"Phew."

Even after a simple trip, the exhaustion I felt that would follow was indescribable.And now, after returning from toppling a country and sitting on the sofa, it was no wonder that the forgotten fatigue quickly flooded back into my body.

I was finally back in Norseweden after concluding everything. As I sat calmly, I surprisingly felt nostalgic.

However, sitting still with a limp body on the sofa didn’t relieve my fatigue.

"Heheh, I'll make some tea!"

Findenai hummed happily for some unknown reason while preparing tea.

"There is no need to prepare it."

I blearily declined because I didn’t want to get even more tired by drinking the tea she brewed.

"Didn’t you say I improved?"

It was what I said when parting ways with Findenai after drinking the tea with a potion in it.

"But I did not say it tasted good, Ai."

Thud.

Findenai's body stiffened for a brief moment.

With a clinking sound, she set down the teapot and slowly turned her head towards me.

Her face was tinged with a rare blush of embarrassment.

"D-don't call me that."

"Why not? You said to call you 'Ai' since Findenai is now dead, did you not?"

It still made me shudder when I thought about the havoc she wreaked at my lodgings that dawn.

"My axe... Where's my axe? I need to smash this Master Bastard's head."

"Go help Deia. She seems to be busy."

Having returned to the estate after a long time, there must be a lot for Deia, the lady of the house, to do.

"I-I get it, so don't call me that again if you don't want me to split your head open for real."

"Leave."

"Damn it, I'm a mutt if I ever drink again."

Findenai walked out of the room while muttering to herself. Watching her, I slowly rose from the sofa.

Although the sun was at its highest point in the sky, I still succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion and lay down on the bed.

It felt like the bed, which was gently embracing me, retained the scent of another Deus instead of mine.

"Whoooo."

How long of a nap would this be?

Upon reflection, I couldn’t recall ever taking a nap since arriving on this continent.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Originally, I thought I'd just briefly sleep and wake up, but when I opened my eyes, the room was already dim.

I tried to force my tired body up, but there was a weight pressing me down from above—I felt a touch from above my head.

[Are you awake?]

Stella's voice gently reached my ears like a lullaby. I realized she was supporting my head with her thigh.

Even though she had no physical form, she provided this sensation and warmth through mana. If she hadn’t been a Saintess, she would have been a formidable figure as a mage.

"…"

But more importantly, what should I say here?

If Findenai was doing this, I would have immediately scolded her to move away from me.

If the Dark Spiritualist did it... then I would also tell her to move away.

If it had been Aria or Eleanor, I would have immediately issued demerits and made them write a reflection essay, along with a stern lecture.

But Stella?

There were no particular words that came to mind. Thanks to her warmth, I could comfortably fall asleep, and the exhaustion in my body seemed to vanish.

However, I was confused whether I should take this positively or not.

"What time is it?"

That was why I diverted the topic elsewhere and slowly got up.

Similarly, Stella also stood up, responding with a playful smile.

[It is now 8 in the evening.]

"I see."

I slept for almost 8 hours.

Although I intended to nap for just an hour or two, I ended up falling into a deep sleep.

[They are preparing for a festival outside. Some people came here to ask you to join them earlier, but after seeing you asleep, they just left.]

"A festival?"

[Because the Lord of the land has returned.]

Was it a celebration for the return of the Verdi siblings? It seemed a bit too early, but judging by the noise coming through the window, they seemed to be having quite a lively time.

"Hmm?"

Since I was too tired before sleeping, only now did I realize I had laid down while still wearing my outer garments.

As I started to change my clothes, I caught an unusual scent.

It was sweet yet fragrant.

However, it wasn’t just one scent, but a combination of several.

After pondering about it for a moment, I finally asked Stella.

"Did anything happen while I was asleep?"

[No.]

It was a firm assertion.

However, oddly, that made me feel a subtle uneasiness.

"Tell me."

[It is a secret.]

Stella gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. Since I had no intention of backing down, I stared at her intently.

Then, horns suddenly sprouted from Stella's forehead as she shouted and removed her hands.

[What are you digging into this so noisily?]

"…"

[Just leave it and go!]

"Huff."

I had to acknowledge Stella's wisdom by making the Demon Lord handle this matter, so I turned my body.

***Let’s rewind a bit.

About 30 minutes after Deus fell asleep.

[Huh?]

[What’s this? He's sleeping?]

Stella and the Dark Spiritualist, who had been exploring Norseweden, looked down at the napping Deus.

The Dark Spiritualist, who had intended to boast about guiding Stella around Norseweden, looked disappointed for a moment before quietly lying down next to Deus.

The Dark Spiritualist looked like she was very accustomed to making such movements.

[…What are you doing, Senior?]

Surprised, she hurriedly got up..

[N-nothing! It's just become a habit. Haha!]

Seeing her awkwardly scratch the back of her head like that, it seemed that she often acted like this when Deus fell asleep.

[But, isn’t this the first time I've seen him take a nap?]

[…]

[He must have been really tired.]

[...]

[I'm sorry, but could you please not look at your senior like that?!]

Unable to withstand Stella's gaze, which was fixed on her, Dark Spiritualist swiftly turned her body around.

[Screw it! I'm leaving! I heard there will be a bonfire during the festival preparations earlier, so I'm going to watch that!]

