Vol 4 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3: Beginning α

His memory was not complete

Although he had finally found the answer to what he had always been seeking, but he had been unable to recall everything

“…”

But this was enough

Thatmemory

It was good enough that the e him was filled

“…”

Ryner could remember it now

Thatmemory

He could remember that what had filled that empty space in his memory- those etfulness

They were the memories of him before his fifth birthday

They werebefore he opened his eyes in that battlefield filled with corpses

In his entle mother had said this

“… love you, Felna I love you”

In his memory, his father with tired eyes that were filled with intelligence said

“I will always protect you No matter what happens, I will always protect you”

They had seemed like they were about to cry Ryner was unable to understand why they seemed like they were about to cry And the two of them had called him Felna

Felna

Felna

After the second and third time they called hi of that name

Felna Lieutolu

That was his, Ryner’s real name But that had disappeared It had vanished from this world Because it was taken as a ‘sacrifice’

His na had been offered to thein the other world

Towards this, Ryner had said,

“I’m scared”

He had said

“I’et about Daddy and Mommy”

So his mother had almost seemed like she wanted to cry Her expression was an extremely lonely one

But, as if she waved away that sadness, a smile appeared on her face and she stroked Ryner’s head

“It’s alright It’s alright, Felna This is all for you…”

“But”

Father interrupted what Ryner wanted to say

“… Don’t worry Even if you forget us, on’t forget We will definitely rescue you and welcome you One day, when all difficulties have been dealt with, ill coet you So don’t worry”

He had said that

Ryner had relaxed Because Father was a person ould definitely not lie to him, so Ryner felt relieved at his words

But he was still a little uneasy, he asked, “…Definitely?”

File:DDnYnD v04 219jpg

His father had sently and nodded

“Definitely Sleep quickly Everything will end when you awake”

As he said this, Father stroked Ryner’s head too

Father’s hand was very warm and Mother’s hand was very smooth They overlaid their hands on Ryner’s head and held on to each other tightly Ryner felt very happy and comforted by this He felt as if he could finally be at ease and slowly dozed off

Then Father said

“… It will be fine, Felna This way, you won’t have to fear the curse of the Alpha Stigma anymore”

Mother continued

“… I will always, always protect you here No matter what disaster you encounter, I will always protect you”

The two of the when they said this

At that ti

But now he understood

He could understand what the two of them wanted to do at that time

And the contract with the Other World

His mother’s sacrifice so that the Goddesses would be tricked

His father’s despair at sacrificing his wife so that his son could be saved

“…”

But that didn’t matter now

Compared to this

Compared to this, as more important to him was—

That

“…I…”

He whispered

“…I… A ht into this world”

He whispered

In that moment

He woke up

“…”

Ryner opened his eyes But his vision was blurry

“…Ah”

He moaned

Then he noticed that he was actually crying He wanted to wipe the tears away, but he continued to weep ceaselessly

Towards this

“…Ah, eh, um—”

After two or three tries, he finally ed to wipe away his tears

He confirhtly breathed in Then he got up and surveyed his surroundings

Looking at his surroundings, Ryner softly said,

“…Rain, huh”

Then he kneeled on the floor of the carriage and tried to reach out of the shelter It seemed as if the rain was as heavy as expected

Then,

“Aish”

Ryner followed the sound and walked out

It was extremely dark outside Maybe it was because of the dark clouds or because it was evening

Ryner looked at the dark, rainy scene

There were Nelpha soldiers and citizens surrounding hi

Everyone looked tired and they were still travelling under these weather conditions, it meant that they couldn’t throw off Roland’s pursuit

Ryner walked to an elderly person nearby,

“Hey, hey, can I ask so?”

The elderly person looked his way, then asked,

“What is it?”

Ryner nodded,

“No, about that… I was injured and I slept for a while, so I don’t have any idea of what ti?”

“It’s ”

“Morning, huh Hey hey, it can’t be we travelled through the night”

But the elderly person shook his head

“How can that be? We just startedWe don’t have to worry about the pursuit soldiers from Roland if we’ve reached here”

Hearing this, Ryner frowned, “…Heh, the situation has changed drastically since I slept Don’t have to worry about the pursuit soldiers from Roland? Does that mean we’ve crossed the boundaries?”

