Act 3-36: Star of Nargol

    「What are you going to do, Regena? Are you going to go back to the human realm?」

    After he defeated the Hundred Armed Giant, Kuroki went back to Regena to ask her that question. He thought that staying by Omiros’ side was much better than returning to Nargol.

    Nargol was an ill-suited living place for humans. Moreover, Nargolians would never regard Regena and her people as their peers.

    Thus, in Kuroki’s opinion, the most ideal situation was for Regena to return to the human realm.

    「Regena-san, your preferences aside, don’t you think that the other people should return to the human realm?」

    Kyouka had also tried to persuade Regena to go back to the human realm.

    「But, my Dear Master…」

    Regena looked at Kuroki, seemingly wanting to say something.

    （Could it be that she is reluctant to leave Nargol due to her sense of gratitude? I just saved her according to my whims. There’s no need for her to feel grateful towards me…）

    Thus, Kuroki tried to guide her and make her move forward.

    「Regena, just choose the path you want to choose the most. I’ll help you with the rest.」

    After hearing Kuroki’s encouragement, Regena nodded as she made up her mind.

    「Understood, my Dear Master. I want to return to the human realm.」

    Regena looked straight into Kuroki’s eyes.

    （It seems Regena had made up her mind from the very beginning. I shall bless her happiness with Omiros, hahaha.）

    Kuroki blessed Regena’s choice in his mind.

    「Kyouka-sama, I accept your proposal.」

    Regena bowed to Kyouka.

    （Eh? Her choice seems to be different from what I expected.）

    Kuroki tilted his head in confusion upon seeing her action.

    「I see, then you shall go back with us to the Holy Republic of Lenaria.」

    Kyouka smiled as she said so.

    （E~h? Regena chose to go to the Holy Republic of Lenaria instead of Algore? When was that offer made? Wait a minute, what about Omiros?）

    When Kuroki turned around to check on Omiros, he found him nodding his head in agreement.

    「Thank you for your care until now, Omiros. My heart already belongs to someone else… That’s why I can’t reciprocate your feelings. But, it won’t change the fact that you’re my best friend. Come visit me in the Holy Republic of Lenaria every now and then.」

    Regena said to Omiros.

    Kuroki was really surprised when he heard that piece of information.

    （I had no idea that Regena’s heart already belonged to someone else. And that person isn’t Omiros on top of that. Who’s that person I wonder?）

    At the same moment, Kuroki noticed a certain fact.

    Come to think of it, why did Regena choose to go to the Holy Republic of Lenaria?

    There was only one reason for that.

    The Hero of Light, Reiji.

    When it comes to someone Regena loves in the Holy Republic of Lenaria, the only person that came to mind was Reiji.

    （Come to think of it, they did meet in the past. Again eh… Doesn’t this look like I was protecting Regena just to serve her on a silver platter to Reiji. But well, since it’s her choice, I shall give her my blessing…）

    Kuroki, who got overwhelmed by the reality, wanted to go on all four on the floor.

    「Yeah, I will.」

    Omiros replied with a smile on his face. From Kuroki’s perspective, Omiros was clearly suppressing his broken heart.

    「My Dear Master, I have to return to Nargol for the last time to explain the situation to everyone, but…」

    This time, Regena spoke to Kuroki.

    「Yeah, I don’t mind…」

    Kuroki tried to bluff with as much of a composed voice as possible. Though Regena couldn’t see his expression due to his helmet, his smile was twitching non-stop inside.

    「Shall we go then, Regena…」

    Kuroki called Glorious with a slightly sad feeling. Thereupon, Glorious, who was resting on the ground outside of the rampart, flew up again.

    「Wait a minute, Kuroki-san. I just remembered something, how did things go with Shirone-san?」

    Kyouka called out to him when Kuroki was about to leave.

    「Uhm, about Shirone… Please tell her “I’m sorry”…」

    In fact, Kuroki left Shirone in the forest.

    （That time, Shirone also understood the gravity of the situation, and that’s the only reason why I can get away from her… Well, she might be pissed off once she she knows that I duped her.）

    Kuroki trembled in fear upon imagining the suffering he had to go through from Shirone’s wrath in the future. Shirone’s anger toward Kuroki was pretty much unjustified. Though it was the embodiment of her care, it was still scary.

    「Uhm, REGENA!!」

    Now, it was Riette who called out to Regena.

    「Thank you very much for saving me a while ago! And sorry for treating you coldly all this time!」

    Riette apologized to Regena.

    「I’ve long since forgiven you, Riette! And I’m really happy to see you as lively as usual!!」

    Regena replied with a bright smile on her face. Even Kuroki ended up getting charmed by that smile.

    「Let’s go, my Dear Master!!」

    「Uhm. I understand.」

    Kuroki nodded and then rode on Glorious’ back while carrying Regena.

    When Omiros waved his hand to send Regena off, Regena replied back in the same way. Despite not being tied up to each other, Kuroki felt the strong bond between the two that surpassed the concept of gender.

    Thus, he knew that these two would surely reunite sometime in the future.

    As Glorious increased his speed, Algore became a small dot faraway in just a few seconds.

    「Goodbye, my birthplace…」

    Regena muttered in a small voice.

    It was as if she was crying, and then laughing, looking like someone who just let go of a load on her shoulder.

    They crossed the Akeron Mountain Range in no time, and entered Nargol.

    「Regena, Nargol is surrounded by eternal night you know.」

    Kuroki said so with a wry smile on his face.

    「You’re right, my Dear Master… But, eternal night isn’t the only thing in Nargol. I mean, you’re in Nargol too.」

    Regena embraced Kuroki as they rode on Glorious’ back.

    「Regena?」

    Kuroki was slightly caught off guard when Regena hugged him.

    「Surely, Nargol is a land of darkness due to its eternal night… But, you’re the bright flickering star that shines upon me in that eternal night, my Dear Master. That’s why I’ve never felt that Nargol is a gloomy place with you in there… my Dear Master.」

    Regena raised her face, looking at Kuroki with a charming smile on her face.

    （Uwaa, she actually said such an embarrassing line. Well, that might be just how much she feels grateful to me, but still, it’s so damn embarrassing.）

    Kuroki couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed.

    Glorious kept flying in the night sky.

    The sky in Nargol might be dark, but Kuroki’s feelings were sunny.