-No One's P.O.V-

After the defeat of Arch-Lich, Ricca confessed her feelings to (Y/N) as the young man accepts her feelings.

Once (Y/N) accepted Ricca's feelings, the young man looked back to the portal that leads to his home world as he lowered his head down as if he was thinking of something until he spoke up...

(Y/N): You know what?

Everyone raised their heads in confusion until you spoke up.

(Y/N): I...I think I'll stay...with you.

(Y/N) says with hesitation and this surprised everyone.

Ricca: W-What?

(Y/N): You heard me. I'll stay in this world and live here with Ricca.

You said in a stern voice.

Claret: Wait, are you serious?

Iris: You're not seriously staying here after all the trouble you've gone into.

(Y/N): Ricca just confessed to me and made me decide if I should stay in this world or leave together back into my home world. Besides...I've already made my decision.

Everyone stayed silent at your response as you turned back to the portal of your home world and said...

(Y/N): Sorry portal, I'll be staying here forever.

You said to portal until everyone sees the blue portal slowly closing itself until it disappears out of existence as if it understood your decision.

Ricca: (Y/N).

(Y/N): Hm?

Ricca: Are...are you really sure you're not regretting staying here...?

Ricca asks with a bit of worry until you spoke up.

(Y/N): Just a little, but I have you and shall stay by your side, that's all it matters.

You said with a sincere smile as Ricca smiled and hugged you.

Ricca: Okay...if you say so.

(Y/N): Yeah.

And just like that, everyone headed back to their rightful places.

-Time Skip-

A few months passed after the defeat of Arch-Lich and the Darkfiend Dragon, the West Mountain Village has been fully rebuilt to the way it was.

We then see Ricca still wearing her hand-me-downs outfit with the same basket she carries on her left arm.

Ricca: The sun feels amazing. Today's weather is perfect! I finished picking herbs pretty early today. The magic of the earth must have returned to normal since the Drain Crystals disappeared.

Ricca then continues to walk down the village road and continues to talk to herself.

Ricca: The village is almost back to how it was, too...The soldiers from the royal capital rebuilt the houses that burned down, and luckily a lot of the villagers had escaped into the mountains when the monsters attacked...

As Ricca continues walking, she then sees a familiar (H/C) in front of her who is looking at the two statues with a smile on their faces.

In front of Ricca, it was none other than her boyfriend, (Y/N) (L/N). (Y/N) then sensed Ricca's presence as he turns to her with a smile on his face.

(Y/N): Ah Ricca, you're back!

Ricca: Are you looking at the statues of us?

(Y/N): Yeah. Heh, I feel so proud looking at the statue~

(A/N: That's the statue's pose.)

You said with a happy grin on your face as Ricca looks at her own statue with a bit of disappointment.

(A/N: Imagine your statue is right next to Ricca's statue.)

Polon: Woof?

Ricca: *Sigh* (Y/N), Polon?

(Y/N): What's up?

Ricca: It's about the statue of me...

(Y/N): Something wrong with it?

Ricca: Maybe. I'm glad that the port town people made it for our village, but Claret demanded that the statue looks like us, even when I said I didn't want that...but you also agreed on that, too.

(Y/N): Oh come on, everyone would recognize our heroic deeds! We're awesome!

Ricca: I know, but we were supposed to keep the fact that I was the holy knight a secret by saying that the heavenly knight just happened to descend onto this village...Sure, I was kinda full of myself at the port of town...but now all the village visitors looked at us with wide eyes. It feels awkward.

(Y/N): Yeah, it does, but the feeling of the center of attention just feels good, you know?

You said with an arrogant smirk on your face.

Ricca: Oh you...I know this statue is only modeled after us, but it's still weird. Although, I would be disappointed if the statue didn't look like us after those long days of posing...

(Y/N): I do agree, standing on the same spot until your limbs get sore for just a few minutes.

Ricca: Don't have to remind me of that again...

Ricca then takes a good look at her own statue and says...

