A Ranger’s Resolve and a Three-Month Window

Li Yue and Mo Linyu spent a moment explaining the current circumstances to Alezno.

“This simply won’t do,” Alezno declared.

Alezno shook her head, stating bluntly, “Given these circumstances, I must depart swiftly. I cannot allow my deceased self to impose upon this human girl’s life.”

‘Wait a moment,’ Li Yue interjected. ‘Having just been revived, there’s no need to be so pessimistic, is there?’

Li Yue clearly did not wish for her to leave so abruptly, gesturing toward Mo Linyu as she tried to persuade Alezno. “You see,” she began, “someone like the Demon Lord, whose previous and current personalities don’t clash in the slightest, seems to be doing quite well, doesn’t she?”

Mo Linyu, seated nearby, offered a confirming nod.

The lingering guilt of failing to protect her comrades in that other world was something Li Yue yearned to atone for in this lifetime. Yet, just as such an opportunity presented itself, Alezno spoke again:

“No, Moon,” Alezno firmly stated, “Miss Su Luoli’s personality, even her memories, are gone. I cannot simply usurp her life in this manner.”

So blindingly righteous was this worldview that it made Li Yue feel a pang of guilt herself.

‘At-at the very least, your knowledge and habits remain,’ Li Yue stammered. ‘Otherwise, how would you be able to speak?’

Alezno continued, “Moon, you successfully vanquished the Demon Lord; you owe none of us anything. If you truly wish to do something, then be kind to my reincarnation.”

“Alezno…”

Witnessing her inability to sway the obstinate ranger, Li Yue’s spirits visibly slumped into frustration.

“Ahem,”

Mo Linyu cleared her throat, drawing their attention.

“Actually, there’s no need for such haste,” she stated. “If my assumption is correct, this ranger’s memories should only persist for about three months. A past life borrowing three months from the present shouldn’t cause too significant an impact.”

“Only three months?” Li Yue asked, looking up at Mo Linyu, her expression surprised.

“Ah, yes,” Mo Linyu confirmed. “Once we gather all the souls from the other worlds, the traces of their past lives will be erased, and with them, the memories of those previous existences. That applies to both me and her.”

“What? That’s far too short!”

“Couldn’t you at least spare a thought for the loli? You selfish Hero!”

‘…Let’s ask the Goddess,’ Li Yue murmured.

With that, Li Yue picked up her phone once more.

Li Yue: [Hey, you there?]

Yet, no reply came.

‘…That old hag logged off and made a run for it,’ Li Yue grumbled.

This was their sole means of contacting the Goddess; if she chose not to respond, they were truly at a loss.

‘It seems we’ll have to figure this out on our own,’ Li Yue sighed.

Li Yue set her phone down, prompting Mo Linyu to propose, “Let’s try the simplest approach. How did she regain her memories initially? Perhaps we should try that again?”

‘…The headbutt,’ Li Yue recalled, rubbing her forehead. ‘Didn’t I mention I accidentally bumped her head?’

“In that case, Alezno, let’s try it once more.”

Upon Mo Linyu’s suggestion, Alezno dutifully moved her chair closer to the bed, then leaned her head toward Li Yue. Her small face, tilted slightly upwards with eyes gently closed, evoked the image of someone awaiting a kiss.

Such reserved obedience was something Li Yue found herself unaccustomed to.

She struggled to reconcile this Alezno with Su Luoli, or to link the blue-haired girl before her with the tall, golden-haired elf from the previous life.

‘…You’re surprisingly cooperative, aren’t you?’ Li Yue mused aloud.

Li Yue let out a sigh. “Alright, I’ll have to use a little more force this time, or it simply won’t have any effect.”

It certainly couldn’t be lighter than the previous headbutt.

*Thwack—*

With a determination born of urgency, Li Yue forcefully collided with Alezno’s forehead. The immense impact nearly sent Alezno tumbling backward off her chair, had Mo Linyu not been quick enough to steady her.

“Ugh, that truly hurt,” Alezno winced.

However, Alezno did not lose consciousness this time, unlike before, a fact that filled Li Yue with a sense of foreboding.

“How is it?” Li Yue pressed, a note of anxiety in her voice. “Who do you believe yourself to be now?”

‘…I am Alezno, Moon,’ came the reply, ‘and your plan was not successful.’

****

“Well then, I won’t impede your reunion any further,’ Mo Linyu announced.

Mo Linyu exited the live stream, then gathered her belongings, preparing for her departure.

“I’m going to explore the city a bit more. Tonight, she’s all yours.”

Rising to her feet, she headed for the entryway, but not without casting a subtle glance at the easily overlooked Alezno.

