As I woke up the next day, I remembered how embarrassing what happened last night. 

Uwaaahh…

But that said, it was good that we have reached a conclusion for our problems and gain insight of each other’s feelings.

The next thing happened, today, is that I had a talk with everyone about what happened to me when I was away in the castle.

I told them about our whole adventure. Meeting Alstroe-nee and Cecille-san in Nanab Town and events that unravel there.

Our mistakes and tomfoolery that we end up traversing through the sea and ending up in the beast continent and meeting Higan and Izuna-san in the Fox Manor.

Participating in their festival and fighting with Begol and meeting with the Beast King, Folga.

Onwards there is how we meet master and our training and more adventures.

I describe the beautiful scenery that I witnessed in the demon continent. I also told them about Gria, Balrog, and Diyu.

And before I completely forgot, I also told them about the secret ruins that we found a waterfall and the diary that I got and showed it to master and Violetta-san in which they said…

“A ruins of the ether in the demon continent… I thought I destroyed every research lab that they have…”

“Violetta… you…”

“Don’t worry Mrothgir, I do not care myself on that issue anymore. More like, I regretted doing it. Stepping on their culture and knowledge, we could have used everything that they had for the sake of everyone, but me that time…”

“It’s all in the past Violetta. You’ve grown out of it. You are a better person now.”

“Thank you Mrothgir.”

“So, tonight, are we going to have a go--! AW!”

“Why the hell are you announcing it boldly?!”

I didn’t have to hear it too…

Anyway, I continued the story up to the demon capital.

And then… our fight with Nil…

How we suffered a crushing defeat from him and the Arcana Sins.

Then, towards on how I ended up in the state where they found me.

The nightmare I have gone through, the hallucinations that I kept hearing that time, the reason that I got blind, the frightening skill called Blooming Thorn and how I defeated the demon they called the previous demon king Baal and how I have fought with people that I haven’t seen.

Oddly enough, I feel fine for talking about it to them.

There’s one more thing that I happened…

In my dream…I don’t remember much. But I didn’t talk about it as it is something that only exists in my dream… I think…

They look at each other after I finish telling them the story of my adventure.

Violetta-san spoke up first.

“For now, let’s put the Blooming Thorn that you mentioned aside. The main point is that something absurd happened to you after we left, right? You are basically saying that you suffered from an illusion of Nil haunting you then you ate grass and quenched your thirst with rain. Then you ate magical beast meat because of too much hunger and yet, you still suffered from being attacked every day by devils and magical beasts. You slept on the cold ground as your body weakens from the effect of the poison and fatigue. On top of that, because you accidentally killed Baal, you alerted the whole demon continent and they treat you as a threat to them so they sent a subjugation party to eliminate you.”

“Yes.”

“And all of this is because of you melancholic state when Fon left you at that time?”

“Yes…”

“So Fon, do you have any say about this?”

Violetta-san proceeds to leer at him.

It’s kind of embarrassing now to call him the old way so I think I’ll settle with… Fon-nii.

He is looking down while gripping his palm.

“On top of everything she said is true… I don’t know what to think… she suffered so much because of what I did.”

“It can’t be helped… I am at fault…”

“What are you saying Asagao? You suffered and that… that scar… is a proof… that…”

“This scar is a proof of my mistake and stupidity and I am going to accept and faults that I have done and will take responsibility to it!”

“I see… you’ve certainly grown… But… this guy Nil…”

He bit his lip as his face is twisted with rage.

“Fon, calm down. This is not the place for you to throw a fit.”

“I know… but… if ever I meet that man… I’m going to erase him from existence.”

Violetta-san’s words were able to still him. Master is just observing in the corner. It seems he is on a bad term with Fon-nii.

After that, I found this to be the perfect timing to say it.

“Everyone, please listen.”

“What is it, Asagao?”

“I…”

I steel myself so the words will come out with strong impact.

“I am going to fight Nil. If possible, I want to defeat him myself. But in order to do that, I need to get stronger. I don’t want to be left out. I want to stand beside everyone. To fight and to protect people who are dear to me. I want to stop Nil at all cost. That’s why, I am going to struggle, use everything at disposal to become much stronger! Please, lend me your hands!”

I said everything with conviction and full resolve in my heart. I don’t want anyone experiencing the pain we have gone through in the hands of Nil.

“Of course, Even though your eyes right now had lost its sight, we can see how serious and determined you are.”

“That goes without saying my idiot disciple. We are going to have our vengeance against them!”

“Hahaha… as your failure of a big brother… I don’t have any reason to stop you. But know this, if ever I fought with that bastard, you may not have any chance of defeating him. Remember that.”

“Un.”

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With the confirmation that I gave, everyone was satisfied with the discussion that we had and left the room to let me rest. I sleep again because Violetta-san told me that I need more rest as my body still hasn’t replenished its full vigor.

.

.

.

Haaa…

Then again, I really can’t sleep.

