Extra 10: Bonus Anime Episode (Final Part)

Bonus Anime Episode (Final Part)

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Since the three of them wouldn't stop crying, I was alone on the beach making a crab farm.

What is a crab farm?

If you want to start a crab farm, the first thing you should do is find a small tide pool on the beach. It doesn't have to be very big. Just a palm-sized puddle left alone on the beach. It's the kind of pool where seawater remains in a depression after the waves have receded. If you look closely, you'll see small fish and shellfish left behind, and if you peer into it, it's a quiet, cool place, as if time has stood still.

Build an enclosure using stones and driftwood around the tide pool to prevent the crabs from escaping. Then, release crabs caught from the beach into the enclosure and your crab farm is complete. You can watch the crabs scurrying around the farm, or catch some new crabs. This is where your skills as a farmer come into play.

I released my tenth crab and peered into the tidal pool, breathing a sigh of relief. Contentment. The crabs were strutting around the small pool, their legs bucking and stomping about as if they were masters of the world.

...But what can I say?

Judging from their reaction earlier, they don't believe that I have an almost infinite lifespan. That's probably a reasonable assumption. I tried to think deeply about why they don't believe me, but I stopped because I was afraid it would hurt my feelings.

So, what should we do from here? Since we've come all the way to the beach, I want the four of us to have fun together. What I really want to say is, "Let's have fun and forget about my lifespan!" Or rather, I said that quite directly just now. But I feel like their reaction wasn't that great. Hmm...

(1) Having twice the lifespan of a human → X (failure due to remaining lifespan minus 10 years)

(2) I have countless lifespans → X (No one will believe it)

(3) Life remaining? 3 minutes! → ? (Unknown)

Why is (2) no good? It's the truth.

But maybe people don't believe that I have such a long lifespan. They're like, "There's no way such a creature exists!" If someone were to make such a claim in public, they'd probably be mobbed by the crowd. That's a scary thought.

...I should have thought more carefully before saying how many years I have left to live...? I thought maybe 10 or 15 years was better...huh?

I sensed their presence and looked up, and saw the three of them walking steadily towards me. It seemed they had stopped crying. Great.

However, perhaps frightened by their presence, the crabs in the enclosure all jumped out of the enclosure and escaped, destroying my crab farm like a swarm of spiders.

Ah, fleeting glory.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

The hero called out. He seemed to be trying to hide it, but the atmosphere was very tense. It was definitely not a "Crab Farm, what a romantic place" kind of vibe.

I could honestly answer, "I used to run a farm," but all that's left now is a broken fence and a murky tide pool. Oh well. I can just build another farm. I don't want to bother them, so I'll just answer the safe answer.

"I was just staring blankly at the ocean."

Hearing this, the princess lowered her head and put her hand over her mouth. She looked sad. Am I not even allowed to see the ocean...? Then why did you bring me to the ocean, Princess?

"...Sorry. I was the only one who got out first."

"That's fine. Anyway, there's something I want to ask you."

The princess looked at me with a determined voice. The other two also looked at me intently.

"How many years do you really have left to live?"

"Really……"

I answered earlier, but they're asking me again... My previous answer was wrong after all.

...I'm confused.

Now, the only options left for me are "3 minutes" or "15 years."

If we make a mistake here, it will surely be irreversible.

Which one...?

Which one is everyone looking for?

A cold sweat ran down my back.

In the future, if I answer three minutes, and three minutes later the princess retorts, "You're alive!", everyone will laugh and it will be a happy ending. Is that the right answer? Is that really the case? Is that the atmosphere right now? Is something different...?

She has a fierce gaze that makes it seem like she could kill a swordsman or someone else, and I think if there were children there they would cry. I'm an adult so I don't cry, but I'm lying, I feel like I might cry a little.

Unable to bear the fear, I quietly looked away.

When I tilt my head to the left, the three of them flinch, but when I tilt my head to the right, they stare at me with wide eyes. Which one...? I wish they'd at least give me a hint. Judging from their reactions, is the right answer correct? No, which one is right, "3 minutes" or "15 years"?

