Chapter 164
“Alright, good night, Melt.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah, good night, Shizuma.” (Melt)
The enjoyable drinking party came to an end, and having finally returned home for the first time in a while, we decided to go to sleep for the night, despite feeling a faint sense of nostalgia, and the desire to stay awake just a little longer.
After reverting from Shilent’s form back to my original self, I parted ways with Melt and headed to my bedroom. I quietly thought over today’s agenda in my head as I lay down on the bed.
—————–
The familiar round table.
As soon as I sat down in the prominently decorated chair at the head, the others emerged one after another from the darkness.
Clockwise from me: Shilent, Lent, Shire, Seimu, Seira, Shijima, Hash, Rue…and then, skipping quite a few seats, Still.
I noticed recently that this seating order didn’t strictly match the order in which they were created.
If it did, Seira, who had been created earlier than Seimu, should have been third. Most likely, in addition to creation order, playtime, overall role in the game, and relative importance were also factored in.
“Alright. I called everyone together this time because I want to hear your opinions once more about our future direction. Is it okay if we start with the first topic?” (Shizuma)
I opened the subject while observing everyone’s expressions.
“Go ahead.” (Shilent)
I could see the others nodding as well at Shilent’s brief agreement.
“First, I want to decide ahead of time who should represent the brigade in the future. I’ll be speaking under the assumption that even those who can’t appear here might still be able to hear us. Is that fine?” (Shizuma)
I addressed both those present and the darkness beyond.
Even if there was no reply, I believed they could hear me, and so I continued.
“To begin with, if we’re talking about a ‘brigade,’ I think the position of leader should go to someone who doesn’t need to stay tied to a city: someone who wants the freedom to travel the world. Is there anyone here who thinks, ‘I could do it’?” (Shizuma)
“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind doing it. But the circumstances surrounding me are a bit troublesome.” (Shilent)
The first to raise his hand was Shilent.
But just as he said, as a Sapphire adventurer, he didn’t seem to have that level of freedom.
“That’s true, and besides, Shilent, Lemia-san is quite fond of you. Wouldn’t it be cruel to leave such a devoted girl behind?” (Shizuma)
“Don’t tease me. But you’re right, I can’t say I’m completely unencumbered. It’d be difficult.” (Shilent)
“…I think I could do it.”
At that moment, Seimu unexpectedly put himself forward.
That was the one option I never expected.
“No way, Seimu. You’re the one most deeply involved with this country.” (Shizuma)
“That’s true…but that’s Seimu as ‘Shizuma.’ And besides… if I were to gain freedom, I think it’d be better for Melt if I stayed away.” (Seimu)
I could see question marks appear over everyone’s heads.
But at the same time, I understood exactly what he meant.
“…If both you and I existed at the same time, it would confuse Melt, huh?” (Shizuma)
“Exactly. Melt met Shizuma in my form, and she was with me all that time. So she feels familiarity toward me…but I think she’d sense a terrible dissonance when she realizes I’m slightly different from the Seimu she knows.” (Seimu)
“Seimu, rejected. That would leave Melt with the result of ‘someone she thought was family suddenly leaving her behind.’ It’d hurt her. Worse than staying and feeling a bit of dissonance. This is just you being afraid that Melt might stop thinking of you as family, isn’t it? That’s all this excuse amounts to.” (Shizuma)
It was harsh, but I knew it was probably the truth.
And because of that, I won’t allow it.
“…You’re ruthless, Shizuma. Right on the mark, dead on.” (Seimu)
“You can just rebuild the relationship. You’re more of a dependable big brother than I am. Just stay with her as the kind eldest brother -problem solved. You’re cowardly in the strangest places, seriously.” (Shizuma)
“Ugh… that hits home. Still…you’re right. I’ve made a lot of precious friends in this city. I don’t really want to go far away. Sorry, forget it. I guess I can’t be the leader.” (Seimu)
Moments like this make me realize again how important it is to sometimes speak openly at the round table.
They aren’t just characters…they are family, each with their own will.
