“There it is—that’s my house.”
From the forest, we stepped out into a clearing where the view opened up wide.
Then, as a minimum precaution, a wooden fence had been erected, surrounding the area, and scattered old houses could be seen.
At the very back, there stood my home, where my parents, who supported the village as the village chief, lived.
“I see. Even I, with all my experience, am starting to feel nervous.”
Lusika quickly adjusted her appearance.
“There’s no need to be so formal. My parents can be pretty casual, you know.”
“That may be, but the first introduction is a once-in-a-lifetime event, after all.”
“Ha ha, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
However, the determination in Lusika’s stance was impressive.
It almost felt like we were preparing for a final showdown with the Demon Lord’s army.
“I’m starting to feel nervous too,” I said, scratching my head.
It had been three years since we left the village.
Yes, it’s been three years already.
They sent me off with smiles, saying I would save the world, but I wonder how they’ll react when I tell them I’m returning without having completed my task.
I hope they won’t be disappointed...
But, if it’s my father, maybe he’ll at least give me a punch on the shoulder.
After all, I’m coming back alone, leaving Rika behind. I’ll accept whatever comes.
“…Jin?”
“…Ah, sorry. I just started feeling a bit strange myself.”
“…Do not worry. Your accomplishments will be proof enough. Jin, you have indeed saved the world. You can walk through that door with your head held high.”
“Lusika…”
She is a Sage. Perhaps, she had foreseen everything and followed me here.
“Well, I can’t offer much of a reception, but come on in.”
With those words, I opened the door.
Inside the house, there were my father and mother, both looking a bit older since the last time I saw them.
When they noticed us, they quickly stood up with a start.
“Jin...? Is it really you...?”
“…Yeah, I’m home. Dad, Mom.”
“…Welcome back, Jin...!”
They greeted me with gentle voices, smiling warmly.
Seeing their faces, I realized my worry about not being accepted was completely unfounded.
I felt a rush of happiness and almost rushed into their arms, but I held myself back.
There were many things I wanted to say, but before that, there was someone I needed to introduce.
One of my companions who traveled with me to save the world.
“Dad, Mom, this is—”
“—Nice to meet you, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I am Lusika, engaged to Jin. I look forward to spending many happy years with you.”
“Eh?”
““Whaaaaaat!?””
My parents' including me shocked, cries echoed through the village, cutting off my words.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Ku ku ku... So, you two are the new generation of heroes.”
The one standing before me and Yūri is the Demon Lord, who has long thrown the world into chaos.
Indeed, the presence and oppressive aura emanating from this being is on a completely different level compared to the monsters we’ve fought before, making us brace for a hard battle.
No, to be more precise, we were bracing for it.
The thought of having my marriage—more precious to me than my own life—taken away by my comrades filled us with determination.
Because, after we defeat this one, even fiercer battles await.
“I am the Great Demon King, Kaiser Laryuel, who rules over all demons of this world! Ugh!?”
“Tch. Missed.”
“You… How dare you strike me when I wasn’t looking!?”
“We don’t have the time to waste on you. I’ll give you two choices. Die now, or die later.”
“Ku ku ku…! To think such killing intent comes from one so young…! But do you really believe that such threats will work on me!?”
As expected, the Demon King is on another level. The generals of the Demon King’s army we’ve fought before didn’t surrender, but none of them had ever laughed in response to my killing intent.
Then, as a Hero, I will fulfill my mission.
For the sake of my happy newlywed life with Jin.
“Come at me. I shall meet you with all my might!”
The Demon King in front of me looks rather pleased.
Does he still think he will win? Even though it’s his death that’s approaching now.
“O goddess of war, who smiles from the heavens, returns all evil before me to nothingness—<Sword of Judgement>!”
“Oh, goddess, grant mercy. Judgment. Execution. Bestow it upon this one—【Song of Soul’s Demise】!”
“I see nothing. I hear nothing. I feel nothing. Go, embrace your end like a helpless infant. Let the veil of eternal darkness fall upon you—【Phantasmal Void World】.”
The three of us unleashed our ultimate techniques in unison.
Our sacred light, granted by our blessings, clashed with the corrupted darkness of the Demon King, each trying to overtake the other in a fierce struggle.
…The Sword of Judgment’s power increases with the wielder’s emotions.
Though I normally have little fluctuation in my emotions, I’ve always kept them in check so I can unleash them at a critical moment, gaining explosive strength.
I love Jin. More than anyone else in the world. We promised to live a happy life together after marriage.
If I lose here, all of that will become nothing but a dream.
I can’t let that happen. No, I won’t. I won’t allow it...!!
“Wha-!? The power is increasing…!? ”
“…In the end, it’s the power of love that wins.”
The darkness was consumed by the light, and the entire area was enveloped in holy radiance.
“—Guaaahhhh!?”
For demons, holy light is a toxic substance that eats away at their bodies.
The demon king, consumed by the torrent of light from the attack Yūri and I unleashed, writhed in agony while screaming.
I cautiously approached and poked the Demon King’s body with my sword.
Each time, he jumped like a caterpillar, which I found a little amusing.
“Now then, Demon King. In this war between humanity and the demons, which side do you think was at fault?”
“Ku ku ku... Our actions as demons were justified—No, humanity’s victory is what this is…!?”
The Demon King was stunned by his own words, clamping his mouth shut with his hand.
Right now, he’s shocked by how his body is betraying his own will, reacting in a way he didn't intend.
That is the effect of the holy light bestowed upon us Heroes.
It seems our sacred light is steadily purifying his mind, just as it should.
“Then, from now on, you will serve humanity, correct?”
“Who would accept such a proposal—Alright. As a loser, I accept it… damn it!? What’s happening!? ”
The Demon King was deeply confused by the rapid changes happening to him.
His body no longer belonged to him. It was now in the hands of the goddesses who, from the heavens, were surely blessing us.
"However, it looks like there’s no problem. He’s properly being purified."
"Then, let’s hurry. Please guide us to the location."
"Got it. If you cast a body-strengthening spell, I’ll head there right away."
"Understood. Ah, goddess, grant us your blessings—Song of Celebration."
Yūri used the Saint's blessing to further amplify my strength.
After feeling the boost, I extended my hand.
"Hold on tight. The destination is definitely our hometown."
"Are you sure!?"
"Don’t underestimate my childhood intuition."
"I believe you! Let’s go!!"
Turning my back on the Demon King, who had lost consciousness, I crouched down as if gathering power.
Then, I pushed off the ground—soaring into the sky.
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