...Okay. Now that it's come to this, let it be what it is!

It'll be fine! Even though I may look like this, I've lived for 5000 years...! I'm sure I can get through this correctly too, I can do it, I can do it...! Right! Go for it!

After much deliberation, I took the plunge and was about to open my mouth. Then, as if to preempt my request, the hero interrupted me. I was just about to say something. How impatient.

"Is it hard to say? Or have you forgotten what you were asked?"

"How rude. I only have three minutes left to live, right?

"Three...?! Eh? Three minutes?! ...Three minutes?!"

In that instant, the hero looked at me three times. I immediately changed direction.

"Sorry, that was a lie. It wasn't three minutes. I think it was about 15 years."

"Was it really necessary to insert that lie?"

"Because you're rushing me..."

That was close! I got it wrong by 3 minutes! Nice work, hero! Thank you for stepping in after all! Just like my childhood friend!

The princess beside him, her expression constantly changing like a hundred faces, rolled her eyes and muttered to herself, "Three minutes? Ah, fifteen years? Thank goodness! No, that's not good after all...!"

Meanwhile, the swordsman was staring intently at me, so I made eye contact and smiled. He then quietly looked away. I felt a little sad. Maybe the swordsman didn't like my smile.

Now, after the Princess's spinning eyes had calmed down, I spoke to her and it seemed that the three of them would find a way to extend my lifespan.

The princess clasped her arms in front of her chest and straightened her back. Her eyes were burning with something.

"I swear on the prestige of the royal family that I will make it five times, no, eight times larger than it is now...!"

"No, that's fine, it's fine..."

I already have plenty. What would happen if it were eight times as much? However, seeing the sad look on the princess's face, I closed my mouth. Hmm, but isn't this all in vain...?

But then, suddenly, an electric current ran through my brain. That's it...!

First, I'd go on an adventure with the princesses and find something similar. It would be something like a rare local specialty. Then, after eating it, I'd exclaim, "Oh, thanks to you all, my life expectancy is increasing exponentially...!" A miraculous happy ending.

This way, we can all just go on a fun adventure together. It shouldn't be too much of a hassle, right? Plus, if we could find something that would really extend our lifespan, that would be the best thing. If the three of them could live longer, we could have even more fun...!

The three of them looked at me with anxious expressions. I bowed my head deeply.

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu……!"

The hero then raised his fist and laughed, "Leave it to me!" The princess put her hand to her chest and nodded firmly, saying, "I'll make sure of it!" The swordsman quietly raised one arm.

"You were confused, but suddenly you're so understanding."

"I was wondering if it might be bothersome..."

"There's no way that's true! Then why did you nod so obediently?"

"I'd be happy if we could find something and everyone could live longer. That way we'd have more time to play."

"..."

The hero suddenly fell silent. Instead, the princess wiped her eyes and spoke in an overly cheerful voice.

"That's right! Let's play! We've come all the way to the beach!"

Then we played in the sea.

We all got barefoot and chased after the glowing jellyfish-like creatures floating gently on the shore.

They were excited to see the fish gliding across the water, and the four of us worked together to build an enormous sandcastle on the beach.

The princess's ideas of building a tower, digging a moat, and using seashells to decorate the windows were adopted, and the hero and swordsman carried them out silently. I placed a piece of driftwood on the roof instead of a flag and declared, "The founding of the nation is complete!"

We split into two teams and played ball. The princess spiked the ball from an incredible angle, and the hero failed to catch it, sending him crashing headfirst into the sand castle that had just been built.

Next to him, I missed the ball and tripped, burying myself deep next to the hero. The swordsman saw what was happening and laughed, something he rarely does.

"Ah, we had fun..."

The hero sits on the beach, watching the sunset in the distance. Before he knows it, the sea has turned orange with the setting sun. The dark clouds that seemed to be approaching at noon are now moving slowly from right to left across the horizon.

"First of all, let's start with the east. Apparently there was a priest in the magical barrier city who lived a very long life. Perhaps because of that, he knew everything. I wonder if this could be a clue as to how to extend one's lifespan."