“Then how about me? Setting out on a journey as a wandering musician would be ideal! I wouldn’t have any issues at all, you know? A brigade and a musician; doesn’t that sound like a pretty good combination?” (Hash)
“You lack the presence, so rejected. Don’t you agree, My Lord?” (Still)
“Haha, Still’s a bit harsh, but yeah, Hash doesn’t really feel like ‘leader’ material.” (Shizuma)
“Hmm, what a pity. Then what shall we do?” (Hash)
I turned toward the darkness.
“Tistnard, could I ask you? Someone who doesn’t overly involve himself with others, but doesn’t cut ties completely either. Traveling the world alongside companions. There may be times I ask you to come to Lindblum, however, would you consider manifesting not as the current leader, but as the next one?” (Shizuma)
I spoke into the darkness, choosing my words carefully so they’d reach the one I thought most suitable.
Silence.
No one expected me to name him… The people at the table held their breath.
For a moment, it felt as if the darkness itself deepened.
Was that just my imagination, caused by the tension and silence?
‘…I don’t want to leave this place. But you thought that wouldn’t be right for me, didn’t you, Shizuma? …I suppose so. For me, time stopped at “the end of that story.” You’re saying you’ll give me a reason…to start moving again?’
“…Yeah. I want you to know too. There’s no predetermined story in this world. There are countless people and things; so many things you don’t know. And even then, the fundamentals don’t change… There will be disappointment and despair. This time, I want you to live a real life, not one that’s already decided.” (Shizuma)
‘…I’ll think about it. If…you ever truly need my strength, you can call me then. I don’t know whether I’ll accept the role of leader after that, though.’ (Tistnard)
After those words, Tistnard’s voice no longer came from the darkness.
…Maybe he is changing, little by little.
“…If Tistnard becomes the leader, I’ll follow him. I’ll miss Melt-chan a bit, but still.” (Lent)
“Yes indeed. Then I shall walk alongside him and play music to fill his heart.” (Hash)
“Fufu. Since we’re at it, why don’t we all say what we’d like to do if we were free to live out in the world?” (Seira)
Prompted by Lent, Hash, and Seira made that suggestion.
Yeah. I wanted to hear everyone’s current wishes.
I looked clockwise, starting with Shilent.
“Me? Let’s see… The policy Shizuma described for me earlier seems to suit me. Contribute however I like, earn money, drink, eat; sounds like the perfect life. If Lendia keeps prospering, there’ll be even better booze and snacks too.” (Shilent)
I see. That really is Shilent-like.
Alcohol… I only experienced it after getting an adult body, but yeah, it really is good.
“I already said it earlier, but if Tistnard travels as part of the brigade, I’ll go with him. To train myself too. Otherwise…maybe I’d like to attend some kind of school.” (Lent)
Because of her appearance, Lent still saw herself as a child.
Going to school might actually be a good option.
“I…want to stay with everyone. But if you all choose your own paths, I understand that. In that case… I want to stay with Shizuma and Melt-san. Always. Together.” (Shire)
At her core, Shire was driven by loneliness.
If she stayed with me and Melt, she’d have new encounters while also being with her family.
In a way, exactly as expected.
“I want to stay active around Lindblum. And personally, I’d like to get more deeply involved with the Pigeon Company. That firm… is going places. I think it’ll become the center of Lendia’s economy someday. It’d be good to have someone like me there. Besides, we owe them.” (Seimu)
I expected Seimu to stay in Lindblum, but I didn’t expect the Pigeon Company to come up.
Still, maintaining ties with such an organization could be important.
“I’ll live in the house in Lindblum. I’ll cook for everyone when they come back, maybe attend the Chef Guild too. Someone needs to wait at home for everyone, right?” (Seira)
Yeah. That’s a great idea.
Just knowing Seira would be there made me feel at ease; Melt would surely feel the same.
“As for me… Lindblum is fine, but I’d like to have a workshop in Izbel. The air there is pleasant. Training the next generation could be good too. Though it would put some distance between us.” (Shijima)
That fit perfectly. Shijima really did belong at a forge.
And mentoring others…that part surprised me a little.
“I’d like to become a traveling minstrel. Spread my melodies across the world, mix them with the music that grows here, and see what kinds of sounds are born.” (Hash)
Completely as expected.
In a peaceful world, culture and entertainment would flourish, and Hash’s music spreading could have more impact than I imagine.
