Vol 5: Chapter 15: Date

The Holy Knight's Peaceful and Twisted Life

Date

On the day of their date, the two met at a park in the royal capital.

Aleph had already arrived two hours ago and was waiting for Chris to arrive.

(Even though she said common clothes, the only ones I had were those I brought from my home villages.)

He wasn't dressed like the usual brave hero in silver armor, but rather in a navy blue suit and black pants, a rather plain outfit. Wasn't there anything better? He could have bought it.

"Well, it's fine. If I just treat her like normal, I'm sure my relationship with Chris will deepen."

Aleph has always believed without a doubt that he has a good relationship with Chris.

He is fully determined to secure another promise of marriage on this date.

And then, at the appointed time, Chris showed up.

"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"

"I got here two hours ago, but Chris needn't worry about that."

"...Huh? I'm, I'm sorry..."

One word from Aleph, who doesn't know what it means to be considerate, changes the atmosphere.

From the very beginning, things were looking dark for the two of them.

The atmosphere is no longer that of a date.

"More importantly, that outfit suits you."

"T-Thank you."

Aleph must have noticed the strange atmosphere and tried to change the mood by complimenting Chris on her outfit. However, it wasn't just flattery, he was genuine.

Chris chose a light blue dress that exuded freshness.

Reno and Aria said that white would be better, but white would clash with the color of the habit she normally wears, which would increase the chances of people around her finding out that she is a saint, so she changed it to this.

She dressed in something she doesn't normally wear, which shows how desperately she is trying to avoid being noticed.

(The goal this time is to quickly end this farce of a date and cancel the promise of marriage.)

In stark contrast to Aleph, Chris wanted to get this farce over with as quickly as possible.

She was tired of weddings, dates, and other distracting events.

(It is my wish to be worshipped by the ignorant masses and to become a legend that will be passed down forever. Let's put an end to this now. Hero Aleph.)

Chris arrives to put an end to the pretend romance and immediately puts into motion her perfected lover move. She suddenly runs up to Aleph and throws herself into his arms.

"C-Chris? What's wrong all of a sudden?"

"It's a special date after all... so let's hurry up."

Chris said, looking up at Aleph with her eyes tilted up, sounding a little impatient.

What was Chris's plan that she had thought up overnight?

There's something strange about Chris today.

She clung to my arm and acted like she was being spoiled, something she normally wouldn't do.

"What's wrong, Aleph? Is there something on my face?"

"Well, I thought you seemed a bit proactive today."

It's not that I don't like being hugged. There's no way I wouldn't like being pampered by the woman I love.

However, Chris isn't usually the type to hug people on her own accord, so I'm just a little confused.

Even when it came to the promise of marriage, I was the one who originally pursued it, as Chris has always been passive when it comes to romance.

"...A date. I was actually looking forward to it."

"Huh? Is that so? I thought you weren't keen on it."

In fact, I thought she was in a panic when Aria suggested it.

"Well, that was... I was confused because of my position as a saint. The truth is, I just wanted to try being with Aleph just once. Something like this, like a normal lover's relationship."

I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed when Chris said that while blushing and looking down.

I couldn't stop feeling love for her, and before I knew it, I was stroking Chris's head as she held my arms.

"Ah, Aleph. That's embarrassing... I feel like a child."

"No, it's cute, Chris. Thank you for looking forward to it so much."

"...Today, I want to forget that I'm a saint."

"Then maybe I'll try forgetting about being a hero today. Just kidding."

"Aleph always has a sense of heroism...  hmm not really, right?"

Even the way she looked at me with those dirty eyes as she said that was endearing.

This time spent as a normal lover was already something irreplaceable to me. If this peaceful time continued, I felt like I could never go back to the way things were before.

"Oh, there's a shop over there! Why don't we go and check it out?"

"Haha, I can hear you without you having to shout like that. Let's go."

Chris pointed to a food stall, and the owner was recommending ice cream to passersby, saying, "It's cold and sweet! Ice cream is something you can eat." Chris was very interested in the ice cream, so I bought some for both of us.

There were quite a few different colors of ice cream available, so Chris chose white and I chose black.

"It's delicious! It has a strange texture. It melts the moment I put it in my mouth."

"Ah, this is delicious. I didn't know there was food like this in the royal capital."

Watching Chris eat it with a spoon, I too savor the unknown texture.

It was certainly delicious, but for me it was more fun to see Chris's reaction.

Seeing Chris acting excited like a girl her age, I couldn't help but smile.

I'm glad we went on the date because I got to see Chris like this.

"Um, can I have some of the black ice cream that Aleph is eating?"

"Hmm? If you want it, I'll give it to you."

"Is that okay? Thank you, Aleph!"

"Haha, you like it that much? I'll give it to you now."

"Ah, before that, I'll give the part I'm eating to Aleph first."

"No, I don't mind... but if you'll give it to me then I'll accept it."

If it meant seeing Chris's happy face, I wouldn't mind giving her something like ice cream.

She didn't need to offer her share, but I didn't want to turn down Chris's kindness, so I decided to obediently follow her orders.

