Season 2 Episode 4 "Walking Next to Eternity"

Season 2 Episode 4 "Walking Next to Eternity"

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--I think it's a bit of a stretch to call that a "tree."

The World Tree towering before me was taller than the mountains, its branches piercing the clouds, and it was impossible to tell how far into the sky it continued. No matter how high I looked, the sky beyond was hazy, as if it were piercing the ceiling of the sky.

At the base lay the city.

The huge roots that jut out from the trunk tower like a castle wall, and the houses are lined up as if they are embedded in between them. People walk around under the roots, which are bigger than the roofs, and the sight is filled with a mysterious sense of security, as if they are living under the protection of the World Tree.

"Wow! That's amazing!"

The hero was the first to speak up, his eyes shining like a child's as he looked up at the sky until his neck hurt.

"I only knew about it through legends, but... I never thought it would be this.... wow."

The princess stopped in her tracks, placing her hand on her chest and staring intently.

The swordsman remained silent, but what floated in his eyes was not sharpness, but quiet awe.

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★★★★★

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[The Runaway Wizard Season 2] Episode 4 "Walking Next to Eternity" Live Commentary & Impressions

1: Anonymous of the Wind

　Apparently we're going to the World Tree today

　They're saying things that don't make sense, like lifespans are visualized and souls are traveling.

5: Anonymous of the Wind

　World Tree

　All I can think of is the game field

12: Anonymous of the Wind

　Huh? Is that the World Tree?

　It's too big lol

17: Anonymous of the Wind

　I thought it was just a Yakusugi cedar, but it's piercing through the clouds...

21: Anonymous of the Wind

　There a city at the foot of the mountain

　The trees are so big that the city looks like a miniature

28: Anonymous of the Wind

　"Welcome to World Tree Town! ...Want to see the lifespan? Come to the plaza."

　It's so light lol

33: Anonymous of the Wind

　The princess is looking at the wizard with a strange expression on her face.

37: Anonymous of the Wind

　"Don't worry! I actually have a lot of life left! I just thought I'd finally be able to prove it here."

　The smiling wizard is actually scary

42: Anonymous of the Wind

　No, isn't this what Niki, the long-lived species, was trying to say about the "longevity"?

45: Anonymous of the Wind

　Ah, a guide-like figure appeared.

　"The World Tree is the oldest relic in existence in the world... it is said to have been created approximately 4,500 years ago."

47: Anonymous of the Wind

　Maybe a fossil?

50: Anonymous of the Wind

　In reality, it would be around the Jomon period.

　It's so old

52: Anonymous of the Wind

　"This is the jewel that tells you how long you will live, a famous landmark in this town! If you look into it, it will glow according to how long you will live! Please take a look!"

58: Anonymous of the Wind

　Don't put something like that in the square right after you enter.

　That's too scary

63: Anonymous of the Wind

　There are people walking around but no one comes near it lol

　What is really a famous place?

67: Anonymous of the Wind

　It's natural that no one will come near it.

71: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard went without hesitation!

　The plaza is starting to get noisy

75: Anonymous of the Wind

　Now we will know

　Is the theory from the long-lived Niki true?

78: Anonymous of the Wind

　The line "Watch me!" just sounds like a red flag to me

80: Anonymous of the Wind

　Wizard-chan peering into a jewel

　⇒ "Crack!" The jewel shatters into pieces

　⇒ Spreading silence

84: Anonymous of the Wind

　Ah (I see)

88: Anonymous of the Wind

　If there's too little, this is what happens...

93: Anonymous of the Wind

　Well, that's definitely not the case here...

95: Anonymous of the Wind

　Because it's obviously ominous...

99: Anonymous of the Wind

　It's also unsettling that the princess's face isn't shown after the peek.

103: Anonymous of the Wind

　That's bad... That's bad...

108: Anonymous of the Wind

　Huh?!

　Is there any insurance they can get in this situation?

111: Anonymous of the Wind

　"It just suddenly broke."

　No, you broke it in terms of timing.

117: Anonymous of the Wind

　This is something that computer beginners often say.

122: Anonymous of the Wind

　...Long-lived species expert?

　Can you explain?