[I will not tell him about this, Senior.]

[...Please, do me that favor.]

Then, the Dark Spiritualist swiftly went out through the window. Stella smiled at her actions. During their earlier tour, they had noticed preparations for a bonfire and the Dark Spiritualist had watched it attentively, which made Stella think she was quite a pure-hearted woman.

[Hmm.]

Stella awkwardly cleared her throat for no reason, glancing around discreetly. Even though she knew no one could see her, she was still unnecessarily wary of others.

At that moment, she lost control over her body and horns sprouted from her forehead.

[Ah! You’re so frustrating!]

Since Stella shared her emotions with her, Velica knew why she was conflicted right now.

She went straight to Deus' bedside and infused mana into her legs, placing his head on her lap, supporting his weight.

[If you just do it like this, it’s super easy, isn't it?]

Velica, who had just turned her lap into a pillow, scolded Stella for bothering about such things and handed back control of her body.

[...]

Stella returned.

As she looked down, she saw Deus' face sleeping soundly on her lap.

Stella silently cooled down her burning hot face, but her posture remained unchanged.

Creeeeakkk.

"Hey, can we talk for a moment...."

At that moment, the door opened and Stella turned her head around. It was Deus’ younger sister, Deia Verdi, coming in awkwardly.

"What’s this? He's asleep."

Upon seeing the sleeping Deus, there was a subtle change in Deia’s expression.

Until this moment, Stella had been sinking into a sense of shame for acting in a way that shouldn't be done, even though she knew she wasn't visible. However...

"Hm."

Deia slowly approached Deus.

She examined his face here and there before lightly poking his cheek with her finger.

[What if he wakes up...]

"He must be tired."

Deia, who had been poking Deus' cheek without realizing Stella was in front of her, suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

"Brother..."

Kim Shinwoo was inside that body.

The original Deus Verdi was no longer there, but it was now Kim Shinwoo's body.

She saw with her own eyes how the original Deus, after sacrificing himself, closed his eyes.

Ever since then, Deia had started feeling a strange sensation.

She had never wanted to see Deus Verdi again, thinking that he was a disgusting piece of garbage. However, he ultimately changed.

Seeing that, Deia had to admit to herself that even a scumbag like him was still her 'brother' in the end.

However, what was important was…

"Kim Shinwoo."

As Kim Shinwoo took on the role of her brother after Deus' death, Deia realized she was conflicted about her feelings towards this man.

After all, it wasn't the same emotions she felt towards Darius and Deus.

It was a bit different.

It was a bit more special.

"..."

Pressss.

She pushed his cheek deeper with her finger, feeling nervous for no reason. It was somewhat amusing, and she felt like she could become addicted to it.

"It’s softer than I thought."

Deia had been absentmindedly touching his cheek, but her time spent doing that quickly came to an end.

"Deia, are you here?"

Darius suddenly opened the door and entered. Startled, Deia flinched and withdrew her hand.

Then, she whispered while glaring at Darius.

"He's sleeping, so be quiet."

"Ah, I’m sorry. Findenai is looking for you outside."

"I thought the task I gave her wouldn’t end this quickly... But why are you the one delivering this message?"

"Ahem."

"Jeez, you’re the head of the household, so please act like it."

With a grumble, Deia led Darius out of the room. Stella didn't miss the regretful glance Deia gave to the sleeping Deus before closing the door.

[His younger sister seems to have a lot on her mind too.]

It was because she had come to see that Kim Shinwoo and Deus were separate individuals.

Then, after a short while, about two hours passed.

Stella remained in the same position while absentmindedly looking down at Deus.

There was a knock at the door.

When there was no answer, that person cautiously opened the door, and through the cracks appeared a woman with neat blonde hair; Erica Bright.

"Deus?"

Erica quietly entered, looked around, and then gasped when she saw Deus lying on the bed.

"So, he’s sleeping."

As Erica softly whispered, Stella watched her in silence.

From her perspective, Erica Bright, Deus' fiancée, was quite an intriguing person.

Erica approached Deus and gently smoothed his slightly disheveled hair.

"..."

Stella had also noticed that Erica's hazy eyes were filled with many thoughts.

It was the look of a lost lamb she had seen countless times during her lifetime, contemplating its path forward.

Seeing Erica about to break down while she gazed at Deus, Stella felt an impulsive urge to reach out to her.

However, contrary to what she thought, Erica lightly moved her hand, which had been smoothing Deus' hair.

Gulp.

The sound of swallowing softly echoed in the room.

Her white hand then touched Deus' forehead, slid past his eyes, and proceeded down his nose.

And finally, gently landed on his soft lips.

[...!]

Her middle and index fingers carefully touched Deus' lips, lingering there as if to leave her fingerprint.

Then, she slowly withdrew them.

"Ah."

Thud.

Erica pressed her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes; memories of the previous kiss resurfaced, causing a hot breath to escape her mouth.

"Sigh."

Her face flushed as if excited.

In those series of actions, there was an allure and charm that no one else among Deus’ companions could match.

When she slowly opened her eyes and came to her senses, Erica covered her flushed face and carefully left the room without making a sound.

Thud.

The door closed.

Stella, who had witnessed the entire scene, muttered in astonishment.

[T-that was something incredible.]