Daniela’s dinner did well for my tired body . It was also interesting to see a completely different outcome from the same ingredients that I had bought .

“It’s really good…”

“Thank you . I am quite proud of it myself . What do you think, Marie Elle?”

“Yes, it is very delicious . ”

“I see, I see . But did you know that Asagi is a much better cook?”

“Oh, is that true! I would love to try it!”

“Ah, if the opportunity arises, I’d be glad to . ”

I smiled as I saw how cheerful she looked . In reality, it was she who was going through the worst time . It couldn’t act so depressed . I’m older than her, I have to be strong…

The pot was quickly emptied . We had all been more tired and hungry than we thought . I had refilled my bowl twice . Well, that was still only half of what Daniel ate .

“You two should use the bath first . I’ll use it later . ”

“Are you sure? Well, if you insist . Marie Elle, let us go . ”

“Yes . ”

They disappeared behind the part.i.tion . I could hear some rustling and then the splash of water . As their voices rang happily, I tried to remember the dream that I had . But I couldn’t . With nothing else to do, I stared into the flames .

“I really am a wreck…but maybe that’s to be expected…”

The red flames blurred in front of me . I couldn’t focus . I rubbed my eyes with my hands, but it did little to help . And so I sat there, poking at the logs with a stick, and looking back at the day . There were a lot of thoughts, but no conclusion or common ground for it all…If there was one, I wouldn’t find it alone .

“Hahh…that was nice . Asagi, your turn . ”

“Hmm…? Ah, out already? That was quick . ”

“Really? It felt quite long to me… You must be very tired . ”

Slowly, Daniela put her arms around my shoulders and embraced me . I could smell the soft scent of warm and moist skin . I drop the stick that I was holding and hug her back . Gently, as if she could break . And then Daniela tightened her embrace . She probably wanted me to do the same…she must . And when I did, she laughed happily . I was correct .

“Now, take your time and relax . Wash away the fatigue of the day . ”

“Yeah, I will . Thanks . ”

“It is nothing . We are partners . ”

She said and kissed me on the cheek before standing up . I would have like to return the gesture… As I stare at her, her cheeks flushed for a reason that had nothing to do with coming out of a hot bath . Then she bent over and offered her cheek . Without a moment’s delay, I held her face in my hands, turned her face, and kissed her lips .

“Mmm, mm…”

“Mm…ahhh . That was…surprisingly forward of you . ”

“I don’t know…I just wanted to . ”

“Hehe . If it is what you want, then you should . I am prepared to give you anything that you want from me . ”

“I see…thank you, Daniela . Stay with me, forever . ”

“I see…thank you, Daniela . Stay with me, forever . ”

“Aye, forever . Now, hurry up and go . ”

“Hm, fine . ”

I stood up with a grunt and made my way over to the part.i.tion when I saw Marie Elle . Her face looked bright red .

She quickly hid behind it, but her shadow was clearly visible .

“Marie Elle . Over here . ”

“Uh…yes…”

Red-faced and eyes downcast, Marie Elle slowly walked closer . I patted her cleaned hair and said gently:

“Marie Elle . You must have been so frightened by what happened today…”

“Yes…”

“I don’t think you will ever be able to forget it . ”

“That is likely…”

“But, I wouldn’t want you to forget today . The day that Daniela and I saved you . The day that you were saved . The day where you were given a chance to continue living . The sadness, the pain, turn it to your strength, and live . ”

“Yes…yes . ”

I wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes when she looked up . Then I gently pushed her towards Daniela . Daniela hugged her before picking her up and carried her to the tent . I watched them leave .

I wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes when she looked up . Then I gently pushed her towards Daniela . Daniela hugged her before picking her up and carried her to the tent . I watched them leave .

I added some water to the bath and reheated it with magic . The little power that I had recovered by resting was used up immediately . But at least I could relax in hot water now . If it came to it, I could still fight without using magic . Of course, I would still want time to dress if that happened .

After the blood was completely gone, and I had soaked in the tub long enough to warm my whole body, I got out to find that Daniela and Marie Elle were fast asleep . The only sounds that could be heard were the crackling of the bonfire .

The sky was full of stars . I was near the city when I worked the night s.h.i.+ft, so I couldn’t even see the stars at night . My neck started to hurt as I looked at those stars that seemed like they could fall at any moment . And so I lowered my head and sat down by the fire .

I was cautious enough to keep Presence Detection active . My detection abilities have increased in precision since the blood ape attack, and there was nothing that I could detect now . It was the same when I extended it above me . Well, peace was the best .

Nothing did happen that night, and Daniela eventually got up and I slept until morning . This time I didn’t have any dreams and slept like a rock .

When I got up, my head felt clearer . It was as if all kinds of things had fallen out . It was like I could see things clearly now .

