When Everything Is Not According To Plan

[𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗵𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺]

Julius was walking around the city. Beside him, was the Saintess, Seraphina. With them handholding together, they wandered the city while also helping the people along their way.

As they strolled around, more people began to notice them thanks to Julius' overly suspicious disguise.

Julius was wearing a brown wig, but his eyes remained the same. He was wearing a long trench coat, an eyeglasses and holding a cane, while Seraphina remained with her nun outfit.

—Should we tell them?

—Nah... It seems like they're both enjoying each other's company.

Whispered from the two middle-aged guys upon seeing the cute couple failing to act as normal citizen.

The waves had just hit the kingdom three days ago. However, unlike last time, every heroes came prepared and managed to repel the Boss without much casualties.

Julius had been training nonstop last month, feeling guilty after seeing some his comrades dying without being able to do anything.

Even till now, making Seraphina decide to personally visit him to take him out.

"Let's date."

Was what Seraphina said to him earlier, her voice sounding serious and without a tint of embarrassment. The knights felt awkward just by hearing what she said, so they decided to leave them alone.

After the Wave three days ago, most of the heroes had gone back to their respective territory. The elven heroes went to back to the Eleven Kingdom, the demon heroes teleported to back to their continent, while other heroes like Demi-human heroes and Julius' party had been stationed to stay in the city in case of something unexpected events.

Seraphina's face remained expressionless as Julius led her to a nearby food stall. He bought some snacks and ate it with her.

While chewing his barbeque, Julius glanced at her. He noticed her expression remaining unchanged and began to feel worried.

Ever since the incident back at the dungeon, where they found out that Saber was alive, Julius started to notice Seraphina acting strange. He figured that asking her the reason and the answer he got was a bit unexpected.

Seraphina had told him the truth about him being her little brother, and how they got separated from each other. She also told him about her feeling guilty about leaving him alone at the party, which led everything to go south.

"...What's going on with you lately?" Julius asked, abruptly stopping from swallowing his food and wait for her answer.

"It's nothing important," Seraphina responded emotionlessly.

You only say that when you're thinking about something important...

Julius thought to himself. Seraphina had only joined his party for a few months, but Julius felt that he had knew her for many years. He could easily understand some of her thoughts on a certain level, while Seraphina does too.

"I'm serious... It's nothing important."

Seraphina tilted her head and looked at him straight in the eyes. This made Julius to show a force smile on his face as he pondered to think if he had made her feel upset.

Ignoring him, Seraphina stared at her food silently as she recalled her conversation with her little brother back when she first joined his party.

...

..

.

"Saber..."

"Why did you want to be a hero?"

While Seraphina was sitting in front of a campfire, she glanced at SABER. He was preparing some sticks to fuel the fire before sitting down just in front of her.

"Hmm... Why do you ask?" SABER asked, slightly cocking his head to the side in confusion.

"It's nothing... I just want to know why you are always desperate to help people whenever you are given a chance?" Seraphina hugged her knees as she waited for his reply.

SABER thought for a bit before coming up with a short response, "Isn't that what heroes are supposed to do?" This made Seraphina feel awkward.

"Erm... Ahahaha... Well, yes, I suppose, you are correct." She averted her eyes to look at the flickering fire in front of her.

The two went silent for a moment before SABER decided to speak up.

"Miss Saintess, do you think that hero are meant to live until the end?"

"What? Of course! What's with at question anyway...?" Flustered by his sudden question, Seraphina raised her tone unbefitting for a Saintess.

"Ahahaha... It's nothing. I'm just thinking about something unnecessary."

"..."

The atmosphere between the two became tense as SABER felt a cold glare coming from the Saintess.

"What do you think make up a hero?"

"Goodness—"

"Perhaps? Yes, some heroes are good."

That's not what I'm trying to say... She wanted to say this out loud, but refrained herself from stopping him.

"But what if, the hero that had been chosen was born evil and commit evil? Will that person be considered as a hero? Perhaps, in title and power, yes."

"What are you trying to convey?"

SABER sighed deeply before continuing, "Everyone can become anything they want. It's just a matter of choice. To become good or bad is an option to some people. It's like how I chose to become a "good" hero because I want to show people that to strive for something requires sacrifice."

His lips raised into a strained smile, "In the end, you can never remain neutral forever."

"...."

Seraphina remained quiet and waited for him to continue. She felt strange emotions stirring up within her heart as her eyes became fixed to his.

"You know... I have a dream. A dream where everyone can become what they wished to be."

SABER's head began to raise.

"That's the meaning of the PARADISE I've chose."

"And for that, it's my DUTY to become their HERO."

For a moment, they stared at each other's eyes. Seraphina could see the determination flickering from his gaze, his smile were soft and gentle.

Before she could finally say something, SABER opened his mouth yet again and added something to say.

"It doesn't matter who 𝗜 became in the future nor how many times this world repeat..."

"I'm willing to bet my everything that the 𝗠𝗘 would still choose to become the hero that 𝗪𝗘 are supposed to be."

Even till now, Seraphina never understood those last words of his.

"𝗛𝗘 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲."

***

[𝗝𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆]

Amidst the crowds forming throughout the area of the plaza, Occiditis could be seen casually taking a stroll during her break.

She had just finished a mission and decided to walk around the city for some air.

Will this peace even last?

Occiditis hoped so. It has been awhile since her and her group managed to have fun and enjoy the peaceful life they're currently having.

If one were to ask her if she was happy, she is, without a doubt.

Although her face remained expressionless, Occiditis was enjoying the serene atmosphere of the peaceful city.

Soon, she reached the lively plaza. She looked around quietly as a girl walked past her.

Her attention were focused to the little girl throwing a coin on a fountain when all of the sudden, Occiditis felt a sudden chill behind her spine.

"I found you..."

Suddenly, the surroundings became blurry. Occiditis was confused at first, but quickly recognized the identity of the person behind voice.

"Do you think all of you can run away from me?"

Upon feeling a familiar presence behind her, Occiditis could only feel dread. Her heart started beating fast as her body froze in place, paralyzed in fear.

She tried to force herself to say something, but words remained stuck on her throat.

Wooosh~!

"I have already given you enough time to decide on what to choose. It's time to head back to me, child~"

The demoness chuckled, appearing behind Occiditis as she released a black fog around her. The people around them remained fixed to what they were doing, as if they can't see what was happening between the two.

"Even without the presence of my physical body, I can easily snap of my fingers to erase everyone here."

The demoness said as she gently caressed Occiditis cheeks, a sadistic grin forming on his face.

"D-Don't... please..."

Helpless, Occiditis begged. Her hands began to clench as her body tremble uncontrollably as memories of her past experience with her began to resurface her mind, causing her expression to falter.

The scene of THAT certain woman getting killed in front of her...

She couldn't do anything.

"Fine. I'll let this off the hook for now if you come back," The demoness pulled the tentacles back in her fog. This made Occiditis heart skip a beat as she slowly nodded her head weakly.

"I'm starting to get annoyed here by myself... I'll personally destroy the contracts between you and your current Contractor later to save myself from boredom." She said, heaving out an exasperated sigh.

Soon, the demoness took a few steps back, with the dark atmosphere around her slowly returning to normal.

Before she could fully disappear, the demoness decided to left Occiditis a parting word.

"You will never escape OUR contract."

=====

[A/N : Had to stay in the hospital for a few days.]