The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Home (Vol. 16 Prologue)

***The deck of the steam ship, Hagena...***

Home.

Depending on the context, the word 'home' could mean the building, with four main walls, a roof, perhaps two or more windows scattered throughout the walls, and at least one door so the occupants could get in and out whenever they wished. Or, it could also be a place, where someone was accepted for who they were and belonged.

Chersea, for Kuro, is the latter.

Even before their ships docked, Maddie, Ruro and Natasha were already on the deck of the Hagena, throwing their arms around the otherworlder. He was surprised—and felt awkward—for he didn't know what to do. When Kuro was a teacher in his old school, he would always raise his hands whenever a student would embrace him, just to show to everyone he was not doing something inappropriate. But since this was Chersea—and he was no longer a teacher, he thought it would be weird and might offend the ladies, so he literally froze where he fell.

As it turned out, Kuro never should've worried. With the three saints hugging him, he could not move at all, so it didn't matter even if he wanted to reciprocate their gesture. The ladies who came with him from the naval battle in Cherwoods watched from a distance, amused at the sight of the three holy women swamping a helpless guy...one that saved the three races, yet couldn't do a thing against his 'captors'.

However, even with all the celebrations and pleasant feelings, there were questions still waiting to be answered. First of those was...

"Why did you disguise yourself, Kuro?" was Maddie's question. There was a hint of pain and displeasure in her voice, though she tried to hide it with a smile. "Do you really hate coming back to Chersea that much?"

"No!" Kuro fiercely shook his head. However, he had to be honest; it's futile to hide his thoughts to these three ladies who could peer into his mind...or at least, he let them peer into his mind. Kuro didn't want to lie to them. "Honestly, I feel like I'd be hindered if I returned early. I'm thinking of dealing with Her Holiness the Lady Hinwe's problem first, before reappearing as myself."

"See, Maddie?" Ruro pointed out. "Even Kuro will burn out if you keep on being unreasonably possessive."

"Yes, yes," the Human Saint was dismissive, but became meek and sheepish when she returned to the otherworlder. "I'm sorry for what you've gone through, Kuro...because of my selfish whims."

"Hm? It's fine," Kuro gave Maddie a head pat to reassure her. "No matter what happens, I won't hate you." And with those words, he sealed his declaration to her with a kiss on the forehead.

"Guh!" At once, blood spurted from Maddie's nose, much to everyone's shock; she also lost consciousness. Of course, they were worried for her, though their concerns were soon sated when they saw the Human Saint sleeping with a blissful smile on her lips.

Ruro demanded Kuro do the same to her, but Natasha spoiled her attempts to coerce him. The Demon Saint told her, "I think we have lots of time for those sweet nothings later."

The otherworlder could only laugh, for the atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Ruro never hid her dismay, though Natasha ignored her.

"I'm curious, Sir G," the Demon Saint's eyes never wavered. "We cut off Cherflammen from the rest of the other realms. And Gaius—under the influence of the Seductress—killed its sun, therefore, killing all life in that world that didn't evacuate..."

"You want to know how I survived?"

Natasha and Ruro nodded.

Kuro grinned, "I didn't. Even to this very moment, my dead body is still in Cherflammen, buried under the shifting sands."