Chapter 32

Epilogue As the day broke and the sky slowly turned brighter, various loose ends were being tied up around the city. The other holy warriors who’d split up to look for Sanctina elsewhere were found and arrested, the pitfall trap was filled in, and the citizens who came out upon hearing all the commotion were placated and sent on their way. “Well, things turned out unexpectedly fine,” Shinichi remarked as he sat where the stage used to be on the edges of town. He was surprisingly okay with how it all ended. The best outcome he’d been hoping for was to crush Sanctina’s spirit, but she was so enamored with Rino that they were actually able to make her an ally. On top of that, they started building an alliance with the Tigris Kingdom. It was an incredible achievement, like scoring two hundred points on a test with a max score of one hundred. “All thanks to your virtue, Rino.” “Virtue?” asked Rino with a quizzical expression. She didn’t seem to be aware of it herself. That purity is what makes you so charming, he thought, when Sieg walked over to them, after he’d finished tying up loose ends. “I have a proposition that would create a flourishing friendship.” “What is it?” asked Rino. Sieg courteously took a knee in front of her, his face more serious than they’d ever seen it. “Rinoladell Krolow Petrara, will you marry me?” “…Huh?” Rino wasn’t the only one surprised by the sudden earnest proposal. Sieg had even dropped his strange speech patterns. Everyone there was frozen in shock. “I, of course, can’t say that this proposal has no political motives, since the marriage between human and demon would serve as a bridge between species. More than that, though, I am simply a man who has fallen deeply in love with you.” “Uh, uh, huuuuuh?!” Finally understanding Sieg’s intentions, Rino panicked and glanced around at the others for help. “A marriage proposal from a young king. It’s like a fairy tale…” Arian hummed, excited as any girl would be in this situation. “If His Highness knew, this might actually lead to the collapse of the alliance…,” rumbled Celes with a concerned expression on her face. “How dare a man ask for my Rino’s hand in marriage…!” screeched Sanctina, glaring with hatred at Sieg. Finally— “Huff, ahh…” Rino took a deep breath and finally calmed down before looking in Sieg’s eyes and delivering her answer. “I’m very sorry.” “Mine heart is crushed!” he wailed at being rejected outright and collapsed to the ground in tears, returning to his old speech style. “Urgh, I have known, I have always known that idols and their fans did reside in separate worlds!” “All right, all right, shall we then return to the castle where you can explain to me where that missing gold is?” the minister asked, fed up with the young king in a hissy fit, as he pulled him to his feet. Shinichi watched them leave, then headed toward the city gates. “Right, let’s go home.” “Yep!” cheered Rino energetically with a nod as she chased after him. Arian, Celes, and Sanctina followed. “I’m not the one to talk, but are you sure you’re okay with this?” Arian asked Sanctina. “There’s no other place for a traitor of the Goddess to go. Please allow me to accompany you.” There was doubt in her mind as she answered Arian’s concerns with a smile. “Besides, my church is wherever my Saint Rino is.” “I would like to inform you in advance: I shall not permit you to abuse Lady Rino in any way,” warned Celes with an angry glare, but Sanctina’s smile didn’t fade. “I’m well aware. Until I’m cleansed of all sin, I’ll allow you to shave off my meat to feed her.” “No, that would be…” “When Rino consumes my body with her small mouth and I am digested, we will become one. It is the most wonderf—terrifying punishment, but I promise I will undergo it as required.” “…I forgive you for your sins. Please keep the cannibalism to yourself.” Even Celes was overwhelmed by the pervert with a few screws loose. I should have just let myself become a monster, then we wouldn’t have to deal with this… Shinichi sighed to himself, a little regretful. Next to him, Rino was staring up at him, lost in thought. The marriage between human and demon would serve as a bridge between species. Sieg had mentioned the political reasons, but they were a little too difficult for Rino to fully comprehend. She did think it would be wonderful for a human and demon to love each other, marry, and have children. There was this kind boy who’d been summoned for her own selfish reasons but worked hard without a single complaint, who’d made her yummy food, who’d shielded her with his own body, who’d degrade himself to keep her pure and safe. “Ah!” Rino suddenly let out a squeak of surprise at the heavy thumping in her chest—a little uncomfortable but not entirely unpleasant. “Rino, what’s wrong?” Shinichi asked as he looked at her with concern in his eyes, but Rino just shook her head, even though she could feel her cheeks turning bright red. “Nothing.” She stretched out her hand to take his. Shinichi squeezed her hand back, and the warmth from his large hand made her heart thump again like a beating drum. Rino didn’t understand what this feeling was as it filled her chest, but she did have one thought. “I want to eat lots and grow up.” She had a feeling she might understand it when she was at least as tall as his shoulders. “All right, I’ll make some more french fries when we get home, then,” he suggested with a smile as they walked, unaware of the emotions in her heart. A human and a demon walked side by side, holding hands—friends.