The princess continued. This was also dyed bright red by the sunset.

"Very long life?"

"Even though he's human, he lived for 1,000 years."

"Seriously? Isn't that impossible?"

Ah, so that's impossible after all. Actually, I feel like I've heard the phrase "a monk who lived for 1000 years" before...

He might have been an old acquaintance of mine. He certainly was knowledgeable. He taught me all sorts of common sense things, like why sunsets are red, or how beaches disappear over thousands of years.

"This beach may disappear in 1000 years..."

"Why did you suddenly think that..."

"An old acquaintance of mine told me that the sea is gradually eroding the beach. I'm not sure if that's true though."

"What I'm asking is why did you suddenly bring that up?"

Then the princess chuckled.

"Well, why don't we come and see it in 1000 years? Let's check it out, everyone."

Everyone stared at the princess who suddenly spoke with wide eyes. ...I see, so that's how the hero felt. I'm sorry for confusing you.

Meanwhile, the princess, who had everyone's attention on her, said, "N-no..." and waved her hands frantically.

"Well, we're all going to search for a way to extend your lifespan. Of course, we'll keep going until we find it. We'll go anywhere, whether it's the Magic City or the Glacier Country. So it's possible for us all to live for 1000 years."

"In an ideal world, of course," the Princess said, looking away sheepishly.

When I hear that, I get a little excited. We'll all come here in 1000 years. That sounds like a very happy future.

"Then I'll be the first to wait next time."

"What's wrong with you, accepting this as normal..."

"If it gets late I'll leave you behind."

"Hey, do you know what the word 'waiting' means?"

Then, with a quiet smile, the swordsman muttered.

"Then we have to make sure we don't get left behind."

"Now, this is how adults respond."

"I don't understand that...!"

Then we looked at each other and made a vow. Without anyone saying anything, we raised our fists and gently clapped them together.

"That's a promise."

"I'll protect you~"

"Fufu, I won't forgive you if you keep us waiting, Hero."

"Why do you assume I'll be the last one to arrive?"

We vowed to meet again in a thousand years, facing the sunset-tinted sea and the crumbling sandcastle.

--It's a promise that may or may not come true.

At the very least, until the answer is revealed in 1000 years... it won't be boring.

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★★★★★

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[The Runaway Wizard] Bonus Anime Commentary & Impressions Part 2

1: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard is playing with the crab again lol

3: Anonymous of the Wind

　The first time she met the hero, she was doing the same thing at the river.

5: Anonymous of the Wind

　Maybe it's a common game among long-lived species.

8: Anonymous of the Wind

　It won't be long now, so she's remembering when they first met...

10: Anonymous of the Wind

　Hey, stop it

12: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh, three people have come.

　Who's going to bring up the topic of lifespan?

15: Anonymous of the Wind

　I'm determined that it will be the hero

　Because they're childhood friends

16: Anonymous of the Wind

　The princess is fast lol

　The three of them were bargaining a bit lol

19: Anonymous of the Wind

　What?!

　3 minutes left to live?

21: Anonymous of the Wind

　Seriously three minutes, lmao

　Ultraman maybe?

24: Anonymous of the Wind

　Why did you tell such a lie...

26: Anonymous of the Wind

　If you're playing with crabs when there are only three minutes left, you're too much.

29: Anonymous of the Wind

　...15 years, huh... Well, that's a relief, I guess?

31: Anonymous of the Wind

　Is that really true? Is it really 15 years?

33: Anonymous of the Wind

　She was playing with crabs so it probably won't be anytime soon.

37: Anonymous of the Wind

　"I'd be happy if everyone lived longer."

　What are you talking about (seriously)

39: Anonymous of the Wind

　Time stopped for a moment...

40: Anonymous of the Wind

　It's the sea!

42: Anonymous of the Wind

　Wizard-chan's swimsuit...

　I thought she had zero sex appeal, but it's surprisingly good.

　Am I tired...?

45: Anonymous of the Wind

　It suits her

　A plain look that makes you think you might be at the school pool

　But that's good

46: Anonymous of the Wind

　Maybe she's a little embarrassed, but she's fidgety.

