Chương 103: Chapter 69:”Yu, Walking the Path of a FabL”

When I realized where I was and opened my eyes, a beautiful emerald green sky spread out above me. I took a deep breath, and the pleasant scent of grass permeated my entire body. Sitting up, I saw an endless meadow stretching out before me. The Lasil Great Plains—"Ah! Yu! You're awake!" I heard Alice's voice calling out and turned around. Beyond her, there were many people. They were the people who had fought together to protect Sacris.

I could see them eating food, drinking alcohol, and chatting harmoniously next to rows of tables.

"You know, you've been asleep for two whole days."

"Two days?" As Alice ran up to me, she told me something surprising. A moment later, Milia arrived as well.

"Mother decided to move up the schedule and hold an outdoor celebration party. Many people died, but she said that's exactly why we have to laugh brightly and blow away the gloom." Now that they mentioned it, if I squinted, I could see Seanne, the maid. She was busily but happily carrying Yufu to those who couldn't drink alcohol. Terella, who was sitting at the organizer's seat, noticed I was awake and waved her hand widely. I waved back in response.

"So, does that mean everything worked out in the end?" I vaguely remember landing an attack on him at the very end, but... It seems I lost consciousness after that. I didn't know anything.

"As for Will, he went home after that. It feels kind of annoying, like he ran away with a win, though." Alice made a sullen face, and Milia agreed.

"Really. What was with that guy?" Milia puffed out her cheeks, but soon returned to her usual expression and smiled at me.

"Well, anyway, I don't think he'll be meddling with this world anymore." — He won't be meddling with this world anymore. When I heard those words, I felt as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from my shoulders. I see. I was able to protect everyone. My relief must have been conveyed to them. The two of them softened their expressions and looked at me with warm eyes.

"Good work. Thank you so much for everything."

"If Yu hadn't been here, we might have all died."

"No. It was everyone's power. It's thanks to everyone." I couldn't have done anything alone. It was because we combined our strength that we were able to protect everything.

"Well, that's true too. It's a victory we snatched with all our strength!" Next to Alice, who proudly puffed out her chest, Milia took my hand as I sat there.

"Let's go. Everyone is waiting."

"Ah, unfair! Usually, that's my role!"

"Fufu. Who decided that?" I smiled back, stood up as they pulled me by the hand, and headed to the center of the party venue. There, I was showered with words of appreciation and gratitude by a large crowd. Everyone was covered in wounds, but they looked truly happy. I felt like my efforts had been rewarded. Since I hadn't eaten anything for a long time and was starving, I decided to get some food right away.

I tried to grab a large piece of bone-in meat right in front of me and bite into it, but I stopped when I looked around. I should eat a little more elegantly, or it would be unseemly. I decided to look for a knife and fork to cut the meat. As I walked around, I happened to run into Argus. His right arm was completely reattached and back to its original state. Since I had been vaguely watching him fight Will, I knew it had healed somehow, but seeing it right in front of me made me relieved. I'm really glad.

"Yu. You're up."

"Yeah. I'm perfectly fine now." I pushed myself in various ways, but there seem to be no aftereffects. He looked into my eyes and thanked me with a serious face.

"Thanks for letting me deliver the finishing blow in my revenge. Without you, I couldn't have defeated him." My answer to that was already decided. Argus, who had suppressed himself for so long. Who fought prioritizing saving me and protecting everyone. That's why I wanted to let him win as he wished. But saying something like that would be tactless.

"No need for thanks. We won because we fought together. That's all, right?" When I said that and smiled, he looked dumbfounded for a while. After a moment, he muttered quietly.

"... Did your atmosphere change a little?"

"Maybe a little."

"I" (Watashi) answered with a smile, together with him. Now then. I finally found a knife and fork. When I returned to where I was, the meat I intended to eat was gone. Instead, there was Senior Karla biting into it wildly like a beast, and Senior Ketty admonishing her. Good grief. These people.

"Senior Karla. Senior Ketty."

"Oh, isn't it Yu! Are you feeling better already?" Senior Karla tossed the meat aside and asked me while leaning in. I didn't feel any of the gloom from when she was the Masked Woman. She's completely back to her old self.

"Yes. As you can see, I'm full of energy."

"That's good. When you started fighting that guy alone, I was really worried sick. I'm glad you're safe."

"It was dangerous, though." I nodded at Senior Ketty's words. In reality, I was killed countless times, but since I was brought back to life by his whim, I guess you could say I'm safe. After talking for a while, Senior Karla suddenly tightened her expression. Her face wasn't one of brooding, but rather a dignified look showing her resolution. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"You know, I... I'm going to turn myself in after this party ends. I did things that can never be forgiven, and well, I might get the death penalty, but—I want to atone for my crimes until the end, so that I can meet him again with my head held high, even a little." Saying that, she showed a slightly sorrowful look. I looked firmly into her eyes and smiled.

"I understand. No matter where you go, Senior Karla is a precious senior to me. I'm rooting for you. I think prison will be cold, so please take care of yourself."

