Book 10 Chapter 11

Episode 236

The Solon Kingdom quickly entered a phase of recovery.

Everyone's mind and body had been trampled by the plague, but the people, hearing of the young prince's struggle, united with one heart.

On the first day, we were all exhausted from the concentrated fatigue and accumulated injuries, but those who rose from their sickbeds first helped rebuild the royal palace.

"Haha, this friend is as strong as an ox, isn't he?"

"He's my subordinate. His name is Bart. Please spread the word far and wide. Tell them our Lem and Bart's Heart-Pounding Money Duplication Adventuring Party is incredibly amazing."

Those ordinary, everyday scenes.

The sight, only visible at the end of a short chapter of a journey, was so similar to the days spent with those fools 300 years ago.

There was no way to hide the sad smile that sometimes spontaneously appeared.

If Miria, who perfectly resembled Rista, were here, my heart might have been even heavier, but she disappeared somewhere every morning, claiming to be training.

"I, I hav an corownashun."

"What does 'corownashun' mean?"

"I think he means 'coronation.' Hmm, well, yes. The royal throne has been vacant for too long."

Obin said, rubbing his index finger as if embarrassed.

He said that the kingdom's circumstances made it necessary to simplify the process greatly, but he still wanted to invite all of us as honored guests.

I worried that Obin might be in a difficult position due to opposition from nobles who valued royal protocols and rituals, but…

"The high and low officials at the center of Taeseongjin are all dead. The rotten vested interests have collapsed. You could say it's an ideal environment for reform."

That, that wicked fellow.

Just like a dark wizard.

"Hmm, anyway, a coronation…"

It would be a good experience for Aki and Setsunen too. Attending a coronation as an honored guest is not an experience one can easily have anywhere.

And the Solon Kingdom's coronation takes place in a historically very significant location.

That is, in Mayaddure, located on the sacred mountain north of Bara, the Sun City.

Perhaps the gods were also celebrating the new ascension, for that day the morning mist was thin, and the forest was filled with the scent of dew.

Countless citizens and soldiers attended the coronation, and everyone was well-behaved even though no one was actively maintaining order.

Before the coronation began, I showed Aki and Setsunen the Mayaddure Valley.

"This is Mayaddure."

"Ooh~ It's very crowy."

"Distant."

"It's distant!"

"Diiistaaaant."

"That's right. Do you know what kind of place this is? The Creation Moon, Meian, offered earnest prayers here and transformed the Swamp of Death into the Meia River."

"Meiaaa?"

Perhaps due to her mental growth mirroring Aki's, Setsunen had also grown quite a bit. She could now speak words mixed with babbling.

"Aki, Nen, you two will become incredibly strong someday."

"Aki will?"

"Neeeennn?"

"Yes, to the point where even this genius wizard wouldn't dare to mess with you."

Meia preached love and service, so all the miracles of Meia that the fairy priests talk about are stories reflecting her character.

"When that happens, you know what? I hope you two become dragons who can pray wholeheartedly for others, just like Meia."

I don't know how much longer I can be with these guys, and if there's anything I can teach them, it would be their mindset.

It took a year and a half to get here from Halvardonia, but it's already Solon.

Now, within a year, I'll be able to take Aki to <Flaming Myriad>. Which means we'll be parting ways within a year.

"If Aki becomes like that, will Papa be happy?"

"Of course, incredibly happy."

"Then Aki will become like that!"

"Daaaat!"

As Aki raised her hand high, Setsunen, perhaps thinking of imitating her older sister, raised both hands and let out a spirited cry.

Then Aki picked up Setsunen and smiled brightly.

Yes, I never forgot it until the day I died.

That day, the sound of your laughter as you looked down at the Meia River from the Mayaddure Valley.

The tremor of the soul that rippled deeply through my body, stirring my emotions.

* * *

"We shall begin."

I felt a different kind of emotion at the coronation, a different feeling of profoundness than the previous one. Rem whistled.

"I completely forgot he was Prince Obin, what with him wearing such shabby clothes and stammering when we first met."

Nevertheless, with royal attire and regal adornments, a definite nobility bloomed from his body.

Originally, he had worn the artificially created neural bandage, but now he wore a crown in which the royal jeweler had perfectly engraved the same magic circle.

But he still kept his gaze down and had a blush on his cheeks, as if embarrassed.

In a manner similar to the fairy priests, the Solon royals first had oil poured on their heads from a horn cup before receiving the crown.

"May the King live for ten thousand years."

When the priest who poured the oil said that, the people willingly raised both hands high and repeated the words.

If only.

It's just a hypothetical.

If I could have returned to the magic tower, could I have arranged such a welcome ceremony for my fellow students…?

"Rain Ludwig."

At that moment, as I clapped and indulged in futile imaginings, Valensidis, sitting beside me, spoke.

"I have something to say."

* * *

"You, you're leaving… already?"

Now that he was king, he didn't need to speak to us so respectfully, but Obin still clung to the old ways.

At this point, *we* were more uncomfortable.

And we had received enough. Bart also had new armor forged, and Miria received various equipment. There was even a sword belt with the Shirupeng hanging from it.

- Are you going to take that?

