Afterwards, they rode back to Nemophila.
Helvi and Theo messed around on their way to the mountains, but felt too awkward to
do anything on the way back.
Theo felt foolish, and too embarrassed to speak.
It did not help that he was ‘in that situation’ for a full ten minutes.
He thought it was the first time someone had seen it, but Helvi had actually seen it when he was sleeping and when he went to take a bath on their first night together.
Still, this was the first time he was fully aware that she saw it, and it was the most embarrassed he had been since meeting Helvi.
Helvi wanted to stick more closely to him on the way back, but felt bad for Theo, and contained herself.
She read his mind and thought his innocence was cute, but it made her feel even worse.
Also, if she did start hugging him at that time, she was unsure if she could stop herself from going even further.
After a mostly silent ride back, they reached Nemophila.
First they returned the horses.
The horse that Theo rode was a little unruly when it was time to say goodbye, but calmed down once Theo pat it.
It seemed as though it would still not easily allow anyone else to ride it, so Theo was asked to stop by to help with its training. There was of course a reward involved, and Theo gladly accepted.
Next, they entered the mercenary guild and talked to Fiore.
“Fiore It’s been a while!”
“Ah, Theo! I’m glad to see you’re alright! I assume the quest was a success!”
“Yes! We’re here to report it!”
Fiore was relieved to see Theo’s cute and energetic smile.
Helvi, who stood next to him, appeared to also be well.
Fiore figured there would be no problems with her around, but was still a little worried.
“Good job Helvi. Did you have fun with Theo?”
“…Yes.”
She found this tepid answer strange, coming from a woman that was usually brimming with confidence.
(Did something happen?)
Fiore asked in her mind.
(…There was a small problem with the quest itself, but right now…)
Helvi peeked at Theo, who looked back at her but turned away in embarrassment as soon as their eyes met.
(…You two are turning into less of a married couple and more like an innocent couple.)
(That is not true. What are you talking about?)
(This bitter-sweet mood… Maybe it’s because Theo is reacting like a girl that’s in love for the first time?)
(I agree, but there is a reason for this. You see…)
Helvi was impressed that Fiore held a conversation with her in her mind while accepting Theo’s report.
(Well… I think you were both wrong and not wrong. I think the biggest takeaway here is that Theo really is a boy after all…)
(It feels a little awkward, but that is all. Tomorrow it will be back to normal.)
Their conversation finished just as the report did as well.
“Good job everyone. The medicinal herbs are in good condition thanks to Theo, and your reward will be here no later than tomorrow morning.”
And with that, the travel quest was over.
“Thanks Helvi and Theo! I had a lot of fun!”
“Yes, I had fun too, and Theo’s food was as delicious as always. I also enjoyed getting closer to you, Helvi.”
“I had fun too! Let’s accept a quest together again sometime!”
“I had never done something like this, so I enjoyed myself as well.”
Xena and Celia returned to their inn, leaving Theo and Helvi alone. The slightly awkward mood returned.
“…L-let’s go back too.”
“Yes.”
Although they felt awkward, they still held hands on the way home.
When they got home, Helvi brought back their luggage from the sky. Xena and Celia’s was also mixed in, so Helvi sent it to them.
Suffice to say, both were quite surprised when their luggage suddenly dropped from the sky.
They quietly unpacked their things, and only started speaking again when they started having dinner.
“…Now that I think about it, were you hurt by that devil?”
“Eh, n-no, I’m fine!”
Theo answered, although he was a little startled because Helvi suddenly spoke.
“I see. Good.”
“Thank you very much. Did you talk to that devil? He was saying something about hell.”
“Yes, a little.”
Helvi explained plainly what he said, and hearing that the man told Helvi she should be the king of hell made Theo a little anxious.
“Hum… Do you want to go back to hell Helvi?”
Theo figured he would not be able to live there, and the idea of Helvi returning made him sad.
Helvi saw this as she peeked inside his mind, and responded with a gentle smile.
“I have no interest in returning to a world without you.”
“…! T-thank you…”
Theo’s face was red, but he responded with a happy smile.
Yes, cute, decided Helvi in her mind.
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Next chapter: The Ara-Ara volcano explodes!!! XD
Very ready for the next chapter, but probably not as ready as Helvi.