The elderly person nodded, “Crossed two, it seems”

“Two!? Wait, ha? Then, this isn’t Cassla”

The elderly person shook his head “How long did you sleep for? This is the northern side of Cassla, the Southern Country of Ali Ma, we can cross over today Vois Fiurelle-san is at a country called the Republic of Belis,preparations to welcome us”

Hearing what the old man said, Ryner slowly remembered what had happened before he lost consciousness

Yes

Roland Sion had foolishly used a Heroes’ Relic to start a massacre, but he was stopped by Vois

Then, a monster had appeared from under Vois’s feet…

“…”

Ryner narrowed his eyes when he thought of this

He remembered the monster that had appeared under Vois’s feet

That thing had called itself ‘Goddess’

Ryner knew that Goddes That was the name of the monster from the Other World that had made the contract with his father, Lieral

Of course, his father had not told Ryner as still a child about the detailed process—he had said, ‘Anyway you’ll forget everything quickly’, so even though he did not get a detailed explanation, but he had still remembered this point

The second opponent his father had contracted with—that was the Goddess

After re that, Ryner murmured,

“… Talking about which, as the first person that father made a contract with?”

He suddenly thought of that

His father had not spoken of that

He had only said, in order to rescue Ryner, he had made two contracts with monsters Then as the first person he had made a contract with?

Ryner wanted to remember this He wanted to remember from his recently recovered memories, but he still could not remember it

So he frowned,

“… Ah~, well, it’s only regaining , huh” He said softly

Talking of which, he did not understand how he had suddenly regained those forgotten memories

Before losing consciousness, from the conversation between the Goddess and that e from Ryner’s eyes, it seemed as if Ryner had a connection with the like that to himself

“…Talking about which, this is too sudden, so I can’t co on” He said in frustration

The old man nodded his head

“Exactly Not too long ago, ere still living peacefully under King Gread Nelphi’s reign That group of arrogant people from Roland… Roland’s…” But the oldto hold back his e him and his voice trembled

Then

Then the old irl who had one side of her face bandaged She was probably his granddaughter

Seeing this, Ryner asked, “…Your granddaughter?”

The old man shook his head

“No My faht”

Ryner’s contorted slightly at this But he suppressed it Because the ones who felt the real pain was this old man and everyone else So he continued

“… Is that so Then this kid?”

“This child’s family has, has died too”

“…”

Towards this

Towards this, Ryner could only say,

“… Is that so”

Besides the pity for that oldof unease arose in his heart

Because that light

Because that Heroes’ Relic—because that beaht that caused the cruelnot to be used by humans

Because Kiefer, Toale, Arua, Kuku- couldn’t they have died too

“…”

An unease permeated him

If they still survived, then that would be good Even though this old irl’s family had died, he still wished that his companions had survived—he started to think about thematters

“…”

His body started to tremble

He looked around for his companions’ silhouettes He checked whether his companions had survived But he couldn’t find them

There were only tired soldiers and citizenshere

Ryner asked, “…Hey, Ojii-san”

“Eh?”

“The leader of this group… Who is the person in charge of these people from Nelpha? Is it Toale?”

Hearing this, the man’s face contorted Like earlier, his face was filled with anger

Seeing this, Ryner said, “… It can’t be”

He couldn’t stop hi”

He looked around again He looked at as at the front of the people froroup He caught up quickly

Facing the soldier, he asked, “Hey, you Who is the roup?”

The soldiers turned towards hihtened

“Ah, you-you are Ryner-san who chased away the Roland soldiers!! We have heard of what you did…”

Ryner interrupted theh with the nonsense, tell roup?” He shouted The soldiers were rather frantic

“… It’s Major Cyrus” They replied

Major Cazer Cyrus He was capable I Toale But ould Cyrus be in charge of the army? The leader here should be Toale So as it Cyrus and not Toale as leading them?

Then Ryner thought of so It couldn’t be

It couldn’t be It couldn’t be It couldn’t be

Toale, he

“…”

Toale couldn’t have died, could he?

Thinking of this, Ryner alround How could this-how could this be

So like this could never happen

Because

Because, because Kiefer ith Toale? Arua and his girlfriend, Kuku ith them too?

What if

If Toale died

Because if the light that the Heroes’ Relic held by Roland killed my companions, I

Then I can no longer

“…”

Forgive Sion

That would ht

The terror and despair swa

Then he asked the soldier that see Ryner as overly nervous, “…Then where is Cyrus?”

