Adventure Awaits! Huzzah! 09

It was like he was part of a round table of brats, except without the actual table. They were currently having a big reunion in the village to discuss Celica's future.

Typically such a reunion would happen in the outskirts of the village, but now that the brats were traumatized by the knights, they would not leave the village so easily anymore. Not to mention how most of their parents had probably forbade them from doing so anyways.

Himmel put a hand on his chin. "So, how much time do you think you have, Celica?" He didn't even know why he asked.

Whatever answer she gave it back, it would just not be enough.

And even then, her answer was a sad one. "Just one week..." That was it.

He had one week before his little project went away... Lucky Celica. Mycen may not know it, but he was taking her away from a way bigger problem than just a few knights! Not to mention how Himmel... how Seliph could attract his own brand of trouble.

This was probably a good thing for all parties involved.

Still, he couldn't help but be a little sad. "I see. I'll miss you, Celica." That was all he had to say. All he could say.

Begging and screaming for her to stay would accomplish nothing, because this was for her own good. It would only make the poor girl guilty, and he didn't want her to feel that way about him. After all...

Even if their paths no longer crossed, he hoped to forever be her old friend.

Kliff, though, didn't understand that. "What do you mean you'll miss her! Do something to stop this!" He was attached to her, and of course he was.

At the beginning, Kliff had been lonely. Faye and Himmel had reached out to him, and naturally that meant that once Himmel started including Celica in everything, he got dragged along for the ride as well. Not to mention how Kliff was younger than everyone else.

Himmel shook his head. "There is nothing I can do."

Kliff gritted his teeth. "What do you mean by that...!? You're you! You always manage to do something...!"

Gray chimed in. "I gotta say, that is pretty much true. You're the problem solver, dude." Great, the little brats were now ganging up on him.

Faye was the one who defended him, surprisingly. "Hasn't Himmel done enough!? He already fought the bad knights for us! We can't expect him to do even more than that!" She sounded surprisingly fierce for a young girl.

Tobin interjected. "Isn't this really bad though? If not even Himmel knows what to do, then... what's next?" Wasn't it obvious?

Celica went away. That was that.

Alm scratched his cheek. "I could ask Grandpa to let Celica stay, but I already tried that a bunch of times, and it didn't work..." He looked down. "Now whenever I ask, he just glares at me." He sounded defeated.

Sheesh. Alm defeated? This really was the end of the world.

Himmel cleared his throat. "Now... we spend the most amount of time we can with Celica. In life, people sometimes go away." That was something they didn't really understand yet, but he did. The perks of being an adult.

However, to his surprise, the girl whimpered. "I don't want to go though..."

Himmel could only flinch. "Right." That was natural too.

Gray raised the question that everyone was wondering. "Why is Celica even leaving in the first place? I don't get it."

Tobin glared at him. "Weren't you paying attention? There are knights after her, and more will come." That's right.

Mycen may have killed them all like a super badass, but all that meant was that more knights would come to check on why their companions weren't sending news back. And once they came, Celica would be found.

Gray scoffed. "Yeah, I get that! But like... the knights at first just seemed like a bunch of super jerks. Why did the biggest jerk then suddenly care about Celica?" Because she is a princess of some sort.

Himmel still remembered that comment. He just didn't bring it up because it would possibly cause troubles. He, for one, knew that he wouldn't want the village brats to learn his true heritage. It could even be dangerous for both them and himself.

So Celica's status as some sort of royalty would need to be kept a secret.

Which is why he quickly put an end to Gray's line of thought. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that Celica really can't stay here for long, and we will need to accept tha—."

"Do you want me to go away, Himmel?" Ah.

With the way he was talking, it did seem like that, huh?

But no. He really wished she could stay. He was just trying to use his experience to guide these brats into accepting a goodbye without hurting anyone's feelings.

But clearly he was going about it in the wrong way. "Celica, if I could have my way, I would spend the rest of my life with you." He meant that. Probably.

He liked this little community of brats that he had helped to build. He didn't want it to change, he just couldn't control it. Sometimes new friends arrived, sometimes old friends left. That was true in his world and in this world.