49: Anonymous of the Wind

　The princess has a strong presence

　With that kind of sex appeal, you can't be a member of royalty.

51: Anonymous of the Wind

　Even though there is such a princess, the hero only has eyes for the wizard...

54: Anonymous of the Wind

　The swordsman is casually only looking at the wizard, what's with that gaze?

56: Anonymous of the Wind

　Meanwhile, wizard seems to be fascinated by jellyfish and mysterious fish.

57: Anonymous of the Wind

　She loves living things lol

59: Anonymous of the Wind

　A swordsman casually catches a fish with his bare hands lol

　The wizard who is confused when presented with it is also good.

62: Anonymous of the Wind

　Swordsman, get on board

66: Anonymous of the Wind

　The sand castle is huge lol

68: Anonymous of the Wind

　A princess who is extremely particular about castles

　With her hands on her hips, she looks like a construction site supervisor

　Where did you get the megaphone from?

71: Anonymous of the Wind

　If you build a piece of driftwood on top of a castle, does that mean you've founded a country...?

72: Anonymous of the Wind

　Wizard-chan, you have some kind of misunderstanding about countries.

74: Anonymous of the Wind

　Then suddenly volleyball started

76: Anonymous of the Wind

　Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the princess's spikes attack the hero.

78: Anonymous of the Wind

　Powerful princess lol

81: Anonymous of the Wind

　The swordsman is left-handed

　It seems like it's hard to catch his curveball serves either.

84: Anonymous of the Wind

　Ah, it's a loose ball for the wizard.

85: Anonymous of the Wind

　So kind

86: Anonymous of the Wind

　Meanwhile, the hero is subjected to relentless barrages.

88: Anonymous of the Wind

　The rules prohibit concentrated attacks on one person.

　That's an honest opinion.

89: Anonymous of the Wind

　However, in this case, since they are aiming for the better player, it is questionable whether this is cheating...

91: Anonymous of the Wind

　Why is it so serious in the first place...?

93: Anonymous of the Wind

　It seems to be related to the fact that the hero was paired with the wizard when they were dividing the teams.

　The hero who won somehow is amazing

94: Anonymous of the Wind

　It's love

　It's love!!

96: Anonymous of the Wind

　After that, he said, "I'll protect you!" That was a bad move...

98: Anonymous of the Wind

　Are the princess and the swordsman monsters or something?

99: Anonymous of the Wind

　I don't know... hmm

100: Anonymous of the Wind

　Ah, the hero have crashed into the castle.

　The princess's castle is half destroyed...

102: Anonymous of the Wind

　Don't talk like the real royal capital was attacked.

103: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard was also buried lol

105: Anonymous of the Wind

　A strange sight: two people's lower bodies protruding from a crumbling sandcastle

　What would a passerby think if they saw it?

106: Anonymous of the Wind

　Murder scene or religious ceremony?

108: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh, so this is the ass in the wall that everyone's talking about?

110: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard flailing her legs is so cute

　I can't resist this

111: Anonymous of the Wind

　*Zip_down.jpg

112: Anonymous of the Wind

　Don't stand up

　Sit down

113: Anonymous of the Wind

　Weak and unable to resist

118: Anonymous of the Wind

　In the end, they played until the evening.

120: Anonymous of the Wind

　A monk who lives for 1000 years is a long-lived species, isn't he?

121: Anonymous of the Wind

　No way he is human

123: Anonymous of the Wind

　The definition of long-lived species breaks down

124: Anonymous of the Wind

　To the wizard, the monk and the beach are the same lol

　What kind of categorization is that?

125: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh no, this girl

　She say it's normal to live for 1000 years...

　They promise her something for 1000 years from now...

126: Anonymous of the Wind

　I love making promises that will never come true, they're fleeting

128: Anonymous of the Wind

　If more and more people lived longer, would long-lived species no longer be persecuted?

130: Anonymous of the Wind

　Surely 1000 years is impossible?

　No, it's a sign that they won't give up

132: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh, but it looks like it's going to end like this

　It wasn't too cloudy this time...