Ricca: Couldn't they have done something about the pedestal, though? My face looks scary from this angle...and you can even see my private bits from here...Ugh, this is so embarrassing...I shouldn't have agreed to the model. But Claret was so insistent, so I couldn't say no...

(Y/N): Eh, Claret is something else.

Ricca: Honestly though, I should've agreed to use one of the poses that you suggested to me, (Y/N).

(Y/N): Hehe, you should've had, but this pose is considered normal though.

Ricca: How in the world is that normal for you? *Sigh* Maybe I can move the fencing around the statue...If I spread it out a little more, people won't see underneath my skirt...

(Y/N): I highly doubt you'd do that. Besides, Iris had already gone back home with the brooch in her hands a month ago when she visited us. Also, it's best if you get used to it.

Ricca: I guess you're right. There's no helping it anyway.

That's when you, Ricca, and Polon hear a familiar voice beside you three.

Donnie: Oh, it's you two. Hello.

(Y/N): Ah, Donnie. How are you doing, my good friend?

Donnie: I'm good, thanks for asking.

Ricca: So...anything to speak with?

Donnie: Ah right, we received a notice from the capital that a priest from the western kingdom will be visiting next month. Apparently, they'll have lots of people with them, so do behave yourselves, okay?

Ricca: Ugh...We have more visitors coming to the village than ever. Last month, we even had a group of scholars from the royal capital visit. And the month before that, Claret's parents and a bunch of other mages came...

(Y/N): Sheesh, looks like our fans will be visiting us and signing us their autographs again~!

You said in a playful tone as Ricca lets out a sigh before speaking up.

Ricca: You know they stare at my face while I show them around the town, right? Just thinking about it is making my face flush...

(Y/N): If they do something really funny, I'll be sure to reason them out.

You said with a dark expression and a smile on your face which freighted everyone a little bit except for Ricca who is nervously laughing.

Ricca: I appreciate it, but please...don't.

General Store Lady: I do understand how you feel Ricca, but my shop's been doing great because of all the outsiders that you, (Y/N), and the stone statues have been attracting. I'm sure my husband is really happy about it too.

Ricca: Ma'am...

General Store Lady: You want Miria to be proud, right? Then do your best with dealing with the priest and his followers. I'm sure the shop will make lots of money, so I'll lower your rent.

(Y/N): For real?

General Store Lady: Definitely.

Ricca: *Sigh* We'll do our best...

Polon: Woof!

Ricca: Come on, (Y/N). Let's head back to our house.

(Y/N): Yeah.

...

Ricca: Miria, we're home!

Miria: Welcome home, you two. I'll go prepare the dinner right away.

(Y/N): I'll help out.

Miria: Thank you.

-Mini Time Skip-

Ricca: Heehee...The tomato salad you made was delicious.

Miria: Heehee, I'm glad.

(Y/N): Now you've finally come to accept the tomato salad. Welcome to the tomato clan.

You said in a playful tone as Ricca shook her head in response until Miria spoke up.

Miria: Hey you two, I got these from a customer over at the dining hall.

(A/N: Just imagine your own figurine with a Jojo pose, lol)

Miria says as she looks at two figures of you and Ricca.

(Y/N): Ah, another figurine...

Ricca: Ack...Another figure of us...How many of those things have you been gifted so far...?

Miria: This is the 16th one now...I think? People that went into town saw them on sale there, so they brought some back.

Ricca: That's like four figures every month...These must be pretty expensive, too. They're so detailed...

Miria: They really are well-made...They seem to be really popular in town as well. Apparently, people are buying two per home and using them as a ward against monsters.

(Y/N): Seriously? That sounds cute of them.

Miria: Yeah, I'm so proud that everyone has recognized what you two have done...

Ricca: Two in each home...? I do think they're well-made, but maybe a little too well-made...

(Y/N): That's just how every figure was made. Just like my own home world does.

Ricca: I see...

Ricca then spots something on the figurine.

