Read Novel Full Chapter 460 - Message
Chapter 460 - Message
The one who came over, switching places with the people from the Faraway Country, was Cattleya.
Until just a moment ago, she had been with Seras, but it seemed only Cattleya had come here.
Seras had joined up with Nyaki and the others, offering farewell greetings to those from the Faraway Country.
Eve went over there as well.
Erika had finally resigned herself and was now among them too.
So right now, the only one by my side was Cattleya.
A gentle breeze stirred.
The grass and flowers at our feet seemed to sway comfortably, entrusting themselves to the cradle of the wind.
It carried a scent like early spring.
It’s just———– when did it become this clear?
Before I knew it, the sky had turned a deep blue, so clear it could easily be called perfect weather.
With her face still turned toward Seras and the others, Cattleya spoke.
[We’ve already discussed the decisive battle and Seras to a reasonable extent…… and if you intend to remain in this world, then there really isn’t much left to talk about here and now, is there?]
[Yeah.]
The Neia faction would be departing for their homeland soon as well.
At the moment, Seras had begun exchanging farewells with the Holy Knights of Neia.
She embraced a well-built knight, then shared an embrace with the current commander, Makia.
While everyone lamented parting with Seras, they also seemed to be offering their blessings.
[I do hope that, at least for a time, an era of peace will come.]
Vysis had disappeared from this world.
But that didn’t mean the problem of the Root of All Evil had been resolved.
[At the very least, wars between nations don’t seem likely within the current generation of leaders.]
[Unless Bakuos develops another strange desire for territorial expansion, I imagine it will be limited to minor skirmishes among nobles.]
……Given that she was once the princess of Neia, it was only natural Cattleya had her misgivings about Bakuos.
Brushing back the hair the wind had nearly carried away, Cattleya looked toward the people from the Faraway Country.
[Well, there’s also the possibility that the newly secured territory of the Faraway Country could become a source of conflict…… fufu…… however, with that Fly King backing them, there likely aren’t many who would dare make a move.]
“At the very least, I would not wish to make an enemy of you”, she added, casting a glance my way.
I tilted my head back and gazed at the sky, almost as if I were looking at the world itself.
This sky felt as though it stretched on forever———-
So boundless that it gave the illusion of being connected even to the world I once came from.
[……Peace huh. Even if there aren’t any large-scale wars between nations for a while…… even if that sh*tty goddess is gone———– human wickedness won’t just disappear.]
All the trash I had crushed beneath my feet in this world.
Some of them didn’t even seem particularly influenced by Vysis.
The same was true in my original world.
Disgusting scum———– They just thrive everywhere.
At that, Cattleya lowered her gaze to her own shadow.
With a serene, almost enlightened smile, she said:
[I believe what matters is to live carefully…… never turning your eyes away from that wickedness. And when you are caught up in it, to decide how you will act in that moment…… and to prepare for that. That is probably the most an individual can do.]
[……That sounds about right.]
Thereupon, Cattleya’s smile shifted into that of a ruler.
[Even so———- I wish to shape the nation and its laws into something that can protect those who live good and honest lives. I mean…… isn’t it strange?]
She raised her hand to shade her eyes and narrowed her gaze.
Beyond her line of sight were those who had fought alongside us in the battle to defeat the goddess.
[For people like them, to live as they do, to suffer or weep because of someone’s malice————- there’s absolutely nothing right about that.]
With that said, Cattleya turned a wry smile toward me.
[I’m well aware it’s nothing more than an idealistic theory though.]
[……No.]
That answer, from the Queen of Neia……
It was, in a way, something that brought a sense of relief to my chest.
After all, it really was as she said.
Yes…… even so, it was a way of thinking that held value.
Or perhaps———–
From someone like Cattleya Stramius……
I had wanted to hear an answer like that.
[Whether or not it can actually be realized is another matter, but———–]
As a corner of my mouth lifted, I looked up at the vast blue sky once more.
[Coming from you…… it doesn’t sound like a bad ambition.]
It stretched on endlessly blue———— spreading out without limit.
▽
The representatives of each country and their entourages had already departed from Enoh.
And in the afternoon———– the Hero Repatriation Ceremony would be carried out.
I borrowed a room within the castle and called a few of the Heroes there.
The Takao sisters, Sogou Ayaka, and Kashima Kobato.
These were the four I had told I would remain in this world, and the ones who would retain their memories even after returning.
All four of them were now dressed in their Ogito Academy uniforms.
Seeing them all like this, in uniform together, really made it sink in that they were going back……
I turned to Hijiri.
[Have you said your goodbyes to the others?]
[Yes, to everyone I could think of.]
As Hijiri answered, the other three gave the same response.
Itsuki smiled cheerfully.
[Man, Erica coming here too was a surprise huh~~. Hehe, but I’m glad I got to spend a little more time with Eve and Liz.]
Saying that, she crouched down and hugged Slei, who was standing beside me.
[It’s gonna suck being apart from Slei too! Pakyuuun!]
[Pakyuun!]
[Take care, Pigimaru!]
[Pinii~~!]
Pigimaru was perched on top of Slei’s head.
He kind of looked like a weird hat……
Also, Seras wasn’t here right now.
They had already finished saying our farewells with her before noon.
Actually, I’d already exchanged a fair amount of words with these four by today.
So what we were doing here now really felt like a final goodbye.
If I had to compare it, yeah…… it was like seeing someone off at a train platform.
[Mimori-kun.]
The first to step forward, as if taking the lead, was Sogou Ayaka.
[I caused you a lot of trouble, but…… thank you. Being able to go back like this, I think your strength played a huge part in it.]
She still looked a little uncomfortable.
Right…… she was still only halfway there.
Even though she’s lost in her ways———— She will keep moving forward.
