54. Elves Shoot Their Bows Sideways

The next moment, Yumino opened his eyes to find himself in his bed, surrounded by the four heroes he had been through thick and thin with.

"Rise and shine, Avenger of the Elves!" Gavin called, coincidentally hitting the nail on the head.

As Yumino looked around, he noticed people swarming at the windows of the house, trying to peek in at him. In their gaze there was no admiration nor disdain.

"I guess that's how heroes are looked at sometimes~" Velmira spoke.

"If only they truly understood what their lord was doing..." Averin added.

"Haha! We've already explained it to them. There's nothing more we can do!"

Helping the wounded elf up, Gavin asked him one thing.

"So? How is it?" he asked, waiting for Yumino's answer.

The elf sighed and answered.

"I don't know. I don't think I can call this one home anymore."

"Haha! So I guess you've answered them all then!" Gavin laughed.

"Not all," Yumino said, looking at Garron, who in turn gave him a confused look.

"There is one I don't have the heart to answer..."

Although Garron finally understood what Yumino meant, Averin was still confused, so she spoke out.

"What's that about? Well, that doesn't matter now. What's more important is that we get rid of all these new fans of yours!"

*****

Days passed since the final battle. The spirits let their avenger rest for a while, but it was about time for freedom to be given.

"So, I guess this is the last time..." said Yumino, facing the swarm of spirits who stood behind to thank him.

The one to come forth was, of course, Gauntmere. Seeing her clearly in his dream, the elf couldn't help but wonder who this lady representing the elves truly is, and why her serene beauty was carrying an air of morbidity even now that she was a free spirit.

"It would appear so, hero—no, avenger. What will you do from now on?"

Yet, the time to ask about her had long passed, and he doubted he would have gotten a clear answer regardless.

"Are you really asking me that?" the elf retorted.

"I doubt that the thing about having no home world to return to was a lie..." he said with irony.

"I'm afraid that one was the truth..." the witch answered with a face painted by sympathy, showing how she felt sorry for their actions now that everything had gone her way.

"I thought so... Well then, I guess I have to find a way to make it big here!"

Hearing Yumino's words, the spirits turned wide-eyed. The last thing they expected was for the elf to face the future with a bright smile—not after everything that had happened.

"Yumino, I'm glad to hear that, but are you truly prepared to accept this word for what it is?" Gauntmere asked, puzzled.

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" the elf asked, yet he already knew the answer.

"I mean, this is a world ruled by the apocalypse, and I would prefer to know you safe and sound living a modest life. To climb to the top, you would have to—"

"Lie? Hide the truth? Trick people?" Yumino interrupted the witch.

"Well... yes."

"And how is that a problem? I've had the best teacher for it," the elf said with a confident smile, looking at the one who taught him that righteousness is not the only quality a hero needs.

After taking a second to register the words that came out of Yumino's mouth, Gauntmere laughed. She laughed not because it was funny and not because she was proud. Looking into the elf's eyes, Gauntmere saw a grown elf. What she saw was completely different from the naïve archer who came to this world thinking it would be full of sunshine and rainbows.

"You've grown a lot, Yumino. I just can't praise you for the things you've learned."

In Yumino's eyes, there was yearning and determination, but there was also darkness. It was a darkness that many people in this world held. It was a darkness that showed a sin, but it also showed acceptance. What Yumino held in his eyes was the resolve to move forward, even if the price was to tip the scales with less righteous means.

"Just don't overdo it, okay?" Gauntmere asked of the elf.

"What are you saying? I still hate trickery! Just because I accept it doesn't mean I suddenly like it! But I admit, there is one thing I came to hate way more."

"And what may that be?"

"Revenge," Yumino said with a dead serious look—a look that made Gauntmere burst into laughter.

"Ahaha! Isn't it a bit ironic to have you say that after you yourself lit aflame the circle of revenge?"

"I didn't light it up. I burned it down so that it can burn no more."

Gauntmere couldn't find fault in Yumino's answer, so she nodded. It was a good answer. It was the answer she had hoped for.

"So," Yumino continued. "Shouldn't y'all be on your way?"

"Oh? Throwing us out already?" the witch asked, a flirtatious allure putting Yumino on his toes.

"I think there is still an answer I'm missing~. So, would you?"

The elf clicked his tongue. He hoped that he would be left off the hook, but the witch in front of him had a way to never let him slack off.

"Ah... I guess I would! We've been together for such a long time I've gotten used to you. I can't wait for my mind to be mine alone again, but I guess I wouldn't be mad were you to stay around... Too bad you have to go and all..."

Upon hearing his answer, Gauntmere nodded excitedly.

"Okay then! We hear you; you don't have to ask twice!" she said.

"Wait... what?"

As he was trying to understand the witch's words, something smacked Yumino from the back. That something was Erolith's palm. He came together with a handful of his spirit teachers.

"Yo! I hear you want us to stick around! You better treat us well!" he said with a big smile.

The moment it clicked for the elf, he started gesticulating, jumping, and making all kinds of excuses!

"No, no, no! You don't need to trouble yourselves! I can take care of myself just fine! You have an afterlife to go to. Please, don't stick around for my sake! Be avenged! Be free!"

Listening to Yumino's command, most of the spirits took flight, yet a handful of the most troublesome ones seemed to refuse to leave.

"You too! Come on! I've given you eternal peace!" Yumino screamed, looking right in the eyes of the witch wearing a mischievous smile. "

"What are you saying?" she asked with a little "hihi."

"This cute little witch still has many things you could help her with!"

As she spoke, she approached the elf, leaving him with the words that sealed a most unfortunate deal.

"Let's get along well, partner~"

As such, Yumino's plans to journey alone fell through with laughter and jokes.

The only one who wasn't laughing was the elf himself, who had just one more thing to add.

"You elves really do love doing things sideways..."