Time is flowing constantly without stopping, and five years have passed since Maris was taken by Lucan.
Maris turned fifteen years old last month. She has grown up healthy and unimpeded, and is now a fine lady.
Her studies for academy admission are progressing smoothly. She was already a quick-thinking and diligent girl. Within three years, there was nothing left to teach her, so she began to study independently by reading books in the temple and the library.
She had long surpassed her proficiency in holy arts. She had effortlessly learned magic that Lucan couldn't master on his own and had even come to control the power of the holy spirits. Maris could probably defeat the final boss appearing at the end of the game on her own now.
At first, Lucan didn't understand how Maris had become this strong, but after some thinking, he realized that Maris's power was based on happiness. The happier she was, the more powerful she would become, just like in the game. However, in the game, it was related to her romantic partner.
The happier she was with her romantic partner, the more powerful she became.
In the dining kitchen of the temple, Lucan was deep in thought while Maris was stirring a pot. Maris, with her shining pink hair down to her waist, had grown into a fully mature woman. Her beauty had been polished and now surpassed even that of the game's heroine.
Lucan blinked, looked at Maris, and began to reflect on what he had done over the past five years. He took her into the temple, saved her from her parents, gave her an environment where she could grow safely, and created happy memories for her.
"All of this should be enough," Lucan thought. He did everything he could to make sure Maris liked him and remembered him for a lifetime. Now he had to let her go. She was capable of growing on her own, and once everyone accepted her as the saint of the world, Lucan believed that he would be the second most important person in her life.
At first, he thought he would be the third, but he realized that Maris loved him like a woman loves a man. Lucan didn't feel the same, but he was going to do things that would keep Maris loving him. He wouldn't let any other guy get into her heart.
Another change in the last five years was that Lucan was now twenty-three years old. Having spent five years by Maris's side, his proficiency in holy arts had improved remarkably, to the extent that he could now use advanced spells with ease.
Next year, Maris would leave the temple to enroll in the academy in the royal capital. Before, Lucan thought that Maris would fall in love with one of the game's handsome characters. However, currently, she loved him, and as long as he kept in touch with her and did small things, it would be enough to make her continue loving him.
Lucan smiled, determined to ensure that Maris would become the most important person in the world and that he would be the most important person to Maris.
"Priest, the stew is ready... Are you thinking about something?"
Maris placed the dish on the table and peered into Lucan's face.
"No, no... It's nothing."
"Hm, if there is something troubling you, then please tell me."
"Of course," Lucan nodded.
"Then, let's eat dinner and then take a bath. I'll scrub your back tonight, too."
"Hm, okay."
"..."
"Priest."
"Yeah?"
"You don't feel shy, taking a bath with me?"
"Why would I? You're like my daughter, and having a daughter scrub my back is a beautiful moment."
"Well, yes..." Maris looked down, disappointed. She hope he will see her as woman.