The girl blushed. "Really...!?"

And Faye sent him a scandalized look. "Really!?" Her tone was a lot different than Celica's that was for sure.

Gray, little menace that he is, snorted. "Is that a proposal?" Did he even understand what a proposal really was...?

Suddenly Alm looked as if he was ready to fight. "I'm sorry, Himmel, but even if it's you, I won't let anyone have my sister!" What a foolish boy. Himmel's grooming plans had already gone down the drain.

There was no need for this.

Still, Himmel chuckled. "Sure, it's a proposal." The son of Sigurd marrying a princess? Kris would probably be down for that.

Celica sputtered. "W-wait, I am not ready for such a thing!" As expected.

Faye gasped, offended to her core. "You're rejecting Himmel!?"

Even Alm joined her for some reason. "C'mon, I haven't even fought him yet!" The little brat just wanted to shed some blood, huh!? He really was a demon!

Celica gulped. "Well... there shouldn't be any fighting in the first place, and... and..." She gave Himmel a little bow. "My apologies, I can't accept your proposal!" Wow, how sad.

He truly was heartbroken or something.

Which is why he was laughing like a maniac. "I see, what a shame." His grooming plans had truly failed. If he couldn't even make a childhood promise of love, then what did he have!?

Actually, he did have a secret weapon. "But there is one other promise I would like to make with you, Celica." This would definitely be a bit embarrassing. "I imagine everyone here has already forgotten about it a long time ago, but..."

"Before you arrived, before even Kliff arrived, we all made a promise to one day go see Mother Mila together—" He was cut off.

Alm sounded furious. "Who says we forgot? Of course we remember such an important promise!" Eh? For real!?

Gray sighed. "Honestly, Himmel, you can be such a cool guy, but then you say dumb stuff like that..."

Tobin smirked. "At least he gets to be a cool guy sometimes, differently from someone I happen to know."

Before any bickering could start, Faye threw in her own two cents. "I remember everything about you, Himmel." At least some of his plans were going more or less well!

She continued. "And I do think your idea is wonderful! Let's include Celica in our promise! A-and Kliff as well too, of course!"

Himmel nodded. "Indeed. As long as they accept, of course."

Kliff didn't hesitate to agree. "If everyone is going, then I'm gonna go too. It's only natural." And he would not miss a chance to one day reunite with Celica.

And as for the girl... she seemed a lot more hesitant. "I don't know if I would be able to fulfill a promise like that... Even if I do want to see the Mother with everyone." Funnily enough, Himmel certainly didn't.

That had been his feelings years ago, and nothing had changed. In fact, it had gotten worse with the chance of Mila taking a look at him, declaring him Jugdral scum, and then ending his life. Nonetheless, he brought it up.

Because Celica needed it. "It's a promise to see the Mother Celica, I'm sure that if it is impossible, she will change that."

Finally, a shy smile appeared on Celica's face. "In that case, I have no option but to accept it."



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Time passes quickly when one has fun.

So it was a bit ironic that the day to say goodbye to Celica quickly came. They had tried to make it as fun a goodbye as possible after all. Something that she would remember no matter what.

Himmel wondered if that would truly be the case. He didn't remember a goddamned thing about how life was back when he was ten years old...

Yeah, she would definitely forget about it all. Did that make it any less important, however?

The girl was blushing bright red. "Hello, Himmel, thank you for coming." She had called him to that field of flowers. The one that Mycen would be furious if they learned they had once again visited.

He smiled. "Of course I did. So, what do you need?"

"I... just wanted to have a talk with you." She looked down. "I'll be leaving in a few hours, so I have to say goodbye to everyone. Grandpapa said so."

It was time. "Then let's talk, Celica." Even if he didn't know about what.

She took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you, Himmel..." She clenched her little fists. "I'm sorry that I rejected your proposal! The truth is that I love you too!" Oh!? She actually changed her mind!?

Did her little head regret her actions for a whole week!?

