" The remarkable thing about life quite often is meeting people you feel you were destined to meet."
— Ray Bradbury
*****
|ROLAND|
My eyes could not comprehend what I was seeing as a blinding light enveloped her entirely, swallowing everything around her in its radiance. The very air trembled, and before I could even think, I stepped forward instinctively, reaching out to her. However, the moment I got close, a powerful force burst outward from the light and threw me back, forcing me to shield my eyes as I struggled to keep my footing.
"…What is happening…?"
The brilliance slowly subsided, and when my vision finally cleared, I saw her.
Her black hair had turned into a pristine white, flowing gently as if moved by an unseen force, and behind her was a pair of wings so pure and radiant that it felt as though they did not belong in this world. She hovered slightly above the ground, her presence overwhelming, yet strangely calming at the same time, as if standing before something sacred.
I could not move. I could not even steady my breath.
This was no longer just a girl.
"I am the seventh archangel of the High Heavens, Azrael… the Archangel of Death," she said as she slowly descended, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight that pressed against my chest.
My heart pounded violently as I lowered myself onto one knee without hesitation, bowing my head before her. Before such a being, there was only one proper response.
Reverence.
"Raise your head, Hero Roland, for I am a mortal as well right now," she said gently, her voice now softer, closer.
I slowly lifted my gaze. Her wings had disappeared, and her appearance had returned to what it was before, yet the presence she carried had not vanished completely.
"As you can see, I am Azrael, the Archangel of Death, but that does not matter for now. I am living as a human, so please treat me as you would any other," she continued with a faint smile.
"I understand… Azrael," I replied, catching myself before using honorifics again.
She seemed slightly relieved at that as we both returned to sit near the fire, the atmosphere no longer tense but filled with something unfamiliar.
"Why are you here in Midgard, Azrael?" I asked while adding a few twigs into the fire, watching the flames rise slightly.
"Brother Michael sent me here to learn about humans and understand them by becoming one myself," she answered as she hugged her legs, her gaze fixed on the fire. "To be honest, I still do not understand why he sent me here, but I trust that there is a reason for it."
I leaned back and looked up at the night sky, now filled with countless stars shining faintly like scattered gems.
"Maybe you are meant to discover something," I said quietly as I lay down on the grass.
She followed shortly after, lying beside me as she reached out toward the sky. "I believe so as well. I suppose it is my duty to find out what that is."
For a moment, silence settled between us, peaceful and undisturbed.
"Azrael," I spoke again, "what do you think happiness is?"
She remained quiet for a moment before answering. "I do not know. I do not understand what it feels like to be happy… nor what it feels like to be sad." She turned slightly to face me. "What is happiness to you?"
I took a deep breath and sat up, picking up a small stone and tossing it into the river. "Happiness… is finding your purpose in life through your own effort," I said, watching the ripples spread across the water.
Even as I spoke, I found myself questioning those words. Was that truly what happiness was, or was it simply something I convinced myself to believe?
"I see… and have you found your purpose?" she asked as she sat up as well, her eyes fixed on me as if trying to see through me.
"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "To protect the peace of the kingdom and its people, and to end this war between humans and demons."
I clenched my hand slightly as I continued. "This war is unnecessary. Both sides fight for superiority, yet all it brings is suffering. If it continues, it will only lead to destruction."
She watched me silently before speaking. "You are an interesting person."
I simply smiled faintly. "I just have something I want to protect."
I stood up and extended my hand toward her. "Come. I want to show you something."
She took my hand without hesitation, and I immediately began chanting.
"Oh glorious zephyr of thy south, carry thee with the wings of your winds and let me fly—Fouyu Suru."
Wind gathered beneath us as I lifted her into my arms, carrying her through the sky. She seemed slightly surprised, but this was the fastest way to reach our destination.
We flew across the night sky until we reached a cliff where a large Wisteria tree stood, its branches swaying gently as petals drifted through the air. Below us, the Kingdom of Enthopia glowed with countless lights, a peaceful sight untouched by the chaos of war.
I landed and set her down gently before sitting at the edge, looking at the kingdom below.
"This is what I have been fighting for all these years," I said quietly. "Seeing the people live peacefully… seeing them smile without fear… that is enough for me."
She sat beside me and handed me a small branch from the Wisteria tree. "You have a strong sense of justice… a kindness worthy of being called a hero," she said.
I felt something stir within me, a strange warmth I was not used to. Being acknowledged by someone like her felt… different.
"Do you know what the Wisteria tree symbolizes?" she asked.
I shook my head.
She stood and walked toward the tree, gently touching it. "It symbolizes success, peace, and honor," she said as she looked back at me. "You are like this tree… always seeking peace, yet standing with honor."
