The two sat on the steps, eating egg pancakes and watching people come and go on the street.
Sunlight shone on them, casting their shadows onto the stone slabs, where they overlapped.
"Certain Death."
"Um?"
I'm leaving.
He paused his Certain Death, then continued eating the egg pancake.
Where to?
"The great Tatsumaki in the Dolor Desert will occur in three months, and Ainz and I are preparing to explore it. In the meantime, I'll be traveling around the nearby countries."
"Oh."
She didn't ask if she could not go, nor did she say she would go with her.
He just kept his head down, staring at the egg pancake in his hand, and remained silent for a long time.
"Will you give it back?"
Her voice was so soft that it was almost carried away by the morning breeze.
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"Come back. The egg pancakes here are pretty good."
Certain Death's lips curled up slightly.
"Then come back quickly. Aunt Nazel is getting old and won't be able to continue for many more years."
"Good."
Higashino Makoto stood up and brushed the debris off his clothes.
"They're gone."
"Um."
Certain Death didn't get up or turn around; he just sat on the steps and continued eating his egg pancake.
Higashino Makoto took a few steps, then stopped and turned around.
"Certain Death."
"Um?"
"If you get tired of staying in the Slane Theocracy, you can come find me in Novas Aidi'er. Protecting humanity isn't just your job, and besides—"
"Perhaps in a few years, humanity will be able to thrive without your protection."
Certain Death was stunned for a moment.
"Novas Etier? What kind of place is that?"
My home.
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"Someone's waiting for me to go back to the place where we'll eat egg pancakes."
Certain Death stared at him for a long time.
Then she smiled.
That was the second time Higashino Makoto had seen her smile.
It's fainter and lighter than the first time, but more real.
"Good."
She said.
"If Aunt Nazel stops doing it, and humanity no longer needs me to protect them, then I will go."
Higashino Makoto nodded, turned around, and continued walking forward.
The sunlight shone on him, turning his long, silvery-white hair golden.
Certain Death sat on the steps, watching his back as he gradually disappeared into the crowd.
"Novas Etier..."
She murmured the name, then lowered her head and continued eating her pancake.
The pancake was still warm, and the icing sugar melted on the tip of my tongue, so sweet it made me want to cry.
She simply sat there, quietly finishing the last piece of egg pancake in the morning light of the Divine Capital.
Three days later, outside the Divine Capital city.
Higashino Makoto stood beside the carriage, his long, silvery-white hair fluttering in the morning breeze.
Kurumi stood behind him, her black twin tails falling to her shoulders, her right eye half-closed, and a half-smile playing on her lips.
The black cat "Zafkiel" perched on her shoulder, its tail swaying gently.
Ainz stood opposite him, his black full-body armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.
Narberal stood behind him, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze indifferent.
"Three months later, in the Dolor Desert."
"Ainz said."
"Three months later, in the Dolor Desert."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"See you there!"
"See you there!"
They both reached out and shook hands.
The cold bones touched the warm palm.
Then release them simultaneously.
Higashino Makoto turned around and jumped onto the carriage.
Kurumi lifted her skirt and followed.
"They're gone."
Higashino Makoto's voice came from inside the carriage.
The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly started moving.
The sound of wheels rolling over the gravel road echoed in the morning breeze.
Ainz stood there, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance until it vanished at the end of the road.
"Lord Ainz."
Narberal said softly.
"We should head back too."
"Um."
Ainz turned around and walked in another direction.
"Back to Nazarick."
"Yes."
Their figures gradually disappeared into the morning light.
The tolling of the bells in the Divine Capital echoed in the air, long and deep.
Three months later, in the Dolor Desert.
A giant Tatsumaki that occurs once every thirty years.
The World Item, "Sand Scepter".
And the center of the Tatsumaki, where no one has ever returned.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in the soft seat of the train car, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.
Kurumi sat opposite him, holding a book in her hands, her right eye half-closed.
The black cat, "Zafkiel," curled up on her lap, purring softly.
Kurumi.
"Exist."
Where do you think the door opened by the "Sand Scepter" leads?
Kurumi thought for a moment.
"Have no idea."
She said it honestly.
"But wherever it leads, I will accompany you, sir."
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at her.
Kurumi tilted her head, her right eye curving into a crescent moon, revealing a harmless smile.
"It's a maid's duty."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Haha, sorry, it's highly unlikely you'll be coming with me in three months. Your maid duties won't be fulfilled—"
Kurumi's smile froze instantly, and the hand that was stroking Zafkiel almost plucked a tuft of fur from her body.
"Sir, generally speaking, people who say such things at this time are disliked."
Higashino Makoto's eyes were fixed on Kurumi's beautiful and alluring face, staring at the single eye of the girl that was exposed.
"Will Kurumi hate me?"
Kurumi suppressed all her emotions, leaving only seriousness and solemnity, and spoke her unwavering words.
"No—no matter what happens, I will never hate Higashino."
Higashino Makoto patted his chest, looking like he was letting out a long sigh of relief.
"That's good. If Kurumi ever hates me, I might even cry."
"I would very much like to see that scene."
"It's a pity you won't see this. After all, Kurumi said she would never hate me no matter what, right?"
"Yes, that's a real shame."
Listening to Kurumi's slightly seductive voice, he closed his eyes and leaned against the girl's soft thighs.
The carriage continued on its way, the rhythmic sound of its wheels rolling over the road echoing through the carriage.
Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden dappled patterns of light into the carriage.
Three months.
It's neither long nor short.
But for Higashino Makoto, three months is enough time for him to do a lot of things.
For example, return to Novas Etier and prepare some "gifts".
For example, go to the Holy Kingdom and see how that girl, Calca, is doing.
For example, go to the Council State and see if the remaining Dragon Kings have any new moves.
For example, take a good rest.
A slight smile played at the corners of his lips.
"Three months..."
He uttered the word softly, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Hopefully it won't be too boring."
The carriage continued onward, toward Novas Etier, toward the appointment three months later, toward that gate whose destination no one knew.