(Final) Long Time No See & Welcome Back

Shortly after receiving Fitz's letter and the [Elixir of Immortality], news of Himmel and her companions defeating the Demon King reached them from the north.

At first, the people in the city were skeptical, and even the army guarding the city couldn't believe that the Demon King, who had been entangled with humans for so long, had been killed by the hero.

After all, the fear instilled in humanity by the Demon King Demon King's Army had lingered for centuries. Even after defeating several of the Seven Sages of Destruction in the latter half of the journey to Himmel, it only brought hope to the world.

No one expected that this team, which was initially unknown among the Hero Party, would actually defeat the Demon King and accomplish what even the [Hero of the South] couldn't do.

It wasn't until Serie herself announced the news to everyone that they finally accepted this incredible fact: the war was over! An era of peace had arrived!

Almost without any time difference, most countries within the human realm quickly received the news and immediately began to celebrate, deciding to hold a gala to commemorate this historic moment.

As the vanguard city of the North, [Äußerst] was no exception.

The news arrived in the morning, preparations for the celebration began at noon, and by the afternoon, most of the preparations were complete.

Smiles were on everyone's faces, a far cry from the sighs and groans that used to appear when the battle was at a standstill.

At night, the streets outside are brightly lit and colorful flags are waving.

Galan held Lia's hand and strolled around the street, lingering in front of almost every stall for a while. Sometimes it wasn't because they liked anything, but simply because they wanted to stand there together for a bit.

Galan walked for a long time without saying a word, only occasionally glancing at Lia was watching the fireworks in the sky.

Lia remained silent, simply staying quietly by Galan's side.

The two seemed to have reached a strange tacit understanding: if you didn't say it, neither of you would speak first.

Although it was just a guess, Galan knew he was unlikely to make it through the night, so he was unusually clingy all day.

He followed Lia everywhere she went, just like a baby who hadn't been weaned yet.

At first, Lia didn't see anything wrong, only thinking that Galan was happy about the news of the Demon King's defeat, but as time went on, she realized that something was amiss.

Galan seemed to be preparing several days' worth of boxed lunches for herself, and had also bought herself a lot of clothes and shoes that fit her well. She didn't say a word when she woke up in the morning, she just quietly looked at herself.

Throughout the entire day, she hadn't bullied herself or acted like a jerk, and all of this seemed to point to one thing. After walking past all the stalls on the street, Lia suddenly grabbed Galan's hand and pulled him into a side alley.

Galan showed no surprise whatsoever, simply letting the other man drag him inside.

Once they reached the deserted alley, Lia lowered her head and spoke first in a slightly low voice, "Are you... leaving?"

Her voice trembled slightly, tinged with reluctance and longing.

A man and a woman stood there in the dark and quiet alley, completely out of place with the lively atmosphere outside.

"--Yes, it's probably today. It seems I was right; the time has really come."

"But the Goddess has been incredibly generous, giving me so many years of support; it truly exceeds my expectations."

As if to prove his words, Galan's figure suddenly became ethereal, like a bubble.

He really wanted to tell a joke to ease the tension, but he didn't know what to say, so he stood in front of the girl, opened his arms, as if to embrace the whole world.

A hearty smile appeared on his face, which had long since faded.

In this final moment, let's give each other a hug.

In the past, when watching some melodramatic TV dramas, Galan couldn't understand why the male and female protagonists would always end up hugging each other for no reason, no matter what they encountered. But now he knows that hugging doesn't need a reason; the simple act of two people clinging to each other is enough to convey a lot of emotions.

"Don't forget me—next time we meet, hold me tight like this again—"

"Hmm... After his body disappeared, he didn't know how much time had passed, maybe only a few seconds, but in Galan's mind it felt like a lifetime had passed. Everything was pitch black in front of him, as if he had lived in a dream for many years."

The biggest difference between this and a dream is that he knows everything that is happening is real.

Even though it's a past I can never return to, thinking back on it still warms my heart.

"Galan? Why are you standing there in a daze? Did you discover something interesting?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind Galan's head, making him jump, as if he had been pulled back to his senses while he was lost in thought.

"Oh... it's Frieren..."

"Hmm? Are you... asleep?"

Seeing that Galan's reaction was a bit strange, Frieren also stepped forward with some doubt, placed her hand on Galan's forehead, and used [body examination magic] to see if he had been tainted by any Binds when he touched the stone tablet.

Although Galan knew that he hadn't reacted because he hadn't heard Frieren's voice for so long, he still didn't refuse her kindness. He just stood there blankly, letting her do as she pleased. After all, it was rare for Frieren to offer help like this.

"Hmm... they didn't find anything wrong. Could it be some kind of profound curse? Galan, if you die because of this, you must lend me your body for research..."

"Hey, hey, hey, I was just feeling grateful to you, can't you wish me well for once?"

It really is Frieren; she can completely reverse one's opinion of her in just one second.

Well, I can only say that this is definitely her style.

Galan smiled wistfully; it had been a long time since he'd had an exchange like this... But what concerned him most right now was still her. As he looked past Lia in front of him and fixed his gaze on the petite figure, he realized that she seemed to have been watching him for quite some time.

While he was talking to Frieren, Lia just stood there quietly, looking at him with an extremely complicated expression.

It was an indescribable feeling of worry?

Expect?

Or perhaps... a yearning?

He always felt a deep sense of guilt for everything that Lia had gone through alone during the more than forty years she had waited for him.

He hadn't understood before simply because he wasn't aware of it, but after experiencing so much, he finally understood the extent to which Lia had suppressed her feelings for him back in Rogley. Having the person you love right beside you, yet being unable to freely express your affection—that must be painful for anyone, right?

Galan, somewhat bewildered, pinched his nose a couple of times and slightly averted his gaze.

His unnatural movements were noticed by Lia, and it was as if it were a special signal, making her immediately understand his current situation.

In that instant, Lia felt that everything she had done and everything she had waited for had finally paid off, and the feelings buried deep in her heart burst forth completely.

Finally, I can say those words, those words I've wanted to say for a long time, but now, the words are on the tip of my tongue, yet I don't know how to say them. It's as if there are just too many things I want to say, and I don't know where to begin.

Lia forced a shy smile, like a girl next door inviting you over, waving at you from the doorway. At this moment, in this situation, Galan suddenly felt that there was no need to say all the things he had been holding back. They had plenty of time, a future ahead of them, to slowly and tenderly express their feelings.

But now he only has one sentence to say.

Long time no see, Lia.

Seeing the boy in front of her scratching the back of his head somewhat shyly, and smiling as he said those words to her, the awkwardness she had been holding back vanished. It was as if they truly understood each other; she instantly grasped his thoughts.

Yes, they now have enough time to slow down and truly feel the deep love they have for each other.

Why insist on expressing all the feelings I've kept buried until now?

Lia smiled again, but this time it was a natural and happy smile. She then ran over and hugged Galan tightly, almost knocking him to the ground.

Welcome back, Galan!

(Over)