The morning light that s.h.i.+ned over the plains, the clouds flowing with the wind . The sawing gra.s.s, the fresh air .

I suppose this was what it meant to be alive . The day after a deadly battle . The morning that only the victorious will get to meet .

At that moment, I felt grateful for being alive for the first time . I was happy to be alive, from the bottom of my heart . It was clearer now than it was on that day, when I had become unconscious after being stabbed, and fallen into this world .

I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh air and then exhaled . The cold air gave a tickling sensation as it entered your body .

I took out the Glampanzer from inside the tent and practiced swinging it like a kendo sword . A straight, downward swing . That was all . But my body felt surprisingly light, and my arms didn’t feel much of the strain from swinging it . The armored demon sword was quite heavy, but I could hear the sounds of it cutting through the air, and when I stopped, I could hold it still without any shaking .

I thought about this with wonder . But I could find no sure answer . However, there was one possibility .

I took out the Glampanzer from inside the tent and practiced swinging it like a kendo sword . A straight, downward swing . That was all . But my body felt surprisingly light, and my arms didn’t feel much of the strain from swinging it . The armored demon sword was quite heavy, but I could hear the sounds of it cutting through the air, and when I stopped, I could hold it still without any shaking .

I thought about this with wonder . But I could find no sure answer . However, there was one possibility .

It must be that I had gained experience . Not experience involving levels and stats, but experience as a person . I had grown as a human .

I had taken it all in, the good and the bad . The fun times and sad times were carved into me . Wasn’t that how you grew as a person?

And it applied to me right now . That’s what it was . Well, I had no proof .

“Asagi, breakfast is ready . ”

“Ahh, I’m coming . ”

Daniela was calling . I put the sword back into its sheath and returned to Daniela . When I took one last look behind me, the sun had risen and the blinding light washed over me . Then I turn back around and walk slowly as I gaze at the elongated shadow . I was sure that today’s breakfast would also be great . And I was thankful to be able to eat it .

The memories of yesterday would not disappear, but I was prepared to accept that . At the time, I wanted so much to be vindicated by a third party . But now…now I didn’t need that . The guilt of killing someone, the fulfillment of saving someone, my feelings towards the dead bandits, my grat.i.tude towards Marie Elle, I would accept all of it and make it my strength .

I would live today, and move on in order to live tomorrow . And I was sure, that Daniela would be there, standing next to me . That comfort of having someone, it enveloped me gently .

“Ahh, it is good to be alive…”

Thopse words that naturally poured from my mouth were heard by no one, as they vanished into the clear blue sky .

Daniela’s dinner did well for my tired body . It was also interesting to see a completely different outcome from the same ingredients that I had bought

 .

“It’s really good…”.

“Thank you . I am quite proud of it myself . What do you think, Marie Elle?”.

“Yes, it is very delicious . ”.

“I see, I see . But did you know that Asagi is a much better cook?”.

“Oh, is that true! I would love to try it!”.

“Ah, if the opportunity arises, I’d be glad to . ”.

 .

I smiled as I saw how cheerful she looked . In reality, it was she who was going through the worst time . It couldn’t act so depressed . I’m older than her, I have to be strong….

 .

The pot was quickly emptied . We had all been more tired and hungry than we thought . I had refilled my bowl twice . Well, that was still only half of what Daniel ate

 .

“You two should use the bath first . I’ll use it later . ”.

“Are you sure? Well, if you insist . Marie Elle, let us go . ”.

“Yes . ”.

 .

They disappeared behind the part.i.tion . I could hear some rustling and then the splash of water . As their voices rang happily, I tried to remember the dream that I had . But I couldn’t . With nothing else to do, I stared into the flames

 .

“I really am a wreck…but maybe that’s to be expected…”.

 .

The red flames blurred in front of me . I couldn’t focus . I rubbed my eyes with my hands, but it did little to help . And so I sat there, poking at the logs with a stick, and looking back at the day . There were a lot of thoughts, but no conclusion or common ground for it all…If there was one, I wouldn’t find it alone

 .

“Hahh…that was nice . Asagi, your turn . ”.

“Hmm…? Ah, out already? That was quick . ”.

“Really? It felt quite long to me… You must be very tired . ”.

 .

Slowly, Daniela put her arms around my shoulders and embraced me . I could smell the soft scent of warm and moist skin . I drop the stick that I was holding and hug her back . Gently, as if she could break . And then Daniela tightened her embrace . She probably wanted me to do the same…she must . And when I did, she laughed happily . I was correct

 .

“Now, take your time and relax . Wash away the fatigue of the day . ”.

“Yeah, I will . Thanks . ”.

“It is nothing . We are partners . ”.

 .

