Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate!
Chapter 212: A Promise Fulfilled: First Kiss

Chapter 212: A Promise Fulfilled: First Kiss

I dashed out of Braveheart Castle in a hurry. The guards looked at me, startled, as if I were being chased by demons.

But I didn’t care.

There was only one thing on my mind—

Serena.

Without wasting a second, I activated [Kasoseki 3X], tripling my speed.

“Whoa, Master, you’re really in a rush,” Runa chimed in my head.

“That’s because… I… I want to tell Serena how I truly feel. It’s now or never,” I declared with unwavering resolve.

“I’m cheering for you, Master! This feels like the climax of a romance drama!” Runa laughed, clearly enjoying the show.

I sprinted through the bustling streets of Braveheart, my heart pounding—not just from running, but from longing. I missed Serena more than words could express.

At last, I had fulfilled my promise. I was a hero now. I could finally stand by her side on the battlefield.

I wanted to protect her. I wanted to keep her safe. I wanted to make her happy. I couldn’t let her keep waiting.

My heart overflowed with emotions. I had never felt love this deep, this real.

As I rushed past the townsfolk—many more than usual, perhaps gathered to celebrate the return of our knights—I suddenly slammed into something large and unmoving, like a solid statue.

THUD!

“Ugh! What the hell is a statue doing in the middle of the road?!” I groaned.

But when I opened my eyes, it wasn’t a statue. It was a big, cheerful man built like a fortress—my best friend and my trusted battle-hardened Tank, Marius.

“Naoki! What’s this? A surprise hug from behind? I’m blushing here! Hahaha!” Marius teased with his usual terrible jokes.

“Oh hey, it’s Naoki! Want to join us? Marius and I are going to feast tonight!” said Leopold, ever the glutton, beside him.

These two had bottomless appetites and hearts of gold.

“I didn’t hug you, muscle-head! I just crashed into you ’cause I was running too fast!” I grumbled. “And I’d love to join you, but…”

“But what? You’re in a hurry? Got a date, maybe?” Marius asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

“Yeah… something like that.”

“Then what are you waiting for?! Go get her, Naoki!” Marius shouted and gave me a swift kick on the rear.

BAM!

“Damn it! Alright, fine! See you guys later!” I called back, resuming my sprint.

Their laughter and cheers echoed behind me, warming my heart. They were true friends.

I ran toward the city wall—the very place Serena and I last met. It had to be her favorite spot.

I could already see the wall in the distance, drawing closer with each step.

Then I thought—I want to give Serena a gift. But I hadn’t seen any suitable shops in my mad dash.

Just as I was about to give up, I spotted a quaint little store selling beautiful trinkets. I stopped briefly, bought something special, and tucked it into my Grimoire of the Darkness.

Follow new episodes on the "N0vel1st.c0m".

Then I kept running—until another problem appeared.

Lyra, Freya, Luna, and Erin were just ahead, shopping together.

“This is bad! If they see me, they’ll definitely be suspicious. And if Lyra or Freya get jealous, I’m doomed!” I muttered, trying to figure out how to slip past unnoticed.

I activated [Dark Magic: Shadow Steps], melding into the shadows and gliding past them in silence.

But just as I passed, Lyra suddenly stopped and glanced back.

“Naoki-sama…?” she murmured.

“!!” I froze. Her perception was razor sharp—too sharp.

“…No, it’s probably just my imagination,” she said, turning back to her friends.

“That was close, Master! Lyra’s amazing. Absolute Cinema.” Runa whispered in my mind.

I agreed. But I had no time to linger.

At last, I reached the wall. I climbed the steps and looked around for Serena.

But… she wasn’t there.

My heart sank.

Was this really the right place? Had she waited too long and left already?

I began pacing the quiet wall, feeling helpless and uncertain.

Then, suddenly—

A soft, familiar voice called my name.

“Naoki… hey… N.A.O.K.I…”

I turned around—and there she was.

Serena.

Smiling gently, she waved in that sweet way she always did. She wore a flowing white one-piece dress and around her neck was the moonstone necklace I had given her.

She was breathtaking.

I froze. I couldn’t move. Her beauty left me speechless.

She didn’t look like an angel.

She was far beyond that. Even the angels in Cosmoria couldn’t compare.

“I’m sorry for making you wait, Serena,” I said, my voice trembling.

“What do you mean? I just got here. Looks like you beat me to it,” she replied with a soft laugh.

Gods, she looked so lovely. I said nothing more—I just walked toward her, slowly, carefully.

As I got closer, she blushed. Her cheeks turned pink as I stopped in front of her.

Then, gently, I wrapped my arms around her.

And she, shyly, returned the embrace.

We didn’t say a word.

We just held each other, breathing in the quiet stillness of the moment.

It had been so long since I’d held her. I’d missed the warmth of her body. I never wanted to let go.

The embrace grew tighter.

Softly, I whispered, “Serena… I missed you.”

And she replied, just as softly, “I missed you too, Naoki…”

“I kept thinking about you, even on the battlefield,” she added.

Our feelings were mutual. We longed for each other. And this moment… this was ours.