"—Thank you. I was truly saved by you guys." Partway through, Seanne brewed me the promised "exceptionally delicious Yufu." Of course, Alice, Milia, Argus, Senior Karla, and Senior Ketty joined in too. The tea she brewed was truly exceptionally delicious. Without high-quality tea leaves combined with top-tier skill, this flavor definitely wouldn't come out. It was so delicious that I almost started acting like a critic. Come to think of it, where did Master Inea go?

Now that I was full, I had been concerned for a while that I couldn't see Master nearby. Lenks was missing too. Curious, I started thinking about searching for them. If I transformed into a man, I could find them instantly using Qi, but I didn't feel like transforming in front of this large crowd. Reluctantly, I walked around searching while staying as a woman, and I spotted Dreet.

"Mr. Dreet."

"Oh. Yu. Can you move already?"

"Yes. I'm fine now." He rubbed his beard and spoke deeply.

"We both did well."

"That's right. Your cooperation was really reassuring, Mr. Dreet. Thank you very much." He was the first to unite the Sword Corps, the first to destroy the orb, and he fought Will while protecting everyone. Although I had almost no direct interaction with him, he was a person of merit who supported this battle from the shadows. I expressed my gratitude from the bottom of my heart.

"For me as well, nothing is better than this old body being of use." He laughed with his characteristic "Fuffu."

"By the way, do you know where Master is?"

"Hmm. If it's Master, she went over there with Sir Arlize." He pointed in a direction diagonally forward to my left. With Jilph? I wonder if the master and disciple have something to talk about.

"I understand. I'll go check it out."

"Umu." I bowed and decided to walk in the direction I was told. After walking a little, beyond the meadow where nothing blocked the view, I saw two small figures. They were quite far away, so I couldn't tell what they were doing. —Alright. See through the distance." [Arlcumber Scope]" It's magic that allows you to magnify and see things clearly like a telescope. I decided to observe the two of them using this. Then, just at that moment—. Master Inea held out her left index finger and middle finger to Jilph.

That was a "Shimming" that indicated a confession of love. Long ago, I made a mistake and used it on Milia. I remember it well because I was teased relentlessly for it. That means—. Before long, the answer became clear. Jilph squeezed Master's fingers back with the Shimming of his left hand. It was proof that he accepted the confession. The two embraced and exchanged a passionate kiss. A single tear spilled from Master's eye. —This is the first time I've ever seen Master crying. I canceled [Arlcumber Scope].

I felt hesitant to peek at the two of them any further. From Master's usual tone, I had vaguely sensed that she had feelings for Jilph that went beyond just a master. Since he is also a FabL, he will eventually have to leave this world again. Knowing that, the two of them...... If there really is love. I wonder if I, as a man or a woman, am allowed to love someone too. Even if I know that someday I have to leave. I don't know yet. But. I felt like blessing the two who chose to love from the bottom of my heart.

Please be happy. Master. Looking to the side, I saw the Magical Empire Edel, which had already fallen to the ground. I noticed a small figure standing at its foot. When I used [Arlcumber Scope] again, the back of a characteristic blonde head looking up at Edel came into view. No mistake. It's Lenks. Using [Falspeed], I ran up to him. Noticing my approach on the way, he turned around slightly to confirm it was me, then faced forward again. I went right up to his side and called out to him.

"What were you doing?"

"Nn. I was thinking about how to clean up this thing."

"I see." Edel, equipped with unknown magical technology and terrifying military power. If we leave something like this behind, it will likely leave a source of trouble over its power for a long time. Created by Will through an unnatural process, it will inevitably cause distortion in the world. It is a legacy that is too early for this era.

"—Right. Even if we bury it in the ground, someone might dig it up again. Let's just boldly send it all the way to space."

"Yeah. That sounds good."

"Alright." When he held up his hand, Edel began to float again. This time, without stopping in the sky, it ascended endlessly. It grew smaller and smaller before my eyes, and eventually, it became completely invisible.

"Phew. One job done."

"You really can do anything easily, huh, Lenks." When I said that with honest admiration, he was embarrassed and humble.

"That's not really true." Together, we stared at the large hole where Edel used to be. Naturally, there was nothing there anymore. Nothing that threatens the world anymore. Something suddenly crossed my mind, so I asked.

"Lenks, how much longer can you stay?"

"We came here forcibly using [Rebellion], so only a few more days."

"I see." By "we," does he mean he came with Jilph? If so, it means Master can only be with him for a few more days. For a reunion after more than three hundred years, it's too short. And this time, it will likely be an eternal parting. I wonder if they aren't sad. At that moment, I remembered the words Master told me a long time ago. 『I cannot do anything about your circumstances. However, I can say just this. 』 『Even if the time for parting comes someday. Yu. It doesn't mean I will disappear from you.

