Ikana Village
Kurinka’s health recovered in less than a day, returning her to her usual self. By using the Power of Regeneration on herself, she could heal most ailments. However, I learned from this incident that even if she could regenerate areas affected by Divils Bacteria, they would revert back to their original state, making it a futile effort. Kurinka’s regeneration wasn’t omnipotent; if that were the case, I would need to supplement her abilities. I was the only one who could destroy the bacteria residing within her body. Conversely, while I could break things, I couldn’t heal them. Recently, I began to think that my inability to use healing magic might stem from the Divine Nature of Destruction. It seemed like I could do anything, yet I couldn’t; this was true for both my destruction and Kurinka’s regeneration.
“Well, well, the weather is clear. It’s a perfect day for unsealing, isn’t it?”
“Is my destruction not enough?”
“This seal is far too complex; even Vandalsia’s Vanishing couldn’t break it. That’s why I had to hold onto the Ribbon with utmost care, even the King of Destruction couldn’t risk it. Destruction and Vanishing are fundamentally similar, so I thought it would be too risky to leave it to you.”
“So, we’re going to rely on Kurinka’s regeneration to restore it?”
“Exactly.”
Yes, in this way, my capabilities were limited. My destruction could accidentally break things that shouldn’t be broken, leading to irreparable consequences. Kurinka’s regeneration was delicate enough to restore everyone who had undergone Belmund’s modifications. So, if there was any hope, it lay with Kurinka. This time, I could only watch with my arms crossed.
“What kind of person is Elmera’s older sister?”
“She’s kind, beautiful, and super cool!”
“I see…”
“More importantly, once you’re ready, please… this time, no fooling around.”
“That’s unusual.”
“When asking someone for something, be sincere. It’s in front of my sister, so I have to follow her orders.”
It wasn’t the teasing smile she usually wore; it was a soft and natural expression. Elmera winked lightly, stepping back to leave Kurinka to her task. I sat beside Elmera, making sure not to interfere.
“What’s about to happen, Village Chief?”
“Apparently, that girl’s sister is going to emerge from the Ribbon.”
“I should have brought some drinks…”
“Bongo, you just recovered, so please hold back a bit.”
The villagers gathered around, forming a circle. With everyone watching, even Kurinka might get nervous and falter. But right now, Kurinka sat quietly, cradling the Ribbon in her palms, perfectly poised. She didn’t seem nervous at all. Perhaps she would have been back when we first met, but now she had experience from fighting alongside me. She had battled and triumphed in front of many people. There was no need to worry.
“Still, it looks just like an ordinary Ribbon.”
“Shh! It’s starting…”
Everyone fell silent, and the only sound was the distant chirping of birds. There was no wind; rather, Elmera had stilled it. It was strange that the branches and leaves of the trees weren’t swaying at all; she must have been considerate. Then, when even the presence of the birds faded, a soft light began to outline Kurinka. It enveloped the Ribbon, and the long battle commenced.
“Kurinka’s regeneration… While it’s easy to focus on healing wounds, its essence is to restore objects and concepts to their original state. If my expectations are correct, the seal should be broken. But the opponent is that older sister…”
“Is Elmera’s sister strong?”
“By your standards, she’s stronger than me.”
“R-Really?! If Elmera says so, it must be true.”
Kurinka couldn’t hear this conversation. She was maintaining her regeneration in complete silence, which likely helped her concentrate. However, it seemed quite challenging, as there were no visible changes so far.
“Kurinka, you’re sweating… Elmera, will the seal break?”
“We can only believe.”
Kurinka’s expression was pained. It was as if she were constantly casting healing magic, and eventually, her magical energy would run out. Extreme depletion of magical power could be life-threatening, and I was worried. But I couldn’t stop Kurinka from doing what she wanted. At times like this, feeling helpless was unbearable.
“Elmera, is there anything I can do? Like when we faced the Comet Wolf Brigade’s boss.”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
When it came to her sister, she could become this serious. While I was preoccupied with that thought, a slight change occurred in Kurinka’s long battle. A bluish-white magical energy burst like bubbles, and Kurinka’s body trembled violently. What was happening? What was wrong?
“Kurinka!”
“Don’t!”
“But that looks dangerous for Kurinka!”
“…Then fine. Stop.”
“Huh…?”
“I can’t trade Kurinka’s life for this. Extreme depletion of magical power can sometimes be life-threatening.”
Even if I told Kurinka the truth, I doubted she would stop. It was the same with Rutna. She would do anything to save someone, no matter how reckless. In that regard, she was similar to me. She was always quiet, just watching the children play, but through our journey, I had come to understand her. Even if our personalities were different, at our core, we were alike. So even if I were in Kurinka’s position, I wouldn’t stop her. So what should I do? There was only one answer.
