Chapter 372 - 372: But Is Your Wish Really Just That?

"Where are we going?"

"To the Hollow."

Soldier 11 answered Wise's question flatly, surprising him.

"Are we going to verify the rumor?" he asked, giving her a puzzled look.

"Hmm. Your words always inspire me. I want you to help me verify the authenticity of this rumor."

Although he knew that the so-called rumors were certainly nothing more than deceptions, Wise still agreed to accompany Soldier 11. She was happy to see that he agreed.

Sometime later, inside a Hollow...

"It's just ahead."

"What are you searching for?"

"I hope you like it. I loved it when I was younger."

As Soldier 11 spoke, she drew her weapon, ready to deal with the Ethereal blocking their path.

Wise followed closely behind.

"You can't celebrate the New Year without some explosions, right? The Ether surge from an exploding Ethereal is enough to wash away all the frailness and regrets of the past year. Please don't tell me you've never heard of this New Year tradition. It's really confusing me."

After dealing with the Ethereal, Soldier 11 turned to Wise and explained her reasoning. However, the bewildered look on his face made her realize something was wrong.

"Trust me, I'm even more confused than you. These... traditions? Who told you about them?" Wise asked, a little doubtful.

"They did."

The "they" Soldier 11 referred to must have been her teammates. Wise wondered if Trigger knew about this and decided to ask her later.

"Um, regarding the first rumor, I still want to try..."

Soldier 11 suddenly spoke during their journey.

Although she tried to appear calm, a hint of shyness was still evident in her voice.

"Hmm, no problem."

Wise smiled and put his arm around Soldier 11's waist before lowering his head.

Given her personality, telling him this rather than acting directly clearly indicated that she hoped Wise would take the initiative.

He naturally fulfilled her wish.

During the kiss, Soldier 11 was very passionate, even more so than when they had been on the verge of climax.

Was it because of the rumor?

After their lips parted, Soldier 11 pursed her lips, looking somewhat unsatisfied.

After accompanying Soldier 11 and dealing with numerous Ethereals inside the Hollow, she was finally satisfied, and the two returned to the Starloop together.

Even then, however, Wise was still somewhat puzzled.

"Incredible. Am I hearing you right? Battling exploding Ethereals isn't a New Year's tradition in New Eridu?"

"There's no such tradition on Gilded Carrot Day."

Although such a direct denial was a little blunt, it was more important to correct Soldier 11's mistaken beliefs.

And looking at it this way, Soldier 11's past was truly suspicious.

"Oh, come on. How can that be? Without the sound of Ethereals exploding, how quiet and boring would your New Year be? It must be incredibly dull," she complained.

"We have ordinary firecrackers and beautiful fireworks."

"...Those toys have nothing to do with combat..."

Upon hearing this, Wise spoke again, correcting Soldier 11's misunderstanding.

"Gilded Carrot Day isn't a festival for combat. New Year should be about relaxing."

"...So you don't fight at all? ...Not even once? You just hide away safely and enjoy the peace without facing any danger? That's just... so lazy... and yet so wonderful."

Soldier 11 was both puzzled and surprised, and she couldn't help but exclaim.

"I've never experienced a New Year like that. Compared to that, it feels like... all the 'traditions' I know are just tricks to lure us into the Hollow so we can kill more monsters."

At this point, Soldier 11 couldn't help but feel a little suspicious. Wise immediately caught the key point in her words.

"'Us'...?"

"Surprised? I have silver... I mean, I have siblings, just like you. Maybe we have more in common than we realize."

Soldier 11 deliberately avoided the subject. It wasn't that she didn't trust Wise, but that she didn't want to cause him trouble, so she quickly changed the subject.

"...I should get back to my mission. By the way, do you have any New Year's wishes?"

"Why do you ask?" he inquired.

"Just curious. It ties into what I know about a third 'New Year tradition.'"

Soldier 11 didn't directly explain what it was, but Wise already had an answer for his wish.

"I want to live a peaceful life with the person I love, free from illness and disaster."

"...Hmm."

Soldier 11's face flushed slightly. Although she was somewhat surprised that Wise would make such a wish, now that he had made it, she would definitely do her best to help make it come true.

"What a sweet and beautiful wish... On Gilded Carrot Day, I'll try to make time to come to your place. Also, please accept this."

Soldier 11 said this as she took out some materials. They were small New Year's gifts.

Giving gifts during the New Year was equivalent to passing on good luck. Soldier 11 was giving her good luck to Wise, hoping his wish would come true.

Wise smiled as he accepted the gift.

"I've accepted both the gift and the good luck, but you need good luck too, right?"

"A powerful soldier can protect herself. There's no need to worry about me," Soldier 11 replied.

"That won't do. As a return gift for such precious good luck, can you tell me your wish?"

Wise's words made Soldier 11 pause for a moment. She seemed to think of something before turning her head away, her expression growing uneasy.

"My wish is very simple. I want to become stronger. I want to get promoted... You can't help much with these things, so just give me a blessing."

"A blessing, of course. But is your wish really just that?"

Wise didn't give up. Instead, he stepped forward and leaned his face closer to Soldier 11's.

"It really is just that."

Soldier 11 still tried to hide her true inner wish.

Seeing this, Wise decided to retreat in order to advance, putting on a disappointed expression.

"Is that so? I thought that, given my relationship with you, I should be able to know your wish. I just wanted to do something for you..."

"No, Wise, I..."

Soldier 11 wanted to explain, but Wise shook his head.

"It's okay. After all, even spouses have secrets between them. Besides, on Gilded Carrot Day, I'll prepare a gift that I believe you will like."

Wise's demeanor made Soldier 11 feel even guiltier.

If she disappointed him simply because she was too shy to express her true wish...

Thinking of this, Soldier 11's gaze became firm. She deliberated over her words for a moment before finally speaking.

"Wise, actually, my true wish is..."

Soldier 11's voice was very soft, but Wise heard it clearly.

What she wanted was nothing more than to marry him after retiring and run a gooseberry farm together.

It was indeed a very good wish...

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