133: Anonymous of the Wind

　(looking away from the first half) Yeah.

　This is within the acceptable range

134: Anonymous of the Wind

　The viewers who have followed them this far

　The appearance is different

136: Anonymous of the Wind

　This seems to be normal right?

137: Anonymous of the Wind

　Surely

　There's going to be a second season announcement

138: Anonymous of the Wind

　Hey Director!

　Now that you've come this far!

　There can only be a happy ending!

145: Anonymous of the Wind

　Second season! Second season!

149: Anonymous of the Wind

　I want to see the four of them still messing around 1000 years from now!

159: Anonymous of the Wind

　I want to see the new life of the married couple.

175: Long-lived Niki

　Everyone, don't let your guard down so much...

　Honestly, I think this is a dangerous pattern.

189: Anonymous of the Wind

　Ah, I see something...huh?

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★★★★★

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Suddenly, the scene goes dark... and what is projected onto the screen is the sea at night. Nothing can be heard except the sound of the waves gently lapping on the shore.

There was no trace of the gigantic sandcastle that had once been built.

How much time has passed? What was once a wide sandy beach has been eroded by the waves, leaving only a thin, barren stretch of sand.

In one corner, a small bonfire was burning.

The faint flame sways in the wind, casting a flickering shadow on the sand.

A young girl was sitting by the fire.

Wizard-chan—her appearance hadn't changed at all, as if she had been left behind in time: her hair color, her height, even the shape of her eyes.

She was the only one who remained the same as she was that summer.

Her profile neither smiles nor cries.

She just looked up at the starry sky with no expression on her face.

Eventually, the girl muttered softly.

"--Where should I go next?"

As if in response to the voice, a spark of fire rose into the sky on the wind, and eventually dissolved into the night sea.

And then—the screen slowly goes dark.

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★

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In a complete change of scenery, a world of dazzling light appears.

Walking through the crowd was a young wizard.

Suddenly, the girl stopped and turned around.

Behind her stood the hero, the swordsman, and the princess, three companions who had once traveled together.

They didn't say a word, just stared straight at the girl with serious expressions on their faces.

The girl also doesn't say anything.

In her hand she held a black, sinister wand.

There was only a small distance between the three people standing still and the girl. But those few steps were a line that would never be filled.

The light gradually becomes stronger.

And then, the girl suddenly laughed, and the moment she was about to say something—the entire screen turned white, and everything was swallowed up in it.

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★

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The scene changes and we are once again at the sea at night. The surroundings remain silent.

The bonfire is still flickering. No one is there except for the young wizard girl.

The girl remained silent, staring up at the starry sky. She kept staring up.

After a while, the screen slowly goes dark again.

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★

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An end card appears.

The beach at dusk.

The sky is dyed crimson, and a faint golden light flickers on the shore.

Within it—four shadows were walking side by side.

The hero walks in the lead.

His hand was tightly gripping the wizard girl's hand.

The girl looked flustered as she was being led by the hand, but she had a beaming smile on her face.

The princess walked behind them.

She holds back her hair, which is blowing in the wind, with her hand and looks at the two of them with a soft smile.

Her face was utterly calm.

And behind her is a swordsman.

He put his hands in his pockets and narrowed his eyes.

He walked while keeping a little distance between them, as if to protect the other three.

Footprints dotted along the shore.

Next to it was a huge, half-destroyed sandcastle.

The sand is crumbling, as if to prove that people had been playing there just a moment ago.

A quiet, warm painting that seems to capture just this moment.

And in the bottom right corner of the screen, there were some cute little white letters.

[~The Second Season of "The Runaway Wizard" begins!~]

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★★★★★

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201: Anonymous of the Wind

　Huh... what was that just now?

223: Long-lived Niki

　See, I told you so...

234: Anonymous of the Wind

　What is this bright end card?

　Huh? Was that just a dream?

240: Anonymous of the Wind

　...What does that mean?

　Wizard-chan, why were you alone...?

264: Anonymous of the Wind

　All I can see is "Hell begins again!"