Chapter 16: Last Will and Wish
I spread my cloak and laid the unconscious Eris down upon it, waiting for Sensei to make her move. Though she had her eyes closed, seemingly in meditation, I knew she was not one to engage in meaningless actions. However, the anticipation of when she would finally act made every passing second feel like an eternity.
As I waited, various anxieties crossed my mind. Thoughts of our separated party members. The state of the Sealed Labyrinth. Just as my thoughts reached that point, Sensei’s eyes opened.
“I’m ready. Let’s go, Son-in-law.”
Where to? It was only natural for me to wonder. Sensei stood up straight and faced the Sealed Labyrinth.
“Shikimimuro.”
As she chanted something, a sword— the Scarlet Fan— appeared in her right hand, tracing a rectangular shape in the air about two meters high.
“What!?”
It was only natural for me to be astonished. The lines of the rectangle that Sensei had drawn with the Scarlet Fan seemed to be carved out, collapsing to reveal a black hole before us. “A hole? What on earth is that?” I thought, but it was the only way to describe the pitch-black space that had materialized right in front of me.
“Don’t worry, Son-in-law. Just follow me.”
Even though she said not to worry, I felt a chill run down my spine. While I hesitated, Sensei stepped into the hole, urging us onward.
“Alright! Here goes!”
With determination, I hoisted Eris onto my back and jumped into the darkness.
We found ourselves in the wasteland where I had fought the No-Skill just moments ago, the starry sky overhead. I spotted Sensei leading the way. Opposite her, kneeling on the ground, were Angelica and Ash— cradling Mika in their arms.
My heart raced, pounding like a drum. A terrible premonition filled my mind.
“What happened to Mika?”
I regretted asking as soon as the words left my mouth. Both Ash and Angelica had swollen eyes, their faces stained with tears. Their voices were barely coherent, filled with sorrow. And above all—
“I was a step too late…”
Sensei’s voice cut through the air. I could feel no Qi emanating from Mika… from any living being.
“Ah—”
Words failed me as emotions surged within me. I looked up at the sky, and Ash called out to me.
“I’m sorry, Row-kun. It’s my fault.”
Ash’s tearful words barely reached my ears. She was already at her limit.
“Mika… the Saintess Mika shielded me and took the final blow from the boss monster.”
I was at a loss for words.
“There’s nothing we could have done, Ash.”
Nothing we could have done. Nothing we could have done. How hollow those words felt. They were not words I deserved to say, having known nothing. Yet, some things were beyond our control. I too—
“Row-kun, the Saintess Mika has a final message for you.”
“—A final message?”
“She said, ‘Ichiro, I’m sorry.'”
What was that—? My vision went white.
“She fought desperately to protect us, sacrificing her life. And in her last moments, she said— no, she truly protected me. But she said this:”
I waited for her to continue.
“‘Ichiro, I’m glad you’re safe…’ She was worried about you until the very end.”
I felt my strength drain from my knees. My thoughts became a whirlwind, and tears began to fall.
“Even if she said ‘I’m sorry,’ I can’t forgive her. The pain I felt at that moment can’t be erased by mere words. Mika, I hate you, but still… I care about you…”
I couldn’t bring myself to voice the rest. I looked at Mika again. Her face was pale, bloodless, with dried blood clinging to her skin. I traced it with my finger.
“Let me say ‘I won’t forgive you’ directly. So please, don’t die. I’m begging you. Please.”
Her body was cold. Tears flowed freely, cascading down her cheeks. For some reason, memories of the six months we spent together— memories I had long since buried— came flooding back.
In the past, I had desperately tried to forget those memories. I had scorned that life, deeming it fragile, dependent on her whims.
It was supposed to be fulfilled with Sena by my side… yet here I was, faced with this reality.
“Row-kun…”
I heard Ash’s voice calling me, filled with concern. I knew I should stop crying. But I couldn’t help it; memories of her kept surfacing. I was powerless to stop them.
—Ichiro.
Every time Mika called my name, I recognized that I was not alone in this world. I was immature and anxious, on the verge of screaming, but I managed to get by because she was there. Without her, I wouldn’t have survived.
“Ah, ah, ah…”
I couldn’t stop my voice or my tears. The Saintess was just a title. She was an ordinary girl, helplessly so. Her smile was meant only for me, a treasure I held dear. I foolishly believed I was special to her, the only one who could make her smile.
“Mika, please. Open your eyes.”
I remembered her usual expressionless face, now lit up as she devoured delicious pancakes.
—Ichiro, is it alright for me to eat something this delicious?
When she heard the word “brittle candy,” her eyes sparkled, and she bowed her head, asking me to make some for her.
—Brittle candy? Is it really that delicious? I want to try it.
On sleepless nights, she would visit my room, asking for stories.
—I just can’t sleep… so could we talk for a little while?
All of it had truly happened. I had seen her, crying as she held me tightly, desperate to heal me after I was pierced by a poisoned spear.
—Ichiro! Stay with me, Ichiro!
It was her voice, calling my name repeatedly, filled with concern for my well-being.
“Son-in-law.”
Mika had changed after the Labyrinth Conquest. I understood now, through my interactions with Pulmy-san and Eris. She hadn’t changed; she had been altered by Ryuguin. I should have trusted her.
“Mika…”
If I hadn’t distanced myself from them… No, it was the will of the Labyrinth that separated us. There was nothing I could have done. Should I have insisted on returning when we first reunited in the Labyrinth? But my words would not have reached her.
What should I have done—?
I realized I should have scolded them without worrying about being disliked. At this point, I should have been able to withstand anything they said. I knew I was already hated.
So, what was I afraid of?
Thoughts that led nowhere swirled endlessly in my mind. Yet, those thoughts eventually converged on a single answer.
“I’m sorry, everyone—”
“Row-kun?”
Ash’s voice was filled with suspicion as she noticed my behavior. From my Magic Bag, I pulled out the item. I held it up to the light.