After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
“Rune!?”
At that voice, Jamie was the first to react, rushing to the door.
“It’s Jamie, big sister! I can only hear your voice, but are you okay?”
“Of—of course I am...! You’re the one who ran off on your own... I was so worried about you!”
“Ehehe, I’m sorry.”
From the other side of the single door, we could hear Niberune’s unchanged voice.
That simple fact moved not just Jamie, but all of us to tears.
“Rune, I’m coming over there now, okay? Is that alright, Yuke?”
“...Got it. We’ll all go in and meet up with Rune. Then—”
“No.”
Niberune’s voice cut off our words.
“Rune knows, you know. Just a little while ago, you were fighting over ‘who’s going to close the door,’ right? You promised to get along, didn’t you?”
Hearing the voice of our little sister, still so young, made all of us look down in shame.
It was honestly awkward.
“Don’t worry, we made it in time! I’ll close the door, okay?”
“Then that means Rune-chan will...!”
“It’s okay, I’m not alone. I have a dependable big brother helping me.”
From beyond the door, it felt like Niberune was smiling.
“You’re with someone?”
“Yeah. A knight just as dependable as Yuke-oniichan. He’s holding back the monsters coming toward this door all by himself. So I have to hurry and close it.”
“Still, we should—”
“No more being selfish! Everyone has their own role to play, right, Yuke-oniichan?”
Her gentle, persuasive voice made me loosen the hand I had placed on the door.
That’s right... back then, Uncle, Niberune, and I had promised to fulfill our roles.
We even did things that seemed like betraying our companions to make it happen.
“Yuke-oniichan, your role is to stay with the others... and be happy!”
“Rune-chan, aren’t you going to be lonely?”
Marina asked quietly.
Without hesitation, Niberune answered, “It’s okay.”
“I’ll go on my own journey! It’s a little sad that I won’t be able to see you all, but I feel like we’ll definitely meet again someday. Please stay by Yuke-oniichan’s side!”
“Okay. I understand.”
“I believe we’ll meet again.”
Rain and Marina nodded with tear-filled eyes.
“Nene-oneechan and Silk-oneechan too. I’m looking forward to hearing your stories when we meet again.”
“Of course! I’ll practice making meat pies...!”
“Please take care of yourself and don’t get sick or hurt, okay, Rune?”
Niberune responded to their words through the door.
Leaning heavily against it, Jamie’s face was scrunched up in tears.
“Rune, no. Don’t go. Come back. We’re supposed to go to the amusement park together...!”
“Jamie-oneechan...”
“Why is it only you... you’re still just a kid. Why can’t I take your place...?”
“Rune is happy. Because you think of me like that, Jamie-oneechan, I can do my best.”
“You don’t have to do your best! You’re just a child!”
“No. Rune is already a full-fledged adventurer! So it’s okay. I’ll go, and then come back... so wait for me!”
The sound of Rune’s bright voice and Jamie’s sobbing echoed through the quiet garden.
“Ah, looks like time’s almost up.”
From beyond the door came the sound of clashing swords.
Then a rough voice yelled, “Hey, kid! We’re running out of time here! Hurry up!”
I felt like I recognized that voice a little, but there wasn’t time to think too deeply.
“Rain, the compass.”
“...! Right!”
Understanding my intention, Rain handed me the Seeker’s Compass.
I wrapped the remaining amber around it and threw it through the door.
“Onii-chan, this is...!?”
“You know how to use it, right? It’ll help you on your journey. Rune... you must come back, no matter what.”
“...Yeah! I’m going! See you all again!”
With that reply, the Abyss Gate slowly began to close.
Eventually, its glow faded, and with a small click, it shut completely.
◆
"It’s almost time to say goodbye."
At the only port on Vilmuren Island, on the largest pier, Silk smiled gently at us.
"Hey, are you really staying behind?"
"Yes. There are still things I need to do."
Marina, her eyes a little teary, hugged Silk tightly.
Silk chuckled softly as if to comfort her.
"Don’t worry, Marina. Once I'm done, I’ll return to Welmeria."
"Okay... but I’m sad."
"If you say that, it’ll make me feel lonely too."
── About a month ago.
After confirming the shutdown of the Abyss Gate inside the World Tree, we made our way back through the now-stabilized "Amber Forest" and safely returned to Amberle.
The World Tree, which had once quietly towered at the center of Vilmuren Island, had withered and collapsed after losing its "Amber," but later investigations found tiny new sprouts.
Having exhausted its "Culling" power, it would now finally be reborn as a tree of this world.
However, great confusion, wounds, and changes had come to this Dark Elf island.
Additionally, because the scandal caused by Ilwen Pearlwood was broadcasted, it became a major issue that stirred up the world.
Luckily — if you could call it that — thanks to Baron Gatou of the Royal Broadcasting Station and the adventurers' guild members like Benwood running around frantically, the broadcast was edited to cut out the "problematic parts."
However, on the Welmeria side, which knew the full story, negotiations with the "Pearl Forest Clan," Ilwen’s birthplace, and Elder Elran became unavoidable.
Naturally, we, who were directly involved, had to attend those meetings too... and thus, after confessing everything while being glared at by important people, we arrived at the present.
Though the uproar hasn’t completely settled yet, due to a newly surfaced issue, the A-rank party "Clover" received an urgent order to return to the Kingdom of Welmeria.
However, Silk’s name was not among those ordered to return.
As acting chief of the "Amber Forest Clan," she still had many duties to fulfill.
"...You know, I could just go back alone."
"No. If you went alone, Yuke-san, you’d push yourself too hard again."
I thought we finally got our excellent sub-leader back, but things never go the way you hope.
"Jamie-san, please keep a close eye on Yuke-san."
"No way. If you’re so worried, you better hurry back yourself. There’s no way I can replace you."
Poking Silk lightly on the nose, Jamie gave a half-lidded smile.
"I'll keep watch. Don’t worry. But if you don't come back soon, I’ll keep him all to myself."
"Looks like I better hurry back then."
"Fufufu. I’ll take the lead by many steps."
Silk gave a wry smile at Rain’s teasing words and glanced worriedly at me.
"I won’t overdo it just because you’re not here. I’m an adult, you know?"
"That’s exactly why I’m worried — because you pretend to act mature and then push yourself too hard. Besides, the next mission..."
"Yeah. It sounds like trouble."
The reason why "Clover" was summoned back was because a new issue had arisen that needed to be resolved.
Most likely, other A-rank parties were also being summoned.
Although we’d only received a rough overview for now, it already felt like they were placing ridiculously heavy expectations on us.
"Looks like it's time to set sail!"
At Nene’s signal, who returned with a message from Captain Joule, Silk stepped back a little.
"Take care, everyone."
Leaving behind Silk, who waved her hand with a bright smile, we boarded the ship with heavy hearts.
Even though we knew it would only be a short separation, the feeling of loneliness still overflowed.
"Silk, we’ll be waiting for you. Let’s all go on another adventure together when we’re reunited!"
As the magical sail billowed softly and the ship slowly pulled away, I raised my voice to Silk, who was seeing us off.
Silk gave a deep nod and, riding on the wind spirit, replied to us.
"Yes. Someday, surely. And when that time comes── let’s proceed carefully, and enjoy it to the fullest."
～fin～
Comments
Post a Comment