127: Long-lived Niki

　Ah, what? That can't be....

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★★★★★

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"Listen, I'll do something about your lifespan problem. Your problem is my problem."

"'You'? Maybe you meant 'we'?"

As the hero and princess glared at each other, the young wizard girl between them laughed in a troubled manner.

"I wonder if it's anyone problem..."

The market was paved with stone from tree roots and packed with stalls. The smell of dried fruit and vibrantly dyed fabrics wafted through the air, along with the fragrant aroma of cereals.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the people, the young wizard girl seemed particularly happy.

She didn't even have a wand, just clasped her hands behind her back and peered here and there with a grin on her face.

In the square, the white-bearded elder was surrounded.

What he talks about is a way to reappear in this world even after death.

"Even if their bodies decay, those who keep their minds pure remain as shadows. It is said that these shadows guide others and run across the battlefield."

The young wizard girl put her finger to her chin and nodded slightly, "Hmm."

She muttered under her breath, like a child who had discovered a rare toy.

The next thing that stopped her in her tracks was the strange story the alchemist was telling her.

"It is possible to place a soul in a vessel. However, the vessel must be carefully selected. It must be one that has been polished over a lifetime. However, as a prerequisite, an endless attachment to this world is required."

"Hmm... it seems a little difficult...?"

The young wizard laughed awkwardly and gently shook the small ornament she had picked up.

Her companions gazed intently at her profile.

The hero frowned and swallowed his words.

The swordsman lowered his eyes and clenched his fists.

The princess tried to force a smile, her lips trembling.

--They can see it.

Perhaps the girl who is touring the city with such joy is actually measuring the little time she has left.

Perhaps she is searching for a way to continue to exist after death while still smiling.

The three of them felt as if a cold hand was squeezing their chests, and they couldn't even look each other in the eye.

However, the young wizard girl herself blended into the hustle and bustle of the market and simply continued walking lightly.

No one knew what her true feelings were hidden behind that cheerful smile.

•

•

After passing through the market and climbing a flight of stone steps, they came across an old school building. Its vaulted hall was lined with faded murals and ancient documents.

Sitting in the center was an upright, scholarly looking old man, who looked out over the surroundings with sharp hawk eyes, exuding an intimidating presence among the listeners.

"--Reincarnation is the soul going around in a circle."

The old man spoke loudly.

"When a person dies, they let go of their soul, and that soul flows into the next vessel. In this way, the world is constantly circulating."

The young wizard girl sat in the front row, her eyes sparkling, and she was smiling broadly as if she were watching a fun spectacle.

"But..."

A small voice echoed through the hall.

The young wizard tilted her head as if asking a simple question.

"If everyone is a reincarnation of someone else... then the number of people in the world is certainly increasing right now, right? Won't there be a shortage of souls?"

The hall was silent for a moment.

The old man snorted and stroked his beard leisurely.

"Oh, you're a sharp child. Yes, few people notice that contradiction."

The old man stood up proudly, puffed out his chest and continued.

"Souls are not confined to this world. They flow in from other worlds beyond the sky and overflow into other worlds. The circle of souls overlaps many times, transcending a single world."

"I see..."

The young wizard nodded happily, her eyes shining like a child who had just discovered the taste of a new candy.

"So, it's possible for someone from another world to be born here."

The old man smiled with satisfaction.

"That's right. Therefore, reincarnation is also a journey across worlds. It's rare for someone to be reborn and still retain their true self. It's said to happen once every few hundred years."

"Now that I think of it, I think I may have seen a few of them before."

"...Huh...?"

•

•

"Now that I think about it, the system you were talking about that allows you to see someone remaining lifespan, was that the one in the plaza?"

"No! Um, it should be over here..."

The wizard girl took the lead and walked slowly down the road. The number of houses and shops gradually decreased, and instead of trees, winding tree roots grew on both sides of the road.

"--here!"

The square the girl led them to was empty.

White cobblestones stretch out to the horizon, creating a silence that seems to absorb all sound.

At the back, in the center, stands the towering World Tree, its trunk alone as tall as a castle wall.

The branches stretch far above, into the sky, and even their shadows do not reach the ground.

