Episode 40: Speak your heart before it's too late

Taro: (it's dark, and cold, where am I?, oh, I remember, I fought the Horde monster… and I died. I guess, despite all my training, I was still not enough. My adventure in another world didn’t turn out like I expected, I’m sorry Turt, Artoggio, I did exactly what you told me to prevent. I'm sorry to my family, I hope they know I lived a good life here and died like a hero… but dying like this sucks, I wanted to do so many things, I wish I had said my feelings out loud when I had the chance. I really wish I could tell the girls… how much I love them. I’m ashamed at how I’ve been a coward, just staying quiet and pretending I’m stoic)

The Girls ran towards Taro and fancy boy picked up Taro’s stick before walking furiously to the monster

Horde officer: you inferior scum always interrupts when I’m having fun. well, I guess that will just make the conquest more satisfying, bringing this whole primitive mess that you call civilization to its knees, what you all need is real civilization

fancy boy: do not speak with the voice of my target practice teacher!, I will tear you apart!!

Horde officer: oh, this voice? you knew that trash? you should have seen when I ate his head clean off, how his little legs kicked and his arms twirled. Perhaps you won’t miss him if I kill you with his powers

The battle started and their speed made it impossible to follow their moves. The girls felt their stomach sink, seeing Taro’s multiple injuries, the once serene, trustworthy Taro, now pale and covered in blood.

Sidra: the Healing Grace can steal anyone from the clutches of death, I won’t let you—-

memories of Shizuka unconscious and the secretary’s death invaded her mind, making her lose concentration and the Healing Grace flicker and fade

Sidra: not again, please goddess, anyone!, I can't do this, his wounds are too much, we need more healers, I don’t have enough mana, Taro, I’m sorry, I’m not a real priestess, I’m so sorry…

Nagye: don't give up! this time you’re not alone!

Nagye grabbed Sidra and Shizuka’s hand, and Shizuka grabbed Ari’s. Sidra felt instantly a surge of mana that wasn’t hers, her Healing Grace lightened up again, brighter than ever

Nagye: I felt so powerless before, I could not help anyone, that’s w-why I searched and studied the ancient mana transfer technique! you don't have to carry it all alone anymore, we’ll save Taro, together

Taro’s life flashed before his eyes, memories he had long forgotten, memories of inconsequential things, and memories he cherished from before and after being transported.

Taro: (no, I don't want to go! I want to go back, I want to apologize to Goro, to my parents, I want to tell the girls how I feel! I want to tell Ari how beautiful and cool she is, how cute she is when she gets flustered, I want to say “thank you” every time she calls me “brute”, how much I admire her strength. I want to tell Sidra how beautiful she is, how I had a crush on her ever since I saw her and I haven't gotten over it, how she can touch my butt whenever she wants. I want to tell Shizuka how I can’t and won’t forget her gorgeous self running naked, how grateful I am that she listened to me, how she makes me feel at home, how her giggles fill me with life. I want to tell Nagye how cute she is, how grateful I am to her for teaching me so many things, how she always makes my heart flutter, how she’s just like my favorite anime characters, she’s a real-life waifu!. They're all amazing, I wish I was a visual novel protagonist, I want to see all their routes, I want to marry them all, I want to live with them forever and have many children!)

as he expressed his wishes, the darkness was fading to an increasingly warm white, he heard something that he didn’t recognize at first, but then realized was his own voice, he was not just thinking but speaking out loud. he had woken up to a cloudy white sky and the relieved crying faces of all the girls after his wounds were completely healed

Taro: I want say them— all that, and more…

all The Girls: Taro!!

Meanwhile, the battle between fancy boy and the monster was nearing its end. They were both heavily injured, but fancy boy had the upper hand. Though his weapons were shattered, Taro’s stick not only resisted, but thrived in the battle. fancy boy’s immense mana supply made the stick grow sharp leaves and flowers, a swing of it would put hundreds of cuts in the monster’s tough armor, which was falling apart

Horde officer: how can an inferior being like you give me so much trouble? I won't give you the pleasure of killing me!

fancy boy: so you are fleeing now?!, come back! I give you my word that I will scour the whole world if I must just to end you!, I will avenge my best friend, my teacher, and my people!, your days are numbered monster!!

The monster quickly left the scene, leaving blood where he stumbled, fancy boy could not pursue due to his injuries. the guards and adventurers emerged from their cover and cheered on the prince for his heroic display

injured guard: the third prince!, he saved us!, glory to the third prince Artoggio Baltrez!!

Taro woke up the next day in the same infirmary as before. he felt dizzy and quickly knew why he also felt heavy, The Girls were all sleeping in his same bed, arranged however they could to all fit in there. They woke up as soon as they felt him moving

Ari: Taro!, how are you feeling?, you still look a little pale, are you ok?

Sidra: you probably lost too much blood; we’ll have to feed you well to get you back in shape

Nagye: T-Taro, I’m so glad you’re alive, I-I got a little scared when you fainted again

Shizuka: goo’mornin’ Taro, you—you really… we leave you alone for one moment and you almost die, we might need to keep you on a leash hehehe

Taro: sorrry, I uhh, goomornin, tank you, for save me, for everything… (I won’t hesitate anymore, I must let them know now, before it's too late!) Ari, Shizuka, Nagye, Sidra, I love you, I love you!

Ari: w-why do you have to repeat yourself?, we already know, you brute

Sidra: you were speaking mixing this and your language while we were healing you, talking about how you’d let me grab your butt and how you loved me at first sight

Shizuka: I don’t dislike the idea, but perhaps we should go slower on the thing about chi--child---- haaaa my heart is racing!

Nagye: I-I fell for you ever since I saw you doing my quests, I won’t second guess myself, I-I also want to marry you and-and have… children…

Ari: ahh! they said it first!, you guys are going too fast!.., I’ve been keeping these feelings to myself, but I won’t hide them anymore, take responsibility, you brute

Sidra: He did say he wanted to marry us all, I shall gladly oblige, ohoho

Nagye: y-yeah, I don't want to fight for love, even if we can’t have k-kids, I want to be with you guys forever, m-married I mean…

Ari: we already slept together and saw each other naked, it only makes sense

Shizuka: I like the idea, now I’ll be able to touch you all over hehehehe

eavesdropping students: my my how scandalous kyaaaaa!

the students ran away squealing, leaving The Team red and embarrassed, they could only laugh at themselves and their audacity

Ari: the rumors will be out of control

Nagye: l-let them, I will learn from my parents and b-be bold, you are all m-m-my spouses

fancy boy: Taro my friend! are you awake?!, oh!! you’re alive!, I must apologize immediately to you! I could not end the lowlife who harmed you… I may not be crying in frustration now, but I did all night, next time I see him, I will take his head and bring it to you. Also, I must thank you, your weapon proved to be ultimate, it was the only one that could keep up with me and the monster. without it, I too would have fallen

fancy boy gave Taro his stick back, it looked greener, and the leaves and flowers that sprouted had withered away

Taro: friend, Artoggio, tank you, you are good friend