The soldier pointed up further ahead

“Major Cyrus is at the front because we are going to cross the boundary…”

Ryner didn’t wait for hiroup of soldiers and citizens

There was soroup

Although the killing light froe number of people, there were still two thousand people There were people, people, people He had been running for some time, but he still couldn’t see the front

Even so, he continued running He ran desperately All the while, he yelled, please give way and excuse

Finally, he saw the group that seees

The black armored soldiers that were coroup of uard to protect the Nelpha citizens

At the head of these Nelpha soldiers was Major Cyrus

The first tihtly tired He did not look well and his tea-coloured hair was streaked with dirt and mud

Seeing him now, Ryner couldn’t help but think that he had hts while he was asleep He felt even more depressed

If there had been a fight, then the chances of his co injured were increased

“…daain He passed by the Nelpha soldiers and approached Cyrus

Cyrus quickly noticed him, “… Ah, you’ve finally woken, huh You were injured badly…”

He looked to Ryner’s left shoulder as he said that, “…Hmm Even that kind of wound can be healed… The army doctor said there was no choice but to a about everything”

Hearing this, Ryner remembered His arm had been slashed by the Roland soldiers and had injured his bone too

Ryner had felt that, apart fro else to be done for that wound In that kind of place where there were no medical facilities, there was no way for him to heal it The blood would not stop unless it was amputated and cauterized

But now his shoulder was only slightly bandaged and it didn’t hurt when he moved it

Ryner triedbrat Vois?” he asked Cyrus turned to the black ar in front of the soldiers and citizens, and nodded

“Yeah He brought you as near death and Ferris Eris here He said he was the reinforcement that you called… Well, is that true?”

Saying this, he looked at the Nelpha soldiers formation That formation was so that he could attack the rear of Vois’s black-armored soldiers and then spread out

Looking at Ryner thinking, Cyrus nodded

“…If anyone trusts hiht to live”

“Yes You’re really capable… I can slightly understand why everyone trusts you”

But Cyrus ignored Ryner and said “Don’t talk nonsense Answer uy really your companion?”

Hearing this, Ryner looked at the black-ar in front of thee that see on

“… Who knows It’s not inaccurate to say that we know each other… but he can’t be easily trusted That guy is a liar But”

Hearing this, Cyrus nodded in agreement “…Yeah Under these kind of circumstances, we can only depend on him I am already unable to return to Nelpha There is no country that is willing to accept a few thousand soldiers and citizens If that man is really able to prepare accommodations for everyone, then we can only depend on him” He said

Ryner nodded his head

“Has Vois prepared for us to be welcomed in the Republic of Belis?”

“Yeah”

“Then, he wants us to join the Anti-Roland Coalition he created?”

“Yeah”

Watching Cyrus reply, Ryner asked with a tre voice, “Then, Cyrus… Who was it who accepted Vois’s proposal?”

No, actually he asked with a voice tre with fear

Then he held his breath He held his breath because he was too nervous

Because what if

What if the one who accepted Vois’s proposal wasn’t Toale What if it wasn’t Toale as supposed to be leading these Nelpha citizens and soldiers

“…”

That would mean that Toale had really died If Toale had died, then Kiefer was dead too Kuku was dead too And he didn’t knohy Ferris as supposed to be with hi Frohts had occurred

At that moment

At thatbecause she was unable to treat her wounds—

“…Wu”

Towards his own iination

Ryner wanted to voination He wanted to yell out loud He wanted to cry

But he frantically forced hih he forced himself to calm down, he couldn’t do it He couldn’t breathe Just like that If Cyrus didn’t answer, Ryner would die because of lack of air, he thought At this moment,

“…Toale-sama said… if it’s someone you know, then we can trust him” Cyrus said

As he said that, “……Puaaah”

Ryner released his breath Then he scrunched his face but he couldn’t stop hi

“…”

What, he was still living, what kind of joke was that, don’t h But he forced himself to stop

He was a terrible person for being able to laugh because his comrades were still alive

But even so

Even so

“…That’s great” Ryner said He said that’s great with a little sob

Then, “…Where’s Toale now?” He asked

Cyrus pointed behind hie that had was covered to prevent others fro in

“In that carriage” He replied

“But I have so to tell you first” He said

Ryner asked, “What?”