"But I can't be with you!" Or maybe not. "I-I'm so sorry, but please forget all about me!" How cold. Seriously cold.

And cute. "Oh, alright then." He couldn't help but want to tease her.

"E-eh!? That's a bit too fast!" And she was a bit too tsundere.

Which merited punishment. "Sorry, but who are you?" He faked being in deep thought. "Actually, now that I think about it, why am I even here? Was I meeting with someone...?" Hopefully this wasn't too mean.

"N-no...!" And now she had tears in her eyes. Definitely too mean.

He burst out laughing. "Sorry, Celica, I'm just joking. I won't forget you, even if you ask me to." Someone never forgot their second victim... Faye was the first, of course.

She pouted. "Geez, did Alm put you up to this...?" Nah, he didn't have the brains for any type of tactics that was not related to the battlefield. "B-but I'll forgive you for today, since... since it's our last day together."

Yeah, their last day. "Then I am truly blessed, Celica." He really was.

Now that he thought about it, wasn't he living some kind of amazing fantasy? Celica was clearly some type of princess, while he was... the son of a demon lord pretty much. People had written tons of stories about love born from these circumstances!

She looked away. "Uhum... but I'm sure you're mad I can't be with you." Eh, he wasn't exactly heartbroken. "I can't say why, so this love we feel will have to end, but... but before any other man is allowed to touch me..."

She exploded. "I'll give you my maidenhood!"

There was only one reaction he could have had. "Where did you even learn about that!?" What was Mycen teaching her!?

For once this was not Himmel's sin.

Celica waved him off. "Every girl knows about it!" He seriously doubted that! "N-now accept my favor!" She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips.

Now that made a lot more sense. Also, he had officially become a criminal. Yay.

It lasted less than a second before she jumped back out of embarrassment. "T-there! Now no matter what happens, you will always be the man who has taken my firs—! Why are you laughing!?" Because of course he was.

"I'm sorry, I'm truly honored you found me to be a worthy man." Heh, while he may not get the privilege of dating a princess...

He could be her first crush that forever defined her tastes! Maybe a few years from now, Celica would be marrying a cool blue-haired guy, and Himmel knew exactly who to blame! And naturally, he wouldn't be jealous.

Marrying a princess was too much for a village boy.

Celica clasped her hands together. "Of course you're worthy... you're the best. The bestest!" Oh? He truly had amazing titles. "But I cannot be with you, because... because..." She obviously couldn't tell him.

But he decided to have a bit of pity on her. "Because you're a princess, right?" And he was just a dirty commoner.

She gasped. "H-how did you figure it out!?" He had a feeling he just blew her mind.

He tapped his forehead. "Because I'm smart." As if. "Also, that knight pretty much shouted it." He imagined the other kids had some suspicion too. It's just that they were kids and didn't truly understand it.

Alternatively, it was a traumatic event, and they were trying to not think too hard about it. That was possible too.

Celica paled. "No... Now that you know about me, they'll come after you too, Himmel!"

Maybe they could join up with Emperor Arvis then. "I doubt that, princess. As long as I don't go spreading it around, I doubt they will know of it. Since I don't plan on spreading your secrets, it will be fine." He wasn't crazy.

Celica let out a sigh of relief. "You're right, thank goodness... Still, let me say sorry again. I really do love you, Himmel!" Cute! "But I don't want you getting hurt by following me, you deserve someone better..." Even cuter!

He thought she had rejected him because he was a dirty peasant, but she was just worried about him. He should have expected that, really. Celica was not like nobles were supposed to be. Probably because she was still a kid, of course.

He couldn't help but laugh again. "Trust me, Celica, being with you could never hurt me... but I understand what you're saying." It was a shame, but it was what it was.

Celica may have rejected him for his safety, but as a princess, she was bound to one day marry some posh noble. Not some village boy... nor the son of a mad conqueror from a whole other continent.

Her smile was as weak as it could possibly be. "I'm happy you understand, Himmel..." She moved closer once again, hugging him. "I'll always have you on my mind." That sounded sad.

He hugged her back. "And as I said, I will never forget you... Now let's go, I'm sure your grandfather is waiting." This was it. The end.

