"...That I can smile and do as I please—"

Ester replayed Christophe's words in her mind.

(My desires... Until now, I've only been forced to play the role of a Saint... I've never even thought about what I want to do. But...)

Ester then turns her gaze towards Christophe.

(What I want to do... It's to be of service to this person. To see this person's smile. To understand everything about this person, to accept everything about this person, and then... to protect everything about this person… And if I can, I want to be by his side for the rest of my life...)

Her thoughts instantly transform into passionate emotions.

A burning brilliance, hotter and more intense than the light of hope she felt just moments ago, began to ignite within her chest.

"Christophe-sama...!"

"What do you want to do. Have you found anything?"

"Yes. I... I wish to serve Christophe-sama. This life, this body, this soul... I want to dedicate everything to you. This is the path I have found, the way I want to live."

"No, no, no, that's why, I'm not really that great of a person, and I'm not the type to be served!? You... you should live more freely."

"No, that's not it. You are my freedom, my world, my everything... Please, place this Ester closest to you and command her in whatever you wish."

Ester was about to kneel respectfully before Christophe, but Christophe quickly stopped her.

"No, no, you don't have to do that."

"...So, you are saying that this Ester is unnecessary...?"

Ester is sad about being rejected and feels like tears are about to spill.

Christophe opened his mouth in a flustered manner.

"That's not what I meant. Hmm... Well, let me ask you the other way around. Even if you were to serve me, I don't really have anything specific to ask of you..."

"You can order me to do anything you like. Even naughty things."

"What are you saying? Did you not get enough treatment?"

"No, I'm in perfect condition."

"...That would make it seem like there's a problem all the time, though."

Christophe looked troubled, but for Ester, everything was perfectly normal.

And then, Ester continues speaking.

"I don't have any dreams, not even a single one… So, would you be willing to tell me about your dreams?"

"...Mine?"

"Yes. Christophe-sama, what is your dream?"

"Dreams, huh? ...Yeah, I don't really have any right now... I'm not young enough to be talking about dreams, either."

"So, you're saying you have them now, which means you had them in the past, right?"

"Back then... well, you know. It was a long time ago, but I did want to become an S-rank adventurer, help various people, and go on adventures in various places. In the end, I wasn't able to fulfill that dream, though."

Christophe said with a smile that was a little shy, as if reminiscing about a distant past, and also somewhat resigned.

The moment she heard those words, Ester's eyes widened, as if she had received a revelation.

"So you're an S-rank adventurer... That's a good dream. There's nothing else, is there?"

"What do you mean?"

"This Ester will undoubtedly become an S-rank adventurer. I will make your name known throughout this continent, achieving a position where you are respected by everyone and―"

Ester paused there, then looked intently at Christophe's face and raised her voice with passion.

"...I will welcome you as my... my own, 'special person.' Yes... I will establish an incredibly large clan. The best clan on the continent, no, the best clan in the world. And I want Christophe-sama to be the exclusive... no, more than that, I want you to be with me always, always... yes, never leaving my side, and to work as my exclusive healer within my clan."

Speaking passionately and rapidly, Ester looks at Christophe with expectant eyes.

He gives a wry smile, looking perplexed.

"No, no, the story is getting incredibly grand, but I'm not really that important of a person."

"Then, is there anything else you desire? Whether it be through fire, through water, or through a horde of monsters, for your sake, this Ester will go anywhere. Even an invitation for the night, no problem. Is it? Oh? Now? Then, that's a little embarrassing, I suppose..."

"Calm down, I didn't say that."

"I'm calm, you know?"

"...Then, try to calm down more… So, you were talking about your dream… Well, as long as you enjoy it the way you truly want to, without worrying about this old man, it's fine. I will be supporting you from behind the scenes."

"Understood. I will certainly achieve results that I can show you, and then I will come to pick you up. So, Christophe-sama... please wait just a little while longer."

"Ah... so that's where it all leads, in the end… Thank you. Just don't push yourself too hard, okay? Young people tend to be reckless, or rather, they tend to go off the rails... I feel like you're going off the rails right now, so I'd actually like you to calm down a bit..."

"Yes, of course! Then, I shall be going now... I shall strive to pick you up as quickly as possible!"

Ester replied with a smile as clear as a cloudless sky.

That same day, she left Greenbear Village and began her operation.

Chapter 19