After Laurence’s memories returned, it seemed to have little effect—life at the base carried on as usual.
At least, on the surface, that was how it appeared.
With Laurence’s body “recovered” and him busy again with team matters, life at the base seemed to have slipped back onto its old tracks.
But something had quietly changed. Some of those changes came from Aurelia herself.
The way Laurence had suddenly looked drained that day made her realize something.
This captain, whom she’d regarded as powerful as a “Main Character Template” and worthy of careful handling, could also grow tired, and get hurt. Besides, Protagonist Growth takes time!
This realization gradually softened her constant vigilance, and her feeling of alienation from the “Sword of Saint Radiance” wasn’t as sharp as when she’d first crossed over.
Perhaps it was the scare she’d experienced this time that made her truly feel the fear of losing this Safe Haven. She began to care more about the squad, especially about Laurence.
Day after day of warm daily life gave her a growing sense of Belonging with the team, and let her experience the Warmth of “Home.”
When she handed a cup of tea at just the right temperature to the teammates returning from training…
When she secretly set aside an extra portion of Vera’s favorite jam cookies…
When she saw the Shield Warrior’s furrowed brows relax as he accepted her improved ointment…
A genuine sense of fulfillment and joy began to replace the old mechanical feeling that came from simply completing tasks and surviving.
【If it stays like this… this journey in another world doesn’t seem so bad, does it?】
One evening, as she watched the noisy teammates in the dining hall fighting over the last piece of roast meat, this thought suddenly popped into her mind.
【Ah, now I’m doomed. Looks like I… am actually starting to enjoy this. Who would have thought this feeling… is even more addictive than scrolling short videos…】
The thought startled her, and then she burst into a soft laugh.
“Sorry, I… I just thought of something happy…” Aurelia’s cheeks were slightly flushed as she explained in a small voice.
“Oh? What’s so happy? Share it with everyone, let us have some fun too!” Barus, sitting across from her, perked up instantly, waggling his eyebrows in anticipation.
“Go away, Barus, quit prying into a girl’s secrets!” Vera tossed a tiny piece of bread, hitting him square on the forehead and earning a burst of laughter from everyone.
Iris propped her chin on her hand, winked at Aurelia, and gave her an “I get it” sly smile.
Even Laurence, who had been especially silent these days, seemed to have a gentle curve at the corner of his mouth for a moment, though he quickly suppressed it.
【This… must be a Sense of Accomplishment!】
『To wallow in false warmth—how ridiculous. As the future lord of Disaster, the World-Destroying Dragon, emotion is superfluous.』
That irritating voice in her mind interrupted again.
『You genderless, neither human nor ghost Old Thing, what are you babbling about? This is called Belonging! Sense of Accomplishment! And Warmth!』
For once, Aurelia wasn’t annoyed; instead, she shot back with a rare touch of pride.
『Look at you, lonely as a solitary ghost—you’ve probably never experienced the bustle of a big family. Ha, not that you’d understand even if I explained.』
『…Hmph.』 The voice seemed stifled for a moment, and then grudgingly fell silent.
In a very good mood, Aurelia began to hum a tuneless little ditty, returning to that simple little room to count her hard-earned savings.
This room had been her idea—good for privacy, well soundproofed, though it looked a bit unfinished. At first, only here could she let her guard down a bit and be herself.
Now, as she organized her little treasure chest, her movements were still quick, but there was less of that forced “lightness” and more of the casual ease that came from being at “Home.”
***
The next afternoon—
Aurelia didn’t busy herself with chores as usual, but instead sat by the living room fireplace in the most comfortable armchair, a basket of clothes needing mending in her lap.
This was the “exclusive seat” Vera had specially pointed out to her, saying the light was good there and it was perfect for needlework.
【Whew… Lucky I was poor before, so I learned how to sew clothes. Otherwise, relying on the original host’s memories… I might not be able to pull off such delicate work.】
Just as she picked up an outer jacket that Barus had torn during training, Vera came over with a plate of freshly washed fruit and squeezed right up beside her without hesitation.
“Come on, Little Angel, take a break and try some of these new berries—they’re so sweet!”
Vera stuffed a handful of bright red fruit into her hands, then grabbed a shirt that needed a button sewn on. Her technique was clumsy, but it was clear she’d learned a bit.
“No way I’m letting you do all this work yourself. Let me help you.”
“Thank you, Vera.” Aurelia smiled, taking the fruit and biting into one. Sweet juice burst in her mouth.
This capable Vice-Captain was a swift and decisive assassin outside, but at the base, she was like a caring big sister. Especially with Aurelia, she looked after her like a real little sister.
“No need for thanks.” Vera didn’t look up, sewing on the button bit by bit.
“If anyone should thank anyone, it should be us thanking you! Look at this base—doesn’t it feel just like a Home now?” She looked up and gave Aurelia a wink.
“Especially that certain Captain. He used to skip meals all the time when training, but now he comes running to the dining hall on time, and his face is much rosier.”