But Celica's hug became even tighter. "I... No! I cannot go!" A last-minute change!? How dramatic! "I'm sorry to say this after everything I've done, but I cannot let you go, Himmel!" Did this girl forget she's ten?

He patted her head. "I'm afraid to say, princess, but our love is forbidden." She was a Disney character, he was a Game of Thrones character. It just wasn't meant to be.

She did let him go, but only to stare him right in the eyes. "If... if... if this love is a crime, then I willingly accept my punishment!" She seriously forgot being ten! Or was this some princess education?

It was cute either way. "If that's the case, then let's just split the punishment... Once we meet again, that is."

In the end he did get that romantic childhood promise!



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Year 396, Zofia.

"What are you waiting for, Himmel? Open it."

It was finally time. "Huh... Sorry, it's just that... I've always wondered what would be inside of it." He carefully ran his hands through the chest.

In the past two years his education had proceeded as normal, with only the addition of learning how to control the strength granted by the Brand that had manifested on his back. However, the time had finally come. Himmel... Seliph Baldos Chalphy had become twelve. His training in combat would start, a mage would be hired to teach him magic, he would begin to truly become a warrior.

He took a deep breath and pushed the chest open. The first thing his mind was drawn towards was... "This is a crazy amount of gold..." Was he now set for life?

Kris nodded. "Even before his conquest, your father was a member of a powerful noble house. What did you expect?" Ah, that was actually a good point.

Himmel grinned. "I don't know. I just feel like I should have learned of all this before." Now that it was officially his, maybe he could throw some coin Tobin's way.

Or everybody's way. Making his own private army of brats who had just recently reached puberty sounded fun.

Kris laughed. "Hah! I'll have you know this money has gone towards your education in the past! And it will go towards your education in the future. That magic teacher of yours will need to be paid, whoever they may be."

Realization hit Himmel. "Oh, so that's how we can afford to live such an expensive lifestyle." He truly was the biggest nepobaby on the planet. Or at least he could contend for a top ten spot.

He kept rummaging through the chest, the next thing he focused on was... "A ring?" It didn't look normal. Perhaps a magical one? Those were certainly rare.

Kris nodded. "A Paragon Ring. It is said that the spirits of previous warriors reside upon it and guide whoever wears it to improve far faster than the normal man... I do not know if it's true, but your father was almost always wearing it."

Himmel analyzed the ring. "Sounds like bull to me, but who knows." If it was true... then it was truly amazing.

He wasn't a jealous guy either, so he could share it with the brats who were just starting their own training and Alm. His private army of brats grew stronger by the day!

Himmel put the ring on his finger. "Um... I don't feel anything different, but I suppose only time will tell. Now..." For the last thing in the chest.

Himmel lifted a beautiful sword. Even with his super strength, it was heavy. "I was told that Tyrfing was not found in this chest." And yet this sword looked legendary.

Kris's face became serious. "It is not. That is a simple sword, even if one with as much worth as a castle." So even more money!? "It is made of silver, and it is of such great quality that even if your father could not break it." Now that was interesting.

For a person with Holy Blood, finding a weapon that could actually keep up with them was a great boon. Normally it would be their lineage's legendary weapon, but sadly Himmel would most likely never even see Tyrfing.

This sword was the next best thing. "I assume my father used this before he traded for Tyrfing?"

Kris grimaced. "Yes. It was a gift from... Emperor Arvis."

Himmel's eyes widened. "Really!?"

A sigh escaped Kris's mouth. "Really. He and your father were once allies after all, and gifting this sword was how he obtained your father's trust." So in a way...

Himmel was holding one of the instruments used to end his tyrannical father's reign. "I'm surprised you're even letting me have it if that is the case." He figured the old man would have destroyed it ages ago.

Kris chuckled. "I did think about it, but... that sword has bathed in the blood of immeasurable evil, it has saved the lives of countless innocents. It is a worthy sword for you. And besides, perhaps one day you shall take Arvis' head with it."

Himmel doubted it.