I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Reine leaned closer, her voice low as she whispered in Nero's ear.

"Don't let Claire's demeanor fool you. Deep down, she's grateful to you. Because of you, Princess Alice has been so happy lately. I'm grateful as well, Nero-sama."

Reine stepped back with a playful wink, her expression quickly shifting to one of somber reflection.

"You see, we've always known that Princess Alice was lonely in the castle. But bound by our duties, there was little we could do for her. The best we could manage was to bring her some storybooks or invite adventurers to share tales of their journeys."

As Alice's guardians and tutors, both Claire and Reine had always wished for her happiness. But as protectors, their primary duty was to ensure her safety above all else, leaving them torn.

Claire, in particular, harbored conflicted feelings.

She resented Nero for taking Alice out of the capital without permission. At the same time, she was grateful for the joy Nero had brought Alice over the past few days.

And perhaps, somewhere deep down, Claire felt a pang of jealousy. After all, it was Nero—not her—who had made Alice smile.

Reine turned her attention to Yunyun, who stood stiffly nearby, clearly overwhelmed.

"And you must be Yunyun? Nero-sama and Princess Alice's teammate? Don't worry, we've heard about you… No need to be nervous."

No need to be nervous?!

Yunyun's inner voice screamed. You're the princess's guardian and tutor!

"Exactly, Yunyun. Relax," Nero said, patting her on the shoulder with an air of nonchalance. Then, she added with a teasing grin, "Reine here might not even be as well-off as you."

"That's impossible…" Yunyun muttered, clearly doubting her.

Nero, however, seemed all too eager to elaborate.

"Umu! I'm completely serious! The other day, I saw Reine dining with a group at a high-end restaurant. Everyone else ordered a feast, but Reine only ordered a glass of water. And this shabby cloak of hers? It's not a style choice—it's the only decent thing she owns!"

"N-Nero-sama! Please, spare me some dignity!" Reine stammered, her face flushed.

Eventually, the moment for farewells arrived.

Just as Reine had used teleportation magic to bring Claire here, she would use it again to return Claire and Alice to the capital.

"Well… goodbye, Yunyun."

Standing between Claire and Reine, Alice offered Yunyun a final farewell.

"Make sure to visit the capital sometime. I'll take you around and show you the sights to repay you for showing me Axel."

"I… I will," Yunyun replied, her voice thick with emotion as tears shimmered in her eyes.

With the goodbyes exchanged, Reine raised her staff and began chanting.

A complex magic circle appeared beneath their feet, glowing brighter and brighter until, in a flash of light, the three disappeared.

Yunyun stood motionless, hands clasped tightly over her chest. She stared at the empty space where Alice and the others had vanished, her heart heavy.

"Umu! Alice is gone now, so let's head back," Nero said.

"…Okay."

Wait… what?

As they began walking, Nero seemed lost in thought, arms crossed casually behind her head.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't had breakfast yet. You probably haven't eaten either, right? Since you came straight here. Let's grab something at the guild, and we'll pick up today's quest after that."

Wait a minute…

Yunyun spun around, staring at Nero with wide eyes.

"Why… why didn't you go with Alice?"

Nero chuckled at her reaction, seemingly pleased.

"You're wondering why I didn't accompany Alice? Is that it?"

Yunyun nodded furiously, her curiosity and confusion written all over her face.

---

This decision had been made during a private conversation between Nero and Alice.

"I'm curious—what made you, who never wanted to leave my side, come to this decision?" Nero had asked.

"Because…" Alice had replied with a shy smile, "I think Yunyun needs your company more than I do."

Alice's expression was earnest.

"After spending these days together, I've realized how much Yunyun longs for a true friend. If both you and I leave, I'm afraid she'll be all alone."

"When I return to the capital, I'll still have Claire and Reine by my side. But who will Yunyun have?"

She had paused, lowering her head in thought, before speaking again. Her gaze, darting up to Nero's eyes, held a quiet determination.

"And… I admire you, Nero."

Gathering her courage, Alice had reached out and taken Nero's hand.

"I want to try to become someone like you."

Nero, with her radiant presence, had transformed Alice's once-monotonous life into something vibrant and full of color.

Alice wanted to bring that same change to others.

"But… if you stay by my side, I'll always end up relying on you. And if that happens, I'll never become someone like you."

"That's why… I want you to stay with Yunyun for now."

Taking a deep breath, Alice's face flushed as she clasped Nero's hand tighter.

"But only for now, okay? You'll always be my sister, Nero. That much, I'll never let anyone take from me."

Alice had smiled then, mirroring Nero's own confident expression.

"You said it yourself, didn't you? This is the perfect age to be a little selfish. So…" Her voice had softened, tinged with both embarrassment and resolve. "Will you allow me this selfishness?"

Her boldness had lasted only a moment before Alice reverted to her gentle, timid demeanor.

Nero, however, had smiled warmly.

"Umu! Granted!"

Raising her arm in triumph, Nero had declared, "As the Emperor of Rome and as Alice's sister, I grant you the right to be selfish! I'm proud of you, my dear Alice. You've grown so much—you've learned to make choices for yourself rather than simply accept them. It fills me with joy to see your growth!"

"Then, as you wish! Go forth and follow the path you believe in. I will send you off with blessings as radiant as roses."