The view of Lintpia from atop the statue was truly breathtaking.

Today had been more exhausting than usual, leaving him a bit drained, but standing here, all that fatigue seemed to vanish in an instant.

This might become addictive.

After all, dependence often arises when someone leans on something during their hardest times.

Still, it’s far healthier than alcohol or cigarettes, isn’t it? Especially since climbing all those stairs to get here is part of the process.

As much as he wanted to lie down right here and drift off to sleep, he knew he couldn’t do that.

"Raydan Tantan!"

Ah, there it was—the voice of the one responsible for that.

When the sun begins to set, only one person ever calls out to him like that.

It was her.

"You’re here," he said.

Quickly brushing away any trace of weariness, he turned with a smile. Or perhaps the smile came naturally on its own.

However, whatever expression he had tried to craft was soon overwhelmed by what happened next.

With a sudden woosh—

"Why didn’t you come back right away?!"

Her voice, slightly trembling and accusatory, didn’t match the way she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. She was trembling.

What could possibly have frightened her? There was no one in this world stronger than her.

"…You said today’s mission was dangerous," she murmured.

"It was," he admitted.

"Are you hurt?" she asked urgently.

"Just a little tired. I wouldn’t get hurt," he replied.

He spoke the truth. Yes, he couldn’t possibly be hurt.

Not after the power he had gained, thanks to her.

"The knights all looked so grim when they returned today, and when I didn’t see you among them, what was I supposed to think?!"

"Ha, I’m sorry."

Gently, he eased her away, looking at her with a faintly apologetic smile.

"Considering the blessings you’ve bestowed on me, wouldn’t it take every divine being in this world to bring me down?"

"…Do you even hear yourself?!"

Though he thought his words would reassure her, it seemed she wasn’t quite ready to calm down.

So, he smiled warmly and spoke again.

"…As much as you worry about me, I wanted to see you too, Oko."

"Ah… ugh…!"

Her feline-like eyes, shimmering blue in their depths, widened in surprise. Oko, the striking beauty with white hair, seemed momentarily taken aback by his words.

"Y-you can’t just call me by my name at a time like this! That’s cheating!"

"Ah, no! Stop! You’ll kill me, I’ll die!"

"Stop exaggerating! You said you can’t die because of my blessings!"

"Ahhh! Oko’s trying to kill me!"

Perhaps out of embarrassment, Oko suddenly began pummeling him with her fists. Each strike was so powerful that it felt like his skull might crack from the impact.

Yet he didn’t dodge.

After all, it was true that he had worried her.

Once she had calmed down, she looked at him with a slightly pouty expression, her eyes still glinting with frustration. He gently took her hand.

Oko’s body flinched in surprise, her face turning a faint shade of red as she stared at him.

"…?"

"Shall we head down now?" he asked.

"…Yeah."

As they descended the statue together, he wore a contented smile.

Today, Oko had shown him a side of her he had never seen before.

For someone who was always rational and cheerful, seeing her like this was certainly unusual.

Getting to know someone better truly was a delightful thing.

"Next time you go anywhere, at least let me know. I was so scared," she said, her lips jutting out in a slight pout.

"Okay. I’m sorry, Oko," he replied with an apologetic nod.

Once they were back on the ground, he glanced around at the people walking the streets of Lintpia.

A man, holding hands with a woman whose hair bloomed with flowers, laughing and enjoying a moment of happiness together.

An old man, his body made entirely of pristine white bones, engaged in a passionate debate over a book with another figure.

The streets of Lintpia, where humans and divine beings gathered together, forming a singular, harmonious scene.

Thank goodness.

Today, once again, he had been able to protect this precious view.

++++

 

After Oko had calmed down, she began chattering about her day and what had happened.

"I cooked something for you, but it’s probably all cold by now."

"What? Oko cooked for me? Who cares if it’s cold? Your food’s always delicious."

"You sure know how to sweet-talk, don’t you?"

Oko said that with a radiant smile.

Well, it wasn’t flattery—it was just the truth. But seeing her in such a good mood made me smile too.

As we turned into the alleyway leading to our home, someone stepped out of a restaurant and froze upon seeing me. It was the restaurant owner.

"…Raydan."

