Chapter 86 (1/2)
It has been a few days since I returned to town.
I've been staring out the window in a daze.
I don't feel like doing anything.
There is a hole in my heart.
The emptiness I once felt has returned.
U had the feeling that I was missing something important.
No, it's not missing. In fact, It was forever lost.
My ex-lover and ex-best friend.
”Master, how do you feel?”
”Good.”
”I brought you something to eat.”
”Thank you.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and accepted Kaede's soup.
I took a sip and realized that Kaede's food, which had been so delicious, felt different in my mouth.
I don't have much of an appetite.
The hand holding the spoon stopped.
”You didn't like the taste?”
”That 's not it. I just don't have much of an appetite.”
”That's what you said yesterday. You didn't eat much.”
”I'm sorry. I think I need to rest.”
I put the bowl on the table and went to bed.
My body felt terribly heavy.
It was as if my arms and legs were filled with lead.
Besides that, it's as if something inside me has vanished.
”Master...”
Kaede puts her hand on my forehead and uses her healing waves on me.
The emptiness seemed to fade a little.
Her hands are warm.
”Hello!”
”Nei-San.”
Nei came into my room.
She comes to see me from time to time, whenever she's free.
”Do you still feel bad?”
”I'm tired from everything that's happened.”
”Well, a lot has happened, hasn't it?”
She sits in a chair near the bed.
”But that's not going to make Kaede and Frau feel any better. If you're going to be their master, you have to be better than that.”
”They are no longer slaves.”
”That's not the point. Kaede, Frau and I are Toru's slaves.”
”Really?
”That 's right.”
After a while, the two left the room.
I heard a voice from the hallway.
”What should I do? He's always in that state.”
”I don't know, maybe it's not enough to use your healing magic. We should blackmail him.”
”Blackmail? I'm not very good at that.”
”So why don't we get the people who can do it? We'll use a quadruple combination of love, punishment, seduction and healing to make him feel better. You've traveled a lot, so you must have an idea.”
”Hmm, maybe I can come up with something...”
I was left alone, and I closed my eyes.
I felt very tired.
I thought the hole was finally full, but another, even bigger one appeared again.
Lisa, Sain... Why?
there was a beautiful landscape in front of me.
The cicadas chirp loudly.
I was a kid running down the gravel road in town.
Behind me are Nei and Soara.
”Let's go slime hunting tomorrow!”
”I hate those fat things.”
”Fufu! So Nei can't stand up to mere slime? Scaredy cat.”
”That 's not true!”
”Don't fight, we'll find something better to do tomorrow.”
””Yes, see you tomorrow!!!””
I broke away from Nei and Soara and ran home.
When I opened the front door, my father and mother were already in the dining room.
There was a variety of dishes on the table.
It looks so delicious that I had to swallow my drool
”Welcome home. You're covered in mud again today.”
A black-haired woman smiles.
That's... My mom's face, I had already forgotten about her.
Yes, it looked just like that.
I also clearly remembered my father's face.
My mother bent down and spoke to me.
”Toru, you did very well.”
He patted me on the head.
My heart was comforted by her nostalgic hand.
”It may be painful now, but you can stand up again. Because you are our son. Live the way that makes you happiest, and support those who help you.”
”Mother?”
”The journey is not over yet. In fact, this is where the real journey begins. Toru, find your roots. You are destined for greater things. That is why I have given you the family jewels.”
Both my father and mother were smiling.
Tears are shed.
It finally dawned on me.
This is the last message from my parents.
Wait! Mom, Dad!
I want to keep talking to you!
Everything begins to fade away.
I desperately reached out my hand and the two of them were saying goodbye.
Please wait. I still have many questions to ask.
”Toru! Get up!”
”Ueeh!”
They grabbed me by the chest and punched me in the face.
When I opened my eyes, everything was blurry.
What happened?
Ha... It was a dream.
My vision finally cleared and I squinted to see the morning sun streaming through the window.
Nei is in front of me.
”I'll give it my all for Toru!”
”Give it your all!”
She's going to hit me again.
It's all a mess, but I felt my conscience clear.
”Soara, you're next.”
”Very well. I'll put all my strength into it.”