"And so the dog that had turned into a monster regained its peace and returned to the embrace of the couple."

The young girl with the large glasses readjusted her glasses that had slid down to the bridge of her nose, and closed the storybook she was holding.

"When I read these fairy tales as a child, I thought they were just stories where good people are rewarded and bad people are punished. I never imagined they were actually related to real historical events."

"Well, that's the case for many stories. In the fairy tale, the mischievous friend foolishly kicked the dog and angered it, but the actual history was different."

"In what specific ways was it different?"

The sleepy-looking girl said in an annoyed tone, "I heard about it briefly in class yesterday."

"What I remember is that a war broke out, and the small country of Arcadia achieved a miraculous victory and began to grow its power."

"Then you pretty much know everything. Go look up the rest yourself. I'm too lazy to explain further."

The girl with the sleepy expression let out a big yawn and laid her head on the desk.

"What? Isn't it interesting to learn the behind-the-scenes story of the fairy tales we heard as children?"

"Not really. I already knew about it."

"Huh? When?"

"A long time ago."

"What? Geez! Why do you always get to know about these interesting things first?"

At the sight of such a sleepy girl, the girl with glasses puffed out her cheeks and grumbled.

"That's always how it is! You always claim things first! Wouldn't it be fun if I could enjoy it too?"

"I don't remember deliberately claiming anything first."

"But you do! Even back home, you were the one getting praised by dad! You were the first to get into the academy too! It's so unfair!"

“Then you just have to do something that will earn you praise?”

"Ugh, whatever!"

The sleepy-looking girl let out a small sigh and said resignedly, "Alright, I'll add one thing that might interest you."

"Umm? What is it?"

The girl with the glasses looked at the sleepy girl with curious eyes.

"In the fairy tale you saw, who was the guest who took the dog?"

At the sleepy girl's words, the girl with the glasses tilted her head.

"Isn't that just a character in the story? Who would be able to casually entrust a god-like beast?"

"Well, considering that background was actual history..."

"Hmm... since the dog was said to be the first beast-god, then the one who could entrust it would be... hmm..."

The girl with the glasses counted on her fingers as she spoke.

"Back then, there weren't many known gods, and there was no pantheon yet. Hmm..."

After a few moments of thought, the girl said,

"Could it be... the Goddess of Life?"

"Correct."

"Really? Truly?"

"Who else would have done such a thing?"

Then, the girl with the glasses said with a hint of annoyance.

"That goddess, why does she do so many things? Whenever there's a story from ancient times, she's like, 'That's me!' The countless deeds recorded in mythology alone are too many to count."

"I know."

The sleepy-eyed girl added with a strange expression, one that was difficult to describe.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As I traveled with the hero, I occasionally looked for a suitable person to be the hero's partner.

And in the case of the most promising candidate, the girl I had previously revived,

"Surprisingly, she still hasn't married."

"Huh?"

"I'm talking about the girl who seemed to have feelings for you in the past. The one who lived in the village near the Temple of Life."

"But didn't that story end a long time ago?"

"Nonsense, it's not over until you get married and have children!"

At my words, the hero looked stunned and said,

"I have no intention of getting married."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

I stared intently at the hero firmly denying it and said,

"Are you really, truly serious?"

"Yes!"

I remained silent, continuing to gaze at the hero.

Without saying a word, just staring, and staring.

And,

"You're lying."

I chuckled softly.

"Well, I won't say anything about the lingering feelings you may have. But you should get married and have children."

It would be such a shame if the original hero died without ever getting married or having children, as the stories tell.

And this story, I feel like I've told it before... hmm.

Well, whatever.

"Then choose. Either deal with the many women who have come looking for news of the hero's partner, or meet with that girl who has not yet married because she still has feelings for someone."

At my words, the hero thought for a moment, then said resignedly,

"I'll meet her once."

"Good. You should have done that a long time ago."

I was satisfied with the hero's expression of resignation, and canceled the message I had been preparing to send to the people of the Temple of Life, just in case.

If he had said he wouldn't do it, I would have immediately sent the message. Un.

It would have been fun to be caught up in the storm of women pouring in from all over the world. Yeah.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And so I accompanied the hero to the village located near the Temple of Life.

The description of the journey is too vague? Well, we just flew there, so that's why!

Since the hero had decided to go, we couldn't afford to delay even a day.

Upon arriving in the village,

"Ah! Welcome! It's been so long!!"

The girl, still looking the same as decades ago.

Seeing this, the hero opened his mouth with a bewildered expression.

"Even after decades, your appearance hasn't changed at all."

"Hehe. That's right? I'm not sure why, but I just don't seem to age! And it's not just me, but all the people in this village! I think it's because we were all revived thanks to you, hero! Because of that, people around here even say this is a village blessed by the Goddess of Life! Ah, that's right! We've heard so many stories about you, hero! You're truly a hero of humanity! Defeating countless monsters and traveling the world! Many pilgrims have been spreading the tales of you,. And this village, being so close to the Temple of Life, is no exception!"

Even after all this time, the girl's chattiness seemed unchanged.

"Oh, that's right! Since we have such an honored guest, I can't just leave you be as the village chief. I'll make sure to give you both the warmest welcome!"

"So you've become the village chief?"

"Yes! Even after my father was revived, he didn't age any further, but his lifespan itself didn't change either. He passed away about 20 years ago, you see."

Hmm... 20 years ago, that's about the average lifespan.

"But he was healthy up until the very end. He lived a long, good life."

A long, good life. Well, if he passed away without suffering and in good health, then it can be called a good life.

The remaining people must be a little sad, though.

"But what brings you two here? There are people all over the world who still seek the hero's help."

"I think it's time for the hero to start settling down."

"Huh? Why's that? You're the best hero there is. These days, the children grow up listening to tales of the hero's adventures and say, 'Mom, I want to be like the hero when I grow up!'"

At those words, the hero let out a small, bitter smile.

While being admired by many was quite burdensome, it wasn't an unpleasant expression.

"There's no particularly special reason. I just feel like it's time to start a family before it's too late."

"Oh my, oh my, oh my!!! Congratulations!!! You two!!! Truly, congratulations!!! I had my doubts, but it's really true! Goodness me!"

I think I can guess what she's thinking.

"I'm sorry, but I can't be with the hero."

"What? Why? The hero may seem a bit eccentric, but you two are around the same age, aren't you? I've heard people say I look younger than my age too, but you, the Dragon's Priestess, seem to be eternally youthful!"

At those words, I chuckled softly and said,

"It is because I am the Dragon's Priestess that we cannot be together."

"Oh my, oh my, oh my! A tragic love, even though you have been together for a lifetime! And yet, the two of you march forward for the sake of the world!!! This is... incredibly delicious! So delicious!! If made into a story, it would be a tragic love that would be on people's talks for hundreds of years!!!"

No, it's not really like that. It's just a one-sided.

Well, I don't really need to correct her thinking.

"Think of it as you will. Anyway, I'm looking for someone to be this fellow's companion..."

"What?! The hero's companion?! Really?! This news must be spread immediately! We must prepare the best bride candidate for the hero's companion! Did you come to me to spread the word through the pilgrims? If so, you've come to the right place! In this village, the news will spread to all the pilgrims in less than a year!"

No, I don't need to do that, I can just send a message directly.

I didn't voice that thought, and instead said softly,

"Won't you be the hero's companion?"