We left the cave behind as the afternoon wind passed through the trees of the forest. The mission had ended quickly, exactly as I had imagined when I accepted that request at the guild. The merchants who used that road would be able to travel safely again, at least for the time being.
Scarlett walked silently beside me. There was no need to hurry back to the capital, and that peaceful path seemed like a good moment to clear my mind. I sheathed my sword and looked at the clear sky above the mountains in the distance.
After a few minutes, Scarlett broke the silence.
"You're still thinking about the war, aren't you?"
I looked at her and smiled faintly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"It is."
She answered without hesitation.
"Even during the fight against those goblins, at times you seemed distracted."
I took a deep breath before answering.
"I guess I can't help it."
We continued walking along the dirt road while the sound of birds filled the surroundings.
"The more I think about everything that has happened over the past few months, the more I realize the size of the responsibility I have."
Scarlett continued listening attentively.
"We've already faced demon generals."
"We've met new kingdoms."
"We've made alliances."
"And yet I still feel that all of this was merely preparation."
She nodded slightly.
"The Demon King hasn't made his true move yet."
"Exactly."
I ran a hand through my hair as I continued walking.
"That's what bothered me the most about that dream."
"He seemed calm."
"Confident."
"As if everything was happening exactly the way he wanted."
Scarlett remained silent for a few moments.
Then she spoke again.
"Are you afraid?"
It took me a few seconds to answer.
"I've never been afraid of fighting."
"But it would be a lie to say that I don't think about what might happen."
"If I fail..."
I looked at the road ahead of us.
"All the kingdoms will be in danger."
"The people we've met."
"The friends we've made."
"The women who stand by my side."
"No one will escape."
My voice came out lower than I had expected.
Scarlett stopped walking.
I looked back.
She was watching me with a serious expression.
"Takumi."
"For the first time since we met, I see you doubting yourself."
I slowly shook my head.
"I'm not doubting myself."
"I'm just trying to be realistic."
She stepped closer.
"Then let me be realistic too."
Her eyes remained fixed on mine.
"Do you remember the first mission we did together?"
I smiled faintly.
"How could I forget?"
"Back then, I could barely keep up with you."
She laughed.
"And now?"
"Still can't."
I ended up laughing with her.
She crossed her arms.
"That's not what I mean."
"Since that day, I've seen you face monsters that seemed impossible to defeat."
"I've seen you protect people you didn't even know."
"I've seen you risk your own life countless times."
"I've also seen you grow."
I continued listening without interrupting her.
"You never ran away."
"You never abandoned anyone."
"And you always found a solution."
She took a deep breath.
"So why have you decided, precisely now, to believe that you won't be capable?"
Her words made me reflect.
For a few seconds, I simply stood there looking at the horizon.
Maybe I really was carrying a heavier burden than I should have been.
"Because this time the enemy is different."
She answered immediately.
"Maybe."
"But you are different too."
I slightly furrowed my brow.
"The Takumi of today isn't the adventurer who started this journey."
"You've become stronger."
"More experienced."
"You have allies."
"You have people who believe in you."
She smiled.
"And most importantly..."
"You will never be alone."
Those last words continued echoing in my mind.
I looked at Scarlett.
She truly believed in me.
Without any doubt.
Without any hesitation.
That trust was sincere.
I let out a small laugh.
"What is it?"
"I think I needed to hear that."
She smiled with satisfaction.
"I figured."
We started walking again.
The mood had become much lighter.
As we continued along the road, we passed a small hill covered with wildflowers.
Scarlett slowed her pace.
"It's beautiful here."
I agreed.
"The wind is pleasant."
We climbed to the top of the hill.
From there, it was possible to see part of the road, some farms in the distance, and the silhouette of the capital.
We spent a few minutes simply observing the scenery.
Without saying anything.
Sometimes silence also said a lot.
Scarlett slowly approached me.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"When all of this is over..."
She looked at the horizon again.
"What do you intend to do?"
I thought for a few moments.
"I've never stopped to imagine it."
"Maybe travel."
"Maybe take care of the lands I received."
"Maybe finally live without having to think about battles."
She smiled.
"I like that idea."
"And you?"
Scarlett answered almost immediately.
"I'd like to stay by your side."
I looked at her.
Her expression was calm.
She didn't seem embarrassed.
She said it with absolute naturalness.
"Even without wars."
"Even without missions."
"Even if everything becomes peaceful."
I felt a pleasant warmth in my chest.
"I'm glad to hear that."
She smiled.
"Then don't lose to the Demon King."
"Because we still have a lot to live for."
I ended up laughing.
"Has that become an order now?"
"Definitely."
We slowly descended the hill.
Before returning to the main road, I gently took her hand.
She looked at me, surprised for only a moment.
Then she smiled.
I moved a little closer.
"I never properly thanked you for everything."
"For always believing in me."
Scarlett shook her head.
"You don't need to thank me."
"I'm just telling the truth."
Even so, I felt the need to show her how much those words had meant to me.
I leaned forward slightly and kissed her lips.
It was a calm kiss.
Without haste.
When we pulled away, she was slightly flushed.
"Now that's better."
She let out a small laugh.
"I think it was worth coming on this mission."
We continued walking until we finally reached the main road.
When the sun began to disappear on the horizon, the walls of the capital appeared before us once again.
We passed through the gates and headed directly to the Adventurers' Guild.
I handed the mission report to the receptionist.
She quickly checked the information.
"Everything completed?"
"Yes."
She registered the mission as completed and placed a small leather pouch on the counter.
"The reward is four thousand gold coins."
I took the pouch and opened it just to confirm the amount.
Then I took half of the coins and held them out to Scarlett.
"These are yours."
She tried to refuse.
"You don't have to."
"You did a good part of the work."
I smiled.
"It was a mission for two adventurers."
"So the reward will also be divided between two adventurers."
She eventually accepted.
"Thank you."
We left the guild with night already taking over the city.
As we walked back to the mansion, I felt that the simple outing had renewed part of my confidence.
The challenges remained enormous.
The Demon King still represented the greatest threat in the world.
But now I remembered something important.
I wasn't carrying that burden alone.
And that certainty made the path ahead feel much less lonely.