“Hey! What are you doing?! Stop it!”
“If something is tormenting Kurinka, I will destroy it. I will protect Kurinka.”
“Can you take responsibility?!”
“I can.”
I didn’t know what that ‘something’ was. But as I stood here, I could feel it through the fabric, through Kurinka’s skin. Her body temperature. I understood everything as I gently enveloped Kurinka.
“With zero knowledge of magic, you should stop!”
“Even with knowledge of magic, this seal can’t be undone, right?”
“That’s true!”
Yes, I could understand everything. Right now, what was tormenting Kurinka was Elmera’s sister’s magical energy. Just a fragment of it, yet it had such a profound effect. If we considered Elmera’s sister as milk, then the seal was water. When you add milk to water, it clouds and becomes indistinguishable. Moreover, since the scent was gone, Elmera probably didn’t even realize it was her sister’s magical energy. She likely only sensed a magical presence, as she had mentioned before.
To my surprise, I understood it all clearly; the cause was Kurinka’s regeneration. I could directly perceive the force trying to unravel the seal. When I defeated Vattel before, I hadn’t been able to grasp it this well. What had previously felt vague now made sense as a logical understanding.
“I’ll handle the magical energy.”
Kurinka didn’t respond. I knew she didn’t have the luxury to do so, and I didn’t need her to tell me she wasn’t disregarding me. If touching each other could strengthen our bond, then without hesitation, I sealed Kurinka’s lips with mine.
“Mmm…”
Destruction and regeneration, like Kurinka and me, were opposites. Our personalities were entirely different, and Kurinka was far more intelligent. Yet my power was stronger. It seemed impossible for us to get along, but it was precisely because we were different that we could achieve things together. Only beings that were different could cover each other’s shortcomings.
Kurinka’s slippery lips and tongue melded with mine, creating a sensation as if our consciousness was merging. From deep within my mind and stomach, excitement surged, and I held Kurinka tighter. I didn’t want to let go; I wanted to stay like this forever. I wouldn’t let anyone take my Kurinka away. By wishing so strongly, our powers intensified. Within my consciousness, a vague image appeared in my mind. Flowing hair like a thin green stream, gentle eyes that seemed to watch over someone, skin as delicate as white, and the perfect adult female figure. This was Elmera’s sister, and she flickered like flames in my mind.
A void opened within Elmera’s sister. Holes like those made by insects began to close. The magical energy and Elmera’s sister merged, fading and then returning to their original state. Break and restore, break and restore. Over and over again. The only one I was focused on restoring was Elmera’s sister. I was destroying both water and milk simultaneously.
I was solely dedicated to recreating Elmera’s sister. In the process of restoration, I repelled the magical energy and only gathered the image of Elmera’s sister. I remembered watching Kurinka cook once. Water and oil don’t mix, meaning magical energy and Elmera’s sister wouldn’t mix either. Once Elmera’s sister returned to her original state, it would happen naturally.
“Um, are the two of you okay?”
“I don’t know…”
I could hear my father and Elmera’s voice, trembling with emotion, from afar. As I continued with the overwhelming task at hand, I felt my consciousness begin to fade.
――――Thank you.
In that moment, everything around me became a blur, and I was on the brink of losing awareness. Someone was expressing gratitude, their voice devoid of inflection, almost lulling me into sleep.
――――It’s alright now.
Is that so? Then I suppose it’s fine.
“Hey! Stay with me! Rua!”
My cheek stung. It felt like someone had slapped me quite hard. Various faces loomed over me, one of them my father, another my mother, and then there was Elmera, her eyes red from crying. The villagers surrounded us.
“…Was I sleeping?”
If it was morning, I needed to wake up. I had thought that just before I was about to say I was sleeping. Right in front of me was Kurinka, still clinging to me. Realizing we had fainted while embracing each other, I hurriedly shot up.
“R-Right! What about the seal?!”
“…The Ribbon is just as it was.”
Elmera pinched the Ribbon and waved it in front of me; nothing seemed different. That made sense, though. Elmera’s sister had been sealed, but it was originally just a Ribbon. But if that was the case, did that mean we had failed? The villagers were surrounding us, but there were no other unfamiliar women around.
“Lua-chan…?”
“Kurinka, I’m sorry to wake you, but it seems we… might have failed.”
“No, it was a great success. Let’s give it a round of applause. A round of applause!”
I recognized that voice. No, I was sure I had heard it before.
“What? Is someone there…? Huh? Who are you?”