- So what? It was lost anyway, so what's the problem if I take it a little further, to <Flaming Myriad>?

Hmm, that's true…

He really is subtly similar to Rista, who used to break rules when bored.

"We don't have time to stay long. And if we stay here too long, someone worse might come looking for us."

If Elamas, the third pillar, was this skilled, then what would the skill of Zernix, the second pillar, be like…?

And there's one thing I definitely learned from this incident with Elamas.

I need to part ways with Aki as soon as possible. So that no lifelong longing remains in Aki's life, so that she doesn't collapse.

"Still, don't be too sad. That slick teacher Valensidis will be staying here."

This matter, which I had heard directly from Valensidis at the coronation, had already been discussed with my companions.

- I wish to remain here.

There might still be remnants of the Dawn Brigade, and the kingdom's safety is at risk from bandits and pirates.

- I want to teach until my last breath. And I want to help make this country truly great.

For some reason, looking at Obin and Valensidis, I had thought such a day might come, but hearing it directly gave me a desolate feeling.

- I'm already unable to be a full force on the journey. My only intact fingers are my right thumb and index finger. Serwebon will take over the healing work.

- …

- Half my face is melted, so I'll have to live wearing a mask for the rest of my life, but I think it turned out well. I'm not a person who can proudly show his face anywhere.

Since their connection with this fellow was short, the other companions all easily agreed…

My first impression was the worst.

The days we spent together in the student council were worse than the worst, and our companionship after parting ways at the Papal See and meeting again in the Red Mountains…

"You look disappointed that I'm not coming with you, Rain Ludwig."

"No, I'm not."

"Well, of course you wouldn't be. Now you can't use the 'Please help me, Senior' chance every time things get tough."

"Shut up. One piece of baggage has dropped off, and I'm so relieved that I could easily eat hundreds of bowls of rice in my current state."

We exchanged sarcastic remarks, but smiles seemed to be playing on our lips.

This was the beautiful end of our long yet short connection with this fellow.

I was the first to extend my hand, and Valensidis took my hand with his hand, which only had a thumb and an index finger left.

He sacrificed his left arm to save me, and lost three fingers on his right hand protecting Obin.

"It was quite enjoyable, Valensidis."

"Yeah, don't forget me. And train your worthless little dragon to remember my name accurately."

"Aki will try not to forget Balendesdisi's name!"

"Di-ssiiiii!"

"Don't get too angry, Valsiredis. They're just kids."

"My name is Valensidis…"

I saw Valensidis trembling and suppressing his anger.

Among the companions, Pipi was the one who gave a somewhat proper farewell.

Pipi, perched on his shoulder, rubbed her face against Valensidis's iron mask.

"Valen, Valen, Valen."

He started to stroke Pipi's head but stopped. As if his negativity might transfer to her.

Self-loathing is deeply rooted in this guy's heart.

What could I say as a senior at this moment? Rista and Fride would surely have looked him in the face and offered wonderful words of comfort, but…

"Obin."

I can't do that.

Is it because I'm not mature enough yet?

"The unfortunate life and circumstances you had to walk through at such a young age will now become a great asset in your life."

So, I try to offer comfort to someone else. So that that comfort can also reach the one I truly want to comfort.

"Because you couldn't speak, you were able to meet people who recognized your inner worth."

Just as I was born an orphan.

Just as I met Headmaster Atlante and was able to join Rista's party.

"Looking back, they may be sad events, but through those experiences, you've come to understand the pain and sorrow of ordinary people more than any other royal, haven't you?"

"…!"

"That will certainly give you great strength on your way to becoming a great wizard. And what if there have only been sad things until now?"

I'll tell you the comfort I received and the enlightenment I gained living my life, placing my hand on your shoulder.

"It means you can fill the future only with joyful things. Your life starts now."

Tears streamed from Obin's eyes.

Did it reach that guy too?

While I patted Obin's shoulder and stood up, not a word came from Valensidis.

"…Great Senior!"

And just as I was about to turn and head to my companions waiting at the palace entrance, a faintly trembling cry was heard.

"The grace of having given great teachings to a junior who has no qualifications or worth…"

Kneeling on both knees.

With his one remaining hand gripping the carpet.

"I will never forget it, even in death…!"

Pressing his forehead onto that hand, shedding teardrops through the eyeholes of his iron mask.

"May your journey be filled with eternal well-being…"

Is this the end of our story, we who once exchanged wary words?

If we could show our past selves this sight, would they truly believe it?

How wonderful it would have been if my farewell to Tureyna could have had such a beautiful end.

Perhaps because he was a disciple's disciple, even if it was formal, did Tureyna's image overlay Valensidis kneeling…?

The day I decided to journey with Valensidis, I had hoped to see a different ending with this guy compared to Tureyna.

Did that choice on that day lead me to this scene? I felt a warmth permeate the story of disconnection that filled my life.

Complex emotions welled up, and there was no way to stop the blur of moisture in my eyes.

"Valensidis, if the opportunity arises, let's meet again sometime. It's not difficult for friends, is it?"

Though I can no longer meet my friends from 300 years ago, we are living in this era together now.

So.

Without any fuss, as if it were natural, we can meet again. It will happen.