Summoned by a Goddess, the Strongest of Our Time Goes to Another World to Defeat Twisted and Corrupt

…That night.

With a clatter, there was a knock at the door of Eisuke’s inn. Eisuke, who had been in a shallow sleep, was awakened by the noise.

“Hmm…? Who would think of coming here at this time of night…?”

Standing in the doorway was Marielle, dressed in a negligee. The moonlight made her blonde hair glow fantastically… illuminating even her melancholic expression.

“What’s the matter? If you have to pee, I’m not going with you. Ask Rukino instead.”

“You’re making a mistake! Please let me in!”

“Haa…? Why?”

“J-Just let me come in!”

Eisuke invited Marielle into the room before being pushed by her as she entered. Marielle sat on Eisuke’s bed without saying a word.

…A moment of silence followed. The only sound in the room was the creaking of the wooden bed in response to Marielle’s slight movements. Eisuke, unable to stand it any longer, looked at Marielle’s face curiously.

“…What’s wrong with you, that’s disgusting.”

“So I was wrong?”

“Hah?” Eisuke raised his eyebrows at Marielle’s words.

“…I still can’t believe Lady Kyoko was like that. I summoned her in hopes of defeating the Demon King, and entrusted her with my power, but she was the kind of person who would do such a thing…”

Hearing Marielle’s sorrowful voice, Eisuke involuntarily fell silent.

“Thinking back, first of all, I was already betrayed by the great Heroes I trusted, and this is what happened to me. I’m sure you told me that before, Mister Eisuke, didn’t you? You told me to learn to doubt people. After all, people… can’t be trusted, right?” Marielle’s voice sounded almost like she was squeezing it out. She turned her head and clutched the hem of her negligee, you could see the pain and sadness on her face.

Eisuke ruffled her hair and sat beside her quietly. He rested his hands on the bed and exhaled.

“…As with the counterpart of things, even people have their own. It’s about the desires we hold in our hearts and the things we hide. You have the desire to be protected, and of course I have the desire to protect you. Maybe at this moment I also want to push you on the bed and give you a hug.”

“I beg your pardon!?”

“I’m kidding, you idiot. We’re in the middle of a serious conversation.”

“I’m sorry, but wasn’t it you who made that joke without any delicacy first…?”

Marielle’s face scrunched up, unconvinced. She patted her cheek to cool the excess heat, and Eisuke told her in a tired voice.

“I’m not going to say I didn’t think she was that kind of person. It’s your fault for being an idiot who lacks imagination. If you think about it, you shouldn’t trust strangers so easily.”

“But that’s…”

“Then just pick the right people to trust.”

“What?”

Marielle looked at Eisuke. He looked into her sapphire eyes.

“I want to accept everything about this person, both inside and out. You can only trust a person who makes you feel this way with all your might. Trusting means having feelings for someone on the basis of time and accumulated memories. It’s not something you selfishly expect from them.”

“Having feelings for someone…”

Marielle remembered. She thought of Rukino, who had always been with her. Yui and Serika, who fought for her in response to her sudden summoning. And… Eisuke. The time she spent with them came vividly to her mind. She should believe in people, based on that irreplaceable time.

“Let me repeat it in more words. …Marielle, learn to doubt people. Try to think hard about what you don’t see. And if you can see the other person clearly… only then trust that person with all your heart. Believe in yourself that you want to believe in others, not others.” Eisuke smiled softly.

Marielle had seen Eisuke smile many times. A wicked smile, as if he was up to something. Or an innocent, childlike smile, as if he was really enjoying himself. And then there were the occasional gentle smiles, like this one. That smile…Marielle loved it.

Marielle rested her head on Eisuke’s shoulder.

“…Marielle?”

“…Tomorrow we’re finally going to the Imperial Capital…” Marielle looked over her shoulder at Eisuke. “…Are you going to take this country back from them?”

Marielle asked with a tone of voice that expressed confidence in him.

Fighting to prove his strength. Crushing the strong for pleasure. That was Eisuke’s way of fighting.

That was why Marielle dared to ask. She asked if she could trust her own feelings in Eisuke’s battles and have him take care of them. He had defeated three heroes, Ken, Hiroto and Kyoko, and had given Marielle hope.

‘…I’ll lend you a hand until you get your country back in full.’

She wanted to confirm those words once again, so she asked him.

“I’ll give you a hand until you get your country back. Don’t hesitate for a moment.”

Eisuke replied with a confident smile. Marielle’s heart raced, her lips tightened and she let out a small squeak. Joy, courage and love welled up in her heart and spurred her to action.

Marielle extended her index finger.

“…Mister Eisuke, you too…”

“Eh?”

“Whatever, do it too.”

Eisuke didn’t understand what was going on, but he did as he was told and stuck out his index finger.

Their fingertips touched with a tap.

“Good evening, Mister Eisuke.” Marielle, embarrassed, left the room.

“What? What was that just now?”

Eisuke froze in bed with his mouth open.