260 258. The culmination of a thousand and eighteen years.txt (1/2)

--I lost.

After shedding all the tears, my heart gradually calms down.

Looking around, I saw the founder vortex wave standing a little far away, breathing on my shoulder, with a teary-eyed rouge accompanying me next to him.

In the final moments of the duel, I didn't recognize the rouge myself.

I am the 'one who steals the logic of the tree' and I retain the ability to grasp this entire Vieisia Castle. Still, I didn't notice it until the last moment.

Why couldn't I notice...... I honestly know the answer.

It's not that I didn't notice, it's that I was trying not to look.

I could see that Rouge was worried about me, but I chose not to see it.

Just like a thousand years ago, when he knew all along, he tried to pretend he didn't know.

I realized after it was over that I was dueling while turning away from many things.

I've been doing that all the time, which is why ...... I've always lost sight of what's important when it's important to me. ...... I am ......--.

Perhaps it was because he had suffered an unqualified defeat head-on, but he was strangely calm.

He even had time to hear from his dueling partner about his own abomination.

''Primordial Vortex Wave ......, how long have you been crying yourself ......?

He didn't expect to be spoken to in this situation. The First Ancestor Vortex Wave was surprised, but he answered honestly.

''It's been a little while since we've been ...... fighting.

In the middle of the process, little by little or .......

I can't remember the moment when these tears begin to spill over.

''You've gotten stronger, the founder vortex wave ....... I have become really strong. Most of all, my heart has become stronger ....... It's a far cry from the old days when I frowned at my enemies, lost and regretted, and fought uncomfortably.

While reminiscing about the past, I admired the winners.

I was in the mood to do so.

I was weak and the Founder Vortex Wave was strong.

He felt like bragging about the result.

''-- You're not lost in the slightest anymore. You put up a great fight.

'Yeah, I've found that I just have to do what I have to do without hesitation. So I'm taking it one at a time, one at a time, with no regrets.

'It's just that, when you're alive, it's so hard to be human. Oh, it's not fair to be strong, after all: ......

Naturally, the Primordial Vortex Wave said, but if everyone had been able to do that, none of them would have been sad a thousand years ago. With a bitter smile, he shook his head at the statement.

Perhaps he wasn't happy with his own reaction, but the progenitor Uzura Wave turns a little bare and says back.

''I certainly think I've gotten stronger. ...... but I wasn't strong from the beginning. I've made many mistakes, lost many times and failed many times up to this point. ...... Maybe it's a moonshot, but I think real strength isn't the strength to never fall down, it's the strength to keep getting up no matter how many times you fall, that's what I think.

'You think you're going to convince yourself of such child deception ......?　The world is not fair. The strongest never fall down and keep winning until they die. That's just the way it is. In fact, I can't get up anymore, and you are almost unharmed.

It is an unacceptable word to me, having been defeated by the overwhelming talent of the progenitor Vortex Wave.

The hard air before the duel disappeared and they would argue like children.

The First Ancestor Uzura Wave himself seemed to know that there was a difference in the power he was born with in this battle. He couldn't say anything back, and he snorted, his mouth clenched a little.

However, with his fast thinking speed, he seems to have quickly found the words to refute. The founder Uzura Wave calls out to himself as he collapses and has a good look on his face.

''Hey, Ayd. Did that titty you think is so strong never fall down ......?

It was a question that went to the core of his being.

He asked himself more questions as he flinched at the challenge.

It's true that you, Titi's brother, may have been weak, but is that still the case? You may have been weak, but are you still weak?

--I am unable to answer that question immediately.

Seeing himself turn from a triumphant face to a reluctant one, the primordial vortex wave sighed with a smile. Then he turned himself around, found an opening in the tree-covered throne room and tried to get out.

''Primordial Vortex Wave, where are you going ......?''

I'm done with dueling. I'm going out.

He answered with his back turned.

Unlike himself, he had an immediate answer.

'I will not leave my only two family members - my sister alone.

It was the same as declaring that he was going to go and defeat that 'Lord' (Lord) who controls. And he says that he will never lose.

'Id, what are you going to do ......?'

Then he asked himself, the enemy.

For some reason, the way he looked at himself was full of trust.

'If you leave yourself alone, you might attack that back ...... after you recover ......?'

You wouldn't do that, would you?　You're not a 'Prime Minister' anymore: ....... No, wasn't this a duel to 'prove' that in the first place?

What?

In the past few days, I've been told something I hadn't thought about once, and I sounded uncharacteristic.

The current duel was to 'prove' that I'm not a 'vizier' ......?

Too much of a buy-in.

I was only eager to defeat the founder vortex wave for my own childlike jealousy and self-preservation.

''What a fool .......''

And yet, when the Primordial Vortex Wave said that, I almost felt myself thinking that.

You almost feel as if you were fighting to receive the blow you just delivered.

