’s go buy a cooking book together. You should study hard.”

Her eyes looked as if she had given up on everything.

Cross couldn’t bring himself to press further and simply nodded.

“By the way, is there anything you’d like me to cook for you?”

“…As long as it’s edible… I won’t complain about anything…”

Her squeezed-out words carried a deeper meaning than the words themselves.

After dinner, while waiting for Ellie to finish her bath, Cross stood outside alone.

He turned on the light and held his trusted weapon.

Partly because waiting for a woman to bathe made him strangely nervous, but also because he wanted to test his weapon.

Ataraxia.

A mysterious dagger whose very lack of a proper name seemed to be its name.

It was a rare weapon he received from Aura as reparations from the Demon Kingdom.

It grew alongside its wielder, changing shape, and once it matured, it would become a demonic sword that absorbed its master’s magic.

He still didn’t understand its full nature.

But Cross knew at least that it had grown somewhat.

He focused on a tree in front of him and swung the dagger lightly.

The blade extended fluidly like water, slicing cleanly through a massive tree five meters away.

With a loud crash, the tree fell to the ground, while the blade returned to its short, original form, leaving no trace of its flexible extension.

“Hmmm… What is this… it’s like metal that behaves like water.”

He swung it again and again, watching the blade twist and snake through the darkness in unpredictable paths.

He could control it somewhat, but not freely.

It was like a whip—adjustable in length but not in movement.

Useful, but it didn’t feel suited to him.

He couldn’t understand why it had grown in this way.

“Let’s see…”

He infused magic into the blade and stabbed it into the fallen tree.

A violent vibration spread, pulverizing the wood into fragments.

“Yeah. I can adjust its power output too… Or rather, is it reading my thoughts and adjusting accordingly?”

He murmured as he examined the dagger.

All he did was inject magic into it.

Yet it performed his intended technique perfectly.

It was enough to make him wonder if the dagger had a will of its own.

“Who knows. Maybe you’re just unconsciously using the sword’s power.”

A voice called out, and Cross turned to see Ellie standing there, steam still rising from her hair after her bath.

“I’m done. It’s your turn now.”

Cross nodded and sheathed his weapon.

“Sorry to trouble you.”

“Not at all. Rather, I feel bad for taking a bath before my master.”

“I’d feel worse if I went first. That’s just how I am.”

Hearing that, Ellie smiled wryly.

“Yes, yes. Now hurry up and go.”

“Right. …Hey, Ellie. Why do people look so attractive right after a bath?”

Ellie blushed lightly and slapped his arm with her towel.

After exchanging goodnight greetings with Ellie, Cross lay down on his bed and thought about tomorrow.

A completely free day with no obligations.

He had nothing left to do.

No Demon King to defeat, no one to save, nothing stolen to retrieve.

No orders from anyone.

He was completely free.

At most, he would buy a cookbook and practice cooking.

“Well then, what else should I do tomorrow…”

He could study, look for work, examine his weapon, or research magic.

He could do anything, and no one was ordering him to do anything.

That freedom alone left him pondering his next step.

It was a luxurious dilemma—choosing what he wanted to do, rather than what he had to do.

Cross had a dream.

A selfish, shameless dream to live freely and build a harem, being adored by countless girls.

But… just for now, he felt a quiet contentment.

Ellie, though there was nothing sexual between them, genuinely cared for him.

And he wasn’t alone.

That meant more to him than anything.

He still wanted his dream to come true if possible, but he didn’t feel the need to force it.

That was why, as he thought of tomorrow, he felt hopeful.

“…Well, I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

Muttering softly, Cross closed his eyes.

The cheap bed, far rougher than the ones in the castle, felt nostalgic and familiar—reminding him of old times—and soon, his consciousness melted into the darkness.