』 『When you swing your sword. In what I taught you, and what I will teach you from now on. I am in there. It's the same for other people. Even if places are far apart, hearts are connected. 』 —Perhaps, Master... At first... she might have lived telling herself that. As time passed, maybe it gradually turned into a real feeling. Hearts are connected, huh. I felt like I could understand that feeling a little bit now. Now that I have certainly felt the warmth and power of everyone's hearts back then.

Did he think something when he saw me lost in thought? Lenks said teasingly.

"What. If it's me, I can meet you again anytime. I'll come to see you often from now on."

"Thanks for that. But I wasn't particularly thinking about you."

"Is that so—" A brief silence flowed. Eventually, he was the first to speak.

"Even so, you've really grown up. You resemble Yuna, becoming beautiful and cute."

"Do you really think I look like Mom?"

"Yeah. Your eyes and face are exactly alike. Hey, can I hold you for a bit again?"

"What do you mean 'hold'? I'm not a small child anymore."

"Now, now. It's fine, isn't it? I love you!" Grinning with a creepy smile, he approached me trying to hug me. No matter how I think about it, this is the shady kind of love. I slammed a straight punch, the first in about nine years, into his silly face with all my might, loaded with nostalgia.

"Don't try to stick to me. Pervert."

"Good punch. Truly Yuna-class." Even while his nose turned bright red, he was grinning happily. This guy is hopeless. He's done for in various ways.

"Did you do this kind of thing to Mom too?"

"No..." What did he remember? Lenks (This idiot) shook his head from side to side.

"I didn't have the courage to do that to her. After all, she was scary when she got angry!"

"Haha. You can say that again!"

"I couldn't confess to her for a long time either."

"That was true. Coward."

"Shut up." Lenks, looking a little distant, gazed at me with warm eyes again.

"Well, in that respect, you are kind after all. Or should I say, it's easy to show desire honestly."

"If you get too carried away, I'll kick your weak spot next time." When I glared at him with half-open eyes, he laughed happily and nodded, "Okay, okay." Honestly, geez.

"That's right. I have something to give you." Saying so as if he remembered, he took out something like a palm-sized silver round watch from his pocket. Beautiful angel-like wings were carved only on the left side of the lid.

"What is that?"

"A World Gauge. There's nothing to be done about this world anymore, but from next time, if you cross worlds with this, it will calculate and tell you the approximate stayable period in the destination world."

"Hee. So there was such a convenient thing."

"Yeah. It's made quite sturdy, so it won't break easily." A World Gauge, huh. It sounds like a convenient item just by hearing it. Seeing something like this makes me feel like I'm finally joining the ranks of FabLs.

"Thanks for going out of your way."

"It's fine. I was a little late, after all. I have to do at least this much." There, he smiled as if he had a scheme.

"By the way, it's a matching set with mine." He took out his own World Gauge. Certainly, the design was identical, and on top of that, symmetrical. His had wings carved only on the right side.

"Try overlapping the lids a little. You'll be surprised." Feeling a slightly bad premonition, I tried to overlap the lid of my World Gauge with his as told. They clicked together perfectly so that the pair of wings became complete. Then, some kind of magic formula activated from there—. A ridiculously bright pink heart mark floated in the air. Furthermore, next to it, "To my beloved Yu" was drawn hugely, purposely in Japanese. It's fortunate that no one can read Japanese. But it's embarrassing beyond words.

"How is it? Pretty romantic, right?"

"Die." I kicked him in the shin while smiling brightly. For a while, we talked about memories with him and what happened until now. As if to make up for the nine years we were apart, our conversation bounced after a long time. It was really fun. Eventually, the topic moved to FabLs. Why he didn't tell me anything back then. I learned his true intention.

"About FabLs. I dared not to teach you almost anything. I wanted you to feel this for yourself without forcing it on you with words beforehand." He stared straight into my eyes and asked as if questioning.

"How is it? Your impression of becoming a FabL." Asked that, I placed my hand on my chest and closed my eyes. I sorted out my feelings. When I learned the fate that I could never die. When I learned the fate of drifting through the stars forever. I despaired. I thought I should have died before it came to that. But now, I don't think so. If I hadn't become a FabL, I wouldn't have met everyone. If I didn't have this power, I couldn't have saved everyone.

"I" (Watashi) wouldn't have existed either. From now on, countless painful partings will probably come. But. If there are just as many wonderful encounters as there are stars. And memories with everyone continue to live in my heart forever. Isn't that a very wonderful thing? Since then, I've been thinking about it all the time. What makes my life worth living. I feel like I've somewhat come to understand it. It vaguely came into view from the accumulation of days I've spent up to here. A really simple answer.

To enjoy the journey. To form irreplaceable connections with people in the worlds I go to. The power of these two bodies and hearts is surely for that purpose. I will become a FabL who interacts with the world. I will become a FabL who mingles with people. That is my way of life. The path I live. I opened my eyes, stared back firmly into his eyes, and answered.

"It's not bad—yeah. It's not bad, I guess."

"Hehe. Is that so—I think so too." Lenks agreed with me and smiled gently.