There are too many things that I want to do like training and such. I wonder when I did become someone who thinks of training or maybe because of this desire to catch up to Nil.

Blooming Thorn…

Is it a blessing to me or a curse?

While I was thinking that, the door suddenly opens which only means someone enter that room.

“ASAGAO-SAMA!”

That voice…

“MILIN!!!”

“ASAGAO-SAMA! WELCOME BACK! LET ME HUG YOU! LET ME SMELL YOU! LET ME SNIFF YOU FROM HEAD TO TOE! LET ME FEEL YOUR SKIN!”

“WAH! STOP IT!”

Milin is glomping me in the bed and squirms and frolic! She keeps rubbing her face in my chest! Hey! You are still perverted!

“AH!! I MISS THIS! THIS SENSATION! THIS SOFTNESS! THIS FLUFFINESS! IT REVIVES ME! I CAN FEEL MY ENERGY RISING UP TO THE SKY!”

“YOU PERVERT! STOP PRESSING YOUR FACE AGAINST ME! IT KIND OF TICKLISH! HEY! ARE YOU LISTENING!? PERVERTED MAID!”

“AHHHN!~ YOU REALLY DID MATURE! EVEN YOUR HARASSMENT BECAME TOO VERBAL! AHHNN!~”

“M-Milin!”

Eh?

Its… wet… something wet is touching me… could it be…

Is she crying?

My heart suddenly felt calm and warm upon knowing Milin’s true emotion this time.

I have caused her to worry for me.

Her embrace, I didn’t do anything about it anymore. I just let her lean against my chest as she cry and sobs.

“I see… Milin… I’m back….”

“*sniff* yes…Asagao-sama…*sniff* welcome back! I’m glad…*sniff* you’re okay! I’m…*sob* really glad…”

“Milin, you really don’t have to cry so loudly like that…”

“But!...*sniff*… I…*sniff* there were times…*sniff* that I thought I would never see you again!”

“I’m really happy… that you care for me deeply… but… did you know that…”

“Nonsense!”

“!?”

“I don’t care *sniff* if Asagao-sama is previously a man or anything! Asagao-sama right now is Asagao-sama!“

“Ahaha.. it sounds like you only care for my appearance…”

“Partly! *sniff*… your attitude is a huge factor too! *sniff*”

“Oh…”

“You are naively cute! You do things that you really like but get embarrassed when someone sees you. You get secretly excited of new things you receive! You like playing spy at night which is really cute! You like--!”

“E-enough already… you are…making me embarrass right now…”

“Asagao-sama… I really… like you… you know…”

“Eh… M-Milin?! That’s…”

“I haven’t had any proper sleep since the day you were gone…”

“You… you suddenly said something absurd…”

“I will follow you Asagao-sama, whatever happens. I want to be with you… as long as I live…”

“W-wait… hey…”

“Asagao-sama… just this once… please… let me… sleep with you here…”

“Hey! A-are you going to sleep here?!”

“Asagao-sama…I’m… sorry… I… failed… to protect you… forgive me…”

Milin…

I also missed you, you know. I really hoped back then for your safety. I strongly prayed for you to be safe.

How I missed your stupid acts and antics. I missed your overly energetic attitude. You were beside me all the time too excluding the time you were ban to get close to me because you are a repeat offender.

But… you are one of the people I care so much that I can readily accept you being a pervert. Not that I am willing to be molested by you or by anyone.

Also… you seem to have gone through a lot too…

I should be the one apologizing for making you experience the agony and worried over me.

I don’t deserve any of your kindness because I have been tricking everyone. But now, I will have to live up to it. Your loyalty and kindness to me, I will have to do my best so I will deserve it.

I embrace Milin who fall asleep in my chest.

“No… Milin… you don’t have anything to apologize… I am that one… who should be sorry… for keeping a big secret… but it turns out that… you really don’t care…”

“Zzz….”

“Hehe… I still remember this fluffy short hair of you even though I can’t see as long as I can feel it up… you… you’re cute too, to be honest… as long as you don’t show your perverted side…”

“Zzz…”

“!”

She!

She’s slipping down!

Hey!

She is slipping down between my legs!

HEY! STOP!

She completely slid down there pulling down my pajama too!

I can’t see anything since I am blind but I know from an outside perspective, this would really look obscene!

Ah!

D-don’t breathe in there!

Ah!

It tickles! Hey!

I try to push her head aside when suddenly.

KNOCK

KNOCK

KNOCK

“Asagao-sama! Are you awake? One of your friends is here!”

“Ah!”

It was Violetta-san who called out!

But I let out a loud voice which sounds like a confirmation!

W-wait! A friend?!

“We’re coming in.”

CREAK

The door opens.

“Asagao-sama! Your friend Higanba-na-…is…---here….”

“Eh? W-wait!”

Higan of all people?!

I can already imagine her eyes losing its light and her magic power rising.

Yeah…

Wordlessly… her magic power rises…

This is a misunderstanding!