But she did...

"Well then, please eat..."

Chris scooped up some white ice cream with a spoon and put it in front of my mouth.

"Chris, this is..."

"Hurry up and eat it! It'll melt..."

Looking at Chris's face as she holds it out, it's bright red.

If you're going to make that face, you shouldn't do it...

But I'm not stupid enough to miss such an opportunity.

I did as I was told and opened my mouth and ate the ice cream Chris offered me.

"Yeah, this one is more refreshing."

"...Then I'll take that one too."

Chris, looking embarrassed, quickly takes the container of black ice cream from my hand, takes a bite, and is delighted at how different the taste is. More than the ice cream itself, I'm more pleased with what Chris has done to me.

As we walked around eating, we chatted happily for a while.

Today I get to see many different sides of Chris: laughing, embarrassed, and a little angry.

"Hehe, somehow... it really seems like we're just a couple."

"Yes, that's true. I'm very happy to see you see me that way."

"I wish this happiness could last forever."

"Chris...?"

"No, nothing! I looked a little gloomy, right? Sorry."

Chris's expression suddenly became sad. When I called out to her worriedly, she shook her head and quickly laughed cheerfully, but she looked awfully lonely and fleeting. For that moment, I was overcome with a feeling of unease.

I feel like Chris is going to disappear.

"Everyone in the royal capital seems to be having fun."

"...That's true."

To be honest, I didn't see anyone other than Chris, so I can't answer that question.

I really don't care about the people of the royal capital.

As long as I have you, I don't care what happens to other people.

"For everyone's sake, as expected..."

"Chris, don't worry too much, okay?"

I called out to Chris, who was deep in thought, but she just smiled at me, took my hand, and started walking again. As we walked, I could no longer see the sad expression on her face.

After that, Chris and I had a great time touring various places in the royal capital.

The fun time passes quickly and soon it's already dusk.

Chris told me there was one last place she wanted to go, so I followed her.

The place she guided me to was a hill overlooking the royal capital.

There was no one around, just the two of us.

Lights were beginning to come on in the royal capital as seen from the hilltop.

I don't know, but some people probably think it's a beautiful sight.

"Today was a lot of fun."

"Yeah. It's been a while since I've had this much fun."

"Ufufu. It felt like I was back in the village."

"When we weren't a hero or a saint...?"

"Yes. Back then, when we had nothing, but could do anything..."

As Chris muttered this, her face took on the same sad expression as when I saw her a moment ago.

I have a really bad feeling about this.

"...After today's date, I've made up my mind once again."

"What...?"

"I want to live my life as a saint."

"Wh, what..."

"See the various places in the capital and the people who live there."

"Stop it."

"...Seeing the people laughing happily, I realized that I really wanted to protect them."

Chris clasped her hands behind her back and took a few steps.

Perhaps to avoid showing her face, she continued speaking while showing me only her back.

"So, .... that's why, Aleph."

Chris' voice was trembling as she spoke, and even without seeing her face, it was easy to imagine what kind of expression she was wearing. Ah, stop... Don't say any more...

"That's why I can't marry you..."

When Chris turned around, she was smiling sadly... but that smile was clearly a sign of tears. Was that the kind of resolve she had when she told me this?

Chris had probably already reached a conclusion.

For those people, she will continue to be a "Saint of Devotion."

So I couldn't defeat the "Saint" after all...?

Has the woman I love been taken away by the "Saint" and the common people...?

"Is that okay, Chris? Are you sure that's okay?!"

I couldn't stand it any longer and finally yelled.

But isn't that strange? Why go to such lengths to sacrifice yourself?

You should think about yourself a bit more. I just can't accept it.

"It's fine. I've already received enough."

Unfazed by my yelling, Chris declared with a smile.

What have you received? You only give...

"You didn't get anything..."

"I received fond memories of today... I received Aleph's love."

"…………"

"That's enough. I've received so many wonderful things."

"No way..."

"If I draw on Aleph's love and these memories, I can remain a saint forever."

The tears won't stop. I had no idea that Chris cared about me that much.

At the same time, I realized that I would never have her...

"Ugh... Ugh..."

"Don't cry. We may never be together, but... I will continue to love you for the rest of my life."

"Chris... Chris... ahhhh...!"

As I continued to cry, Chris came up to me.

I don't want to show anyone this pathetic crying scene.

"Aleph, starting tomorrow, we will return to being hero and saint. But, one last time... just one last time, let me tell you how I feel...?"

Saying this, Chris brought her face close to mine as I was crying.

--She put her lips on mine. It was the first time Chris had kissed me.

It was just a light kiss, like a light touch.

It felt like all of Chris's feelings were contained in it.

"Aleph, I love you. That won't change even if I return to being a saint."

Even though she confessed her love to me, I didn't feel happy at all.

I wanted it so much... but I didn't want to be told it like this.

Chris released her lips from mine and clung to my chest.

Then, burying her face in my chest, she finally muttered:

"I'm sorry I couldn't marry you."

.

.

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--I ... I!!!

The Demon King never appears, so I changed the chapter... sorry.