“However,” Mo Linyu added, “you should still try to contact Su Luoli’s family as soon as possible. Even concocting some excuse would be better. A single night’s absence is manageable, but a prolonged disappearance will lead to trouble.”

Indeed, keeping Su Luoli by her side indefinitely was not an option. Alezno possessed none of Su Luoli’s memories, so they would have to devise a solution for this aspect, at least discerning the principles and methods of memory restoration.

Though the mere thought sent a throb through her temples, Li Yue still nodded in agreement.

“Mm, I understand.”

“Alright, I’m off then. I’ll come find you two tomorrow; take your time chatting tonight.”

With a cheerful wave, Mo Linyu departed Li Yue’s home.

Yet, after closing the door behind her, she leaned against it in the hallway, slowly exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

No matter how composed she appeared, the fact that the first soul recovered belonged to the Hero’s companion had still filled her with considerable tension.

A mishandling of the situation just now could easily have escalated into a continuation of their past life’s conflicts.

This was precisely why Mo Linyu had highlighted the three-month time limit.

By stating that past life memories would only persist for three months, regardless of its veracity, she hoped to somewhat curb any impulsive actions they might consider, and allow Alezno to temporarily settle into her current state.

Naturally, this assertion about the three-month memory retention was merely her conjecture.

Or, perhaps more accurately, a casual fabrication.

Thankfully, long-lived elves were generally known for their detachment and minimal emotional fluctuations, and Alezno proved no exception. It was a great relief that the situation hadn’t devolved into conflict or, worse, a violent incident.

‘However, this lifetime’s petty thief, who resorted to stealing for gacha pulls, hardly seems to fit the description of ‘detached’ or ‘pure-hearted,’ does she?’

****

Mo Linyu was gone.

Li Yue withdrew her gaze from the entryway, turning to face the blue-haired girl beside her, whose posture remained somewhat reserved.

‘She is not Su Luoli now,’ Li Yue reminded herself inwardly.

“Moon,” Alezno began, her voice soft, “is she truly the Demon Lord?”

“Mm, she bears the scar I left with my Holy Sword on her chest,” Li Yue confirmed. “What? Do you find her too amiable?”

“Yes,” Alezno admitted, “she is entirely unlike the Demon Lord I had envisioned.”

Alezno’s reply was hesitant, but she quickly shook her head. “After all, she has also reincarnated. Even if she retains her memories as the Demon Lord, she would still be influenced by the personality of this current life.”

Li Yue merely shrugged.

“Humans and demons are ancient enemies, with no room for reconciliation,” Li Yue explained. “But in this life, she herself is human. She can hardly perform an act of self-destruction, can she?”

“The Demon Lord lost. For me, in my current state… knowing that much is sufficient.”

“Don’t dwell on such matters, Ale,” Li Yue said, using a familiar shortening of her name.

Li Yue gave Alezno a firm pat on the shoulder, causing the latter to involuntarily draw her neck back.

“Since we only have three months,” Li Yue continued, “tonight I’ll take you out for a stroll, and we’ll find a nice place to eat. You must be quite curious about my world, aren’t you? I want you to leave with some pleasant memories.”

Alezno shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“No,” she corrected gently, “it’s to leave *you* with some memories.”

‘…Yes, that’s true too,’ Li Yue conceded.

Perhaps in three months, Mo Linyu and Su Luoli truly would lose their memories of being the Demon Lord and Alezno, respectively. Yet, Li Yue knew she would forever cherish the events of this day.

Refusing to wallow in sentimentality, Li Yue rubbed her nose and stood up.

“Come on,” she declared. “For these three months, you can do whatever your heart desires.”

She wanted to take Alezno out to explore.

As long as an otherworldly soul remained nearby, there was no need to worry about reverting, even if Mo Linyu departed.

“Wait, Moon, is that…?”

Alezno’s gaze fell upon the display cabinet in the living room.

Within it rested Brit’s red scarf, Halin’s silver armguard, Melia’s jeweled hair ornament, and…

“Is this my glove?”

“Mm, these are the only things I managed to bring back from that world,” Li Yue replied. “Do you wish to take them?”

“No, there’s no need. They’re perfectly fine here,” Alezno said, a playful lilt in her voice. “You’ll always remember me, won’t you?”

Alezno turned, a knowing smile gracing her lips, a smile that struck directly at Li Yue’s heart.

*Thump-thump—*

“Ale, you’re truly adorable.”

The words slipped out subconsciously, yet they caused Alezno to overreact slightly.

‘R-really! What are you suddenly saying?’ she stammered, a blush rising to her cheeks.

This coquettish display only made her even more charming.