24

Naya’s entire body shimmered with silvery-white radiance. Her clothes, even her flesh, had transformed into light. Her loose hair had grown longer, swaying gently like ribbons of pure luminescence. Wisps of silvery-white aura rose intermittently around her.

Everyone who’d judged her weak by appearance…

Every malicious word spoken against her…

Everyone who’d wished her harm…

And herself—powerless when Leon faced peril—

Trapped by these burdens, Naya had been consumed by resentment born of light. Now, in this luminous form, she stood before Leon and Aile.

For a moment, Aile was too stunned to speak.

Nothing like this existed in the Book of Light.

*Is Naya truly the Priestess?*

*It must be! This sacred form—she’s the living embodiment of Aio!*

*But… what now?*

Aile glanced at Leon. He hadn’t drawn his sword. Instead, he stood with hands raised in surrender, stepping forward cautiously—separated from Naya by a thicket of Vector Arrows.

“What are you doing?” Aile snapped.

“Going to Naya. I can’t just leave her like this.”

“Are you sure? What if she loses control?”

“It’ll be fine.” Leon smiled, resolve burning in his eyes. “She’s *Naya*.”

His approaching figure reflected in Naya’s pupils.

“Don’t—! Stay back! These arrows… I can’t control them! They’ll hurt you!”

“You’re still清醒! Thank goodness!” Leon’s smile never wavered. Vector Arrows encircled Naya too—not protecting her, but caging her.

“It’s alright. See? No hostility from me, no danger.” Leon stepped through the arrows, parting others with his hands. Razor-sharp tips sliced his skin. Within mere steps, gashes covered his body.

“I… I can’t heal you from this far!” Tears welled in Naya’s eyes.

“True. Still twenty steps away.” He gritted his teeth, closing the distance further.

“Naya, what’s been wrong these past days? You said you prayed here daily to strengthen your bond with Aio… but it felt like you were avoiding me.”

Naya fell silent, conflicted. “For three days… I’ve asked Aio the same question.”

“What question?”

“Ruri.”

“Huh??”

Naya finally choked it out: “You told your master—you’d care for Ruri *for life*.”

*Oh no…!* Aile facepalmed. *Leon actually said that in front of her?!*

“A master is like family! When you swore that oath to him, I… I had to believe it!” Tears spilled over. “I was the one who met Leon first…”

*So that’s it. No wonder.* Anyone would struggle to accept this.

Leon parted a cluster of thorns. “Naya. Let’s be together.”

“What???”

*Did I mishear?!*

“Let’s be together.”

“What about Ruri?”

“We’ll be together *and* care for Ruri.”

Naya stared, wide-eyed—the arrows around her eerily still. “Do… do you hear how wrong that sounds?”

“I’m sorry—you misunderstood. I meant *we* care for her. I owe Ruri a debt because of my master. But—my feelings for you and for Ruri are entirely different. ‘Caring’ for her… isn’t the same as ‘being together’ with you.”

“!?”

Leon pushed through the final layer of arrows. Bloodied but unbowed—the “Prince” had reached his “Princess.” He gently pried away the Vector Arrows clinging to her; they shattered like glass.

A soft cough came from behind. “Naya,” Aile said carefully, “Aio’s teachings never said one boy must pair with one girl! Isn’t saving Ruri also Aio’s will?”

“…You’re right.” Naya’s voice trembled. “Hoarding the Hero for myself… even the gods wouldn’t allow that.”

*How could a Priestess lack this resolve?* Clarity washed over her—but nothing compared to the joy of Leon’s words: *“Be together.”*

Leon broke the last thorns and pulled Naya into his arms.

“Heal me,” he whispered. “You’re so slender… I never realized how hard you’ve worked, always by my side.”

Pressed against his chest, Naya felt warmth radiating not just from his hands, but his entire body. Tears flowed freely as she clutched his clothes, unable to utter a word.

The light enveloping Naya began to fade.

*The resentment born of light… actually receded?!*

*Truly worthy of the Hero!*

To be continued.