I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

It was late at night.

Heavy clouds blanketed the sky, obscuring both the moon and stars.

Long lashes fluttered as Yunyun struggled to open her eyes, her drowsiness making every movement feel like a monumental effort.

She fumbled in the dark to visit the bathroom, returning with a visibly lighter expression.

She intended to return to her room and pick up where her dream had left off. However, as she passed by a certain door, she stopped.

"…This is Nero's and Alice's room, isn't it?"

The fact that Alice and Nero shared a room didn't particularly bother Yunyun.

Though they'd earned enough from their quests to afford separate accommodations, there was likely a good reason they hadn't. Yunyun wasn't one to comment unnecessarily on others' choices.

Besides, Nero and Alice had never minded Yunyun joining them in their room; Alice would often invite her in for a game of chess. Yunyun never felt excluded from their little circle.

"It's so late… Are Nero and Alice still awake?"

Faint voices emanated from within. In the dark and silent hallway, Yunyun could even hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

Curiosity anchored her gaze on the old door. Her heart raced, clouding her thoughts one moment and sharpening them the next.

Should I lean closer to listen?

"But… that's wrong, isn't it?"

Yunyun shook her head, attempting to quell the temptation that had crept into her mind.

"Besides… it's so late. Nero and Alice are probably discussing something important…"

No, I can't. That would be a horrible thing to do.

At times like this, she should pretend nothing had happened. She should walk away quietly, leave no trace, and slip back into bed to sleep soundly until morning.

Yes, that's what the books said: to maintain a relationship, one must learn when to feign ignorance…

"Have you said your goodbyes properly?"

That voice—it was Nero's.

Confident, authoritative, and reassuring, it carried the weight of someone who could handle anything.

"Um… not yet. I don't know what to say."

This softer, hesitant voice belonged to Alice, its gentle tones reminiscent of a songbird's trill.

"Tomorrow, Claire will come to pick you up. You need to say your goodbyes before then. Tonight's banquet was thrown especially for you—it has the feeling of a farewell party… more or less?"

"I know, Nero. Everything you've done… it's all been for me."

"Not really. Don't forget—I'm a tyrant. Everything I do is for my own pleasure. Hahaha!"

Classic Nero.

"…Goodbyes."

Yunyun's chest tightened as if something were clutching at her heart.

Tomorrow… Nero and Alice would be leaving?

She had always known this day would come. Yet…

If I hadn't overheard this, maybe it wouldn't hurt as much.

"Tomorrow… Claire and Reine will be here?"

Yunyun didn't know who Claire and Reine were, but they were probably Alice's retainers or attendants.

"There's no hiding it anymore. Claire's never stopped searching for me, and after I defeated the Demon King's general, there's no way to keep this a secret—even with Darkness helping to cover for us."

"Nero, when you see Claire tomorrow, promise me you won't get into a fight with her."

"You should save that advice for Claire. From what I've heard, that spirited knight has been harboring a grudge against me, eager to put an end to my life. Still, to have such a beautiful girl keep me in her thoughts all this time… it's not the worst thing. Say, Alice, want to place a bet? Will Claire draw her sword the moment she sees me tomorrow?"

"She… probably won't, right?" Alice replied uncertainly. "After all, you're the hero who defeated a Demon King's general. Surely even Claire wouldn't go that far… right?"

"That's because you don't realize how highly she regards you."

What? Wasn't Nero Alice's sister?

Logically, Nero should outrank Alice. Why would one of Alice's retainers hold such animosity toward her?

It must be an exaggeration… right?

Yunyun decided she simply didn't understand the intricacies of noble relationships.

At no point did she doubt that Nero and Alice were sisters.

With a heavy heart, Yunyun returned to her room. As soon as she lay on her bed, she buried her face into her pillow.

Goodbyes were inevitable, and the most precious moments always seemed to pass the quickest.

Her time as a teammate of Nero and Alice had been unforgettable.

If only there were a spell to turn back time… Yunyun thought wistfully.

If only this were just a dream… and I could wake up to find that their departure was still far away.

"Why… why did I have to hear this? Now there's no way I can just go back to sleep…"

Her muffled muttering seeped through the pillow, the sound subdued but tinged with frustration.

Every time she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but replay their conversation in her mind, reflecting on the irreplaceable memories she had made with them. Her restless thoughts kept her wide awake, her mind racing instead of settling.

"I… I don't want to think about this…"

She felt something warm and damp against the pillow—tears she hadn't realized she was shedding.

Anxious and restless, Yunyun was plagued by the sound of her heartbeat, which seemed deafening in the quiet night.

As time dragged on, the turmoil within her only grew.

Clutching her pillow tightly, her fingers dug into it as if to tear it apart.

Yunyun had believed she could face this farewell calmly.

But now she realized—she had overestimated herself. Massively.

Her mind wandered… Could they avoid parting ways?

Could Nero and Alice stay in Axel? That seemed unlikely. Alice's family clearly wouldn't allow such a thing.

Then, could she go with them? Yunyun had stayed in Axel because of Megumin, but Megumin now had teammates who cared for her. Perhaps Yunyun could leave with Nero and Alice instead.

But there was another issue… Alice was a noble. From their time together, Yunyun had realized Alice wasn't just any noble—she was someone of considerable importance.

Even if Alice wanted Yunyun to come along, would Alice's family accept her?

Would they allow a mere commoner to remain close to Alice?

After all, Yunyun was just an adventurer—a rookie, at that.

She'd only recently learned advanced magic, and even then, it was thanks to Nero and Alice's guidance.

She cherished Alice as a close friend.

But now, confronted by Alice's noble status, Yunyun couldn't ignore the creeping sense of inadequacy.

Dark emotions swirled within her, spreading outward from her chest and leaving her short of breath.

Sweat dampened her palms as she gripped the pillow tightly.

"What… should I do?"