“I may have said this before, but I’d like to stand as a guardian of Lindblum. Not in some high office, but close to the people. I worry about the refugees too. In that case, becoming an adventurer might be best. Though I wonder if they’d take an old man like me.” (Rue)
That too was expected.
Rue’s kindness was something I knew well, and he’d probably wait at home for me and Melt too.
Finally, I turned my gaze to the last person.
“As for me… I cannot remain close to all of you. Even if we wiped out every mastermind, the seeds of evil would sprout like bamboo shoots after rain. So I shall wander the world. Stir things up, stain my hands with blood when necessary, and use those bloodstained hands to save people.” (Still)
…This was exactly what I was worried about.
Still’s choice -to shoulder all vigilance and malice alone- was a path with no peace in the future.
A path where Still would never be saved.
“…Still. Even so, when everything is over, I want to make a place for you.” (Shizuma)
“How kind, My Lord… Perhaps I might come by for tea from time to time…” (Still)
And with that, I heard the futures everyone here desired.
…That’s good. Really good.
“By the way, Shizuma?” (Shire)
Shire called my name.
“You said you’d keep your smartphone in your pocket. What happened after that?” (Shire)
“Oh, right. We ended up switching to Seimu once we left the Great Forest, so I never checked.” (Shizuma)
“Then please check when you wake up tomorrow. Do you remember what percentage it was before you put it away?” (Shire)
“I think it was 78 percent.” (Shizuma)
I’d completely forgotten. Shire wanted me to do it to verify something.
Seimu also asked about my nails, hair, and beard growth, probably trying to determine whether time was passing for me biologically.
Still, I don’t think a smartphone could be tied to bodily time.
“…I didn’t say this before because we lacked certainty, but if we assume that time was stopped for the fried chicken and drinks inside the bus, then the engine starting makes sense. So I considered the possibility that time was uniformly stopped for non-living things. But…” (Shire)
“Detailed memories of our time in that mansion likely exist only with me. None of you manifested in this world yet, and Shizuma himself was too weak to perceive the surroundings as he can now.” (Shilent)
“Hm… Shilent, your view?” (Shizuma)
“I remember what that Dungeon Master, Grimgram, said inside the dungeon. I shared it with everyone. Based on that, Shire formed a hypothesis.” (Shilent)
“Yes. I felt that the act of ‘granting a wish within six words’ carried another meaning. Shizuma, please tell us everything you remember that the Dungeon Master said.” (Shire)
So this was more important than I thought.
I searched my memory deeply: what happened that day, when the chaperoning teacher died, what was said.
I shared everything I could remember.
“…He said, ‘We have decided to add information to you, whose existence in this world has not yet been confirmed,’ didn’t he? In other words, at the moment the wish was granted, information was added to the one who wished, placing them in the same state as the residents of this world. That would mean the microbus…was outside this world’s jurisdiction -an entirely irregular existence.” (Shizuma)
“I-I see…and now that I think about it, his phrasing was very…program-like. The screen when using Dungeon Cores too, it’s as if there’s a higher world controlling this one…like a game…” (Shilent)
“It’s not impossible. Not necessarily a game, but the existence of a higher layer above this world… I sensed that faintly from the description of [Appraisal Eye].” (Shire)
“Yeah…there’s still too much we don’t know…” (Shizuma)
“Well, thinking about it now probably won’t help, right? At least the bus mystery’s solved. Oh, and if the smartphone drains normally, we should probably put it back in the menu before wasting battery.” (Shire)
“Ah, true… There’s an outlet inside the bus. Do you think we could recharge infinitely with it?” (Shizuma)
“Better not. We don’t urgently need it right now, and there’s no guarantee the bus’s battery will last forever. Let’s conserve.” (Shire)
“Agreed. Alright, then, we’ve covered what we needed. Shall we end the meeting here?” (Shizuma)
“Yeah, no problem.” (Shilent)
“You’re going to the royal castle as Shizuma tomorrow, right? Be careful.” (Lent)
“Yes. It may involve your former classmates.” (Shire)
No worries. I’ve already made peace with that. Even if it’s witnessing their execution, I’m fine.
And so, I let my consciousness sink further within the darkness of the round table.
This time, truly falling asleep.
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