Aurelia’s face flushed, and she looked down, embarrassed. “I… I’m just doing what I’m supposed to.”
【That Red-Haired guy is the pickiest eater of them all! No matter how much I improve my cooking, he always finds something to complain about!】
“Too modest, and you’ll get arrogant!” Vera laughed, nudging her lightly with her shoulder.
“By the way, Lia, you’re good with your hands—can you help me with this embroidery pattern? I want to make a new hair ribbon for Iris’s birthday. That girl’s been hinting about it for ages.”
The two of them lowered their heads together, studying the embroidery. Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, enveloping their figures in a warm glow.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of berries and sun-warmed fabric, with Vera’s hearty laughter and Aurelia’s gentle explanations mixed in.
【Hehe… Miss Vera’s snuggles… Life is so wonderful—feels like the future is nothing but sunshine～】
Suddenly, the sound of the door opening broke her thoughts. Barus and several young team members returned from training, sweating and barging into the hall in search of water.
Seeing the two lovely ladies cuddled up in the armchair, Barus grinned and called out, “Hey! Our backline Little Angel and Vice-Captain are having a tea party—any room for us?”
“In your dreams!” Vera shot back with a laugh. “Water’s over there—help yourself! And don’t you dare drip sweat all over the place!”
Aurelia hurried to her feet and took out a jug of cold tea and some clean cups from the cabinet nearby. “Big guy, there’s chilled tea here. It’ll quench your thirst.”
The burly man scratched his head, embarrassed. “Hehe, it’s always Lia looking out for us. Pretty, kind, gentle, and caring… I wonder what lucky guy’ll get to marry you someday…”
“Drink up and shut that mouth!” Vera glared at him, and only then did he gulp down a large cup of tea and sigh in relief.
“Ahh, so good! After every training, there’s hot food, cold tea, and a place this nice and clean to live in! Even a noble lord wouldn’t trade for these days!”
The other teammates chimed in, and the hall was instantly filled with youthful energy and laughter.
Aurelia looked at the scene, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turning up.
This feeling of being needed and recognized… was just pure happiness!
She was no longer just a foreign support girl—she was a member of the “Sword of Saint Radiance,” an essential part of keeping this “Home” running smoothly.
【This is wonderful～ So much better than those hard days before! If only I were a handsome guy, like that Red-Haired fellow… I’d start a harem… ehehe…】
【Well, but… life is pretty nice now too. In this other world, having a place to stay and a warm Safe Haven—isn’t that something beautiful?】
***
At dusk, after dealing with Guild matters, Laurence returned to the base. As he entered the hall, this was what he saw.
Aurelia, wearing an apron stained with a bit of broth, was chatting with the others resting in the base, seemingly discussing some amusing anecdotes from Shadowlight City.
Hearing footsteps, Aurelia turned around and saw Laurence. She immediately broke into a natural, bright smile.
“Captain, you’re back! Dinner’s ready—I made that Rock Sheep Meat Stew you said you wanted to try.”
That smile had less of the old shyness and forced politeness, and more of a genuine warmth and familiarity.
Laurence paused slightly, nodded, and spoke in his usual calm tone: “Mm, thank you for your hard work.”
He watched as she turned and walked briskly toward the kitchen, his gaze lingering on her for a long time.
This warm, peaceful scene seemed to possess some kind of magic, and for a brief instant, even the taut strings inside him—since regaining his memories—relaxed.
Such warmth, woven from the trivialities of daily life, contrasted far too strongly with the wasteland of destruction in his memories. For a moment, it shook his resolve.
Maybe, it really was just a coincidence? Maybe, this life truly would be different?
But he quickly pressed down on that wavering.
He was Laurence Sodron, the reborn hero and the world’s only hope for Salvation.
His mission left no room for wishful thinking.
God gave him Rebirth not for love or to correct his personality.
But to stop the Disaster Source from destroying everything—to strangle her in the cradle, leaving no chance for Disaster to take root.
Yet, as he sat at the table, sipping the perfectly-cooked, heartwarming meat stew…
Watching the girl joke with her teammates, swapping little stories, the killing intent and coldness in his heart were, once again, pressed down.
And Aurelia, gazing at her teammates chatting and laughing around the dinner table, at every familiar face in the orange lamplight, felt a calm certainty fill her heart.
【I’ve decided! From now on, this is my Home!】she thought silently.
【No matter what storms come, no matter what schemes that old guy in my head is plotting—for now, I just want to sink into the warmth of this Home!】
This time, there was no trace of performance in that thought.
As the night deepened and the world grew quiet, the voice in her mind sounded again, as mocking as ever.
『So easily giving your trust, and to your mortal enemies, no less—how utterly foolish. The moment your secret is revealed, this fragile warmth will turn to dust in an instant. You’ll see the truth then.』
Aurelia rolled over, looking out at the tranquil moonlit night. For the first time, she didn’t immediately retort, but answered quietly in her heart.
『Mmhm? Maybe so. But if I don’t even have the courage to try trusting, what’s the point of being alive? For now, at least, this is my Home. That’s enough.』