Noah had never imagined that the forest outside could be so tranquil, so vividly green. Four years had passed since he set out on his journey at the tender age of eighteen. Though it seemed like a fleeting moment, to him, it felt like an eternity of unbearable weight. Now, bathed in the sunlight and inhaling the scent of victory once more, he desired nothing else.
"Everyone made it out safely, I hope. I'd hate to think we left anyone behind... especially you, Gabriel. If you had kicked the bucket at the very end like this, the wails of maidens would drown out the entire kingdom," Noah remarked, running his fingers through his fine black hair, shimmering in the afternoon sun.
"I'm not like you; I don't make a habit of getting lost in caves," Gabriel clicked his tongue knowingly, busy dusting soil from his crimson uniform.
"From now on, I hope this world will finally know peace... I just hope the King grants me a small reward, just enough to build a modest house in the countryside. Maybe find a wife and have a dozen children," Noah hinted, casting a subtle glance toward Aurelia, who was currently casting healing magic on Leo.
Suddenly, Leo roared with laughter. "You? A family man? You wouldn't know what to do if a girl threw herself at you! As for me, I'd rather spend my days in the capital's pleasure district, living like a king. It's far more comfortable. After all, as the Hero who defeated the Demon King, I'm sure to be quite popular with the ladies."
Leo wasn't wrong. Noah had been so focused on defeating the Demon King that he had no time for such things. And as for that small reward he mentioned? A lie. In reality, Noah desired enough treasure to make him filthy rich. Then, he would propose to Aurelia. And if she didn't mind, he would add Sarah to his harem as well. Perhaps the King would even offer a princess or a noblewoman in marriage. But for now, Noah had to maintain his image as the Pure Hero.
So, he feigned concern. "Leo, I think you should be careful about that. Women are far more dangerous than monsters. Take care not to anger them."
"Leo, Gabriel, Sarah, Aurelia... Though our journey has come to an end, I hope we will remain companions forever. No matter when, if you are ever in trouble, you can always come to me."
After speaking, Noah felt as if he were truly a hero from a fable. The wind rustling through the trees sounded like a gentle orchestra playing a slow ballad.
But when Noah turned to look behind him, his reality shattered.
Aurelia, the woman he had secretly harbored feelings for, for so long, was standing face-to-face with Gabriel.
"Gabriel... are you hurt anywhere?" Aurelia touched Gabriel's cheek gently. Her eyes pleaded with a desperate longing. Even though Aurelia didn't say it aloud, Gabriel understood exactly what she needed. He turned to meet Noah's gaze with eyes full of guilt, as if begging for forgiveness.
"Aurelia, I..." Noah didn't wait. If he didn't speak now, he would lose her forever.
"Gabriel..." Aurelia called the young man's name. But it wasn't Noah's name; it was Gabriel, the Prince of Red Roses with the world-weary eyes.
And in that instant, before Noah's heart could be torn asunder, a mysterious light appeared. A beam of white brilliance slowly took shape.
It was the entity known as God. Its form was a colossal white circle. The ring was lined with countless eyes—lidless, staring, linked together like an eternal chain. Behind it, massive white wings spread out, but they were devoid of feathers, resembling the plucked wings of a bird, smooth and stark. Its limbs were twisted and malformed, appearing horrific in Noah's eyes.
"O Brave Heroes, I am what you call God," the entity spoke, its voice melodious, like the finest of instruments.
"If you are God, what do you want from us?" Noah initiated the conversation. He felt the wind around him grow unnaturally cold. Instinctively, his hand moved to his sword. He couldn't be sure this wasn't a demon or some twisted monster. Despite its terrifying appearance, however, he sensed no malice from it.
A high-pitched female voice interjected to answer. "First, We must commend you for purging the evil from this world. As a reward, I shall grant each of you one wish. Whatever you desire, speak it, and I shall make it reality."
While Noah was contemplating, a voice cut in. "Any wish? One for each of us? Not just one shared wish, if I heard correctly?" Leo asked, trembling with excitement.
The voice replied impassively, "Correct. One for each person."
"Hell yes!" Leo thumped his chest in joy. "Then I want lots of money! Or wait... maybe I should ask for eternal youth, no sickness, and immortality!"
Sarah looked anxious upon seeing Leo's foolishness. In Noah's eyes, Sarah had no reason to care for someone like that.
"W-Wait, Leo! I think you should stop and think for a moment. God said we only get one wish."
Leo looked as if the thought had just occurred to him. He walked over to Sarah and asked, "What about you, Sarah? What is your heart's desire?"
The question made Sarah freeze. She was in pain... Noah noticed the signs. They had fought together for four years. Tears began to well up in Noah's eyes. Fortunately, no one was looking at him right now.
"What I want is... your happiness," Sarah confessed her love. Her short, flame-colored hair might have hidden her shy eyes, but her flushed face screamed the truth.
Noah felt his breath hitch. He dreaded the scene that would follow. His gut churned. "I love you"—the words Sarah had once told him... became clear now. She had only said it to boost his morale during the fight with the Demon King. Noah clenched his fists until his fingernails dug into his flesh.
"Sarah... with me? Are you sure? I'd be a terrible father," Leo shed tears.
"Mm-hmm. Leo, I've always liked you. Even though you're a flirt, I don't care. Just being with you is enough for me." The two embraced warmly.
I should ask for the Demon King to be revived so he can wipe out humanity! Noah wanted to scream. Now, he was the last one left to make a wish... Gabriel would ask God to revive his sister. Aurelia would ask for the power to cure all diseases. Leo asked for Sarah's happiness, and Sarah asked for her love for Leo to be eternal.
"I wish to lose my virginity."
Noah announced loudly in a voice void of emotion. The wish struck the group like a bomb, causing panic.
"Noah! What the hell are you doing? That's ridiculous!" Gabriel rushed in to stop him. Their earnest faces and excessive goodwill made Noah want to smash his fist into everyone's face.
"Please, God! Make me lose my virginity! Anywhere is fine! I don't want to be this damn Hero anymore!"
"Noah... is that truly what's in your heart?" Aurelia asked with concern.
Noah wanted to laugh until his teeth fell out. "Yes. This is my true self."
Aurelia looked at him with pure disgust. "If you wanted it that bad, why didn't you just tell me?"
Because I was going to propose to you! Noah wanted to scream in her face, but he swallowed the words.
"Noah, you're the only man I respect. Pull yourself together!" Gabriel tried to stop him, but he had never seen such rage from his best friend before.
"Gabriel, let this pathetic man go," Aurelia moved to lock Gabriel's arm, but she was yelled at.
"Shut up! You... you never realized how he felt at all, did you?!"
"Stop!" Noah bellowed.
"Enough... Aurelia, I intended to propose to you anyway... without ever knowing that you never cared about me at all... Gabriel, you've always had women fawning over you. You could never understand how I feel."
"Alright then... Goodbye, everyone."
"The wish of the Hero... We shall grant it
most certainly."
In an instant, the vision before him turned into a blinding white void.