The next day.

I had come to see Reflea off at the eastern exit of the city.

Her hometown was said to be about a five-day walk from here.

Since it was a holy site with a great cathedral of light, the road was well-maintained, with several small post towns along the way, meaning she wouldn't have to sleep outdoors.

When I asked if she wasn't taking a carriage, she said it was too expensive, so she was saving money.

Well, considering Reflea had raised her rank in the labyrinth, traveling a little distance wouldn't be a problem for her anyway.

"……So… this is goodbye, Hikaru."

Dressed in her usual gear as a traveler, Reflea looked as beautiful as ever.

She'd make an excellent holy knight.

There's no need to keep doing a trade that risks life and death, like being an explorer.

"Reflare, I... didn't prepare anything for this moment. I only have this, but please take it."

"Is this a flower...?"

"Yeah. It's a flower that never wilts, so you can keep it displayed forever."

"Hehe, it's funny to think of Hikaru as a flower—doesn't really suit you, does it?"

"Don't say that."

It was a glowing flower once collected in the woods and left untouched in a shadow bag.

Since it softly glows even at night, it might even serve as a light source.

Its delicate, radiant appearance somehow reminds me of Reflare.

When she holds a flower, she looks just like a painting come to life.

"Incredible... so cute... But a flower that never dies—doesn't that mean it's something valuable?"

"I don't know... it's the flower I picked in the woods."

This flower is supposedly a top-tier rare material, and because I picked it, I gained three points, which ultimately allowed me to escape the forest.

In that sense, it was a flower that saved my life.

Now that my life is stable, I've been thinking I could keep it for myself, but giving it as a farewell gift to Refreia wouldn't be a bad idea. It'd just be dead weight in my bag if I kept it.

"It's not much of a gift, I'm sorry. Oh, and by the way, apparently this flower also works as a cure for certain illnesses. It probably has nothing to do with your sister's condition."

"What kind of illness does it cure?"

"Hmm, what was it again?"

I checked its properties through item identification a long time ago.

I pulled up my鉴定 history from the status screen.

[Silver Moon Sand Grass: Normal] (A two-petaled flower that appears only on moonlit nights in deep forests. Its self-illuminating nature makes it easy to spot even in darkness, but due to its manifestation being caused by localized purification of spirit energy, discovering it is itself extremely difficult. It emits light through spirit energy, and remains alive even when pulled from the soil, making it highly valued among connoisseurs as a symbol of immortality. It has the ability to harmonize chaotic spirit energy, and when its roots are boiled, it becomes a cure for spirit-bone connection dysautonomia. A rare grade S material.)

"…Apparently it works against this 'spirit-bone connection dysautonomia' thing. I'm not familiar with illnesses in this world, but is it a common condition?"

"Is it a spirit flower? Sorry, I've never heard of that. My sister's illness is a rare condition called Luanma Disease. It's not life-threatening, but apparently there's no other treatment besides steady, ongoing care."

"I see..."

I wouldn't believe that a flower I happened to pick up could help with treatment—no way.

So this is just a simple check.

"Well, if there's a way to sell it, go ahead. I don't know the market value, but it seems like it might fetch a surprisingly high price."

"Whaaat? I just got it from Hikaru—I can't possibly sell it!"

"Well, I'm just saying it's not worth treating like some priceless treasure."

Memories of me are probably just going to be a burden as you move forward with your life.

If we're apart, her feelings will surely fade over time. To prevent that flower from forever binding her emotions, I should just sell it quickly and use the money to help pay for her sister's medical treatment.

In a way, it might have been better to make it something like food—something that disappears.

...Well, it's too late for that now.

"Ah, and this too. It's medicine, but this one might actually work. I swear it's not some strange thing—please have your sister take it."

I handed the small bottle to Refrea.

"So this is medicine, huh? Hehe... If it's something Hikaru gave, it really does seem like it might work."

"Well, it might just be a placebo, but..."

"No, I'm truly grateful. The fact that Hikaru cared..."

It's not much of a big deal, but since it's from my hometown—the other world—I'd appreciate it if you kept quiet about where you got it. Just in case.

I can't be completely sure this medicine actually works. I won't be certain until I see it work. I didn't want to raise false hopes.

Still, the Great Healing Scroll worked perfectly on Reflea, and the potions were no issue.

So this so-called universal remedy should work too.

This 'universal medicine' that claims to cure any illness instantly is just as valuable as the Great Healing Scroll—three points, after all.

This morning, I received one point from the gods under the ridiculous title of 'One Month Survival Award,' and by exchanging it with thirty crystals I'd accumulated, I barely managed to get it.

With that, I was left with zero points, not even a single crystal, but I had no regrets.

The only thing I worried about was being questioned about the source of the medicine, but Refrea would surely keep quiet.

"……Then, I'm off."

"Yeah. Take care."

"Hikaru… I'll come see you if I pass the exam. You absolutely can't die, okay?"

"I won't die. I'm not going to die."

"Hikaru…………"

Tentatively, she just held my hand, reluctant to part.

I didn't know exactly when the exam would end.

But by then, she would already have begun her life as a Saint Knight.

Her eyes glistened with tears, but she quickly shook them away and stared straight ahead.

"Then… I'm going!"

"Goodbye,"

　

I watched her fading silhouette recede into the distance.

I burned into my mind the image of Refia pausing occasionally, hesitating as if torn, then resuming her steps.

Whether she'll come back to see me again, I don't know.

I don't even know if I'll stay in this town forever.

In any case, this didn't mark the end of anything, nor the beginning.

I will live on in this world.

Even if I'm exposed to malicious glances, the only truth is the one standing right here—myself.

I stood motionless in that spot until her figure disappeared completely from view.

In my life ahead, I doubt I'll ever feel such a deep longing for a woman again.

—That moment.

I'm glad I was able to save Refia when she was attacked by the mantis.

Even if the rest of my life were just a formality, the fact that I managed to save her was enough to give meaning to my existence in this world.

I even got to taste the flavor of love...

As dusk wrapped the surroundings in red, I turned around.

The entry restrictions to the labyrinth will likely remain for some time yet.

Since I’ve saved a bit of money, I might as well leave the inn and rent a room somewhere.

After all, life will continue on from here.