Kuro no Maou - Chapter 413

Chapter 413

I worried over this a lot–whether to give this to her as a present .

After all, she is a princess . Even things I think of as ‘uwah?! so expensive?!’ is probably like ‘ara, is it that cheap? ufufu’ to Nell .

And I don’t even know the brands or what kind of designs she likes . Besides that, stuff which come in handy for an adventurer also doesn’t feel right to give as a present .

And so, I decided to have luck decide the value of the present for me . Although now that I am actually giving it to her, I feel my judgement has been bad .

The reason behind thinking that is, Nell just kept listening to my present explanation and didn’t say anything . Tears still didn’t stop flowing from her eyes .

“… . Sorry, I should have gotten something a bit more appropriate . Just a gem like this is a bit—”

“That’s not true!”

Just when I was about to withdraw my hands, Nell stopped me with both her hands . Her soft, white hands covered my wrist gently . And she also gripped really hard, as if to never let go .

“I… I am very happy… If it’s a present from Kurono-kun, anything is fine…”

The feelings are what matters when giving a present . Even such lip service sounded true when coming from a beautiful angelic girl while she holds your hand .

No, at the very least, Nell would have been happy no matter what I gave her . Even a cheap gem or a potion .

And so, hearing her say that made me feel that she understood how I felt .

“I am really grateful to you, Nell . Thank you for everything—”

I wish I could have expressed it with better words but at this point, such simple words were the only thing which came to mind . If I start revealing any more of my feelings, ‘reluctant to part’ would be the least of my worries . And I might not even be able to stop crying if I start once .

And so, I expressed my gratitude and had her accept my present . That’s good enough for a farewell with a friend .

“… . . No . ”

However, Nell kept holding my hand and didn’t let go . She should know that I am trying to leave .

“No… don’t… say that…”

“Sorry, Nell . I will be leaving now . ”

I gently softened Nell’s grip with my free left hand .

Nell just gazed at me doing it and didn’t resist . Just that the tears flowing from her eyes just kept increasing .

Just when I finished undoing her grip, she broke out in even more tears and didn’t stop .

“—no! I don’t want to part! I don’t want to part with Kurono-kun!”

However, once I let go of her hands, she came at me with her whole body .

Although I was surprised, I just quietly let her hug me . I can’t possibly push her aside now that she has become completely like a sobbing child .

“Nell… . ”

Having said that, I also don’t have the determination to hug her back .

It’s not like I feel resistance hugging a princess in front of everyone . It’s just that… I am scared I will not be able to let her go if I hug her once . Even though I was able to undo her tight grip, I am not so sure about her passionate hug . I don’t know . . I don’t have the confidence .

“Don’t go… Please, please… don’t go anywhere…”

Nell herself probably knows she is asking for the impossible . But even then, she probably can’t help saying it . Her losing control so much is also proof to how much she cares about me .

“Even I don’t want to be apart . I wanted to talk more . I also wanted you to teach me magic till the end . Now that I think about it, I have only been on the receiving end of favors . . and we didn’t even go have fun… I am sorry . ”

“It’s fine… It’s fine with me . . If I can just stay beside you, Kurono-kun…”

She raised her face which was buried in my chest and smiled .

Nell’s friendship is real . It’s exactly because she is so kind that she can be this pure without having love-related thoughts .

On the other hand, I am not sure if friendship is the only thing I have for her . No, I am undoubtedly feeling attracted to Nell . There’s no way I won’t be feeling it .

“I am sorry, Nell—”

And so, I finally hugged her back . I firmly embraced her weak body as she kept crying .

‘Ah’–Nell let out a small voice in surprise . I wonder what kind of a face she is making right now . I am curious but I can’t see .

Avoiding her big wings, I had my left hand go around her waist and my right gently on her head . She also can’t see my face but she probably can hear my loud heart .

Reluctance to part, love and a bit of lust made me hug her back . It seems my rationale or self-control isn’t that good .

But this is the end so it’s fine .

“–Thank you . Goodbye . ”

Cutting apart all lingering affection with those words, I let Nell go . I half forced her away by pushing her shoulders .

“Ah… ahhh… . wait, Kurono-kun… . ”

To escape Nell’s hands which extended for the third time, I nimbly got on Merry . Without looking at her, I just looked straight at the road I must cross .

Even then, her despair filled expression was burnt into my brain like a curse and attacked me incessantly .

“… . Let’s go . ”

I didn’t say it specifically to anyone . I just let myself hear it and ordered my horse to move forward .

With a loud neigh, Merry took a strong first step forward filled with dark red auro .

“–Go! Go and come back, Kurono! I shall pray for your continued luck in battles, Element Master!!”

Will finally raised his voice, erasing Nell’s crying voice . He probably did it on purpose . He probably knew how hard it would be for me to listen to her cry .

As gratitude to his consideration and with my feelings of ‘leave Spada to me’, I thrust my right hand in the air . I didn’t look back . I only need to proceed forward .

As if to signal that, once again, applauds and cheers broke out from the people around us . With raging waves of cheers pushing our back, we crossed the front gate .

I couldn’t hear Nell’s voice anymore .

“Hey, Kurono . ”

Lily called out, looking at me with beady eyes . She was in front of me, using my belly as the back of chair .

“It was good that you got to have a proper farewell with Nell, huh?”

She said with an affectionate smile .

Ah, am I being consoled now? – I thought, as a drop of water fell on Nell’s cheek .

“So, don’t cry . ”

Her small hands wiped my tears . I felt a bit ticklish as her soft fingers followed the tear on my face .

“Thanks, Lily . I am fine…”

Yeah, I am fine . With this, I am done with all the farewells . All the sad and painful farewells are done .

All that’s left is to fight–