The night was still long, but the thought that Rita and Kika were still waiting for her and Durandal made the two decide to head back after just a short stroll through Nagazora City.
On the way back, when their destination was already in sight, Durandal suddenly let go of Ryn's arm and stopped in her tracks.
"Durandal, what's wrong?" Ryn stopped as well, turning to look at her.
"It's nothing."
Durandal shook her head and then took the ring off her finger.
Ryn was startled by her action and was about to ask if she didn't like it or if something was wrong, but Durandal was gazing at the "Azure Starry Sky" as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
Her fingers gently caressed the crystal-clear gemstone, as if touching a distant, unattainable dream. The surface of the gem was smooth as a mirror, cold yet mysterious. Its name—"Azure Starry Sky"—seemed to be its most beautiful description. Every time she saw the gem, an endless azure, starry sky would appear before her eyes, the sanctuary of her soul.
Quietly gazing at the gemstone, she could almost feel the tranquility and power it emanated. It was as if she were in the midst of a starry sky, feeling the infinity and eternity of the universe. In the light of this gem, she saw her own heart and the beauty of the world. The gem's light passed through her fingers, warming her skin and her soul.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, she solemnly put it away, placing it in her pocket. She patted her cheeks, setting aside the budding feelings of a young girl in love that she should have been feeling, and returned to her usual deadpan expression—a fusion of a general's coolness and a dork's aloofness.
"As much as I'd like this warmth between us to last forever... good times are always fleeting."
Durandal smiled at Ryn.
"Alright, break time is over. Next up, it's time for Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, Durandal, to return!"
"Yeah... Every time I see you so motivated, I can't help but get fired up myself!"
Ryn glanced around, looking to see if there were any Honkai Beasts left behind from Durandal and Kika's earlier cleanup, ready to go and give one a couple of slaps.
Durandal's ahoge swayed, directing her gaze toward Ryn. She tilted her head, looking at him quizzically as she asked, "Ryn, you don't seem very shocked. Aren't you going to ask me why I put the ring away?"
"I was a little worried at first, afraid you'd suddenly changed your mind or something. But then I thought, since the one taking off the ring is you, Durandal, you must have your reasons. I can even guess what they might be—that it might affect your combat, or that the Azure Starry Sky is too magnificent, and as a leader, you wearing it might create an atmosphere of extravagance in the organization."
"Hehe, I never thought I'd have such an image in your eyes, Ryn.
But unfortunately, you guessed wrong. The ring might affect my fighting, but we're not on a mission right now."
"Oh? Then what's the reason?"
"Before I answer that, Ryn, may I ask you something?"
"Of course. As long as it's something I know, I'll tell you."
"Then, let me guess, am I the first person you've given a ring to and proposed to?"
Ryn tilted his head and thought for a moment. Other than weaving a small grass ring for Kiana when he was homeless on the streets, it seemed he had never given a ring to anyone else...
At most, he had verbally told Mei and Kika that he would marry them in the future.
As for giving Durandal a ring and proposing... he could only say the atmosphere was just right, and he had fuzzy-headedly created a ring and proposed...
"I gave Kiana a wedding dress... but if we're talking about an engagement ring... you're the first one, Durandal!"
"It seems what Rita often says, about childhood friends losing to the one who descends from the heavens, has come true for me? There are benefits to descending from the heavens, hahaha. But... a wedding dress for Kiana?"
"Mhm... that was several years ago... Kiana has probably outgrown it by now. She was so small back then, and now she's grown into a graceful young lady."
Durandal's ahoge instantly stood on end. Her eyes began to narrow slightly, revealing a stiff smile.
Her small hand quietly snuck to Ryn's waist, pinching the soft flesh there before twisting it a good half-turn.
"So... you bastard, you had improper intentions for my little sister since she was a child! Kiana is so cute, how could you! Even I couldn't bear to!!"
"Ow, ow, ow! You're murdering your own husband!!!"
Why do girls instinctively know how to find a man's weak spot and pinch his waist without anyone ever teaching them?!!
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After thoroughly punishing Ryn and making him deeply aware of how wrong his lolicon behavior was.
Durandal rested her hands on the railing, gazing at the distant scenery. The gentle night breeze blew past, lifting her long, golden hair high into the air.
In the dark of night, under the moonlight, she was like a warm and beautiful sun.
Sweeping away the world's darkness, illuminating Ryn's heart.
She turned her head with a smile, looking at Ryn, who was clutching his waist and pretending to be in misery.
Then she raised her hand and pointed towards Rita and Kika in the distance, saying seriously:
"Actually, I didn't think about it that much at first. I didn't care about being the first to receive a ring or a proposal...
But on the way back, when I thought about meeting up with Rita and Kika soon, I couldn't help but think of that sharp-tongued, sarcastic, chubby Kika.
If she had received your proposal and ring, Ryn, she would definitely have shouted it from the rooftops for all of Schicksal to hear, and then she would have constantly flaunted it in front of me.
But Kika never has... so, I could guess that I was probably the first."
"I was the last to arrive, yet I received the most important promise in a girl's life... This isn't fair to me, or to them...
They will definitely be jealous, and I also feel that this affection is unjust...
So, until they have all received this promise from you, Ryn, please let me take this ring off.
I will always carry it with me, until the day everyone accepts me, and I can wear it openly and proudly."
"......"
Ryn walked over to Durandal's side, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her at the aircraft's railing, his hands also resting on it.
The gentle breeze blew past, tousling their hair and carrying Ryn's thoughts far away.
"Alright..."