Ricca: Hey...! The tummy has a red marking painted on it...Only Claret would know about this...! She must be the one making these figures...

(Y/N): Whoa, that's some dedication.

You said in a surprised tone until you took a look at your figurine and see green making paint on the shoulder.

(Y/N): There's a green mark on this figure, too. I guess Claret didn't forget about Hierophant Green.

Miria: Claret really likes you two, doesn't she? Actually, she came by a while back when you two were out and asked me to give you to her.

Ricca: Wha...Claret...wants me...?

Miria: Yeah. She looked really serious about it...I did think it was about time for you to finally leave the next, so I promise that I'd give you to her.

This shocked both you and Ricca upon hearing that. You were about to speak up, but Ricca spoke up first.

Ricca: Miria...have you forgotten that I'm in a relationship with (Y/N) currently? Don't tell me that you're playing with me, weren't you?

Ricca says with an angry look on her face as Miria lets out a small laugh before speaking up.

Miria: Hahaha, did I get you good?

Miria says with a teasing smile as you shook your head in response.

(Y/N): My, my...

Ricca: Oh Miria, you meanie! You're the one who needs to stop doting over me and get married already!

Miria: Get married...You're right...Will you be alright...? Even if I leave...?

Ricca: Hey, I've got (Y/N) here to take care of me, and I'm sure he won't mind having me some independence, isn't that right?

(Y/N): Of course, why wouldn't I?

Miria: I see. Actually...that reminds me of someone...

Ricca: Someone?

(Y/N): Who might that be?

Miria: He helped me when Arch-Lich stabbed me in the cave, and I've been to visit him a few times to show my thanks...He lives near the sea but occasionally comes to visit the village. Ah, but don't tell anyone, okay...?

Ricca: Miria...we didn't realize at all...Heehee...You can finally stop worrying about me and focus on yourself.

Miria: Yes...but, I'm still torn...are you sure that you two will be okay if I leave the village, right? So, I wanted to think about it a bit more after things had settled down...We were apart for so long, after all.

(Y/N): Don't worry about it. We'll be fine on our own, Miria. I'll take good care of Ricca in these hard times.

Ricca: (Y/N)...

Miria: That's good. I'll...really miss you guys, though...I'm still a little unsure, so you don't need to be strong for my sake, you know?

You and Ricca looked at each other until Ricca spoke back to Miria.

Ricca: Miria, you've been by my side my whole life. (Y/N) and I will visit you once in a while. Of course, I'll be sad if we live apart...but with (Y/N) on my side...I won't be feeling lonely.

Ricca says with sincerity as she held your hand to prove her loyalty to you in the relationship.

(Y/N): *Nods* Mm. We all deserve some companionship in our life sometimes if we get too lonely.

Miria: I see...I'll be really sad too...I guess I'll ask him to wait for a while...Ah...I can't do that...I'll have to say goodbye to him properly...

Ricca: No, Miria...You shouldn't make him wait...This is the man you were talking to at the dining hall about a month ago, right? He seemed kind...Heehee...and you looked like were having so much fun talking to him...It was clear to me you'd found someone who is good for you...

(Y/N): Ricca's right. You gotta live with someone who respects and supports you throughout the commitment of the relationship. You'd be a lot happier nowadays, Miria.

Miria: Thanks for the advice, (Y/N).

(Y/N): Heh, don't mention it. Alright, all of us have to work hard in the future of our lives, understood?

Miria & Ricca: Right!

(Y/N): Hehehe!

...

Next, we then see Ricca and (Y/N) sleeping together on the bed until we see the figurines on the desk next to them.

The figurines were Iris sitting on Ricca's palms while you were standing next to her with your sword sheathed on your back along with the bows and arrows and the Hierophant Green standing behind you.

And just like that, you and Ricca lived a happy life in the West Mountain Village as a couple.

...

...

(A/N: Alright, that's all for this second epilogue folks! Stay tuned for another book!)