She said and kissed me on the cheek before standing up . I would have like to return the gesture… As I stare at her, her cheeks flushed for a reason that had nothing to do with coming out of a hot bath . Then she bent over and offered her cheek . Without a moment’s delay, I held her face in my hands, turned her face, and kissed her lips

 .

“Mmm, mm…”.

“Mm…ahhh . That was…surprisingly forward of you . ”.

“I don’t know…I just wanted to . ”.

“Hehe . If it is what you want, then you should . I am prepared to give you anything that you want from me . ”.

“I see…thank you, Daniela . Stay with me, forever . ”.

“Aye, forever . Now, hurry up and go . ”.

“Hm, fine . ”.

 .

I stood up with a grunt and made my way over to the part.i.tion when I saw Marie Elle . Her face looked bright red

 .

She quickly hid behind it, but her shadow was clearly visible

 .

“Marie Elle . Over here . ”.

“Uh…yes…”.

 .

Red-faced and eyes downcast, Marie Elle slowly walked closer . I patted her cleaned hair and said gently:.

 .

“Marie Elle . You must have been so frightened by what happened today…”.

“Yes…”.

“I don’t think you will ever be able to forget it . ”.

“That is likely…”.

“But, I wouldn’t want you to forget today . The day that Daniela and I saved you . The day that you were saved . The day where you were given a chance to continue living . The sadness, the pain, turn it to your strength, and live . ”.

“Yes…yes . ”.

 .

I wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes when she looked up . Then I gently pushed her towards Daniela . Daniela hugged her before picking her up and carried her to the tent . I watched them leave

 .

I added some water to the bath and reheated it with magic . The little power that I had recovered by resting was used up immediately . But at least I could relax in hot water now . If it came to it, I could still fight without using magic . Of course, I would still want time to dress if that happened

After the blood was completely gone, and I had soaked in the tub long enough to warm my whole body, I got out to find that Daniela and Marie Elle were fast asleep . The only sounds that could be heard were the crackling of the bonfire

 .

The sky was full of stars . I was near the city when I worked the night s.h.i.+ft, so I couldn’t even see the stars at night . My neck started to hurt as I looked at those stars that seemed like they could fall at any moment . And so I lowered my head and sat down by the fire

 .

I was cautious enough to keep Presence Detection active . My detection abilities have increased in precision since the blood ape attack, and there was nothing that I could detect now . It was the same when I extended it above me . Well, peace was the best

 .

Nothing did happen that night, and Daniela eventually got up and I slept until morning . This time I didn’t have any dreams and slept like a rock

When I got up, my head felt clearer . It was as if all kinds of things had fallen out . It was like I could see things clearly now

The morning light that s.h.i.+ned over the plains, the clouds flowing with the wind . The sawing gra.s.s, the fresh air

 .

I suppose this was what it meant to be alive . The day after a deadly battle . The morning that only the victorious will get to meet

 .

At that moment, I felt grateful for being alive for the first time . I was happy to be alive, from the bottom of my heart . It was clearer now than it was on that day, when I had become unconscious after being stabbed, and fallen into this world

 .

I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh air and then exhaled . The cold air gave a tickling sensation as it entered your body

 .

I took out the Glampanzer from inside the tent and practiced swinging it like a kendo sword . A straight, downward swing . That was all . But my body felt surprisingly light, and my arms didn’t feel much of the strain from swinging it . The armored demon sword was quite heavy, but I could hear the sounds of it cutting through the air, and when I stopped, I could hold it still without any shaking

I thought about this with wonder . But I could find no sure answer . However, there was one possibility

 .

It must be that I had gained experience . Not experience involving levels and stats, but experience as a person . I had grown as a human

 .

I had taken it all in, the good and the bad . The fun times and sad times were carved into me . Wasn’t that how you grew as a person?.

 .

And it applied to me right now . That’s what it was . Well, I had no proof

 .

“Asagi, breakfast is ready . ”.

“Ahh, I’m coming . ”.

 .

Daniela was calling . I put the sword back into its sheath and returned to Daniela . When I took one last look behind me, the sun had risen and the blinding light washed over me . Then I turn back around and walk slowly as I gaze at the elongated shadow . I was sure that today’s breakfast would also be great . And I was thankful to be able to eat it

 .

The memories of yesterday would not disappear, but I was prepared to accept that . At the time, I wanted so much to be vindicated by a third party . But now…now I didn’t need that . The guilt of killing someone, the fulfillment of saving someone, my feelings towards the dead bandits, my grat.i.tude towards Marie Elle, I would accept all of it and make it my strength

I would live today, and move on in order to live tomorrow . And I was sure, that Daniela would be there, standing next to me . That comfort of having someone, it enveloped me gently

 .

“Ahh, it is good to be alive…”.

 .

Thopse words that naturally poured from my mouth were heard by no one, as they vanished into the clear blue sky

 .