From here on, too.
[When I return to our world, I want to learn many things…… And among them, I want to find what I can do…… what I should do. And……]
Sogou continued.
[It might not make up for what I’ve done…… but if there are people I feel I should help, I want to do everything I can to support them…… even if it’s not directly, even if it’s in some roundabout way.]
She let out a small chuckle.
Her brows drooped as she gave a wry smile.
There was a thin layer of self-mockery clinging to it.
Her gaze flicked briefly toward Hijiri.
[And of course…… when I need to, I’ll rely on people I trust.]
[……There’s not much left I need to tell you.]
It’s a cliché, but———–
Answers aren’t something just lying around somewhere.
Maybe they’re like eggs, sleeping within you from the start.
And before you realize it, they’re nurtured inside you, until one day they’re “born”.
That’s probably what the answers of the heart are like.
[I hope you find it someday———— an answer you can truly accept, in your own way.]
Sogou’s expression softened.
Her eyes showed warm gratitude.
She smiled and said.
[———-Yes.]
……Not a bad smile.
She should be fine here on out.
[It’s a cliché, but…… do your best.]
[Unn…… thank you.]
[———-Take care.]
When I held out my hand, she wrapped it in both of hers.
[Yes———– you too, Mimori-kun.]
Perhaps thinking she would just be in the way after this, she left the room with a lingering smile of gratitude.
After watching the door close, Hijiri spoke after a short pause.
[You really have a knack for choosing your words, Mimori-kun. It’s almost frightening.]
Having also seen Sogou off, I turned back to Takao Hijiri.
[Sorry for dumping this on you, but…… take care of my uncle and aunt.]
[Of course, leave it to me. But…… about the details of our “fake relationship”, is it okay if I come up with them on my side?]
[……As long as it doesn’t create contradictions for my uncle and aunt.]
Well, if it’s Takao Hijiri, she’ll handle that just fine.
Hijiri took out her smartphone.
[Should we take a photo together with this smartphone, something that wouldn’t give away that we’re in another world?]
[No…… that’s probably unnecessary.]
[I’m joking. If we showed a picture like that, it might just make them suspicious instead.]
[I’m actually pretty good at acting, you know?]
[———–Then shall we take one? If we do, I’ll put in the effort.]
[I’ll pass.]
Hijiri let out a soft chuckle.
[That so.]
Taking photos isn’t really something you go out of your way to put effort into.
Thereupon, Itsuki smoothly joined the conversation.
[Big Sis has always been bad with photos after all. But honestly, I think that’s part of her charm.]
And just like that, she casually revealed the truth.
[Itsuki……]
[Ehehe, come on, it’s fine. I like that side of you too, Big Sis.]
I see.
So the one lacking confidence in acting…… was Hijiri huh.
That was a bit unexpected.
She’s good at keeping a poker face during negotiations but……
When it comes to something like posing properly for a photo, she’s not good at it.
[Heck, according to Loqierra, once we go back, any videos or images from this world will probably disappear.]
[That’s something we won’t know until we return and confirm it ourselves.]
Yeah, there were still many things we wouldn’t know until we actually went back.
Hijiri glanced briefly at Kashima.
Then she shifted her gaze to check the clock in the room.
[It’s about time, isn’t it?]
She was probably taking Kashima’s time into account.
Hijiri straightened her posture and said calmly,
[Well then, Mimori-kun…… I wish for a good future for you and the others.]
You and the others huh.
You’re pretty good with your choice of words too——— Takao Hijiri.
Itsuki, who had been playing with Slei, stood up and faced me.
[If you’re staying, Mimori, I bet these guys will be happy too! And from me——— may you and Seras-san live happily ever after!]
[Yeah. You guys keep getting along too.]
Itsuki gave a sharp thumbs-up.
[Of course!]
Incidentally, about the incident where Takao Itsuki made me clearly realize my “true nature”……
I’d told Hijiri and Sogou to keep that from her.
Itsuki seemed like the type who could be surprisingly sensitive about that kind of thing.
Hijiri turned on her heel.
Naturally———– as if it were the most obvious thing, Itsuki lined up beside her.
At the door, Hijiri turned back once.
[I agree with your decision to remain in this world. But even so——— there’s something I can’t help but wonder.]
[Hm?]
[If you, as you are now, had been attending Ogito Academy with me, my remaining school life might have been quite interesting———- Just kidding.]
With that, Hijiri faced forward again and took hold of the doorknob.
Beside her, Itsuki leaned forward, peering at her sister’s face.
[Oh? Big Sis, does that mean———]
Tap.
As if urging her to leave, Hijiri lightly patted her sister on the back.
[Let’s go, Itsuki.]
<Author’s Notes>
For the final arc, if I’m not in the right mindset (or rather, if I don’t feel like “I can write today”), it’s often hard for me to make progress. The gap between when I can write and when I can’t has been quite large and unstable (there were also several other issues), which made it difficult to maintain regular updates as I had before. I’m truly sorry that I was rarely able to keep up a consistent schedule or announce the next update date. From last year into this year, this writing period has really made me realize just how difficult it is to bring a long story to a proper conclusion as originally planned. (As for my next work, which I’ve been casually writing bit by bit as a way to refresh myself when I couldn’t write this one…… I’d like to approach that a bit more comfortably.)
Given that I’ve been writing under these conditions…… Although I thought I would definitely finish the final arc within this year, it looks like I’ll need just a little more time before reaching completion. That said, even considering the possibility of splitting a chapter due to length, there are fewer than 10 chapters remaining, so I believe it should be possible to finish in the not-too-distant future. (Thank you as well for the encouraging comments and feedback on the previous chapters, they’ve really helped motivate me toward completion.)
Also, there will be another update today, around 11:00 PM.