"It's said that while walking to the innermost World Tree, leaves will fall, equal to the person's remaining lifespan."

The wizard girl walked towards the root one step at a time.

The footsteps are absorbed by the stone, and instead only the rustling of the hem of a garment can be heard.

The others watched with bated breath from a short distance away.

"One per year. Keep count. I failed last time."

Suddenly, something floats down from above their field of vision.

One by one, another.

The golden, transparent leaves fluttered gently as they fell, swimming leisurely through the air.

The speed of the leaves is so amazingly slow that you can follow every single vein with your eyes. As they fall, the front and back of the leaves catch the light and reflect off each other multiple times.

When the third piece touched the ground, the wizard girl's feet had not yet reached even halfway to the trunk.

Anxiety spread among the group.

"...too few."

They exchange glances and bite their lips.

But the next moment, a fourth piece falls, followed quickly by a fifth and a sixth. As they flutter, the air sways, touching the wizard girl's cheeks and hair, then letting go.

As she walked further, the number of falling leaves increased in the blink of an eye. Golden leaves began to pile up on the stone pavement, and young buds began to appear. The buds quickly grew trunks, spread their branches, and cast shadows. Before they knew it, the square was transformed into a deep forest.

But the leaves continue to fall. Countless golden leaves fall from the newly grown forest. The stone pavement is already covered in gold, and the leaves pile up in layers, creating a soft rustling sound.

Looking up, golden particles slowly rain down, obscuring the blue of the sky. They resemble snow and a waterfall, but their movement is infinitely gentle, evoking the idea of ​​eternity.

The friends are left speechless.

All they could do was stand there, surrounded by the silent sound of falling leaves.

Only the wizard girl's steps continued silently in the center.

•

•

"...Hey, how many were there?"

"How old are you?"

"That's just the remaining lifespan, so it doesn't matter how old I am right now, right?"

"Yeah. So, how old are you?"

"The World Tree is younger than me after all... you know?"

"Hey, don't lie."

"Are you still holding a grudge when I said to you before, 'I guess I prefer older guys'?"

"Can you stop attacking the soft parts of my heart out of nowhere?"

However, the hero breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, he knew she wouldn't die in a few years. In fact, he was glad that she had a long lifespan. In fact, the more the better.

So, he honestly had no idea. The hero casually turned to look at his companions, who were standing there in silence.

"--Huh? Why do you two look so gloomy?"

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★★★★★

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204: Anonymous of the Wind

　Only those who have never doubted the long-lived species Niki should throw stones.

210: Anonymous of the Wind

　No, I believed him from the beginning!

222: Anonymous of the Wind

　Because he seemed a bit unsure of himself...

238: Anonymous of the Wind

　Anyway, this is a happy ending!

　There's no need to worry about lifespan anymore!

249: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh, thank goodness

260: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard seems like older women

　But can she call me Onii-chan?

271: Anonymous of the Wind

　Get out of the way!!! I'm her Onii-chan!!!

272: Anonymous of the Wind

　Get out of the way!!! I'm the Onii-chan!!!

275: Anonymous of the Wind

　>>271

　>>272

　What is wrong with these two...?

280: Anonymous of the Wind

　Why isn't Niki, the long-lived species expert, happy?

　You should be more happy because you won

291: Long-lived Niki

　Because after this...

　No, it's nothing.

300: Anonymous of the Wind

　Just tell me

　No, please tell me. Tell us.

306: Anonymous of the Wind

　...Come to think of it

309: Long-lived Niki

　The only one who will still be alive in 1000 years is the wizard, right?

　All of her friends are dead, right? In the last scene.

317: Anonymous of the Wind

　Eh?

326: Anonymous of the Wind

　Well, that's...yeah

341: Long-lived Niki

　Then she will be all alone again

350: Anonymous of the Wind

　She keep saying things like "we'll be together forever"

366: Anonymous of the Wind

　Wouldn't it be better if the hero and the Wizard-chan got married?

　So what if she live with her children?

　Well, if they're the child of Wizard-chan, they'll probably live a long life, right?

374: Anonymous of the Wind

　Hold her!!

　Hug her!!

383: Anonymous of the Wind

　Um, no, what are you going to do?