Acknowledgement

"I'M BACK BITCHES!!!"

*Inhales deeply*

Its good to be back.

Standing atop the walls of the kingdom's capital with his arms spread wide, much to the annoyance of the magic knights guarding the city's entrance standing below, Grim loudly announced his return. But what could these average magic knights do? It was better to be annoyed than grab the attention of this noble defying lunatic.

"Pfft, pussies." He laughed not giving a damn if they could hear him or not.

"You shouldn't tease people weaker than you."

Sighing again and transforming into her human form, Secre stood next to him and tried her best to educate him once again.

"I'm not teasing though-" He said innocently as a smile slowly began spreading across his face.

Having dealt with him long enough, the only thought that came to Secre's head when she saw that smile was-

'Oh no!'

Not giving her a chance to react, he let gravity do its job. Falling backwards with his arms still spread wide, a thin layer of green surrounded his body as he landed in front of the two Blue Rose magic knights guarding the gate in a manner that could only be described as majestic.

Now then.

Raising his head slightly, he flashed Secre another innocent and mouthed the words "This is straight up bullying."

"GRIM DON-

*BANG!!*

Placing two fingers in front of the foreheads of the two magic knights, a surge of wind gathered on his fingertips as he compressed a large amount of wind magic and-

"Night night."

Released it all at once.

*BANG!!*

---

After checking on the two girls and making sure that they weren't suffering from any long term damage, Secre contacted the closest magic knights and flew after the disappearing Grim.

'I really need to find a way for him to focus all that energy into doing something productive.'

Locking onto his mana signature and following it as closely as possible, she was surprised to see him heading towards a small church.

---

""GRIM!!""

Seeing a small army of children rushing towards him with a look of both surprise and joy on their faces, Grim couldn't help but match their energy.

"Miss me?"

Seeing a familiar figure walking out from the church entrance, he flashed a smile in her direction.

"Finally here to repent."

"Nope, if God wants to judge me he has to come down here and do it to my face."

"As arrogant as ever." Although she was sighing, the relief on sister Theresa's face couldn't be hidden.

"I'm glad you're okay."

"Mmm."

After playing with the kids for a while and helping a bit with the reconstruction of the church, the two finally had a chance to sit down and talk.

"So that's what really happened~" Hearing the full story from Grim, Theresa couldn't help but feel like the world had suddenly become a lot bigger.

"And poor Asta, to think that the nobles would pin everything on him. I'll make sure to include him in my prayers tonight."

"Not sure if that'll do anything, but if that's what you want to do then I won't stop you."

"Grim... You've changed."

"I... Yeah, I guess I have."

It wasn't just his appearance that had changed, outside of looking a bit more handsome than before, his connection with nature's mana had been enhanced to the point that even without being in his elven form people could tell that there was something different about him.

"You can come out now Secre."

Hearing the familar beat of flapping wings, Grim called out to the newest member of the black bulls.

Gliding down from on high and transforming herself into her human self, the black haired Nero bowed to the nun in front of her.

"I didn't mean to intrude."

"Oh heavens no dear."

Getting out her seat, the woman pulled Secre into her embrace.

'WHAT?!'

Caught off guard by her sudden actions, for the Secre' who hadn't had any true human contact in centuries, her body could do nothing but stiffened at such an unfamiliar feeling.

"Thank you." Theresa started. "Thank you for watching over the children of this kingdom for these past 500 years."

"I...-

Hearing those words, a surge of emotions welled up in her heart as the memories of her lonely past began to surface.

For all those years, alone she flew, waiting for a day that was never promised. Without friend or family to stand beside her, she had abandoned her life, her happiness, her body, all for the sake of her duty.

Feeling the tears run down her face, for the first time in what felt like forever, she let out her emotions in an ugly displayed of tears, snot and quiet screams.

Although she never did it with the expectation of being recognized or even thanked, in this moment, right here and right now, someone had acknowledged her. It wasn't the wizard king, a magic knight, or even a royal, it was the thanks of an ordinary citizen.

As for Grim who was sipping on his tea and watching from the sidelines, he couldn't help but find the situation comical and over the top. But it was unknown whether it was out of respect or simple disinterest, he decided to stay quiet and let her have this moment.