Six months after he arrived, Pinky gathered everyone for the final lesson.
The slime sisters stood in formation, wearing their black armor, weapons in hand. They looked nothing like the trembling, terrified creatures he had found all those months ago.
Lizy's posture was confident, her sword grip perfect. Wixi's arrows were nocked and ready, her aim steady. Mimi held her axe without fear, her small form radiating unexpected power.
"You're leaving," Lizy said. It wasn't a question.
Pinky nodded.
"Don't," Mimi whispered. "Please. Stay with us."
He shook his head. He pointed toward the east, toward the mountains where the Demon Queen's castle waited.
"Then we'll stop you," Wixi said, raising her bow. "We won't let you go."
Pinky drew his sword.
The fight was brief.
They attacked together, using everything he had taught them. Coordinated strikes. Covering fire. Aggressive pushes and tactical retreats. They were good. Better than he had expected.
But he was still Pinky.
In less than a minute, all three lay on the ground, disarmed but unharmed.
Pinky sheathed his sword. He looked down at them, and behind his mask, he smiled.
"You're proud of us," Lizy said, reading his body language. "Aren't you?"
Pinky nodded.
"Will you come back?" Mimi asked, tears streaming. "After you finish your mission?"
He didn't answer. They both knew why.
He turned and walked away. Lyriel followed, her expression still haunted, her steps mechanical.
The slime sisters watched until they disappeared over the horizon.
***
On the road, Lyriel tried to speak.
"Husband," she started. "That night... with the slimes... I saw..."
Pinky looked at her.
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Shook her head.
"Never mind," she said. "It's nothing."
Some things were easier to forget than to understand.