As I turn away, the founder Uzura Wave leaves me to say.

'Aide, I've seen what you left behind on the way here. So I know what you are.

I've been screaming at myself that I didn't want to be understood, but the founder, Uzumiami, is nonchalantly looking at me from above and telling me that he understands. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

...... Above all, Titi also said. It's a good thing that you have the heart of the grandma and grandpa in you.

'Grandpa and ......, Grandma ......?'

When I hear those words, my mind goes a little blank (...).

I know the words.

It's a word that refers to my grandfather and grandmother.

In other words, my family - the family I don't have, but everyone should have one.

I don't have any ......?　Really?

No, I don't think it was ......, and I'm pretty sure it was ...... -- to myself.

Oh, God, not again!　Teacher, teacher--!

As I thought about my own grandparents, the rouge next to me looked impatient and placed a hand on my shoulder and shook it gently.

Seeing that hand placed on her own shoulder, she could see something familiar in her mind that should have gone blank.

Ah, yes.

That man's hand was also red like this, and so--

So I'll leave the rest to you, Rouge. This time, I'm going to be the enemy, you know.

Seeing himself facing Rouge, the Primordial Vortex Wave laughed with relief. And with that, the Progenitor Vortex Wave left the throne room for the last time and disappeared.

'Ka, Master Uzumi: ......!　Please wait--

Hurriedly, I called out to myself, but the voice did not return.

Thus, only myself and Rouge are left in the throne room of Vyasia Castle.

...... It would be quiet without him.

There is not a single sound of fierce battle left, only the breathing of myself and rouge can be heard.

As the progenitor vortex wave said, what should I do now?

There is not much you can do with a body that is about to disappear after losing a duel with your entire life on the line.

But even so, the founder Uzumi looked at him with a somewhat hopeful eye.

He seemed to trust her and was able to say with a single word, ”I know.

I heard that the 'Lord of Control' said that he had inherited that grandfather and grandmother's heart inside him as well. ......--Grandfather and grandmother?

Even though the first ancestor Uzura Wave is gone, that word is the only thing that stuck with me again and again.

But no matter how much he dredged up the past, he couldn't remember such a family.

All that comes to mind is the scorn from the friends who swore to protect the north together - and the image of myself who couldn't do anything about it - the weak 'self' --I want to die.

The only thing I can remember is the worst life I've ever had.

It was a life that didn't feel alive at all.

It was a life where I just kept looking for my place.

It was a life where I ended up finding nothing.

It was painful .......

No, I'm still suffering .......

My breath is getting thin and I feel like I'm going to stop breathing.

...... No, I don't care anymore.

I've lost.

The life I had lived up to today is worthless and I have lost the meaning of life.

So, it's okay to stop breathing, even if it's like this.

It would be better for me to die.

It would be so much easier to end things like this.

It would be easier to end it all.

--And when I thought that.

Sir!　Get a grip, sir!

The voice interrupts again (...).

Rouge grips her own hand tightly.

'Se-Sensei ......?'

Yeah. You're our teacher. Don't forget that, please. ......

Reflexively, I said to myself, ”That's not true. I'm a 'vizier',” he tried to answer.

However, I swallowed the words as I reflected on my battered body that couldn't even raise itself up.

'...... It's okay, sir. You're our proud teacher - even if your sister is gone, even if you're no longer 'Prime Minister', that much will not change.

Rouge strengthened the strength of the hands he held, even more.

And he repeated what the 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) always say at this time.

''A year ago, Sensei saved me from running away from the research institute and getting lost in the streets. He helped all of our families, too. He worked hard to heal our weak bodies and even created a place for us to live!　Because of the teacher, we are welcomed with a smile by everyone in Viasia, right?　If it hadn't been for our teacher, we wouldn't have found our place and we would have died in the wild somewhere. We wouldn't even know our names, and we would have died!　That's why we're all so grateful!　She's so glad she has a teacher!

Rouge appeals, her throat shaking hard.

But when I saw her desperation, my first thought was thinly veiled - why is she here?

This is the Viaissia Castle in Viaissia Country - the throne room in the center of it.

Since a long time ago, she should have been the only one here.

A thousand years ago, on the day of the Battle of the World's Return, there was only one person left in the castle, the Prime Minister.

At the end of that battle, no one followed me to my side.

So, even after I became a Guardian, I continued to wait for the Lord to rule.

This was supposed to be an empty throne room ......

--Why was the rouge able to come to this throne room?

If you listen to her, it's because she rescued the 'Jewish Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) herself a year ago. That's why she came here.

--because I saved them?

The questions continue.

--Why did I help these women a year ago in the first place?

If you just want talent, don't train them from scratch, pull the finished ones from elsewhere. In fact, I've pulled out many human resources from the south.

So why did you bring in the 'North' even the existence of the 'Jewelculus' itself is troublesome, short-lived and unstable?

