Epilogue

The sky was falling dark, upon the white snow, orange and purple covered the surrounding forage.

"Take care, Rina-san."

"Take care."

Shyna-san and I gave each other a quick hug.

"And help me thank Nine-san for saving my life," she winked.

"Yes," I replied.

Shyna-san got off from me and went into the carriage which had all the luggage loaded.

"Rin-aneesan.." July-sama rolled his fists.

"It seems this is where we part, July-sama" I said, solemnly.

"This is the decision you decided on, correct?" April-sama asked.

"Yes. Please tell the Margrave of my disappearance."

It wasn't that I disappeared. However, that would be the most logical outcome which the Margrave seeks.

In tandem.. with one of late Vincent-san's wishes to remove April-sama from inheritance.. her safety.. was not guaranteed.

"You'll be visiting.. right?" July-sama forced those words out of his throat.

"I will," I didn't know.

July-sama ran up to me and pulled me into an embrace. His forehead touched mine, tears running down his face.

"I don't want you to leave.."

A soft plea.

"Sorry.. July-sama. This is for both you and me. My existence will bring more issues to the house. That's why.." leaving was the only option I could think of. To have to shoulder the burden of my safety.. it would only do more harm to you than good. Your effort might even prove futile, "I'm sorry," I whispered back.

"We'll meet again. Definitely. I'll make sure to do my best, I'll make sure you can come back.. so wait for me," he parted--

And kissed my forehead.

"Take care of April-sama."

"Yes."

"I hope to not see you ever again. Rinalanashina," April-sama was the first who got on the carriage.

"Be sure to write letters."

"I will."

The carriage left, I waved goodbye-- they soon melted into the town.

"Rina-san, let's go," Liliath-sama, who had been accompanying me, said.

"Yes," I picked up my luggage.

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"So? How is it?"

"It's delicious," I'm not bluffing. This cold cream dessert is one of a kind. I didn't know what this black coating was, but the flaky texture helped balance the creamy softness.

"It is possible to make ice cream with tea isn't it?" Liliath-sama asked.

"Matcha ice cream already exists. We ate that last time, remember?"

Liliath-sama stared at Noel-sama for a good 5 seconds.

"I knew you'd ask," Noel-sama pulled out from a mysterious space a green packaging with white mist

"Thank you."

"It's funny how Bleu didn't ask about it. Did no one think of this?"

Liliath-sama pulled it open and held the stick. The ice cream itself was rounded, pale green.

Liliath-sama took a bite.

Her eyes rolled about for a moment, she turned to me.

"Say ah~" a hand holding the stick, the other hand beneath to prevent spillage?

I bent over and took a small bite.

It was a flavor that I had never experienced before-- delicious!

"Noel-- your turn~"

"No way. There's no way I'm eating that."

Liliath-sama pouted..

"You're being unreasonable."

"You're the one being unreasonable," Noel-sama looked extremely troubled.

I took another bite of this ice cream 'sandwich' I had at hand.

The sweet creamy taste spread inside my mouth-- I recalled yesterday's encounter in that mysterious world..

"Be careful of the person I stand next to when we meet in the real world.."

It was the first time I've come to hold a conversation with a high elf. An incredible privilege. It almost made me kiss the dirt-- that's an exaggeration.

The grave tone in which she said that… I didn't understand.

She looked as if she knew me-- not that I knew about her.

My identity as a demon lord was questioned, to which I confessed.. something I normally wouldn't do. But the fact that this high elf was here meant that she had gained a level of trust with Noel-sama and Liliath-sama..

Was this for the best?

Leaving July-sama? Leaving my home? To abandon everything behind me?

I had come to accept this without prior preparations-- not that I really owned anything back in the maid's room at the Margrave's territory..

I thought I was free.

This delicacy-- and the wonderfully magical experiences that seem almost fantasy-like.

Yet I felt shackled.

This weight on my shoulders never really lifted.

It was the same-- only the difference was the environment.

The hope which I held so dear to me-- adhering to the words which my mom once said..

"Rin?"

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head-- wiped my tears.

Was I lost? Was this what I had been chasing? Why did it feel so empty? Was this the right choice? Where would my life go from hereon? Even though Noel-sama and Liliath-sama said they would take care of me.. in the end, I'm but a tool for their happiness, for their relief-- wasn't I?

Mom.. you said there was light at the end of the tunnel didn't you?

You were right.

But I just.. didn't think this light would feel so shallow.