Before anyone else could react, it was Bongo who turned around, but it was Elmera who acted first. With a speed rarely seen even in battle, she dashed toward a beautiful woman.
“O-Older sister…!”
“Elmera…”
The woman had long ears, just like Elmera. In contrast to Elmera’s petite frame, she was a fully grown adult. The woman gently enveloped Elmera, who was so overwhelmed with emotion that she could barely speak. Her slender white arms cradled Elmera’s back, supporting her head against a large, soft chest.
“Sister! It’s really you, isn’t it?! You’re here, right here!”
“I’m right here. Elmera… I’m so glad to see you…”
“Sister! It’s really you! Waaaah! Sister!”
I couldn’t bear to intrude on the space between Elmera and her sister, who were crying and embracing each other. Rather than feeling relieved that we hadn’t failed, I was captivated by their reunion. If left alone, it seemed Elmera would cry forever, held tightly by her sister. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that her sister’s eyes were slightly misty as well. That made sense; they had been apart for so long.
“Are you feeling alright, sister? I can use various spells, so if anything’s wrong, just let me know. Should we take a break? What do you think?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
“You’re fine! Just like you, sister!”
I couldn’t interrupt this moment. There was something uniquely special about it. I had never seen Elmera so honest, and her sister, who seemed to guide her, was impressive.
“Now, let’s wipe those tears away. And your nose too.”
“Wipe it!”
“Do it yourself. You’re not a child anymore…”
“Okay!”
I wondered if it was time to step in. We had just broken the seal, and I couldn’t just watch forever. Besides, I wanted her sister to notice us too.
“Yes, yes, good job. Now, let’s talk to those people over there.”
“Okay!”
Like a mother soothing her child, Elmera’s sister finally approached us. Her movements were calm and graceful, truly feminine. I noticed how quiet it had become; the villagers were captivated, especially my father.
“…She’s beautiful.”
“I want her to come to my home… I’ve fallen for her…”
“She’s like a model of womanhood.”
My mother and the others seemed ready to get angry. Elmera’s sister moved with such grace that it felt like she was being considerate, not making a sound.
That sister quietly bowed before us, keeping her head down for a moment. Then she slowly straightened up.
“Greetings, humans. My name is Meril, the last surviving elf alongside Elmera.”
“Well, well, how polite… I am the village chief, Jimfu.”
While her politeness was commendable, it was almost too much, making it hard for us to connect. At this rate, she might end up greeting each of us individually.
“Sister, let’s keep the greetings brief. Those two over there helped break your strongest seal!”
“Rua and Kurinka, right?”
“W-How do you know our names? We haven’t introduced ourselves yet…”
“You were calling each other’s names so loudly, it was hard not to hear. ‘Lua-chan! Kurinka!’… Hehe.”
In an instant, I understood what she meant. Apparently, I had been calling out Kurinka’s name unconsciously, right in front of Elmera’s sister, Meril. The fact that her voice was the last thing I heard meant our consciousness had been wide open.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed. Love between women is a perfectly natural thing among us elves; love isn’t solely about the continuation of our species.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not really my thing…”
“I love Elmera!”
“I love you, sister!”
There was no need for all the hugging. I felt like I shouldn’t intrude on this moment, and more importantly, the conversation wasn’t progressing.
“Once again, thank you for breaking the seal. I appreciate it.”
“Yeah! Both of you, I want to thank you too! Thank you so much!”
“Thank you?”
“Since you both fainted at the last moment, I can’t give you a double thank you… Ah! That’s rude of me. More importantly, there’s something significant I need to discuss. It’s important for everyone here, not just the two of you.”
Even as she began to say something that seemed a bit rude, she gently patted Elmera’s head. I had thought she was a kind and composed person, but this was definitely the side of Elmera’s sister. She had said everything was alright, so I felt relieved.
“Something important?”
“Yes. The fact that my seal has been broken means that someone with great power has appeared in this era. That is a serious matter.”
“Hmm?”
“Rua, it’s pointless for you to think too much, so just listen.”
“You shouldn’t laugh at someone’s efforts.”
“I’m sorry, sister!”
This sister duo was throwing me off balance.
“Let me explain everything…”
Suddenly, Meril’s demeanor shifted; her brows furrowed, and her voice deepened slightly. I could feel the atmosphere change, and I leaned in to listen.
◆ Shin Report ◆
The report has come out from my eyes, a strange water making everything a mess.
It’s certain that I’m not crying.
There’s no way I would cry over someone like Elmera.
My pride won’t allow it.
Ah, oh, the report is blurring again.
From my eyes, yes, this is from my eyes, it’s leaking.
Not tears, but something else.
The truth of my heart, I believe, yes, I believe.
Oh, how amusing!