Subsequently, thanks to the efforts of the Grand Sage Aglupus and other soldiers, the capital city of Larrichmond was successfully defended.
As the sun began to set, the Demon Lord's army began to retreat. However, it was not a complete defeat, and they would likely launch another offensive the next day.
"Nyau…"
"Are you awake!? Nyau."
"Yes. Um, where is this…?"
"This is a room in a hotel. It was prepared for Nyau by Grand Sage Aglupus. He said it's the best room."
"Is that so…? It certainly is a luxurious room when you mention it."
As a reward for contributing to the war, Nyau was given the most luxurious room in the country's finest hotel.
"So, what's the current situation of the war?"
After Nyau had fainted, I filled her in on what had happened. How we had managed to hold on, the retreat of the Demon Lord's army as night fell, and the likelihood of their return the next day.
"Tomorrow, there's a high possibility they'll invade with an even larger force than today. So tomorrow is likely to be the climax."
"I see…"
Nyau nodded and fell silent, appearing lost in thought, likely contemplating the war in her own way.
"For now, how about we eat? You must be hungry."
"You know, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit hungry."
After that, Nyau and I had the provided meal together.
"Have you regained some energy?"
After eating, I asked Nyau.
"Yes, I feel much better now. I think I can continue to fight tomorrow."
"I see. Just don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't."
After giving this response, Nyau suddenly leaned on my shoulder.
"Um, Kiska, you've predicted the future before, haven't you?"
"Oh, that thing. Yeah, I've done it once."
She's likely referring to my previous prediction about the betrayal of Holy Knight Canaria and Warrior Gorgano.
"Do you know if we can win this war, Kiska?"
"Well, even I can't know that for sure."
While saying that, I already knew it. Based on today's battle, it would be challenging for us to win. We managed to hold on today, but there was a high chance the town could fall tomorrow. And Nyau was probably the one who knew that better than anyone.
"Um… Kiska, there's something I've been curious about…"
"Oh, what is it?"
"Who is Agetha-san?"
Ah, that. I had been asking around, trying to find out if anyone knew Agetha. It was only natural for Nyau, who was sitting next to me, to be concerned about Agetha.
"Well, you see…"
Struggling for an answer, I finally spoke up.
Explaining Agetha to someone else was quite challenging.
"Agetha might be the last hope to save humanity. That's why I've been searching for her all this time, but I can't find her anywhere."
"I see…"
"Were you unsatisfied with that answer?"
Thinking that my response had been too vague, I asked.
"N-No, it's not that. I just thought that maybe Agetha-san was your girlfriend or something…"
"Haha, I don't have a girlfriend."
I chuckled and answered while finding it amusing that someone had misunderstood Agetha as my girlfriend. Oh, I remember now; it was Hero Eligion who had made that mistake.
"That's surprising. I mean, Kiska is so cool that I thought you might not just have a girlfriend but even be married…"
"What about you, Nyau?"
"M-Me? I couldn't possibly have a boyfriend."
"I see."
Huh? Somehow, when I heard that Nyau didn't have a boyfriend, I felt happy for some reason.
After that, both Nyau and I fell silent. We didn't say anything more. It was just a quiet time, and I couldn't help but think, "Why did the atmosphere turn out like this?"
"U-um…!"
Breaking the silence, it was Nyau who spoke up.
"Kiska! I have a favor to ask…"
As she said this, her cheeks seemed flushed, and her eyes were moist.
"Well, um… If, after this battle, w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w…"
"Hey, are you okay?"
I thought she had made a mysterious sound and then she froze. Her forehead was covered in sweat, and it seemed like she was extremely nervous.
I understood what Nyau was trying to say.
I already knew that Nyau had feelings for me, and when someone has feelings for someone else, there's usually only one thing they want to say.
So I had to say the rest.
"Hey, Nyau. Will you marry me?"
I intended to say it as calmly as possible, but inside, I was nervous to the point where my throat felt hot.
I could easily understand what Nyau was going to say; it was probably, "After the battle, will you marry me?" If Nyau had said that, I would unquestionably have replied with a "Yes."
So I decided to say it first.
After all, I liked Nyau. But more than that, I wanted to grant her wish as she headed into danger tomorrow.
"Ugh… ugh… Kiska, ahhhhh…"
Suddenly, Nyau began to cry out.
"Hey, don't cry."
"I'm sorry. But, but… th-that…"
"Calm down. I'm here, so take your time and let me hear your answer."
With those words, Nyau nodded resolutely.
And then…
"I love you. I love you more than anything in the world. So please, take care of me."
Seeing Nyau say this, my emotions for her exploded.
"I love you too!"
As I said that, I held her tightly.
The moment I held her, I noticed how light she was. Her body seemed so delicate, as if it might break easily. Even as I wrapped my arms around her, there was some room left.
I wanted to feel her body warmth with my entire being, so I held her even tighter.
"Kiska, it hurts."
Even when she said that, I couldn't loosen my grip on her.
I wished time could stop right now.
Tomorrow, I, and probably Nyau as well, would likely die. When I died, time would rewind again. If time rewound, our relationship would probably be reset. Or even if our relationship wasn't reset, we wouldn't be together.
After all, I was a person who came from a hundred years in the future. Eventually, I had to return to the world one hundred years from now.
"Why is Kiska crying…?"
"Um, well…"
It was only when she asked that I realized I was crying.
"I'm crying because I'm so happy."
I knew it wasn't entirely the truth, but it was the only answer I could give.
◆
I wake up. It's morning.
I look to the side, and Nyau is peacefully sleeping, softly snoring.
Instinctively, I reach out and touch Nyau's hair.
Her hair is incredibly silky.
"Ah… Kiska."
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
"No, I was thinking of getting up soon anyway."
Saying that, she begins to crawl out of bed.
"Nyaa!"
She screams and immediately retreats back into the bed.
"What's wrong?"
"Well… I, uh, forgot I was naked."
Oh right, we fell asleep like that last night.
"Embarrassed?"
"Well, yes, I am embarrassed."
"Even after what we did yesterday?"
"Ugh, don't remind me. I was really embarrassed."
While saying that, she blushes and curls up in the bed.
"You're cute."
"Hey, Kisuka! What are you doing all of a sudden? Aah!"
Even now, time is passing by.
Soon, the last battle me will begin.