“I thought of you constantly. I passed the Hero’s Trial. I’ve finally become a true hero of Braveheart,” I said, looking into her eyes.

“I kept our promise. Now we can fight side by side.”

“That’s true, Naoki… but there’s one promise you still haven’t kept,” Serena said, a trace of sadness in her eyes.

I was taken aback.

A promise I’d forgotten?

“A promise…? Ah…”Suddenly, I remembered. The last time we were together, we tried to kiss… but I was too nervous, and it didn’t happen. Serena had told me to kiss her properly next time.

Wait…Does that mean… she wants me to kiss her now?Right now?

Oh god. What do I do? I’ve never kissed a girl on my own accord before…

“Be honest with your feelings, Master… I’ll go to sleep for a while, so I won’t peek. Good luck, hehe~”Runa’s voice faded from my thoughts, giving me space.

Now it was just the two of us, surrounded by silence.

Serena’s face was glowing red, clearly waiting for my reaction.

She looked so beautiful, so graceful—so utterly breathtaking.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had to be honest.

“Serena…” I whispered.

“Yes, Naoki…” she replied, her voice soft and flushed with emotion.

Slowly, I reached into my inventory and took out the violet flower I had bought earlier. Enchanted with preservation magic, it would last for decades. The florist had told me it was the perfect gift for someone you truly love.

Serena gasped as she saw the flower. She gently covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her cheeks glowing even redder.

“Serena… please accept this Violet Flower.”

With trembling hands, she took it from me.

In that moment, I felt our emotions connecting—like our hearts were speaking the same silent language.

I couldn’t wait anymore.

I gently cupped her soft cheek.

“Serena… I love you.”

“I love you too, Naoki…”

And then—I kissed her.

Serena closed her eyes and slowly, tenderly returned my kiss.

My heart was racing like never before.But this time, I didn’t get a nosebleed.This time—I was ready.

I could feel the softness of her lips, the warmth of her breath, the sincerity in her embrace.

I pulled her into my arms, deepening the kiss.She began to cry—tears of joy.

And I… I cried too.

I couldn’t believe it. After all this time, I was finally kissing the girl I had loved for so long.

My heart was overflowing with happiness, and the golden glow of the setting sun made this moment feel like a dream.

A love I thought I’d lost… had found its way back to me.

We stayed there, holding each other, lost in our kiss… until the sun finally dipped beneath the horizon.

…

Later, we sat side by side atop the wall, gazing up at the twilight sky as stars began to peek out.

Serena rested her head gently on my shoulder, and I leaned against her. Everything about that moment was perfect.

Then she softly spoke:”Naoki… do you know what the Violet Flower symbolizes here?”

“No… I don’t,” I admitted honestly, gently taking her hand.

She smiled and whispered, “It means loyalty… and eternal love.”

For a moment, I was speechless.

“…Then I guess it’s fate,” I finally said. “Because I swear, Serena… I love only you. I always will—until the very end. No—beyond the end. Even if death parts us, I’ll keep loving you until we meet again.”

Serena looked at me with wide eyes, touched.”You’re getting really good at saying romantic stuff, Naoki… I like it,” she giggled.

“I mean it,” I said, squeezing her hand. “You’re the only one I’ll ever love. This… this is our forever promise.”

She nodded, eyes glistening. “Yes. Our forever.”

Then her tone turned teasing.”But Naoki… I’ve seen how close you are with the other girls—especially Amelia, Lyra, and Freya. And let’s not forget that King Aslan has officially engaged you to Amelia~ Naughty boy.”

She gave me a playful smirk and pinched my waist.

“Ah…yeah, it’s true… they confessed to me,” I admitted, flustered.

“Oh?” she raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

“They mean a lot to me. They’ve helped me so much, even risked their lives for me. Their feelings are real… but I haven’t returned them. I… I don’t want to hurt them, especially Amelia who has become my fiancée..I will find a way for that.”

Serena gently lifted my chin with a loving touch.

“You know, Naoki… I wouldn’t mind if you had two or three other girlfriends. You’ve always been a bit of a flirt,” she said with a teasing smile. “But… you’ve changed. You’ve grown. And hearing you say that you love only me… that makes me happier than anything.”

She beamed at me, and I could feel her heart shining through that smile.

“It’s true. The only woman I love now… is you, Serena.”

Serena hugged me tightly, and I held her just as close.

“So… we’re officially dating now?” I asked.

“That’s right. Or… do you want to skip that and marry me instead?” she said playfully. “After all, giving someone a Violet Flower is basically a proposal, you know~”

“WHAT?! I… I proposed?! That means… M-marriage?!”

My face turned crimson. I’d never had a girl say something like that to me.

“Hehe, yes—but don’t worry. I’m just teasing. Dating you is more than enough for now~” she laughed sweetly.

This girl… she always teases me. And I love her for it.

“But… I do want to be with you forever, Serena. I want to marry you, build a life with you. So… once this war with the demons is over… we’ll get married.”

Serena’s eyes widened, caught completely off guard.She hadn’t expected that.

“…Then I guess,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion, “we’ve made one more promise.”

Above us, the moon shone brightly in the night sky.

The moon is really beautiful tonight

…

..

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.