The Jewelculus is an existence that has nothing to do with me. It's a debt spawned by the ”south” and had nothing to do with the ”north”.

--And so, why?

As I repeat the question ”why” endlessly, I suddenly move my vision.

I turn my attention to my arm, which hurts from being gripped too tightly.

I see Rouge's hand holding my own twiggy tree man (Doriade) hand.

Rouge's hands are clean - not beautiful - but they are covered in scrapes and scrapes, just like his own. Furthermore, it has been mutated by 'demonization'.

It's discolored red and soft like a mollusk creature.

--It was a very nostalgic hand, I thought.

''Natsu (...), koi (...) ......?''

You said you missed it (・・・・・・・)?

Do you know your way around this stuff?

What is his name, if you know it?

Who reached out to you before Rouge?

That's what pulled me back from falling into madness so many times over the past year - the memories of those 'someone' who tried to turn my mind back to white (...).

But the memories that are too old have become so blank that I can't remember their faces.

However, those important people are nostalgic, dazzling, and loving...

Even then (・・・・・), this is how he held my hand.

I know that much.

Just like when Rouge there ran away from the research institute, when I was wandering around without a name and a place to stay, that 'someone' held my hand.

I had been a slave ever since I can remember.

No, in those days, the existence of ”demons” was avoided in the south, so it's more accurate to say that I was no better than a slave.

While living as less than a slave to it, I found myself thrown into a trash heap when I was useless due to my physical weakness. And I remember crawling out of that trash heap and walking north to escape.

I walked and walked and kept walking ...... How did I save myself?

There is no way he could have survived alone.

At the end of their escape, they must have met that 'someone'.

And that 'someone' is exactly what the Founder Uzumi was talking about a moment ago--.

'Oh, grandpa, sir, ......?　Grandmother ......?

I'm not sure, but I'm sure it's right for grandfather and grandma.

As I recall ...... wandering, a girl invited me to a gabled-roofed house and lent me a bed. And as I lay in bed, they held my hand and encouraged me to lie down. They told me that I didn't have to worry anymore, that I didn't have anything to fear anymore.

Just as Rouge is now, they held my hand like this and encouraged me then.

On the day of that meeting, I received many words from my grandfather and grandmother.

I remember all of them.

Inside the gable-roofed house, on the warm bed, holding the warm soup that I had reheated for myself after I had passed out, I remembered the words of my grandfather, who was a ”witch” just like me, little by little.

Little by little, like picking up the pieces.

I remember the good old days of my childhood.

I remember what my grandfather said to me that day when I was sleeping on my bed in the warmth of the house.

”Well... Will you be Titi's brother ......?　We are an old man and an old woman. We can't stay together forever. Therefore, we feel safer with you nearer and closer to Titi.

He said this to me when I was a slave with no name, and I was no better than a slave.

”Please, I want you to be a part of our family. I want you to live as Titi's brother. Can't you?'

To which I reply.

'...... is, yes, willing. I will definitely become your sister's brother to repay you for your help. I swear to this soul that I will protect you all.'

That's what I answered: .......

Indeed, that's what I answered: .......

Mmmm, fear not. You are even more rigid than Titi,” he said. But he was a bit stiff, too. ...... There is no need for such a grand oath. I'm sure Titi's will live the rest of her life the way Titi does. I'm sure you'll be able to live your life as well as your own next to her. Yes, just be next to me.

'Be yourself, too, next to ......?'

”Yeah, that's just fine.

To that, I answer myself again.

I remember my child self making a vow that day.

'Yes. Grandma, Grandpa, Grandma, ...... I will definitely stay next to your sister.

The tears were soaked.

I'm not sad.

Just nostalgic, and any number of them are coming up from between my eyebrows.

There are plenty of words I can still remember.

My grandfather and grandmother aren't the only important people in my life.

After that, I was given something important by a mere 'witch' girl who can be found everywhere--

'Why are you following me?　This is a child's work, don't follow me.

I remember a harpy mixed girl with a mouth full of harpies shaking her shoulders at the strange use of words.

''So, but your grandfather and grandmother told me to follow you .......''

As long as I heard that it was my job to be by the girl's side, I couldn't leave.

Although a little frightened, I walked patiently behind the girl.

However, I soon found myself wanting to stay by the girl's side, not out of a sense of duty, but because I wanted to. Soon, the girl and I became friends, and she gave me a name that I would use for the next thousand years.

''-- Then the name of the Lord is 'Aide'!　Isn't that a good name!

'A, ”Id” ......?　Why are you an id: ......?

”What, what--?　The id is the name of the senior member of the animals here ....... He died of old age some time ago, so I was wondering if you would be willing to take over the reins: ......

The girl who had enthusiastically given her brother's name to her brother, confessed a little uneasily that it was the name of a dead forest animal.