"Sir! Hello," I greeted him cheerfully.

But the owner didn’t respond. Instead, he slowly approached, looking at me as if he’d seen something miraculous. His hand reached out, brushing over my shoulder.

Ah, I see.

I couldn’t miss the concern behind that touch.

I gazed at him with slightly sorrowful eyes.

"Sir."

"…So, you’ve come back safely. Thank goodness… thank goodness."

It seemed the owner, like Oko, had been waiting anxiously for my return.

Maybe I really should have come straight back after the mission ended. Now I felt like some kind of criminal for making everyone worry.

Still, seeing his color gradually return and his frantic demeanor calm down, I decided he wouldn’t need as much reassurance as Oko had.

Sure enough, the owner soon smacked my arm playfully with a mischievous grin.

"Ow!"

"Don’t be such a baby. You think that hurts? Ah, forget it. I’m the idiot for letting my imagination run wild."

"Were you worried about me too, sir?"

"Of course I was, you idiot. Don’t you dare do that to people."

"Ha ha, I’m sorry."

His words were rough, but I knew they were meant in jest, so I laughed along with him.

"Have you eaten yet? If not, why don’t you stay for some beef pasta?"

"Sorry, sir. Oko said she cooked for me tonight…."

"That’s right, sir. Raydan’s having dinner with me today," Oko chimed in, looping her arm around mine with a triumphant look, as if showing off.

Ugh, that smug expression. If I were the owner, I’d have pinched her nose right then and there.

But instead of being annoyed, the owner just laughed heartily.

"Haha! Is that so? I’d better not take up the young lady’s time, then. Who knows what might happen to me if I did."

"Sir! Don’t say things like that! People might think I’m up to no good…."

"Of course not. What could you possibly do to me? I’m just saying… well, ahem."

"Wait! Don’t trail off like that, sir! Come on!"

Grinning mischievously, the owner retreated into the restaurant, leaving Oko fuming as she followed him inside.

"Ahh! You came all the way in here? This is serious!"

"Wow, to the very end, huh?"

"Looks like I’ll have to bribe my way out of this."

Hearing their lively exchange from outside filled me with warmth. Yes, this was the kind of time I cherished most.

Fame and titles? They were meaningless.

I became a knight because I wanted to protect people like this.

My body didn’t sustain injuries anymore.

The Empire was as secure as ever.

Was there ever a time more golden than this?

I was simply happy.

"Raydan!"

Oko came rushing out, holding something in her hands. It seemed the so-called "bribe" the owner mentioned was an excuse to prepare something for us.

"Did he give you more food?"

"Yep! It’s chicken soup—your favorite."

"Gasp."

I exaggerated my reaction, making Oko giggle as she puffed out her chest proudly. Her confidence was so endearing, I couldn’t help but smile.

"Let’s head back. I’m starving."

"Right!"

The place we hurried back to was a building designed like a cathedral, one of the more famous landmarks in Lintpia for its unique architecture.

Standing in front of the door was an old man—my grandfather.

Upon seeing Oko, he clasped his hands and bowed respectfully, raising his head with a kind smile.

"You’ve arrived."

"Grandfather, you know that makes Oko uncomfortable, right?" I said with a sigh.

Still smiling, my grandfather replied, "Sentient beings must adhere to their duties, and failing to do so is to lose sight of one’s purpose."

"…Well, I mean, you’re not wrong, but…."

"And so, have you been hurt in any way?"

I recalled how people often found it strange that my grandfather always prioritized Oko over his own grandson. To some, it might seem cold or unfeeling.

But that wasn’t true, and I could explain it with two reasons.

First, it was clear from the concern etched into his face when asking about my well-being that he did care deeply.

"Thanks to Oko, it’s practically impossible for me to get hurt," I said with a smile.

"…That is also true."

Seeing his relief only confirmed that his feelings hadn’t diminished—he had simply grown more composed over time.

And second—well, the more important reason:

With slow, deliberate movements, my grandfather made vague gestures in the air, as if drawing something, before clasping his hands and bowing slightly to Oko.

"…Thank you, Observer, for protecting my grandson from evil today."

…Because Oko was the deity of the religion my grandfather had founded.