A Brighter Future (Kuroinu) - Volume 1 Chapter 29: Let's Work Harder

“That’s the situation.”

In the church of the goddess Leliantia, when Rhodes came back to see Celestine, he also shared some of his situations with her. Upon hearing about the upcoming war with the dark elves and Rhodes being assigned to the battlefield, Celestine’s face turned somewhat pale.

Whether it’s the war or Rhodes going to the battlefield, these are things she doesn’t want to see or accept, especially the latter.

“This– This situation has completely exceeded what was originally said, right? Although I mentioned using achievements as a reason to delay the engagement, I never thought it would come to this. Now, you’re really going to the battlefield. I absolutely cannot accept it, Rhodes, you must not go!”

Celestine held Rhodes’s trembling hand, clearly distressed and flustered by the situation.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have done those things before. If it weren’t for me, the situation might not have turned out like this. You wouldn’t have said more about the engagement, and you wouldn’t have to go to the battlefield again. Lady Goddess brought you to this world to live a happy life, but I–”

“Alright, Celestine! Calm down! This is not your fault!”

Rhodes looked at Celestine’s increasingly self-blaming and sorrowful expression, tears appearing in his eyes. He had to comfort her. After all, he couldn’t blame her for this situation.

“All these are not related to you. Blaming yourself for these issues will only make me feel more uncomfortable. Moreover, my life right now is already very happy.”

At least in the past, he wouldn’t have imagined having such a life. Though physical training was exhausting, the enjoyment that followed was incredibly satisfying. And without a good physique, living with a girl like Celestine wouldn’t last long. So, excluding the war factor, his life was already similar to what the goddess Leliantia described.

“Really?”

“Of course, don’t you think our time together is very happy, Celestine?”

“That’s absolutely true!”

Without hesitation, Celestine replied. She was certain that her time with Rhodes brought immense happiness.

“So, I feel the same way because I am with Celestine.”

With these words, Rhodes saw Celestine, who was initially on the verge of crying and feeling guilty, now replaced her sadness with a happy emotion. Her face was filled with a contented smile, easing Rhodes’s worries.

“Moreover, my talent is a power given by the goddess Leliantia. So, if you doubt my strength, don’t you trust the power of the goddess?”

Though not an absolute power, Rhodes believed that saying this would reassure Celestine. At least, it would prevent her from feeling sad and guilty about his future deployment to the battlefield. It also avoided her running to General Grave and causing potential relationship problems.

“The power of the goddess– Does that mean, Rhodes, you’re actually a hero?”

Celestine looked surprised. Obtaining the power of the goddess often meant being a hero or savior destined to save the world. Especially in the looming war situation, this possibility seemed even more likely.

Thinking about it, Celestine looked at Rhodes with even greater joy. It was like witnessing a child grow up and become successful.

“I don’t think so. I mentioned it to Lady Leliantia at the beginning. The life of a hero or savior is too tiring for me. That’s why I said I wanted to live a beautiful and happy life. Besides, the current situation doesn’t seem like a world-threatening catastrophe, right? So, being a hero or savior doesn’t seem fitting.”

Rhodes waved his hand, indicating that these identities had nothing to do with him. However, Celestine disagreed. She still thought Rhodes was meant for it.

But compared to being a hero, Celestine believed Rhodes was more likely to be a hero who would calm the war and guide the world towards peace. Imagining a future where they worked together to eliminate wars and lived happily, Celestine couldn’t help but smile foolishly. Such a life was her dream.

“Celestine?”

Seeing Celestine lost in a happy daydream, Rhodes saw this side of her for the first time. Previously, she always had a gentle and mature demeanor. Now, this very girlish expression was a first, but it wasn’t bad.

“Ah? No– I’m sorry; I got carried away.”

Returning to reality at Rhodes’s call, Celestine blushed, realizing her behavior was embarrassing.

“It’s okay. You seemed so happy just now. Were you thinking of something good? Does it have something to do with me?”

“Yeah! It’s about you becoming a hero, then calming the war, and us working together to eliminate wars in the world. Imagining that kind of scenario makes me feel so happy.”

“Oh, really? A hero, huh? Well, I might need to work hard then. I’ll make sure you live the life you hope for after calming the war.”

“But even if it doesn’t happen, it’s okay. After all, Rhodes, you didn’t want to be a hero, right? I don’t want you to do things you don’t want to because of me.”

Celestine remembered Rhodes’s previous words. She didn’t want Rhodes to do things he didn’t want just because of her.

“It’s okay. Sometimes things happen, and you can’t avoid them. Given the current situation, going to the battlefield is certain. The result is already like this, so I have to do my best. General Grave has high expectations of me, and I can’t just drift along. So, in this situation, I have to strive to do my best.”