She walked back toward me, and before I could react, she gently placed her hand on my cheek. My breath caught as I stood still, unable to move.
"I do not understand what love is," she said softly, "but I believe I will find the answer."
My heart raced uncontrollably, yet it did not feel unpleasant.
"There is something about you… your kindness draws me," she continued, her expression calm yet sincere. "From now on… will you allow me to stay by your side, and protect me as well?"
Without hesitation, I knelt and took her hand, pressing my lips gently against it.
"I am at your service… Azrael."
*****
|AZRAEL|
After kissing my hand, Roland quickly stood and faced the Kingdom below. I instinctively held the part of my hand he kissed, my fingers resting lightly over it as a small smile formed on my lips. The warmth lingered longer than I expected, and for a brief moment, I simply remained there, quietly processing the unfamiliar sensation.
So this is the warmth and kindness of a human's heart. Though everything is happening faster than I anticipated, I cannot help but think that perhaps I will come to understand what it truly means to be human simply by staying by his side.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" I uttered as I gazed at the full moon before us, its gentle light illuminating the night.
I could feel his gaze shift toward me, yet I continued to look ahead, focusing on the sky. After a brief moment, I heard him take a deep breath before speaking.
"I can die happy."
I immediately turned to look at him, caught off guard by such a strange response. Yet he was simply looking at me with a genuine smile, as if what he said was completely natural. My heart began to race without warning, and for reasons I could not understand, I was the first to look away.
"It's getting late," he said as he sat beneath the Wisteria tree and leaned his back against it. "Let's rest here and return to the Kingdom in the morning." He then raised his hand slightly and muttered, "Storage," before pulling out a blanket and handing it to me.
I accepted it and wrapped it around my body. The cold of the night became more apparent now that I was paying attention to it, and this fragile human body was far more sensitive than I expected. However, as I looked at him, I realized he had nothing to shield himself from the cold.
A faint sense of guilt surfaced within me, so I moved closer and draped half of the blanket over him. "This is yours as well. I will share it," I said as I adjusted the cloth to cover both of us.
"It's an honor," he replied with a smile.
I remained silent for a moment as I observed him. Earlier, I was irritated by his words, yet now I could clearly see his nature. He is kind. He seeks peace, carries himself with honor, and treats others with respect. More than that, he has something he wishes to protect, a purpose he firmly believes in. Perhaps… staying with him is not a mistake.
Before I realized it, his head gently fell onto my shoulder. I glanced at him and saw that he was already asleep, his breathing calm and steady. This man… does he trust me enough to sleep beside me so easily? Or is he simply too exhausted to remain cautious?
I shook my head slightly, dismissing the thought. He must simply be tired.
The surroundings were quiet, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt that I could rest as well. Before doing so, I quietly activated my skill. "Status." A faint window appeared before me, confirming that my age was registered as seventeen, just as Brother Michael said, and my race… was listed as human.
So even the system acknowledges me as one of them.
I closed the window and slowly lay back, allowing my eyes to close. Perhaps… I can rest peacefully here, just for now.
***
When I opened my eyes again, morning had already arrived. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my body, only to feel a dull ache in my back. This body truly is inconvenient. Sleeping in that position has left me sore, and on top of that, the hunger has returned once more.
I looked around and soon found Roland returning from the forest, carrying two horned rabbits. I walked toward him as he approached.
"I caught these earlier," he said. "Let's eat before we head to the Kingdom." He then began preparing the rabbits with practiced movements, removing what was unnecessary and separating the meat from the fur.
I watched silently, observing each step. I felt a slight discomfort witnessing it, yet he explained that it was necessary, that such food is needed for the body to function properly. It is… logical.
Once he finished preparing the meat, he grilled it, and after some time, it was ready. We ate without hesitation, finishing everything quickly before taking a short rest.
After an hour had passed, he looked at me. "Are you ready?"
I nodded in response, and without hesitation, he carried me once again before chanting, "Fouyu Suru." The wind gathered around us as we rose into the sky.
Why must I be the one carried?! I am capable of flight as well, yet revealing my wings near the Kingdom would not be wise. I suppose… this is acceptable.
Even so, my heart would not calm down. It pounded rapidly, far louder than before, as if something within me was reacting to his presence. What is this feeling? I cannot understand it.
"Hold on tight!" he suddenly said as he increased his speed.
Startled, I instinctively wrapped my arms around him. This is humiliating. My heart raced even faster, and I could feel warmth rising to my face. This must be because of the sudden acceleration. Yes… that must be it.
Still… I will not let this pass so easily!
Perhaps later, I will remind this impudent mortal of his place.
*****
End of Chapter 2