Cyrus looked to the carriage with a steady expression that a twenty-year old person should not have

“…Toale-sae bea wound, he can’t be saved” He said

Ryner had difficulties understanding what Cyrus had said, “…Ah?” He could only reply

But Cyrus continued, “But the people haven’t been told this yet Before we reach the Republic of Belis, ill tell the people that Toale-sa—this mental relief is needed The current situation is not very steady If there arein battle, then the people will be unable to progress So after you see Toale-sa You have already revealed too much from your earlier expressions Do you think you’re the only one ants to cry? Don’t be naïve I have already succeeded in leaving Nelpha and stepped on this journey—there are no obstacles on the path we are taking So, laugh Laugh when you go to see Toale-sa the people who have lost their family and companions, but still continue to strive” Cyrus said this in a calm, steady manner

Towards this

Towards this, Ryner

“……Ah… Ah, yes I apologize” He replied quietly

He understood what Cyrus had said He had co the citizens There were soht in front of the

He couldn’t be so naïve

So

“……Ha, ha ha” Ryner laughed quietly He laughed with an expression that was about to cry

Cyrus nodded when he saw this, “…Toale-say You can go greet him”

He said this with a different, resounding voice that even the surrounding people could hear it

File:DDnYnD v04 243jpg

So Ryner replied, “I understand” Then he walked away He walked towards the carriage- the carriage that was transporting Toale

He opened the cloth door of the carriage and looked in Toale, Kiefer, Arua, Kuku and even Ferris were in there

Everyone looked to him Looked at Ryner

Then

Kiefer said with tears in her eyes, “…Ry-Ryner…”

She held a strange stone in her hand She frantically pressed that stone to Toale’s shoulder

No, it was the part of his body that used to have a shoulder

“…”

Yes

His right shoulder was gone No, it wasn’t only his shoulder The right side of his chest, his right wrist and his right leg, too The right side of his body, one third of his body, had disappeared, as if it had never existed in the first place

Kiefer spoke to hi, hoarse and nearly inaudible voice, “…To-Toale he… Toale he tried to protect ht…”

But she didn’t continue

But this was already enough for him to understand

So Ryner said, “……Yo”

“… You seeetic, Toale”

Toale seemed to be conscious and heard this He turned to Ryner, “…That joke is not funny”

Although he said that, he still laughed

Ryner cliot near to Toale Ferris stood up, “Come here, Ryner” She said as she offered her seat

Ryner nodded his head, “Thanks”

He sat on the left side of Toale and looked at his pale face, “…Protecting…Kiefer, huh?”

Hearing this, Toale laughed and said, “…Protecting girls is expected, isn’t it?”

“Yeah”

“So tell Kiefer-san too Tell her not to cry At any rate, I would have died on the battlefield, after all…”

But Kiefer still frantically pressed the glowing stone on Toale’s body “But, but” She could only say that Because her voice was choked with tears and sobs

Ryner looked at the stone she was holding, “… That’s Vois’s?” he asked Ferris nodded

“…He said it is a healing stone It’s a Heroes’ Relic He said—although it has its limits, but it can heal fatal wounds”

Hearing this, Ryner looked at the stone again Then he looked at the wound that the stone was pressing on Surprisingly the blood had already stopped The wound was starting to heal The flesh was starting to regenerate and his body was healing

But

“…”

Even so, Toale’s life was slipping away

Probably

Probably because Toale’s wound was fatal

Toale said, “…It’s because of this stone that I was able to stay alive until Ryner-san woke up” He said with that tired and pained voice

Hearing this, Ryner started, “…What are you saying”

But he was interrupted, “I’m about to die Personal matters… I know them the best”

“It’s like that, huh”

“Yes”

“Is it painful?”

But he shook his head “… Compared to the children who have lost their parents but have no one cohteous companions to co, this pain is nothing at all”

He had a sad face while he said this and looked out of the carriage Of course, so that no one would be able to look in froe, so there were curtains on thebut this wasn’t what he was seeing He was looking at the suffering in the people’s hearts outside the carriage

Towards this, Ryner,

“… Yeah That’s right”

“Yes”

“Yeah”

He said Then he looked at Toale He looked at those eyes that were slowly losing their life

Then

“… Then?” Ryner asked

Toale looked towards hi for you to wake up”

Hearing this, Ryner scrunched his face up in annoyance, “Ah~, that face says that you want to push soain~”

“Ha ha, you gu-guessed right”

“I don't wanna? Whatever it is that you want me to do for you, I don't wanna do it? You can continue to live yourself and go do it yourself I can’t bear the burden of so many people’s lives”

But,

“Please, Ryner-san There's no longer anyone but you that I can count o…” Toale stopped when he reached here

Suddenly

His words stopped suddenly

That so away fro, Ryner knew

“Wait, hey” Although Ryner said that, Toale was already si instead,

“…W…Well, forget it Either way, Ry…ner-san, will definitely do it… Ah, at last… I can see you all…”

He said only that much

Then he stopped

Everything ended

It all ended

One person’s life had ended so easily

Toale’s life had surprisingly ended so easily

Towards this

“No… Wait, you’re lying… No, nooooooooo!” Kiefer yelled

Arua and Kuku cried