“Thank you for your efforts, Lu. You may leave us be.”


    The Fairy seemed like he wanted to protest, but he changed his mind midway and simply nodded.


    Lu glided away from us, smiling like an idiot, most likely because he received words of praise from the woman he liked.


    ‘I know how you feel, buddy. It’s too bad she’ll never look at you that way.’ I almost felt bad for the dude.


    After all, I knew the one Jane Urs loved more than anything in the world.


    —Magic!


    ording to her, I came second—though the gap was too wide to be called apetition.


    Compared to such a grand cause that Jane was obsessed with ever since I had known her—no, even before—someone like Lu never stood a chance.


    I almost let out a chortle as I smiled at her and she did the same to me.


    Instantly, we understood one another. Even without speaking, our emotions were strong enough to reach each other.


    There was no need for such a concept as words between two best friends.


    Silence enveloped the room, and we once again locked eyes, ignoring everyone else around us.


    ‘I’m back, Jane. I’ve missed you more than you know!’


    ********************


    “Jaaaaannnnneeeeeee!!!” Someone from our group lunged at the Fairy’s desk, banging it with all her energy.


    “W-whoah… Lemi, is that you? You’re here? Hold on, that makes sense. Wait, your body… it’s been healed! How is this…”


    It appeared Jane was very well acquainted with Lemi indeed. Knowing the kind of personality she had, I didn’t find it hard to believe.


    Jane would have stayed close to Emilia and her family even after I was out of the picture. It made me wonder if she was aware that Emilia was pregnant before I died.


    ‘I’ll have to ask her.’


    “Jared did it! He healed the Miasma Poisoning!”


    “Oh? He did, uh?” Jane smiled in my direction.


    From her expression, I could deduce the fact that she was giggling internally. She must have realized the kind of awkward situation I was in.


    ‘Lemi is my daughter, but…’


    It was toote for me to take up my role with therge gap in our age. Still, I was trying my hardest, wasn’t I?


    What I was actually curious about was the rtionship Lemi had with Jane.


    “Jared, why did the Que—I mean, President, call you Lewis? Does she mean Lewis Griffith?”


    I looked beside me, watching Maria’s curious gaze pierce me. It felt like those eyes could see past my facade.


    Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.


    “No. She’s probably just basking in nostalgia. She’s called The Mad Witch, after all. Don’t expect her to be mentally stable.” I partially snickered when I said this.


    “Hey! I heard that!” Jane sharply cut in, ring in our direction.


    “J-Jared, why would you annoy the President?”


    Maria’s hushed whispers contained hints of worry and surprise.


    I was usually very courteous when addressing those in Authority. It was the only way to get what I wanted.


    Since we were delegates in a strangend, it was expected that I would act cordially. But, I had caused quite the stir.


    “You’re being rude to Jane, Jared. Apologize.” Lemi blurted out, looking at me and our group from the Fairy’s desk.


    “Shouldn’t you be here with us? You came here as a delegate, not a friend.”


    “What’s the matter? Jealous much?” This time it was Jane that attacked me.


    Did she think I felt intimidated by her rtionship with my daughter? Well… maybe I was a little bit.


    ‘But, it’s mostly because I don’t want her to learn weird things from you!’ I nearly blurted out, but held on to my self-control.


    Jane would be a terrible influence on Lemi, and I could already see traces of the Fairy in my daughter.


    ‘She isn’t interested in Marriage. She has no one she’s currently seeing. She stays holed up in her research. She sees everyone as test subjects. Ring a bell, Jane?’ I narrowed my gaze at the President of The Fairy Sanctuary.


    I never expected her to be the one, but it was a fortuitous turn of events.


    “I would like to speak to your leader personally. The rest of you can go take a tour… or whatever.”


    ‘Your flippant attitudes to unimportant things haven’t changed.’ I smiled, turning to myrades.


    “You guys can go take the tour you’ve been asking for. I assume Lu is waiting for us beyond those doors. Just tell him where you want to go.”


    My group members were excited—enough so that they left without batting an eye.


    “Will you be alright?” Maria asked, though, at least having the heart to care about me.


    “I will.”


    “Okay then.” And then, she too vanished with the others.


    They opened the door and shut it behind them as they excitedly departed.


    Freya turned to look at me one final time before leaving, but I pretended not to notice.


    The only ones left were me, Jane, and the stubborn Lemi that refused to budge.


    “You too, Lemi,” I spoke sternly.


    “No.”


    “Uh?’


    “I’m not going anywhere. Since she said that the leader should wait behind, I choose to be the leader for the Elves.”


    “But, you’re a Half-Elf, though. Besides, isn’t Freya more suited for that role?”


    “H-hey! Don’t bring that up. I’m older than her, you know? Age means more experience.”


    “It sure doesn’t look like it to me.” I sneered, almost bursting out inughter.


    “Hey! What did you say?!”


    “You heard me. Now scram!”


    “Uwu… Jane, you see what I mean? He’s so mean to me.” The girl began pouring to the Fairy beside her.


    Jane’s fairy self was still on her small seat and slightly bigger desk.


    “You guys are incorrigible. It almost feels like I’m watching you and Emilia argue.”


    “Ah…” Why didn’t I notice it too? Still…


    “Emilia wasn’t as ano—”


    “Oh, she was annoying. I keep telling you, love makes you see only what you want to see. I’m sure you only have an image of a kind, gentle woman whenever you think of that bitch.”


    As expected, even till now, Jane hadn’t changed a single bit.